The Reading List: May 16, 2025
Our research and opinion teams have curated a selection of articles and social media gems from the world of economy, business and finance for your weekend read.
High economic growth and low human development cannot a developed nation make
India will have the largest working age population by 2030, surpassing China
Green jobs: the how and why of an emerging employment opportunity
India could generate 35 million additional green jobs by 2047 across sectors such as RE
BSNL, MTNL aim to monetise Rs 1,000-crore land assets this fiscal to ease financial stress
The asset sale process is under way and has a deadline of March 2026 but this could be missed due to state-level hurdles, say officials
India must craft its diplomatic outreach to match its aspirations
New Delhi will have to thread its diplomatic needle carefully to stitch a global engagement pattern that maximises its gains
HAL targets Rs 3,000 crore capex in FY26, plans to monetise non-core land in Delhi
As part of its funding strategy, HAL may monetise a portion of its five-acre land parcel in Delhi. According to a government official, the land could be valued at around Rs 300–400 crore.
FM Sitharaman likely to review PSU banks’ FY25 performance on May 15
The Finance Minister is also expected to nudge banks to strengthen governance, risk compliance, and lending practices, particularly in the context of ongoing heightened global tensions.
Cabinet Secretary to meet bankers on May 16 to avert action against MTNL for loan default
MTNL defaulted on Rs 8,346.24 crore worth of loans taken from seven public sector banks, the telecom firm, which primarily operates in Delhi and Mumbai, said in an exchange filing in April
India likely to prioritise strategic petroleum reserves as ceasefire sets in: Economists
Typically, countries have reserves for up to 120 days, while India has reserves for around 74 days.
G7 urges India and Pakistan to de-escalate, condemns Pahalgam attack
The G7 foreign ministers cautioned that any intensification of hostilities could pose a serious threat to regional peace
Sitharaman asks banks to ensure round-the-clock firewalling, prioritise cash in ATMs in review meet on cybersecurity
Phishing attempts are being closely monitored and bank employees have received internal alerts to boost cyber awareness, banks said.
No cut likely in capex, social sector spending in FY26, India has fiscal buffers, say economists
However, any further escalation on the geopolitical front is likely to add further depreciation pressure on the rupee and bond yields.
PMSBY enrolment cross 51-crore mark in April, up 443% in 10 years
Launched in May 2015, the PMSBY provides a Rs 2 lakh accident insurance cover to individuals aged between 18 and 70 holding a savings bank account at an annual premium of Rs 20
Nirmala Sitharaman to review cybersecurity prep of banks amid escalating India-Pakistan conflict
The meeting this evening comes as worries about a cyberattack on India's banking infrastructure mount over growing intensity of drone and missile attacks between the two countries
Millet biscuit is taxed, millet powder is not: GoM on GST rate rationalisation to review food classification
Sources say millet-based goods, popcorn, and donuts show why misclassification in food persists. Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Kerala asked to share inputs.
Union Cabinet approves revamped coal allocation policy as India plans to expand its thermal power capacity
The revised policy will offer an opportunity to a number of private companies who have won commercial and captive coal mines in the government's auctions to set up thermal power plants in the future.
Operation Sindoor: Fallout will depend on the scale of escalation, says former NITI Aayog V-C
Rajiv Kumar warns of economic repercussions, including flight of capital and increased fiscal pressure, if India-Pakistan conflict escalates further
Chinese media front-loads Pakistani military claims and civilian casualties
Xinhua's coverage of Operation Sindoor aligns with Beijing's strategic tilt towards Islamabad
India-UK FTA to boost market access, signals shift to bilateral trade: Sitharaman
Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman says bilateralism is the ‘order of the day’ as India and the UK seal historic free trade agreement
India pushes bilateral trade deals amid rising global uncertainty: Sitharaman
Amid weakening multilateral systems and rising global protectionism, Finance Minister emphasised urgency in forging trade pacts.
Double Contribution Convention: Indian workers in UK exempted from paying social security for three years
The decision is likely to ensure savings of around 20 percent in the salaries of Indian workers in the UK, as per estimates of the Ministry of Commerce. It is expected to benefit more than 60,000 employees from IT sector alone. Besides, it will give a Rs.4000 crore competitiveness boost to Indian companies in the UK.
India building long-term, asset-based strategy to bolster supply chains: Sitharaman
India is leveraging human capital, technology and digital infrastructure to deepen manufacturing and services-led growth, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said.
Govt may begin offloading minor stakes in five PSU banks via OFS in FY27; strategic sale deferred for now
The Centre may go for the Offer for Sale route to sell stakes in Bank of Maharashtra, IOB, UCO Bank, Central Bank of India, and Punjab and Sind Bank next fiscal.
Pahalgam attack slightly hit Kashmir tourism, but people regaining confidence: Tourism Minister Shekhawat
Shekhawat said that India can become a $30 trillion economy by 2047; and by that year, tourism’s contribution to GDP may rise to 10% from 7-8% at present, if the Centre, states, and the private sector work together and collaborate.
