CLOSING BELL: Nifty at 24,750, Sensex slips 180 points as auto, metal, IT dampen sentiment
Sensex today | Indian benchmark indices ended lower on Friday, weighed down by mixed global cues. Broader markets, which had been resilient so far, gave in to profit-taking, with the Smallcap index snapping a five-day winning run. In contrast, PSU banks outperformed, rallying nearly 3 percent as investors cheered their robust Q4 earnings.
Decisive triumph of hard power, questions over soft power
As Indian parliamentarians tour the globe to set the record straight on Op Sindoor and Indian democracy, there are points to ponder. India has been held up to higher standards than its hostile neighbours for good reason; it’s been the beacon of democracy among countries that emerged out of colonialism after World War II. If parliamentarians have to reiterate that, it’s likely because our own doing has led to doubts in other countries
WhatsApp status in a court of law
With so much of personal and professional communication taking place over WhatsApp, there’s a gradual evolution in the manner the law is viewing it as evidence. In addition, the courts have also set boundaries on its use as evidence. A look at the status of WhatsApp communication as evidence follows
Stealth eagle gliding in the Indian sky
Allowing the private sector to compete to build a stealth fighter plane for IAF represents an inflection point in more ways than one. It’s a vote of confidence in the domestic manufacturing base, public and private. Furthermore, it’s a signal that the government will not let India lose its fighter combat edge on account of the China-to-Pakistan supply chain. That said, the challenge of getting a grip on an adequately powered engine remains
ITC’s shareholders face equity overhang risk
BAT may have sold only a 2.5 percent stake in ITC but the fall in its stake below a crucial threshold raises the risk of more sales in coming years
Court tariffs bombshell should inspire trading partners to defy Trump
Can stablecoin legislation help dollar regain its supremacy?
Stablecoins are digital currencies designed to maintain a stable value by pegging them to traditional assets, such as the US dollar, the euro, or commodities like gold
India’s solar race demands a manufacturing revolution
India is rapidly scaling solar manufacturing, reducing import dependence and boosting domestic capacity. To sustain momentum, upstream integration, policy clarity, and tech innovation are essential for global competitiveness and climate leadership
AI's Revolutionary Promise: Progress, cost, and consequence
The latest AI advances showcase extraordinary potential to transform work, communication, and creativity. However, they also raise urgent concerns around energy consumption, equity, privacy, and inadequate governance frameworks
India’s battle against fake news, debunking it post by post, pic by pic
The Indian government fought the fake news war peddled during Operation Sindoor. Social media handles were monitored and several news channels were issued warnings. The government and the armed forces stayed vigilant and were able to thwart the misinformation war
Chart of the Day | Uptick in rural wages augurs well for consumption
Market surveys by Nielsen IQ show steady pick up in rural consumption in the last four quarters
The cautionary message from zero electricity prices
Supplies are exceeding demand during daytime and vice versa in the night on spot electricity market
Start-up Street| Is there a hidden goldmine in India’s infrastructure sector?
New areas in infrastructure such as data centres, digital infrastructure, logistics, warehousing and the like may attract PE funds, but there are myriad risks and challenges too
IIP data confirm PM's warning on foreign imports
India's industrial production registered a modest 2.7 percent year-on-year growth in April 2025, marking a weak start to FY26 despite outperforming expectations, given the core sector's dismal 0.5 percent expansion. The sluggish performance reflects deeper structural challenges in the manufacturing sector, particularly in consumer goods production
Nara Lokesh 2.0 holds the promise of a blockbuster
TDP is in the midst of its three-day Mahanadu at Kadapa, the home ground of its arch-rival Jagan Reddy. Beyond the symbolism of holding its meeting there, the party is expected to announce a more substantive change, the appointment of Nara Lokesh as working president. From being dismissed as a dynast a decade ago, Lokesh has come through a trial by fire. While Chandrababu Naidu is TDP’s unquestioned leader, his son’s star is in ascent
The lessons from China’s dominance in manufacturing
Beijing’s aggressive investments in domestic production have strained trade relations with western partners. But can the world learn from it?
When bitcoin is the business model, investors should beware
Most shareholders of listed companies still prefer real assets with predictable cash returns
Is Trump's tariff flip-flop causing a supply chain meltdown?
President Trump's shifting trade policies are sending shockwaves through global markets and manufacturing. As port congestion rises and shipping rates spike, the world's supply chains are bracing for more disruption.
India’s an emerging drone giant, with 10% market share. Is this tech really a game changer?
This month’s Indo-Pak conflict saw South Asia’s first drone battle, with India winning hands down. It’s unleashed a wave enthusiasm across the domestic drone ecosystem and sparked speculation on drones being a military silver bullet. A clear-eyed assessment, however, shows drones to be just one among the efficacious options. And it’s most effective when used in combination with other weaponry
Technology may shine, but it is science that will fuel India’s rise
Technology may capture the spotlight, but science lays the foundation for lasting innovation. India’s rise as a global leader depends on bold investment in fundamental research and scientific talent
Is the pace of EV adoption slowing in India?
The next two years are critical to see a decline in battery costs and interest rates tango to drive down EV prices
What are the characteristics of high performing states?
A recent report on state rankings reveal how states that are falling behind can take measures to improve their performance on various parameters
What Silicon Valley’s Indian entrepreneurs have lost, but can relearn from Brad Feld
Brad Feld’s book ‘Give First’ champions mentorship without expectation, showing how intentional generosity can build thriving startup ecosystems. In this article the author talks about urging communities to build trust, give generously, and institutionalise support for lasting entrepreneurial impact
Chart of the Day | RBI dividend transfers, pre and post Bimal Jalan panel
The calculations to compute dividend transfers were amended post the Bimal Jalan panel recommendations
Data Story: What is a bleeding microfinance industry telling us?
Surplus liquidity and easing interest rate environment are potent temptations for lenders to stoke up microfinance again.
