RSSFACTS: Mohan Bhagwat’s remarks linking the consecration of the Ram Temple at Ayodhya to India's true independence have sparked controversy. He emphasised that the Ram Temple represents a victory of civilisational values over centuries of foreign invasions and religious intolerance
India’s plan to shift to a living wage from minimum wage that will consider basic living and social needs may not mean much unless it’s implemented in letter and spirit by states
In hypercompetitive times when companies have to fight for every percentage point of margin, the days of senior leaders exiting to the happy strains of 'Fare thee well' are over
Sector-specific reforms, such as infrastructure development grants and technology adoption incentives for manufacturing, could unlock new growth opportunities
With the Union Budget 2025 approaching, taxpayers and industry professionals anticipate significant tax reforms, including increased exemption limits, housing-related reliefs, clearer guidelines for modern assets, and enhanced investment deductions. These measures aim to reduce tax burdens and promote economic growth
McKinsey report highlights the imperative for India to create more jobs and grow at a faster pace
Rising debt and stagnant incomes have eroded household savings
Markets had become adept at climbing walls of worry until they could not do it any further. The main questions are what changed that spooked investors and can things get better soon
The consumer price index suggests that the jump in expectations for price gains might not be over, and tariffs won’t help
The ‘Gaza Ceasefire Deal’ is a mirror image of the May 2024 ‘Biden Plan’, which Israel rejected. What’s changed since then? For one, Israel has achieved all its critical military objectives. The imminent return of Donald Trump to the Oval Office has created its own dynamics which catalyzed Netanyahu to risk the ire of his right-wing coalition partners by accepting a deal. At the heart of it all is Iran, which will be the target of both the Trump Administration and Israel
Global prices have turned weak, domestic output has acquired a dull look and ethanol procurement has shifted focus to grain-based feedstock
An economic growth rate around 6.5 percent is inadequate to realise national goals. To unleash investor sentiments and business opportunities, a former Vice Chairman of Niti Aayog outlines four growth enhancing suggestions
Neither does India noticeably underspend on defence nor does the military run short of money for equipment purchase. Budgetary lapses too don’t take place. The structural issue facing policy makers is to shift the pattern of defence spending to 60 percent for equipment and 40 percent on revenue items. Currently, it’s the other way round
The Draft Arbitration and Conciliation (Amendment) Bill, 2024 introduces significant changes, including technological innovations, emergency arbitrators, appellate tribunals, and streamlined processes. However, concerns around institutional readiness, costs, and potential complexities need careful consideration for successful implementation
We must hope that the American people will not lightly abandon the enlightenment traditions of their country
The government’s continuous efforts to increase personal tax revenue have led to income tax collections from individuals rising from approximately ₹7 lakh crores two years ago to around ₹10.35 lakh crores last year, with a projected increase to ₹13 lakh crores for FY25. Now is the time to reduce income taxes
It is imperative to boost housing in rural areas through measures such as incentives for first time buyers or even on loans which people could avail to convert ‘kaccha’ homes into ‘pucca’ ones
India’s integration into Global Value Chains (GVCs) offers significant opportunities for economic growth, resilience, and innovation. Focused efforts on sectors like green chemicals and electric vehicles, alongside policy support, R&D, and skill development, will shape India's future role in global trade
A friendlier fiscal and monetary policy may fail to benefit bonds as foreign money flees
Justice AN Grover was one of three judges superseded after having been a part of the majority in the landmark ‘Basic Structure’ judgement. He was also part of the bench which decided on the ‘Bank Nationalisation’ and ‘Privy Purses’ cases. Of the three it is ‘Basic Structure’ which left its imprint in other jurisdictions as brought out in an insightful biography of Justice Grover
Chinese demand for steel and iron ore has finally peaked. The industry hopes the energy transition will spark a new boom, but it will be shaped by geopolitical competition
China’s proposed 60GW dam at the ‘Great Bend’ of the Yarlung Tsangpo in Tibet may have its roots in the country’s internal investment dynamics. Moreover, once the river enters India as the Brahmaputra, its rainfall which mainly contributes to the volume of flow. Indeed, China cannot weaponize the dam without severe adverse consequences to Tibet. The way forward is to combine downstream readiness and negotiations with Beijing
The government’s capital outlay for the road sector is likely to increase by 8-10 percent in FY2026 budgeted expenditure, which is likely to support the improvement in road execution
Technical indicators signal that the market is nearing a bottom, but the longer term trend will depend on how economic policy manages the challenges ahead
As the Union Budget 2025 nears, the youth expects a focus on job creation, viewing it as a societal imperative. Here are a few ideas that may help the Finance Minister to tackle employment challenges
