The Indian startup ecosystem reached a significant inflection point in Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26), characterized by a deliberate shift from "growth at all costs" to a more disciplined, profitability-focused operational model. As the funding winter of previous years gave way to a new reality of fiscal prudence, the narrative of the new-age tech sector moved […]
AceVector’s ₹420 Cr IPO Debut: A Strategic Pivot for the Snapdeal Parent
By Financial News Desk Updated: September 25, 2026 | 18:55 IST The much-anticipated initial public offering (IPO) of AceVector Limited, the parent company of the iconic Indian ecommerce platform Snapdeal, officially opened for public subscription today. As the company seeks to raise ₹420 crore from the capital markets, the first day of bidding has provided […]
Finance Minister Sitharaman asks corporates to look beyond ‘urban elite’
NEW DELHI: In a sweeping and foundational address that served as both a strategic roadmap and a cautionary reality check for corporate leadership, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday warned that India’s economic momentum risks losing its structural durability if businesses remain myopically fixated on affluent urban demographics. Speaking at the prestigious Platinum Jubilee […]
Silent Generation: Over Half of Youth in Parts of Odisha Out of Work, Study, and Training, Reveals New MoSPI Data
New Delhi: In a stark revelation concerning India’s demographic dividend, newly released district-level data from the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) highlights a deepening economic and educational crisis in pockets of the country. According to findings based on the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) for 2025, more than half of all young people […]
The Coming of Age: How India’s New-Age Tech Giants are Reshaping the Public Markets
For years, the Indian startup ecosystem was often described as a "nascent" landscape—an ambitious, high-growth sector characterized by venture capital backing, burn rates, and a relentless pursuit of scale. Today, that narrative has shifted irrevocably. The transition from private venture-backed entities to publicly traded corporations is no longer a distant aspiration; it is the definitive […]
CBDT Removes Arrest and Detention from Tax Recovery Rules: A Comprehensive Overview of Major Tax Reforms in India
New Delhi: In a landmark administrative and legislative shift, the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has officially removed arrest and detention provisions from the country’s tax recovery rules, with retrospective effect from April 1, 2026. The move fundamentally transforms how the government handles tax defaults, shifting enforcement strictly away from personal incarceration toward asset-based […]
Navigating Uncertainty: India’s Statistical Architecture Under Scrutiny as Oversight Shifts to the Indian Statistical Institute
KOLKATA — For the past 72 years, Partha Majumder’s life has been inextricably linked to Kolkata’s historic Barrackpore Trunk Road. He has walked its length as a student, advanced through its ranks as a researcher, lectured as a faculty member, and now serves as an emeritus professor at the prestigious Indian Statistical Institute (ISI). Yet, […]
The End of the "Zero-Cost" Era: Understanding India’s New UPI Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) Framework
For nearly a decade, the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) has been hailed as the crown jewel of India’s digital transformation. By stripping away transaction fees, it democratized digital payments, turning street-side tea vendors and high-end luxury retailers alike into participants of the formal economy. However, as of October 15, the economic foundation of this massive […]
The End of the Free Ride: Decoding the New UPI MDR Regime and its Ripple Effects on India’s Digital Economy
For nearly a decade, the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) has been the crown jewel of India’s digital transformation. It democratized finance, eliminated the friction of cash, and turned the humble smartphone into a universal wallet. However, the "free" era of digital payments is approaching a structural inflection point. Starting October 15, the landscape of UPI […]
New UPI Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) Framework: Understanding the 18% GST Impact, Exemptions, and Implications for Businesses
New Delhi: As India’s digital payments landscape braces for a significant structural shift, the implementation of the Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) on Unified Payments Interface (UPI) transactions exceeding ₹2,000 is drawing intense scrutiny. Set to take effect from October 15, 2026, the newly announced framework has sparked widespread discussions regarding cost implications for merchants, operational […]