It’s high time we rainproofed the Indian urban economy
Life comes to a standstill in cities and suburbs as heavy rainfall disrupts life. If cities are the engines of India’s growth, more needs to be done to keep them humming
The case for a hike in bank deposit insurance
The current cap of Rs 5 lakh does not provide adequate cover, even for the middle class that will have retiral savings in multiples of this number
OPINION | Indian IT is at a crossroads. Their risk appetite will determine if it will be history or reincarnated
The dark clouds of AI disruption and Trump’s hostility to outsourcing are not distant storms, they are already overhead. Whether Indian IT is remembered for its obituary or for its reincarnation depends entirely on the choices it makes in this moment
OPINION | India’s Crypto Dilemma: Why half-regulation is worse than a ban
We tax it, advertise it, and let exchanges run, but still pretend crypto isn’t 'official.’ Half-regulation is like giving teenagers sharp knives and hoping they don’t cut themselves
OPINION | RSS@100: Evolution of the Sarsanghchalak role
RSSFACTS: The Sarsanghchalak, or Chief Mentor, leads the RSS, with the position evolving over its 100-year history. The role has been passed down through nominated leaders, ensuring organisational continuity and ideological integrity
When stablecoins threaten global financial stability
A Putin aide has alleged that the US is planning to shift government debt to USD-backed cryptocurrencies. The possibility does not seem very far-fetched
Chart of the Day: Is life insurance a distribution problem in India?
Banks hold disproportionate sway over life insurance policy sales in India
Why August saw slow growth for life insurers
Margin friendly and simple protection plans are affordable after GST exemption and that may lead growth for insurers.
OPINION | Macroeconomic implications of GST 2.0
The weighted average GST rate after the new structure takes effect is likely to be about 9.5%, the optimal rate that maximises revenue in a Laffer Curve sense. It is likely, however, that the economic boost from the new structure may come more construction-led investment rather than consumption
OPINION | Google ruling in the US will have adverse implications in India and other developing countries
The recent judgement by a US federal court in the 2020 case against Google has been a setback for anti-monopoly advocates in the country and beyond. The judgement emboldens the Big Tech players and disadvantages developing states, including India
Why the bond ‘rout’ might not be what it seems
Global market trend is more a technical move specific to 30-year issues
Why lower income FMCG consumers’ shopping baskets are lighter
A market research survey shows expenses rising at a higher rate for lower income consumers than for higher income ones, in both urban and rural areas
Chart of the Day | Will GST rate cuts fuel the first-time buyer of passenger cars?
First-time buyer demand has been stagnant for nearly a decade with growth seen only in SUVs
OPINION | India’s road safety crisis needs change, starting with a collective response
Road safety is a moral and public health priority. Urgent government action and citizen responsibility are vital to prevent avoidable tragedies and ensure safer roads
The Hire Bill: Taxing efficiency
The proposed HIRE Act would impose a 25 percent tax on US companies' outsourcing payments while eliminating tax deductions for overseas labour expenses, potentially pushing nearly 900,000 Americans into poverty by 2026
OPINION | India’s economic future hinges on interest income tax reform
India’s high interest income tax deters individual investors, limiting affordable debt for infrastructure and SMEs. Reforming to a concessional rate could unlock domestic capital, reduce costs, and boost economic growth
Start-up Street | Can Deeptech funding bridge the widening Indo-US gulf?
Political Turmoil in Nepal: Another Crisis in India's Neighbourhood
Nepal's current upheaval represents a classic case of incomplete democratic transition, where political liberalization proceeded without corresponding economic restructuring, creating the conditions for systematic state failure
How Sun Pharma’s diverse business is helping it overcome US FDA curbs on manufacturing plants
Exports from Halol manufacturing plant continue to be restricted
Why is AI struggling to discover new drugs?
A generation of start-ups have failed to live up to the hype. Executives are now betting that more powerful tools will crack the complexities of human biology
How worried should we be about the crypto crush?
What China needs to become an economic hegemon
Are Beijing and the CCP able to or willing to play the vital role that the US has often played in the global economy — absorbing global surpluses with relatively open markets?
OPINION | GST Reform: Promise, pitfalls and the road ahead
Categorizing most items into just two tax slabs shows that the GST Council prioritised efficiency over other goals. Some potential benefits of this move are a positive impact on consumer demand and lower incidence of tax evasion. However, the gap between tax slabs can lead to distortions
OPINION | Reforming the collegium system will preserve judicial independence, not undermine it
For the judiciary to remain independent, it must first acknowledge its own flaws and correct them. Ignoring the cracks in the Collegium only invites external intervention, which would compromise its autonomy
