📰 India Business Brief: Top Headlines for July 31, 2026

Business Standard

• India's investment map is being redrawn, with fresh investment announcements surging to ₹58.3 trillion in FY26. While Maharashtra and Gujarat continue to lead, states like Andhra Pradesh and Rajasthan are rapidly closing the gap in private capital attraction.
• Gujarat has topped NITI Aayog's inaugural Investment Friendliness Index with a score of 56.6, followed closely by Maharashtra (53.7) and Tamil Nadu (53.3).
• Mahindra's electric vehicle division has officially achieved unicorn status following a successful ₹322 crore funding round, with an IPO now firmly on track.
• The Haryana government has unveiled a new MSME policy aiming to attract ₹55,000 crore in investments and generate 500,000 new jobs.
• India and Germany are reportedly in the final stages of signing a significant deal for next-generation submarines to bolster maritime defense.

Economic Times

• Major Q1 earnings reports show strong corporate momentum: Tata Steel surpassed analyst estimates and approved a massive ₹33,873 crore capital expenditure plan, while Bajaj Finance recorded a 28% jump in net profit.
• The global tech slowdown continues to impact the domestic workforce, as Visa's plan to cut 2,600 jobs and Walmart's restructuring of its Global Tech India unit affect over a thousand local employees.
• Founders of the fintech giant Groww are planning a new ₹400-500 crore fund specifically targeted at consumer-facing and deeptech startups to foster the next wave of innovation.
• The National Stock Exchange (NSE) reported a 7% year-on-year rise in Q1 profit, reaching ₹3,120 crore, driven by robust trading activity and increased retail participation.
• The PM Vidyalaxmi Scheme has been expanded to provide broader access to collateral-free student loans and interest subsidies for higher education across India.

Mint

• External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has formally raised concerns with Ukraine regarding "absolutely unacceptable" attacks on commercial vessels and Indian seafarers in the Black Sea region.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauded the passage of the Public Examinations Amendment Bill 2026, aimed at curbing exam malpractices and protecting the interests of honest students.
• On the global tech front, Meta reported a 28% year-on-year increase in Q2 revenue, although net profit saw a 14% decline due to massive spending on AI and infrastructure.
• Union Minister Nitin Gadkari addressed concerns regarding E20 petrol, noting that while it supports the national ethanol blending program, it may reduce vehicle fuel economy by 2-6%.
• In the entertainment sector, the latest blockbuster "Spider-Man: Brand New Day" recorded a massive opening in India, minting an estimated ₹72.44 crore gross on its first day.

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