opinion

Online education’s potential is beyond question, but there are challenges to overcome 

Despite the rapid growth of online higher education, skepticism remains, particularly regarding employability and skill readiness. Affordability is another concern, as many students find online higher education expensive 

Half-a-CM: Trials and tribulations of Omar Abdullah

Omar Abdullah’s tenure as Jammu & Kashmir’s CM has seen limited progress, with key issues like statehood restoration, liquor bans, and reservation policies unresolved. His leadership is increasingly questioned amid growing frustration over the region’s diminished autonomy

China’s obesity crisis is big business

Pharmaceutical groups are rushing to dominate market that will grow to 900mn people by 2030

Zydus’s MedTech plan underlines transformative changes in pharma sector

Pharma companies are trying to build revenue resilience by adding new business lines

Indian Gaming Industry’s Next Big Challenge: Empowering indie developers

The Indian gaming market is rapidly growing, with indie developers facing challenges in resources and tools. Building indigenous game engines, AI-driven solutions, and specialised cloud platforms, alongside strong support ecosystems, could empower developers to compete globally while catering to local needs

India needs to act decisively to combat climate change

Action needs to be backed by money to make an impact but with Western commitments in doubt, it falls upon the government to step in to bridge the gap

With inflation cooling, monetary policy will deliver growth support

India’s economic landscape is shifting as cooling inflation paves the way for a more accommodative monetary policy. With the RBI easing rates and liquidity conditions improving, policymakers are now focusing on reviving growth amid global uncertainties

With inflation below 4 percent, MPC likely to cut policy rates next month

India's retail inflation eased to 3.61 percent in February 2025, its lowest in five months, driven by falling food prices. With inflation below 4 percent, the door is open to another rate cut in April

Startup Street: Does location influence startup funding, valuation?

Location trumps many factors when it comes to getting funding for startups

Why India should keep out TikTok in the age of information warfare

Even as some Chinese apps make their comeback in the country, TikTok should not be allowed in India due to cognitive autonomy concerns. Its algorithm can be potentially used to amplify or de-amplify content to suit ByteDance's, and thereby Chinese Communist Party's, objectives

Chart of the Day: IT stock valuations still out of sync with revenue growth rates

The current revenue estimates indicate notably slower growth in FY25 and FY26 compared to pre-COVID years

Platform economy faces regulatory heat on price parity agreements

A recent European Court of Justice’s decision tightened the screws on price parity clauses on the ground that they can inhibit competition. India’s Competition Commission is also increasingly veering around to the view that these clauses could adversely affect both consumers and new market entrants. Platforms may have to tweak their business model to accommodate the emerging regulatory stance

Certainty is now a scarcity in markets

Capricious policies from Washington have created a very unpredictable economic environment

All’s not well between the US and Japan amid Trump’s return to power

Japan’s ties with the US face uncertainty under Trump, with trade disputes, security tensions, and shifting global alliances. Concerns over US reliability are pushing Japan to strengthen regional partnerships, maintain economic ties with Washington, and cautiously re-engage with China

A Nasdaq meltdown, like China’s big tech in 2021?

The US is risking a massive devaluation of growth stocks

Trade wars won’t make American farming great again

The US trade war will hurt food exports and increase the agricultural trade deficit

New rules for SME IPOs aim to reduce risks, but may cool investor appetite

SEBI’s new rules for SME IPOs aim to improve listing quality and protect investors amid a surge in smaller company offerings. While these measures introduce stricter norms, they may also limit growth opportunities and deter retail participation.

The case for succession planning at Indian family-owned businesses

Indian billionaire families increasingly prefer investment management over active business roles, raising succession concerns. Family disputes, weak governance, and promoter dominance threaten business stability. Robust succession frameworks, professional leadership, and regulatory compliance are crucial for corporate governance, investor confidence, and sustainable long-term growth

India’s share of global arms imports falls on local production boost

India’s declining dependence on arms imports reflects its growing defence self-sufficiency. As SIPRI’s latest report highlights, India’s efforts to boost indigenous production have steadily reduced its reliance on foreign suppliers

Are Indian auto component firms’ earnings at risk from soft demand, tariffs?

If the US implements reciprocal tariff on Indian component imports, the impact would need to be absorbed by Indian auto component manufacturers or US OEMs, the former being more likely 

Chart of the Day | India Inc’s debt cushion remains strong despite dip in interest coverage

According to BoB Research, Indian industry remains well-positioned to meet its debt obligations, as reflected by the ICR. Despite the marginal dip, the ICR remains high by historical standards

IndusInd Bank’s derivatives mess shows credibility trumps all for investor faith

The hit from derivatives discrepancies could result in a net loss in IndusInd Bank’s March quarter

The lowdown on Trump’s executive order on FCPA

It says that authorities will review existing policies for 180 days during which new investigations under Foreign Corrupt Practices Act won’t be enforced. The order doesn’t take away the American AG’s power to start a new investigation nor does it make earlier cases vanish. Its aim is to secure US strategic interests. While there may be temporary relief, it’s essential that companies operating in India continue to prioritize anti-corruption efforts

Mohamed El-Erian: What is behind the dramatic shift in markets?

The sudden change in investors’ growth expectations for the three largest economies is upending many consensus trades