The 180 Pulse
With thought-provoking articles covering varied domains, 180DC SRCC aims to create student leaders through a holistic learning experience.
Read to take a deep dive into looking at world issues from the eyes of a consultant.
BUSINESS AND FINANCE
What if the real cost of convenience isn’t just financial, but societal?
What if the real cost of convenience isn’t just financial, but societal?
In a world where groceries arrive in 10 minutes, our patience is shrinking, and our expectations are skyrocketing. Platforms like Blinkit, Zepto, and Instamart promise time saved, but at what cost?
This article explores the deeper implications of India’s ultrafast delivery model, ranging from environmental degradation and worker exploitation to unsustainable business practices and the gradual disappearance of local shops. Backed by hard numbers and real-world evidence, it challenges the assumption that faster is always better and asks whether our pursuit of convenience is rewiring the way we live, consume, and connect.
Find out in Kevika’s article whether it is time to slow down and rethink what “convenient” really means?
India’s Satellite Internet Battleground
India’s satellite internet market is set for a massive transformation, driven by innovations and competition from global players like Starlink and OneWeb. With a huge digital divide between urban and rural areas, the demand for satellite internet in remote locations is skyrocketing. Reliance Jio and other telecom giants are racing to offer better, more affordable services. With companies like Starlink eyeing India’s vast potential, a new kind of digital revolution is en-route for it. Will satellite internet be reshaping India’s future?
Check out Avni Jain’s article as she breaks down how India’s satellite internet landscape is evolving, the competition heating up and what this means for the future of connectivity across the country.
Ticket to Thrill: India’s Live Entertainment Explosion
India’s experience industry is hitting all the right notes driven by exclusive experiences, dynamic fan culture, and the undeniable allure of being part of something extraordinary. But this fear of missing out (FOMO) and challenges like ticket scalping and limited accessibility are at a crossroads, and the battle for inclusivity rages on.
Then why is it, that India, home to a massive and loyal fan base, remains a low-priority market for globally touring bands? Moreover, with skyrocketing ticket prices rivaling corporate valuations, how can India ensure its loyal attendees get the access they deserve?
Check out Tanvi Bansal’s article as she explores and delves deep into the live events.
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Is Smartphone Innovation Dead?
Smartphone innovation isn’t what it used to be. While foldables, AI tools, and high-megapixel cameras may seem exciting, most of today’s upgrades feel more like tweaks than true transformations.
With users holding on to their devices longer and annual launches becoming increasingly predictable, a question arises is real smartphone innovation fading?
What defines meaningful innovation in today’s mobile era? Are we nearing the end of the smartphone’s dominance, or on the verge of something entirely new?
Explore these pressing questions in Aryan Maheshwari’s article as he examines the stagnation in smartphone evolution and the emerging promise of smart wearables and multimodal AI could this be the beginning of a new tech era?
Industrial Metaverse: The Latest Game-Changer for Businesses?
The Industrial Metaverse is no longer a buzzword, it’s a real, transformative force in global business. As Industry 4.0 evolves, companies like Siemens, BMW, and FIAT are leveraging digital twins, AR/VR, and real-time simulations to redesign everything from production floors to customer interactions.
From smarter factories and predictive maintenance to immersive worker training and sustainable innovation, this revolution is already underway.
What sets the industrial metaverse apart from the consumer metaverse? What technologies are enabling this shift, and how close are we to a fully immersive industrial future?
Discover the diverse use cases, strategies, and technologies shaping the Industrial Metaverse landscape. Check out Aditya Dalmia’s article as he explores how innovations like smart factories, digital twins, and real-time simulations are impacting businesses and their potential to transform operations and drive growth across industries.
DevOps: A Practice to Efficiency
DevOps and cloud computing are a dream team. Cloud’s on-demand resources and automation fuel DevOps’ agile software delivery. This dynamic duo streamlines processes, boosts development speed, and optimizes resource allocation. By embracing both, businesses unlock innovation and gain a competitive advantage. The future of DevOps is bright, with a projected market size of $25.5 billion by 2028. As cyber threats evolve, DevSecOps, which integrates security into the DevOps lifecycle, is gaining traction. Check out Aadi Jain’s article as he delves into the intricacies of DevOps.
ECONOMIC AND PUBLIC POLICY
The Price of Protectionism
The article provides an in-depth analysis of the 2025 US-China trade war, where both nations have reignited tariff battles targeting critical sectors like semiconductors, EV batteries, agriculture, and luxury goods. It explains how this renewed conflict is disrupting global supply chains, pushing major companies to shift manufacturing to countries like India, Vietnam, Mexico, and Thailand. The article also highlights China’s growing trade alliances with Africa and Latin America, the expansion of regional trade blocs like RCEP and IPEF, and the increasing push towards de-dollarization through yuan-based trade settlements and BRICS-led payment systems. The rising protectionist mindset, while aimed at national security and self-sufficiency, is triggering inflation, production inefficiencies, and lower global growth forecasts, with the World Economic Forum warning of potential losses exceeding $5.7 trillion. The article emphasizes that sustainable global growth now depends on renewed multilateral cooperation, transparent trade practices, and a strategic shift from zero-sum competition to mutual interdependence.
The Business of Freebies
Free electricity, loan waivers, direct cash transfers — are these enablers of social justice or tactical vote banks?
In India’s evolving electoral landscape, the line between welfare and freebies is becoming increasingly blurred. This article dives deep into the economics, political incentives, and real-world consequences of the freebie culture, while offering global perspectives and actionable solutions for policymakers.
Can India chart a path that safeguards both social equity and economic sustainability? Check out this article by Daksh Kalra as he unpacks the political economy behind India’s rising freebie culture, its long-term impact on governance and fiscal health, and the global lessons it offers.
Cash to Code: India’s Digital Rupee
India is making a transformative leap with the Digital Rupee, a digital version of traditional fiat currency, managed and regulated by the Reserve Bank of India. RBI has already conducted pilot runs across 15 cities, involving 9 major banks and over 1.6 million users. Designed for both retail (CBDC R) and wholesale (CBDC W) applications, the digital rupee can facilitate seamless person to person (P2P) and person to merchant (P2M) transactions.
But can it truly redefine India’s financial landscape? How does it compare to UPI, plastic money, or cash? What are its implications for financial inclusion, cross border trade, and cybersecurity? And what lessons can India draw from global pioneers like China’s eCNY or the Eurozone’s digital euro?
Check out this article by Ajay Sharma as he delves deep into the opportunities, challenges, and strategic pathways shaping the future of India’s digital currency.
Philosophy and Psychology
Asymptote of Enough
What if the real burnout isn’t just in our bodies but in our idea of success? From school report cards to job promotions, we are conditioned to chase more — more success, more visibility, more validation. But at what cost?
This article explores how the modern rat race driven by unexamined ambition and constant comparison is taking a toll on our well being, purpose, and peace.
Is it time to redefine what enough really means?
Read this insightful article by Jahnvi Bansal as she questions the existing systems and offers a path toward more meaningful metrics of success.
The Halo and Horn Effects: How One Trait Shapes Our Judgments
Our initial impressions often hold more power than we realise. A firm handshake, articulate speech, or a confident introduction can lead us to overestimate a person’s abilities. Conversely, a single misstep may unfairly overshadow their true potential. These cognitive shortcuts, known as the Halo and Horn effects, deeply influence our decisions in workplaces, classrooms, and even the marketplace.
Such biases can result in unfair hiring, skewed evaluations, and poor consumer choices. But with greater awareness and structured methods like blind assessments, rotational reviews, and self-reflection, we can reduce their impact and make more objective, evidence-based judgments.
In this piece, Chinmay Chirag explores how one trait can shape our entire perception of a person and shares clear, actionable ways to overcome these hidden biases in high-stakes environments.
The Paradox of Choice: Does More Freedom Make Us Less Happy?
The Paradox of Choice: Is Too Much Freedom Making Us Unhappy?
We live in a world overflowing with options: internships, career paths, products, even identities. While this abundance promises freedom, it often leads to decision fatigue, anxiety, and second-guessing.
Psychologist Barry Schwartz calls this the Paradox of Choice: when having too many options makes us less happy, not more.
But what if the answer lies in thinking like a consultant? By using structured tools, frameworks and constraints, we can cut through the noise, make better choices and feel more confident.
Check out Aditya Duggal’s article as he delves deep into the Paradox of Choice and explores how applying consulting principles to everyday life can help navigate complexity and bring clarity.