Aathira Varier, Business Standard

Stories by Aathira Varier, Business Standard

Sebi Eases IPO Lock-In Rules

Sebi Eases IPO Lock-In Rules

Rediff.com   14 Nov 2025

Sebi has proposed allowing depositories to mark such pledged shares as 'non-transferable' for the duration of the lock-in period, based on instructions from the issuer.

'Don't Consider Gold, Silver As Asset Classes'

'Don't Consider Gold, Silver As Asset Classes'

Rediff.com   11 Nov 2025

'An asset must generate income. Equities yield dividends, bonds pay coupons, deposits give interest, and real estate earns rent.' 'Gold, silver, and even Bitcoin produce no income, they merely store value. So, they should not be compared to productive assets.'

'Banks Need To Reinvent Themselves'

'Banks Need To Reinvent Themselves'

Rediff.com   3 Nov 2025

'Reinvention is not a hugely difficult task. With technology as available today, you can reinvent yourself pretty quickly.'

UPI Goes Global, Fintech Hits A Wall

UPI Goes Global, Fintech Hits A Wall

Rediff.com   1 Nov 2025

'When you think of cross-border payments, the first things that come to mind are risk, compliance, taxation, speed, and cost.'

Credit card transactions surge; debit cards' decline: RBI

Credit card transactions surge; debit cards' decline: RBI

Rediff.com   24 Oct 2025

The Reserve Bank of India's (RBI's) Payment Systems Report highlighted that between 2019 and 2024, credit card transactions doubled in volume and almost tripled in value. During the same period, however, debit card transactions witnessed a decline, both in volume and value.

JLR Cyberattack Triggers $2.55 Billion Shockwave

JLR Cyberattack Triggers $2.55 Billion Shockwave

Rediff.com   23 Oct 2025

At an estimated 1.9 billion in losses and over 5,000 UK organisations affected, the Jaguar Land Rover cyberattack has been labelled the most economically damaging cyber incident in UK history, exposing the deep vulnerability of interconnected supply chains.

Insurance staff oppose pvt sector entry in top PSU posts

Insurance staff oppose pvt sector entry in top PSU posts

Rediff.com   14 Oct 2025

The All India Insurance Employees' Association has opposed the government directive seeking to open up top posts in the state-owned insurers to the private sector, saying this would lead to greater private influence and "eventual privatisation".

Pilot Training In India Is Below The Mark

Pilot Training In India Is Below The Mark

Rediff.com   14 Oct 2025

The principal problem lies in lack of training infrastructure and relatively lax safety standards.

Credit quality of companies likely to remain stable in H2

Credit quality of companies likely to remain stable in H2

Rediff.com   8 Oct 2025

Credit quality of Indian corporate is expected to be stable in the second half of the current financial year (H2FY26), supported by easing monetary cycle, and declining inflation, coupled with income-tax relief and rationalisation of the goods and service tax (GST) rates, among others.

Gold, Silver Shine As Stocks Slip

Gold, Silver Shine As Stocks Slip

Rediff.com   1 Oct 2025

'The frenzy for gold is primarily due to the uncertainty surrounding the tariff war.'

'No Indian insurer can ignore bancassurance'

'No Indian insurer can ignore bancassurance'

Rediff.com   8 Sep 2025

'While we expand into other areas, banca remains our primary channel, and we continue to be a banca-led organisation.'

Top four life insurance companies covered 14 mn fewer lives in FY25

Top four life insurance companies covered 14 mn fewer lives in FY25

Rediff.com   29 Aug 2025

Some of the leading life insurance companies have reported a sharp decline in the number of lives covered in FY25, largely due to a slowdown in credit-linked life insurance policies. Stress in the microfinance segment has reduced loan disbursements and, in turn, the flow of new customers to insurers.

Munir's Moves: Why India Must Be On High Alert

Munir's Moves: Why India Must Be On High Alert

Rediff.com   26 Aug 2025

A Pakistan that is more secure in its relations with the US is also one that might well wish to indulge in another cross-border misadventure.

Record Rs 474 Cr Insurance Cover For Ganesh Mandal

Record Rs 474 Cr Insurance Cover For Ganesh Mandal

Rediff.com   19 Aug 2025

Of the Rs 474.4 crore insurance cover, the largest component -- Rs 375 crore -- has been allocated towards personal accident cover for volunteers.

Insurers hopeful of reduction in GST on health, life premiums

Insurers hopeful of reduction in GST on health, life premiums

Rediff.com   16 Aug 2025

The life and non-life insurance industries are hopeful of a reduction in the goods and services tax (GST) on health and life insurance premiums, after Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his speech on Friday, announced GST relaxations aimed at providing relief to ordinary citizens, farmers, the middle class, and the small and medium enterprises (MSME) sector.

When Workplace Stress Turns Deadly

When Workplace Stress Turns Deadly

Rediff.com   13 Aug 2025

At times, this stress reaches a tipping point, resulting in tragedy. 'Organisations need to empower their people managers to foster psychological safety, where employees feel seen, heard, and supported -- not just as professionals, but as people navigating the pressures of work and life.'

Renewal of life insurers' policies, after 1 year, declines in June quarter

Renewal of life insurers' policies, after 1 year, declines in June quarter

Rediff.com   11 Aug 2025

The 13th-month persistency rate of life insurers - an important metric indicating the retention of new policies - declined in the first quarter of 2025-26 (Q1FY26). This fall was primarily driven by a lower share of high-value policies, following taxation changes implemented in April 2023.

Irdai proposes internal ombudsman to address claims up to Rs 50 lakh

Irdai proposes internal ombudsman to address claims up to Rs 50 lakh

Rediff.com   24 Jul 2025

The Insurance Regulatory & Development Authority of India (Irdai) on Wednesday proposed setting up an internal insurance ombudsman for insurance companies -- except reinsurers-- with over three years of operation, to address unresolved complaints. The ombudsman will have power to hear complaints for claims up to Rs 50 lakhs.

Compensation Assured for Crash Victims

Compensation Assured for Crash Victims

Rediff.com   14 Jul 2025

The only case where there could be a change in insurance payout is if Air India's management were found to be aware of the accident and the accident was deliberate.

'Future Generali always wanted to outgrow the industry'

'Future Generali always wanted to outgrow the industry'

Rediff.com   12 Jul 2025

'This will be our first large-size bank partner, and hence, the partnership will be a game-changer for us.'