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Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman tabled the Sabka Bima Sabki Raksha Bill 2025 in Lok Sabha on 16 Dec, raising FDI cap in insurance from 74% to 100% to achieve universal coverage by 2047. The amendments to 1938 Insurance Act, LIC Act 1956 and IRDA Act 1999 allow non-insurance firms to merge with insurers while mandating an Indian citizen as Chairman/MD/CEO for domestic control, boosting capital
The Indian Finance Ministry stated in Parliament that gold and silver prices are determined by market forces, with no government role in fixing them, amid volatility driven by geopolitical tensions. As relief, it cut gold import customs duty from 15% to 6% in July 2024 and promotes schemes like Gold Monetization Scheme, ETFs, and Sovereign Gold Bonds to curb physical demand and imports.
Bajaj Finance offloaded 1.9994% stake (16.66 crore shares) in Bajaj Housing Finance on Dec 2, 2025 via bulk deal at Rs.95.31, raising Rs.1,588 crore to comply with minimum public shareholding norms. Bajaj Housing shares plunged 9% to a 52-week low of Rs.94.90 on block-deal buzz but rebounded 1.24% to Rs.98.20 the next day. Bajaj Finance’s holding now stands at 86.7%, while its own stock dipped 0.4
The Finance Ministry has clarified that there is no proposal to merge the existing Dearness Allowance (DA) with the basic pay for central government employees and pensioners. The DA, which currently stands at 58%, is revised twice a year based on the All India Consumer Price Index to protect employees’ salaries and pensions from inflation.
India’s finance industry is experiencing high demand for skilled talent, with many positions offering starting salaries exceeding Rs 1 lakh per month. Sectors such as investment banking, fintech, and risk management are hiring actively as businesses grow, markets evolve, and digital technologies transform financial services.
The Finance Ministry is reconsidering the merger of Oriental Insurance, National Insurance, and United India Insurance after recent government capital support strengthened their financial positions. Although the consolidation plan was postponed earlier, improved finances have revived the proposal, with efficiency and scale being major motivations. The government is also evaluating the possibility
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman stated that the government is in discussions with the banking regulator and industry representatives to develop large, world-class Indian banks. Work is also ongoing on the consolidation of state owned banks. She added that the Centre will engage with lenders to determine the way forward and is consulting the RBI on strategies for building larger banks.
