New Delhi, Nov 12 (NationPress) India achieved a remarkable total of $16.8 billion in deal activity during October, encompassing merger and acquisitions (M&A), private equity, initial public offerings (IPOs), and qualified institutional placements (QIPs), as reported on Wednesday.

The nation witnessed 189 deals amounting to $10.6 billion in M&A and private equity (PE), indicating a 13% decrease in the number of transactions, while the total value surged by 63% month-on-month, according to a Grant Thornton Bharat analysis.

This increase was fueled by three major transactions exceeding $1 billion, contributing $5.9 billion and 11 high-value deals worth $3.1 billion, which combined made up nearly 85% of the overall deal value.

The total number of transactions, including public market activities, escalated to 218, reaching a total value of $16.8 billion, representing a 134% increase in value despite a 6% decline in volume compared to September 2025, according to the report.

Banking and Financial Services dominated the deal landscape in October, showcasing the largest cross-border M&A transaction in banking, significant foreign investment in an Indian NBFC, and a $1 billion listing within the NBFC sector.

October also marked a peak in IPO listings with 24 issues, including two transactions exceeding $1 billion.

“We anticipate continued deal momentum across various sectors, supported by high-value strategic transactions, robust private capital inflows, and active public market engagement,” remarked Shanthi Vijetha, Partner of Growth at Grant Thornton Bharat.

Within the M&A sector, there were 69 deals valued at $7 billion, with volumes nearly doubling even as there was a 23% decline in transaction volumes month-on-month, marking the third-lowest transaction levels of the year.

On the other hand, the private equity landscape displayed resilience, recording 120 deals worth $3.6 billion, reflecting a 21% increase in value despite a 6% decline in volume from September.

Furthermore, public market fundraising reached a new peak with 24 IPOs raising $5.1 billion and 5 QIPs contributing an additional $1.1 billion, pushing total public market proceeds beyond $6.2 billion.

This IPO activity represented the highest monthly performance of 2025, with Tata Capital and LG Electronics both exceeding the $1 billion mark, as noted in the report.