In this week’s wrapup, we explore why India’s tax system might need a GST 2.0 reboot, how CAFE norms are splitting the auto industry, why Tesla finally opened a showroom in Mumbai (and whether it really matters), what’s broken in India’s MRP pricing system, and how regional planes could turn towns into the next big property hotspots.

And in this week’s Markets edition, we tell you why Dilip Piramal, the chairperson and part of the founding family behind VIP Industries, has decided to pack his bags and sell a majority stake in the company to a private equity firm. Click here to read the full markets story.

With that out of the way, let’s recap what we wrote over the week.

What GST 2.0 should promise

It was once hailed as India’s biggest indirect tax reform. But eight years later, GST is beginning to creak. Compliance fatigue is high, the Centre–State trust deficit is growing, and the four-rate tax structure has become a maze.

So we unpacked what’s gone wrong, why the GST Council’s next meeting matters, and what the wishlist for GST 2.0 really looks like.

Dive into our Monday newsletter to read the full story.

Why India’s automakers are squabbling over CAFE norms

India’s auto industry is in a fight over carbon emissions. 

Under current CAFE norms, companies must sell a mix of fuel-efficient cars to meet fleetwide CO₂ limits. But Maruti Suzuki says the rules unfairly punish small cars like the Alto while rewarding heavier SUVs.

Our Tuesday story breaks down the logic behind the rule, how other countries deal with it, and why it could end up pricing the Indian middle class out of affordable hatchbacks.

Tesla’s here. But is India still interested?

Tesla has finally entered India. But it’s not launching new models, hasn’t signed up for India’s EV incentive scheme, and hasn’t committed to a factory.

We trace the history of Tesla’s on-again, off-again flirtation with India, why the market is both ripe and difficult, and how other players may already have a headstart in the market.

You can read the entire story here.

Should India rethink MRP?

Ever been annoyed by paying ₹3 more for milk just because it’s chilled? Or suspicious of a ₹999 T-shirt sold for ₹499?

On Thursday, we dug into India’s MRP system: a price cap that was meant to protect consumers but now feels outdated, opaque and limiting. Retailers can’t adjust for logistics costs, and brands inflate MRPs only to offer fake discounts.

So should India shift to a Suggested Retail Price model like in the West? Or just bring in more transparency through QR codes and digital tools?

Read our Thursday newsletter to find out.

A real estate boom fuelled by a bus network in the sky?

India has over 450 airstrips, but most are lying idle for years. And that might change soon.

With regional aviation startups, quick commerce logistics, and even real estate speculators betting on Tier-2 and Tier-3 skies, small aircraft could unlock the next infrastructure wave.

Friday's story dives into how better air connectivity might reshape towns but also why pilot shortages, high costs and regulatory gaps might slow things down. You can read it here.

Finshots Weekly Quiz 🧩

It’s time to announce the winner of our previous weekly quiz. And the winner is…🥁

Varsha Haria! Congratulations. Keep an eye on your inbox and we’ll get in touch with you soon to send over your Finshots merch.

And for the rest of you, here’s your chance to win some exclusive Finshots merch. All you have to do is click on 👉🏽this link, answer all the questions correctly by 12 noon on July 25th (Friday) and tune in to our Sunday newsletter aka Sunny Side Up next week to check if you got lucky.

That’s it from us this week. Have a great weekend!

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