India-Oman to sign free trade agreement on Dec 18 after two years of talks
The India-Oman trade agreement is expected to provide a framework for expanding trade, investment and sectoral cooperation as India seeks to deepen its economic presence in the Gulf.
Renewable energy can play crucial role, but generation capacity is only the first step
The unique characteristics of renewable energy generation necessitate simultaneous creation of storage and transmission capacity, an area where India has lagged
From MNREGA to VB–G RAM G: Why the government is changing the rural jobs model and how it will work
VB–G RAM G replaces MNREGA with a 125-day rural jobs guarantee, sharper planning, and an infrastructure-first approach. Here’s what changes, and why it matters.
Align safety norms with labour reforms for a better workplace
As India's new Occupational Safety and Health Code prepares for rollout, misalignments with progressive state labour reforms—particularly around IT sector exemptions and working-hour flexibility—risk creating compliance confusion unless Centre and states coordinate effectively
The US National Security Strategy signals a new pivot: Asia must now hedge
The new US National Security Strategy marks a significant shift in American foreign policy, prioritizing the Western Hemisphere while signalling that Asian allies must shoulder greater responsibility for regional security
OPINION | ‘Fraud-stack’ can’t be defeated by front-door surveillance
India’s rising digital-fraud epidemic is pushing policymakers towards extreme fixes, including a proposal to keep satellite location tracking permanently switched on in every smartphone sold in the country. But combating crime cannot mean converting an entire nation into traceable dots on a map, which might just end societal trust at scalek
India's new Russia agreements hinge on Ukraine peace
India and Russia entered into significant agreements outside the traditional military sphere during Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit last week. But some of the deals—including energy supplies and transfer of military technology—may be difficult to implement if the Ukraine peace talks fail
Who will pay the price for the IndiGo debacle?
While the government has promised an inquiry and fixing of accountability, the real price may be paid by a different stakeholder
The rote response to soaring tomato prices underlines the urgent need to reform India’s horticulture markets
The government's knee-jerk reaction to cyclone-driven tomato price spikes masks a systemic failure: a horticulture market where farmers get just 33% of retail prices and boom-bust cycles devastate both producers and consumers
Taking stock – Growth up, prices down, RBI policy on edge
India's GDP growth of 8.2% masks underlying economic challenges, with nominal growth lagging, the RBI caught between rate cuts and rupee defence, and markets pricing in a potential earnings turnaround despite policy uncertainties
How executive pay went galactic
Elon Musk’s $1tn incentive plan supercharges a long history of rewards driving up executive pay
India's Employment Paradox: Low joblessness, high unemployment registration, and millions of unemployable graduates
India faces a baffling employment contradiction—officially low unemployment rates mask millions of registered jobseekers who lack the skills employers desperately need
Why the banking liquidity crunch will continue
India's banking system liquidity has dropped sharply, driven by massive foreign exchange interventions that have overshadowed the RBI's liquidity-boosting measures
The new Labour Codes do not create flexibility — They just make it legal
India’s new labour codes formalize a flexibility that already existed, promising broader social protection in return
Putin's Delhi Visit: How a fighter jet deal could redraw geopolitical lines
President Putin's visit to India marks a strategic turning point, with a landmark technology transfer deal that strengthens India's hand against China and the West
Can climate commitment rise from the ashes of COP30 fire?
India and other developing nations may breathe easy for now, but deeper climate conflicts need to be addressed
Should you expect a new payslip and a new roster? What the new labour codes mean for employees
New labour codes are in force. Basic pay must be 50% of CTC, PF/gratuity rise, take-home may dip.
From unpaid interns to underpaid fresher: How India’s new labour codes redraw the deal for young workers
India’s labour codes effective Nov 21, 2025 guarantee minimum wage for all workers, mandatory appointment letters, and wage payment during leave. Explained.
Labour codes 2025: Beedi, cigar & plantation workers get new wages and safety benefits
The reforms are designed to protect workers’ rights, improve safety and social security, and create additional employment opportunities
India’s new labour codes reset flexible hiring: What changes for fixed-term and contract workers
India’s labour codes change flexible work: fixed-term staff gain benefit parity and quicker gratuity; contract workers get clearer protections and liability on firms.
India's labour codes–Modi’s landmark reform
Four new labour codes have replaced 29 central labour laws, bringing the legal framework for working conditions in line with contemporary standards
India’s shift toward formalisation was already underway as written contracts rose, paid leave benefits expanded
PLFS 2023–24 shows steady gains in written contracts and paid leave, even as social-security coverage remained uneven
New labour code mandates salary disbursement by 7th of every month for IT employees
Also, the labour code asks IT/ITes companies to facilitate for women to work night shifts in all establishments, therefore, opportunity for women to earn higher wages.
CAG audit reveals what's broken in Delhi's bus services – and how to fix it
A decade-long audit of Delhi Transport Corporation exposes how India's city bus services collapsed from 7,000 buses to half that fleet, accumulated Rs 60,750 crore in losses, and what other metros can learn from this cautionary tale
