Perplexity AI to Launch Tool Revealing Indian Politicians’ Stock Holdings, Says CEO Aravind Srinivas

Artificial intelligence startup Perplexity AI is preparing to roll out a new feature that will allow users to view the stock holdings and financial interests of Indian politicians, company CEO Aravind Srinivas announced on Friday. The initiative aims to enhance political transparency by providing easy access to publicly available financial disclosures, following a similar model already launched in the United States.

Srinivas confirmed the plan on social media platform X, saying, “Holdings of Indian politicians coming in a few weeks.” The announcement follows the success of the company’s “Perplexity Finance” feature in the U.S., which lets users check the stock portfolios of American lawmakers and officials by simply searching their names. The platform aggregates data from financial disclosures and government filings, presenting them in a simple, searchable format.

For India, Perplexity AI intends to compile information from publicly accessible sources such as election affidavits, asset declarations, and corporate filings. These datasets will form the foundation of a searchable database that enables citizens, journalists, and researchers to identify potential conflicts of interest or links between political decisions and personal investments.

While the feature has been widely welcomed by advocates of government accountability, it has also sparked scepticism over its practicality in the Indian context. Critics argue that many politicians may not directly hold assets in their own names, instead registering them under relatives or associates — a common loophole that could limit the tool’s effectiveness. One online commenter remarked, “Indian politicians rarely invest using their own name — they often use relatives or benami accounts.”

Despite these challenges, experts view the development as an important step toward promoting transparency in political finance. The tool could empower citizens and media organisations to better scrutinise the financial interests of elected representatives, especially in light of recurring debates around ethics and corruption in Indian politics.

Perplexity AI’s growing footprint in India has been notable in recent months. The San Francisco–based company, backed by major venture investors, has identified India as one of its fastest-growing user markets. The upcoming transparency feature aligns with its broader strategy of blending artificial intelligence with data-driven public accountability.

If implemented successfully, the tool could redefine how political finance information is accessed in India — offering a user-friendly digital interface that brings financial disclosures into public view. However, Perplexity AI will have to navigate complex data challenges and ensure that its system remains both accurate and compliant with Indian privacy and transparency laws.