The Core Report

The Core

Every Monday to Saturday, tune in as financial journalist and host Govindraj Ethiraj gives you the latest news in business, economy and technology

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Dec 29, 2025 • 43min

#762 Will We Say Goodbye to OTPs in 2026? The Next Authentication Era | Govindraj Ethiraj | The Core Report

Will We Say Goodbye to OTPs in 2026? As India enters the next authentication era, this episode of The Core Report explores whether one-time passwords are finally reaching the end of the road and what could replace them in banking, payments, and everyday digital life.In this special edition, Govindraj Ethiraj speaks with Pramod Varma, Co-Founder & Chief Architect, Networks For Humanity (NFH), Co-Creator, FINTERNET & BECKN Protocol, architect behind Aadhaar, UPI, DigiLocker, eSign, Account Aggregator, and ONDC, to unpack how India’s digital public infrastructure is quietly moving beyond OTPs. From face authentication and biometrics to smartphone-based security, layered KYC, and verifiable credentials, this conversation explains why the current system feels broken and what a smarter, more inclusive model could look like by 2026.As digital scams rise and compliance burdens grow, are OTPs still the safest option or have they become a bottleneck? Why do banks still rely on paper, repeated KYC, and friction-heavy verification when India already has the technology to go fully digital? And could Aadhaar-based face authentication and app-driven cryptographic security offer a future that is both safer and easier for consumers and businesses?This episode breaks down the future of authentication in India, the shift away from OTP-based security, and what it means for financial services, digital identity, KYC reform, and ease of doing business. Essential viewing for professionals tracking fintech, policy, digital transformation, and India’s evolving digital economy.Subscribe to The Core Report for conversations shaping India’s business, policy, and digital economy.#OTPs #DigitalIndia #Authentication #Fintech #TheCoreReport #TheCore

Dec 29, 2025 • 39min

#761 Growth Up Inflation Down: How India Defied Economic Logic? | Govindraj Ethiraj | The Core Report

Growth Up Inflation Down. How India Defied Economic Logic? That question shapes this Core Report Special Edition with Govindraj Ethiraj, as India closes out 2025 with stronger GDP growth even as inflation cooled sharply.Govindraj Ethiraj speaks with DK Joshi, Chief Economist at CRISIL Ratings, on the biggest macro surprises of 2025 and what India should watch in 2026. They break down why GDP growth was revised up, why inflation fell when it usually rises, and how low nominal growth can quietly impact tax collections and corporate earnings.You will also hear what powered India’s resilience. Normal monsoon and softer oil prices, strong bank and corporate balance sheets, RBI rate cuts and liquidity support, income tax relief, GST cuts, and state level direct benefit transfers that boosted consumption.The episode also connects India to the global story. US AI investment boom, trade tensions and tariffs, capital outflows, rupee depreciation, and why markets can stay volatile even when the macro picture looks solid.Key topics include India GDP growth 2025, CPI inflation, food inflation, deflation signals, RBI repo rate, monetary policy transmission, forex reserves, current account deficit, services exports, GCC expansion, data centre investment, private capex, and what to expect from Budget 2026 and fiscal policy.If you work in finance, consulting, business, startups, or strategy, this is a clear guide to what these macro shifts mean for demand, hiring, and investing in 2026.Stay with The Core Report for calm, data driven conversations on India’s economy that help you think clearer in uncertain times.#IndiaEconomy #Inflation #GDP #RBI #TheCoreReport #TheCore

4 snips

Dec 27, 2025 • 38min

#760 How India Is De-Risking Oil Exploration One Well At A Time | Govindraj Ethiraj | The Core Report

How India Is De-Risking Oil Exploration One Well At A Time is the focus of this in-depth conversation on The Core Report with Govindraj Ethiraj. As India looks to secure its energy future, this episode explores how ONGC is changing the way it approaches oil exploration, reducing risk one well at a time while navigating geopolitics, technology shifts, and rising energy demand.In this discussion, Financial Journalist Govindraj Ethiraj speaks with Arun Kumar Singh, Chairman & CEO, ONGC, about how India is de-risking oil exploration through deep water and ultra-deep water drilling, global collaboration, and advanced digital and AI-driven seismic analysis. The conversation explains why India’s biggest oil discoveries, if they come, are likely offshore and why patience, data, and repeated drilling matter more than quick wins.We look at how oil exploration economics have changed, why a single ultra-deep water well can cost many times more than traditional drilling, and how India is balancing risk, cost, and technology to improve success rates. The episode also unpacks how global oil markets, crude prices, geopolitics, and deglobalisation are shaping India’s energy strategy and why domestic exploration has become even more critical.This episode of The Core Report also dives into India’s broader energy transition, including renewables, solar power, energy storage, and why oil and gas will continue to play a central role in India’s growth story for decades. From AI in drilling decisions to building global capability centres and attracting young engineering talent, this is a rare inside look at how India is de-risking oil exploration one well at a time.If you follow business news, world news, energy policy, or the future of India’s economy, this conversation offers clarity on how oil exploration, technology, and energy security intersect at a crucial moment.Subscribe for more deep-dive conversations on business, energy, markets, and policyShare this episode with anyone tracking India’s energy futureComment with your view on how India should balance oil exploration and renewables#OilExploration #IndiaEnergy #ONGC #EnergySecurity #TheCoreReportRegister for India Energy Week 2026: https://www.indiaenergyweek.com/forms/register-as-a-delegate

Dec 23, 2025 • 34min

#756 How An Indian Oil Giant Is Leading The Critical Minerals Race? | Govindraj Ethiraj | The Core Report

How an Indian oil giant is leading the critical minerals race is now central to India’s energy security and industrial future. In this Core Report Energy Special 2026, Financial Journalist Govindraj Ethiraj speaks with Ranjit Rath, Chairman & Managing Director, Oil India Limited on why critical minerals like graphite, vanadium, potash, and rare earths are becoming strategic for India and how Oil India is positioning itself in the global critical minerals race ahead of India Energy Week 2026.This conversation explains how Oil India is expanding beyond oil and gas into critical minerals exploration under the National Critical Mineral Mission, including domestic blocks in Arunachal Pradesh and Rajasthan and overseas partnerships across Australia, Latin America, and Africa. We also discuss why processing capacity matters as much as mining, how global supply chains are shifting, and what India must do to reduce import dependence in the EV, defence, fertiliser, and technology sectors.The episode also covers deep water and ultra deep water oil and gas exploration, new seismic imaging, AI and data driven exploration, and the reported natural gas occurrence in Andaman and Nicobar. You will hear updates on the Numaligarh Refinery expansion, major pipeline infrastructure, petrochemicals, and how Oil India is preparing to engage global partners and technology leaders at India Energy Week 2026.If you follow business news, energy markets, geopolitics, manufacturing, or supply chain strategy, this Core Report Energy Special 2026 connects critical minerals, oil and gas, and India’s long term energy transition in one conversation.In this episode1. Why critical minerals are vital for India’s energy security and industrial policy2. Graphite and vanadium exploration in Arunachal Pradesh and what vanadium is used for3. Potash mining in Rajasthan and its impact on fertiliser imports4. Rare earths, processing technology, and China’s dominance in supply chains5. Overseas critical minerals strategy with KABIL6. Deep water drilling, seismic re imaging, and AI in exploration7. Numaligarh Refinery expansion, pipelines, and downstream petrochemicals8. What Oil India plans to showcase at India Energy Week 2026Register for India Energy Week 2026https://www.indiaenergyweek.com/forms/register-as-a-delegateIf this conversation helped you understand how India is approaching the critical minerals race and energy security, like the video, subscribe to The Core Report, and share it with someone working in energy, consulting, manufacturing, finance, or policy. These discussions shape how India competes in the next decade.#criticalminerals #energysecurity #indiaenergyweek2026 #oilindia #thecorereport #thecore

Dec 18, 2025 • 21min

#755 Shares Drift Down The Fourth Consecutive Session

Dec 17, 2025 • 29min

#754 Markets Need 2 Cues To Turn Around

Dec 16, 2025 • 29min

#753 Why The Markets Are Caught In A Perfect Storm Involving The Rupee

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