Union government is evaluating steps to ease goods and services tax (GST) compliance burden for small businesses in the upcoming Budget, Mint reported. Proposal to allow micro enterprises to pay GST on a quarterly basis instead of making monthly payments is also under consideration. The proposals come amid concerns that higher US tariffs may severely impact micro and small enterprises.

Corporate donations to political parties through electoral trusts tripled to ₹3,811 crore in FY25 after the Supreme Court scrapped the electoral bonds. BJP received ₹3,112 crore, or over 82% of the total donations. Congress received ₹299 crore, while all other parties combined got ₹400 crore. Prudent Electoral Trust emerged as a major donor to BJP, with ₹2,180.07 crore.

The benchmark equity indices Sensex and Nifty opened in green on Monday. The Sensex was trading at 85,434.75, up 505.39 points, while the Nifty rose 166.50 points to 26,132.90 at 9:31 am. The rise comes on the back of foreign fund inflows and prospects of further interest rate cuts next year by the US Federal Reserve.

The rupee is likely to stay supported this week by firm Reserve Bank of India intervention, tempering its negative bias, while bond yields will track the central bank moves and offshore flows. The rupee jumped above 90 per US dollar late on Friday after the RBI stepped up intervention, ending the week up more than 1% at 89.27.

Taiwanese electronics major Foxconn has recruited close to 30,000 employees at its new iPhone assembly facility in Devanahalli near Bengaluru, The Economic Times reported. The recruitment happened within just eight to nine months, marking the fastest factory scale-up seen in India so far. The 300-acre facility is largely operated by women, who make up around 80% of the workforce.

Asian share markets rose on Monday tracking tech-driven gains on Wall Street, while the yen wallowed at all-time lows against the euro and Swiss franc as higher interest rates at home did nothing to deter speculative sellers. Turnover was light in a holiday-shortened week, with markets edging higher ahead of key US growth data.

Spot gold surged to a record high of $4,383.73 (over ₹3,92,000) per ounce (around 28.34 gram) on Monday. This comes amid expectations of further US Federal Reserve rate cuts. The traditional safe-haven asset is up 67% for the year, driven by geopolitical and trade tensions, robust central bank buying and hopes of lower interest rates next year.

India's benchmark Nifty 50 index is likely to start the week on a strong note on Monday after three consecutive weeks of losses, buoyed by foreign fund inflows and prospects of further interest rate cuts next year. GIFT Nifty futures at 26,190 signaled a higher opening for the Nifty 50 above Friday's close of 25,966.4.

Navi Mumbai International Airport will begin commercial operations on December 25, offering modern infrastructure, spacious terminals, advanced technology, and enhanced passenger amenities. The new airport will ease congestion at Mumbai's main airport and expand domestic and international flight options. Strategically located with strong connectivity, it's expected to boost travel convenience.

Pune will soon get a new bi-weekly express train linking it directly with Bengaluru and Mumbai. Operating twice a week in each direction, the service enhances rail connectivity among three major cities, offering a convenient and affordable travel option. The new train is expected to benefit commuters, professionals, tourists, and families, strengthening regional links.