Budget 2026: Beyond stimulus, India Inc seeks structural reforms to spur...
The recent overhaul in GST rates—dubbed a “Diwali gift” by the Finance Minister—which reduced prices of essential items, shored up India’s consumption in the latter half of the year. With the Union Budget less than a week away, consumers, retail businesses, and D2C brands are hoping for more announcements to fuel the consumption story further. Apart from stimulus and tax benefits, India Inc is also seeking structural reforms to spur demand and consumption. Rural reformsThe Indian consumption story is incomplete without the rural consumers who represent a large part of the market.According to NielsenIQ’s second quarter snapshot, the Indian FMCG industry delivered a robust 13.9% value growth in Q2 of 2025 compared to the previous year. This was fuelled by demand from the rural market, which has now outpaced urban markets for the sixth consecutive quarter.The rural markets recorded a surge in smaller pack purchases with unit growth outpacing overall volume. This signals that, while rural consumers are willing to buy, they are also downsizing to manage tight budgets. This behaviour validates the need for a critical shift in policy: rural India does not need temporary cash handouts that lead to a one-time purchase. Instead, it requires deep-rooted structural reforms such as investments… Read MoreYourStory RSS Feed
Big Tech seeks tax, regulatory measures; Payoneer’s local currency bet
Hello,Chipmaker NVIDIA is investing $2 billion in AI cloud-computing firm CoreWeave, marking another milestone in the world of AI infrastructure partnerships. CoreWeave has become the poster child of the AI boom. Meanwhile, industry watchers have recently raised questions about circular deals within the industry.Speaking of AI, users can now order food, groceries and even book restaurant tables via conversational AI tools such as ChatGPT, Claude, and Google Gemini, thanks to a new feature on Swiggy. Meanwhile, Pinterest plans to cut around 15% of its 4,500-strong global workforce as the social media company embraces AI, CNBC reported. It is unclear which roles or geographies will see job cuts. ICYMI: Parents, teens and schools have taken social media giants, including Meta and YouTube, to court over their role in creating addictive content. Lastly, in a move that is expected to boost trade between India and European countries and reduce reliance on the US, New Delhi and the EU signed a historic deal on Tuesday, per Reuters. The talks, which reportedly ran on and off for two decades, gained momentum after Washington recently imposed a 50% tariff on some Indian goods. European Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, called the agreement the “mother of all deals”.In today’s newsletter,… Read MoreYourStory RSS Feed
Why data privacy is now a business risk issue, not just...
Data privacy has evolved in step with the expanding role of data in modern business. Earlier, it was addressed mainly through technical reviews and legal documentation, which suited the priorities of that era. Today, data drives strategic decision-making, shapes customer engagement, and supports operational agility at scale. As this dependence has grown, over 85% of internet users seek greater control over their personal data, making privacy far more relevant across organizations.India’s Digital Personal Data Protection framework and the Rules introduced in 2025 reinforce this evolution. The regulation provides clearer guidance on consent management, accountability, individual rights, and breach reporting, supported by defined financial penalties. These measures encourage organisations to integrate privacy into enterprise-wide governance, data ecosystems, and everyday operations, influencing how businesses manage risk and sustain stakeholder confidence in an increasingly digital economy.Regulatory penalties and operational timelines redefine riskThe DPDP Act’s penalties highlight how seriously India treats personal data governance. Fines can reach $27.29 million (Rs 250 crore) for certain security obligations, while breach notification lapses or protections around children’s data can attract up to $21.83 million (Rs 200 crore). In scenarios with multiple violations, cumulative penalties reinforce the need for structured oversight. This positions privacy as a measurable business… Read MoreYourStory RSS Feed
Crypto industry asks for tax relief and regulatory clarity in Union...
As Union Budget 2026 approaches, India's crypto and blockchain debate is no longer about whether innovation should be allowed, but whether policy can keep domestic capital, liquidity, and enterprise adoption onshore.2025 marked the year crypto went mainstream globally—stablecoins processed $46 trillion in annual transactions, blockchain throughput increased 100-fold, and over $175 billion flowed into Bitcoin and Ethereum exchange-traded products. However, India's virtual digital asset (VDA) ecosystem has remained constrained by what industry leaders describe as a "tax-and-deter regime" that pushes activity offshore rather than enabling domestic growth.With India now home to over 100 million crypto users—the fastest-growing user base globally—industry stakeholders are calling for fundamental reforms to taxation, regulatory architecture, and compliance frameworks, arguing that these would position the country as a leader in the compliant crypto finance space.The tax frictionThe crux of industry frustration centres on India's 2022 VDA tax framework: a 30% tax on gains with no provision for loss offset, coupled with 1% tax deducted at source (TDS) on every transaction."India's VDA ecosystem is at a pivotal stage, with growing adoption across the country. However, the current tax framework presents challenges for retail participants by taxing transactions without recognising losses, creating friction rather than fairness," says Ashish Singhal,… Read MoreYourStory RSS Feed
Hard times make you stronger: The truth about growth
“A smooth sea never made a skilled sailor.” — Franklin RooseveltSome quotes feel like a gentle reminder. This one feels like a wake-up call.Roosevelt’s line cuts through the modern obsession with comfort. It suggests something deeply practical: ability is not formed in ease. It is shaped in friction through moments that test judgment, patience, and grit. Just as a sailor becomes skilled by navigating rough waters, people become capable by meeting difficulty without collapsing into self-pity or avoidance.This is not a celebration of suffering. It is a recognition that challenge is often the price of competence.Comfort Teaches Little, Pressure Teaches EverythingIn calm conditions, anyone can steer a boat. But calm conditions don’t demand decision-making under uncertainty. They don’t force you to adjust to shifting winds. They don’t punish arrogance or reward humility.Life works the same way. When everything is going well, your habits aren’t truly tested. You may feel confident, but that confidence can be unproven. Pressure is the real examiner. It reveals whether you can stay clear-headed, learn fast, and act responsibly.Hard phases—tight deadlines, financial stress, rejection, a public failure, a personal setback—don’t just hurt. They also teach. They expose blind spots. They build emotional endurance. They force you… Read MoreYourStory RSS Feed
