Budget Express 2026

co-presented by

  • LIC
  • JIO BlackRock

ASSOCIATE SPONSORS

  • Sunteck
  • SBI
  • Emirates
  • Dezerv
HomeAuthorManas chakravarty Opinion

Manas Chakravarty

Group Consulting Editor

Moneycontrol

What the IMF says about the outlook for the Indian economy

BUSINESS

What the IMF says about the outlook for the Indian economy

Lower oil prices will be a windfall for India

Comment | How much does anti-incumbency sentiment matter in Indian elections?

POLITICS

Comment | How much does anti-incumbency sentiment matter in Indian elections?

The study says incumbents are at a disadvantage in Hindi-speaking states, but being a BJP candidate is a big help.

Comment | Will improved household perception of economy win more votes for BJP?

BUSINESS

Comment | Will improved household perception of economy win more votes for BJP?

RBI survey shows future expectations about economy at all-time high

Opinion | Why the markets want another term for Modi

POLITICS

Opinion | Why the markets want another term for Modi

The Congress manifesto will reinforce investor fears about populism.

Comment | Lower manufacturing PMI strengthens case for 25 basis point rate cut

BUSINESS

Comment | Lower manufacturing PMI strengthens case for 25 basis point rate cut

But future expectations at 7-month high indicate need for caution.

Comment | Do economic fundamentals improve after elections?

MARKETS

Comment | Do economic fundamentals improve after elections?

While the Indian economy is going through a rough patch, trends since 1999 show the economy does better once elections are out of the way

Opinion | What the income support doles say about India’s job market

POLITICS

Opinion | What the income support doles say about India’s job market

Since the masses cannot be given enough jobs, we must provide them bread and circuses

Comment | India’s wealth has increased handsomely over the last five years

INDIA

Comment | India’s wealth has increased handsomely over the last five years

As Deng Xiaoping said, let some people get rich first

Comment | Are Indians really as unhappy as the World Happiness Report says they are?

POLITICS

Comment | Are Indians really as unhappy as the World Happiness Report says they are?

The report says unhappy people vote for strong leaders

Comment | Markets unsure whether to celebrate or worry over the Fed’s U-turn

INDIA

Comment | Markets unsure whether to celebrate or worry over the Fed’s U-turn

While the dovish tilt is a blessing, the Flash PMIs re-ignite concerns over the slowdown

How has the structure of the economy changed under the Modi government?

INDIA

How has the structure of the economy changed under the Modi government?

Agriculture's share in the economy had declined, with government and private sector gaining

Loose Canon | Ab ki baar, data war

BUSINESS

Loose Canon | Ab ki baar, data war

As CAs take on economists who have questioned the credibility of government, other professionals may weigh in with their own take.

Comment | Trade deficit improves as imports at one-and-a-half year low

INDIA

Comment | Trade deficit improves as imports at one-and-a-half year low

Fall in imports of electronic items could signal improvement in deficit with China

Opinion | Will dismal rural wage growth be Modi's Achilles heel in the elections?

POLITICS

Opinion | Will dismal rural wage growth be Modi's Achilles heel in the elections?

Rural wage growth has fallen off the cliff. It is therefore small wonder that, at the fag end of its term, the Modi government has been trying its best to dole out sops to this class.

Chart of the Day | India’s exploding trade deficit with China

BUSINESS

Chart of the Day | India’s exploding trade deficit with China

Imports from China accounted for around three percent of total imports in 2000-01, but it expanded to 16.4 percent of total imports in 2017-18

Comment | In which states do people live longer?

INDIA

Comment | In which states do people live longer?

Kerala’s life expectancy is higher than Russia’s while Uttar Pradesh is worse than Ethiopia

Comment| Low inflation, tepid industrial production pave way for another interest rate cut

BUSINESS

Comment| Low inflation, tepid industrial production pave way for another interest rate cut

The next meeting of the MPC, from April 2 to April 4, will be held in the backdrop of benign inflation and slowing industrial growth.

Loose Canon: The world’s biggest election party comes to town

POLITICS

Loose Canon: The world’s biggest election party comes to town

Parties to go to include the Beer Jug Party, the Indian National Champagne, the Scotch Party, the Cocktail Party of India, etc.

Comment | How government spending propped up the Indian economy

BUSINESS

Comment | How government spending propped up the Indian economy

Government spending continues to prop up the economy, to compensate for the dismal state of agriculture. As for the agricultural sector, its problems are well-known

Opinion | How the government crushed food prices to tame inflation

BUSINESS

Opinion | How the government crushed food prices to tame inflation

Lower minimum support prices, higher imports, lower production growth and finally demonetisation led to food prices being forced down with disastrous consequences for farmers

Comment | Data shows that India’s exports are increasingly uncompetitive

INDIA

Comment | Data shows that India’s exports are increasingly uncompetitive

GSP is just a band-aid; we need surgery to get exports back on their feet.

100-Word Take | Cash holdings have been steadily rising before the general elections

BUSINESS

100-Word Take | Cash holdings have been steadily rising before the general elections

Cash levels are now well above the 13.1 percent they were in March and April 2014

Comment | Consumption as share of GDP is now the highest since 2004-05

BUSINESS

Comment | Consumption as share of GDP is now the highest since 2004-05

The consumption boom is being fuelled by rising debt

Comment | Surprisingly, PMI shows economy getting better

BUSINESS

Comment | Surprisingly, PMI shows economy getting better

 The PMI data are at odds with the GDP numbers and other indications of a slowdown

Advisory Alert: It has come to our attention that certain individuals are representing themselves as affiliates of Moneycontrol and soliciting funds on the false promise of assured returns on their investments. We wish to reiterate that Moneycontrol does not solicit funds from investors and neither does it promise any assured returns. In case you are approached by anyone making such claims, please write to us at grievanceofficer@nw18.com or call on 02268882347