Advertise on podcast: Business & Beyond

Can a genuine GST dispute lead to criminal prosecution? Proposed changes to the GST framework seek to draw a clearer line between tax disputes and deliberate fraud. In the latest episode of #GTBharat PolicyCast, Sohrab Bararia, Partner and Global Trade & Incentives Advisory Leader, Grant Thornton Bharat, discusses the key recommendations emerging from the 57th GST Council meeting and what they could mean for businesses and taxpayers. The conversation explores: • Raising the prosecution threshold from INR 1 crore to INR 5 crore and its implications for businesses. • Narrowing prosecution provisions relating to input tax credit (ITC) to distinguish fraudulent claims from genuine supply chain disputes. • What greater clarity could mean for business leaders and senior management. • Why consistent implementation and clear guidance for field formations will be critical to the success of these reforms. As GST enforcement evolves, the focus must remain on tackling deliberate evasion while providing genuine taxpayers with greater certainty and confidence. Listen to the full episode to understand what these proposed changes mean for businesses.

Financial awareness is growing. But is financial resilience keeping pace?   While 63% of respondents consider themselves financially stable and confident, 83% say their emergency savings would last less than a year if their income stopped.   In this episode of #GTBharat’s PolicyCast, Ramkumar Subramanian, Partner, Financial Services - Risk Advisory, Grant Thornton Bharat, explores the findings of ‘India's Financial Resilience Report 2026’ and what they reveal about how prepared households really are.   The conversation examines: • The gap between financial awareness and resilience • How family responsibilities shape financial decisions • Why retirement preparedness is a concern, particularly for younger professionals • Why women need stronger financial independence and more diverse income sources • The growing role of AI in personal finance and investment decisions   Tune in to our latest episode to find out what it will take to build a more financially resilient India.   #PolicyCast #FinancialResilience #FinancialServices #PodcastSeries

India has built a strong digital Customs backbone. The next challenge is to make clearances faster, decisions more predictable and compliance simpler for businesses. In the latest episode of #GTBharat PolicyCast, Manoj Mishra, Partner and Tax Controversy Management Leader, Grant Thornton Bharat, discusses the priorities shaping the next phase of Customs reforms. Key areas of focus: • Integrating Customs processes through the proposed Customs Integrated System (CIS) • Simplifying compliance and improving coordination across regulatory agencies • Strengthening risk-based compliance and the AEO framework • Improving certainty in valuation, classification and dispute resolution • Simplifying procedures under the MOOWR scheme and enabling faster, more predictable clearances The way forward is clear: move beyond digitisation to measurable outcomes for businesses—without compromising revenue protection or enforcement. Tune in to understand how India can move from digital Customs to predictable, time-bound clearance, and what that means for businesses engaged in international trade. #PolicyCast #Customs #TradeFacilitation #EaseOfDoingBusiness #UnionBudget #PodcastSeries

Beyond tax rates: What’s on corporate India’s pre-Budget tax wishlist? Tax certainty, simpler compliance and faster dispute resolution can be just as important as tax rates and incentives. In the latest episode of #GTBharat’s PolicyCast, Richa Sawhney, Partner, Tax, Grant Thornton Bharat, discusses some of the key direct-tax concerns of the foreign/corporate taxpayers and the reforms they would like to see in the upcoming Union Budget and beyond. The conversation covers: • Greater clarity on anti-avoidance provisions • Simplification and rationalisation of TDS • Faster and more effective dispute resolution • Greater clarity across key direct-tax provisions Tune in to explore more! #PolicyCast #TaxPolicy #UnionBudget #EaseOfDoingBusiness

An IPO is a milestone. Organisational readiness is a much longer journey.   In Episode 5 of IPO Access, Karan Marwah, Partner and Capital Markets Advisory Leader, speaks with Priyanka Gulati, Partner, Grant Thornton Bharat, about the leadership, people and governance considerations that shape a company's transition to public markets. The conversation explores three essentials of stakeholder trust: leadership credibility that extends beyond the promoter, reliable processes that can withstand public scrutiny, and relationships built on a stronger, moredistributed leadership team.

Most businesses are built to grow fast. Fewer are built to last.In the first episode of CFO Radar, Karan Marwah, Partner and CFO Advisory Leader, Grant Thornton Bharat, speaks with Alok Bansal, Executive Vice Chairman & Co-founder, PB Fintech, about the choices behind building and scaling one of India’s leading financial services platforms. From getting unit economics right before scaling, to understanding where frugality creates value and where it can hold a business back, Alok shares the principles that helped build a company designed for the long term.

What do the 57th GST Council’s recommendations mean for businesses and taxpayers? Faster refunds, changes to input tax credit provisions and a proposed shift in enforcement. The 57th GST Council meeting addresses several long-standing industry concerns. The key question is how these recommendations could translate into meaningful change for businesses. In the latest episode of #GTBharat’s PolicyCast, Manoj Mishra, Partner and Tax Controversy Management Leader, Grant Thornton Bharat, discusses the implications of the recommendations and the issues that remain unresolved. The conversation covers: Refunds and input tax credit: Potential implications for business liquidity and tax efficiency. Enforcement reforms: What the proposed changes to arrest powers and prosecution thresholds could mean for taxpayers. Reducing litigation: The role of greater clarity in GST provisions in providing tax certainty. Pending issues: The legacy disputes and interpretational challenges that continue to concern businesses. Tune in for insights on the proposed reforms, their potential impact on businesses and the key developments to watch as India’s GST framework evolves. #PolicyCast #GST #TaxReforms #Tax

From creative talent to global IP, what will define the next phase of growth for India's AVGC-XR industry? In episode 7 of #BeyondTheScreen podcast series, Ananay Jain, Partner and Media Industry Expert, Grant Thornton Bharat, speaks with Ninad Raikar, COO, Indian Institute of Creative Technologies (IICT), about the trends, opportunities and priorities shaping the future of India's creative economy. Key themes: • India's potential to emerge as a global AVGC-XR hub • Building industry-ready talent through stronger academia-industry collaboration • The opportunities and challenges AI presents for creative workflows • Strengthening innovation, incubation and entrepreneurship across the ecosystem • Creating globally competitive IP with Indian stories at its core As the AVGC-XR sector gains momentum, the conversation explores what it will take to translate India's creative strengths into sustained global impact. 🎧 Watch the full episode. #AVGCXR #CreativeEconomy #MediaAndEntertainment #Animation #Gaming #VFX #ArtificialIntelligence #AI

The right board can do more than govern. It can change the trajectory of a business. In this special episode of IPO Access, Karan Marwah, Partner and Capital Markets Advisory Leader, is joined by Richard Rekhy, Vice Chairman, Grant Thornton Bharat, for a conversation on building boards that go well beyond meeting governance requirements. Richard shares when companies should begin reconstituting their boards, how to bring together the right mix of skills, experience and perspectives, and what independent directors need in order to be effective. He also reflects on how boards can help a company navigate uncertainty and hold their nerve when it matters most. Then comes the question every company heading to market should be able to answer: why are you doing it? From board composition and governance to purpose, stewardship and long-term value, this is a conversation on what to think through before making the transition to a public company. This special episode stands apart in the IPO Access series. Watch now, and tell us in the comments: what is the best board advice you have ever received? #IPOAccess #SpecialEpisode #IPOReadiness #CorporateGovernance #BoardOfDirectors #GoingPublic

Ten months into India’s Labour Codes, implementation is bringing a new set of questions for employers.   From compensation and wage structures to workforce classification, contract labour and settlement of dues, organisations are working through the practical implications of the new framework.   In the latest episode of #GTBharat’s PolicyCast, Rajashree Sarna, Partner, Global People Solutions, Grant Thornton Bharat, shares her perspective on:   • What has changed over the first 10 months • The areas that continue to require greater clarity • How organisations are adapting their workforce and governance practices • What employers should focus on over the next 6–12 months   🎧 Listen to the episode for the full perspective.

Can creativity become one of India's most influential exports? India's AVGC-XR journey has come a long way from service delivery and execution. The next frontier may lie in combining storytelling, technology and creative talent to build content that resonates with audiences across the world. In episode 6 of our #BeyondTheScreen podcast series, Ashish Kulkarni, Chairman, FICCI AVGC-XR Forum and Founding Director, Indian Institute of Creative Technologies, joins Ananay Jain, Partner and Media Industry Expert, Grant Thornton Bharat, for a discussion on the ideas, capabilities and long-term vision shaping the future of India's creative industry. Key insights: • Why storytelling remains the foundation of creative excellence • The role of creative education in preparing future-ready talent • How AI and emotional intelligence may influence the next generation of content creation • Why AVGC-XR can strengthen India's global cultural influence

Is UPI becoming a paid service? Not quite. India’s UPI ecosystem has reached a scale where the conversation is shifting from adoption to sustainability. The new Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) framework introduces a targeted charge for certain higher-value merchant transactions, while keeping consumer payments free. In the latest episode of #GTBharat’s PolicyCast, Dharmender Jhamb, Partner and Fintech Industry Leader, Grant Thornton Bharat, explains what has changed, who pays, and what the framework means for merchants, consumers and the wider digital payments ecosystem. The conversation covers: • How the 0.4% MDR applies to eligible merchant transactions above INR 2,000 • Why a INR 300 cap matters for larger transactions • Special treatment for essential sectors such as insurance, fuel, utilities and education • How the framework protects micro and small merchants • What this could mean for the long-term sustainability of UPI Listen to the latest episode for a closer look at what the new MDR framework means for India’s digital payments ecosystem. #PolicyCast #UPI #DigitalPayments #MDR #Fintech #PaymentsIndustry #PodcastSeries

An equity award may be granted in one country, vest in another and still have tax implications across both. For employees moving between India and the US, stock options, RSUs and other forms of equity compensation can create complex questions around the timing of taxation, income characterisation, reporting and potential double taxation. In the latest episode of #GTBharat’s PolicyCast podcast series, Chitranshi Gupta, Executive Director, US Tax, Grant Thornton Bharat, discusses the US tax implications of cross-border equity compensation and the considerations for globally mobile employees and their employers. The episode looks at: • How different forms of equity compensation are treated under US tax rules • When tax can arise at vesting, exercise or sale • How the location of services performed can influence the US tax treatment • Potential double taxation across India and the US and avenues for relief • The role of employers, payroll and mobility teams in managing tax and reporting requirements For globally mobile employees, understanding the tax journey of equity compensation early can help address compliance challenges and avoid surprises across jurisdictions. #PolicyCast #EquityCompensation #USTax #ESOP #CrossBorderTax #PodcastSeries

Every company preparing to go public will, at some point, face a crisis. It rarely gets advance notice. In the latest episode of IPO Access, Karan Marwah, Partner and Capital Markets Advisory Leader, Grant Thornton Bharat, is joined by Gaganpreet Puri, Partner and Crisis & Resilience Leader, Grant Thornton Bharat, for a candid conversation on preparing for the unexpected. From whistleblower letters and cyber attacks to questions around management integrity, the discussion explores how a crisis can test a company at the most critical stage of its IPO journey. Gagan shares why vulnerability and leverage shape how companies experience and respond to risks, why anticipating a crisis is more effective than simply reacting to one, and why the response team needs specialist expertise beyond legal or reputation management capabilities. The conversation also looks at the role of boards and what can help preserve value when a crisis strikes. One message comes through clearly. Credibility is difficult to rebuild once it is lost. It starts with the willingness to acknowledge what went wrong. A practical conversation for boards, promoters and leadership teams preparing to go public or already operating under public market scrutiny. 🎧 Watch the full episode now. #IPOAccess #CrisisAndResilience #IPO #CorporateGovernance #RiskManagement

India’s foreign investment framework is heading for a significant reset.   The Draft Foreign Exchange Management (Foreign Investment) Rules, 2026 propose to replace the existing 2019 framework in its entirety, with changes that could affect how foreign investment is structured, classified and reported.   In the latest episode of #GTBharat’s PolicyCast podcast series, Riaz Thingna, Partner, Tax, decodes the proposed changes and their implications for investors, businesses and advisors.   The discussion covers: • The shift from “non-debt instruments” to “equity” • The move from FOCC to the new Foreign-Controlled Entity framework • The proposed 10% threshold for control and FDI classification • The wider range of entities that can receive foreign investment • Key areas requiring greater clarity before implementation With the proposed rules introducing a new structure for foreign investment in India, the consultation period also presents an important opportunity for stakeholders to examine the practical implications and areas that may need further clarification. #PolicyCast #ForeignInvestment #FEMA #FDI #PodcastSeries