Tech evolution a must for EVs to become mainstream
Electric vehicles are the future, but for it to become a practical option for all we need significant advancements in charging infrastructure and battery technology
Why is everyone chasing gold?
The demand for gold may turn into a run on gold as the paper gold market is many times the physical gold stock
Exporting skills the right way will fetch India forex, kill illegal migration
Cleaning up the export of skilled and semi-skilled Indian labour is the only way to earn goodwill and currency
Chart of the Day: How inflation is driving up electricity procurement costs
The average cost of power supply has increased by about 18 percent from FY19
Why the stock market fall is not over yet
A sustained fall in markets brings up the question of whether a bottom has been made. But a number of factors point to it being a risky endeavour to call the bottom
India’s landmark case involving OpenAI’s rights draws in more aggrieved parties
ANI versus OpenAI, which is being contested in Delhi High Court, may see its scope widening on the heels of an intervention by the Indian Music Industry. This case will set the precedent for the manner in which the fast expanding universe of generative AI models interacts with India’s copyright protection framework. It’s not just India, but other legal systems too which are grappling with this issue
Economic momentum fades across major economies, but India shines in Flash PMI readings
Flash PMIs for February show that growth in India is gaining momentum, US activity is close to stalling, while the Eurozone and UK are barely keeping their heads above water
India’s online gaming boom is at risk and only a central law can save it
India's online gaming sector faces regulatory challenges, offshore gambling issues, and tax evasion. A uniform national policy and stronger regulations are crucial for protecting domestic businesses, boosting innovation, and positioning India as a global gaming hub with economic potential
How WTO surrendered to China leading to its downfall
Sanghnomics: US tariffs and China’s WTO misuse threaten the organisation’s credibility. India’s scepticism and failed WTO conferences reflect growing preference for plurilateralism over multilateralism, with China’s unfair practices, such as forced technology transfer and market barriers, exacerbating global trade tensions
How Washington plans to defend the dollar
Trade tariffs grab headlines but the less-visible fight around money matters deeply to the president
Mahayudh again in Maharashtra, with a twist this time
Friction between state’s CM Devendra Fadnavis and deputy CM Eknath Shinde may seem like a repeat of the fractious BJP-Shiv Sena relationship between 2014 and 2019. This time, however, there may be other factors at play as the ostensible Sena-BJP battle for the Hindutva space may also be where the BJP’s internal leadership dynamics are playing out
The fixes we need for the PLI scheme to fulfil its potential
The underperformance of some sectors is not only due to industry-specific hurdles but that companies do not meet eligibility criteria, delays in timelines and receiving the incentives
Are hospitals the new defensive stocks?
Stocks of large hospital chains are valued at par or higher than consumer staples companies
The Eastern Window | Xi’s Big Tech Gamble: Can private innovation save China’s economy?
Chinese President Xi Jinping has taken a major step in assigning a bigger role to the long-marginalised private sector. This will mean lesser dependence on the public sector, one of the Communist Party’s pillars, as Beijing battles against economic slowdown and US threats
Breaking the Qubit Barrier: The global push for practical quantum computing
Microsoft and Peking University announced Quantum Computing breakthroughs last week. But there is too little information available to say confidently how close we are to the goal of a general purpose quantum computer
Buffett’s Dilemma: Too much cash, too few investment opportunities
Berkshire Hathaway’s holdings of short-term US Treasury bills more than doubled in 2024
Why is a weaker rupee good for the Indian economy?
The rupee has depreciated against USD by close to 4 percent over the last five months, triggering hand-wringing. The anxiety is misplaced as a weaker rupee can boost key export-intensive segments even after accounting for their high import of inputs. There’s no case for the central bank’s intervention except to cushion phases of extreme volatility
Chart of the Day| MPC minutes show clear shift towards growth focus
Malhotra’s confidence in the disinflationary trajectory is well-founded. After breaching the RBI’s upper tolerance band in October, headline inflation has moderated, with food inflation showing clear signs of easing
Central banks bring a welcome glimpse of normality in Asia
Crises are wrenching, and instructive — but not the only thing going on. Three central banks in Asia displayed some much-needed calm
India’s EV race with China depends on trains
Subsidies and more charging points in cities won’t be enough. Range anxiety must be addressed
The Reading List: February 21, 2025
A selection of articles and social media gems from the world of economy, business and finance, curated by our research and opinion teams
Regulatory frameworks need to resemble a scaffolding, not an edifice
A regulator is expected to be an enabling force for the growth of an industry. Instead, we have created a regulatory framework which is often out of sync with reality and an obstacle to the progress of firms
Are states borrowing their way to collapse?
Rising public debt imposes an unfair burden on future generations. Higher debt today is foregone welfare and development tomorrow
Musk’s elevated status could raise X’s value too
These days, political influence matters as much as metrics such as ‘daily active users’
Golwalkar's Leadership: Expanding RSS amidst tumultuous times (1940-1973)
RSSFACTS: Madhav Sadashiv Golwalkar, the second Sarsanghchalak of RSS, led the organisation through significant events like India’s Partition and independence. His leadership expanded RSS across India, strengthening its network, promoting Hindu unity, and inspiring countless volunteers during crucial years
