In anticipation of the Ram Mandir inauguration on January 22, several Indian states have announced public holidays. States such as Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Haryana, Odisha, Assam, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, Goa, Tripura, Chhattisgarh, and Madhya Pradesh are among those granting citizens a day off to mark this significant religious event. The decision reflects the cultural and emotional significance attached to the construction of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya.

States Declaring Public Holidays for Ram Mandir Inauguration on January 22
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Top Losers in Today's Trading Session – 17th February 2025
Top Loser:
Mahindra & Mahindra: Declined by 3.76%, closing at ₹2,831.95.
Bharti Airtel: Declined by 2.42%, closing at ₹1,675.55.
Wipro Ltd: Declined by 0.89%, closing at ₹305.35.
Tata Consultancy Services: Declined by 0.77%, closing at ₹3,904.50.
Infosys Ltd: Declined by 0.76%, closing at ₹1,842.30.

Top Gainers in Today's Trading Session – 17th February 2025
Top Gainer:
Adani Enterprises: Gained by 3.30%, closing at ₹2,223.70.
Bajaj Finserv: Gained by 2.91%, closing at ₹1,894.85.
IndusInd Bank: Gained by 2.33%, closing at ₹1,048.25.
Power Grid Corporation of India: Gained by 2.27%, closing at ₹263.20.
Shriram Finance: Gained by 2.08%, closing at ₹550.35.

Airtel Expands Global Connectivity with SEA-ME-WE 6 Cable in Chennai
Bharti Airtel has successfully landed the SEA-ME-WE 6 submarine cable system in Chennai, boosting India's global data connectivity. This follows the recent landing in Mumbai on December 30, 2024. The 21,700 km-long cable connects India to Singapore and France, passing through Egypt. It integrates with Airtel's Nxtra data centers, providing seamless access for businesses. With 220 Tbps capacity, Airtel strengthens its network spanning 50 countries and 34 global cables. This investment supports India’s digital growth and enhances secure, high-speed international connectivity.

Ex-Ford India MD Anurag Mehrotra Becomes New Head of JSW MG Motor India
Anurag Mehrotra has been appointed as the new Managing Director of JSW MG Motor India. With nearly 30 years of experience in the automotive industry, he has held key leadership roles at Ford India and Tata Motors. Anurag will focus on expanding JSW MG Motor India’s growth, innovation, and market presence. He takes over from Rajeev Chaba, who played a major role in building MG’s brand in India. The company is now set to strengthen its presence in the New Energy Vehicle (NEV) segment with a strong future strategy.

India's Exports Drop 2.38% in January, Trade Deficit Widens to $22.99 Billion
India’s exports fell by 2.38% to $36.43 billion in January 2025, compared to $37.32 billion last year, while imports rose by 10.28% to $59.42 billion. This has resulted in a trade deficit of $22.99 billion. Despite the January decline, exports for the April-January period grew by 1.39% to $358.91 billion, while imports surged by 7.43% to $601.9 billion. The widening trade gap raises concerns over India's economic balance, as higher imports continue to outpace export growth. Policymakers may need to address trade challenges to stabilize the economy.

Market Movers: Biggest Gainers & Losers on February 17
The stock market saw mixed trends on February 17, with Bank Nifty rebounding 600 points to close at 49,209. IndusInd Bank led the gains with a 2% rise, followed by HDFC Bank (1%), IDFC First Bank (1%), and PNB (0.44%). Godfrey Phillips and GSK Pharma surged 20% each due to strong earnings, while Glenmark Pharmaceuticals gained 4% on profitability. Dilip Buildcon rose 4.4% despite mixed results. On the losing side, Zen Technologies fell 20% after weak Q3 profits, RVNL dropped 7%, and Concord Biotech declined nearly 12%. Genesys International extended losses to hit a six-month low.

Best Senior Citizen FD Rates: Which Bank Offers Highest Returns on Rs 1 Lakh Deposit?
Senior citizens can get higher interest rates on fixed deposits, but the best return depends on the bank and tenure. Punjab National Bank (PNB) offers 7.30% for 1 year, 7.50% for 3 years, and 7% for 5 years. SBI provides 7.30%, 7.25%, and 7.50% for the same periods. Bank of Baroda (BoB) gives 7.35%, 7.65%, and 7.40%. Canara Bank offers 7.35%, 7.90%, and 7.20%. ICICI Bank provides 7.20%, 7.50%, and 7.50%, while HDFC Bank has 7.10%, 7.50%, and 7.50%. Axis Bank offers 7.20%, 7.60%, and 7.75%. For the highest returns, Canara Bank leads for 3 years (Rs 1,26,452), while Axis Bank is best for 5 years (Rs 1,46,784).

Why Hyundai Creta EV and Tata Sierra EV Should Be on Your Radar in 2025
India’s electric vehicle market is set for a major boost in 2025 with exciting launches like the Hyundai Creta Electric and Tata Sierra EV. The Creta EV, launched on January 17, offers a range of up to 473 km, a 41 kWh or 51.4 kWh battery, and premium features like dual 10.25-inch screens, a sunroof, and ADAS. The Tata Sierra EV, expected in August, brings a 500+ km range, a 55 kWh or 65 kWh battery, and an advanced interior with multiple screens. With lower running costs, premium features, and strong battery performance, these EVs are top choices for buyers in 2025.

Yes Bank Stock Drops 1.80% – Investors Watch Key Support Levels
Yes Bank's stock saw a decline of 1.80%, trading at ₹17.45 on February 17, 2025. The stock reached a high of ₹17.82 and a low of ₹17.35. Over the past year, Yes Bank’s share price has fallen 38.76%, with a 52-week high of ₹32.32 and a low of ₹17.06. Analysts suggest a bearish trend, with a key support level at ₹17.48. The trading volume also dropped 21.05% below the 20-day average. Experts recommend closely monitoring the stock's movement for potential further declines.

Zen Technologies Stock Falls 7% Despite 30% Rise in Q3 Profit
Zen Technologies reported a strong 30% rise in net profit for Q3 FY24, reaching ₹39.72 crore, while revenue surged 53% to ₹152.21 crore. However, the stock closed 7% lower at ₹1,349.15 on Friday, with a market cap of ₹12,181 crore. Over the last two years, the stock has soared 534% and gained 2,304% in five years. The firm’s order book stands at ₹816.91 crore. Despite growth, the stock trades below key moving averages, with an RSI of 23.9, indicating oversold conditions. Zen Technologies specializes in defense training systems, including anti-drone technology.

Mahindra’s New EVs Get ₹8,472 Crore Worth of Bookings on Day 1
Mahindra & Mahindra has made a strong entry into the electric vehicle market, securing 30,179 bookings for its newly launched XEV 9e and BE 6 SUVs on the first day. The bookings, worth ₹8,472 crore, highlight growing consumer demand for EVs in India. The XEV 9e accounted for 56% of the bookings, while the BE 6 made up 44%. Mahindra’s high-end Pack Three variant, with a 79 kWh battery, attracted 73% of buyers. Priced between ₹18.9 lakh and ₹30.5 lakh, these EVs are set to boost Mahindra’s position in the market.

Nifty Falls for 9th Day, Worst Losing Streak Since 2011; Sensex Drops 600 Points
Indian stock markets extended their losing streak for the ninth consecutive session, marking the worst fall since 2011. The Nifty 50 slipped below 22,800, and the Sensex tumbled over 600 points. All sectors opened lower, with smallcap and midcap stocks suffering the most, falling over 2%. Foreign investors continued heavy selling, while a weaker rupee and new US tariffs on Indian exports worsened market sentiment. Experts believe the market's weakness is due to high valuations, slow earnings growth, and global uncertainties. However, a potential interest rate cut by the RBI in April and easing crude oil prices could provide some relief.

BSNL Turns Profit For The First Time In 17 Years
BSNL , a government-owned telecommunications company , made a profit for the first time in 17 years. Government had turned its focus to deploying 4 G services to BSNL customers as soon as possible. The company also worked on expanding its 4 G network coverage by installing new towers. BSNL has installed over 62, 000 4 G towers across India as of December 14. It has set an aim of 1 lakh tower installations by June 2025 , which has already been achieved , according to Union Telecom Miniter Jyotiraditya Scindia.

New India Cooperative Bank Faces ₹122 Crore Fraud Allegations

India Behind US And Nigeria In Romance Scams: Moody’s Report
India has featured among the top three countries in the number of new ‘ romance scams ’ profiles opened in 2024. Moody ’s recorded 1, 193 new entities and people with potential ties to romance scams in 2024 , a 14 per cent increase versus 2023. Most Indians have seen fake profiles and/or photos that look AI-generated on dating websites or apps , or on social media. 39 per cent of Indians said their conversations with a potential love interest online turned out to be with a scammer.

Tata Curvv Gets Up to ₹50,000 Discount, New Nitro Crimson Color Introduced
Tata Motors is offering discounts of up to ₹50,000 on the Tata Curvv for the first time since its launch. The ICE-powered Curvv gets benefits of up to ₹20,000, while MY2024 models receive up to ₹50,000 off. The Curvv.ev also gets a ₹20,000 discount on the MY2025 stock. Along with these offers, Tata has introduced a new exterior color called Nitro Crimson, adding to the existing six shades. The Curvv is available in petrol, diesel, and electric versions, with the EV offering a driving range of up to 585 km.

India Leads AI Talks at Paris Summit, Pushes for Fair & Secure AI Development
India played a key role at the Paris AI Summit, co-chairing with France to represent the Global South. Leaders, including PM Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron, discussed AI’s impact on global power, security, and data control. Modi emphasized technological sovereignty, warning against dominance by global AI giants like China and the US. The summit stressed AI infrastructure access, ethical regulations, and secure data governance. As AI transforms industries and national policies, balancing global cooperation with national security remains a major challenge for future AI governance.

Should You Buy the New Mahindra XEV 9E? Features, Variants & Pricing Explained
Mahindra has launched the XEV 9E, a premium electric SUV packed with high-end features and impressive performance. Available in four variants—Pack 1, Pack 2, Pack 3 Select, and Pack 3—the SUV is priced between ₹23.19 lakh to ₹32.53 lakh (on-road, Mumbai). It comes with two battery options: a 59 kWh unit offering 542 km range and a 79 kWh unit with 656 km range. Features like fast charging, ADAS, a triple-screen setup, and premium interiors make it stand out. Pack 2 is the best value-for-money choice, balancing features and price.