Mint Delhi
Nervy rupee
Today’s India is a far cry from 1991’s, when we were so dollarstarved that a Gulf war forced a reckoning on economic policy. Our kitty of foreign exchange is large. Yet, hostilities in West Asia, this time with Iran in the crosshairs of the US and...
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The undesirable climate cost of your AI queries
India has positioned itself as a global hub for artificial intelligence (AI) and digital infrastructure. As the country accelerates the expansion of AI-focussed data centres, policymakers and utilities face a key question: Will this strain electricity...
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A fresh start: New trade deals, new opportunities amid global turbulence, changing capital flows and private capex
New trade agreements, changing global capital flows, and strong public capex commitments could mark a decisive moment for India’s next growth phase. This roundtable will examine whether policy momentum and improved market access are translating into...
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A DECADE OF RELAXED LUXURY
Celebrating a decade of casual elegance, Nicobar founders Simran Lal and Raul Rai discuss their ₹200crore journey, the shift toward comfortable silhouettes, and their bold new venture into minimalist wedding wear.
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The AI onslaught is on. Are India’s IT giants ready?
On Tuesday, Nasscom projected flat growth for India’s IT sector, a day after Jefferies cut target prices for the country’s Big Four IT firms, reflecting concerns over how the sector is preparing to navigate the onslaught of artificial intelligence. Is...
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Fill in the details
Given India’s extended fight against terrorism, why a policy document on countering it took so long is hard to fathom. With Prahaar, though—an acronym that lays out India’s approach on the menace—we now have a clearly laid out policy. It advocates...
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Record reserves
Typically, India’s foreign exchange reserves fall as capital inflows and the rupee weaken, with the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) expending dollars in support of the Indian currency. So, it was something of a surprise when they hit a record high of more...
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Capital bargain
Is India headed for a second year of negligible net foreign direct investment (FDI)? In 2024-25, net FDI crashed to nearly $350 million from over $10 billion in 2023-24. In the first three quarters of 2025-26, it’s under $4 billion. It was on an...
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STITCHING TALES OF PROTEST
Disobedient Objects at Delhi’s STIR Art Gallery reimagines fashion as sociopolitical art, spotlighting invisibilised labour, upcycling, and material protest through evocative, research-led textile installations and sculptural garments.
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Can Ola Electric recharge its fading spark?
A Goan consumer court’s arrest warrant against Bhavish Aggarwal, though stayed by Bombay High Court, has added to the Ola Electric Mobility founder’s woes. As Ola battles service complaints, falling sales and a reversal in investor sentiment, Mint...
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Maruti’s EV foray
This week, Maruti Suzuki India launched eVitara, its first electric vehicle (EV) offering. India’s largest automaker is hoping its enticingly low price tag as part of a battery-as-a-subscription (BaaS) model that helps keep the upfront bill low will...
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The potential of AI to transform lives at population scale can be Google AI to address the nation’s most critical health challenges.
realized through the deep collaboration across India’s academic, public, and private healthcare ecosystems. From the quiet strength of a rural clinic to the high-stakes pulse of the ICU, our partners are using
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WHICH STATES LEAD THE WAY?
Share (%) of working-age population across major states/UTs Over 70% of Jammu and Kashmir’s population is of working age (15-59), the highest share among major states and Union territories (UTs). Bihar, despite a low elderly share, ranks at the bottom...
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Big AI riddles
The confidence with which artificial intelligence (AI) can eye human jobs has taken a leap, thanks to the rise of AI agents. Right now, AI’s frontier of capability is jagged, marked by highs and lows, but it’s fast improving. India’s discourse on the...
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A FAMILIAR, FORMULAIC FOG
From cow dung-stained crime scenes to the mandatory 5-minute murder, the new season of ‘Kohrra’ feels a little too familiar. It’s a smart series with fine actors, but this time, writes Raja Sen, the “slow-burn” might just be a slow crawl.
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India’s AI rules and the elusive quest for online safety
India notified its artificial intelligence (AI) rules this week, cutting the deadline for taking down sexual content to within two hours of reporting. For other content, the time given is three hours. Can these moves make social media safer for us?...
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Will the latest round of US-Iran talks succeed?
Iran and the US are sitting down to talk again over Tehran’s nuclear programme. What makes these talks different? Iran is on a much weaker footing than in the past. US President Donald Trump, in contrast, is riding high after the successful Venezuela...
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Will India’s new startup rules really help firms?
India has tweaked rules for startup recognition to better reflect the realities of long-gestation and scaling businesses. Eligibility timelines have been expanded and thresholds eased to help more startups access tax breaks and support for longer. Mint...
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India-US deal: An obscure item that is stirring the pot
Under the interim trade deal with the US, India will let in an animal feed item called distillers dried grain with solubles (DDGS), made from genetically modified (GM) corn. It has renewed debate on transgenics, amid fears imports may depress farm gate...
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Critical minerals: Can US-led group end China’s grip?
Citing the scale of India’s human talent, the US has invited India to join the Pax Silica initiative aimed at challenging China’s dominance in the critical minerals supply chain. Mint takes a look at whether such an initiative can succeed and why it is...
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MOVING ART
Food gets a touch of the palette HITTING A HUNDRED Remembering five artists and their legacy CURIOS & COLLECTIBLES Art too expensive? Buy a book
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Why did Claude Cowork’s tools hit the IT sector?
On 30 January, Anthropic launched 11 plugins to its Gen AI platform, Claude Cowork. While Claude isn’t the first software to have done all this, it still sent the entire world of software into meltdown. Why did Claude make such a massive splash? Mint...
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Why did the share prices of IT firms fall? Is this the first time this has occurred?
The fall came a day after Palantir reported its full-year earnings. The firm announced updates to its Hivemind AI software by giving it decision-making capabilities. It also announced updates to its “AI for defense/data” software reducing the need for...
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What should you do now that gold price is volatile?
After a blistering rally over the past year, gold prices are correcting sharply. Since the record high on 28 January, global prices have fallen over 12%. But on Tuesday, it bounced back. Here’s a guide to factors driving prices down, and how investors...
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Why our stance on AI has kept people guessing
On 29 January, the Economic Survey flagged the need for caution in developing artificial intelligence. On Sunday, the outlay proposed for the India AI Mission in the Budget was halved. This comes days before the government hosts the who’s-who of AI at...
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Over to the states Target met
Despite the fiscal constraints, the thrust on public spending remains. The Budget allocated ₹12.2 trillion (₹11.2 trillion in FY26) for capex, which, at 3.1% of the gross domestic product (GDP), is the same as last two years. Its hesitance to raise...
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KUTCH BUILDS ON THE ‘BUNGA’
Twenty-five years after the 2001 earthquake, Kutch has transformed tragedy into a blueprint for resilience, blending the knowledge of ‘bhunga’ mud huts with modern engineering to redefine community led rehabilitation.
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What Bharat wants from the budget on 1 Feb
Indian agriculture has shown remarkable resilience amid growing climate risks. The sector, which employs about 46% of the workforce, has seen overall production rise but also a sharp fall in crop prices. Mint explores five areas for the budget to...
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Will yields soften?
It’s not typical of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to abruptly change its schedule of open market operations. So when it did so this week, it raised eyebrows. Instead of bond purchases of ₹50,000 crore each on 5 and 12 February, those two bouts of...
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What is vibe coding and how is it different? Why is venture capital excited about it?
Vibe coding is an AI-led approach to software development that prioritizes high-level intent over technical syntax. It shifts the focus from how to write a program to what the program must actually do. Instead of requiring years of training in...
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Partnering for an Aatmanirbhar Bharat
We are proud to be a part of India’s thriving aerospace and defence industry. With sourcing over $1.25 billion annually, we’re fostering economic growth and advancing India’s vision for self-reliance.
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How Trump put Nato on the brink over Greenland
US President Donald Trump’s speech at Davos was meant to be a bellwether for the trans-Atlantic relationship, particularly Nato, with his handling of Greenland closely watched. After the speech, it appears Nato has survived, but barely. Mint examines...
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The few bright spots for India’s slowing IT sector
The $285-billion IT services industry, employing 5.8 million people, continues to navigate headwinds from AI to geopolitics. Yet, India is central to delivering technology services at scale. Q3 results offer a view of the pressures, priorities and...
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Why the CCPA is cracking down on walkie-talkies
India’s consumer watchdog has cracked down on online retailers for selling unauthorized walkie-talkies without approvals. Regulators say these devices can interfere with communication of law-enforcement and disaster-relief agencies, posing a security...
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Discoms swing to profit. Why there is more to worry
India’s power distribution companies or discoms, reeling under high debt and operational losses for years, swung to profits in fiscal 202425. Mint explains the current financial health of the discoms and the factors behind their revival: What is the...
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In loving memory of Mohan Lal Mittal
Lakshmi Niwas and Usha Mittal Seema and Sri Prakash Lohia Saroj and Santosh Rateria Pramod and Sangeeta Mittal Vinod and Archana Mittal Amit-Aarti, Aditya-Megha, Shruti-Vikram, Vanisha-Amit, Saurabh-Neha, Sneha-Aditya, Natasha-Varun,...
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Why smartphone firms want to guard their source codes
As India moves to tighten mobile phone security, reports that it may seek forcible access to smartphone makers’ source code for official scrutiny have stirred unease, even as the government has denied proposing any such mandate. Mint decodifies the...
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Why copper will heat up AC prices in the summer
The price of copper, crucial for wiring, coils and cables, has surged nearly 60% over a year, pushing up costs for appliances—including air conditioners—electric vehicles and power infrastructure companies. Several industries are feeling the pinch. Why...
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Why Trump is backing a tough oil sanctions bill
The Russia sanctions bill, which authorizes the US president to impose a punitive 500% import duty on countries that buy oil from Russia, has gained fresh momentum after Donald Trump signalled his support for the legislation. Mint examines what the...
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REREADINGS What chefs want to cook with this year
Winnie the Pooh can teach adults a lesson or two in humility
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INDIA'S HOTTEST RETAIL DESTINATION
4 Level Air-conditioned Retail Vibrant High-street | Jewellery Street | Gaming Zone Food Court | Fine Dining | Mediterranean Cuisine
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Why Indian firms often challenge drug patents
Natco’s revocation patent suit against Novo Nordisk intensifies the battle between domestic generic giants and global innovators over affordability. As we look ahead at another year of high-stakes battles, Mint unpacks the legal landscape and who wins...
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Can gig workers form traditional unions in India?
Gig workers’ unions organised a strike on New Years’ Eve demanding better working conditions. Zomato’s founder Deepinder Goyal said that the strike failed because gig work was valuable. But how do Indian labour laws treat gig workers and their unions?...
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Why Elon Musk’s Grok made the IT ministry fret
Ministry of electronics and information technology (Meity) ordered Elon Musk’s X to remove sexually explicit Grok-generated AI images in 72 hours, mentioning regulatory tension on AI safety, public safety, and platform accountability. Here’s what...
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ART BEYOND SOUTH MUMBAI
Mumbai Gallery Weekend 2026, which opens on 8 January, is stepping out of South Mumbai and discovering new locations, giving audiences across the city a chance to be part of the conversation on contemporary art.
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Bitcoin blues
On the first day of 2026, Bitcoin was trading at around $87,600 in early hours, down roughly 6% over the year and more than 30% from its October peak. The irony of this slide in “digital gold” is that the real thing, gold itself, has gained about 63%...
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HOW HOPEFUL IS THE WORLD FOR 2026?
Emerging economies show greater optimism for 2026, while sentiment in developed economies remains subdued, an Ipsos survey reveals. India ranks among the top six, with 85% of respondents showing optimism. Share (%) of respondents who agreed with the...
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Will next year be a turning point for AI in India?
In 2025, a dozen government-backed startups began building foundational artificial intelligence models, with one raising more than $100 million in funding. Data centres saw a massive boom as Big Tech swooped in. Mint examines what lies ahead for AI in...
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Give peace a chance
February will mark four years of the Russia-Ukraine war, but there’s a glimmer of hope that a peace deal will prevent a fifth year of hostility. High-level talks are underway. Kyiv wants Ukraine’s sovereignty backed by the West’s military as well as a...
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Why are countries offering visas to digital nomads?
Last week, Bulgaria joined a growing list of nations offering digital nomad residence permits, underscoring how remote work is being integrated into immigration policy. The pandemic-era experiment has gone mainstream. breaks down how it works: Who is...
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A SPORTS YEAR IN A PICTURE
Rohit Brijnath goes beyond the byline to celebrate the planning that goes into sports photography. With their masterful perspective and split-second genius, photographers turn moments of athletic chaos into art.
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What airline NOCs signal for Indian aviation
Civil aviation minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu tweeted that three proposed airlines—Shankh Air, Al Hind Air and FlyExpress— have received no-objection certificates (NOCs). Mint explains what the government’s NOC actually signifies. 4Is this the end...
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Has homebuying become more affordable now?
Buying a home has become more affordable, as financing costs fall and incomes rise. As per property advisory Knight Frank India’s latest Affordability Index, Ahmedabad is the most affordable housing market, followed by Pune and Kolkata. Mint explains...
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How govt’s tariff reset could lower CNG, PNG prices
Millions of CNG and domestic PNG users could pay less for gas as the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) simplifies transportation tariffs under “One Nation, One Grid, One Tariff ”. looks at what the change means for users and city gas...
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Decoding asset tokenization and why it matters
Asset tokenization has come under policy spotlight after lawmaker Raghav Chadha last week called for a dedicated law to govern it. As global markets experiment with putting assets such as stocks, gold and real estate on blockchains, Mint explains how...
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Why India’s trade deal with Oman is significant
The bilateral trade between the two nations is just $10 billion. Yet, the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) that India signed with Oman last week during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the Gulf nation is important. Why is it...
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THE SPORTING HIGHS OF 2025
The year in sports has been full of ups and downs. Football and hockey have been underwhelming, but it’s been excitement all the way in archery, badminton, tennis and of course, women’s cricket.
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Why MGNREGA is being replaced by a new scheme
The Lok Sabha passed the Viksit Bharat–Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Bill, 2025 Thursday, proposing a sweeping overhaul of India’s two-decade-old rural jobs scheme. The bill is now in the Rajya Sabha for discussion and passage....
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Rupee at record lows: What could arrest the slide?
The Indian rupee continued to languish near record lows against the US dollar on Wednesday, touching an intraday low of 91.06, before recovering after a likely Reserve Bank of India (RBI) intervention that helped it to close at 90.37. It has lost over...
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How India aims to rewrite rules for higher education
The Centre is preparing a sweeping reset of India’s higher education regulatory structure through the Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan Bill, 2025, which aims to replace the current regulator-centric model. As a parliamentary panel vets the bill, Mint...
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Will water, power trip data centre growth in India?
In 2025, up to $70 billion has been pledged to develop 6 gigawatts (GW) of data centre capacity in India. While this could power India’s AI ambitions, experts warn that limited freshwater supplies and the need for uninterrupted energy may hurt the...
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Preparing students for tomorrow’s opportunities.
For 80 years, we’ve backed India’s youth. That’s why we work with and other organisations to support over 1,00,000 students in building lasting careers. Together, we’re helping create opportunities that transform lives and strengthen communities across...
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Manu S. Pillai on English’s complicated history
There’s a ‘baithak’ at your favourite designer store
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Hostility premium
A hostile bid for a company may sound ominous, but it’s usually a scare only for its management. So too in the case of US-based film studio Paramount’s offer this week to buy all of Warner Brothers Discovery (WBD) for $108 billion in cash. It was made...
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What to expect from India’s customs reforms
Businesses have flagged the need for a simpler customs duty regime. The US tariffs have amplified the need for a review. The finance minister has called it the next “clean-up” after the income tax and goods and services tax reforms. Mint explains what...
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How a decade-old case blew up into the IndiGo chaos
IndiGo’s week-long chaos over hundreds of flight cancellations have triggered regulatory heat. But the meltdown didn’t come out of the blue. It is rooted in a long legal battle over pilots’ work hours, fatigue rules and a contempt case. Mint brings the...
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Preparing students for tomorrow’s opportunities.
For 80 years, we’ve backed India’s youth. That’s why we work with and other organisations to support over 1,00,000 students in building lasting careers. Together, we’re helping create opportunities that transform lives and strengthen communities across...
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AT HOME WITH MONSTERS
From his earliest films to the new version of ‘Frankenstein’, Mexican director Guillermo del Toro’s work has featured memorable screen monsters. They are often far more humanised than del Toro’s human villains
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How did IndiGo fly into severe turbulence?
IndiGo, India’s largest carrier, faces one of its most severe disruptions, as hundreds of flights have been cancelled since Tuesday. It blamed crew shortages, new duty-time rules, technical breakdowns, and congestion. But why has IndiGo been hit the...
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Sanchar Saathi: The flip-flop over a tracking app
India’s communications ministry on Wednesday rolled back its move to make Sanchar Saathi, a lost phone tracking app, mandatory for all mobile devices. The move came after pushback over concerns of surveillance even as the government said it will curb...
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