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From Nagpur ki tapri to a chai date collab with Bill Gates, Dolly Chaiwala knows how to keep the internet buzzing. In his latest plot twist, Sunil Patil a.k.a Dolly Chaiwala has announced a pan-India expansion plan for 'Dolly ki tapri’ by launching a franchise model. You can start with a humble chai-ka-thela cart stall for Rs 4.5-6 lakh, upgrade to a store for Rs 20-22 lakh, or go all-in with a flagship cafe at Rs 39-43 lakh. Move over Starbucks, India’s OG chaiwala is bringing the swag and sparking a nationwide chai pe charcha.
Now, let’s get into the dispatch! 🚀
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Today’s reading time is 5.5 mins.
USED CARS
Used car market outpaces new car market
Image credits: Financial Express
According to Crisil Ratings, India’s used car market is set to cross 6 million units in sales this fiscal year, with growth estimated at 8-10% this fiscal year, more than double that of new car sales. With a meagre growth of 5% between 2017 and 2024, used car sales saw a strong surge last fiscal year and are now poised to hit 10% growth in FY25. The market value used car sales is around Rs 4 lakh crore, nearly matching that of new car sales. Organised players, however, still face high costs towards refurbishment, logistics, and finance which has led to continued losses.
Second-hand wheels, first-class deals
Anuj Sethi, Senior Director, Crisil Ratings, suggests that this is a result of a structural shift driven by value-conscious consumers, digital adoption, and improved access to finance. In true desi style, we love a good bargain (a rupee saved is a rupee earned). Players such as Spinny, Cars24, OLX Autos, among others, have helped streamline the process, creating a more formal marketplace with facilities such as doorstep-test drives and AI-based pricing. Mixed with NBFCs and fintechs that offer specialised used car loans, buyers now have better financing prospects than ever. Additionally, upgrade cycles are getting shorter as the average age of used cars has dropped to about 3.7 years.
Used cars are increasingly becoming India’s first choice. With integrated technology services, better financial instruments, and a variety of choices, India’s used car market seems to be racing into 5th gear.
SEMICONDUCTOR REVOLUTION
India’s $20 billion bet on chips
Image credits: ANI
According to McKinsey, the Indian central government’s efforts to develop its semiconductor industry could reduce the nation’s dependence on chip imports by $10-20 billion. To accelerate growth, India must combine targeted government incentives with strategic collaborations involving global technology giants.
Beyond the numbers
Semiconductors are essential to devices such as smartphones, servers, and cars. With increasing digital adoption, this push could help India become a reliable exporter of tech infrastructure, create jobs, and support the Make in India narrative. It also aligns with the vision of growing the country’s electronics sector to $500 billion by 2030.
Global Positioning
Currently, Taiwan and China dominate the chipmaking market. Over $10 billion in incentives and new projects are pushing manufacturing in India, though progress will be gradual and depend on global partnerships. Estimates suggest that the Indian semiconductor market could cross $100 billion by 2032—a staggering jump from $34.3 billion in 2023—but faces big hurdles like high costs, tech gaps, and supply chain issues. India already has 20% of the global chip design workforce and a strong start-up scene. Should India succeed, it could offer a viable alternative for companies looking to diversify supply chains amid rising geopolitical tensions.
DEBT
India’s low-income borrowing problem
Image credits: Indian Express
Even though 96% population has access to a bank account, the latest data shows that a majority of India’s low-income (₹2-5 lakh a year) and poor households still turn to informal borrowing. There is also a rise in incidents of loan defaults among micro-finance loans. Notably, even in the middle-income bracket(Rs 5-10 lakhs per annum), the number of non-institutional borrowers is growing faster than the number of institutional ones.
Sab paise ka khel hai
The biggest worry with informal entities, such as moneylenders, is their mind-boggling interest rates. These rates can reach as high as 40-50%, sometimes even higher, and end up pushing low-income earners into a vicious cycle of debt. Formal banks, on the other hand, outright reject low-income individuals due to a lack of collateral or credit history, leaving individuals with little to no alternatives.
India currently boasts of more than 50 crore accounts under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana, aiming to integrate the poor into the mainstream economy. While thisis a major upgrade, the data shows that these inclusions haven't translated into real access or financial empowerment. Opening a bank account may be an integral step in financial inclusion; however, providing easier and more affordable access to credit remains one of the bigger challenges.
BUSINESS INDIA
DHANDA HAI YEH!
Pollution exemption sparks concern: In a major move, India's Environment Ministry exempted 78% of thermal power plants from installing key anti-pollution systems (FGDs) for sulphur dioxide. Only 11% of units are required to comply by 2027 after repeated extensions, sparking environmental concerns despite claims of low SO2 claims.
Foreign funds fuel Dalal Street! While the Sensex remains below its all-time high, foreign investors are acting as messiahs for Dalal Street, pumping ₹3,839 crore into Indian stocks in July, making it the fourth straight month of FPI inflows.
Birla boosts US-India ties: Kumar Mangalam Birla, India's leading greenfield investor in the US with over $15 billion invested, has joined the US India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF) board, aiming to further strengthen US-India business relations.
Russian oil imports surge: India's Russian oil imports hit an 11-month high in June, reaching 2.08 million barrels per day (bpd) as refiners stocked up amid the Israel-Iran conflict. Russia now accounts for 40% of India's oil.
Festive season job boom: Alert your unemployed friends! Festive hiring is set to rise by 20-25% this year, with top e-commerce firms alone hiring over 75,000 staff. Logistics and retail are also expanding their temporary workforce for the upcoming festive season.
Cipla's bets on ‘weight loss’ play: The Mumbai-based pharmaceutical company, Cipla, is eyeing India's weight management market amid rising obesity rates. The company is also ramping up efforts in CNS and anti-microbial resistance. The pharma giant clocked in a revenue of ₹27,548 crore in FY25 with profits of ₹5,272 crore.
WORLD: BUSINESS AND GEOPOLITICS 🌍
KYA CHAL RAHA HAI?
Iranian President’s narrow escape: According to Iran’s Fars news agency, President Pezeshkian was reportedly targeted in an Israeli assassination attempt on June 15 amid ongoing conflict. He sustained minor leg injuries during a security meeting in Tehran and escaped via an emergency hatch.
Trade war brewing: Donald Trump is set to impose 30% tariffs on EU starting August 1st, citing trade deficits, with the EU vowing to defend its interests. The EU has warned of proportionate countermeasures and economic harm. With $9.5 trillion in trade business at risk, tensions are brewing.
US aid cuts hit HIV research: US aid cuts have halted HIV vaccine research in South Africa, including a $46 million grant. This has led to layoffs of around 100 researchers and threatens global health efforts, amid a $107 million loss for South Africa.
Pakistan's security landscape: Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif reiterated that their nuclear program is for peace and self-defence following recent India-Pakistan clashes that left 55 Pakistani soldiers dead. Meanwhile, the Balochistan Liberation Front announced the conclusion of ‘Operation Baam,’ having launched 84 attacks between July 9-11, 2025, targeting Pakistani military and intel operations.
Aur Batao: News from across India 📰
Nationwide voter list revision: The Election Commission of India is mobilising its field staff for a possible nationwide voter list revision from next month, aimed at removing illegal migrants after a Supreme Court ruling. The opposition has raised concerns about disenfranchisement of voters.
India-China talks: External Affairs Minister, Dr. S. Jaishankar, is in China for his first visit in five years since the Galwan clash. He will meet his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi to ease strained ties, though issues such as China's trade policies, support for Pakistan, and the Dalai Lama's succession continue to remain sticking points.
ICMR warning, be less ‘salty’: ICMR warns that Indians are consuming too much salt, increasing the risk of hypertension, stroke, heart disease, and kidney disorders. Urban India consumes 9.2g/day and rural India 5.6g/day, whereas the World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends less than 5g/day.
Railways get a tech upgrade: Indian Railways is installing CCTV cameras in all 74,000 coaches and 15,000 locomotives in an effort to boost passenger safety and reduce crime. Each coach will get 4 cameras, with each locomotive getting 6.
BITS Pilani AI+: India’s BITS Pilani is launching an AI+ campus in Amaravati and investing ₹1,219 crore in infrastructure upgrades across other campuses, aiming to boost research and student experience.
Sports and Entertainment
Historic T20 series win: Despite Shafali Verma's heroic 75, India Women lost their 5th and final T20I to England by five wickets, but clinched the series 3-2—marking a historic maiden T20 series victory against England. Nallapureddy Charani bagged the ‘Player of the series’ award.
‘Pant’astic knocks, breaking records: Indian sensation Rishabh Pant scored 416 runs as a wicketkeeper in a Test series against England, breaking MS Dhoni's decades-long record of 349. He also hit 35 sixes, surpassing Vivian Richards' record for most sixes against England.
India’s archery glory: India's compound archers won three medals at the Archery World Cup in Madrid. Jyothi Surekha Vennam secured two silvers and a bronze, though the women's team lost a close and intense final against Chinese Taipei.
Pakistan skips Asia Cup: Citing security concerns and heightened political tensions, Pakistan will not send their field hockey teams to India for upcoming tournaments like the Asia Cup and Junior World Cup. This move could jeopardise their spot in next year's World Cup.
Sinner triumphs at Wimbledon: World No. 1 Jannik Sinner defeated reigning champion Carlos Alcaraz (4-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4) in the final to lift his first-ever Wimbledon title. Sinner’s stunning performance ended Alcaraz’s 24-match winning streak at Wimbledon.
Chelsea win Club World Cup: Chelsea defeated Paris Saint-Germain 3-0 at MetLife Stadium to win the Club World Cup. Cole Palmer scored twice in the first half, and Joao Pedro added a third before halftime. Chelsea’s defense and goalkeeper Robert Sanchez kept PSG from scoring, securing the title for the Blues.
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