5116: Credit guarantee scheme, Iran oil imports & RBI MPC’s policy choice

What does it take to apply the rigor of global organizational change to the complex and equally high-stakes work of educational equity in India? On this episode of Unusual Suspects, host Gaurav Choudhury sits down with Ramesh Srinivasan, Senior Partner at McKinsey & Company and member of its Global Social Responsibility Council, to explore exactly that. Ramesh has spent his career designing and implementing leadership, performance management, and capability-building initiatives for organizations across industries—crucial work that has held him and those working with him in good stead. As a board member of organizations at the front lines of educational equity in India, including Akanksha, Teach For India, and Peepul, Ramesh brings the same strategic discipline to his philanthropy that he brings to his clients. In this episode, he unpacks what decades of the work have taught him and how he’s putting those lessons to work where he thinks it matters most.

India is recalibrating its economic strategy as it resumes Iranian oil imports under a US waiver, likely settling payments in rupees while managing currency pressures. The RBI may revive crisis-era tools to stabilise the rupee, even as policymakers remain comfortable with a weaker band. To cushion businesses from war-related disruptions, the government plans a ₹2.5 lakh crore credit guarantee scheme. Meanwhile, the Monetary Policy Committee faces a complex decision, balancing inflation risks, liquidity support, and stability in a volatile global environment. All this and more in the latest edition of Moneycontrol Editor’s Picks.

India’s wealth landscape has changed dramatically. What began with a handful of investment products - mutual funds, PMS and structured strategies - has now expanded into a complex ecosystem of alternatives, global assets and sophisticated portfolio strategies. In this episode of Wealth Architects, Surabhi Upadhyay speaks with Sahil Kapoor, Head of Wealth Products at 360 ONE Wealth, about how modern wealth platforms design investment products for HNIs and family offices. The conversation explores: • Why diversification is becoming essential in modern portfolios • The rise of alternatives, REITs and private market investing • How specialised investment funds (SIFs) are evolving • How different investors approach risk and market cycles • What AI could mean for the future of wealth management #WealthManagement #PrivateWealth #HNIInvesting #AlternativeInvestments

In today’s Tech3 from Moneycontrol, MeitY signals flexibility on draft IT Rules after industry pushback, with Rule 14 and advisory norms under review. Flipkart steps up its quick commerce play, planning 800 more dark stores as competition intensifies. All eyes are on TCS Q4 results for cues on AI strategy and demand outlook. And SEBI may extend IPO validity and ease shareholding norms as companies navigate weak market sentiment.

Tata Sons has deferred a decision on N. Chandrasekaran’s reappointment, with Tata Trusts likely to reassess his performance and strategy amid internal differences. Meanwhile, the United States faces mounting military strain as the Iran conflict depletes key weapons stockpiles. In banking, HDFC Bank will not immediately replace outgoing executive Bhavesh Zaveri, signalling a pause in leadership transition. On the industry front, Kaynes Semicon is targeting emerging chip segments under India’s next semiconductor push. At the same time, Indian firms are shifting toward domestic funding avenues as overseas borrowing tightens due to geopolitical disruptions. Tune in for all  this and more in the day’s edition of Moneycontrol Editor’s Picks.

In today’s Tech3 from Moneycontrol, Wipro signs a billion-dollar, multi-year deal with Olam, alongside acquiring its digital arm. Zetwerk revamps leadership and board structure as it prepares for its IPO amid global uncertainty. And the RBI tightens oversight on payment aggregators, mandating CKYCR-based merchant onboarding to curb misuse and improve compliance across the fintech ecosystem.

After a volatile start driven by war jitters, markets staged a sharp late rebound, aided by value buying and a record rupee surge following RBI’s clampdown on speculative currency trades that may have unwound up to $40 billion. Yet, macro pressures persist, with West Asia tensions set to inflate India’s import bill. Stress is also emerging in the power sector, as coal shortages hit coastal plants ahead of peak summer demand. Meanwhile, tax scrutiny on global trading firm Jane Street and fresh opportunities from tech layoffs signal shifting dynamics across finance and IT.

In today’s Tech3 from Moneycontrol, Myntra CEO Nandita Sinha is set to exit ahead of Flipkart’s IPO, with Sharon Pais likely to take charge. India’s CCTV market sees a major reset as Chinese players are pushed out, giving domestic firms a larger share. AI-led hybrid filmmaking is emerging as a new production model in Bengaluru. And Oracle’s layoffs are creating a pool of senior tech talent, potentially benefiting Indian IT services firms expanding in AI and cloud.

Indian equities kicked off the financial year with a sharp rally, driven by optimism but tempered by geopolitical uncertainty as US signals on the Iran conflict keep investors on edge. Rising crude prices are straining India’s oil marketing companies, with under-recoveries on LPG expected to mount significantly. Fuel prices have surged across cities as private retailers hike rates to offset losses amid elevated global oil prices. In the tech sector, Oracle’s large-scale layoffs in India highlight the disruptive shift towards AI-led investments. Meanwhile, dealmaking remains resilient, with major stake sales and fundraising efforts continuing despite global volatility.

In today’s Tech3 from Moneycontrol, Oracle’s large-scale layoffs signal the cost of its AI push, with deep cuts across its India workforce. Sarvam’s $200–250 million raise sees investor shifts as Bessemer joins talks and Accel exits. The government’s crypto discussion paper is put on hold amid RBI concerns, even as the digital rupee gains focus. And finally, how creators are using AI tools like ChatGPT to automate finances, from invoices to GST filings.