Mint Podcast

Ajit Pawar | IPS Officer | Ajit Pawar Vs IPS Officer | VIP Culture In India | Viral Video Of IPS Officer | CM Ajit Pawar Vs IPS Officer Viral Video | 1968 Conduct Rules for IPS Officers | Ajit Pawar vs Anjali KrishnaAjit Pawar Vs IPS Officer: How A Set Of Rules From 1968 Enable 'VIP Culture' In India | ExplainedHave you seen the viral video of the young IPS officer in a heated conversation with Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar?

If you're wondering whether your car purchase should be an EV, stay tuned, because it’s time to get some straight answers.In this episode of Let’s Get Real, we're going to cut through the noise and multiple opinions of influencers, to answer some of the most important questions - are EVs more expensive or cheaper? When you add the higher upfront price to the lower running costs, how does the math stack up? Are EVs only good for city commutes, or can they be trusted for long drives too?How different is the driving experience of an EV? Does it genuinely feel better than driving an ICE vehicle?And finally, are you TRULY helping the environment?In this episode, we've got India's top experts to give me some clear answers. Watch!#automobile #electric #ev #urban #car

Welcome to Top of the Morning by Mint.. I’m Nelson John and here are today’s top stories.Power Shifts in MotionThe world feels off its axis. India is choosing a new vice president while fending off Trump’s trade wars. Nepal’s Gen Z has taken to the streets in bloody clashes against corruption. The US just slammed shut a visa loophole Indians depended on. And India and Israel are sealing billion-dollar investment deals even as rockets fly. Different stories, same thread: power — who has it, who wants it, and how far they’ll go to keep it.US Visa RoadblockAmerica now requires all Indians to apply at home, ending the long-used “fast track” via other countries. Wait times stretch up to 9 months, and with interview waivers gone, even kids and seniors must queue. Business trips and family emergencies just got harder.India’s VP RaceAfter Jagdeep Dhankhar’s sudden health resignation, two southern heavyweights battle for the VP chair. BJP’s CP Radhakrishnan has the numbers, but the opposition’s Sudershan Reddy keeps the fight alive. A secret ballot could still spring surprises.Trade Wars Heat UpAt a BRICS summit, India’s S. Jaishankar slammed Trump’s punitive tariffs, calling out “weaponized trade.” With China and Russia backing him, BRICS is drawing battle lines that could reshape global commerce.Nepal’s Youth RevolutionNineteen killed, over 100 injured as Nepal’s Gen Z confronted corruption in Kathmandu. Sparked by TikTok clips of politicians’ kids flaunting wealth, the protests mirror Sri Lanka and Bangladesh’s youth-led uprisings. A government crackdown may have only fueled the fire.India–Israel PactNew Delhi and Jerusalem signed an ironclad investment treaty shielding investors and opening trade corridors. With $3.76B trade already flowing, the deal expands into fintech, defense, and cyber. Both nations gain: Israel’s tech meets India’s market scale.

There seems to be a shift taking place in India's IT landscape. For the last 2 consecutive years, India's mid-sized IT firms have grown faster than their larger peers - and now, they're public saying one thing - that the top tech service providers seem to be losing their mojo.Firms like Coforge, Persistent and others have an edge as compared to their larger rivals like TCS, Infosys, HCLTech, Wipro and Tech Mahindra. Why? Because they believe they have one thing going for them that the bigger rivals don't - AGILITY, which is especially important in this age of AI.So what exactly is happening in this space and do they seem to be right about this? Because if yes, the legacy companies may have to watch out.Watch!#india #it #jobs

Rollin’ With The Boss is back with Season 2!In the very first episode, Abhishek Singh, Deputy Editor at Mint, rides along with Dipali Goenka, CEO of Welspun.From boardroom diaries to personal insights, Dipali opens up during this candid drive about what it takes to lead a $5 billion textile empire. Don’t miss this power-packed conversation that blends leadership, ambition, and inspiration. Releasing Soon. #Welspun #DipaliGoenka #Leadership #BusinessPresented by  @RajnigandhaPM  Luxury partner  @lexus 

Welcome to Top of the Morning by Mint.. I’m Nelson John and here are today’s top stories.Tariffs, Oil & Trump’s India PuzzleTrump doubled tariffs on India to 50% over Russian oil purchases, hoping Delhi would bend. It hasn’t. Ex-diplomat KP Fabian says Trump’s “Triple T – Trumped-up Trump Tariffs” failed. Modi and Trump still call each other “friends,” but beneath the smiles, India is sticking to its long game: dealing with the US, Russia, and China without picking sides.Tharoor Fires BackCongress MP Shashi Tharoor dismissed US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick’s claim that India will “say sorry” to Trump. “We have nothing to apologize for,” he said, pointing out that past US governments encouraged India to buy Russian oil. With Trump’s team threatening harsher sanctions, Tharoor warned against his “mercurial temperament,” stressing India’s right to protect its energy security.Physics Wallah’s $437M LeapAs Byju’s and Unacademy crash, Physics Wallah is preparing a $437 million IPO. Revenue jumped 49% to $330 million, losses shrank, and the founders are betting on affordable, quality learning and physical coaching centers. Proof that content beats hype.Tihar’s Image MakeoverTo overcome UK courts blocking extraditions, India let British officials inspect Tihar Jail. They were “largely impressed,” and Delhi even offered a special enclave for fugitives. With 178 extradition cases pending, including Mallya and Nirav Modi, India is desperate to fix its global image.India’s $1.8M Trump WhispererIndia hired Trump’s ex-strategist Jason Miller for $1.8M a year to lobby in Washington. Miller recently posed with Trump at the White House, signaling Delhi now has a direct line into Trumpworld—an investment already paying off.

In this interview, we speak with Former Indian Ambassador to the U.S., Meera Shankar, who said something interesting.She says that "some people say that if you take the education fees that Indian students pay in the US, you take consultancy fees, you take royalty fees, you take intellectual property fees, and actually the US has a trade surplus of $30 to $40 billion in services trade with India"She also said that if you compare that to China's or Europe's trade surplus with the U.S., Trump is picking a target which is not really meaningful or rational. Watch!#donaldtrump #tariffs #india

Welcome to Top of the Morning by Mint.. I’m Nelson John and here are today’s top stories.India–Singapore seal new pactsPM Modi and Singapore’s Lawrence Wong signed five agreements spanning fintech, green shipping, aviation, space, and advanced manufacturing. Singapore pledged deeper investments in semiconductors and logistics, while both leaders pushed for supply chain “green lanes.” Trade pacts CECA and AITIGA will be reviewed, and security cooperation stepped up. With $170 bn invested and $35 bn in trade, Singapore remains India’s biggest Southeast Asian partner.Food apps hike festive feesSwiggy and Zomato (Eternal) raised platform fees to ₹15 and ₹12, adding surge and distance charges. With 18% GST on deliveries, festive food will cost more—but platforms bet demand won’t drop. Together, they handle 5 million orders daily, making even ₹2–3 hikes worth crores.Afghan quake toll climbsTwin quakes have killed 2,200+ and injured 3,600 in eastern Afghanistan. Entire villages lie flattened, with 98% of homes destroyed in some areas. Aid is running thin—WFP says food may last just four weeks. Survivors face aftershocks, harsh weather, and little shelter.EU leans on IndiaEU chief Ursula von der Leyen urged India to press Russia toward peace in Ukraine. She also pushed to close the India–EU free trade pact this year, with talks resuming Sept 8. The EU calls India’s role critical for both diplomacy and global trade.Gold cools as stocks rallyGold slipped 0.46% to ₹1,06,704 per 10g and silver 0.81% to ₹1,24,850, as investors moved into equities after sweeping GST reforms boosted market optimism. Analysts advise booking profits and waiting for dips before re-entering.SoftBank trims Ola stakeSoftBank cut its Ola Electric holding to 15.68%, even as the stock soared 61% in August. Bhavish Aggarwal’s EV roadmap and China easing r

Gurugram, India’s glitzy IT and corporate hub, faces chaos every monsoon as traffic jams and flooding cripple daily life—even beside luxury penthouses and major landmarks. Residents, journalists, and experts weigh in on infrastructure failures, skyrocketing real estate prices, and whether the city can handle the new mega-projects. Can Gurugram solve its rainy season curse, or will problems only get worse?Watch this video to find out.#gurugramnews #gurugram #gurugramrain #gurgaonrealestate #gurgaonrain #monsoon

Welcome to Top of the Morning by Mint.. I’m Nelson John and here are today’s top stories.Rat Bite Horror in IndoreTwo newborns bitten by rats inside Indore’s government-run MY Hospital died within 24 hours, sparking outrage. Hospital authorities insist the deaths were due to septicemia and congenital conditions, not the bites. But the Madhya Pradesh Human Rights Commission has demanded answers, opposition leaders call it systemic negligence, and the state government has suspended staff and fined the pest control agency. For grieving families, accountability comes too late.China’s Power ParadeMarking 80 years since WWII, Xi Jinping unveiled a stunning display of military might in Beijing. From hypersonic Yingji missiles and DF-series ICBMs to stealth fighters, drones, and truck-mounted lasers, the showcase highlighted China’s growing edge in numbers and technology. Analysts, though, caution that parade power doesn’t equal battlefield experience—yet Beijing’s message to rivals is unmistakable: it’s preparing to outproduce and outpace them.Jaguar Land Rover Cyber HitLuxury automaker JLR confirmed a cyberattack that forced global system shutdowns, disrupting production and retail. While no customer data breach is evident, the disruption adds to its troubles—delayed EV launches and trade headwinds. The attack highlights how UK firms remain prime targets for sophisticated hackers, raising fresh alarms on corporate cyber readiness.Putin Opens Door to Zelensky TalksIn Beijing, Vladimir Putin said he’s ready to meet Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelensky in Moscow—if talks are well-prepared. But he also warned Russia would continue fighting if diplomacy fails. With Trump pushing for a trilateral summit, both sides trade blame for delays. For now, Putin’s remarks offer only a slim glimmer of dialogue amid the grinding war.GST Rate Reset Before DiwaliFinance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s GST Council has slashed rates on essentials—footwear and clothes up to ₹2,500 now fall under the 5% slab, doubling the earlier limit. Bigger reforms are coming: most 12% goods will drop to 5%, and many 28% items to 18%. Sin goods stay at 40%. The move ties back to PM Modi’s “Diwali gift” promise—lighter bills for households, heavier worries for states losing tax revenue.

The US government under Donald Trump has been dealing back-to-back blows to foreign students who are looking to go there and study. After tightening norms, increasing checks and introducing social media vetting, now, a draft rule proposed by the Department of Homeland Security is likely to make the road even tougher. The US government wants to limit the time that students get visas at all to a maximum of 4 years, regardless of the situation. All these changes have left both students and their parents in the lurch about whether they should actually go to the US to study anymore, or not. In this episode, an education counsellor weighs in - watch!#america #donaldtrump #immigration

Welcome to Top of the Morning by Mint.. I’m Nelson John and here are today’s top stories.India is at the center of some big moves this week—diplomatic, economic, and corporate.In Beijing, Pakistan’s PM Shehbaz Sharif tried to woo Vladimir Putin, praising Russia’s “balancing act” in South Asia and calling him a “dynamic leader.” But here’s the truth—India’s ties with Moscow run deeper, built over decades of defense and energy cooperation, far outweighing Islamabad’s fresh overtures.Meanwhile, Singapore’s new PM Lawrence Wong has chosen New Delhi for his maiden visit, underlining confidence in India’s growth story. Deals on aviation, space, finance, and digital innovation are on the table, along with a $1.3 billion PSA port project. Singapore remains India’s top investor and is doubling down with plans to put in $15 billion this year.On the energy front, Russia has offered India even bigger discounts on crude, just as the Trump administration slapped 50% tariffs on Indian exports. New Delhi isn’t backing down—its refiners find Russian oil too cost-effective to resist. PM Modi reinforced at the SCO summit that Russia remains a “special partner.”Back home, Tata Consultancy Services finally landed a mega deal after a long dry spell—a $640 million contract with Danish insurer Tryg. The win comes at a time when rivals have been snapping up billion-dollar clients and TCS faces investor concerns after weak growth and job cuts.And setting the stage for long-term reform, finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced a new task force to cut red tape and ease compliance for small businesses, paired with GST reforms. With GDP at 7.8%, inflation at an eight-year low, and a recent S&P upgrade, India’s economic resilience is shining through.

As India Post decided to merge its 50 year registered post operations with Speed Post, It was an end of an era for millions of Indians. Tales of Love, hugs, chai, and emotions. For 5 decade India Post and its postmen were synonymous with India's growth. MINT decided to go to the India Post office and talk to the most important stakeholder : The Postmen & Postwomen. Their feelings, emotions and most importantly stories from the ground. The relations they have formed. #india #indiapost #dakiya #postman #postwoman #jyotiradityascindia #mint #businessnews #email #emoji #abhinavtrivedi #narendramodi #piyushgoyal #registeredpost #speedpost

Economist Jeffrey Sachs delivers a fiery takedown of Trump’s tariffs and U.S. diplomacy in an exclusive with HTDS! Sachs dissects the Trump-Putin Alaska summit, the Russia-Ukraine war’s NATO roots, and Washington’s 50% tariffs on India, calling them “unconstitutional.” He urges India to avoid US-led alliances like the Quad and strengthen ties with China for a multipolar world. Watch the unfiltered geopolitical truth bombs!#Trump #trumptariffs #IndiaChina #USIndiaTrade #RussiaUkraineWar

Welcome to Top of the Morning by Mint.. I’m Nelson John and here are today’s top stories.Quake Flattens Afghan VillagesA 6.0 earthquake has left eastern Afghanistan shattered — more than 800 killed, nearly 3,000 injured. Entire villages in Kunar province are gone, with survivors describing terrifying jolts and endless aftershocks. Helicopters are the only way in as floods and landslides block roads. Hospitals in Jalalabad are overwhelmed, and the Taliban has appealed for urgent international aid.SCO Backs India on TerrorAt its Tianjin summit, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation strongly condemned the Pahalgam terror attack and backed India’s demand that “double standards” on terrorism must end. Leaders from India, China, Russia, and Pakistan signed a declaration pledging zero tolerance for terror and more cooperation against cross-border threats. The statement also condemned violence in Gaza and strikes on Iran, while urging reforms at the UN, IMF, and World Bank. India, however, refused to endorse China’s Belt and Road Initiative.Trump Targets India AgainUS President Donald Trump has reignited trade tensions, calling the India-US equation a “one-sided disaster.” He claimed India has offered to cut tariffs on American goods to “nothing,” but also linked Washington’s steep 50% tariffs to India’s oil trade with Russia. New Delhi has pushed back, defending farm protections and accusing the US of moving the goalposts.Rupee Sinks to 88.33The Indian rupee has slipped to a fresh record low of 88.33 against the dollar, pressured by US tariffs, heavy importer hedging, and foreign outflows. Analysts warn it could slide toward 89–90 if the dispute drags on, though RBI may intervene. This comes even as India’s economy logged a robust 7.8% growth last quarter.SpiceJet Fined Over DelayA Mumbai consumer court has ordered SpiceJet to pay ₹55,000 to a passenger after a 14-hour Dubai–Mumbai delay where the airline served only a burger and fries. The ruling reminded carriers that technical glitches don’t excuse neglecting passengers.

Parag Agrawal is up to something interesting. The former CEO of Twitter, now “X” is back in Silicon Valley with a bold new startup. He’s launched a new company, Parallel Web Systems, which is trying to do exactly what it sounds like - create a parallel web… and this will be dominated by AI, not by humans. Agrawal is basically trying to create a web for machines - infrastructure and tools that are optimised for AI agents to access, verify and organise data, not for people clicking links and scrolling feeds. It’ll work in real time, it scales easily… and most importantly, he’s trying to ensure that it can be trusted. But just how viable is this whole idea? Let’s take a deeper look!Watch Full Video on Youhttps://youtu.be/kQW4jG4sSdc

Welcome to Top of the Morning by Mint.. I’m Nelson John and here are today’s top stories.Dragon & Elephant Talk PeaceIn Beijing, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping struck a rare note of harmony at the SCO summit. After years of border tensions, both leaders stressed that India and China are “partners, not rivals,” agreeing to resume direct flights and even restart the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra. Xi said it was “vital for the dragon and elephant to walk together” in shaping a multipolar world.Macron Rekindles Two-State PushIn Paris, Emmanuel Macron reignited the two-state debate by recognizing Palestine, despite protests from Israel and the US. Macron argued Gaza’s humanitarian crisis demands urgent action, while critics warned recognition could embolden militants. Several Western nations may follow France’s lead at the UN next month.India’s Next Biofuel LeapNew Delhi is moving its biofuel experiment off the roads and onto construction sites. Bulldozers, cranes and heavy carriers that consume nearly 4% of India’s diesel could soon run on blended fuels. The move cuts oil imports, lowers emissions, and boosts farmer incomes by using crop-based fuels.Navarro Labels India ‘Maharaja of Tariffs’White House trade advisor Peter Navarro sharpened his attack on India, calling it “a laundromat for the Kremlin” and the “Maharaja of tariffs,” even alleging “Brahmins are profiteering.” India hit back, saying its Russian oil buys are driven by national security, not politics.India & Japan Seal $68B PactIn Tokyo, Modi and Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba announced a 10-year roadmap, with Japan pledging $68 billion in private investment into India. Both leaders called it a “golden chapter,” combining Japanese technology and Indian talent to drive growth, while reinforcing security ties in the Indo-Pacific.

AMFI Chief Venkat Chalasani in this exclusive interview with Mint explains exactly why India's growth story remains on track despite Donald Trump's tariff chaos. "Tailwinds like the recent upgradation by S&P are very positive for thecountry, inflation is very much under control. We have the youngest population, demographic dividend. If you need to take the fruits of this growth story, you need to invest into the equity markets", says Chalasani, who heads India's mutual fund body. Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/fGnz4NJ5alc

Last year, Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy made headlines when he spoke about reviving HMT. India's first watch brand, once called the timekeeper to the nation, had been liquidated back in 2016. For a moment, it appeared that the government was considering stepping in. But the talk soon faded, and the brand slipped back into obscurity. Now, the conversation has been picked up by a group outside government. NYU City Design Labs, a venture design collective in Mumbai, has begun exploring what a revival could look like.Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/bORiObVChxY

Welcome to Top of the Morning by Mint.. I’m Nelson John and here are today’s top stories.Monorail Chaos in MumbaiIt was a rescue straight out of a disaster drill. Heavy rain stalled two Mumbai monorails on Tuesday—one carrying 200 passengers, another with 582—leaving hundreds trapped mid-air for hours. The worst was at Mysore Colony, where rescuers smashed windows and used cranes and scissor lifts to evacuate over 500 people from a train stuck on a curve. By 9:50 pm, all were safe. Another train between Wadala and Acharya Atre was towed back after 200 passengers were rescued.Officials blamed overcrowding: the monorail overshot its 104-tonne limit, hitting 109 tonnes, which snapped power contact and jammed brakes. Deputy CM Eknath Shinde called it “a major accident averted,” while CM Devendra Fadnavis ordered an inquiry. Meanwhile, local trains—the city’s lifeline—were also hit, with 17 inches of water flooding tracks. For commuters, it was another monsoon reminder of how fragile Mumbai’s transport really is.India is preparing a sweeping ban on online games played with money, potentially shaking a sector worth billions. A draft bill reviewed by Reuters says no one can “offer, aid or engage” in real-money gaming. That would put fantasy cricket giants Dream11 ($8B) and Mobile Premier League ($2.5B) in the firing line.The government argues these apps use “addictive algorithms” that fuel compulsive behaviour and financial ruin. Offenders could face up to three years in jail. With India’s gaming market projected at $3.6B by 2029, the ban could send shockwaves through investors. Popular during IPL season, these apps allow entry for as little as 8 rupees with million-rupee prize pools, often endorsed by cricket stars. Now the government’s message is blunt: play for fun, not for money.As India pulls back, China is stepping in. Analysts say Chinese refiners bought 15 cargoes of Russian Urals crude for October–November, each up to a million barrels. Until last month, India was Russia’s biggest seaborne buyer, but shrinking discounts made state refiners pause—cutting imports by nearly 700,000 barrels/day.China, the world’s top importer, usually buys ESPO crude from Russia’s Far East, but cheaper Urals—priced $2–3 below Middle Eastern oil—sparked fresh demand. The shift could pressure Dubai crude, already softening. Yet, analysts caution Beijing won’t absorb all volumes; Urals isn’t a staple grade for its refineries. Another risk: U.S. sanctions. Donald Trump hinted penalties could hit buyers of Russian oil “in two or three weeks” if peace talks stall. For now, the balance tilts: India out, China in—with Washington watching.The Opposition’s Vice-Presidential candidate, B. Sudershan Reddy, kept his message simple: “There’s only one citizenship in this country.” He faces NDA nominee and Maharashtra governor CP Radhakrishnan in the September 9 vote.Both hail from the south—Radhakrishnan from Tamil Nadu, Reddy from Andhra Pradesh—adding a subtle regional undertone. But Reddy, a former Supreme Court judge and Goa’s first Lokayukta, stressed unity: MPs, not the public, elect the Vice President, he reminded. Born in 1946, Reddy rose from Andhra Pradesh’s High Court to Chief Justice of the Gauhati High Court, and in 2007, the Supreme Court, serving until 2011. His candidacy, announced at Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge’s residence, sets up a heated Parliament battle.