Handpicked updates about India’s business and the business of India
Scotch Whisky Association has said that India is rapidly moving toward becoming the world’s biggest Scotch whisky market by volume. We’re taking this as a personal win after working hard over a decade to move from a Royal Stag addha to Chivas Regal. Hold your heads high fellow whiskey lovers, who cares how Glenfiddich is really pronounced.
Now, let’s get into the Dispatch! 🚀
Today’s reading time is 6 mins.
Business & Technology
India’s Deep-Tech Market Set To Hit $30 Billion By 2030: What’s Driving The Surge
Image credits: Inc42
India’s deep-tech sector, spanning artificial intelligence, robotics, semiconductor design, space tech, quantum computing, and defense innovation, is on track to reach $30 billion by 2030, according to a new industry report. The projection indicates a shift in the country’s technology ecosystem from software services to IP-led innovation.
What Defines Deep-Tech And Why It Matters: Deep-tech refers to ventures built on scientific research, advanced engineering, and intellectual property, often requiring long development cycles. Unlike consumer apps or IT services, these companies solve complex, high-impact problems in areas such as national security, healthcare innovation, automation, and climate resilience. India currently hosts over 3,000 deep-tech startups, a number that has doubled in the last five years. However, their scale and revenue contribution have so far remained limited compared to global peers in the U.S., Israel, and China.
Key Growth Drivers: A combination of strategic national imperatives and market forces is pushing this expansion.
The government’s strong emphasis on defence self-reliance (Atmanirbhar Bharat) and indigenous R&D has opened doors for startups in aerospace, drones, cybersecurity, and advanced materials.
Global demand for robotics, automation, and semiconductor innovation is rising, creating export potential for Indian firms.
Investor appetite is shifting from pure-play software to IP-rich, defensible technologies, reflected in steady growth in deep-tech funding rounds and new venture funds focused on hardware and research-led innovation.
Challenges On The Road To Scale: Despite rising momentum, the sector faces structural hurdles:
Deep-tech startups require high capital investment and longer timelines before commercialization.
Scaling production often hinges on specialized manufacturing ecosystems that India is still developing.
Talent shortages in advanced research fields remain a concern, especially in semiconductor engineering and quantum computing.
The Bigger Economic Picture: If India successfully nurtures this sector, deep-tech could shift the country’s tech narrative from being primarily a global services provider to a producer of frontier technologies. The $30 billion projection is significant but achieving it will require policy stability, sustained R&D funding, and strong industry–academia collaboration.
Sports
Is The Women’s World Cup Win Another 1983 Moment?
Image credits: Reuters
The Echo Of 1983: Indian cricket has witnessed a few moments that change not just the sport, but the nation’s cultural pulse. The 1983 Men’s World Cup win was one such moment, it gave India belief, identity, and a reason to dream. In 2025, that echo returned, only this time, it came from the women. The Women’s World Cup victory is not merely a sporting achievement but has the potential to be a cultural reset. In the moment the Indian women lifted that trophy, the stadium, the screens, and the hearts across the country beat the same way they did in 1983. It was not about gender anymore, it was about India.
The Road Wasn’t Easy: Unlike the 1983 squad that carried the burden of being underdogs, the women’s team faced a different challenge - they were expected to be good, yet often not taken seriously enough. Their rise was not backed by grand narratives or media glamour. It was built on years of relentless domestic grind, countless sacrifices, and resilience in silence. Where the men of 1983 shocked the world, the women of 2025 proved a world wrong that had underestimated them for far too long.
Why This Matters Beyond Sport: This victory forces a long overdue shift in how we see women in sport - not as supporting stories, but as protagonists. Young girls watching this win are not just seeing role models, they’re seeing possibility.
A New Era Begins: The 1983 win changed the economics of cricket. The 2025 win has the potential to change its sociology. More girls in academies. More equal broadcasting. More representation. More respect. If Indian cricket began its global journey in 1983, 2025 may just be the year it learned to stand for everyone who plays it. This is not a parallel story but a continuation of Indian cricket’s legacy, just told by new heroes.
Business India: Dhanda Hai Yeh!
Image credits: Mint
Flat GMP Signals Quiet Debut For Lenskart: Lenskart’s grey market premium has slipped to nil, suggesting muted investor appetite ahead of its Monday listing. Early excitement around the eyewear retailer’s IPO appears to have faded as valuation concerns and volatile market sentiment weigh in. The flat GMP indicates expectations of a no-gain debut, leaving analysts cautious on short-term performance.
Tesla vs VinFast In India: Vietnamese EV maker VinFast is gaining traction among Indian consumers, especially those prioritizing affordability and practical pricing. Tesla’s high-end positioning and delayed entry into the market are costing it early momentum.
Salesforce Growth In India: Salesforce has reaffirmed its commitment to expanding in India, indicating the country as a key market for talent and cloud adoption. The company plans to deepen its partnerships, enhance skilling programs, and continue investments in local operations. Strong digital transformation demand is driving Salesforce to scale both hiring and customer offerings in the region.
FPIs Selling Resumes: Foreign portfolio investors have turned net sellers again in November, pulling out over ₹12,500 crore from Indian equities. The reversal comes after a brief buying phase in October, with concerns around global interest rates and higher valuations influencing sentiment. Analysts say FPIs are shifting toward safer assets, while domestic investors continue to support the market on dips.
Market Cap Erosion Among Top Firms: Seven of India’s ten most-valued companies saw their combined market capitalisation decline by nearly ₹88,600 crore last week. Airtel and TCS recorded the biggest losses amid broader market weakness and profit-taking. The correction reflects cautious investor positioning as global and domestic macro cues remain mixed.
Suzlon Expands EPC Focus: Suzlon is stepping up its engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) operations to improve margins and strengthen its wind energy business model. The company has begun acquiring land directly, aiming to offer more integrated project solutions. Management sees this as a strategy to capture value across the project lifecycle and enhance profitability.
World 🌏
Trump’s Drug Price Cut Could Add $35 Bn To U.S. Healthcare Bill
Image credits: Reuters
The move to slash prices of popular weight-loss and diabetes drugs such as Ozempic and Wegovy has been positioned as a consumer win, but new projections show the measure could considerably increase government healthcare spending. While the reduced prices are expected to make the drugs more accessible, the scale of expanded coverage under federal insurance programmes may end up costing the US government nearly $35 billion between 2026 and 2034, according to the Congressional Budget Office (CBO).
What The Price Cut Involves: The plan lowers the monthly cost of GLP-1 drugs from the current range of $1,000–$1,350 to about $350 under a new programme. In some cases, future oral versions may drop even further toward $150 per month. The key shift, however, is not only the price reduction but the decision to expand eligibility under Medicare and Medicaid, allowing more patients to access these medications for weight-loss related health conditions. Historically, federal programmes did not cover obesity drugs unless tied directly to diabetes treatment.
Why The Costs Could Rise: Despite lower per-patient pricing, the broadening of access means a significantly larger number of people are expected to begin treatment. GLP-1 drugs are typically prescribed for long durations, in some cases indefinitely, which compounds costs. Even though the drugs may reduce long-term risks of heart disease, diabetes complications and obesity-linked illnesses, the health savings accumulate slowly, while government spending ramps up immediately.
The CBO estimates approximately $38 billion in increased spending offset by only about $3 billion in potential healthcare savings, leading to a net impact near $35 billion.
Balancing Political Wins And Fiscal Realities: The price cut serves as a popular consumer-focused policy, particularly amid rising attention to obesity and metabolic health. However, analysts warn that without tighter eligibility criteria or phased rollout mechanisms, the federal budget could face additional pressure. The ultimate fiscal impact will depend on uptake rates, clinical guidelines, and whether long-term health improvements materially reduce public healthcare costs.
DuniyaDIARY 🌏📒
Image cedits: NDTV
US Shutdown Hits Flight Operations: The ongoing US government shutdown has led to significant reductions in air traffic control staffing, forcing airlines to cut flights. This has added new pressure to supply chains already dealing with delays and capacity shortages. Companies moving goods by air are facing longer transit times and higher logistics costs. Industry groups warn that prolonged disruptions could ripple across sectors from retail to manufacturing.
China Eases Curbs On Critical Mineral Exports: China has temporarily lifted restrictions on exporting critical minerals like gallium, germanium and antimony to the United States. The move is seen as a strategic easing of trade tensions amid ongoing negotiations. However, analysts say the pause may be temporary and subject to geopolitical shifts.
China Eases Export Rules For Civilian-Use Chips: China has said certain Nexperia-produced chips will be allowed for export if they are clearly intended for civilian applications. The exemption is part of a controlled licensing system introduced after the country tightened rules on sensitive semiconductor technologies.
Munir Likely To Become Pakistan’s Defence Chief: Pakistan Army Chief General Asim Munir is expected to receive another promotion, positioning him to become the country’s first Chief of Defence Forces. The proposed role would place him above the heads of the Army, Navy and Air Force under a unified command structure.
OpenAI Flags Risks Of Future Superintelligent AI: OpenAI has renewed warnings that future AI systems could surpass human intelligence and reshape society, while also posing serious risks if not safely governed. Without safeguards, superintelligent AI could act in ways misaligned with human interests. OpenAI is calling for coordinated regulation and international frameworks to manage this transition responsibly.
Thailand Tightens Public Drinking Rules - Thailand has introduced tougher rules that restrict where alcohol can be consumed, including public areas, transport, and near government buildings. Tourists and locals caught violating the law may face fines equivalent to around ₹27,000.
Aur Batao 📰
Meghalaya’s Akash Kumar Breaks Fastest Fifty Record: Meghalaya cricketer Akash Kumar has made history by smashing the fastest fifty ever recorded in first-class cricket. The milestone has drawn attention to the growing talent emerging from smaller domestic teams. His aggressive batting display has sparked social media buzz and renewed interest in state-level cricket.
IAF Steps Up Work On Dedicated EW Aircraft: The Indian Air Force is moving ahead with plans to strengthen its airborne electronic warfare capabilities to better protect strike missions in high-threat environments. Dedicated EW aircraft are being explored, with platforms like the Su-30MKI and the upcoming Tejas MkII seen as strong candidates for conversion. The move aims to boost jamming, surveillance, and suppression of enemy air defences. The programme is expected to involve DRDO and domestic industry as part of broader self-reliance goals.
Loitering Munitions To Boost Indian Army Tank Operations: The Indian Army is preparing to enhance its armoured units by integrating canister-launched loitering munitions with T-72 and T-90 tanks. These systems will allow tank crews to conduct reconnaissance and strike targets beyond direct visual range. The capability can help counter enemy anti-tank teams, deployed armour, and fortified positions more effectively. The upgrade reflects a shift toward hybrid armoured warfare combining mobility with standoff precision.