India’s Banking Pulse 2025: Lending Slowdown, Digital Dominance &  The Next Growth Cycle By Arindam Bose | Banking & Finance Capsule | 31 October 2025   Executive Summary The Indian banking sector in late 2025 stands at a critical transition point: facing net interest margin compression while preserving asset quality, liquidity and credit growth (~9.7% YoY) under disciplined frameworks. Digital finance, led by the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) system, and AI-enabled credit risk modelling are restructuring lending behaviour, inclusion and operational efficiency. The regulatory backdrop—chiefly the Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) neutral monetary stance with the policy repo rate at 5.5% — underlines a shift from explosive growth to measured consolidation . Investment-grade real-estate credit and domestic funding flows signal the next growth frontier, even as global headwinds remain a latent risk. In sum: Not a boom but a business-minded maturit...

The Ancient Teachings of Vaastu Shastra: My Guide to Living in Harmony with Space I’ve spent over two decades studying how spaces shape human emotion, energy, and even destiny. In that journey, one ancient science has guided me more deeply than any modern design theory — Vaastu Shastra, the Indian art and science of harmonious living. To me, Vaastu is not superstition or rigid ritual. It’s a living body of knowledge that blends architecture, astronomy, geometry, ecology, and psychology, all aimed at one goal: creating spaces that support life, balance, and well-being. My Understanding of the Origins The word Vaastu means “dwelling,” and Shastra means “science.” Together they form the “science of architecture” — a codified system found in the Atharva Veda and its architectural branch, Sthapatya Veda. It’s fascinating to me that even the Indus Valley cities of Mohenjo-Daro and Harappa seem to follow Vaastu principles — aligned streets, proper drainage, and solar orientation. Later, texts...

Behavioral Staging & Sensory Audits:  Engineering the “Right” Feeling Over the years, I’ve learned that buyers rarely decide to buy a home—they feel it. That “this just feels right” moment isn’t random. It’s a subconscious verdict formed within seconds of stepping inside a property. And once that feeling is triggered, logic follows to justify the emotion. That’s where behavioral staging comes in—an approach I’ve increasingly relied on in recent years to move beyond décor and into the psychology of perception . Traditional staging focuses on visual appeal; behavioral staging engineers an emotional experience. It’s not about impressing the eyes—it’s about quietly convincing the brain that this space is safe, welcoming, and familiar. The Science Behind the Feeling The truth is, buyers process most of their impressions subconsciously. The brain’s primitive centers—responsible for comfort, security, and attachment—light up long before the rational mind engages with floor plans or ...

Why IGBC Gold and Platinum Certifications Matter to Me — and Should Matter to You As someone deeply passionate about sustainable living and India’s evolving real estate markets , I’ve always found green building certifications to be more than just a badge—they’re a true measure of how our homes shape our health, our utility bills, and the planet’s future. Most conversations about “ green flats ” come down to IGBC and LEED . But what does it actually mean for a project—or for you as a flat owner—when developers tout “ IGBC Gold ” or “Platinum” status? Let’s break it down—with real examples, data, and my analysis. What Exactly Is IGBC Gold (and Platinum) Certification? Both IGBC ( Indian Green Building Council ) and LEED ( the U.S. standard ) award certifications by assessing buildings against environmental benchmarks : energy use, water conservation, indoor air quality, material choices, and how responsibly they’re built and operated. Here’s how the scoring works under IGBC for n...