BUSINESS
OPINION | CAFÉ Norms: A piece-wise linear approach may be worth a look to offset small car squeeze
India could draw lessons from global best practices, where countries like the United States, China, Korea, Japan specify the “minimum floor” and “maximum ceiling” by adopting a piece-wise linear approach
BUSINESS
Sitharaman's Budget 2026-27: Fiscal discipline meets growth aspirations
The budget sets a fiscal deficit target of 4.3% of GDP for 2026-27, with a debt-to-GDP ratio target of 50% by 2031. However, the government's fiscal glide path is predicated upon robust nominal GDP expansion, and the budget highlights the challenges of meeting fiscal targets while addressing socio-economic priorities. GST revenue projections are bearish with revenues for 2026-27 projected at Rs 10.19 lakh crore, down 2.6 per cent
BUSINESS
Sitharaman's ninth budget blends immediate concerns with long-term structural goals, emphasizing AI, hi-tech, and fiscal consolidation
The budget focuses on new economy sectors such as artificial intelligence, hi-tech, rare earths, and data centers. The budget also emphasizes fiscal consolidation, with a target to keep the fiscal deficit at 4.3% of GDP in 2026-27. The government plans to increase capital expenditure on infrastructure projects to stimulate economic growth and create jobs, while also promoting private investment.
BUDGET
Budget 2026: Strengthen India's rare earth element (REE) ecosystem
Establishing a non-lapsable special fund for REE extraction and processing would provide the dedicated, long-term financial backing required to achieve these strategic objectives.
BUDGET
Budget 2026: India's EV sector needs a shift in strategy
A strategic focus on addressing deep-rooted issues like inverted duty structures and working capital inefficiencies will cultivate a stable, predictable, and competitive environment.
BUSINESS
Budget 2026: Ease of doing business & regulatory reforms crucial for growth
India's ambitious economic growth trajectory is intrinsically linked to creating a conducive and predictable regulatory environment for businesses.
BUDGET
Budget 2026: Build India's AI future
Government-enabled funds and budgetary grants for the development and implementation of AI-driven manufacturing solutions are essential to build India's AI future from the factory floor up.
BUDGET
Budget 2026: Time to set a 10-year calendar for privatising CPSUs
A systematic and transparent privatization programme for CPSUs is crucial for unlocking their true potential and significantly boosting India's economic growth.
ECONOMY
Economic Survey: India to stay in fast lane with 6.8-7.2% growth in FY27; medium-term growth pegged at 7%
The Survey said the trade deal with the US, expected to be concluded this year, should help ease uncertainty amid global trade tensions. Robust domestic consumption and macro fundamentals make India stand out among its peers, it said. It also makes a strong pitch for accelerating deregulation and pursuing a comprehensive national AI strategy to leverage India's talent and data.
BUSINESS
India–EU FTA: Government, private sector must seize opportunity to unlock gains, says EY’s DK Srivastava
One of the areas with significant potential under the evolving India–EU framework is defence manufacturing, particularly through joint ventures focused on co-development and co-production, Srivastava tells Moneycontrol
INDIA
Devendra Fadnavis announces 'Innovation City' at Davos; Tata Group to invest 11 billion dollars
The landmark agreements are expected to generate approximately 9.6 lakh direct and indirect jobs, positioning the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) as the talent capital of India and Asia.
BUSINESS
Time to relabel: “Indian rate of growth” is the new benchmark
India is the fastest growing major economy and is on course to be the world's third largest. Raj Krishna may have coined “Hindu rate of growth” as an analytical shorthand, highlighting India's slow economic development in the 1970s under its then-prevailing socialist policies. What remains unexplained, however, is the need to attach a religious label to it, as if only the Hindus were responsible for India's economic stagnation and the perceived failures of its statist economic model.
BUSINESS
Why India's IMF rating deserves nuanced understanding and not trolling
The detailed aspects of data frequency, timeliness, and granularity demonstrate India's comparatively robust statistical infrastructure. The IMF rating is not a judgment to warrant the kind of triumphalism or despair that has characterized some of the reactions.
PODCAST
Disrupting India’s fashion ecosystem |Sanjay Nigam, Fashion entrepreneur & investor | MC Unusual Suspects
Indian fabric and fashion have woven trade ties with the world since the beginning of civilisation. Yet for all its innovation and outstanding craftsmanship, Indian fashion does not grab the kind of space in the global market that it deserves. As technology and new sensibilities mark a big shift in the fashion industry, it is time for homegrown companies to get their due. And who better to helm this movement than the man who is arguably the architect of India’s fashion ecosystem – Sanjay Nigam. In this episode of Unusual Suspects listen in on his views about the Indian fashion business, the motivation behind his brainchild – the Fashion Entrepreneur Fund, and his foray into the reality show ‘Pitch to Get Rich’ in conversation with Gaurav Choudhury.
PODCAST
India's CSR landscape: Funding beyond metros | Srikrishna Sridhar Murthy, Founder & CEO, Sattva Consulting
Corporate India's responsibilities are not limited to contributing to the nation’s economic growth. They are equally responsible for spending the right amount at the right place, for the right cause. Sattva Consulting is out with the 7th edition of its CSR report, which suggests that corporate philanthropy is moving beyond the metros into India's emerging Tier-2 cities and industrial belts. Corporates are now taking their time, thinking what to do when they do. CEO Srikrishna Murthy shares that a combination of factors is leading to significant spending in tier-2, tier-3 towns, outside metros. CSR is moving away from few pockets to different parts of India. Social impact is deeply about the denominator and there are a lot of opportunities to dig in more capital on an annual basis. Listen in.
PODCAST
Building a Sustainable Battery Supply Chain for the Future | Vikram Handa, Managing Director, EAMPL
Vikram Handa, founder of Epsilon Advanced Materials (EAMPL), joins us for a wide-ranging conversation about sustainable energy storage, battery material innovations, and the pursuit of a secure supply chain to power India’s green transition journey, among other things. Under Handa’s leadership, EAMPL has distinguished itself as the only anode & cathode manufacturer outside China for lithium-ion batteries. In 2018, the company had commissioned India’s first graphite anode material plant in Bellary, Karnataka, with a 78% lower carbon footprint compared to Chinese counterparts. With Handa at the helm, EAMPL is a strong contender for securing India’s battery materials future.
PODCAST
Making India MedTech manufacturing powerhouse | Shuba Nagesh, GM, Supply Chain, GE HealthCare India & South Asia
India has long held its position as the “pharmacy of the world” and a global biotech hub. And now, another revolution is unfolding in medical technology with India aiming to become a $30 billion MedTech manufacturing powerhouse by 2030. Leading this from the forefront is Wipro GE Healthcare, which is building products not just for India but also for the world. The company has 1200+ patents in India and is revolutionising healthcare by improving accessibility and affordability. With 4 world-class manufacturing sites, listen in to know how it is contributing towards India's sunrise sector - MedTech.
BUSINESS
OPINION | IPO Journeys: No standard blueprint applies
It can be tempting to draw parallels and make comparisons between prominent companies, especially those under the same corporate umbrella. For example, while evaluating the IPO prospects of PhonePe (which has filed for a mega Rs 12,000 crore IPO), versus Flipkart, such direct comparisons can be misleading. These two entities, despite their shared Walmart parentage, operate on fundamentally different business models
PODCAST
The changemakers powering India’s grid transformation | ENTICE 2.0 winners
Description: Meet the four energy champions - Enlog, Faclon Labs, Trillectric, Flock Energy -building transformative solutions for discoms, industries and consumers in India. The winners of ENTICE 2.0, powered by the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet, join us for an inspiring conversation, mapping their journey as a climate tech startup. ENTICE 2.0 jury member Priya Shah, of Theia Ventures, also shares her insights on what makes startups investment and scale-ready in this episode of Unusual Suspects that wraps up a months-long hunt for the country’s most-promising climate solution providers.
PODCAST
Future of smartphones – the next homegrown disruptor | Madhav Sheth, Founder & CEO, NxtQuantum Shift Technologies
The man who virtually dismantled the entry barrier to owning smartphones has now embarked on his next project, which, too, is poised to revolutionise communication. Former RealMe founder Madhav Sheth’s latest venture, NxtQuantum Shift Technologies, has pioneered the AI+ smartphone – entirely designed, developed, and manufactured in India. Under Sheth’s leadership, the company aims to, once again, redefine what it means to own a smartphone in the age of AI. Rooted in trust, privacy, and data sovereignty, NxtQuantum Shift Technologies is truly addressing global concerns while building India’s digital future.
BUSINESS
The Modinomics Buffet: Significant progress mixed with works in progress
India's economic landscape has undergone significant transformations, driven by strategic reforms and technological advancements, but some pain points need policy attention and implementation ironing.
INDIA
India’s atmanirbhar reforms doctrine is about self-respect and self-reliance: Nirmala Sitharaman
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman emphasized the government's commitment to accelerated reforms, protecting exporters, and expanding economic growth into new areas, despite the challenges posed by US tariffs. In an interview to Network18 Group Editor-in-Chief Rahul Joshi, Sitharaman stated that India will continue buying Russian oil if it serves the economy's interests, dismissing US President Donald Trump aide Peter Navarro's remarks as a "divide and rule" tactic. The government is preparing a relief package to support industries hit hardest by the 50% US tariffs, the government is working on measures to cushion the impact, including interest subvention schemes and export credit support.
BUSINESS
GST rate cut could set off consumption spike as economy sets eyes on faster track
With the new rates kicking in on September 22, just in time for the festive season, consumers can expect lower prices on essential items from soaps to cars. The tax cuts also extend to intermediates like cement, which could lead to reduced construction costs and create jobs. Paired with the recent income tax rate changes, this overhaul signals the government's focus on empowering India's vast consuming middle class to drive economic growth.
WORLD
Alaska P&L: Trump’s maximalism hits sobering reality as Putin wins the PR round
Trump's signature bravado was tempered by Putin's steady stance, leaving the war in Ukraine an unresolved puzzle, raising a critical question: did Trump end up conceding too much at a summit that promised too much, but delivered too little for Washington. Here’s a low down of the balance sheet at Anchorage.
