Mint Chennai
NEW ON SCREENS
This six-episode weekly series is a different Westeros story to Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon. Instead of the palace intrigue and grand battles of those shows, this one is on a smaller scale, more comedic and less grand. Peter Claffey stars...
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How Trump put Nato on the brink over Greenland
US President Donald Trump’s speech at Davos was meant to be a bellwether for the trans-atlantic relationship, particularly Nato, with his handling of Greenland closely watched. After the speech, it appears Nato has survived, but barely. examines the...
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The few bright spots for India’s slowing IT sector
The $285-billion IT services industry, employing 5.8 million people, continues to navigate headwinds from AI to geopolitics. Yet, India is central to delivering technology services at scale. Q3 results offer a view of the pressures, priorities and...
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Why the CCPA is cracking down on walkie-talkies
India’s consumer watchdog has cracked down on online retailers for selling unauthorized walkie-talkies without approvals. Regulators say these devices can interfere with communication of law-enforcement and disaster-relief agencies, posing a security...
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Discoms swing to profit. Why there is more to worry
India’s power distribution companies or discoms, reeling under high debt and operational losses for years, swung to profits in fiscal 202425. Mint explains the current financial health of the discoms and the factors behind their revival: What is the...
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In loving memory of Mohan Lal Mittal
24 October 1926 — 15 January 2026 Lakshmi Niwas and Usha Mittal Seema and Sri Prakash Lohia Saroj and Santosh Rateria Pramod and Sangeeta Mittal Vinod and Archana Mittal Amit-aarti, Aditya-megha, Shruti-vikram, Vanisha-amit, Saurabh-neha,...
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SNEH RANA’S COMEBACK
Sneh Rana is basking in cricketing glory like never before in her long career. She was part of the squad that won the World Cup and has landed a ₹50-lakh contract with Delhi Capitals. Rana tells Lounge why she’s called a “rebel”.
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Why copper will heat up AC prices in the summer
The price of copper, crucial for wiring, coils and cables, has surged nearly 60% over a year, pushing up costs for appliances—including air conditioners—electric vehicles and power infrastructure companies. Several industries are feeling the pinch. Why...
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Google blasts past $4 tn: How is it beating rivals?
On Monday, Alphabet became the fourth company to reach a $4 tn market cap after a deal with Apple to power Siri. Last week, Google’s parent also overtook Apple as the world’s second-largest firm. Its surge comes despite warnings of an AI crash. Mint...
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Why Mumbai’s new airport is signal-starved
Step into the new Navi Mumbai airport or ride the Aqua Line and it’s all world-class until your phone drops to zero bars. This is no glitch but a commercial standoff between infrastructure owners and telecom operators. Mint explains what’s going on and...
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ARCHIVING FASHION chikankari anarkalis,
Filled with swatches and archival Tarun Tahiliani’s meticulously catalogued archive is a fashion bank powering the past, present and future of his brand, while recording process, change and continuity.
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Why Indian firms often challenge drug patents
Natco’s revocation patent suit against Novo Nordisk intensifies the battle between domestic generic giants and global innovators over affordability. As we look ahead at another year of high-stakes battles, Mint unpacks the legal landscape and who wins...
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Can gig workers form traditional unions in India?
Gig workers’ unions organised a strike on New Years’ Eve demanding better working conditions. Zomato’s founder Deepinder Goyal said that the strike failed because gig work was valuable. But how do Indian labour laws treat gig workers and their unions?...
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Why Elon Musk’s Grok made the IT ministry fret
Ministry of electronics and information technology (Meity) ordered Elon Musk’s X to remove sexually explicit Grok-generated AI images in 72 hours, mentioning regulatory tension on AI safety, public safety, and platform accountability. Here’s what...
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ART BEYOND SOUTH MUMBAI
Mumbai Gallery Weekend 2026, which opens on 8 January, is stepping out of South Mumbai and discovering new locations, giving audiences across the city a chance to be part of the conversation on contemporary art.
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Top-four economy
As estimated, 2025 gave India fourth rank among economies, placing us in the world’s top club, though with the US, the EU and China still some multiples ahead in size. As expected, 2026 will see a census begin that’s likely to place India on top by...
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Will next year be a turning point for AI in India?
In 2025, a dozen government-backed startups began building foundational artificial intelligence models, with one raising more than $100 million in funding. Data centres saw a massive boom as Big Tech swooped in. Mint examines what lies ahead for AI in...
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Give peace a chance
February will mark four years of the Russia-ukraine war, but there’s a glimmer of hope that a peace deal will prevent a fifth year of hostility. High-level talks are underway. Kyiv wants Ukraine’s sovereignty backed by the West’s military as well as a...
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Why are countries offering visas to digital nomads?
Last week, Bulgaria joined a growing list of nations offering digital nomad residence permits, underscoring how remote work is being integrated into immigration policy. The pandemic-era experiment has gone mainstream. breaks down how it works: Who is...
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A SPORTS YEAR IN A PICTURE
Rohit Brijnath goes beyond the byline to celebrate the planning that goes into sports photography. With their masterful perspective and split-second genius, photographers turn moments of athletic chaos into art.
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What airline NOCS signal for Indian aviation
Civil aviation minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu tweeted that three proposed airlines—shankh Air, Al Hind Air and Flyexpress— have received no-objection certificates (NOCS). Mint explains what the government’s NOC actually signifies. 4Is this the end...
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How govt’s tariff reset could lower CNG, PNG prices
Millions of CNG and domestic PNG users could pay less for gas as the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) simplifies transportation tariffs under “One Nation, One Grid, One Tariff ”. Mint looks at what the change means for users and city...
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Decoding asset tokenization and why it matters
Asset tokenization has come under policy spotlight after lawmaker Raghav Chadha last week called for a dedicated law to govern it. As global markets experiment with putting assets such as stocks, gold and real estate on blockchains, Mint explains how...
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Why India’s trade deal with Oman is significant
The bilateral trade between the two nations is just $10 billion. Yet, the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) that India signed with Oman last week during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the Gulf nation is important. Why is it...
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THE SPORTING HIGHS OF 2025
The year in sports has been full of ups and downs. Football and hockey have been underwhelming, but it’s been excitement all the way in archery, badminton, tennis and of course, women’s cricket.
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Rupee at record lows: What could arrest the slide?
The Indian rupee continued to languish near record lows against the US dollar on Wednesday, touching an intraday low of 91.06, before recovering after a likely Reserve Bank of India (RBI) intervention that helped it to close at 90.37. It has lost over...
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How India aims to rewrite rules for higher education
The Centre is preparing a sweeping reset of India’s higher education regulatory structure through the Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan Bill, 2025, which aims to replace the current regulator-centric model. As a parliamentary panel vets the bill, Mint...
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Will water, power trip data centre growth in India?
In 2025, up to $70 billion has been pledged to develop 6 gigawatts (GW) of data centre capacity in India. While this could power India’s AI ambitions, experts warn that limited freshwater supplies and the need for uninterrupted energy may hurt the...
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Preparing students for tomorrow’s opportunities.
For 80 years, we’ve backed India’s youth. That’s why we work with Antarang Foundation and other organisations to support over 1,00,000 students in building lasting careers. Together, we’re helping create opportunities that transform lives and...
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ON A LUCKNOW FOOD TRAIL
Think food and Lucknow, and most will say biryani and kebabs, but there’s more to savour in this historic city. From puri-aloo to everyday veggies, chaats, kachoris, and malai paan,there’s range of foods to taste.
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How did China amass its $1 tn trade surplus?
Despite steep US tariffs, China’s exports have kept growing. In the first 11 months of 2025, its goods trade surplus topped $1 trillion, a level not seen before. Mint explains how Beijing managed this record-breaking run, and what it means for India...
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Dirty air trick: How farmers outsmart vigil
Farmers in Punjab and Haryana are burning paddy stubble late in the day after monitoring satellites pass over, says a study by the International Forum for Environment, Sustainability and Technology (iforest), released on 8 December. Mint brings the...
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What to expect from India’s customs reforms
Businesses have flagged the need for a simpler customs duty regime. The US tariffs have amplified the need for a review. The finance minister has called it the next “clean-up” after the income tax and goods and services tax reforms. explains what to...
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How a decade-old case blew up into the Indigo chaos
Indigo’s week-long chaos over hundreds of flight cancellations have triggered regulatory heat. But the meltdown didn’t come out of the blue. It is rooted in a long legal battle over pilots’ work hours, fatigue rules and a contempt case. Mint brings the...
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Preparing students for tomorrow’s opportunities.
For 80 years, we’ve backed India’s youth. That’s why we work with and other organisations to support over 1,00,000 students in building lasting careers. Together, we’re helping create opportunities that transform lives and strengthen communities across...
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AT HOME WITH MONSTERS
From his earliest films to the new version of ‘Frankenstein’, Mexican director Guillermo del Toro’s work has featured memorable screen monsters. They are often far more humanised than del Toro’s human villains
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How did Indigo fly into severe turbulence?
Indigo, India’s largest carrier, faces one of its most severe disruptions, as hundreds of flights have been cancelled since Tuesday. It blamed crew shortages, new duty-time rules, technical breakdowns, and congestion. But why has Indigo been hit the...
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Sanchar Saathi: The flip-flop over a tracking app
India’s communications ministry on Wednesday rolled back its move to make Sanchar Saathi, a lost phone tracking app, mandatory for all mobile devices. The move came after pushback over concerns of surveillance even as the government said it will curb...
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Can clawbacks, bonuses help cos retain IIT talent?
Deferred bonuses, joining incentives, and clawbacks are embedded in the high compensation offered at the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITS), reflecting a competitive job market and concerns over attrition. Can these measures help companies hold on...
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Are the animal spirits back in the economy?
Multiple sets of economic data have been released in the past few days and this includes gross domestic product (GDP) growth numbers, the state of fiscal deficit and more. Are the animal spirits back? Mint looks at the data to interpret the state of...
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Is Big Tech’s AGI fixation inflating the AI bubble?
Big Tech is pouring billions into artificial intelligence (AI) in the belief that some form of artificial general intelligence (AGI) or artificial superintelligence (ASI) could emerge by the end of the decade. But critics warn this may be further...
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THE DHARAMS WE LOVE
There are so many Dharmendras to love and value, both on and off screen. He had an immense aura but wore it casually, donned many roles and inhabited them all with authenticity. Our tribute to the versatile actor.
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Why computers are selling like hot cakes again
Sales of laptops, desktops and tablets had a bad time in India after a pandemic boom. But, since 2024 they are doing brisk business again. Personal computer shipments reached a record high of 4.9 million units in Q2, IDC said. What caused the...
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Sterling Biotech: Can SC ruling aid other fugitives?
The Supreme Court’s decision to close all cases against the Sandesara brothers of Sterling Biotech Ltd, after they agreed to pay ₹5,100 crore, triggered a debate on whether other fugitives could use this ruling. Mint looks at whether Vijay Mallya and...
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Why was a fresh approach to QCOS needed?
The government is now withdrawing the quality control orders (QCOS) issued earlier across sectors. examines the original intent, the reasons for the policy reversal, and the expected national benefits from this move. Has the government altered its QCO...
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How new labour codes impact your gratuity, PF
The new labour codes have overhauled how wages, gratuity, provident fund (PF), pension and other social security benefits are calculated. These changes impact employees and employers alike. explains who benefits and what happens to take-home...
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Why are online betting ads still buzzing in India?
A flurry of illegal betting ads is once again in regulators’ crosshairs. The Advertising Standards Council of India, in its latest report, found that most of the complaints it got related to offshore and illegal betting ads. Why are they a problem and...
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Why small drug firms are facing a crackdown
The Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) has directed states to inspect thousands of small- and medium-sized pharma firms to enforce stricter quality standards. The crackdown follows recent child deaths linked to Indian cough syrups. Mint explains:
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What’s in India’s first rulebook to govern AI?
The ministry of electronics and information technology introduced India’s first comprehensive artificial intelligence governance guidelines last week. Mint decodes India’s approach to AI governance and what it means for the industry. What do the...
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READY TO RALLY
On the back of its sterling display in the Asia-oceania Group I in Pune in April, beating higher ranked teams like Thailand and South Korea, India’s women’s tennis team eyes history as it hosts the Billie Jean King Cup playoffs
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Do generational smoking bans really work?
The Maldives has become the first country to enforce a generational smoking ban—barring those born on or after 1 January 2007 from buying, selling, or using tobacco in any form. This applies to tourists too. Elsewhere, such bans met with little...
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Air travel pain relief
Frustrated by airline ticket cancellation charges, refund delays and charges for a wrong-name entry even though the airline is to blame? Fret not. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has proposed changes to relieve air-passengers of such...
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What’s sobering the spirit of the alcohol business?
Alcohol sales have been subdued for a while amid slowing consumer spending, and higher taxes in key states. July-september was a mixed bag. Heavy rains and weak spending hurt wine, and beer sales. looks at how sales fared in the past quarter and what...
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A $5 tn milestone that reignites the AI bubble debate
Nvidia, which defines the AI boom, has become world’s first firm with a $5 trillion market cap. Its valuation is seen at $8-10 trillion by 2030. Yet, with rising doubts over GENAI profitability and Big Tech’s cash burn, we explore if the surge marks...
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Open fires: A hot take on dining
Library tours reveal a city’s secret culture
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Why court’s legal protection for crypto is big deal
The Madras High Court has become the first in India to recognize cryptocurrency as “property” under Indian law. It granted relief to an investor in a landmark judicial acknowledgment of digital assets, which so far existed in a regulatory grey zone....
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Why Sebi’s new plan has irked mutual funds
The market regulator has suggested capping brokerage and transaction costs that mutual funds can charge investors. Fund houses are unhappy and their shares fell as much as 8% on Wednesday. breaks down what this means for mutual funds and retail...
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Why IPOS are turning founders into promoters
Ipo-bound Lenskart’s Peyush Bansal says he and other co-founders have been named promoters to ensure “skin is in the game much longer”. Urban Co., Ather and Bluestone had done so. What does the promoter tag mean, and what is driving this change? Mint...
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Steady economy
Going by recent indicators, India’s economy seems to be in good shape, with growth high and inflation low. But the global environment is volatile and should some disruptive shock arise externally, India’s growth could be affected. The finance...
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Why India’s draft AI norms have sparked worries
The information technology (IT) ministry has proposed amendments to social media intermediary guidelines to crack down on the rising menace of deepfakes. But creators and other industry stakeholders have called for alterations in the draft rules. Mint...
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COMEDY’S GREAT TYRANT Sholay
Asrani, who made cinematic tyranny hilarious as the jailor, defined a comic era. His relatable everyman characters in a variety of films, helmed by a galaxy of directors, set the standard for Bollywood comedy.
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A $50-bn puzzle: How to sell more smartphones
Eight retailers’ estimates show a 15% rise in India’s smartphone sales this festive season, the month before Diwali that sees over a third of yearly sales. Yet, analysts say 2025 volumes will remain below the 2021 peak in India, once world’s...
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Is a Us-china trade deal possible in Seoul?
China, till recently, was the largest importer of soybean from the US. However, in recent months, the country shifted its sourcing to Brazil and Argentina. American soybean farmers, mostly Trump supporters, are staring at huge losses. He is desperate...
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How Aws-style cloud crashes can hamper AI march
The global outage of Amazon Web Services (AWS) that knocked thousands of websites and apps is a warning for firms rapidly scaling for the artificial intelligence (AI) era, and have moved huge workloads to the cloud. Mint explains why they can’t afford...
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Do green crackers really cause less air pollution?
Diwali firecrackers spark a debate every year due to rising air pollution, especially in the Delhi-national Capital Region. The Supreme Court has this year conditionally allowed ‘green crackers’. But are these a genuine solution or mere ‘greenwashing’?...
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SLASHER FILMS, ITALIAN STYLE
Giallo, a strain of slasher films that emerged in 1960s Italy, have a cult following, loved for their hyper-stylised visuals and almost fetishised violence. If you’re just getting into giallo, we suggest films to keep you hooked
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When AI turns adult: Ethics of erotic chatbots
Elon Musk’s Grok introduced a goth anime adult bot called Ani in July. Sam Altman now plans to allow erotic content for verified adult CHATGPT users in a bid to “treat adults like adults.” Is monetization of AI intimacy a sensible plan? Why is Openai...
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Why are Big Tech’s AI data centres crucial for India?
After Microsoft and Amazon, Google has now announced plans to invest $15 billion in setting up its artificial intelligence (AI) data centre infrastructure in Andhra Pradesh’s port city of Visakhapatnam. explains what this means for India’s broader...
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Why were sugar exports not so sweet this year?
In January, the central government allowed sugar exports totalling 1 million tonnes for the 2024-25 season (October-september). However, their shipments fell short of the allotted quota. What went wrong? explains. Why did the mills fail to use up...
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Why tariffs have not crippled the global economy
In April, after US President Donald Trump unveiled the ‘liberation day’ tariffs, global trade was expected to collapse, pushing the world economy into a recession. Six months on, these fears have proved to be unfounded. Mint explains why Trump’s...
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What the govt’s capex growth does not reveal
The government’s capital expenditure has surged sharply in the first five months (April-august) of FY26. It has already spent nearly 39% of the annual outlay of ₹11.2 trillion, a 43% year-on-year jump. But a closer look at the numbers tells a more...
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FILMMAKING ON HER OWN TERMS
Director Varsha Bharath speaks to Lounge about her film Bad Girl, her determination to do things her way, learning to work with women in an industry of men, and why she wants more women to watch her movie
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Will Navi Mumbai’s real estate market finally take off?
Navi Mumbai’s real estate market never matched Mumbai’s stature. The Navi Mumbai International Airport may change that. Developers are buying land for residential projects. Office market may take longer to grow, but the area is emerging as a data...
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Why India is nudging farmers to grow pulses
The government launched a ₹11,440 crore pulses mission earlier this month to achieve self-sufficiency. Imports soared to a record $5.5 billion in FY25. India is the world’s largest producer and consumer of pulses. But how did farmers lose interest in...
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How CCI plans to watch AI use by companies
The Competition Commission of India (CCI) on Monday proposed a self-audit for companies to keep track of how they use artificial intelligence (AI) and the data they train AI models on. Implementing such a practice comes with multiple caveats. Mint...
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