opinion

The Reading List: May 30, 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.

Can we ‘nudge’ our way to higher growth?

It’s time to ask whether behavioural science can tackle big problems

Manipur’s fractured society leaves the government in a fix

President’s Rule in the state led to a crackdown against insurgents, a positive development. However, neither has it bridged the ethnic gap in a meaningful way nor has it endeared itself to people in Imphal Valley. It leaves the central government with a conundrum that doesn’t have an answer in sight

Even cinema calls out POCSO misuse; law needs safeguards

While POCSO aims to protect children, courts and reports reveal growing misuse in consensual teen relationships, prompting calls for nuanced reforms that balance child rights with justice and intent

RSS@100: Unravelling the road map for next 25 years and beyond

RSSFACTS: Mohan Bhagwat outlines RSS’s centenary goals: uniting Hindu society, maintaining an apolitical stance, and promoting global transformation rooted in cultural harmony, long-term vision, and inclusive social practices

IndiGo’s record profits overshadowed by Gangwal’s stake sale, a signal to buy or a red flag?

Lifted by the Mahakumbh in Q4 and an extended wedding season, the airline saw 13% growth in available seat kilometres (ASK) and 21% growth in passengers

Can India use America’s MAGA moment to accelerate MIGA?

The unprecedented crackdown on foreign scholars launched by US President Donald Trump has opened up a golden opportunity to attract some of the world’s top talent

Data Story: IBC showed big success in FY25, but its failures are bigger

As of March 2025, the average time for a bankruptcy case from commencement date to approval of resolution plan was a whopping 865 days.

RBI annual report | Gold is a standout performer for the central bank in FY25

The RBI’s gold holdings jumped from 822.1 metric tonnes to 879.58 metric tonnes, a 57.48-tonne increase

Chart of the Day: RBI owes its profits to the forex market volatility

The RBI’s forex market operations have made it a handsome profit in FY25

CLOSING BELL: Nifty at 24,750, Sensex slips 180 points as auto, metal, IT dampen sentiment

Sensex today | Indian benchmark indices ended lower on Friday, weighed down by mixed global cues. Broader markets, which had been resilient so far, gave in to profit-taking, with the Smallcap index snapping a five-day winning run. In contrast, PSU banks outperformed, rallying nearly 3 percent as investors cheered their robust Q4 earnings.

Decisive triumph of hard power, questions over soft power

As Indian parliamentarians tour the globe to set the record straight on Op Sindoor and Indian democracy, there are points to ponder. India has been held up to higher standards than its hostile neighbours for good reason; it’s been the beacon of democracy among countries that emerged out of colonialism after World War II. If parliamentarians have to reiterate that, it’s likely because our own doing has led to doubts in other countries

WhatsApp status in a court of law

With so much of personal and professional communication taking place over WhatsApp, there’s a gradual evolution in the manner the law is viewing it as evidence. In addition, the courts have also set boundaries on its use as evidence. A look at the status of WhatsApp communication as evidence follows 

Stealth eagle gliding in the Indian sky

Allowing the private sector to compete to build a stealth fighter plane for IAF represents an inflection point in more ways than one. It’s a vote of confidence in the domestic manufacturing base, public and private. Furthermore, it’s a signal that the government will not let India lose its fighter combat edge on account of the China-to-Pakistan supply chain. That said, the challenge of getting a grip on an adequately powered engine remains

ITC’s shareholders face equity overhang risk

BAT may have sold only a 2.5 percent stake in ITC but the fall in its stake below a crucial threshold raises the risk of more sales in coming years

Can stablecoin legislation help dollar regain its supremacy?

Stablecoins are digital currencies designed to maintain a stable value by pegging them to traditional assets, such as the US dollar, the euro, or commodities like gold

India’s solar race demands a manufacturing revolution

India is rapidly scaling solar manufacturing, reducing import dependence and boosting domestic capacity. To sustain momentum, upstream integration, policy clarity, and tech innovation are essential for global competitiveness and climate leadership

AI's Revolutionary Promise: Progress, cost, and consequence

The latest AI advances showcase extraordinary potential to transform work, communication, and creativity. However, they also raise urgent concerns around energy consumption, equity, privacy, and inadequate governance frameworks 

India’s battle against fake news, debunking it post by post, pic by pic

The Indian government fought the fake news war peddled during Operation Sindoor. Social media handles were monitored and several news channels were issued warnings. The government and the armed forces stayed vigilant and were able to thwart the misinformation war

Chart of the Day | Uptick in rural wages augurs well for consumption

Market surveys by Nielsen IQ show steady pick up in rural consumption in the last four quarters

The cautionary message from zero electricity prices

Supplies are exceeding demand during daytime and vice versa in the night on spot electricity market

Start-up Street| Is there a hidden goldmine in India’s infrastructure sector?

New areas in infrastructure such as data centres, digital infrastructure, logistics, warehousing and the like may attract PE funds, but there are myriad risks and challenges too

IIP data confirm PM's warning on foreign imports

India's industrial production registered a modest 2.7 percent year-on-year growth in April 2025, marking a weak start to FY26 despite outperforming expectations, given the core sector's dismal 0.5 percent expansion. The sluggish performance reflects deeper structural challenges in the manufacturing sector, particularly in consumer goods production