opinion

OPINION | Trump-Xi Talks: Short-term truce, long-term friction

The cessation of trade hostilities covered just recent measures. China’s official stance was a candid “occasional friction is normal”. US’ need to contain China’s expanding capability makes conflict in economic and technological domains inevitable

OPINION | Sardar Patel’s Legacy: Unity, integration, and the spirit of Ekta

RSSFACTS: Rashtriya Ekta Diwas honours Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s legacy of national integration. His correspondence reveals nuanced views on the RSS, while modern celebrations, like Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat, promote unity and shared national identity

In the AI boom, not all capex is created equal

There are big differences in the level of risk and likely returns of Big Tech’s spending 

OPINION | One Water, Many Gains: The economics of moderation

India's water crisis demands a shift towards sustainable practices, balancing supply and demand. Through community-led initiatives, improved water management, and climate adaptation, water can be a tool for economic stability and resilience

Caught between premium and value segments, Bata is struggling to stay relevant

Decline in profits and revenue reflects a bigger problem for Bata: loss of relevance

The GST Appellate Tribunal should not go the way of other tribunals

The humongous workload is the surest indicator, if one was needed, that India’s newest disputes-resolution tribunal needs to adopt a radically different approach

GST overhaul — After the 'what', comes the 'how'

Process reforms are key to equipping India’s indirect tax system for better revenue mobilisation

Rate cut relief or more confusion: What the Fed’s move means for India’s markets

Domestic conditions support another rate cut by the RBI. For markets to wear a bigger smile, however, much depends on this one source of funds delivering the goods

Chart of the Day: Is it time to retire the debit card?

Debit card transactions are being cannibalised by UPI

OPINION | The rise of India’s blue cities

Historically port cities, such as Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata and Kochi, have been gateways to the world, fostering cultural exchange, commerce, and innovation. Today, they hold the potential to become centres of finance, services, and human talent

OPINION | Supreme Court’s Karur Judgement: Questions of jurisdiction, neutrality and federal trust

Two aspects of the interim order have triggered debate. One, the decision to transfer the case to CBI when jurisprudence has set a high bar to do so. Two, the decision to appoint two IPS officers to the supervisory committee who may be of Tamil Nadu cadre but not natives of the state 

Indian sugar mills in sticky ethanol spot

The government’s desire to keep sugar prices in check may have led to a lower than desired allocation for cane-based ethanol, leading to mills worrying about the fate of their investments

OPINION | How AI-driven empathy in debt collections is reducing defaults

AI-driven, empathetic debt recovery is transforming India’s collections landscape. It is replacing pressure with personalised, respectful communication that boosts repayment, strengthens trust, and promotes responsible, compliant financial practices

SEBI's fee revolution -- Investors cheer, AMCs flinch

SEBI's proposed mutual fund fee cuts promise to save retail investors thousands annually, but AMCs and brokers are bracing for a profit squeeze that could reshape India's fund industry.

With food inflation control, comes a tricky case of low farm earnings

Climate change may have an outsized impact on farming which the government cannot ignore

Chart of the Day | What improved toll revenue, freight movement tell us

Steady rise in toll revenue reflects revised fees, efficient tolling, and higher share of heavy vehicles

OPINION | The Deepfake Rules: A reform in need of nuance

India’s draft IT Rule amendments target deepfakes through labelling and verification, a positive step but overbroad and impractical. True digital trust needs smarter definitions, balanced enforcement, and redesigned platform incentives

Why the LensKart IPO pricing is pure art... and artfulness

The thing is that markets are a fascinating study in comparative degrees of lunacy. If you sell irrationality first, then resetting and selling rationality later is a piece of cake.

After a brief relief, fertiliser subsidy set to bite government in FY26

The government increased nutrient-based subsidy rates for phosphatic and potassic fertilisers

OPINION | India’s consumption boom must power its manufacturing future

India’s GST cuts have boosted consumption, but rising imports threaten domestic industry. To harness this demand, India must strengthen manufacturing through import substitution, PLI schemes, and strategic trade partnerships

OPINION | Indian Business: Time to dream big, embrace global expansion

For all its achievements, Indian industry is woefully short of global corporate brands. Given this context, the current geoeconomic scenario presents Indian firms with an opportunity to leapfrog ahead through smart acquisitions. And it’s Europe which provides the best of these opportunities

OPINION | Post-harvest zone is where agritech and climate tech intersect

Storage and related infrastructure are overshadowed by other aspects of agritech. However, it’s the barely visible post-harvest technology which provides meaningful environmental and financial benefits for farmers

It’s a junk rally

A six-month dash for risk

Keep calm and an eye on the rupee as liquidity turns deficit

November will see about Rs 1.2 trillion of liquidity infusion from remainder of the CRR cut