Rupee firms to 89.87 after reported RBI dollar sales and lower crude, with markets in a roughly 89.50-90.50 range.
Rupee strengthened to 89.87 against the US dollar on possible RBI intervention and lower crude prices; the report notes RBI dollar sales near 90.23 to curb one-sided currency moves and indicates a near-term trading range of about 89.50-90.50, alongside weaker equity indices and foreign institutional net selling.

Firstsource recognized for delivering AI-powered, outcome-focused banking operations and process automation at enterprise scale.
Recognitions affirm Firstsource's capability to deliver regulated, outcome-oriented banking operations at scale across lending, payments, servicing, transaction processing, collections and financial crime, enabled by a digital-first operating model, platform and analytics investments, and domain expertise that drive cost efficiency and service quality.

Climate activist Harjeet Singh arrested after alleged foreign funding misuse and excess liquor seizure under investigation.
Investigators searched Satat Sampada Pvt. Ltd. and its directors under FEMA, alleging receipt of over Rs 6 crore in foreign remittances booked as consultancy and agro sales revenue, that the company served as a front to channel funds for FF NPT narrative activities, and that shareholders diverted foreign funds to personal accounts, triggering a financial trail investigation for potential foreign exchange contraventions and misuse of funds.

IDFC FIRST Bank's Diamond Reserve Credit Card offers 0% forex markup, tiered travel rewards, and an annual fee waiver at high spends.
IDFC FIRST Bank's Diamond Reserve Credit Card features 0% forex markup on international spends, tiered reward accruals (up to 60/40/10 points per ?150 on hotels/flights/monthly spends with ?0.25 per point), specified travel and insurance benefits, an annual fee of ?3,000+GST with waiver at ?6 lakh annual spends, dynamic interest rates from 8.5% p.a., 0% interest on ATM cash withdrawals until due date subject to a ?199 fee, lifetime reward validity, unrestricted redemption, and digital application for eligible customers.

Delhi and RBI agree to RBI banking, automatic surplus investment and State Development Loans for capital projects.
The MoU appoints the RBI as banker, debt manager and financial agent for Delhi, providing integration into RBI banking systems, automatic daily investment of surplus cash, access to Ways and Means Advances and Special Drawing Facilities, and market borrowings via State Development Loans for capital expenditure focused on Yamuna rejuvenation, water supply, health infrastructure and transport.

ED searches a Delhi NCR climate NGO under FEMA over alleged misuse of foreign funds purportedly labelled as consultancy fees.
Authorities conducted searches at a Delhi NCR climate NGO's office, an associated business store and two residences under FEMA to investigate the end use of foreign exchange received as consultancy charges from offshore NGOs and other groups, amid allegations those funds were used to influence government policy rather than the declared purposes.

Indian rupee weakens amid geopolitical uncertainty and capital outflows, closing at 90.30 per dollar on Monday.
Indian currency declined to 90.30 against the US dollar after four straight sessions of weakness, driven by increased safe haven dollar demand from geopolitical risk, foreign capital outflows that pressured domestic equities, and technical levels with resistance near 90.45 and support around 89.90, while RBI data showed a concurrent rise in forex reserves.

Indian rupee fell to 90.28 against the dollar amid dollar strength, geopolitical tensions, and RBI intervention risks.
The rupee weakened for a fourth straight session to 90.28 per US dollar amid a firmer dollar and subdued equities, with geopolitical tensions boosting safe haven dollar demand while falling crude oil prices and FII inflows partly cushioned the currency; analysts flagged potential Reserve Bank intervention and a near term USD INR trading range of 90.00-90.60, noting recent increases in India's foreign exchange reserves.

Rupee weakens to 90.24 against the dollar amid geopolitical tensions and RBI reserves rise while equities slip.
Rupee opened weak and depreciated to 90.24 against the US dollar amid heightened demand for the dollar after US action in Venezuela; traders said lower crude prices could only partly cushion the fall. The dollar index rose and Brent crude traded slightly lower. Equity indices declined early and FIIs were net buyers the prior session. RBI data showed foreign exchange reserves increased to USD 696.61 billion, indicating reserve accumulation despite currency pressure.

India's forex reserves rose by USD 3.293 billion to USD 696.61 billion, driven by gains in gold and foreign currency assets.
India's foreign exchange reserves rose by USD 3.293 billion to USD 696.61 billion for the week to December 26, driven by a USD 184 million increase in foreign currency assets to USD 559.612 billion and a USD 2.956 billion rise in gold reserves to USD 113.32 billion; SDRs and the IMF reserve position also increased to USD 18.803 billion and USD 4.875 billion respectively.

Foreign banks opening branches in India: IDC chaired by DFS reviewed proposals and recommended approval.
The Inter-Departmental Committee, chaired by the Department of Financial Services, evaluated proposals from foreign banks to open branches, representative offices, or subsidiaries and, after consulting member ministries on security, political and economic considerations, issued recommendations; the IDC functions as the nodal consultative body in the regulatory review of foreign bank entry.

Indian rupee slips past 90 to 90.20 as RBI intervention reportedly supports the currency amid outflows and weak data
The rupee fell past 90 to settle at 90.20, pressured by weak macroeconomic data, FII outflows and importers' dollar demand; lower crude and strong equities cushioned losses, and market reports indicated RBI intervention through dollar sales via state-owned banks which helped limit the decline.

Insurance sector faces structural stress from high cost distribution, prompting calls for cost rationalisation and tech driven distribution adoption now.
The Reserve Bank flags a persistent high expense structure in the insurance sector where premium growth is driven by high cost distribution and front loaded acquisition costs rather than operating efficiency, leading to weakened profitability buffers and potential cyclical vulnerabilities; it recommends cost rationalisation, realignment of intermediary incentives toward persistency and policyholder value, broader technology enabled low cost distribution, and supportive regulatory measures such as risk based capital, enhanced disclosures, and stronger market conduct standards to reduce expense intensity and improve consumer value.

Assam economy recognised for 45% growth, higher per capita income, stronger fiscal metrics and major investment commitments.
RBI data recognises Assam as the fastest growing state economy with 45% GSDP growth in five years, with GSDP rising from Rs 4,10,724 crore to an expected Rs 7,41,626 crore and per capita income up 54%. The government reports improved fiscal metrics-revenue growth of 53%, budget utilisation rising from 65% to 85%, and capital expenditure increases-coupled with large infrastructure projects, a reported Rs 5.18 lakh crore investment commitment, and major industrial investments aimed at attracting private capital and employment.

Bulgaria adopts the euro: lev fixed at 0.51 euros, automatic account conversion, and fee-free cash exchanges.
Bulgaria's adoption of the euro fixes the lev at 0.51 euros, with automatic conversion of bank accounts, dual pricing before the switch, a transitional period allowing lev cash receipts while euros circulate, and fee-free exchange at banks, post offices and the central bank through June 30 and indefinitely at the central bank. Accession places Bulgaria within the eurozone legal and monetary framework, subjects it to ECB monetary policy and grants representation on the ECB governing council while eliminating national tools like independent interest-rate setting.

Unclaimed financial assets campaign used digital platforms and outreach to restitute about Rs.4,200 crore to rightful owners.
The campaign coordinated national and state stakeholders and leveraged existing digital claim platforms under the 3A Framework of Awareness, Access, and Action to enable citizens to trace and claim bank deposits, insurance proceeds, mutual funds, dividends and shares, resulting in approximately Rs.4,200 crore of unclaimed financial assets being restituted to rightful owners.

Rupee weakens amid foreign fund outflows as RBI allows market adjustment while maintaining orderly intervention.
The rupee opened 2026 weaker, depreciating 11 paise to 89.99 per US dollar due to persistent foreign institutional outflows and global uncertainty. The Reserve Bank of India is described as allowing the rupee to adjust with market forces while remaining actively present to smooth excessive moves and maintain orderly market conditions, with near-term USD/INR expected around 89.30-90.20 and a paused India-US trade deal identified as a key upside risk.

RBI staff urged to persist calibrating regulations and prioritise customer centricity and sharpen supervision in the new year.
The Reserve Bank directed staff to continue regulatory calibration and sharpen supervision, prioritising customer centricity and financial inclusion; strengthen the monetary policy framework; deepen financial markets; improve payments and currency management; simplify and consolidate regulatory instructions through a structured formulation framework; and enhance staff skills, analytics, technology use and internal governance while upholding institutional values.

Indian economy expanding robustly while banks show strong capital and liquidity buffers amid external risks to currency.
The report finds the banking sector sound with strong capital and liquidity buffers, improved asset quality and robust profitability. Gross non-performing assets are projected to fall to 1.9% by March 2027 under a baseline scenario but may rise in adverse scenarios; stress tests show banks, mutual funds and clearing corporations can withstand shocks while keeping buffers above regulatory minima. The capital to risk-weighted assets ratio remains comfortably above minimums across bank groups, supporting resilience to adverse economic events.

Stablecoins threaten monetary sovereignty and financial stability; CBDCs are urged as the safer payments alternative.
Widespread adoption of privately issued or foreign-currency stablecoins can undermine monetary sovereignty, weaken monetary policy transmission, and introduce financial stability risks through price volatility and confidence shocks. Stablecoins may also circumvent capital flow management and foreign exchange transfer controls, complicating macroeconomic management and exposing the system to money laundering and terrorism financing risks. The central bank advocates prioritising central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) to deliver efficiency and instant settlement while preserving the safety and settlement finality of central bank money.