Mint Primer: Recent Episodes
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This podcast version of the popular Mint Primer breaks down the Big News into quick easy consumable Questions & Answers. Each morning, host Prasid Banerjee and Alisha Sachdeva feature the finest explanations into the major and complex stories to provide a full and clear picture of the topic of the day.
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The landslide in Wayanad in Kerala that has killed over 200 people is one of the biggest natural disasters to have struck the country in recent times. Mint looks at the spate of landslides in recent times, why they are on the rise and how, if at all, they can be mitigated.
In a landmark judgment last week, the Supreme Court upheld states’ right to tax land-bearing minerals. This decision will impact industry but bolster states’ ability to raise resources. Mint looks at the judgment, its significance and how it will affect consumers
Google became one of the world’s largest companies by building the world’s most popular internet search engine. But the advent of AI has spawned an army of rivals ready to upstage its monopoly. Now, with OpenAI showcasing SearchGPT, should Google be scared?
This summer saw the inauguration of new governments in New Delhi and London. With the business of national polls completed, the two countries are expected to resume talks on a Free Trade Agreement (FTA). lets looks at the prospects for a speedy conclusion to the talks.
The economic survey, the government’s most comprehensive annual analysis of the economy, is critical to shaping policy. Looking through the survey’s prism, Mint pieces together what the Union budget 2024-25 may have in store from a focus on jobs to pushing green growth.
Last Friday, a global tech blackout spread like wildfire, bringing down airports, hospitals, banks, etc. This wasn’t the first blackout. But as a growing number of systems become dependent on a handful of tech service providers, can we be completely insulated from blackouts?
Once-feted, edtech firm Byju’s is now facing legal showdowns. Earlier this week, the company was admitted to insolvency by the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT). What does this mean for the edtech sector, employees and investors?
The Karnataka government has pressed the brakes on a bill aimed at quotas for “locals” in the private sector. The pause comes when the state is facing labour shortages. Besides, the bill would have deterred firms, delayed projects and impacted investments.
Food prices rose sharply in June after a searing heat wave. The hope now rests on ample monsoon rains to soften the blow. But excess rains can play a spoilsport. Weather shocks become the new normal, and predicting food prices is a fool’s errand.
Donald Trump, the former US President and presumptive Republican candidate for the November 2024 presidential polls, was injured in an assassination attempt over the weekend. What are the implications for US politics and the world?
Prime Minister Narendra Modi closed a two-day visit to Russia on 9 July. Mint looks at the key outcomes from the visit that came amid the Ukraine war and a growing divide between Western countries on the one hand, and China and Russia on the other.
The EV industry in India is in need of a push, with growth beginning to taper. At least part of it is due to a cut in subsidies earlier this year. As a result, hopes are now pinned on the third instalment of FAME scheme expected to be announced in the budget on 23 July.
On 8 July, a Supreme Court bench will hear petitions challenging alleged irregularities in the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET-UG). With the future of 2.4 million medical students at stake, lets takes a look at how things could be improved.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has skipped the 2024 Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Summit meet in Astana, the capital ofKazakhstan. Is India’s interest in this grouping fading? Mint examines this question and more.
Property markets in tier-II cities, where sales and price growth have long been subdued, saw a turnaround in both home sales and prices last year. While the sales volume is much lower than in tier-I markets, the pace of growth is faster. What’s the future of small-town homes?
The idea of getting internet connectivity beamed from satellites is gaining popularity. But, as the technology matures, satellitecommunications (satcom)-based internet service has moved away from being a user-centric technology. Is it viable for users in India?
AI now allows us to build and communicate with digital avatars of the dead. These so-called ‘deadbots’, ‘ghostbots’, ‘postmortem avatars’ or ‘griefbots’ may provide comfort to some (including those doing legacy planning), but they raise difficult ethical questions
Last week, India’s leading telecom companies Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Idea raised tariffs across voice and data plans. This is the third hike since 2019 and was not entirely unexpected.
India’s current account recorded its first surplus in about four years in Q4 of FY24. The last time was in Q1 of FY21, after which GDP shrank as the pandemic set in. Now, the fundamentals are more robust. Mint looks at the significance of these numbers, and the challenges ahead
While India may be lifting a lot of people out of poverty, the way it goes about counting those living below the poverty line is imprecise. After calls for an overhaul last week, Mint looks at issues surrounding poverty measurement and the need for having a more modern model.
Despite arriving early, the annual monsoon rains have been deficient in June. The coming month is critical—any hit to kharif crop planting in July will spoil the chances of a revival in farm growth, besides pushing food prices even higher
In FY24, China overtook the US to become India’s largest trading partner after a gap of two years. Tune in to know how trade between the two Asian giants has evolved and why it is proving to be so difficult for India to decouple itself from its neighbour.
India accounts for 10% of the 7 billion people using smartphones globally. These, however, may be gradually replaced by extended reality (XR) glasses, gesture-based screens and even brain-computer interface (BCI) devices like Neuralinks in the next 10-15 years.
Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) president Sanjiv Puri wants a substantial hike in the already-high government capital expenditure. However, experts suggest it’s time India Inc did some heavy lifting and invested to support economic growth.
Centrally administered Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) has seen a sharp rise in terrorist attacks with four incidents last week. The strikes have prompted New Delhi to take a second look at its security strategy. Mintlooks at the possible reasons for the spike in terrorist activity
An Indian avatar is in the world’s first AI beauty pageant shortlist, where two of the four judges are also AI-powered. Mint explores the pros and cons of AI’s growing influence, from AI CEOs and assistants to realistic AI deepfakes and voice clones.
N. Chandrababu Naidu’s fourth term as chief minister of Andhra Pradesh could be his most difficult yet as he inherits a financially broke and industrially ignored state. Mint delves into the challenges the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) leader faces this time around
We all love shopping online. The fallout? Many malls, beyond the top graded ones, have closed. However, developers continue to be bullish on retail spaces, numbers released this month by JLL India, a property advisory, show.
Last week, Nvidia briefly overtook Apple to become the second most valuable company in the world at $3.01 trillion. Even as Nvidia shareholders and its chief executive rejoiced, analysts and watchers of the company claimed the future may not be so easy.
After two terms of absolute majority, the Indian electorate has given a fractured mandate to the Narendra Modi-led BJP. The era of coalition politics is back with a bang. Does that also mean an end to the promise of big-ticket reforms?
The BJP-led NDA scored a victory in the Lok Sabha polls, but the saffron party was unable to secure a simple majority on its own. The age of coalition politics is back and this queers the pitch for the market in the short term. Mint explains why.
The 2024 elections have thrown up a major surprise. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was supposed to have swept the polls. Instead, it has fallen short of a majority. It now needs to form a government with its partners in the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). In short, the era of coalition politics is back in India. Here are some of the main takeaways
Artificial intelligence (AI) and generative AI (GenAI) are advancing at an incredible pace, but we are unable to understand how they make decisions, so they are called ‘black boxes’. Researchers say they are now able to peek under the AI hood. Will this make AI models safer?
A Deloitte report recently highlighted a 33% reduction in campus placement budgets for 2023-24 when compared with the year before. This is the first time projected salaries of MBA graduates have actually dropped.
At 2.30pm on Wednesday, the NCR’s temperature hit a shocking 52.3 degrees Celsius, its hottest day ever. Extreme hot weather is increasing both in duration and intensity. let's take a look at heatwaves, what causes them and how prepared we are to deal with this weather event.
Despite a record harvest, wheat prices are on the rise. That’s because of lower production in some states, which in turn means the Centre is unlikely to meet its purchase target. Will prices rise further, and push India to allow imports, currently banned?
India has built highways at a frenetic clip over the past decade. Now there are signs that the pace may have peaked in 2023-24 and it may even fall in the current fiscal year. Mint explores the reasons for this and whether this is a temporary blip or long-term in nature.
Tune in to the latest episode to know that now users are getting comfortable with AI models and chatbots, the next step is to improve user experience. But how? The answer lies in using many specialist bots, rather than getting one to do all the jobs from banking to customer care to teaching.
A sizzling heat wave is stretching India’s power infrastructure. In fact, the power deficit in June is projected to be the highest in 14 years. Mint looks at the factors causing it, steps the government has taken, and whether a crisis can be avoided this time around.
A big casualty of the ongoing housing boom, ironically, has been affordable homes, whose supply and sales have been shrinking. By contrast, the luxury homes segment has expanded. Can the budget home dream be revived?
Iranian president Ebrahim Raisi, 63, and foreign minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, 60, were among nine people killed in a helicopter crash on Sunday. Mint looks at the implications of Raisi’s death for India and the wider region.
Google’s long-term experiment to create a science fiction-like 3D, holographic ultra-realistic display is now a real product. After many failures, is Silicon Valley’s quest to build screens that look like teleportation portals finally nearing promise?
The Supreme Court has exempted lawyers from the purview of the Consumer Protection Act. This sets the stage for doctors to get a similar exemption. Mint looks at what this ruling means for consumers and what redressal options we now have for poor service.
Unhealthy food is responsible for more than half of India’s disease burden, cautions the new dietary guidelines released last week by the National Institute of Nutrition (NIN). Eat lots of fresh food and avoid heavily marketed, packaged and ultra-processed food.
A violent solar flare has reminded us just what changes in the sun’s surface conditions can do to us. Strong solar storms can bring down power infrastructure, communications and disrupt navigation—facets through which the modern world functions.
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has managed to keep the buzz going around the release of a generative pre-trained transformer (GPT)-5 and a ChatGPT search engine by calling previous versions “dumb”. Here’s why enterprises would do well to seek alternatives.
Regulatory action in Singapore and Hong Kong on two of India’s biggest spice brands—MDH and Everest—for alleged chemical contamination has turned the heat on spice exports. Mint looks at the issue and analyses what it could mean for the $4-billion export sector.
New RBI draft guidelines on project loans are aimed at bringing credit discipline and ensuring only serious players participate. But since their release last week, shares of PSU banks and infra NBFCs have tanked. And bankers are upset.
The dollar is having an unusually strong year, gaining against most major currencies. That’s got policymakers from Tokyo to London fretting over its implications for economies. Mint takes a look at one of the most important price signals of the global financial market:
The Humane AI Pin, a voice-controlled personal assistant, was one of Silicon Valley’s most-hyped AI-first products. However, the hype has crashed rather fast. Barring Amazon’s Alexa and Apple’s Siri, voice interfaces have been tech’s biggest failures.
The frequency and severity of forest fires triggered by climate change are on the rise, the latest being fires that have engulfed 8 of the 17 districts in Uttarakhand. What’s the impact of forest fires and how can they be brought under control?
The heatwaves sweeping India can lead to a spike in food inflation, especially vegetables and mangoes where prices are already steep. After a prolonged spurt in cereal and pulse prices, are we facing a volatile new front in the battle against inflation?
Flexible workspace provider Awfis Space Solutions recently got the market regulator’s nod for a public listing. More operators, which offer modern office solutions, are likely to follow. What does this mean for the commercial office sector?
Theoretically, redistribution of wealth is a good way to bring down economic inequality. But implementing it is fraught with challenges. As the debate on the topic rages, will look at the concept, the pros and cons of implementing it, and the outcomes of past attempts.
Prominent brands are under the scanner for selling sugary infant food, chicken fed with antibiotics, and spices peppered with cancer-causing chemicals. Naturally, experts are concerned about lax regulations.
This month, Meta unveiled its new AI model, Llama-3, and Microsoft introduced Phi-3. The base version of each is tiny in comparison to large language models (LLMs). Turns out, shrinking AI models is what Big Tech is doing to reach every user in the world.
On 21 April, 470,751 passengers flew, setting a record for Indian air traffic by beating the previous record registered a year ago. Record demand this summer has implications for both aviation companies and passengers.
The US Federal Reserve’s (Fed) chairman Jerome Powell last week said that he will wait longer before cutting interest rates as inflation in the US remains sticky. This has rattled the markets.
If recent deal wins by top-tier players are anything to go by, IT services companies are in for better times ahead. Gartner’s forecast of growth in global tech demand with ‘gold rush’ spending on AI, only adds to the optimism.
The met department’s forecast of above-normal rains is a breather for India’s sluggish farm economy and tepid rural consumption. But high chances of excess rains and the havoc they can wreak are an early warning for governments to stay alert and prepared.
The rupee has fallen to a new low of 83.5 against the dollar. This has wide ramifications, making exports lucrative but imports expensive. We look at why the domestic currency is falling, how it impacts everybody and what the RBI can do about it.
Shaktikanta Das, the governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), has raised concerns over unauthorized forex trading platforms and asked banks to remain alert. What explains this warning? And what’s been the experience with regulatory actions so far?
Private equity (PE) investments in India’s real estate have been falling over the past five years, despite a residential boom and recovery in the commercial office segment. While the number of deals has remained constant, the average deal size has shrunk.
Iran has attacked Israel directly after Israel bombed its consulate in Damascus, Syria, sending tensions in West Asia zooming once again. As the world waits nervously for Tel Aviv’s response, let us look at the implications for the rest of the world, including India.
US Congressman Adam Schiff has tabled a bill proposing tech firms training AI models disclose use of any copyrighted data. It follows criticism by creators on unfair use of their work by tech firms raking in billions. What does this mean for global innovation?
India and the Maldives may be moving to stabilise their bilateral ties after tensions. Since President Mohamed Muizzu took office last year, the removal of Indian troops from the Maldives has complicated diplomatic relations. But bilateral ties may be settling down.
Fresh geopolitical uncertainty has pushed global crude prices above $90 per barrel. How does it impact India’s oil marketing companies? Will they be forced to increase prices in the election season?
Microsoft is unbundling its video conferencing platform Teams from the Office suite after a European probe into anti-competitive practices. Bundling of apps is under regulatory scrutiny everywhere. But breaking up Big Tech might not be the magic bullet.
Thierry Delaporte’s exit as Wipro’s top boss comes a year after Brian Humphries, another expat CEO, was removed by the Cognizant board. There are issues, beyond managing profit and loss, that expats have found challenging in India. Culture, for instance.
Smid (small- and mid-cap) indices have recovered from their mid-March lows, after warnings of froth. The Nifty Midcap 150 hit a record 18,400 on Wednesday and the Nifty Smallcap 250 was just 2.8% shy of its 7 February record. Can this uptrend continue?
A steep reduction in subsidies on electric two-wheelers is set to increase prices for the second time in a year, by up to ₹12,000 in FY25. Will it undermine growth in an industry that is already facing multiple headwinds?
The general take on India’s rapid economic growth is that it’s powered by the government’s capex push. But a recent report questions this narrative, saying it underestimates the role of consumption.
Maintaining that GPT-4 “kind of sucks”, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman said recently his company will release an “amazing new model” this year. This has sparked speculation that OpenAI may release GPT-5 sometime between June and August this year. Why is this a big deal?
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is tightening its scrutiny of the credit card industry. Recently, it asked Federal Bank and South Indian Bank to stop issuing new co-branded credit cards.
The Centre has notified a fact-checking unit to flag ‘misinformation’ about the government, with powers to issue directives. The Supreme Court has stayed the notification to verify the unit’s constitutionality.
Income and wealth inequality in India are at a historical peak with the share of the richest 1% higher than in countries like China and Brazil, finds a new study by the World Inequality Lab. Left unattended, India could slide into a plutocracy, the authors warn.
Earlier this week, Zomato launched a pure vegetarian fleet, which would deliver orders from vegetarian restaurants. But many people have expressed concerns. Among other things, they fear, this could foster discrimination among workers.
In a surprise move, the government brought in a new EV policy on Friday slashing import duties on electric cars to 15% just before the Model Code of Conduct came into force.
The results have come in from Sebi-mandated stress tests for mid and small-cap funds. Days to liquidation range from 12 days for Franklin Smaller Companies Fund to liquidate 50% of the portfolio to 60 days for SBI Small Cap Fund.
The Draft Digital Competition Bill looks to check Big Tech from creating market monopolies. But lawyers and policymakers fear it may scare away global investors, and stifle innovation by breaking up apps that work with each other. Here’s how the bill may work.
India’s deal with the four-nation EFTA or European Free Trade Association may not see a huge jump in trade. But it’s important for another reason.
There is regulatory confusion over the ministry of electronics and information technology’s advisory for firms to get “explicit permission” from the Centre if applications based on “unreliable” AI models are opened for public access.
By Chinese standards, the 5% economic growth projected for 2024 seems rather modest. But such is the state of its economy that most analysts do not expect it to meet even this target. Mint looks at China’s economic woes and what it portends for the global economy.
Following two years of robust growth, India’s solar capacity additions sharply declined by 44% in 2023, the lowest since 2016. What triggered this slowdown, and will this trend persist? Mint explores.
Google dashed off notices to some startups and suspended their apps from Play Store, sending these firms into a tizzy. As they look to the Supreme Court and the Competition Commission of India (CCI) for a possible resolution, Mint asks: Could this row have a wider impact?
The Indian economy grew at a surprising 8.4% in the third quarter of FY24. Will this pace of economic expansion continue in the fourth quarter? What is the outlook for 2024-25? Mint looks deeper into the third quarter performance and the prospects for the next few quarters.
SpiceJet boss Ajay Singh and Busy Bee Aviation have submitted a rescue plan for bankrupt airline Go First. Previously, efforts to revive Jet Airways have met with limited success. Mint explains the flight path of recovery and the challenges associated with it.
India makes up two-thirds of users of Truecaller, the Swedish caller identification app. Now the Centre’s telecoms department may soon introduce such a service as a default telco offering. Mint decodes how such a move may affect telcos, and Truecaller.
Houthi attacks on commercial ships in the Red Sea, in reprisal for Israeli bombing of Gaza, continue unabated and the disruption they are causing is beginning to pinch. As the crisis enters its fourth month,
Stocks of public sector undertakings (PSU) have had a sterling rally this year. The 56-stock BSE PSU Index’s doubling outshines the Sensex’ modest 24% return this fiscal amid a valuation re-rating backed by earnings. But this rally isn’t a mere bubble.
The Centre’s move to allow partial denotification of special economic zones (SEZs) into non-SEZs in IT and IT-enabled services parks has prompted developers and real estate investment trusts (REITs) to de-notify SEZ spaces. Will this impact vacancy levels?
The Reserve Bank of India has asked a card network to pause payments under a system that allowed companies to make card payments to certain other businesses. RBI did not name the network but Visa says it’s got a missive. Mint explains the reasons
Bike-taxis could be an answer to our urban mobility woes but often face regulatory hurdles. While the Centre has recently clarified their legality, state-level concerns about licensing and regulation persist. What needs to be done to make them more viable?
The Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV), first proposed in 2016, was meant to be India’s challenge to the dominance of the US in space launch services. But in the past two years, it has only seen two demonstrator launches. Mint finds out why things are going slow.
Net direct tax collection has surged 20%, led by a sharp increase in personal income tax payments. This has helped the government reduce borrowings and speed up fiscal consolidation. Mint looks at what catalysed the mop-up, its benefits and the outlook for next year
Farmers have laid siege to European cities with tractors protesting subsidy cuts, cheap imports, high energy prices and imposition of green policies. In India, farmers are preparing for another showdown. What’s going on? Is there a common thread?
Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman has announced a housing scheme for the middle class as part of a ‘housing for all’ policy. This has sparked off a hunt for counting the middle class.
Rents went through the roof in 2023—the rise was the highest in a decade—as demand outstripped housing supply in many cities. Will the trend change this year? If so, to what extent?
Top officials of the $120 billion domestic automotive industry met in New Delhi last week to brainstorm over what could be in store next year. They expect a slowdown in the growth of passenger vehicles.
For the fifth year in a row, the government is set to miss its divestment target. It has now adopted a new strategy and has decided against fixing a divestment target. Why did the targeted approach fail and why do we need divestments?
The interim union budget for FY25 announced the setting-up of a ₹1 trillion-corpus to fund deep-tech ventures. This gives India’s nascent deep-tech sectors a shot in the arm. However, there will be challenges. Mint explains why the corpus is significant.
Elon Musk-owned Neuralink has implanted a brain chip in a patient who is “recovering well”. Neuralink’s brain-computer interface (BCI) can help patients use their limbs through thought. But some are wary about the lack of details provided by Musk.
Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman presents her sixth annual budget, albeit an interim one, today, likely furnishing a report card on the government’s performance in the past five years. Here are five key numbers to watch out for and cut through the economic jargon:
In its review of the Indian economy released on Monday, the finance ministry said India can become a $7 trillion economy by 2030. That means it will almost double its GDP in the next six years. Is it possible? Mint weighs the possibilities.
On 17 January, Samsung launched its new flagship smartphone under the Galaxy S24 moniker, claiming it was “the world’s first AI smartphone”. Will such phones help revive a smartphone market that isn’t growing?
Government guidelines on regulating the coaching industry will impact thousands of tutoring centres that have mushroomed across the country. What’s wrong with the system and why were these guidelines needed in the first place
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has published a draft framework that lays down the broad functions, governance standards and eligibility criteria for setting up a self-regulatory organization (SRO) for fintech companies. Why is such a body needed
After days of being locked in a dangerous-looking military confrontation, Pakistan and Iran appear to have settled the immediate crisis. Iran launched the first missile strike, hitting a terror base in Pakistan’s Baluchistan. Just what’s going on here?
In a new paper, the Niti Aayog said around 248 million Indians exited ‘multidimensional poverty’ (MDP) in the nine years from 2013-14 to 2022-23. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has used the data to suggest a reduction in poverty during his tenure.
Indians love to self-medicate and pop their pills like candies. A recent government report sheds light on why prevention may not always be better than cure, and how we are staring at a crisis where antibiotics might just stop working
Leaders from across the world will congregate in the picturesque Swiss town for the 54th annual meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) against a backdrop of rising geopolitical tensions, high inflation and tepid global growth.
Last week, the government launched a new portal to buy pulses directly from farmers at support prices, targeting to be self-sufficient by 2027. To achieve that goal farmers will also need high-yielding varieties and a favourable trade policy.
Google has started testing of its Privacy Sandbox initiative for Chrome. By ending cookies, Google wants people to believe that it’ll boost user privacy. Mint analyses what the move means for advertisers, users, and Google’s $250 billion ad-revenue empire.
India plans to set up its own protection and indemnity (P&l) entity— the India Club—for providing insurance to ships operating in Indian coasts and waterways. Currently, the shipping industry relies on global firms for insurance. Mint explains the significance
The HSBC India Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI), compiled by S&P Global, surprisingly fell to an 18-month low in December. This came at a time when the economic growth has crossed expectations. Mint reviews its possible effect on the economy.
The second half of 2023 saw an uptick in office demand and leasing, propelled by global capability centres (GCCs), flex operators, and domestic corporates. Is this the beginning of a sustained recovery curve for the commercial office sector?
Truckers are protesting against proposed stringent punishment for hit-and-run accidents. It has led to fuel shortages in many cities and put the spotlight on the importance of this sector. Mint looks at the economics of truckers and their impact on the economy.
Recent weeks have seen the Indian IT services industry raking up no-poach clauses when it came to senior employee exits. Legal claims have been made. What explains this sort of reaction? Are these clauses even legally enforceable?
The government on Sunday named former vice chairman of Niti Aayog and Columbia University professor Arvind Panagariya as the chairman of the Sixteenth Finance Commission (SFC), a constitutional body. Mint takes a look at what to expect from the SFC.
Retail is a major contributor to GDP and employment, and India is expected to be the third largest consumer market by 2030, after China and the US. Yet, the trade is undermined by difficulty of doing business. The Centre’s retail policy could change things
A charter plane with 276 Indian passengers, grounded in France for four days due to suspected human smuggling, returned to Mumbai on Tuesday. The incident underlines the risks of illegal migration, also highlighted in the film Dunki.
A new and more scientific way of calculation has put India’s logistics cost much lower than before. How sharp is this drop? Mint explains the reduction, where India stands globally when it comes to the cost of logistics, and what more needs to be done
A new strain of covid-19 has emerged, raising concerns. The first recorded instance of this virus, known as JN.1, was found in Kerala on 8 December in a 78-year-old woman. More cases have been detected since. How serious is the strain?
Two-wheeler sales are speeding again. At least that’s what production data and retail sales in the festive months of September, October and November show. Does it mean the segment, hurt by income disruptions during covid, is back on its feet?
A hydropower policy is in the works. This comes at a time when India has set ambitious energy transition goals with plans for 500 GW of installed non-fossil power capacity by 2030. Hydro projects are also strategically important. Mint explains the policy imperatives.
Affordability to buy homes dipped in 2022 and 2023 after interest rates went up and property prices shot up in some cities. However, market watchers believe that affordability may improve next year. Why is this so?
The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has notified guidelines on dark patterns to stop online firms from force-selling, pushing unsolicited subscriptions and showing misleading ads. Mint explains how these guidelines may change online shopping.
Placements at the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) are a barometer for how the hiring market shapes up in any given year. The battlegrounds of IITs t,his year are calm, indicating weak appetite among companies across sectors. Listen full episode here
Cyclone Michaung has brought India’s fourth largest city, Chennai, to its knees. Its recent efforts to prepare for such extreme weather events have been found to be wanting. Mint explains why the city, which prides itself as an ideal investment destination, needs to do a lot more.
On 14 July, India’s foreign exchange (forex) reserves stood at $609 billion. On 20 October, it hit a recent low of $583.5 billion before rising again slightly to $597.9 billion on 24 November. What explains this yo-yo-like behavior? Mint examines the ups and downs of the rupee:
While the result of the state assembly elections in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh has surprised many, it will calm the markets. Fears of fiscal profligacy or a rickety coalition government at the Centre in 2024 have eased.
Off-budget borrowings by states rose sharply in 2020-21 and 2021-22. Worried (they widen the fiscal deficit), the Centre cracked down on the habit in March 2022 and they have decreased. Mint looks at off-budget borrowings and their implications.
After vegetables and cereals, it’s the turn of pulses now. Prices of commonly used dals are soaring. But unlike other food crops, taming pulse prices is harder, as India is both the largest producer and consumer. Mint explains the background.
A Dubai-bound business jet from Europe flew into Iranian airspace with no clearance in September—due to a false signal on the aircraft navigation system. After about 20 planes faced similar issues, the Indian aviation regulator issued an advisory last week Listen to the full episode here...
E-SIMs or embedded SIMs will soon replace those fiddly physical SIMs in smartphones and other devices. Airtel’s top boss Gopal Vittal has urged subscribers to move to e-SIMs. But what exactly are they, how do they work, and what does it mean for us?
Retail investors have been at it. Futures and options (F&O) average daily turnover (ADT) has surged 34.5 times from FY19-24, while cash volumes only doubled, prompting deep concern from the Sebi chairperson. Brokers now expect more curbs to rein in the frenzy:
The government wants to replace the ‘use-and-throw’ design philosophy of products with a ‘right to repair’ framework. Benefits are many. Mint explains the concept, its need and how this move may disrupt the way businesses operate.
OpenAI chief executive and founding team member Sam Altman was last week fired from the company he helped make famous. Many startup founders have been made to leave their companies. What’s behind this trend?
Domestic pump prices of petrol and diesel have remained unchanged since May 2022, the longest freeze in India. With the Centre netting buoyant tax revenue and global crude prices benign, can consumers hope for a cut in the run-up to the elections next year?
India’s weightage on the MSCI emerging markets (EM) index is tipped to rise to 16.3% from the current 15.88% with nine fresh stock inclusions in the gauge. The addition, effective 30 November, will take India’s representation to an all-time high of 131 stocks.
On 10 November, India’s currency touched an all-time low of ₹83.5 against the dollar. It has now recovered a little, closing at ₹83.1 on 15 November. Mint explains the reasons behind the rupee’s slide in the recent past and gives a peek into the future.
A mix of solutions has helped sharply reduce crop stubble burning by farmers in Punjab and Haryana. But some still resort to the polluting practice because of a shortage of machines to manage crop residues, causing the air quality index (AQI) to worsen
The growth of India’s labour productivity—output per person per hour—has been tepid. And working longer hours is not a solution. Mint looks at the reasons for the low productivity growth and what needs to be done to improve it.
With AI tools becoming more accessible, deepfakes are a rising threat in audio, video, and photo formats. But, catching the actual perpetrators is next to impossible, thanks to how cyber tools allow people to obfuscate the traces of origin.
India’s co-working sector, also called the flex workspace sector, modelled itself on WeWork Inc., the SoftBank-backed startup that filed for bankruptcy in the US this week. How does this development impact WeWork India and other companies?
Home sales in October-December are expected to clock the best-ever festive period sales. October was already a blockbuster month in some cities, triggered by Navaratri. Now, developers expect Diwali to catapult the real estate industry to a new high.
With elections looming, the prime minister has extended the free foodgrain scheme, which was due to end after December, by 5 years. The announcement, made at an election rally, is being viewed as a political move. What does it entail?
The central government last week notified a regulation to allow unlisted Indian companies to be listed on foreign exchanges. Until now, only companies already listed in India were eligible for a secondary listing. In this context, Mint provides a detailed explanation of this recent development and its potential ramifications.
The US Federal Reserve has decided to hold the federal funds rate steady at 5.25-5%. This is the second meeting in a row the Fed has maintained the status quo on the funds rate. Why did the Fed do this and what are the implications of this decision?
The government has asked Apple to join its investigation into allegations that the iPhones of some opposition leaders and journalists could have been compromised by “state-sponsored” hackers. Is your phone hacked? What can you do about it?
Demand for smartphones dropped in 2022, with the market shrinking 10%. In the first six months of 2023, it dropped another 10%. Premium phones, priced at $400 or more, are bucking the trend—shipments grew 75% in H1 this year. Are premium phones more affordable now?
Domestic overall two-wheeler sales increased 4% in the first half of FY24, and estimates suggest they will easily top 17 million units by the year-end. Yet, sales would be significantly below the peak levels of the pre-covid era.
GM’s autonomous vehicle startup Cruise has slammed the brakes on its driverless cars, as US regulators investigate alleged safety breaches. Will this move put a spoke in the wheel of driverless cars globally? Or is this a step in the right direction?
The yield on 10-year US treasury bonds crossed 5% on Monday—the first time since 2007. It closed at 4.95% on Wednesday. This bond yield is important in influencing the direction of interest rates not just in the US but all across the world
Demand for IT services has slumped amid a global slowdown. India’s IT companies have, therefore, clamped down on their hiring plans. In fact, FY24 could turn out to be the worst year for IT sector hiring in a long time.
Data released last week by the agriculture ministry shows food production touched record highs in 2022-23. The robust numbers are at variance with India’s decision to curb exports of wheat and rice, and the trajectory of food inflation across multiple crops.
At the recently concluded International Monetary Fund (IMF)-World Bank meetings in Marrakesh, officials fretted over the new trend of interest rates remaining high for a long period. Mint looks at how it will impact the world at large and India in particular.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday confirmed that India will formally bid for hosting the 2036 Olympic Games. How much does it cost to host the 16-day event and is it worth the effort? Mint evaluates the economic implications of a successful bid.
Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Telangana and Mizoram are headed for assembly elections amid varying retail inflation numbers. Rajasthan’s at 6.53% is above the RBI’s upper tolerance band. Mint explains the relevance of inflation to the elections.
Earlier this month, carmaker Hyundai announced plans to offer advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) across its entire product range in India. Why has it become fashionable to talk about ADAS and what is spurring its growth? Tune in Now.
Southern states are on a borrowing spree. In the second quarter of 2023-24, all of them—barring Karnataka—have gone way beyond their planned borrowing limits. Why is this so? And how have the other states fared?
Israel is at war with Hamas, the latest chapter in an enervating cycle of violence. Why has the Palestine question remained unresolved for so long? Mint takes a look at the past, present, and future of this festering conflict and its implications for the world and Indian economy.
Claudia Goldin, an economic historian and professor at Harvard University bagged this year’s Nobel prize in economics for her pioneering research that advances our understanding of labour market outcomes for women.
The Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) is automating its compliance system with artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) tools. But decisions such as serving notices on companies will be left to (human) officials to make.
The Chungthang dam in Sikkim, the source for a hydropower plant, collapsed last week, killing 30 people. Recently, other states have also witnessed catastrophes involving large dams leading to floods and landslides. Just how safe are these mega-projects? Mint explains.
The Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI’s) monetary policy committee (MPC) is set to deliver its decision on the policy repo rate today, with the market expecting a status quo despite the surge in prices amid a hardening of bond yields. A pause, nevertheless, would be a challenge.
A malaria vaccine developed by Oxford University and Serum Institute of India (SII) has been recommended for large-scale use by the World Health Organization (WHO). The R21/Matrix-M—only the second malaria jab—has shown up to 75% efficacy.
Andhra Pradesh’s new Guaranteed Pension System (GPS) is a hybrid of the old and new pension schemes. It offers the best of both worlds—a guaranteed pension without burdening the state significantly. Mint looks at its potential to salvage India’s hard-fought pension reforms.
The European Union’s (EU’s) carbon tax—the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM)—came into effect on 1 October, causing a wedge between developing and developed countries. Interestingly, it is facing resistance from even within Europe. Tune in now for the breakdown
The latest tranche of sovereign gold bonds (SGBs) saw investors subscribing to a record number of units. Mint looks at the reasons for this high interest in SGBs, gold’s clout as a hedge against inflation and the outlook for the yellow metal.
The central government on Tuesday announced that it will borrow ₹6.55 trillion during the second half of the ongoing fiscal year, keeping its borrowing plans unchanged. Mint explains the relevance of this for the Indian economy.
In todays primer we take a look in the world of Gambling firms and the stance of the DGGI levying taxes on these firms in regards to a lot of under the table tax evasion and discrepancies, The gaming industry criticizes these claims, considering them disproportionate, and questions the legal basis for such retrospective claims, which were not recommended by the finance minister in the GST Council meeting.Tune in now for the whole story
in today's primer we take a look at how recent data indicates a notable reduction in delays associated with the completion of real estate projects. This positive trend can be largely attributed to the pivotal role played by the implementation of the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016, commonly known as RERA. Tune in now
Taxes on oil make up a chunk of government revenue. Surging interest in electric vehicles, however, puts this under threat. Distance tax is touted as one way to offset any loss in revenue. What is it, how effective will it be, and how does it work? Sumant Banerji explains the reasons behind it. This episode is being hosted by Alisha Sachdev.
In a surprise move, the government last week reintroduced licensing and ended free imports of IT hardware. Many reasons have been cited for this step. Mint explains the possible rationale and the potential impact of the measure going forward. This episode is being hosted by Alisha Sachdev.
After five years and multiple iterations, the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Bill was tabled in Parliament on Thursday. Featuring a number of changes from the 2022 draft, the bill is a mixed bag. Shouvik Das, Gulveen Aulakh gives you the top five takeaways. This episode is being hosted by Alisha Sachdev.
India’s foreign exchange reserves, which peaked at $642 billion in October 2021, declined for most part of last year. The trend reversed this year with forex reserves touching a 15-month high of $609 billion as of 14 July. Mint explains the reasons behind this rise.
Luxury car sales were at record levels in the first half of 2023. Should the trend continue, the industry could log an all-time high for the full year. What explains this frenzy, who are the major benefactors and how long will it sustain? Sumant Banerji explains the reasons behind this rise. This episode is being hosted by Alisha Sachdev.
Mint's Alisha Sachdev discusses how car design and safety criss-cross and interact when it comes to building a new vehicle, with Tata Motors' Head of Global Design Martin Uhlarik. How does the company balance price, style, function and safety? What changes will autonomous driving bring? Tune in to this special episode for plenty of food for thought.
Smartphone sales in India have been falling, with the entry and mid-tier segment the most impacted. In the first half of 2023, overall sales dropped below the 50-million-unit mark. Why are sales declining and what do we expect for the rest of the year? Sumant Banerji finds out.
Around 135 million Indians exited ‘multidimensional poverty’, a measure of deprivation beyond money, between 2015-16 and 2019-21, the Niti Aayog says. The basis of calculation is the National Family Health Survey (NFHS). Mint's Tanay Sukumar explains.
This episode is being hosted by Prasid Banerjee.
As India and the UK discuss a range of goods in talks on a free trade deal, proposals for whisky are proving hard to swallow for both sides. That’s because Indians are the world’s biggest consumers of Scotch and UK the biggest producer. Mint's Ravi Dutta Mishra takes a look at the bigger picture.
This episode is being hosted by Alisha Sachdev.
If you are planning to buy an SUV (sport utility vehicle) or MUV (multi-utility vehicle) the GST Council’s decision to change the definition of UVs that attract a compensation cess of 22% may have implications. Mint's Alisha Sachdev explains the changes and their impact on buyers.
The ₹386 crore Chandrayaan-1 was successful. Its orbiter kept orbiting around the Moon for 312 days conducting experiments while its impact probe landed on the lunar surface and discovered signs of water. The ₹850 crore Chandrayaan-2’s mandate was bigger.
This episode is being hosted by Prasid Banerjee.
Heavy rainfall across North India has pushed monsoon into surplus territory for the entire country. But instead of cheer, the sudden deluge served as a grim reminder of recurrent climate shocks and the resultant human and economic toll. Mint's Sayantan Bera and Puja Das explain.
This episode is being hosted by Alisha Sachdev.
With unhealthy diets becoming a global public health concern, the World Health Organization (WHO) has recommended mandatory restrictions on marketing junk food to children, terming it a harmful practice. Mint's Sayantan Bera explains why it is critical for India to act fast.
This episode is being hosted by Alisha Sachdev.
Offices are emptying out as new property supplies hit the market and users exit for cheaper and more space-efficient spaces as they adopt hybrid work models. Will this demand-supply mismatch see vacant office stocks rise further? Madhurima Nandy explores.
This episode is being hosted by Alisha Sachdev.
On 4 July, Reliance subsidiary Jio Platforms launched a 4G-equipped feature phone, called Jio Bharat 4G, for under ₹1,000. Other Indian brands also plan to launch inexpensive smartphones. After having lost out to Chinese brands nearly a decade ago, can the Indian brands cut it in today’s market? Mint's Shouvik Das decodes.
This episode is being hosted by Alisha Sachdev.
Today, Indian states are at the forefront when it comes to capital expenditure (capex). Aware of this, the Centre has been incentivizing them in a big way. But the outcome is far from optimal. N Madhavan explains the importance of capex and the bottlenecks.
This episode is being hosted by Alisa Sachdev.
On 22 June, US semiconductor firms Micron, Applied Materials and Lam Research announced projects in India, fuelling New Delhi’s hopes of becoming a player in the global supply chain for chips. Mint's Shouvik Das decodes what these announcements could mean in the long run.
This episode is being hosted by Alisha Sachdev
Over the course of just 24 hours, Russia has lurched from a military power to a politically insecure nation. Yevgeny Prigozhin, head of the mercenary Wagner group, appeared to launch an armed rebellion before ordering his troops march back. Mint's Shashank Mattoo looks at a bizarre revolt.
This episode is being hosted by Alisha Sachdeva.
Monsoon’s journey has been uneven so far. While nearly half of India is coping with a rainfall deficit of 60% or more, some states in the west and northeast are under a deluge. Mint's Sayantan Bera explores the possible impact on rain-fed Kharif crops in this episode.
This episode is being hosted by Alisha Sachdev
India is expected to lose 6,500 high net-worth individuals (HNWIs), worth $1 million or more this year, according to Henley and Partners, an advisory firm on investment-linked visas. Is this a high number, and what drives their decision to move? Tauseef Shahidi explains.
This episode is being hosted by Alisha Sachdeva.
Minister of State for Electronics and IT Rajeev Chandrasekhar says the Cowin app did not face a direct data breach. But the incident could still put the sensitive personal health data of users at stake. Shouvik Das explains why such breaches could be severe and why they are so frequent.
This episode is being hosted by Prasid Banerjee.
The government has announced a higher-than-usual hike in the minimum support price (MSP) for Kharif crops. Coming ahead of general elections next year, the hike seeks to strike a balance between farmer and consumer interests, amid an El Nino threat. Sayantan Bera explains
This episode is being hosted by Prasid Banerjee.
Apple has entered a new hardware category with its mixed reality headset Vision Pro. Apple has the might of its brand name, which can help revive a muted augmented/virtual reality industry. But its closed ecosystem and a hefty price tag pose challenges. Mint's Shouvik Das dives in.
This episode is being hosted by Alisha Sachdeva.
The government has banned the manufacture, sale and distribution of 14 fixed dose combination (FDC) drugs, citing “no therapeutic justification". Tauseef Shahidi explains the backstory and the rationale behind this move.
This episode is being hosted by Prasid Banerjee.
Preliminary investigations into the horrific three-train crash in Odisha point to a signalling error and interference with the electronic interlocking system. Subhash Narayan explains how the signalling network works and when it can malfunction.This episode is being hosted by Prasid Banerjee.
The retail price of rice, the most widely consumed cereal, is on the rise. After battling over a year of surging wheat prices, rice could pose a new challenge for India, the top exporter globally. A lot depends on how the monsoon pans out. Sayantan Bera explains in his report.This episode is being hosted by Prasid Banerjee.
Tech experts led by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, whose ChatGPT broke the internet are insisting that the very technology they helped nurture should now be heavily controlled, citing pandemics and nuclear war. Is this a case of fear of the future? Leslie D'Monte explores this in the report.
This episode is being hosted by Prasid Banerjee.
In 2022-23, real gross domestic product (GDP) growth—which is adjusted for inflation—was at 7.2%, against 9.1% in 2021-22. This is 20 basis points higher than the Reserve Bank of India’s forecast of 7%. What can we make of these numbers? Vivek Kaul examines in his report.This episode is being hosted by Prasid Banerjee.
The ministry of heavy industries has asked three manufacturers to return subsidies claimed for electric 2-wheelers even as it prepares to cut incentives from 1 June. How will it impact prices, sales and the cadence of EV adoption? Mint's Alisha Sachdev explains.This episode is being hosted by Prasid Banerjee.
India Inc is busy plotting the performance of its workforce across different metrics. The appraisal season this year also coincides with some stringent cost-cutting, particularly if you work in an export-oriented industry. Mint's Devina Sengupta explains what to expect in that letter.This episode is being hosted by Prasid Banerjee.
NITI Aayog’s governing council summit will see the Prime Minister and chief ministers discuss a plan for India to become a developed nation by 2047, the 100th year of Independence. What opportunities and challenges should this blueprint factor in? Mint's Tauseef Shahidi explains.This episode is being hosted by Prasid Banerjee.
Increased imports of cheap palm oil have helped cool consumer prices. But farmers have run into losses with home-grown mustard selling at below the minimum support price. It’s a tightrope walk for the government, as Sayantan Bera explains.This episode is being hosted by Prasid Banerjee.
Artificial sweeteners have emerged as the go-to substitute for Indians who want to indulge their sweet tooth in a ‘healthy’ way. However, the World Health Organization (WHO) last week cautioned against freely replacing sugar with non-sugar substitutes. Mint's Nandita Venkatesan explainsThis episode is being hosted by Prasid Banerjee.
The government has brought credit cards under the Liberalised Remittance Scheme (LRS) from 1 July. Even a dollar of foreign spending will attract a 20% tax — a departure from the current 5% tax on spending of over ₹7 lakh (credit cards excluded). Mint's Neil Borate explains in this episode.This episode is being hosted by Prasid Banerjee.
With temperatures soaring, demand for electricity is set to peak in the next few weeks. Things should be under control as India has added significant capacity to its power production. But outages are common in many parts of the country. Where is the disconnect? Mint's Sumant Banerji explains in this episode.This episode is being hosted by Prasid Banerjee.
India’s goods exports fell 12.7% to $34.66 billion in April, the steepest slide in three years. This persistent decline has major implications for India’s growth story and, by extension, for job creation. Mint's Ravi Dutta Mishra and Gireesh Chandra Prasad explain how businesses could deal with this problem going ahead.
Once an innovative instant messaging service, WhatsApp today offers businesses one of the most effective ways to reach users. But, like text messages and calls, expansion has come with spam and scams. What’s happening to Whatsapp? How can we stay safe? Mint's Prasid Banerjee explains in this episode.
On 1 May, treasury secretary Janet Yellen sent a letter to the US Congress saying that on 1 June the government is likely to run out of money. With the government currently breaching its debt ceiling, the situation has become parlous. Mint explains what’s happening.This episode is being hosted by Prasid Banerjee.
With government purchase of wheat falling short of target, consumers may continue to bear the brunt of high cereal prices in the coming months. A looming El Nino can further pinch pockets if monsoon rains turn out to be lower than normal. Mint explores.This episode is being hosted by Prasid Banerjee.
PayPal co-founder Peter Thiel wants his body cryogenically frozen after death and revived in the future—one of thousands who have pledged their bodies. How advanced is our technology, and what are the implications of bringing the dead back to life? Leslie D'Monte explainsThis episode is being hosted by Prasid Banerjee.
The Petroleum Planning & Analysis Cell has set the price of domestic natural gas for May at $8.27 per metric million British thermal units. It was $7.92 in April. The revision follows the new domestic gas pricing formula introduced last month. Rituraj Baruah explains its likely impact.This episode is being hosted by Prasid Banerjee.
They say no password is a good password. With Microsoft and Apple taking the step in the last few years, Google announced its plan to kill passwords online last week, with something called Passkeys. Firms call these a step towards a password-less future. Mint's Prasid Banerjee explains in this episode.
One of the oldest private airlines in India has decided to file for bankruptcy citing persistent issues with Pratt & Whitney engines that power its fleet of 54 Airbus A320 aircraft. Mint's Anu Sharma explains what lies at the core of Go First’s troubled flight path.This episode is being hosted by Prasid Banerjee.
Goods and services tax (GST) collections hit a record ₹1.87 trillion in April. Ever since its introduction, GST data has become a barometer of how well the economy is performing. But is the April data really so straightforward? Pragya Srivastava explainsThis episode is being hosted by Prasid Banerjee.
A pandemic-induced global shortage of semiconductor chips drove down global auto volumes by a quarter in 2021. The pandemic is over now, and India recorded its best passenger vehicle sales in FY23. So why do shortages continue to niggle? Mint's Alisha Sachdev explains.This episode is being hosted by Prasid Banerjee.
Employee costs in leading IT services companies have shot up over the last four fiscals, according to a Mint analysis. In uncertain times, companies are likely to cut costs, which has implications on both hiring and salary hikes. Mint's Manjul Paul and Devina Sengupta explain in this episode.This episode is being hosted by Prasid Banerjee.
The EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism calls for tariffs on goods from countries that are not part of the Emission Trading System, which allows companies to trade carbon credits or allowances. This episode is hosted by Prasid Banerjee.
After almost a year of a downturn, the crypto markets seem to be rising once again. Analysts are predicting sky-high prices too and Bitcoin is once again the poster boy for the resurgence.
The success of the ISRO has spawned a number of private players, making the recently announced Indian Space Policy 2023 critical. This episode is hosted by Prasid Banerjee.
On Wednesday, the union cabinet gave its nod to a ₹6,000 crore National Quantum Mission to develop quantum computers and scale up research and development in quantum technologies. This episode is hosted by Prasid Banerjee.
RBI’s Consumer Confidence Survey, a measure of consumers’ perception of the prevailing economic situation, was conducted in the first half of March 2023 across 19 cities. This episode is hosted by Prasid Banerjee.
If there is one state that has an inflation that is consistently the highest among its peers, it is Telangana. At 7.63%, it is almost 200 basis points more than the national average. This episode is hosted by Prasid Banerjee.
Demand for refined petroleum products hit a record in FY23, led by transportation fuel. The Petroleum Planning & Analysis Cell (PPAC) said consumption reached 222.30 million tonnes in the last fiscal. This episode is hosted by Prasid Banerjee.
Tamil Nadu has banned online gambling, rekindling a campaign against gaming firms in India that has raged for over a year-and-a-half.
The Met has predicted normal rains in the June-September monsoon season—in spite of the likelihood of El Nino conditions developing by July, which usually negatively impacts rainfall. This episode is hosted by Prasid Banerjee.
OPEC+ countries announced a voluntary oil production cut by 1.16 million barrels per day. Reduced global oil supplies can impact the economy of India, which is dependent on oil imports for approx 85% of its energy needs. This episode by Prasid Banerjee.
Over the last few years, India's outreach to Latin America has increased. EAM Jaishankar, who has visited Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay, is to visit Guyana and Colombia later this month. This episode is hosted by Prasidd Banerjee.
Parliament has given its approval to the Competition Amendment Bill, 2023, in the ongoing budget session, laying the foundation for more effective oversight.This episode is hosted by Prasid Banerjee.
Recently, #G20’s infrastructure working group concluded its meeting in Visakhapatnam. The focus was on urban infrastructure financing. This episode explains why the financing of future cities is a pressing need and the options available. This episode is hosted by Prasid Banerjee.
The government has finally unveiled its new Foreign Trade Policy (FTP) which came into force on 1 April. The previous policy had to be extended several times due to the pandemic & geo-political developments. This episode is hosted by Prasid Banerjee.
Generative AI has polarized AI experts with some calling for a six-month moratorium on building new systems and others arguing against the idea that the benefits of AI far outweigh perceived risks. This episode is being hosted by Prasid Banerjee.
India says it has no plans to provide any more flying rights or 'bilateral rights' to foreign airlines, as the country wants its own carriers to become global players. This episode is being hosted by Prasid Banerjee.
The final part of the sixth assessment report ("AR6") of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) was released on Monday. It's "final warning" about the climate crisis merits attention and drastic action. This episode is being hosted by Prasid Banerjee.
After pushing generative AI into their search engines and browsers, Google & Microsoft are now adding them to consumer products like Outlook, Bing, Edge, Gmail, Docs & more. Can they change how we use these apps? This episode is being hosted by Prasid Banerjee.
Cases of influenza-A subtype H3N2 are on the rise, with a few deaths reported across India. The government says it’s keeping a close watch on the situation and has issued advisories. Is there cause for concern? This episode is being hosted by Prasid Banerjee.
Open AI has released the generative pre-trained transformer (GPT4), its much-anticipated large language model—that can learn and comprehend. This episode is being hosted by Prasid Banerjee.
In this episode, get to know about one of the many ways to empower women is to ensure better access to credit. This has far-reaching implications, including giving a boost to women entrepreneurs. This episode is being hosted by Prasid Banerjee.
The collapse of Silicon Valley Bank has caused ripples across the financial world but is unlikely to affect Indian lenders. This episode explains how stressed banks were managed in the past. This episode is being hosted by Prasid Banerjee.
The shutdown and takeover of Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) by US regulators has raised questions on how it impacts India’s startup industry. It was an important partner for the global startup economy. This episode is being hosted by Prasid Banerjee.
US intelligence officials believe a pro-Ukrainian saboteur group may have been behind the bombing of the Nord Stream gas pipelines last year, according to The New York Times. This episode is being hosted by Prasid Banerjee.
The battle for AI-powered chatbots is heating up with Musk, Zuckerberg, Pichai and Nadella all trying to outpace each other in the race to develop more powerful generative AI apps and chatbots. This episode is being hosted by Prasid Banerjee.
Last week’s #G20 meetings in Bengaluru saw discussions on how multilateral institutions can be strengthened to address global challenges, while retaining focus on Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) & poverty eradication. This episode is being hosted by Prasid Banerjee.
Orders passed by Ananth Narayan, whole-time member at SEBI, in two recent cases, reveal the modus operandi of people operating 'pump and dump' schemes on YouTube. This episode is hosted by Prasid Banerjee.
Commerce minister Piyush Goyal says free-trade agreements (FTAs) with Japan and South Korea have cost India billions, with South Korean automakers importing “indiscriminately" into India. Mint's Alisha Sachdev explains the auto sector’s complicated relationship with FTAs.This episode is being hosted by Prasid Banerjee.
Finance ministers and central bank chiefs from G20 nations, officials from other nations and multilateral agencies last week debated reforming the global tax architecture to stop cross-border tax avoidance by MNCs. Are they close to getting it done? Gireesh Chandra Prasad explainsThis episode is being hosted by Alisha Sachdev.
In its February 2023 Index review, MSCI reduced the weightage of four Adani group companies after their market capitalization declined. It later postponed the decision. Jagadish Shettigar and Pooja Misra examines the influence of such indices and the takeaways for regulators.This episode is being hosted by Alisha Sachdev
India doesn’t quite know how to define a Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) and that has led to confusion on how to tax them. Nearly six years after the GST was implemented, the Centre is now looking at plugging loopholes to prevent any ‘unintended tax evasion’. Sumant Banerji explains.This episode is being hosted by Alisha Sachdev
With the inauguration of the 246-km Delhi-Dausa-Lalsot section of the Delhi-Mumbai expressway last week, the travel-time between Delhi and Jaipur is expected to come down to three hours. There are other economic implications. Mint's Jagadish Shettigar & Pooja Misra Explains. This Episode is Hosted by Prasid Banerjee.
Major television broadcasters including Disney Star, Zee Entertainment Enterprises and Sony Pictures Networks India have switched off signals to cable operators, as the latter refuse to roll out channel price hikes. Mint's Lata Jha explains both sides of the story.This episode is being hosted by Prasid Banerjee.
Some 20 banks have opened special vostro accounts to settle foreign trade in rupees. However, the mechanism is yet to take off with exporters flagging issues. Russian buyers, meanwhile, are offering payments to Indian exporters in yuan and dirham. Ravi Dutta Mishra explains in his report.
India has scripted aviation history with the mammoth 540 aircraft order by Air India. Anu Sharma explains why Indian airlines are placing such big bets in a business which is often synonymous with paper-thin margins and volatile cost structures.This episode is being hosted by Prasid Banerjee.
The discovery of 5.9 million tonnes of lithium in Jammu & Kashmir is a major boost for India’s electrification plans but mining is a high-risk, high-reward game in the ecologically sensitive Himalayas. Sumant Banerji explains in his report.This episode is being hosted by Prasid Banerjee.
Union budget 2023-24 has proposed to continue with the 50-year interest-free loan to state governments that aid infrastructure investment. Jagadish Shettigar and Pooja Misra examine the long-term strategy behind this capital expenditure plan.This episode is being hosted by Prasid Banerjee.
Tech and startup companies continue to lay off employees citing over-hiring, cost pressures and funding challenges. Over the next six months, about 20,000 job cuts are expected, with certain profiles more at risk. Mint's Devina Sengupta explains in this episode.This episode is being hosted by Prasid Banerjee.
Will Microsoft Bing outplay Google’s Bard? Jolted by the phenomenal success of ChatGPT, Google launched Bard, its AI-powered chatbot. Microsoft countered two days later with its AI-powered Bing search engine and Edge browser. Will Google succumb to, or prevail over, the onslaught of OpenAI and Microsoft? Leslie D'Monte and Prasid Banerjee explains in this episode.
The Indian startup ecosystem was caught by surprise after the Finance Bill 2023 expanded the scope of ‘angel tax’ last week to include foreign investors. Ranjani Raghavan explains the new amendment, the main concerns of the industry and its implications.This episode is being hosted by Prasid Banerjee.
Wheat prices have stayed stubbornly high in India, despite several steps by the government including an export ban last year and a recent announcement of open market sales. In a pre-poll year, the size of the winter harvest, beginning April, will be critical. Sayantan Bera takes a close look.This episode is being hosted by Prasid Banerjee.
Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s budget speech was all of 13,761 words, a little over two-fifths longer than her speech in 2022. In this episode, we discuss the major points of the budget.This episode is being hosted by Prasid Banerjee.
Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present her fifth consecutive budget today. This being the last full budget before the general elections, her formidable task: boost growth and demand without diluting fiscal targets. Mint summarizes the expectations.This episode is being hosted by Prasid Banerjee.
Ahead of the Union budget on 1 February, the government today presents the Economic Survey for 2022-23. Jagadish Shettigar and Pooja Misra examine its significance for the economy and what we could expect from the vital document.This episode is being hosted by Prasid Banerjee.
In a surprising move, Google said it is going to change some of its policies specifically for India in order to abide by the directives issued by the Competition Commission of India (CCI). Mint's Prasid Banerjee examines the changes.
Among large projects in India that are jinxed, the Sethusamudram shipping canal project, which would connect Palk Strait and the Gulf of Mannar, takes the cake. Experts are divided on the pros and cons of the project. N Madhavan explains its economic implications.This episode is being hosted by Prasid Banerjee.
According to World Bank, remittances to India by non-resident Indians (NRIs) are expected to touch $100 billion in 2022. Increased remittances is a boon and may help in stabilizing the rupee. Jagadish Shettigar and Pooja Misra explain the trend and how tapping NRI resources can help the economy.This episode is being hosted by Praisd Banerjee.
The Bombay High Court has set aside a March 2020 decision by the banking regulator and the Yes Bank administrator to write off ₹8,415 crore worth of the bank’s additional tier-1 bonds as part of a bailout of the private lender. Mint's Gopika Gopakumar explains the likely impact of the decision.This episode is being hosted by Prasid Banerjee.
The north-eastern states have been the biggest beneficiaries of the five-year-old goods and services tax (GST) regime, according to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) report on State Finances released earlier this week. Dilasha Seth explains how some states gained but others didn’t.This episode is being hosted by Prasid Banerjee.
A task force to examine production and promotion of bio-fertilizer and organic fertilizers has already been set up under the Niti Aayog. As the government is expected to come out with a new fertilizer policy, Mint's Jagdish Shettigar & Pooja Misra examines its implications. This episode is hosted by Prasid Banerjee.
The National Payments Corp. of India (NPCI) has allowed Indians abroad to use the fast payments network UPI, if their domestic bank accounts are linked to their foreign mobile numbers. Shayan Ghosh takes a look at what this means for non-resident Indians (NRIs) and for UPI.This episode is being hosted by Alisha Sachdev.
A series of changes by China signal that Beijing is abandoning a diplomatic strategy that has earned it an unpleasant reputation. Shashank Mattoo breaks down China’s so-called ‘wolf warrior’ diplomacy, how it developed, and why Beijing may be looking to give it up.This episode is being hosted by Prasid Banerjee.
Android maker Google has claimed that the Competition Commission of India’s (CCI) October order directing the company to modify how Android works in India, will stall the smartphone operating system’s growth in India. Mint's Prasid Banerjee examines the claim.
In a recent ad, a top actor asks hassled mothers to give kids a pack of biscuits which, he asserts, has the power of milk and atta. The ad has hit a raw nerve, with experts seeking a stop to celebrities endorsing such food. Mint explores the regulatory landscape around junk food.Report by Sayantan Bera & Hosted by Prasid Banerjee.
Gross bad loans at banks have been declining and hit a seven-year low of 5% in September, shows the RBI’s Financial Stability Report (FSR). Its stress tests showed that banks are capable of absorbing shocks even under adverse situations. Mint analyses the report.This article is being written by Jagadish Shettigar and Pooja Misra. Episde hosted by Prasid Banerjee.
Improving the logistics of moving coal is critical for India, which is trying to reduce its energy dependence. The coal ministry has announced several first-mile connectivity (FMC) projects, in line with the government’s coal logistics policy. Rituraj Baruah explains how this will help.This episode is being hosted by Mint's Prasid Banerjee.
Microsoft is reportedly planning to integrate a version of its Bing search engine with the AI-powered ChatGPT to answer search queries instead of just displaying a list of links, according to The Information. If true, will this move make search engines redundant or radically transform them? This report is being written by Leslie D'Monte and hosted by Prasid Banerjee.
Global headwinds, tightening monetary policy and the lingering effects of the pandemic have combined to create a gloomy global outlook. However, supported by domestic growth, India is projected to be one of the world’s fastest-growing economies. Jagadish Shettigar and Pooja Misra analyses in this episode.This episode is being hosted by Prasid Banerjee.
After a turbulent 2022, the world is heading into another year of multiple disruptions, apart from an economic slowdown. Shashank Mattoo breaks down five crises, some old and others new, to watch out for in the months ahead.This episode is being hosted by Prasid Banerjee.
Hiring freezes and fewer counter-offers have brought the recruitment frenzy in India’s information technology (IT) companies to a halt. Still, attrition in the sector for the October-December period will hover around 20%. Mint's Devina Sengupta explains why.This episode is being hosted by Prasid Banerjee.
India’s smartphone market is set to contract by 5% in 2022 to 160 million units—the second time since 2020 when the pandemic and lockdowns impacted sales. Why has the market contracted this year and what’s in store in 2023? Mint's Gulveen Aulakh explains. This episode is hosted by Prasid Banerjee.
The government is proposing to make changes to India’s six-year-old Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC). Mint examines the relevance of the game-changing reform to the economy, and why the changes are necessary now.This episode is being hosted by Prasid Banerjee.
PVR Cinemas has opened its ‘ICE’ theatre in Delhi, a new format that claims to offer an experience that’s impossible to replicate at home. Many immersive movie technologies in India’s theatres have not been particularly successful. Can ICE theatres change this? Mint's Shouvik Das explains in this episode.This episode is being hosted by Prasid Banerjee.
The border dispute between Maharashtra and Karnataka has simmered ever since the two states were created. With no acceptable political solution, the matter is now before the Supreme Court. N Madhavan explains the recent flare-up.This episode is being hosted by Prasid Banerjee.
Covid-19 cases are rising in several countries including China, as the BF.7 variant of the omicron virus spreads rapidly. India is strengthening surveillance, even though the country has reported a decline in cases and deaths. Mint's Priyanka Sharma explains the spurt in China and if we should be worried. This episode is being hosted by Prasid Banerjee.
The Parliamentary standing committee on finance, led by the BJP’s Jayant Sinha, has recommended modifying a Bill currently before the Parliament to make the Competition Act more up-to-date. Gireesh Chandra Prasad examines what’s in store for businesses. This episode is being hosted by Prasid Banerjee.
Since the Russian invasion began in February, Ukraine has seen its cities reduced to rubble and critical civilian infrastructure bombed into ruin. The astronomical cost of rebuilding Ukraine is on the minds of major Western leaders. Mint's Shashank Mattoo explains.This episode is being hosted by Prasid Banerjee.
Oil prices that shot up after Russia invaded Ukraine in March plunged as low as $76.1 early December, bringing cheer for the economy. However, retail customers may have to wait longer for relief. Jagadish Shettigar & Pooja Mishra analyse the implications of cheaper oil for the Indian economy.This episode is being hosted by Prasid Banerjee.
The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC), in its December meeting, hiked the repo rate by 35 basis points, as against 40-50 basis point increases made since May. Jagadish Shettigar and Pooja Misra explore the central bank’s softening approach, and what it could do next.This episode is being hosted by Prasid Banerjee.
The World Trade Organization’s Goods Trade Barometer says the global economy, hit by strong headwinds and weakening import demand, may see trade growth slow down in the closing months of 2022 and into 2023. Mint examines the implications for India.
AI-powered ChatGPT is rivalling even Fifa World Cup 2022 for social media eyeballs. The smart chatbot is keeping people glued by answering questions, writing code and poems, all with human-like sensitivity. Even Elon Musk and Chris Anderson are impressed. Here’s why:This episode is being hosted by Prasid Banerjee.
After a cyber-attack wrecked the internal systems of All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), the premier medical institution switched many operations from digital to manual seven days ago. Mint's Prasid Banerjee explains how devastating such a hack can be.
Kerala’s ambitious Vizhinjam port project, led by the Adani group, is caught in protests and violence. The transshipment container terminal promises to reduce logistics costs and make manufacturing competitive. N Madhavan explains how the project landed in controversy.This episode is being hosted by Prasid Banerjee.
After an extended stretch of rising prices, wholesale and retail price indices in India cooled in October 2022, potentially offering some relief to the common man. Will the trend sustain and what are the implications? Jagadish Shettigar,Pooja Misra and Livemint analyses.
This episode is being hosted by Prasid Banerjee.
Farmers in China are now growing a perennial variety of rice which does not need to be planted every year. The invention could transform rice farming by making it climate-friendly, besides using less of labour and other inputs. Sayantan Bera takes a close look.
This episode is being hosted by Prasid Banerje..
Seventeen months since the National Company Law Tribunal approved the resolution plan for Jet Airways, the airline is yet to return to service. What’s preventing the airline, which was India’s second largest carrier until 2018, from taking off? Mint explores.
This episode is being hosted by Prasid Banerjee.
After 10 years of negotiations, India and Australia have finally agreed an interim free trade deal. The India-Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA) is expected to double trade between the two countries in the next five years. Mint's Ravi Dutta Mishra lists the benefits.
This episode is being hosted by Prasid Banerjee.
The government released the draft Digital Personal Data Protection Bill, 2022, for public consultation last week. The Bill, which seeks to govern and safeguard the use of personal data, sets out the rights and duties of users, and the obligations on businesses. Mint explains.
The US is ‘friendshoring’, and a key beneficiary could be India. US treasury secretary Janet Yellen recently said that as the US tries to reduce risks to the supply chain, it is keen to deepen integration with trusted partners like India. Jagadish Shettigar and Pooja Misra explain the new term in town.
This episode is being hosted by Prasid Banerjee.
The 2022 FIFA World Cup, which began in Qatar on Sunday, has drawn the attention of human rights and environmental groups globally. A claim by the host country is that the event is the first-ever carbon-neutral World Cup. But is it? Manjul Paul examines the promise
This episode is being hosted by Prasid Banerjee
India’s first private space mission christened Prarambh—by Skyroot Aerospace based in Hyderabad—is set for a 11:30 am launch today from Indian Space Research Organization’s (Isro’s) Satish Dhawan Launch Centre at Sriharikota. Mint's Shouvik Das explains the significance of the mission.
From being one of the largest markets for diesel vehicles barely a decade ago, India’s share of diesel cars has slid to less than 20% and may shrink further when stricter emission norms kick in. Sumant Banerji charts the trend of decline in diesel car sales and the reasons that led to it.
From being one of the largest markets for diesel vehicles barely a decade ago, India’s share of diesel cars has slid to less than 20% and may shrink further when stricter emission norms kick in. Mint charts the trend of decline in diesel car sales and the reasons that led to it.
India has submitted its long-term low-emission development strategy at COP 27, laying down the roadmap to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2070. Rituraj Baruah explains.
This episode is being hosted by Prasid Banerjee.
As the festive season kicked in and economic revival speeded up, loan demand rose. Credit growth to the industry has accelerated to 12.6% in September from 1.7% a year ago. Jagadish Shettigar and Pooja Misra explains.
This episode is being hosted by Prasid Banerjee.
After developing own smart home ecosystems for years, tech firms such as Apple and Google are joining forces to build Connectivity Standards Alliance. Mint's Shouvik Das explains.
This episode is being hosted by Prasid Banerjee.
A crisis is brewing for European banks in India as there is a stand-off between the European securities market regulator and Indian regulators over allowing inspection and supervision of Indian counterparty clearing corporations (CCPs). Mint's Gopika Gopakumar explains in this episode.
This episode is being hosted by Prasid Banerjee.
Airlines were preparing to deploy full capacity to cater to high demand in a post-covid world, but supply chain disruption has upset all calculations. This is set to impact airlines’ growth, especially in an emerging market such as India. Anu Sharma explains in this episode.
This episode is being hosted by Prasid Banerjee.
Should India worry as the gap between US and Indian bond yields narrow? Mint's Jagadish Shettigar and Pooja Misra explain in this episode.
This episode is being hosted by Prasid Banejree.
Thousands have gathered for the 27th Conference of Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP27) in Egypt. The next weeks present a chance for India to lead the developing world in demanding action on climate change. Shikha Bhasin explains in this episode.
This episode is being hosted by Prasid Banerjee.
This is the fourth time the Fed raised the funds rate by 75 bps this year. What’s the Fed’s goal and what are its consequences? Mint's Vivek Kaul explains.
This episode is being hosted by Prasid Banerjee.
Residential sales in top cities have seen a steady growth in the last two years in the aftermath of the pandemic. Will it last? Mint's Madhurima Nandy explains in this report.
This episode is being hosted by Prasid Banerjee.
Elon Musk has fired top executives, taken the company private and made promises about the platform’s path ahead. Mint's Prasid Banerjee explains what’s lies next
The IMF recently asked central banks of emerging economies to use their forex reserves prudently and allow the exchange rate to adjust. Mint's Jagadish Shettigar and Pooja Misra explain in their report.
If you checked the AQI for your city the morning after Diwali on social media, you might have seen multiple numbers? Are all of them correct? Mint's Tanay Sukumar explains how to interpret them
Soaring prices, interest rates and the war in Europe have combined to turn the spotlight back on gold, which at ₹50,000 per 10 gm, is down 28.5% from its April high. In a post-covid world, gold retains its sheen as a hedge against inflation and a safe haven asset. Mint's Ram Sahgal explains.
This episode is hosted by Prasid Banerjee
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank have cut their economic growth projections for the world economy, and many countries including India. The World Bank stated that private investment growth in India is likely to be dampened. Mint analyses:
India’s current account deficit widened in Q1 FY23. The April-September 2022 period shows a further expansion of merchandise trade deficit. Mint's Jagadish Shettigar & Pooja Misra examines the causes and concerns.
This episode is being hosted by Prasid Banerjee.
Even though 5G network rollouts have started in India, phone users are wondering why their 5G-capable smartphones cannot access these new networks. Mint's Prasid Banerjee explains the reasons behind the delay and what measures the mobile makers are taking to speed up adoption.
The auto sector is testing many new technologies to reduce carbon emissions. Flex fuel is one technology that has gained currency. On Tuesday, Toyota began pilot-testing its Corolla Altis flex fuel hybrid car in India. Mint's Sumant Banerji explains the potential of this technology
This episode is being hosted by Prasid Banerjee.
An explosion on a Russian-built bridge connecting Crimea to Russian mainland threatens to escalate the war in Ukraine. Moscow has accused Kyiv of terrorism on the Kerch Bridge, a vital logistical asset damaged by truck bombing. Mint's Shashank Mattoo explains the latest event in the war.
This episode is being hosted by Prasid Banerjee.
OPEC oil supply cut will have ripple effects on the global as well as Indian economy. Mint's Rituraj Baruah explains.
This episode is being hosted by Prasid Banerjee.
India has completed four years of Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri-Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY), the world’s largest public health insurance programme. What has the government’s flagship scheme achieved so far and what do we need from hereon? Mint explains.
The RBI's deadline for tokenization of cards used in online payments passed on 30 September. What does tokenization mean and how does it work? Mint's Prasid Banerjee explains in this episode.
India is reportedly applying pressure on phone-makers to integrate its home-grown navigation system called NavIC, a move that may increase costs for manufacturers. Mint explains why the government wants NavIC implemented, and why this is a sensible move. This episode is hosted by Prasid Banerjee.
The Union government has extended the tenure of the Foreign Trade Policy (FTP) 2015-20 by another six months till March 2023. The move came as a surprise to exporters bracing for a recession in Europe and the US. Mint explains the background and logic of the decision. This episode is hosted by Prasid Banerjee.
Italy has elected an ultra-conservative government, soon after the election in Sweden that saw an anti-immigration party making gains. Observers are wondering if Europe is seeing a new far-right wave. Mint's Shashank Mattoo explains the Italian polls and the implications for the world.
This episode is being hosted by Prasid Banerjee.
A hefty tax notice served on gaming unicorn Gameskraft has unnerved the industry, and revived questions on the taxation of online gaming companies. Mint examines why the sector keeps running into these hurdles.
As the US Federal Reserve fights decades-high inflation with higher interest rates, the rupee is depreciating against the dollar, prompting the Indian central bank to intervene in the forex markets to reduce volatility. Mint explains how RBI intervention works.
Russia’s partial mobilization of reservists, announced on Wednesday by President Vladimir Putin, makes it clear that the war in Ukraine is far from over. A renewed high-intensity conflict is bad news for the global and Indian economies. Mint explains
Power distribution companies delaying payments to generating companies are now falling in line. Mint explores how things have changed.
On 13 September, a group of 13 companies urged the US Congress to approve a bill designed to rein in Big Tech firms. Dubbed the Klobuchar bill by many, it could be important not only to the US but to global antitrust regulators as well. Mint explains.
India introduced the pre-packaged insolvency resolution process in April 2021 as an alternative process for MSMEs. However, it has only two cases admitted under it so far. Mint explores the reasons.
The government will announce the National Logistics Policy (NLP) on 17 September, aiming to bring down logistics costs and address challenges plaguing importers and exporters. Mint's Ravi Dutta Mishra and Subhash Narayan examine how the policy could accelerate freight movement.
This episode is being hosted by Prasid Banerjee.
The road ministry’s technology-driven initiative has its own challenges. Are we prepared for the shift? Mint's Subhash Narayan explores this in his report.
This episode is being hosted by Prasid Banerjee.
Demand for consumer and personal loans grew 18.8% in July. Is the consumption economy on the mend? Mint Jagadish Shettigar & Pooja Misra explains.
Competitiveness Roadmap for India@100. It sets out the guidelines for India to become a $20 trillion economy in 25 years. Mint's Jagadish Shettigar & Pooja Misra decodes in their report.
This episode is being hosted by Prasid Banerjee.
On Friday, after months of tensions over the war in Ukraine, Russia’s state-owned energy giant Gazprom shut Nordstream 1, the key pipeline supplying gas to Europe, without indicating a date for resuming flows. Mint takes a look at the development and its impact.
The tragic death of former Tata Group chairman Cyrus Mistry has refocused public attention on car safety features and passenger habits. The modern luxury car has numerous safety features. Are they enough to bring down fatalities? Mint’s Sumant Banerji explains in his report.
This episode is hosted by Prasid Banerjee.
India’s auto components sector has always imported more than it exported, leading to a trade deficit. For the first time ever, the industry saw a significant $700 million trade surplus in FY22. What led to this, and will the trend sustain? Mint explains.
Worries of a recession in the West, and a prolonged lockdown in China, have begun impacting India’s exports. Official data shows exports in August fell from July and remained little changed from a year ago. Mint explains.
The Indian economy grew 13.5% in the June quarter, much lower than the central bank’s forecast of 16.2%. While a low base has made interpreting the data difficult, another factor may have led to a distortion: the government’s deflation method. Mint explains.
The ease of doing business in India remains low, dragged down by the way contracts are enforced in the country. Recent reforms have improved the business climate somewhat, but there is a long way to go. Mint's Jagadish Shettigar and Pooja Misra dig deeper into the issue.
This episode is being hosted by Prasid Banerjee.
The demolition of Supertech Ltd’s twin towers in Noida was a visual spectacle and may act as a deterrent for errant developers in some ways. However, it may take a long time to clean up the excesses of the past, particularly in the NCR. Mint's Madhurima Nandy explains.
This episode is being hosted by Prasid Banerjee.
Several new artificial intelligence (AI) driven services are letting anyone create art, and even sell them as NFTs (non-fungible tokens) online. Mint's Shouvik Das and Prasid Banerjee explain how they work, the scope of such services, and possible misuse.
This episode is being hosted by Prasid Banerjee.
Did NDTV disclose the possibility that it could lose ownership of the shares? Mint's Jayshree P. Upadhyay takes a look in her report.
This episode is being hosted by Alisha Sachdev.
Are the sunny days of multiple offers and big hikes over for employees as the tech sector faces a margin crunch? Mint's Devina Sengupta explains in her report.
This episode is being hosted by Prasid Banerjee.
Marketing practices of pharma firms are under scrutiny after tax officials searched the premises of a drugmaker, and an association of medical representatives moved the Supreme Court alleging unethical marketing practices by drugmakers. Mint's Priyanka Sharma and Gireesh Chandra Prasad examine the issue in their report.
This episode is being hosted by Prasid Banerjee.
India and the UK recently concluded the fifth round of talks for a free trade agreement (FTA), designed to encourage trade and investment relations. Expectations are that an FTA will be signed by October 2022. Mint's Jagadish Shettigar and Pooja Misra explores in their report the ambit and potential of the India-UK FTA.
This episode is being hosted by Prasid Banerjee.
Milk prices are rising, as producers and marketers pass on higher costs to consumers. Amul and Mother Dairy raised milk prices by ₹2 each this week, the second such hike this year. Mint's Suneera explores in her report.
This episode is being hosted by Prasid Banerjee.
Worries of a sustained slowdown in China as a result of its zero-covid strategy are troubling policymakers and trade experts worldwide. Mint's Ravi & Dilasha Seth explores in her report.
This episode is being hosted by Prasid Banerjee.
The Reserve Bank of India’s latest Industrial Outlook Survey shows that despite input cost pressures, businesses are optimistic about demand, and business sentiments are positive. Why does RBI conduct this survey and how does it help policymaking? Mint explains.
Air travel is facing a new crisis of delays, cancellations, and lost or delayed baggage, prompting Emirates to term the situation an ‘airmageddon’. The reason: A severe staff shortage at airlines and airports. This Mint Primer is written by Alisha Sachdev and presented by Prasid Banerjee explaining, what should you know before packing bags?
India is hoping to become a gold price-setter with the International Indian Bullion Exchange (IIBX), now open at the Gujarat International Finance Tech City (GIFT) - International Financial Services Centre. Mint's Jayshree P. Upadhyay explains in her report the challenges and opportunities before IIBX.
This episode is being hosted by Prasid Banerjee.
Money laundering is one of the key charges made by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) against crypto exchange WazirX. The ED isn’t the first agency to level such allegations against a crypto platform, despite blockchain’s inherent property of traceability. Tune in with Mint's Prasid Banerjee to know more.
The RBI has been tightening liquidity conditions to check inflation, which has driven call money rate above the repo rate. Mint's Jagadish Shettigar and Pooja Misra analyses the impact in their report.
This episode is being hosted by Prasid Banerjee.
Rising friction between the US and China over Taiwan offers threats as well as opportunities. Mint's Dilasha Seth explores in her report.
This episode is being hosted by Prasid Banerjee.
The US Federal Reserve on Wednesday raised its benchmark interest rate by another 75 basis points to cool scorching inflation. This was its second 75 bps hike in a row, and the fourth increase this year. Mint looks at what this rate hike means and its impact on the Indian economy.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has sharply lowered India’s growth forecast for FY23 to 7.4%, in its World Economic Outlook update titled ‘Gloomy and More Uncertain.’ This Mint Primer is written by Dilsha Seth and hosted by Prasid Banerjee explaining the implications of slower trade growth.
A chess-playing robot that fractured a boy’s finger was apparently irked when the seven-year-old began playing without waiting for the machine to complete its move. While such incidents are rare, they only exacerbate our fear of robots. Mint examines the issue.
This edition of Mint Primer is being written by Leslie D'Monte & hosted by Prasid Banerjee.
Last week, federal think tank NITI Aayog released a report on digital banks, offering a template for their licensing in India. It said India already has a technology stack to facilitate digital banks. What purpose will these new banks serve, and are we ready for them? This Mint Primer is written by Gopika Gopakumar and hosted by Prasid Banerjee.
A robust agriculture infrastructure is crucial to reduce post-harvest wastage that remains high in India. The new Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) has got investment proposals worth ₹23,000 crore, accelerating change in this direction. Mint decodes its benefits. This Mint Primer, is written by Jagadish Shettigar and Pooja Misra, and hosted by Prasid Banerjee.
On Tuesday, the cooling mechanisms of data centres used by Google and Oracle in London failed to withstand the heat wave. As climate gets warmer, data centres need to up their game. This Mint Primer is written by Leslie D'Monte, and hosted by Alisha Sachdev!
Tech giants serve content owned by publishers and directly or indirectly monetise the resulting traffic while the publisher gets a little or inadequate share. The government is now examining this. Mint's Prasid Banerjee explains in this episode.
Ola Electric, the poster boy for India’s electric vehicle (EV) dreams, is going to spend $500 million in a research and development (R&D) facility for batteries. The question is whether R&D investments alone can mitigate the EV industry’s problems. Mint's Prasid Banerjee explains in this episode.
The monsoon session of Parliament began on Monday amid opposition protests on issues like inflation. The session has a hectic legislative agenda, but many controversial issues are expected to remain in the spotlight. Mint's Gireesh Chandra Prasad reports what to expect.
This episode is being hosted by Mint's Prasid Banerjee.
The Reserve Bank of India last week relaxed norms for companies raising external commercial borrowings (ECBs), as part of a set of measures to stem the slide in the rupee. This Mint Primer is written by Jagadish Shettigar, Pooja Misra, and hosted by Prasid Banerjee, explaining the logic and implications of the move.
The recent ‘Uber Files’ reveal that the company had deployed kill switches, purportedly to destroy sensitive data that could have been legitimately accessed by police and officials. But kill switches are also helpful tools. We explain how.
This episode is being hosted by Mint's Prasid Banerjee and is being reported by Leslie D'Monte.
On Tuesday, the James Webb Space Telescope, the biggest telescope in space, sent back its first set of images. The JWST surpassed the iconic Hubble’s abilities, using cutting-edge technologies to give us the farthest, deepest and clearest views of the universe till date.
This episode is being hosted by Mint's Prasid Banerjee and is being reported by Shouvik Das.
State governments are confronting various fiscal risks, particularly heavy debt, says the Reserve Bank of India’s latest bulletin. The Centre too recently red-flagged states’ high off-budget borrowings and escalating power dues. Written by Jagadish Shettigar and Pooja Misraand and hosted by Prasid Banerjee, this Mint Primer analyses the implications.
The Reserve Bank of India on Monday introduced a rupee settlement system for international trade, which could help India promote its exports and facilitate trade with countries under sanction. This Mint Primer is written by Dilasha Seth and hosted by Prasid Banerjee, explaining the significance of the central bank's move.
The Sebi has proposed to include trading in mutual fund units under insider trading rules. The proposal, though well-intentioned, has worried many in the industry. In today's primer, Mint's Prasid Banerjee explains exactly why this is happening.
Amid high inflation and market volatility, many investors are turning to gold. Despite the spectacular rise and then fall of cryptocurrency, for a majority, it was gold that was always the answer to inflation. However, in the short term, gold can lag behind. Host Prasid Banerjee explains in this episode.
Today's Primer is written by Mint's Neil Borate.
On 30 June, the European Parliament agreed upon a new law to regulate cryptocurrencies. The Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) law is the first comprehensive regulation for cryptos, and some expect it to become a trendsetter for crypto regulation globally. Mint's Prasid Banerjee explains:
On 1 July, the government imposed special additional excise duty of ₹23,250 per tonne on the sale of locally produced crude oil, sending stocks of oil producers tumbling. Here is what prompted the windfall tax, and its likely implications.
The government plans to table the Development of Enterprise and Service Hubs (DESH) Bill in the monsoon session of the Parliament, which will overhaul the special economic zones (SEZ) legislation. Mint's Prasid Banerjee explains its significance.
Today's Primer is written by Mint's Dilasha Seth.
The government maintains buffer stocks for commodities such as wheat and rice to supply its welfare schemes, ensure price stability, and guard against exigencies. However, these stocks have been depleting of late. Mint's Prasid Banerjee examines the implications.
The Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council meets for two days from Tuesday as the landmark indirect tax reform completes five years. The meeting is crucial, coming at a time central and state governments are facing stiff fiscal challenges. Mint's Prasid Banerjee examines what the Council is up to:
The data for the country’s current account balance for the fourth quarter of FY 2021-22 shows a decrease in the deficit to 1.5% of gross domestic product (GDP) from 2.6% of GDP in Q3 FY 2021-22. Mint's Prasid Banerjee analyses the situation in this episode.
On Monday, the RBI said prepaid payment instruments (PPIs) must not be loaded through credit lines from non-bank lenders, sending the wallet and buy-now-pay-later industry into confusion. Mint explains the RBI circular and the impact on fintechs.
Multiple forces have been pulling the Indian rupee down, including the exit of foreign portfolio investors, the rising cost of international crude oil prices, and a strong dollar. Mint's Prasid Banerjee explains the implications of the decline in the Indian currency.
With WTO countries making progress on the patent waiver for covid vaccines last week, Mint examines how crucial it is to amend the WTO’s IPR (Intellectual Property Rights) norms in the post-pandemic world, keeping in mind the need for vaccines, therapeutics, and diagnostics.
Several states are witnessing a shortage of fuel, leading to long queues at fuel stations and anxiety among consumers. Even though crude oil prices have crossed $120 per barrel, retail prices have not kept pace, affecting the financials of oil marketing companies. Tune in now as Mint's Alisha Sachdev examines!
The Indian Computer Emergency Response Team’s (CERT-In’s) directive to virtual private network (VPN) providers to store user data on Indian servers has prompted many of them to shut their local servers. But what does this mean for users? Find out about it in this episode with Mint's Prasid Banerjee.
When Google engineer Blake Lemoine said its AI model LaMDA had turned sentient or was self-aware, Google said it had found the claim hollow and baseless, sending him on ‘paid administrative leave. Mint's Prasid Banerjee explores the fear of AI and why tech companies react defensively.
Over 160 countries are taking part in the 12th ministerial meeting of the WTO at Geneva. And divergences between developed and developing countries may make it challenging for them to agree on issues plaguing the global economy. Mint's Prasid Banerjee explains in this episode.
The RBI has proposed linking credit cards to the Unified Payments Interface (UPI), beginning with the National Payments Corporation of India’s (NPCI’s) RuPay credit cards. Is this a precursor to bringing Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) services under regulatory fold? Find out with Mint's Alisha Sachdev!
A trial on 18 colorectal cancer patients in the US found that cancer could be treated without chemotherapy or surgery. The world is sitting up and taking note of Dostarlimab, which has been called a wonder drug. Mint's Prasid Banerjee explains.
Proposed changes to rules governing social media platforms in India have created a flutter. Mint explains how the amendments create new grievance redressal measures for social media users while increasing the compliance burden on the platforms.
The engines of growth are humming again; the rise in credit disbursement by banks in 2011-22, as well as in April 2022, reflects this. But what is fuelling this credit growth, and what could change the trend? Tune into this episode of Mint Primer, as Mint's Prasid Banerjee explores.
In the recent past, India’s mutual fund industry has been hit by several charges of front-running. The Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) has acted in three cases, including its ongoing investigation into Axis Mutual Fund. Mint explores the crisis.
With runaway inflation, unsustainable debt, and a hamstrung tourism sector, Sri Lanka’s economy is facing its worst crisis in over 70 years. Recently, the island nation lifted its state of emergency. Mint's Alisha Sachdev scans the road ahead.
Yet again, two measures of India’s economy— ‘gross value added’ and ‘gross domestic product’—have grown at widely different paces. While the change in GDP significantly lagged the change in GVA in FY21, the story was opposite in FY22, says data released Tuesday. Mint's Prasid Banjeree explains.
The Reserve Bank of India has again said the entry of BigTech into the financial services space could have systemic risks. RBI plans to introduce policy measures for such companies and for digital banking. Mint takes a look at what it entails.
The pandemic has nudged iPhone maker Apple to eye manufacturing its devices in India. However, the country’s production lines have only just begun ramping up. Does India have the production capacity to become an alternative for Apple? Mint explains.
Small cars are the bread and butter to India’s leading automakers, such as Maruti Suzuki. Recently, the company’s chairman R.C. Bhargava said there was no more ‘butter’ in this segment, with only bread left behind. Why are small car sales falling? Mint explains:
The market regulator recently issued a circular on passive funds covering matters related to transparency, liquidity, and operational aspects of exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and index funds. These provisions will come into effect from 1 July. Mint decodes:
The world is facing a new medical challenge, the emergence of monkeypox. No case has been reported in India yet, but states and the central government are keeping a close watch on the situation. Mint talks about the outbreak and its implications.
Is inequality getting worse in India, and what does it mean for the poor in the country? These are some of the questions that arise following the release of the State of Inequality in India report by the Institute for Competitiveness. Mint examines the report’s findings.