5125: IPL’s AI sponsors, oil shock rattles markets & Noida workers protest

In today’s Tech3 from Moneycontrol, a probe at Tata Consultancy Services’ Nashik unit raises questions on workplace systems, the Reserve Bank of India proposes a delay on UPI payments to curb fraud, Andhra Pradesh launches India’s first quantum testing ecosystem, and Noida’s electronics hub prepares to resume operations after worker unrest.

In this edition of Moneycontrol Editor's Picks: Tata Trusts gear up for key meetings ahead of a crucial board decision on N Chandrasekaran’s reappointment and Tata Sons’ listing. Meanwhile, global energy tensions intensify as a potential blockade of the Strait of Hormuz threatens crude supplies, forcing India to seek alternatives. At home, the government looks to shore up finances through higher fuel export duties, while markets turn volatile amid rising oil prices and policy shifts. Despite the uncertainty, retail inflation remains relatively contained, though risks loom from monsoon forecasts and geopolitical stress. Adding to the churn, worker protests in Noida highlight manufacturing sector tensions. Tune in for all this and much more.

In today’s Tech3 from Moneycontrol, AI brands dominate IPL sponsorships as marketing shifts from visibility to utility. Rising fuel costs push EV adoption, especially in two- and three-wheelers. The government plans a centralised cyber intelligence system to tackle growing threats. And Myntra sees a leadership change with Sharon Pais set to take charge as Nandita Sinha exits the Flipkart group.

In this edition, some good news first: Indian stocks saw their best weekly gain in 5 years, softer crude prices lifted sentiments and inflows into equity and mutual funds strengthened despite market volatility. Moneycontrol’s inaugural Advance Business Index shows that economic activity in India eased from the preceding month but still continues at a healthy pace. Despite this, March data also shows that economic headwinds are making an impact. As UPI turns ten years old, our reporters take a look back at its decade long journey, next big opportunities and how AI is set to change the way we transact online. Meanwhile, a US directive restricting satellite imagery over West Asia has complicated matters for Indian spacetech startups, and NHRC has flagged an extramarital dating app that puts minors and women at risk. Also inside: after TCS’s shining performance, a look at whether it should be back in investor’s reckoning despite past stock underperformance. Tune in!

In today’s Tech3 from Moneycontrol, UPI completes a decade with massive scale and now targets 1 billion users and deeper credit adoption. Swiggy sees key leadership exits and board changes. Spacetech firms rethink strategy as geopolitical tensions and war-linked controls shape satellite data access. Meanwhile, TCS reports strong deal wins but declining revenue, highlighting a shift toward AI-led, outcome-based models in IT services.

In this edition: HDFC Bank’s board may take up the chairman appointment even as CEO Sashidhar Jagdishan is likely to get another term. Tata Consultancy Services kicks off earnings season with strong growth and rising AI revenues. Meanwhile, energy risks persist as minister Hardeep Singh Puri heads to Qatar amid Strait of Hormuz disruptions. Actis eyes a $1.8 billion sale of BluPine Energy, while India’s bond index inclusion remains on hold. In AI, Emergent is in talks to raise fresh funding, and Samiran Chakraborty weighs in on the macro impact of global tensions. Tune in!

In today’s Tech3 from Moneycontrol, TCS posts strong earnings even as it's headcount is down by 23,000 jobs amid an AI-led shift. Emergent is in talks to raise $200–250 million at a $1.5 billion valuation, joining the list of unicorns in 2026. Microdrama platforms pivot to ad-led models for scale, and Meta unveils its new AI model Muse Spark with limited access as competition intensifies.

In this edition of Moneycontrol Editor’s Picks, we cover the economic impact of the ceasefire from all angles - from a sharp market rally and Rupee gains to easing energy and supply chain pressures. IPO activity may see a revival, while corporate India and MSMEs get policy support. Dubai real estate shows signs of recovery, and trade flows via Hormuz could stabilise. The RBI has held rates steady amid uncertainty, even as credit card perks quietly shrink—signalling a broader reset in consumer finance. Much more inside. Tune in!

In today’s Tech3 from Moneycontrol, KreditBee enters the unicorn club with a $280 million pre-IPO round as it prepares for listing. Flipkart expands AI leadership roles to integrate AI across operations at scale. IT firms ramp up dealmaking amid slower growth, focusing on AI and cloud capabilities. And Anthropic unveils Mythos, a powerful AI model kept restricted for now due to its advanced cybersecurity capabilities.

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.