Mint Mumbai

‘BENNE DOSA’ RISING

From a small-town staple to a social media sensation, benne dosa is drawing the crowds— the buttery dosa with crisp edges is made for the camera. What began as a trend in Mumbai is now playing out across cities.

Musk vs Altman: what it means for OpenAI’s future

A public feud between Elon Musk and Sam Altman is playing out in court. Musk calls OpenAI a “stolen charity”, challenging its shift from a non-profit research lab to a commercial AI firm. The case may reshape how OpenAI is funded and operates. Mint...

India eyes reserves for critical minerals

India is planning to build a sixmonth strategic reserve of critical minerals to shield its green energy and manufacturing sectors from supply shocks and price swings, two people aware of the matter said. The Union ministries of mines and heavy...

Industrial resilience

With West Asia embroiled in conflict, global growth is set to take a hit as supply disruptions impact economies around the world. India can’t escape, given our heavy reliance on crude oil shipped through the Strait of Hormuz that is currently under...

How does India’s policy panel on AI affect startups?

The government has set up an inter-ministerial advisory body, the AI Governance and Economic Group, to act as a central node for shaping and coordinating policy on artificial intelligence. Mint breaks down how this new body will change things for...

SEXY BACK

How long will the momentum in steel prices last?

After steel prices hit multi-year lows in November 2025, India’s steel makers are set to post a strong March quarter, thanks to firm demand and higher prices. Will this momentum continue in the coming months? Mint breaks down why the rally could slip...

What you should know about RBI’s e-mandate rules

1 What are e-mandates and how do they work? An e-mandate is a one-time authorization that allows a bank to automatically process recurring payments on a customer’s behalf. These are used for subscriptions such as OTT services, mutual fund investments,...

Apple CEO shift: A hardware bet in the age of AI

Apple has named John Ternus as its next CEO, succeeding Tim Cook. The timing of the transition and choice of a hardware leader comes as AI reshapes Big Tech. The move signals Apple’s bet that tightly integrated devices will remain central to its...

How sub-normal rains may affect reservoir levels

Low rainfall may hit India’s water reservoir replenishment, raising concerns among farmers and policymakers. Water reservoir levels stand at 44.7% of total capacity as of 9 April, better than last year, but experts warn that weak rainfall could hurt...

India plans flex-fuel push as oil risks rise

The Centre is planning a nationwide policy push to enable the adoption of flex-fuel vehicles (FFVs) that can run on ethanol blends of up to E85 (85% ethanol and 15% petrol), as the West Asia conflict prompts India to explore ways to cut oil import...

SPACES WHERE ART IS BORN

A new book, Portrait of an Artist, takes readers into the studios of 68 artists, including Akbar Padamsee and Tyeb Mehta, and shows the messy, meditative, creative and emotional spaces in which their ideas take shape.

Wipro profit cools, floats big buyback

Wipro Ltd on Thursday announced its largest-ever share buyback of ₹15,000 crore, even as India’s fourth-largest information technology (IT) services company capped a third straight year of revenue decline, and flagged a weak start to fiscal year 2027...

What is the monsoon forecast?

India is expected to receive below-normal rainfall in 2026. 91 110 109 99 106 The June-September season is critical for two reasons: India receives about 70% of its annual rainfall during these months, and nearly 45% of its farmland depends on these...

Price stabilization fund for auto fuel, LPG likely

India is considering creating a financial buffer for petroleum products such as petrol, diesel and LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) to manage supply disruptions and global price volatility, according to two people aware of the development. The buffer...

Climate pledges rise at India Inc, execution falters

Though more Indian firms are setting climate goals, the progress is uneven. A report by IiAS Sustainability Solutions (IiAS Sustain) shows while target-setting is increasing, many firms fall short on execution, timelines and credibility. Mint takes a...

Why the frenzy around SpaceX’s mega IPO plan

SpaceX, among the world’s most valuable private firms, may finally be listing. Reports say the Elon Musk-led company could raise about $75 billion at a $2 trillion valuation–the largest IPO ever. It’s a mix of ambition and investor pull across hot...

SCHIAPARELLI’S LASTING FLAIR

Lounge speaks to Sonnet Stanfill, the curator of a sweeping exhibition at London’s V&A that explores Elsa Schiaparelli’s legacy, tracing her bold designs and enduring influence on fashion through innovation.

What makes Project Glasswing relevant?

Co-founder and CEO Dario Amodei said Anthropic created the cybersecurity coalition on noting how capable its new ‘frontier’ AI model, Claude Mythos, is. The firm tested it to find thousands of critical software flaws, technically called ‘zero-day...

Why does India’s nuclear reactor milestone matter?

India moved closer to nuclear fuel self-reliance as its prototype fast breeder reactor in Tamil Nadu achieved criticality on 6 April, the stage of sustained nuclear reaction. This could help India achieve its target of 100GW nuclear capacity by 2047....

Now, a new covid strain. Should that worry us?

The covid-19 virus continues to mutate. A new strain, BA.3.2, has now surfaced in many countries. Early reports show high spike-protein mutations that could help it enter human cells. Global experts urge for caution but no panic. Should you be...

Oppo to Samsung raise prices by up to 40% on chip deficit

The West Asia war and a memory chip scarcity have finally spilled over into smartphone prices, with leading smartphone makers raising prices by as much as 40%. India’s top three smartphone brands Vivo, Oppo and Samsung, and their smaller rivals...

JAMES BOND GOES BROWN

The search for the next Bond is good fodder for comedy and in Bait, Riz Ahmed plays an actor auditioning for the role. Highlighting biases, the show asks if 007 is even relevant in a post-Cold War world.

Push for oil storage, piped gas transition

Sivasubramanian Ramann Chairperson PFRDA Pradeep Kumar Kheruka Executive Chairman Borosil Renewables Ltd Laxit Awla ED & CEO SAEL Neelkanth Mishra Chief Economist, Axis Bank and Head of Global Research Axis Capital Gopal Agarwal CEO Anupam...

What are the new rules?

Sebi has introduced a tighter disclosure and recusal framework. The chairman, whole-time members and employees must make initial, annual and event-based disclosures of assets, liabilities, trading activity and relationships, and disclose any...

Why India stares at an LNG squeeze, and what it can do

India imports 50% of its liquefied natural gas needs from West Asia, mostly from Qatar. With the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz and attacks on Ras Laffan industrial city, much of India’s imports are halted. Mint takes a look at the impact on the...

Vedanta moves NCLAT over Jaiprakash takeover

Anil Agarwal-led Vedanta Ltd has moved the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) against the approval of Adani Enterprises Ltd’s ₹14,543 crore bid for bankrupt Jaiprakash Associates Ltd (JAL). Vedanta has appealed against the Allahabad bench...

WAR THROUGH WOMEN’S EYES

Nalini Malani’s transforms a warehouse in Venice into an immersive animation chamber, layering myth, memory, and feminist critique through drawings, soundscapes and shifting projections on violence and history.

How long can India hold off a fuel price hike?

Crude oil prices have surged well past $100 a barrel, increasing by about $45 per barrel after the US and Israel attacked Iran on 28 February. While several countries have increased prices, India has not. How long can the government avoid an increase?...

Meteoric surge

Ever since generative AI took over the world, Nvidia has seen its fortunes surge exponentially—and it's far from stopping now. 215.9 On Wednesday, AMD signed a pact with Samsung to jointly develop AI-ready chips similar to Nvidia’s Groq 3. AMD and...

Why Instagram’s end to encryption raises concerns

Meta will discontinue end-to-end encrypted direct messages on Instagram from 8 May, less than three years after its launch. The rollback comes at a time when encrypted messaging is facing growing scrutiny from governments concerned about crime and...

Why did the top court agree to review the definition?

In 1978, a seven-judge bench gave a broad interpretation to the term “industry” under the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947. Over the years, employers and institutions have argued this created uncertainty over whether organisations such as government...

India hunts for fertilizers, from Morocco to Belarus

New Delhi is doubling down on fertilizer imports from nonWest Asia countries to shield its sprawling farming sector, as regional conflict and a maritime blockade loom over its traditional supply routes. The world’s largest importer of urea and...

THE ACADEMIC’S OBSESSION

Rachel Weisz brings candour and comic heat to ‘Vladimir’, playing a desire-addled professor taken with a younger colleague. Despite her magnetic performance, this academia satire feels more fleeting fling than lasting affair.

Corp bond market sees March chill as oil drives up yields

Corporate bond markets are navigating an unusual March this year, as borrowing plans stall in a month that typically sees a rash of bond sales. The surge in bond yields triggered by rising crude oil prices has prompted several borrowers to either defer...

Street sinks as swift revival hopes fade

Indian equity markets started Wednesday on a cautious footing, but the mood quickly turned sour as a broad-based sell-off gathered pace. Benchmark indices fell nearly 2%, closing at a 10-month low, quickly erasing the optimism seen in the previous...

India relaxes curbs on FDI from China

India has lowered a policy barrier that held back Chinese capital for four years, signalling a cautious yet pragmatic shift as New Delhi seeks to integrate into global supply chains and revive a cooling investment landscape. The Union cabinet on...

LPG curbs kick in as oil roars past $100

India has tightened access to domestic cooking gas, as the escalating conflict in West Asia threatens fuel supplies and drives volatility in global energy markets. The Centre has prioritized household LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) consumption, and...

Bulls not buying the dip as caution rules

When stock markets tank, intrepid investors troop in to buy the dip. This time, though, the signs are missing. With the Iran attack widening into a regional conflict, investor sentiment remains significantly subdued, raising the possibility of further...

GORILLAZ’S INDIAN ODYSSEY

Born from personal loss and an immersive journey across India, The Mountain is Gorillaz’s new album. Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett discuss blending electro-hop with Indian sounds to explore memory and rebirth.

How has the market behaved since the war started?

Since the Iran-US war began on 28 February, equity markets worldwide have fallen. The Nifty declined 2.1% between 28 February and 4 March, while Japan’s Nikkei fell 5.5%, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng 4.2%, and the South Korea’s Kospi 8.9%. In the US, the Dow...

Focus on energy stockpile as OMCs eye new sources

New Delhi is keeping a close eye on its fuel and oil stocks, as disruption in the Strait of Hormuz throws global oil supply chains into disarray. According to two top officials aware of the matter, state-run refiners have crude oil stocks which will...

Oil lines blocked, India eyes options

India's crude oil refiners are scouting for new supply sources after Iran's historic announcement of the closure of Strait of Hormuz, three people aware of the development said. The Union petroleum ministry is consulting with the refiners, taking stock...

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.

Tata Sons board defers call on Chandra’s 3rd term

The board of Tata Sons on Tuesday deferred a decision on reappointing N. Chandrasekaran as chairman for five more years after objections from Tata Trusts chairman Noel Tata, two executives aware of the matter said. The development signals continuing...

India draws up Plan B for oil as Gulf tensions spike

India is exploring contingency plans for crude oil imports as rising tensions in West Asia push global oil prices higher and raise fears of supply disruptions. Oil prices have surged about 7% in the past three sessions following a large US military...

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.

War clouds slam stocks, Nifty dips most since budget

The military build-up in the Persian Gulf and a muddied US interest rate outlook dealt the biggest blow to Indian markets since the Union budget, with investors losing nearly ₹6.8 trillion on Thursday. The benchmark Nifty plunged 1.4% to close at...

How India’s EV adoption is a tale of multiple hues

Solar cell firms eye 50GW capacity at ₹30,000 crore

India’s solar manufacturers are preparing to invest about ₹30,000 crore to build about 50GW of solar cell capacity in fiscal year FY27, racing to comply with new local-sourcing rules that take effect in June. The expansion, led by companies including...

Banks’ insurance boost faces RBI reality check

The regulator’s proposed rules to curb mis-selling of third-party products by banks will likely dent their earnings from insurance policy sales, a ₹22,000-25,000 crorea-year business for lenders. On 11 February, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI)...

What’s fuelling the hype around India AI summit?

India’s push for global prominence in artificial intelligence begins today. The AI Impact Summit has driven hotel prices higher in New Delhi, and attendance rates for global heads of state match those seen during the 2023 G20 summit. Why such hype?...

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.

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?...

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...

In vroom mode

Vehicle sales in January should put smiles on many faces. Overall retail sales, according to data released by the Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations on Tuesday, grew about 18% from a year earlier to 2.72 million. Not only is the number...

What’s DDGS and what does the deal say?

DDGS is a protein-rich byproduct of ethanol manufacturing using grains like corn and rice. The US mostly uses GM corn for producing ethanol. Therefore, DDGS is a GM-based animal feed used for cattle, poultry, and fisheries. In India, ethanol...

US tariff cuts set to double exports in 4–5 years

With US tariffs sharply reduced and policy uncertainty easing, Indian exporters are gearing up to resume exports at the revised duty rates. Industry executives say the move could double India’s exports to the US over the next four to five...

DRESS UP FOR THE GALLERY

When the art fair comes to the Capital, so does fashion. Lounge puts together a guide for those who want to wear their art on their sleeve with prints, colour, scarves, jewellery stacks, statement pieces, and more.

What’s Claude Cowork and its 11 plugins?

Claude Cowork is a software using which you can automate nontechnical parts of your work. This includes sorting invoices, handling inventories and even maintaining a flow of orders from customers. Adding to Cowork are a set of 11 sector-specific...

Chinese shipments

For all the talk about either restraining or rebalancing trade with China, India’s dealings with it are rising. In 2025, trade reached a record $155.6 billion, up 12%, according to Chinese ambassador Xu Feihong. Within it, Indian exports rose 9.7%, he...

Market upshift?

97,770 1,51,858 After nearly one-and-a-half years of broad weakness, India’s stock market began to flash signs of a revival on Tuesday. The BSE Sensex jumped more than 4% in early trade before closing 2.5% higher at 83,739, while the rupee...

What did the Budget say about artificial intelligence?

Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman mentioned artificial intelligence in her Budget speech 11 times in total, which was decidedly more than before. Artificial intelligence again was mentioned in connection with the offering of public services,...