Welcome to The morning report brought to you by Renil S Varghese — your quick dive into the top stories shaping the business world today. Fast, insightful, and to the point.
US slaps 126% duty on solar imports, Indian manufacturers shrug it off
The US Department of Commerce has imposed preliminary countervailing duties of 125.8% on solar cells and modules imported from India, Indonesia and Laos, following allegations of unfair subsidies by US manufacturers. A final decision is due July 6.
Indian companies remain largely unaffected, saying they have diversified supply chains, reduced US exposure, or are focused on domestic demand. Industry bodies expect the duties may be overturned once the US‑India trade deal is finalised. India is also enabling SEZ‑based solar units to sell in the domestic market. US imports from India rose to 2.3 GW in 2024, valued at $792.6 million.
No plans to extend deadline on SIM-binding rules: Scindia
The government on Wednesday asserted that there would be no extension of the deadline for implementing Sim-binding norms for over-the-top (OTT) communication platforms such as WhatsApp, Sharechat, Jiochat, Signal, Meta and Telegram.
Jyotiraditya Scindia, Telecom Minister said, “On national security issues, there can be no compromise. On revenue implication issues, I am very clear in terms of the mandate and where our responsibility lies... users will have to log out in six hours.”
The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) had, in November 2025, mandated that OTT communication platforms like WhatsApp and Telegram must implement continuous SIM-binding, requiring the app to remain strictly linked to an active SIM card physically present in the device, reports S Ronendra Singh.
Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) CEO and Managing Director K Krithivasan said AI will not take away livelihoods, and encouraged employees to work on leveraging AI for customer solutions, even if it cannibalises company revenue. The company not only encourages junior-level employees, but also senior management to “dirty their hands” and understand how to build using the technology, said Krithivasan.
Speaking at the Nasscom Technology and Leadership Forum (NTLF) in Mumbai on Wednesday, he said, “We are training, not only encouraging but insisting, that everybody become AI fluent. We are telling our associates that if you can work faster, better, cheaper with AI, you should probably go and tell your customers, even if it cannibalises your revenue, because we are not offering this technology to take away our livelihood. We believe it will open up more. So, you enjoy the benefits the more you do, not by resisting this change, reports Vallari Sanzgiri
Published on February 26, 2026