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
When Growth Takes Off but Profits Don’t: The Indian Airline Story
India’s aviation sector is soaring in passenger numbers, aircraft orders, and demand, but profits remain stubbornly grounded. Despite growth in air travel, most Indian airlines continue to struggle financially, revealing a paradox at the industry’s heart.
At the core lie structural challenges: aviation turbine fuel accounting for nearly half of operating costs, a tax regime that keeps ATF outside GST, dollar-denominated lease and maintenance expenses, and some of Asia’s highest airport charges. Add to this a fiercely price-sensitive market, fare wars, and limited ancillary revenues, and growth alone no longer guarantees profitability.
IndiGo stands out as the rare exception, proving disciplined cost control, scale, and financing can still deliver profits.
Explore the full analysis in Ananya Khosla’s article.
The Investor’s Dilemma: Loud Lies vs. Quiet Truths
Sustainability has become a central metric of corporate value, creating a governance paradox: Why is environmental progress obscured by either exaggeration or deliberate non-disclosure? Trillions in capital pursue ESG criteria, yet the market is destabilized by two opposing yet detrimental forces: Greenwashing and Greenhushing.
Greenwashing is the conspicuous misrepresentation of claims, exemplified by scandals like the Volkswagen “Clean Diesel” fraud. Conversely, Greenhushing is the cautious suppression of verifiable achievements, driven by the fear of regulatory scrutiny and litigation. This asymmetry undermines investor confidence and stalls collective climate action.
Check out in Agam’s article as she dives deep into this subject
Pay Later, Pay More? The Hidden Costs and Risks of ‘Buy Now, Pay Later’ Services
Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) has reshaped online shopping by making purchases feel lighter through small “interest-free” instalments. This reduces the immediate pain of paying and encourages impulse spending, especially among younger consumers influenced by peers and social media.
For many with irregular incomes, BNPL offers short-term flexibility, but often at a long-term price. Hidden fees, penalties for missed deadlines, and confusing terms can quietly turn convenience into debt. With inconsistent credit reporting and limited regulation, users may unknowingly harm their credit health.
BNPL isn’t inherently bad, but it demands caution. Before clicking “Pay Later”, pause and ask yourself: Do I truly need it and can I manage the instalments that follow? Read this article by Ridhima Dugar to discover the full story.
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Is AI Ironically Killing Productivity?
The excitement surrounding AI adoption is natural due to its remarkable capabilities. It can summarise documents, analyse data, generate marketing content and much more in just a matter of seconds. Companies expected this to free their employees from mundane, repetitive tasks, allowing them to focus on creativity and innovation.
However, it has resulted in a rather disappointing trend in workplaces, i.e. AI-led inefficiency. The enthusiasm can be clearly seen in the sky-high valuations and inflow of investments in the AI space. However, there is a paucity of encouraging outcomes.
The gap in the expectation and the reality of AI-led productivity is not because AI as a tool is completely ineffective. It is, in fact, due to ineffective use of technology in the workplace for a myriad of reasons.
Read Kashvi’s article to discover the entire story.
Is Choice an Illusion in the Age of Recommendation Algorithms?
What if the choices we think we’re making online aren’t really ours?
From Netflix’s “Top Picks for You” to YouTube’s autoplay and TikTok’s endless scroll, recommendation algorithms are quietly shaping what we watch, listen to, and even believe. On the surface, it feels like freedom. In reality, our digital paths are being curated behind the scenes with profit, not preference, as the compass.
Read this article by Aarushi Goyal as she unpacks how algorithms engineer our decisions, blurring the line between free will and programmed behaviour. It explores whether “choice” in the digital age is a genuine act of agency or an illusion created by invisible systems.
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?
ECONOMIC AND PUBLIC POLICY
String of Pearls vs Necklace of Diamonds
The evolving maritime rivalry between India and China has brought two strategic visions into sharp focus: China’s String of Pearls and India’s Necklace of Diamonds.
The String of Pearls refers to China’s network of ports and strategic facilities stretching from the South China Sea to the Horn of Africa, designed to secure trade routes and expand geopolitical influence.
In response, India has strengthened its maritime partnerships and developed its own chain of strategic assets across the Indian Ocean. This Necklace of Diamonds enhances India’s naval reach, fosters regional cooperation, and acts as a counterbalance to China’s growing presence.
Find out in Ishaan’s article how these competing strategies shape security dynamics and the future balance of power in the Indo-Pacific.
The Economics of Solitude: Can Isolation Become a Commodity?
Loneliness is no longer just a social issue, it has evolved into a rapidly expanding economic sector. From AI companionship models and micro-therapy apps to rent-a-friend platforms, the “Loneliness Economy” monetises emotional need and offers temporary relief at a cost. With U.S. employers losing up to $460 billion annually due to loneliness-related absenteeism, solitude has become both a public health crisis and a commercial opportunity.
Yet the rise of these services reveals a deeper structural problem. Modern labour systems create time poverty, unstable schedules, and fragmented communities, while inequality erodes trust and social connection. As people struggle to form meaningful relationships, paid emotional labour fills the gap but often heightens shame and detachment.
Addressing this crisis requires more than digital solutions. Ethical AI regulation, labour reforms, and social-impact business models are critical to restoring human connection. The economics of solitude ultimately reflects the health of society itself.
Discover the full story in Nikhil’s article.
Has Sustainable Financing Stopped Going Green Under Trump?
The debate around sustainable financing took a sharp turn during the Trump administration as environmental priorities clashed with a renewed focus on traditional industries.
Many investors questioned whether green finance had lost its momentum as federal policies shifted towards deregulation, fossil fuel expansion and reduced climate oversight. Yet sustainable financing did not disappear.
Instead, it adapted by relying more heavily on market forces, shareholder activism and global commitments outside the federal sphere. While the pace slowed in some sectors, the broader transition towards responsible investment continued to gain strength, driven largely by long term risk assessments and investor expectations.
Read this article by Feuli Badoni to discover the full story.
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.