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
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.
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
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.
INDIA
PM Modi unveils ambitious plan for atmanirbhar India; walks the talk on next-gen reforms
In his Independence Day speech, PM Narendra Modi outlined a bold plan to make India self-reliant (Atmanirbhar Bharat) through next-generation reforms, job creation, and simplified tax rules. He announced a national task force to accelerate growth, a new job scheme (PM Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana) to create 3.5 crore jobs, and a simplified GST framework to be announced by Diwali. Modi emphasized the importance of manufacturing, defence production, and critical minerals, and vowed to remove bureaucratic hurdles to boost homegrown industries.
BUSINESS
Infant industry paradox: Trump's tariffs raise questions about US protectionism
Many goods that are exported to the US are from factories contracted in India by some iconic US corporations. Apple is an example. Levis Strauss & Co. is another. These aren’t `infants’ that need tariffs to ringfence them from competitive pressures. They are matured giants with a storied legacy, who have set up supply lines across the world
BUSINESS
Tariffs as a catalyst for another 1991 moment: Trump tantrums can spur India towards reforms
A strategic pivot towards strengthening domestic consumption and internal growth drivers can become a powerful mitigating factor against external pressures, such as tariffs
BUSINESS
Vodafone Idea's Struggle vs BSNL's Resurgence: A tale of two telecoms
State-owned BSNL has reported two consecutive quarterly profits, a first in 18 years, while private sector giant Vodafone Idea continues to struggle with losses. Dues not paid to the government is public money, and such funds should not be available to throw around for running loss making private companies
BUSINESS
Don’t get caught in the FDI ‘Net’. What data doesn't reveal about India’s investment appeal
During 2024-25, many foreign investors divested their Indian operations through initial public offerings (IPO), making significant returns on their investments in some of India’s trailblazing startups. Private equity and venture capital funds realised a total of US$26.7 billion in exits, representing a 7% year-on-year increase. Another central element in this focus is about the analytical markers, itself. It may be worthwhile to analyse FDI inflows as a percentage of gross domestic product (GDP) on a cross-country basis
POLITICS
Modi’s Op Sindoor Address: National interest, geostrategic calculus, and the art of communication
PM’s address to the nation conveyed a multifaceted message, targeting Pakistan, the international community, and the Indian public.
POLITICS
War Economics: The Kargil cess template and market’s irrationality
The Kargil War led to increased defence spending, tax reform, and military modernisation in India. It also exemplified the 'war puzzle', where anticipated conflict boosts markets, while surprise wars trigger negative investor reactions
BUSINESS
Beyond Handouts: India's inclusivity push must shift from cash to careers
The stakes are high, and India’s economic future depends on its ability to equip its workforce with the skills required to compete in an increasingly complex and automated global economy
BUSINESS
Fiscal fortitude: India’s debt-to-GDP record dwarfs shaky G7
Budget marks a significant shift from a qualitative goal to a specific, measurable target to 50 per cent by 2031. Since 2013, India's average central government debt-to-GDP ratio has been 49.03 per cent. The USA’s central government debt-to-GDP ratio has remained above 100 per cent since 2020, as also Japan’s, Italy’s and UK’s (barring 2022, when it was marginally lower)
