5017: Nirmala Sitharaman exclusive, Budget’s STT blow & tax defaults grow | MC Editor's Picks

As US cuts import tariffs on many Indian goods to 18% from 50%, Moneycontrol reporters examined the implications from all angles. From the Rupee’s strong gain, to how investors should respond, to tracing the contours of the India-US deal, and what Indian exports can expect a rebound - read it all on Moneycontrol.com. Also inside: Department of Economic Affairs secretary Anuradha Thakur exclusive interview, our reports on Religare Enterprises likely demerger and the buzz around NSE’s much awaited IPO.

In today’s Tech3 from Moneycontrol, we break down senior-level exits and leadership changes at Peak XV Partners, how the US–India trade deal is easing outsourcing concerns for Indian tech firms, and why PB Fintech’s CEO Yashish Dahiya says the company is entering a new phase of growth as it considers a QIP. Plus, we look at Elon Musk’s SpaceX acquiring xAI in a massive all-stock deal combining AI and space ambitions.

India’s shopping experience – from e-commerce to physical retail stores – is changing in unprecedented ways. Buying and selling is no longer a mere transaction but a finely curated exercise designed to leave an impression on the consumer. While online stores overhaul their interfaces to offer the sensory inputs that digital mediums conventionally lack, brick-and-mortar stores are also reinventing themselves and leveraging data to keep up with changing demands. In this episode of Unusual Suspects, host Gaurav Choudhury speaks to Shriram PM Monga, co-founder and Principal Consultant at SRED Real Estate Advisory, to understand how the Indian real estate landscape has evolved over the years and where it is headed.  

In an exclusive interview with Network 18, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman highlighted Budget’s focus on keeping the economic ship stable amid global uncertainty. Our reporters also take apart the securities transaction tax announcement, revealing its impact on the market. In other news - deal activity picks up, gold loan players come under RBI lens, tax defaults rise & car makers begin the year on a strong footing.

Today’s Tech3 from Moneycontrol brings you a fast news wrap of the key startup, tech, and policy developments of the day. PB Fintech posts a sharp profit jump and plans a QIP, Ather Energy’s revenue climbs as losses narrow, and India’s data centre investment outlook turns bullish. We also track Budget 2026’s cloud tax debate, Apple’s strong India performance, Karnataka’s high-speed rail push, STT jitters, baggage rule changes, and Bitcoin hitting a 10-month low.

Apple dubs India its growth engine, Google is pleased with its domestic performance too, National Stock Exchange gets green signal for IPO, Trump names US Fed chief, govt adopts wait and watch mode for stablecoins, space regulator seeks startup feedback on regulatory hurdles while dealing with US and much more. Tune in to Moneycontrol Editor’s picks for the top headlines from the day.

In today’s Tech3 from Moneycontrol, we break down the government’s plan to roll out IndiaAI Mission 2.0 and why policymakers want the country to focus on practical, sector-specific AI models. We also look at Meesho’s first quarterly results after listing, including a sharp jump in losses, track Zupee’s latest round of layoffs following the real-money gaming ban, and wrap up with Ola Electric’s decision to cut 5% of its workforce as part of a restructuring exercise

In this edition of Moneycontrol Editor’s Picks, experts unpack the Economic Survey. Our data story gives you a quick overview of the Indian economy in 5 charts. Also inside: Shapoorji Pallonji group readies to list real estate arm, Apple deepens India investment, what brokerages think about the benefits from the India-EU FTA. From tech to markets and more - tune in for the headlines of the day!

In today’s Tech3 from Moneycontrol, we break down how the Economic Survey 2025–26 is pushing back against fears of mass AI-driven job losses while outlining India’s real strength in application-led innovation. We also track Ashok Soota’s exploration of a stake sale in Happiest Minds, Swiggy’s widening year-on-year losses despite strong Instamart growth, and Meta’s plan to nearly double its AI spending with up to $135 billion in capital expenditure for 2026.

Moneycontrol Eco Pulse is now live. Our monthly index decoding the economy’s pulse through 30+ real-time indicators, a composite score and a dynamic heat map - tracking momentum, month after month is a ready-reckoner that keeps you on top like never before. In this edition of Moneycontrol Editor’s Picks also find our pre-Budget coverage in partnership with Deloitte. We have insights from experts on how India Inc is thinking ahead of the big day, and industry’s expectations from the government’s financial vision document. Policy, markets and corporate news - tune in right here for everything that made headlines today.