Moneycontrol Podcast

In this edition of Moneycontrol Editor’s Picks, find an exclusive interview with Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman where she addresses everything from GST rate cut, Trump tariffs to purchasing Russian oil. We also decode how various industries are adapting to the GST rate cut - further taxes on tobacco are on the horizon, insurers are assessing input tax credit treatment, and food delivery platforms may pass on additional cost burden to consumers. Also inside: Freshworks founder interview, probe into high frequency traders and an expected advertising boom.

Girish Mathrubootham steps away from Freshworks after a remarkable 15-year journey, sharing insights into his vision for India's tech future. Urban Company sees major investors readying for its IPO, boosting confidence in the market. Meanwhile, a significant shift in credit card usage is underway as online transactions are set to eclipse offline swipes, especially among younger consumers. The upcoming festive sales and new GST for e-commerce add to the excitement of a thriving digital landscape.

Indian writer Jiddu Krishnamurti famously said, “It is no measure of health to be well-adjusted to a profoundly sick society”, and rightly so. Stress is everywhere, perhaps becoming the biggest crisis of our lifetime. While any health concern is taken seriously, mental health is often ignored. The problem is so big that it costs businesses Rs 1,10,000 crore annually. Clearly, there is a huge gap between awareness and action, along with the internalised shame in the victim. But what can be done to reduce this? In this episode, we are joined by Dr Shyam Bhat, Chairperson of Live Love Laugh, to delve deep into the practical ideas that companies can adopt to bridge this lacuna. He explains how there is no one size fits all approach. Listen in!

Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal discusses landmark GST reforms and the impact of tariff wars on India-US relations. The conversation also highlights PhonePe's upcoming IPO and the trial run of Starlink, showcasing the latest in tech advancements. Additionally, there's insight into incentives for India's largest printed circuit board plant and the upskilling initiatives for employees in Indian GCCs to adapt to AI advancements.

In today’s Tech3 from Moneycontrol, we unpack the GST Council’s big reforms that Amazon and Flipkart are hailing just ahead of festive sales, with analysts predicting a sharp boost in consumer spending. We then track the Centre’s move to the Supreme Court on challenges to India’s new online gaming law. Next, we spotlight how Global Capability Centres are rapidly reskilling employees into AI engineers. And finally, SoftBank pares down its stake in Ola Electric post-IPO.

GST council meets to finalise the biggest overhaul of the indirect tax system since its 2017 launch. Indian and US investors pledge to fund the domestic deep tech sector. Premium wine shows double-digit growth in non-metro markets. Zomato and Swiggy raise platform fees to remain profitable. Also read - the unforgettable service of Indian soldiers in WWII and how the rise of home-schooling is no longer a radical, unconventional choice.

In today’s Tech3 from Moneycontrol, we break down why your Swiggy and Zomato orders are getting more expensive as both food delivery giants raise platform fees. We also track Urban Company’s much-anticipated IPO and the massive windfall it has created for its founders and early investors. Next, we look at how the government’s ban on real-money gaming is hitting India’s influencer economy hard. Finally, we discuss Indo-China joint ventures in electronics manufacturing gaining traction after Modi-Xi talks.

Tata Capital gears up to launch the year’s biggest IPO while the markets regulator clears IPO plans for 13 companies, including boAt, Urban Company and Juniper Green Energy. Moneycontrol exclusive confirmed: Sebi rolls out enhanced intraday limits in equity index derivatives to curb risks posed by oversized exposures. Also inside: Asia’s factory activity witnesses surge, a piece by Mohandas Pai and Pranav Pai on why Trump’s tariffs can nudge India toward better economic outcomes and what India can expect from greater inbound tourists from China.

In today’s Tech3 from Moneycontrol, Prime Minister Modi says speed is the new currency in semiconductors as India pushes $18 billion worth of chip projects. Kitchens@ looks to acquire Popo Ventures, the brand behind Pizza Bakery and Paris Panini, in a Rs 800 crore deal. TCS strikes its first mega contract this fiscal with insurer Tryg, while also rolling out long-delayed salary hikes. And finally, Urban Company and Boat secure Sebi approvals for IPOs, joining India’s growing pipeline of startup listings.

Amid Trump’s tariff wars, American firms have stepped up hiring in India, underscoring the country’s importance as a talent hub. Nandan Nilekani tells Moneycontrol that AI won’t kill Indian IT, “such obituaries have been written before”. Also find an exclusive interview with Naveen Jindal as he addresses wide ranging topics. Also inside: India’s consumer credit story, trade moves, and our data story of the day.