Chart of the Day: The currency crumble
The rupee has depreciated by roughly 5.22 percent against the US dollar this year, making it Asia’s worst-performing currency in 2025
Oman trade deal — India ups stake in Gulf gamble
The CEPA signed between New Delhi and Muscat should help strengthen India’s position in the Middle East
Banks hold promise for growth in 2026, will they deliver?
An economy that is lending more, writing off less and cleaning up legacy stress sets the stage for a banking revival. But risks remain
OPINION | China will enter the Year of the Fire Horse with confidence about its trajectory
The advent of Donald Trump as US president resulted in a disruptive 2025. China not only weathered the storm, it also indicated that it sees itself as the inheritor and reformer of the post-war institutional order
Gold at the crossroads: Is there more steam left in the yellow metal?
While silver has taken the spotlight recently, the broader setup indicates that gold may be preparing for a catch-up phase, supported by both fundamentals and technical indicators.
OPINION | Budget 2026-27 needs to P.I.V.O.T
The aim should be to look beyond immediate growth prospects to realising a long-term goal of transforming the economy through a relentless focus on five key parameters
The Reading List: December 19, 2025
Our research and opinion teams have curated a selection of articles and social media posts from the world of economy, business and finance for your weekend read
OPINION | IPL Auctions: Why Cameron Green is a blue-chip, Prashant Veer a startup and others are priced on potential returns
In the IPL, as in markets, the highest prices are rarely about the past, they’re about a future someone is willing to bet on
OPINION | Vault Matters: Why Rajiv Anand will be 2026’s most tracked bank CEO
Turning around an institution is a mammoth task. Especially when it is going through investigations for fraud. Rajiv for a foreseeable future may be caught between clearing the air for things that happened in the past and aspirations to take the ship forward. A tough tug-of-war
Prediction markets and the casino mentality of 2025
Financial gamification has upended traditional patterns of trust and oversight
OPINION | Five forces that will decide who hires and who is hired in 2026 and beyond
Based on LinkedIn's study of the behaviour of more than 160 million professionals in India, what emerges is that in 2026 demonstrated skills and trust matter more than pedigree in hiring. SMEs and cities in Tiers 2&3 have arrived
Garbage to gold rush: How India can create jobs by cleaning up pollution
India’s garbage crisis could become a powerful source of jobs. With MNREGA’s revamp into G RAM G, the government has a chance to turn waste into an economic resource, writes Rajat Arora
OPINION | Why VB- G RAM G represents a superior version of India’s workfare program
The Viksit Bharat- Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin), or VB- G RAM G, Bill was passed by Parliament on December 18. It will replace the MGNREGA Act, which provided a guaranteed wage employment to rural households. A spokesperson for the BJP makes a case for why this represents a necessary change in the backdrop of contemporary challenges
Growth may be sorted, but jobs remain a challenge
India’s jobs deficit reflects two serious underlying structural issues
Breakout, breakdown, repeat: Why is the market not moving?
In markets underpinned by strong and stable fundamentals, underperformance is temporary. Eventually, fundamentals take over. When is the big question
Can a Goldilocks economy rescue rupee from the bears in 2026?
The short answer is we don’t know but hope springs eternal
Chart of the Day: India to be the last major growing market for coal
Coal demand and production in India are expected to grow faster than major countries
OPINION | MGNREGA is not being merely replaced; welfare philosophy is being overturned
The Viksit Bharat- Guarantee For Rozgar Yojana And Ajeevika Mission (GRAMIN), or VB- G RAM G, Bill was tabled in Lok Sabha on December 16 to replace MGNREGA, the workfare programme that’s been the cornerstone of the welfare system. An assessment of what’s actually going to change follows
OPINION | SaaS isn't dying, it's getting a stronger foundation
In 2025, enterprises learned critical lessons on AI integration, sustainability, and SaaS adoption. Key takeaways include managing integration tax, choosing efficient AI models, and co-creating SaaS solutions for greater long-term value
Europe’s policy changes pose challenge for Indian steel exporters
Proposals relating to the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism and tackling global steel overcapacity will tighten market access
From colonising Mars to measuring with Mars Bars — addressing your wilder monetary queries
In the latest of his Christmas columns, the FT’s Undercover Economist fields some of your most outlandish proposals, and concludes that there is no such thing as a stupid question
Two views of AI and Big Tech
How much has changed?
OPINION | Nuclear energy bill is a milestone; private sector’s been given a stable legal framework
Lok Sabha on December 17 cleared the new nuclear energy bill, bringing the sector a step closer to introducing private investment in running a plant. Removing ambiguity on liability in the case of an incident may turn out to be the key change
Kerala municipal poll: crack in the last red citadel
Anti-incumbency can be neutralised by welfare scheme announcements
Cotton textiles face warped road amid mounting tariff pressures
The government’s timely move to temporarily suspend import duties on raw cotton has given a leg up to Indian textiles at least for the near-term
