New Delhi, Oct 23: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman highlighted on Thursday that the unified payments interface (UPI) platform processed 754 million payments worth Rs 1.02 lakh crore on October 18, marking the highest single-day tally, as consumer demand surged due to the GST rate cuts.

During the three-day period between Dhanteras and Diwali, the average UPI volumes stood at 736.9 million — higher than 647.46 million in the corresponding period a month ago, the Finance Minister said.

“It has been a cracker of a Diwali for retailers this year as GST rate cuts have boosted consumption, enabling the middle class to add more items to their shopping bags this festive season,” she observed.

From lab-grown diamonds to casual wear and products to adorn homes, both mass and premium segments of the market picked up, Sitharaman remarked.

She pointed out that the roll-out of Goods and Services Tax (GST) 2.0 has injected fresh momentum into India’s growth story by enhancing household purchasing power, easing business operations, and simplifying tax administration.

“By rationalising slabs and lowering rates across a range of consumer goods, the reform has delivered tangible savings for households, freeing up disposable income and helping stimulate demand,” the Finance Minister added.

According to the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT), Diwali sales soared to an all-time high of Rs 6.05 lakh this year.

This marks a 25 per cent jump over the 2024 festive sales of Rs 4.25 lakh crore from the Navratri to Diwali period and is the highest-ever sales in India’s trading history, according to Research and Trade Development Society, the research wing of CAIT.

Mainline retail accounted for nearly 85 per cent of total sales, indicating a strong revival of the brick-and-mortar market, the survey showed.

The reduction in GST rates across key consumer and retail categories such as confectionery, home decor, footwear, and ready-made garments, consumer durables and daily use items significantly improved price competitiveness and increased purchase momentum.

About 72 per cent of surveyed traders reported higher sales volumes directly attributable to reduced GST, according to the survey.

Consumers expressed greater satisfaction with stable prices amid festive demand, aiding consumption continuity post-Diwali.

The non-corporate and non-agricultural sector has emerged as a central pillar of India’s growth, driven by 9 crore small businesses, crores of small manufacturing units and the largest base of consumers.

New Delhi, Oct 23: China Eastern Airlines on Thursday announced the resumption of flights on its India route, and the direct flights between Shanghai and Delhi will start from November 9, in fresh momentum for people-to-people exchanges and economic and trade collaboration between New Delhi and Beijing.

The service will operate three times weekly — on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays. China Eastern Airlines has designated the Airbus A330-200, known for its long-range capability and comfortable cabin environment, for this route.

“The flight from Delhi, MU564, will depart at 7.55 p.m., arriving in Shanghai at 4.10 a.m. the following day. Flight MU563 from Shanghai Pudong International Airport will depart at 12.50 p.m. and arrive at Indira Gandhi International Airport, Delhi, at 5.45 p.m. local time. Tickets for the route are now available for sale,” the airline said in a statement.

The Shanghai and Delhi route is one of the most strategically significant air links between India and China, connecting the major economic and cultural hubs of both nations.

The resumption of this service marks the full restoration of China Eastern Airlines’ network in India.

InterGlobe Air Transport has been the exclusive General Sales Agent (GSA) for China Eastern Airlines in India since 2002, when the airline became the first Chinese carrier to offer direct flights between India and China.

The company manages comprehensive sales, marketing, reservation and ticketing, and operational support for the airline.

It will continue leveraging its extensive network and understanding of the Indian travel market to ensure the sustained success of this vital route, said the airline.

Earlier, low-cost airline IndiGo announced new daily direct flights between New Delhi and China’s Guangzhou from November 10. The airline said that the route will be operated using IndiGo’s Airbus A320 aircraft.

It recently announced daily flights between Kolkata and Guangzhou, starting October 26. The announcement came after the Ministry of External Affairs confirmed that India and China would restart direct flights between designated cities.

New Delhi, Oct 23: Riding high on the success of its new iPhone 17 series and festive season demand, Apple Inc recorded its highest-ever quarterly shipments to India, sending 4.9 million smartphones to the country during the July–September quarter of 2025 (Q3 CY25), according to industry estimates.

According to research firm Omdia, this marks a 47 per cent year-on-year (YoY) growth and represents Apple’s strongest performance in the Indian market to date.

What’s more, India accounted for 9 per cent of Apple’s total global iPhone shipments in the quarter — the highest share ever for the country — underscoring India’s growing importance in the company’s global strategy.

The launch of the iPhone 17 series on September 9 played a key role in driving record sales.

The new lineup features major camera upgrades, including a 48MP Fusion Main camera and a 48MP Fusion Ultra-Wide lens, alongside a 6.3-inch Super Retina XDR display with ProMotion.

The device also comes with the new A19 chip for enhanced performance and Ceramic Shield 2 technology, offering three times better scratch resistance and reduced glare.

Apple is expected to post its highest-ever festive quarter in India this year, with analysts forecasting a 28 per cent increase in sales compared to last year, driven by the early popularity of the iPhone 17 series.

This milestone comes on the heels of another major achievement for the Cupertino-based company — record iPhone exports from India.

In the April–September period of the current financial year, Apple shipped iPhones worth about $10 billion (over Rs 88,500 crore), marking a 75 per cent growth compared to the same period last year, according to industry estimates.

The success reflects the strong push of the government’s ‘Make in India’ and production-linked incentive (PLI) schemes, which have encouraged Apple to expand its manufacturing base in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.

A majority of the iPhones produced in India this year — nearly 78 per cent — were exported to the US, up from 53 per cent a year earlier.