opinion

The Reading List: August 29, 2025

Our research and opinion teams have curated a selection of articles and social media gems from the world of economy, business and finance for your weekend read.

Vault Matters | Beginning of the end of the hype around financial services

Two mid-sized SME lenders have supposedly called off their IPO plans. An NBFC focused on education loans has yet to refile for an IPO. One of the most anticipated listings of this year, HDB Financial Services, received only a lukewarm response from investors. Does this signal a tapering of investor interest in financial services?

Presidential Reference once again brings Parliament–Judiciary supremacy tussle to the fore

An ongoing hearing in the Supreme Court on a Presidential Reference has brought to the fore the perennial tussle between legislature and judiciary on the issue of which body is supreme. The widely accepted idea is that it’s the Constitution that is supreme and higher judiciary interprets it. A deeper look at the long and yet unresolved issue follows

America’s new ‘patriotic’ capitalism

In the land of the (supposedly) free markets, government stakes and price controls are met with silence on Wall Street

Trump’s Transactional Diplomacy: Trade as leverage in conflict mediation

Trump's mediation efforts blend diplomacy and trade, seeking economic benefits for the US and allies. This transactional approach raises concerns over sustainability, conflicts of interest, and long-term peace outcomes

Critical Minerals Crisis: Why India must pursue both quick wins, longer-term solutions

As Modi prepares for his China visit, the timing underscores a fundamental challenge facing India's clean energy transition: how to achieve mineral security while navigating complex geopolitical dependencies

Why protecting migrant workers is crucial for India’s urban future

India’s economic progress heavily relies on migrant workers fuelling urban growth, but increasing anti-migrant attitudes pose a serious threat to the nation’s development

Chart of the Day: The transformation in RIL’s earnings

Retail, telecom and digital services together generated more than half of the company’s operating earnings in FY25

India's 130th Constitutional Amendment Bill: Why consensus remains key to anti-corruption reform

India's proposed constitutional amendment on ministerial accountability highlights the complex challenge of balancing anti-corruption measures with democratic principles

Welcome to the new bond order

India's bond market faces headwinds as Trump's tariffs and GST reforms create a complex macro environment, though favourable liquidity conditions may limit yield upside

Hits and misses of India's new joint cyber doctrine

The recently released joint cyber doctrine’s significance goes beyond the fact that it is the first such publicly available document. The doctrine bats for a greater private sector involvement, enunciates key features of cyber warfare, and focuses on audit and supply chain security. However, on information warfare and quantum technologies, the doctrine leaves scope for further strengthening

India is at a premium over EM peers, but that's hardly a signal to sell

India is at a premium over EM peers, but that is hardly a signal to sell

A look at the Q1 FY26 unemployment numbers, on the eve of the GDP estimates

India’s unemployment rate stands at just 5.4 percent, but that number hides a troubling reality of underemployment and unpaid work

The way forward in opening up civil nuclear energy to private participation

Government has shown its intent by setting ambitious targets to enhance the share of nuclear energy in the overall energy mix. It comes in the backdrop of a push towards introducing small modular reactors. To realise the new goals, legislation covering nuclear energy will have to be tweaked and a broad consultative process adopted

Ahead of PM Modi's visit, India's Blue Economy wins global acclaim in China

A special tasting session of Indian seafood delicacies and a B2B Buyer–Seller Meet further strengthened India–China business connections in the marine products sector.

Thermal power and its vital role in India's green energy transition

Thermal power remains crucial to India's energy security despite the shift to renewables. Public and private sectors play key roles in expanding and modernising capacity, ensuring reliable power amidst growing demand

Full GST exemption on life and health insurance policies will be a mixed blessing

If the GST Council opts to exempt individual life and health policies from tax, insurers are likely to lose the benefit of input tax credit. Without ITC, potential benefits of a GST exemption are likely to capped while complicating operational matters for companies

‘Full of bugs’: How the world’s biggest carmakers fell behind in software

The shift from a manufacturing model to a digital one is proving difficult and expensive for many of the industry’s traditional companies

In Russia-Ukraine peace deal talks, China wants a seat at the table

Beijing is taking a long-term view, as is its wont, and clearly pointing out that it not only has a role in any peace process in Ukraine, but its role cannot be underplayed

Chart of the Day | The growing trend of premiumisation in India’s industrial real estate market

Grade A facilities are preferred by occupiers following demand created by the rising e-commerce, light manufacturing and consumption

AI Psychosis: Why your GenAI Chatbot is not your friend, philosopher and guide

The problems crop up, says an article in Psychology Today, because Chatbots tend to reinforce and amplify delusions

Start-up Street | How desi businesses are thriving and earning big

The culturally diverse and vast Indian market, with a new generation seeking cultural identity, makes a good market for ethnic start-up businesses that are commercially viable

IBC 2025: Ambitious reforms undermined by institutional weakness

The IBC Amendment Bill 2025 proposes major reforms to expedite insolvency resolution and empower creditors, but its success hinges on strengthening the NCLT’s capacity and addressing persistent institutional shortcomings

Affordable housing finance companies face growth slowdown as market matures

Elevated operating costs and pressure on margins would keep growth under check