📊 GST Council Meeting Updates

• Used Cars, New Rates! 🚗 GST on old and used cars (including EVs) revs up from 12% to 18%.

• Rice Goes Affordable: 🍚 Fortified rice kernels will now attract just 5% GST instead of 18%.

• Pepper and Raisins Exemption: 🌶️ Black pepper and raisins, when supplied by agriculturists, are GST-free.

• Popcorn Drama! 🍿

  • Salty/spicy? 5% GST (non-packaged) or 12% (packaged).

  • Sweet (e.g., caramel)? That’s a sugar confectionary treat and taxed at 18%!

Us trying to calculate the GST on our popcorn:

📈 Markets

Zomato Joins the Sensex Party! 🥗

Move over, steel! Zomato has officially replaced JSW Steel in the BSE Sensex. With a staggering $513 million in inflows expected, Zomato’s stock is sizzling—up 126% this year! Meanwhile, JSW Steel bids adieu with outflows of $252 million.

SEBI Tightens IPO Rules for SMEs 📜

Planning an SME IPO? SEBI’s new rules require a profit of ₹1 crore in two of the last three years. Promoters’ excess shares will also stay locked for two years. Transparency just got a glow-up!

💡 Big Ideas

Reliance Gets Healthy! 🏥

Reliance Digital Health is investing $10 million for a 45% stake in U.S.-based Health Alliance Group. The focus? Virtual diagnostic platforms for underserved communities.

What does this mean for me? Better healthcare access might just be around the corner, especially for rural areas. For investors, Reliance’s tech-health move is a strong diversification play.

Zetwerk’s $70M Power Play ⚙️

The manufacturing-tech unicorn just raised $70 million. Zetwerk links small manufacturers with big corporations needing custom parts, clocking $2.5 billion in gross annual volumes.

🚀 Startups

magicNOW Delivers in 15 Minutes 🍱

magicpin’s ultra-fast food delivery pilot, magicNOW, promises meals in just 15 minutes. Available in select cities, it’s redefining food delivery.

PhysicsWallah’s IPO Plans 📚

Ed-tech darling PhysicsWallah is rebranding to PhysicsWallah Limited, with a 2025 IPO plan to raise $400-$500 million.

🏏 Sports & Entertainment

Tendulkar Teams Up with Kissht 💳

Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar isn’t just a brand ambassador—he’s also an investor in digital lending platform Kissht. Lending with trust just got a cricket star!

🍵 Quick Snacks

• Haircare Glow-Up: Arata snagged $4 million from Unilever Ventures. Time to shine! 💇‍♀️

• KKR Invests in Cloud Kitchens: Rebel Foods raised $70M. Biryani fans, rejoice! 🍛

• Mobikwik’s Mega Debut: Its IPO launched 59% above issue price. Cha-ching! 💸

🛠️ Labour Strikes in the US

Amazon and Starbucks Workers Unite! ☕📦

Amazon delivery drivers and Starbucks baristas are striking across US cities, demanding union recognition and better contracts.

Why the buzz? Strikes during the holiday season pack a punch! Workers are leveraging the high shopping and dining activity to highlight unfair practices at these corporate giants.

Trump’s twist? With Trump’s return on the horizon, unions are racing to secure deals before his administration’s potential pro-business stance takes hold. But, whispers of a labour-friendly pivot add intrigue!

That’s your chai for today!

Enjoy your Sunday and get ready for the Christmas week ahead.

Got feedback? Hit reply or email us at [email protected]. Stay informed and caffeinated! ☕