Daybreak

LIC is shaking up the health insurance market with a major acquisition of Manipal Cigna, targeting 860 million uninsured Indians. Their approach aims to tackle issues of trust, access, and affordability in healthcare. With no pressure for quick returns, LIC could revolutionize the sector. The discussion highlights the need for affordable premiums for patients while ensuring fair reimbursements for providers. If successful, LIC's strategies could define the future landscape of health insurance in India.

Dive into the world of electric vehicles as Ather Electric confronts fierce competition from rivals like Ola Electric and TVS Motor. The recent IPO reveals mixed investor sentiment, sparking discussions on market dynamics and strategies for a compelling narrative. Explore how regulatory challenges and tariffs impact Ather’s growth and the empowering shift in ownership post-Hero Motorcorp. With a rich history of innovation, Ather must navigate new market opportunities while tackling rising industry controversies. What lies ahead for this once-pioneer?

Earlier this month, India’s largest third party logistics company, Delhivery, acquired its biggest rival Ecom Express in a $165 million distress sale. The acquisition could not have come at a better time for both parties. Things have been tough for Ecom for some time now. The company, in fact, called off its IPO plans just this February, about six months after filing the papers and ended up laying off hundreds of its employees. Meanwhile, Delhivery has been soldiering some tough times too.  By acquiring its floundering rival, Delhivery seems to be going all out to claw back some business. But is that enough? Tune in. Daybreak is looking for a talented audio journalist with at least two years of experience. Check out the role here. Daybreak is produced from the newsroom of The Ken, India’s first subscriber-only business news platform. Subscribe for more exclusive, deeply-reported, and analytical business stories.

Mahindra's new electric vehicles are proving to be more problematic than promising. Frustrated buyers are facing delivery delays and malfunctioning features like frozen touchscreens and glitchy cameras. The ambitious software integration intended to enhance the driving experience has backfired, leaving cars unable to operate. Meanwhile, the podcast also touches on challenges in India's agriculture and EV markets, highlighting the urgent need for improved infrastructure to support the evolving technology landscape.

Netradyne, a logistics AI startup, became India’s first unicorn of 2025 after raising $90 million. The company has revolutionized long-distance trucking with its advanced surveillance technology. Their system not only enhances road safety but also serves as a legal safeguard for drivers. As Netradyne navigates a booming market, it also faces challenges from the rise of driverless vehicles, sparking discussions on the future of the trucking industry.

In this episode we fill you in on three standout stories from the past week. First, what ITC’s acquisition of 24 Mantra means for the larger organic food market; Next, Musk’s latest attempt to save Tesla; And finally, why Blusmart’s unravelling was an eventuality we all chose to ignore. Check out the newsletter and podcast mentioned in this episode: The latest edition of Trade Tricks The Nutgraf: Blusmart and the dogs that didn’t bark

InterGlobe Aviation has soared to become the world's most valuable airline amidst a backdrop of customer complaints. As Indigo expands rapidly, issues like lost luggage and impolite staff have plagued passengers. The podcast reveals that nearly 90% of new frontline employees are under 20, raising concerns about service quality. Additionally, employees face grueling schedules, creating a stark contrast to the airline's financial success. As the company’s reputation hangs in the balance, the discussion probes whether Indigo has lost sight of its passengers.

 Here’s the thing about the Indian carbonated beverage market – for decades now it has been a two, sometimes three horse race dominated by everyone’s favourite black coloured colas. Pepsi, Coca Cola and Thums Up. But in the last year or so, a 160-ml bottle of cumin-flavoured soda has managed to do what very few bottled beverages could. It has challenged the Indian beverage industry’s holy trifecta – the Coca-Cola-Pepsi-Parle Agro trio. The crazy thing is, this isn’t some massive global brand that has just entered the Indian market. It’s a seven year old desi brand launched by three cousins in Punjab that was largely unknown until about a year ago. We are talking about Lahori Zeera. Tune in. Daybreak is produced from the newsroom of The Ken, India’s first subscriber-only business news platform. Subscribe for more exclusive, deeply-reported, and analytical business stories.

The Bayani sisters are on a bold mission to rebuild their family's legacy with Think9 Consumer Technologies, a startup incubator for new brands. They face numerous challenges, particularly the struggles of the roll-up business model after their father's empire collapsed. The sisters tackle the daunting task of appealing to young consumers while dealing with a traditional workforce and navigating competitive pressures. Their journey is a blend of ambition, innovation, and the ongoing battle to overcome a tarnished family reputation.

On 19 March, the Indian government slashed incentives for UPI transactions by more than half to Rs 1,500 crore for FY25. After it launched in 2016, UPI very quickly became the backbone of India’s digital economy–thanks to demonetisation, and well, the pandemic. Most importantly, it was the radical decision to keep it free that fuelled its growth. No merchant fees. No transaction costs. But the zero-MDR policy came at a price because payment processors lost more than 2500 crore last year alone. And with the new budget cut, it will get worse.The system is clearly showing signs of strain. While UPI continues to post record volumes—18 billion transactions in March alone—many are asking an uncomfortable question:Can India maintain its digital payments miracle without letting the infrastructure collapse under its own weight?Tune in.Do you think people will stop using UPI if there is a small fee involved?Send your answers to us as texts or voice notes on Daybreak’s WhatsApp at +918971108379. Daybreak is produced from the newsroom of The Ken, India’s first subscriber-only business news platform. Subscribe for more exclusive, deeply-reported, and analytical business stories.