Budget Snapshot: Will government present a road map on bank privatisation?
Missing the large-ticket reforms in the next five years will put Indian banks one step back. Privatising India's dozen PSBs has been a tough task and an unkept promise
Small lenders had it tough in 2024, will 2025 see a recovery?
It's not just a funding squeeze that's a bother for MFIs, their asset quality too has shown deterioration in 2024 and there are regulatory concerns on lending discipline
How to avoid antitrust pitfalls in distribution
With manufacturers now opening a direct channel to potential customers, they have a dual role in relation to their traditional distributors. The roles are both complementary and competitive. With the Competition Commission using the European approach as a touchstone, emerging dual distribution models need to be carefully structured to avoid regulatory hassles
J&K’s Omar Abdullah finds his hands are tied
Legal changes in J&K have empowered the Lieutenant Governor at the expense of the elected Chief Minister. The power hierarchy is at odds with public accountability as the elected government is the one which has to deal with people’s expectations. It puts the National Conference government in a tight spot
TikTok ban could create a valuable prize: users’ brain space
For Mark Zuckerberg the biggest coup would be to buy the video app outright
US reliance on Saudi Oil is nearing its endgame
The energy market is no longer a constraint on American foreign policy in the Middle East.
Why affordable housing remains a bright spot in India’s housing sector
Affordable housing in India is growing rapidly, driven by government initiatives, urbanisation, and evolving consumer behaviours. With strong government support, technological advancements, and rising demand, affordable housing is poised to remain a key pillar of India's housing finance sector
INDIA bloc's journey may end with Delhi Assembly elections
India Bloc is under fire as AAP faces its toughest election in Delhi assemblies
Grey areas in draft data protection rules need a relook
Personal data protection rules represent an important milestone. They envisage a phased rollout, with the creation of a regulator before broader provisions take full effect. To ensure a smooth journey, it is essential that government clarify aspects of the draft rules that are unclear and, therefore, can pose problems down the line
India must engage with the Taliban, for regional stability
India's engagement with the Taliban reflects changing regional dynamics, balancing security, trade, and humanitarian aid. India acknowledges the Taliban's influence, focusing on regional stability, security, and continued investments in Afghanistan's infrastructure and development
The lessons from China’s sustained dominance in the global EV market
A recent proposal by China to restrict export of EV battery technology may be just another step to maintain its global EV dominance that has been built carefully over the years
Markets could fall more, investors should prioritise capital preservation
Technical indicators suggest there is more trouble ahead for the Nifty but investors should be careful as the fall in some index constituents could be far worse
The brouhaha over poverty reduction
The missing census is putting policymaking on the dodgy ground of guesstimates
Budget Snapshot: Government weans off exemptions, life insurers hopeful of more breaks
Annuity policies are growing faster than before but their share is still low in insurance portfolios
Quick Take | Does the CPI inflation print for December point to a rate cut in February?
With fiscal stimulus likely to come down further in the 2025-26 Budget, monetary policy will have to do the heavy lifting to support growth
Spare a thought for 90 hours of unpaid work
GDP is built on paid work, 90 hours a week or less. But unpaid work, mostly by women, in the care economy is glossed over in a debate on India having to work longer hours. Making the number of working hours the focal point of discussion overlooks the nuances of the labour market which plays a role in restricting the number of women who can take paid jobs. India needs to work smarter, not longer
What a new chief can do for DMart
Quick commerce is posing an existential question for retailers, particularly those with stores on the ground. The new CEO’s expertise in digital commerce and the Unilever way of doing things could reshape DMart
Delivery Diaries: If Singapore is like a plate of Hainanese curry rice, what’s India’s dish?
Our annual survey had the usual suspects and some surprises. The rise of food delivery services, alongside growing demand for traditional dishes, demonstrates the evolving culinary landscape in India
Ruchir Sharma | Where voters don’t want to throw the incumbents out — and why
The global rebellion against those in power does not extend to the developing world
Budget Snapshot: Will the budget put railway stocks on the fast track?
Public sector undertakings (PSUs) in the railway domain have consistently outperformed benchmark indices since their listings post-2018, delivering impressive returns to investors
Rethinking GDP: A flawed measure of economic growth
Sanghnomics: The relevance of GDP as a measure of prosperity is questioned by experts, highlighting its limitations in addressing well-being, environmental concerns, and societal issues. Economists call for new metrics to better reflect nations' true progress and quality of life
UN report maps path for equitable access to critical minerals in a divided world
India and other developing countries can use the UN observations to calibrate their critical mineral strategies
Budget 2025: Infrastructure financing needs more than fiscal incentives
Banks have burnt their fingers and PPP models haven’t fulfilled their promise. Large government borrowing limit the growth of bond market for infrastructure financing. Recent development financial institutions may not be enough. In underserved areas such as urban infrastructure, budget could look at ways to incentivise specialised institutions to fill the financing gap
Will JLR’s improving sales bring comfort to Tata Motor's profitability?
While CVs saw flattish growth in volumes, the company has lately lost market share in PVs in domestic markets. Even electric vehicle (EV) sales ramp up leaves much to be desired
TCS’s strong order inflows should allay investor concerns about GCCs
Focus on cost optimisation by customers will continue to drive demand for IT services vendors
