New Delhi | January 6, 2026
India’s telecom regulator has imposed a massive financial penalty on telecom operators for failing to effectively curb spam calls and messages, while major developments unfolded across banking, pharmaceuticals, energy, and fertilizers.
TRAI Fines Telecom Companies ₹150 Billion Over Spam Failures
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has imposed penalties totaling ₹150 billion on telecom companies for failing to control spam calls and messages over a three-year period starting in 2020.
According to sources, the fines were levied for improperly closing consumer complaints and failing to take action against telecom connections used by spammers. Telecom operators have challenged the penalties.
TRAI stated that penalties are imposed when service providers fail to comply with financial deterrence regulations. Last year alone, the regulator disconnected over 2.1 million spam-related connections and blacklisted more than 100,000 entities.
HDFC Bank Deposits Rise 12 Percent
HDFC Bank reported a 12 percent year-on-year increase in deposits for the December quarter of the current financial year, reaching ₹27.52 trillion, compared to ₹24.52 trillion a year earlier.
The bank also reported a 12 percent rise in advances, with total loans increasing to ₹28.44 trillion from ₹25.42 trillion.
Bank of Maharashtra Loans Grow Nearly 20 Percent
State-owned Bank of Maharashtra recorded a 19.61 percent rise in total loans during the October–December quarter, reaching ₹2.73 trillion.
The loan book includes ₹1.02 trillion in corporate loans and ₹1.71 trillion across retail, agriculture, and MSME segments.
Torrent Pharma to Raise ₹125 Billion
Torrent Pharmaceuticals’ board has approved raising up to ₹125 billion through the issuance of secured, rated, listed, redeemable non-convertible debentures via private placement in one or more tranches.
Sundaram Alternates Plans ₹20 Billion Real Estate Fund
Sundaram Alternates aims to raise up to ₹20 billion for its real estate fund by March 2026. The firm has already raised ₹10 billion in the past three months and plans to raise an additional ₹5–10 billion by March.
Kotak Mahindra AMC Launches Dividend Yield Fund
Kotak Mahindra Asset Management Company has launched the Kotak Dividend Yield Fund, an open-ended equity scheme focused on dividend-paying stocks. The fund opens for subscription on January 5 and closes on January 19.
Crude Oil Prices May Fall to $50 Per Barrel
According to an SBI Research report, crude oil prices could decline sharply this year and may reach $50 per barrel by June. The report suggests easing energy prices could push retail inflation well below 3.4 percent in FY 2026–27.
Urea Imports More Than Double
India’s urea imports more than doubled in the first eight months of FY 2025–26, reaching 71.7 million tonnes due to lower domestic production.
Data from the Fertilizer Association of India (FAI) shows imports rose 120 percent year-on-year, highlighting increased dependence on foreign supplies.
Urea Production Falls 3.7 Percent
Domestic urea production declined 3.7 percent to 19.7 million tonnes during the same period, while total sales rose to 25 million tonnes. November 2025 sales increased 4.8 percent year-on-year to 3.7 million tonnes.
