In this episode, we explore how tax and finance functions are evolving beyond compliance to become strategic, insight-driven partners. The conversation highlights how organizations are driving tax transformation through digital initiatives, using automation and AI to streamline processes, improve accuracy and enhance visibility.

A practical approach is discussed—starting with focused, rule-based use cases such as tax return automation, reconciliation and data analytics to unlock quick wins. The episode also examines how a phased, well-governed approach helps scale AI from pilot to enterprise while maintaining strong human oversight for better compliance and risk management.

Key takeaways

• Finance can move from a compliance function to a true business partner when supported by the right digital backbone.
• The biggest value unlock in tax functions lies in eliminating manual data movement and duplication across systems .
• Early validation of AI outputs builds trust and accelerates long-term automation adoption, supporting AI implementation in finance, and improving AI-driven compliance and tax risk management.
• Standardizing tax processes is a prerequisite to scaling any AI or digital solution effectively.

Listen now to discover how you can accelerate your tax transformation journey.

In this episode of the EY.ai Unplugged podcast, we explore how organizations can prepare for the next evolution of Agentic AI, powered by trusted, high-quality data. Alexy Thomas, Partner, Technology Consulting, EY India, shares why data is the most critical enabler of intelligent, autonomous decision-making and how its quality directly impacts outcomes.

The conversation highlights the dynamic relationship between data and AI, where better data drives smarter agents, and AI in turn enhances data quality. It also outlines the key characteristics of AI-ready data and practical steps organizations can take to build a scalable, resilient foundation for deploying autonomous systems effectively.

Key takeaways

• Trusted, high-quality data is foundational for Agentic AI, directly influencing accuracy, autonomy and intelligence of AI systems.
• Agentic AI performs best in structured, reliable data environments, while poor-quality data leads to bias and unreliable outcomes.
• The data–AI flywheel strengthens both systems, with AI improving data quality and better data enhancing AI performance.
• Preparing for Agentic AI requires unified data foundations, metadata-driven design and continuous governance practices.

Tune in to learn how organizations can unlock the true potential of Agentic AI by building a strong, data-first foundation for the future.

In this episode of the EY India Insights podcast, we explore how tax and finance functions are evolving beyond compliance to become strategic, insight-driven partners. The discussion highlights the role of digital tax transformation, automation and AI in improving efficiency, accuracy and visibility across processes.

The episode also examines how organizations can scale AI responsibly through a phased approach, while maintaining strong human oversight for better risk management and compliance.

Key takeaways

• Finance and tax functions can evolve into strategic business partners when supported by a strong digital backbone.
• Eliminating manual data movement and duplication across systems unlocks significant efficiency and value.
• Early validation of AI outputs builds trust and accelerates long-term adoption of AI-driven compliance and risk management.
• Standardization of tax processes is critical for scaling digital and AI-enabled solutions effectively.

How finance leaders are reimagining tax through AI | EY - India

In this episode of the EY India Insights podcast, we explore the evolution of India’s insolvency landscape as the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) marks a decade of implementation. Pulkit Gupta, Partner, Debt and Special Situations, EY India, and Amit Agarwal, CEO, EAAA Alternatives, share their perspectives on how the IBC has moved beyond improving recovery rates and timelines to fundamentally transform India’s credit ecosystem, strengthen investor confidence and unlock value from stressed assets.

Key takeaways

• The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code has significantly strengthened investor confidence, driving disciplined lending and increasing capital flow into stressed assets and special situations.
• The framework has enabled recoveries exceeding US$40 billion, with bankruptcy courts delivering 65%–70% recovery rates, indicating strong institutional effectiveness.
• A notable shift in credit culture has emerged, with enforceable guarantees and insolvency discipline encouraging timely repayment by borrowers.
• India’s private credit market, currently estimated at US$12–13 billion annually, has the potential to scale to US$50 billion alongside GDP growth.
• Improving judicial capacity and simplifying interim financing processes are critical to ensuring faster resolutions and maximizing value preservation.

Tune in to understand how a decade of IBC reforms has reshaped India’s financial ecosystem and what lies ahead for its evolving debt and insolvency landscape.

In this episode of the EY India Insights podcast, we explore how India’s Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme has accelerated the growth of manufacturing-led businesses, enabling them to scale from regional players to globally competitive enterprises. Deepak Agarwal, Promoter and Managing Director, Bikaji Foods, shares insights into the company’s journey, highlighting how policy support, combined with strategic investments in capacity expansion and automation, strengthened competitiveness, enhanced operational resilience and unlocked new international market opportunities.

The conversation further delves into how targeted policy interventions such as the PLI scheme have catalyzed long-term capital investment, strengthened manufacturing quality and improved supply chain resilience, particularly during periods of economic uncertainty, while examining the role of technology adoption, manufacturing scale, automation and governance in building sustainable and responsible growth across India’s manufacturing sector.

Key takeaways

• The Production Linked Incentive scheme in India acted as a catalyst for long‑term capacity expansion and automation, enabling Bikaji to scale efficiently and competitively.
• Policy support under PLI scheme manufacturing in India improved investment confidence, helping the company commit to large, future‑oriented capital decisions.
• Manufacturing excellence and technology adoption were critical in maintaining product quality while scaling volumes, especially in the food processing industry in India.
• Bikaji’s journey shows that policy-driven growth can help Indian brands build sustainable global footprints, not just boost short‑term output.

Tune in to learn how policy-driven growth, coupled with strategic execution, can help Indian companies build sustainable global footprints and drive the next phase of manufacturing-led growth.

In this episode of the EY India Insights podcast, we explore how data breach response in the BFSI sector has become a board-level priority following the DPDP Act, 2023, with implications for trust, regulatory outcomes and business continuity. Ranjeeth Bellary, Partner, Forensic & Integrity Services, EY India, shares insights on early-stage breach decisions, forensic readiness and the need for evidence-led response frameworks.

Key takeaways:

• Data breach response in BFSI has become a board-level responsibility, with regulatory expectations closely tied to trust and governance.
• The first 72 hours following a breach are critical, requiring clear decisions on classification, containment, notification and customer protection.
• Regulators emphasize decision discipline and evidence, making forensic readiness and documentation essential.
• Organizations lacking robust data logs face delays, evidence gaps and increased regulatory exposure.

Tune in to understand how organizations can strengthen breach response strategies and why preparedness is key to maintaining trust and regulatory confidence in an increasingly data-driven world.

In this episode of the EY.ai Unplugged podcast series, we explore the transformation of Global Capability Centers (GCCs) from traditional delivery hubs into intelligence engines that drive faster decision-making and smarter execution. Sunil Venkatesh, Partner, Technology Consulting, EY India, shares perspectives on how autonomous AI agents are reshaping enterprise workflows, governance models and talent strategies, and why leaders must balance innovation with control.

The conversation delves into the rise of agentic AI, the shifting role of GCCs in enterprise ecosystems, and how organizations can build future-ready operating models anchored in intelligence, agility and responsible AI adoption.

Key takeaways:

• GCCs are uniquely positioned to lead AI transformation, bringing together enterprise data, process expertise, scale and governance maturity.
• Agentic AI is turning GCCs into execution engines that automate workflows, reduce manual effort and accelerate enterprise decisions at scale.
• The future of GCCs will center on intelligence ownership, with success measured by decision speed, resilience and strong AI governance.
• New AI-driven roles are emerging, including agent designers, AI workflow architects, supervisors and governance leads to ensure responsible execution.

Tune in to discover how GCCs are evolving into strategic AI powerhouses and what it takes to lead this transformation effectively.

In this episode of the EY India Insights podcast, we unpack Ind AS 118, a new accounting standard set to redefine financial performance reporting. Jigar Parikh and Devesh Prakash, Partners, FAAS, EY India, discuss how this goes beyond compliance to become a strategic transformation for businesses.

The conversation covers key changes, including the restructuring of the profit and loss statement, the rise of management‑defined performance measures, and enhanced aggregation and disclosure requirements. It also highlights the broader impact across governance, technology, controls, and investor communication.

Key takeaways:

• Ind AS 118 enhances comparability, consistency and transparency in financial reporting.
• P&L restructuring introduces clear operating, investing and financing classifications.
• Management‑defined performance measures will require stronger governance and disclosures.
• Implementation extends beyond accounting, impacting ERP systems and internal processes.
• Early preparation is critical for smooth transition, compliance and stakeholder confidence.

Tune in to understand how Ind AS 118 will reshape financial reporting and why early readiness is key to navigating this transformation.

In this episode of the EY India Insights podcast, we explore the evolving dynamics of secondary transactions in Indian start-ups and how they are reshaping valuation benchmarks in the ecosystem.

Navin Vohra, Leader, Valuation, Modeling and Economics, EY India, shares perspectives on the shifting landscape, challenging the long-held view that secondary transactions are typically priced at a discount. The conversation highlights how, increasingly, secondary deals are aligning with primary valuations—signaling growing investor confidence, stronger demand in high‑growth ventures, and a maturing market environment.

Key takeaways:

• Secondary transactions in Indian start-ups are increasingly aligned with primary valuations, reflecting stronger investor confidence and enhanced market maturity.
• In high‑growth start-ups, strong demand and performance often outweigh investor rights, reducing the need for discounts in secondary transactions.
• Absence of discount in secondaries signals better liquidity, fair value and an evolved start-up ecosystem for founders and investors.

Tune in to understand how the narrowing valuation gap between primary and secondary transactions reflects a more resilient, transparent and mature Indian start-up ecosystem.

In this episode of the EY India Insights podcast, we explore the key factors that help build resilient, future-ready businesses in an evolving investment landscape.

Vivek Soni, Partner and National Leader, Private Equity Services, EY India, is joined by M.D. Ranganath, Chairman, Catamaran Ventures, who shares insights from decades of leadership across technology, financial services and investment banking. The conversation unpacks Catamaran’s patient-capital philosophy, its approach to sector selection and portfolio construction, and the critical role of governance, resilience and founder values in driving long-term success.

They also discuss why building globally competitive businesses—rather than valuation-led growth stories—is essential for sustained performance, along with practical advice for founders, investors and leaders navigating today’s dynamic market environment.

Tune in to understand how disciplined investing, strong governance and leadership mindset come together to create scalable, resilient businesses that stand the test of time.