opinion

Tamil Nadu polls 2026: Welfare, identity and the battle for Dravidian dominance

As identity politics sharpens and welfare spending surges, Tamil Nadu prepares for its most consequential election in years

IMF Staff’s Verdict on US Economy: A sugar rush with a bitter aftertaste

Beneath the surface of robust 2026 GDP forecasts, the IMF has issued a stark warning: US policy is boosting the rich, punishing the poor, and eroding the nation’s fiscal credibility

Why bans don’t work well on social issues

A recent report looked at the effect of banning real-money gaming in Maharashtra and found that the end objective was not served

Data Story: The curious divergence between the realty index and home sales

January monthly sales of homes over the past five years have been in decline

Howard Marks: The challenge of pricing AI’s impact

The pace at which developments in the technology are occurring is unlike anything we’ve seen before

Chart of the Day: Road construction pace falls to a near-decadal low

Order flows in the EPC sector linked largely to road projects fell sharply in Q3FY26

Are AI-fearing IT doomsayers jumping the gun?

This is a disruption on a scale not seen before. IT companies have proved their ability to reinvent themselves in the past. There is reason to be optimistic, even if cautiously

OPINION | A new GDP series comes in with important changes to enhance accuracy

After a decade, the GDP series is undergoing a revision. Some of the proposed changes will make for a more accurate reading of the economy but the shortcomings of the deflator will remain 

OPINION | Surge in PILs raises concerns over misuse and judicial efficiency in India

As diverse PIL filings surge across courts, concerns grow over misuse, judicial backlog and the dilution of a remedy originally designed to protect the marginalised

OPINION | India-Israel equation needs to evolve from transactionalism to one of shared destinies

Netanyahu wants to free Israel of US military aid within a decade. It opens up new opportunities of collaboration for India and Israel if friction points such as the one on IP are addressed 

Tech groups turn to more chip-backed loans to fund AI arms race

Investors attracted by high yields as companies look to shift debt off their balance sheets

OPINION | India, AI and the market’s blind spot

In a world fixated on identifying AI winners and losers, India remains, at its core, a long-term compounding, bricks-and-mortar economy. AI will enable India to leapfrog the West across core sectors 

OPINION | Tariff reforms propel India’s alco-bev global ambitions

India’s alco-bev sector enters a pivotal phase. It leverages trade reforms and rising premium demand. Stronger export capabilities enhance competitiveness in domestic and global markets

Chart of the Day: What does surging loan ticket size say about Indian households?

Ticket sizes have increased, but higher sizes demonstrate better asset quality as well

Decoding Economics: Dallas Fed data reveal why AI is replacing young workers while turbocharging veterans

A bombshell Dallas Fed report reveals AI is simultaneously creating a wage boom for experienced workers while slamming the door shut on the young

Why are markets buoyant despite uncertainty indices surging to record highs?

Despite global and US uncertainty indices reaching unprecedented peaks in early 2026 amid trade-policy volatility, equity markets remain buoyant as investors bet heavily on continued supportive monetary easing from the Fed and pro-growth fiscal stimulus from the government to overpower near-term fog

Corporate earnings signal manufacturing surge ahead of Friday's GDP reboot

RBI data show double-digit Q3 sales growth by the private non-financial corporate sector, led by manufacturing's best showing in nearly three years, setting the stage for a potentially strong GDP print as the new series with the 2022-23 base debuts on February 27

India's IT sector: Dawn or dusk in the age of AI?

India built the world's back office. Now AI is threatening to automate it

Has the US dream soured for solar panel exporters?

Companies with global supply chains will continue to do business in US

The decline of the Hindu Civilisation: A new book that reconstructs lost grandeur of ancient India and traces its decline

The book analyses five key battles (from the Battle of Hydaspes to the Battle of Assaye) to understand why India often suffered military defeats.

OPINION | CSR at a Crossroads: Building systems, not just projects

India’s growing CSR capital can create lasting national impact by shifting from short-term projects to systemic investments aligned with government priorities and strong leadership

The AI doomers aren’t done yet

Plus AMD and Meta

India's Pax Silica Gambit: Choosing silicon over oil

By joining the US-led Pax Silica coalition, India has made its most consequential foreign policy pivot since Independence — swapping cheap Russian crude for a seat at the table where the semiconductor future is being decided

Chart of the Day | Solar power capacity jumped in last 2 years. A big opportunity for banks?

Surya Ghar’s rapid rollout pushes rooftop solar into the mainstream. Banks have a big opportunity here.

Data Story: Why banks are back as main funding source for firms

NBFCs have lost a big chunk of their share in funding because of higher borrowing costs for themselves.