India’s heavy reliance on lithium-ion batteries exposes it to critical mineral risks and import dependence. Sodium-ion batteries offer a safer, lower-cost, and resource-secure alternative suitable for grid storage and mass mobility. With supportive policy and ecosystem development, they can play a key role in strengthening India’s long-term energy security.
Click to View MoreBharat Taxi is a government-backed cooperative ride-hailing platform operated by Sahakar Taxi Cooperative Ltd (STCL), designed to provide a zero-commission, driver-owned alternative to private aggregators. The platform allows bookings for cars, auto-rickshaws, and two-wheelers, while enabling drivers to become co-owners through share participation and benefit from future profits. It focuses on fair, transparent pricing and aims to improve driver earnings and welfare within the gig economy. Currently operational in select cities with around 4 lakh drivers onboarded and about 10,000 daily rides, the initiative faces early challenges such as low demand and operational issues, but targets nationwide expansion by 2029, positioning itself as a potential large-scale cooperative model in India’s digital platform economy.
Click to View MoreIndia’s crude oil basket has evolved from dominant dependence on West Asia to a more diversified mix, influenced by geopolitics, sanctions, price dynamics, and refinery flexibility. The decline of Iranian supplies due to sanctions, the rise of U.S. and African crude, and especially the rapid increase in discounted Russian oil since 2022 have reshaped India’s sourcing pattern. Today, India imports nearly 85% of its crude requirement, with Russia emerging as a leading supplier alongside Middle Eastern producers, reflecting a strategy focused on cost efficiency, energy security, and diplomatic balancing.
Click to View MoreIndia is set to get four new regional airlines, but their success is not guaranteed because the Indian aviation market is highly competitive and dominated by IndiGo and the Air India group, which together hold over 90 percent of the domestic market. Regional airlines face high fuel and leasing costs, low profit margins, seasonal demand on smaller routes, and difficulty in accessing finance. Many earlier regional carriers have already shut down, showing how fragile this segment is. While government connectivity schemes and rising air travel offer opportunities, only those airlines with strong funding, careful route planning, and efficient operations are likely to remain viable.
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