Indian equities kicked off the financial year with a sharp rally, driven by optimism but tempered by geopolitical uncertainty as US signals on the Iran conflict keep investors on edge. Rising crude prices are straining India’s oil marketing companies, with under-recoveries on LPG expected to mount significantly. Fuel prices have surged across cities as private retailers hike rates to offset losses amid elevated global oil prices. In the tech sector, Oracle’s large-scale layoffs in India highlight the disruptive shift towards AI-led investments. Meanwhile, dealmaking remains resilient, with major stake sales and fundraising efforts continuing despite global volatility.

In today’s Tech3 from Moneycontrol, Oracle’s large-scale layoffs signal the cost of its AI push, with deep cuts across its India workforce. Sarvam’s $200–250 million raise sees investor shifts as Bessemer joins talks and Accel exits. The government’s crypto discussion paper is put on hold amid RBI concerns, even as the digital rupee gains focus. And finally, how creators are using AI tools like ChatGPT to automate finances, from invoices to GST filings.

In this episode, presented by Moneycontrol in collaboration with GivingPi, host Gaurav Choudhary speaks to Rashi Mehta, founder of the Iron Lady Foundation, an organization she built to serve women and girls in India through access to healthcare, education, and everyday necessities. The Foundation's name is a tribute to her mother, Dr. Leela Mehta, the first gynecologist in Rajasthan, who travelled into villages to give free medical check-ups to women. Growing up with that example, Rashi absorbed something that would stay with her long after she left India to build a career in finance and organisational leadership, and co-found Rahi Systems, a Silicon Valley tech company she helped grow into an international enterprise. After years of personal philanthropy, in 2024, Rashi made a deliberate choice to formalize her giving. In this episode, she talks about what it actually takes to turn inherited values into institutional philanthropy.

Former HDFC Bank chairman Atanu Chakraborty defended his resignation from the bank, citing ethical concerns and long-term shareholder value. Meanwhile, Dixon Technologies is scaling up with a major display facility in Greater Noida. Global instability due to the West Asia conflict is clouding IPO prospects, even as Svatantra Microfin gears up for a public listing. A widening tech hiring scam exposes vulnerabilities among job seekers, while policymakers consider relief measures for MSMEs. Broader economic signals remain mixed, with rising Russian oil imports, weak housing sales, and uneven renewable energy progress across regions. We unpack all this in today’s Moneycontrol Editor’s Picks.

In today’s Tech3 from Moneycontrol, India AI mission chief Abhishek Singh to leave MeitY, appointed DG of National Testing Agency, the proposed IT Rules could reshape India’s influencer economy as user-generated news content comes under tighter scrutiny. We also track a major hiring scam in Pune’s IT sector that has left hundreds of jobseekers affected. Plus, a look inside Eloelo’s rapid rise in the micro-drama space and its funding push. And finally, Karnataka plans to roll back EV tax exemptions, making electric vehicles costlier.

India's wealth ecosystem is evolving rapidly. From portfolio construction and investor behaviour to legacy planning and the role of AI, the rules of wealth management are changing. In Wealth Architects, Julius Baer's Ashwin Patni breaks down the shifts shaping how India's richest investors manage capital today.

India’s financial markets are under pressure as the Iran war sends ripples through the economy. The rupee hits a record low past, equities tumble, and India’s global market share shrinks amid rising oil prices and capital outflows. Meanwhile, a high-stakes legal battle unfolds as Vedanta challenges Adani’s bid for Jaypee assets in the Supreme Court. Within corporate India, TCS dividends emerge as a crucial lifeline for Tata Sons, offsetting losses from Air India and funding Tata Digital. At the same time, tighter digital rules could bring social media platforms under greater scrutiny for user-generated content. Tune in for all the latest in today’s edition of Moneycontrol Editor’s Picks!

In today’s Tech3 from Moneycontrol, MeitY proposes expanding IT Rules to cover user-generated news content, widening the regulatory scope. Emergent’s $100 million ARR claim sparks a debate on how AI revenue should be measured. The government clears new PLI projects but flags gaps in design and quality. And Zetwerk moves ahead with a Rs 4,200 crore IPO plan, even as market uncertainty continues.

In this edition of Moneycontrol Editor’s Picks: The government’s sharp excise duty cuts on fuel, export curbs, and other measures to stabilise domestic supply, Axis Bank stays cautious even as it eyes future growth, corporate churn continues with layoffs at Nokia’s India unit, macro pressures deepen as the rupee hits record lows amid rising crude. Markets remain volatile, though improving valuations offer some comfort to investors navigating an increasingly uncertain economic landscape. Tune in!

In today’s Tech3 from Moneycontrol, we unpack why IPOs aren’t the finish line, according to Lightspeed’s Bejul Somaia, and what that means for startup founders. We also dive into India’s AI-native fintech gap and the $300 million opportunity investors are eyeing. Plus, legacy players take the lead in the EV two-wheeler market amid discounts and subsidy rush, and Dream11 pivots to a content-first strategy with its Watch Along feature.

India has secured 60 days of crude supply and is expanding sourcing amid Strait of Hormuz disruptions, while a push for 90-day reserves gains traction. As war-driven costs rise, food companies are absorbing input pressures for now, though price hikes may follow. A helium supply shock linked to Qatar’s Ras Laffan hub highlights vulnerabilities in India’s semiconductor plans. Aviation has been hit hard, with most Gulf flights cancelled. Meanwhile, the IL&FS case tightens scrutiny on audit firms, reinforcing accountability for financial watchdogs. All this and much more in the latest Moneycontrol Editor’s Picks.