5141: Govt’s war relief package, BJP’s WB campaign blitz in data & credit card benefits get a trim | MC Editor's Picks

The government is preparing a Rs 2.5 lakh crore credit guarantee scheme to support sectors such as aviation and MSMEs hit by the West Asian war. Airlines have warned of severe stress as fuel costs rise, while the UAE’s exit from OPEC and OPEC+ could reshape global energy markets. Despite this uncertainty, EV demand remains robust, with electric car sales jumping 47% and two-wheeler registrations rising 28% in April. Sun Pharma, after its record Organon acquisition, plans to seek RBI approval for foreign remittance exemptions tied to corporate guarantees. Markets regulator Sebi is also considering a uniform framework for options strike prices to improve trading efficiency. Meanwhile, banks are cutting credit card perks, with airport lounge access among the first benefits to be capped.

India Inc is in the middle of a major transformation. Sun Pharma has acquired US-based Organon in the biggest-ever overseas deal by an Indian drugmaker. Tata Trusts are set to hold a crucial meeting on May 8, where issues such as a fresh term for N Chandrasekaran, the possible listing of Tata Sons, and governance matters may come up for discussion. Despite the West Asia war, early fourth-quarter earnings have surprised positively, with revenue growth hitting a three-year high and profits reaching a five-quarter peak. In capital markets, Acko is preparing for an IPO at a valuation of $2-2.5 billion. At the same time, AI-led disruption is reshaping IT and banking, driving stronger deal wins but also leaner hiring. Also inside: the surge in instant home services and how consumers are taking to them.

In today’s Tech3 from Moneycontrol, ACKO lines up bankers for its upcoming IPO, signalling the next wave of startup listings. Instant househelp platforms cross 10 million users as on-demand services scale up. India’s IT firms see strong deal wins but weak revenue conversion amid AI-led shifts. And Amazon expands its quick commerce push to 100 cities with a larger fulfilment network.

India Inc. delivered a mixed scorecard this week. Reliance Industries posted record annual profit and revenue, but markets, however, remained under pressure with a sharp selloff in IT stocks—Infosys leading the fall. In contrast, global tech majors like Google are strengthening their India bets with large investments in AI infrastructure and talent. In telecom, Vodafone Idea awaits clarity on AGR dues while Bharti Airtel steps up cybersecurity preparedness in the AI era. Also inside: Investor interest in consumer brands continues, Dhurandhar 2 has emerged as a runaway success, and Sachin Tendulkar’s enduring legacy as he turns 53.

In today’s Tech3 from Moneycontrol, India’s IT sector sees strong deal wins but weak revenue conversion as AI reshapes contracts. Wealth-tech platforms push to bring retail investors into structured investing. Dosa brand Benne eyes fresh funding from Claypond Capital, and SuperOps cuts workforce as it pivots to an AI-first model.

India’s fiscal math is coming under pressure as the West Asia crisis drives up subsidies and government spending. Despite macro headwinds, market sentiment remains resilient, supported by sustained FII inflows into both primary and secondary markets. In the corporate space, Tata Motors is backing a $4.45 billion Iveco acquisition with significant guarantees. At the same time, D2C brand Vahdam has initiated a majority stake sale, signalling churn in the startup investment landscape. On the ground, electoral data from West Bengal reveals turnout patterns linked to electoral roll revisions and demographics. Meanwhile, domestic travel is surging , with Indians opting for closer destinations and driving a sharp rise in bookings and spending.

In today’s Tech3 from Moneycontrol, India brings in a central framework for online gaming, drawing a clear line between permissible and money games. Slice is in talks to raise up to $100 million as it scales its banking play, while Amazon commits Rs 2,800 crore to expand its quick commerce network. Regulators assess risks from Anthropic’s Mythos AI model, and Infosys reports a strong Q4 but flags a cautious outlook ahead.

India’s economy is beginning to show visible strain as the prolonged West Asia conflict pushes the Eco Pulse index into contraction territory - layoffs are slowing housing demand and rising input costs are forcing brands to rethink pricing strategies. However, India remains central to global tech manufacturing strategies, with Asus doubling down on local production as part of broader supply chain diversification. Also inside: Zerodha’s rethink about its Zero1 content venture, the dip in IT sector sentiment following disappointing earnings and Fairfax’s advanced talks to pick up a significant stake in IIFL Capital. Tune in for all this and more.

In today’s Tech3 episode, we break down Zerodha shutting its creator network amid regulatory pressure, continued weakness in IT growth despite strong deal pipelines, and how the West Asia conflict is driving up costs for food startups. We also track the rollout of India’s Online Gaming Authority and decode what Tamil Nadu’s election manifestos mean for jobs and startups

India is in the middle of one of the largest energy transitions in human history. Who shapes it, and how, will have consequences that stretch well beyond the country. On this episode of Unusual Suspects, host Gaurav Choudhury speaks with Shruti Deorah, Founding Executive Director of the India Energy and Climate Center at UC Berkeley, to understand how philanthropy can play a role in getting that transition right.Shruti's path to this work is anything but accidental. An electrical engineer from IIT Bombay, she has spent her career moving between institutions—the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission, the Observer Research Foundation, the Clinton Climate Initiative, each step a deliberate choice to build public goods. In 2021, she and her husband formalized a personal philanthropy practice focused on education, climate, and gender equity. In this episode, Shruti traces that journey and makes the case that what the diaspora has to offer goes well beyond funding—into expertise, institutional access, and the willingness to stay with problems that won't resolve within neat timelines.