Namaste! Aaj ka news roundup, Newswala style!

MARKETS

Markets: After an initial drop in the opening trade, the Index settled within a range and closed at 23,707.90, gaining 91.85 points. All sectors, except IT, saw gains, with Media and Energy sectors leading, while Mid and Small-cap stocks outperformed the main index, rising nearly 1%.

TOP STORIES

India’s Big 4 Outpace Global Parents

What Happened

The Indian arms of the Big Four—Deloitte, PwC, EY, and KPMG—are sprinting ahead. In FY24, they racked up combined revenues of nearly ₹38,800 crore, with consulting and tech services doing the heavy lifting. 

• Deloitte scored big with a 29% growth to ₹10,000 crore, while EY and PwC brought in ₹13,400 crore and ₹9,200 crore, respectively. 
  
  

• Even KPMG joined the party, growing up to 10% to ₹6,200 crore.
  
  

• Meanwhile, global Big Four revenues are moving at a slower pace—probably stuck in first gear—growing at 3-5%.
  
  

Why It Matters

The Indian Big Four are proving they’re the IPL of the global consulting world—exciting, fast-paced, and profitable. Consulting services are leading the charge, with expected revenues of ₹30,000-32,000 crore in FY25. Global Capability Centres (GCCs) are another ace up their sleeve, adding ₹3,600 crore last year alone.

But challenges are looming. Slower economic growth and companies pressing pause on tech projects (thanks to AI jitters) have slowed the action. Plus, workplace stress came under scrutiny after a tragic incident involving an EY employee in 2024.  

Zoom out

The Big Four in India are not just aiming for the ₹45,000 crore revenue mark in FY25, they’re on track to crush it.

But don’t get too comfortable—while their Indian branches are making it rain, there’s some growing tension with global partners over how the pie gets sliced. In addition, the potential drama of EY’s Project Everest 2.0 is about to get more interesting. 

PAISON KA KHEL

BMW’s 2024 sales zoom past records, MINI tags along

BMW Group India had a bumper 2024, selling 15,721 cars—an 11% jump from last year. BMW led the pack with 15,012 cars, while MINI pitched in with 709. On the bike front, BMW Motorrad sold 8,301 motorcycles—because why have just four wheels?

Their electric game is charging ahead too, with 1,249 EVs sold this year and over 3,000 delivered so far. 

Husk Power sparks $400 million drive

Husk Power Systems, the solar mini-grid giant, is gearing up to raise a record $400 million in debt and equity this year. With revenue doubling and its mini-grids growing from 200 to 400 last year, the Bihar-born company is lighting up ambitious plans for India and Africa.

CEO Manoj Sinha aims for 150% annual growth, stating, “We’re in a capital-intensive business.” Husk, founded in 2008, thrives as global bodies like the World Bank push for electrifying 600 million Africans by 2030. 

TOP STORIES

NTPC’s $21 Billion Green Hydrogen Hub

What Happened

NTPC Green Energy Ltd., the clean energy arm of India’s largest thermal power producer, is building a colossal green hydrogen hub in Pudimadaka, Andhra Pradesh, with a whopping investment of ₹1.8 trillion ($21 billion). Slated as India’s first project under the National Green Hydrogen Mission, this hub aims to produce 1,500 tons of green hydrogen daily, alongside 7,500 tons of derivatives like green methanol, urea, and sustainable aviation fuel.

Why it matters

Think of it as ditching your old coal stove for a sleek, solar-powered induction cooker—but on a grand, planet-saving scale. This bold leap forward marks India’s debut green hydrogen project under the National Green Hydrogen Mission. And who better to kick things off than Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who will lay the foundation stone on January 8. 

The project, backed by 20 gigawatts of renewable energy, will not just help meet India’s growing clean energy demands but also cater to global markets, where demand (and hopefully the dollars) are greener.

Zoom out

India’s green hydrogen ambitions are no joke—going from nearly zero production to 5 million tons annually by 2030. NTPC’s project is a power move to decarbonize hard-to-abate industries like steel and oil refineries.  

However, the road to green glory isn’t entirely smooth. Domestic users are mad at the high costs of green hydrogen, so NTPC and others are aiming to woo export markets in Europe and Asia. Sounds like cooking up a gourmet dish that your family refuses to eat—so you sell it to your neighbours instead.

GLOBAL NAZARA

AI gets the billions while others get the blues

In 2024, US venture capitalists splurged $97 billion on AI startups, breaking records and raising eyebrows. Big names like OpenAI, Anthropic, and Musk’s xAI enjoyed the bulk of the goodies, grabbing nearly half of the $209 billion startup funding cake.

Overall funding rose a modest one-third from 2023, but non-AI startups found themselves on a strict financial diet. Meanwhile, venture capital funds managed to raise just $76.1 billion—their smallest haul since 2019.

Globally, things weren’t as shiny. European startup funding dropped to $61.6 billion, and Asia saw a sharp dip to $75.9 billion. 

Apollo and BC Partners eye $5.6 billion waste management deal

Apollo Global Management and BC Partners are close to snagging a controlling stake in GFL Environmental Inc.’s services unit, valuing it at $5.6 billion, debt included. GFL, a Canadian waste management giant with over 20,000 employees, plans to use the proceeds to pay down debt and fund share buybacks.

Interestingly, GFL shares have jumped 36% in a year, though they dipped slightly before rebounding. Known for rapid acquisitions, GFL is offloading less profitable units to manage debt. 

TOP STORIES

VoltUp and Revamp Moto’s Green Revolution for Gig Workers

What Happened

VoltUp and Revamp Moto have decided to supercharge the Indian streets by deploying 40,000 electric two-wheelers (e-2wheelers) across the country. The ambitious plan comes with a ₹750 crore investment to fuel this electric revolution. 

The twist? They’re making it affordable for gig workers. Over the next two years, VoltUp will roll out the e-2wheelers with advanced battery-swapping technology, making sure riders never have to pull over to look for a charging point (unless they’re picking up a snack, of course).

Why It Matters

If you’re wondering why gig workers will be high-fiving their e-2wheelers, here’s why: the partnership promises to cut their Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) by up to 76%. That’s right—less money spent on fuel, maintenance, and the dreaded “I need a new battery” moments.

With a pay-as-you-go model, these riders can zoom ahead without worrying about the tolls. Plus, gig work is expected to surge by over 20% in the coming years, so having a fleet of affordable and reliable e-2wheelers is like giving workers a magic wand for higher disposable income and less stress.

Conclusion

In short, VoltUp and Revamp Moto are teaming up to change the game for gig workers and the planet. They’re making deliveries smoother, wallets thicker, and the environment greener. So, while gig workers are enjoying their extra cash, you can feel good knowing that your lunch is arriving on a clean, green, cost-efficient ride. 

Also, this electric boom pushes India one step closer to becoming the superhero of clean energy.

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