Policy

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

Smaller textile firms brace for heavier compliance burden under new rules

Exporters say that international brands are increasingly probing environmental, social and labour safeguards while placing orders, and labour code clarity could eventually strengthen India’s credibility with ESG-focused foreign buyers.

Govt eyes small-hydro policy in Union Budget 2026 amid 16,000 MW untapped potential

India has an estimated 21,133 MW of small-hydro potential, of which at least 5,000 MW has been developed, leaving around 75 percent untapped, mostly in Himalayan and northeastern states, according to government data seen by Moneycontrol.

Karnataka notifies menstrual leave policy: 12 days of paid leave annually for women employees

Women employees in factories, shops, commercial establishments and other registered industries in Karnataka can now avail one day of paid menstrual leave every month without the need for a medical certificate.

OPINION | F&O policy signals a new era of market maturity and depth

India’s F&O landscape is growing with purpose. The message from policymakers is that the future of derivatives trading will be defined by awareness, prudence, and liquidity and not by interventionist controls

Business confidence dips after three quarters of rise, shows NCAER survey

Global policy shifts and GST changes weigh on sentiment; capacity use remains strong

Should you rely on employer health insurance or buy a separate policy?

Company cover feels convenient, but it may not be enough when you need it most.

 Karnataka: Women employees to get one paid day off every month as state cabinet approves Menstrual Leave Policy

The earlier proposal offered six days of paid menstrual leave annually, but the labour department later decided to increase it to one day per month.

Karnataka’s first skill policy proposes AI and digital tools for training and career guidance

Karnataka has unveiled its first Skill Development Policy 2025–2032, aiming to position the state as a premier hub for skilled talent and drive its vision of becoming a $1 trillion economy by 2032.

Karnataka HC pulls up state govt for failing to frame policy, warns of staying bike taxi ban

The court had given the state government four weeks to formulate a policy for bike taxis.

MC Interview: Govt will back jobs and creative economy as Online Gaming Bill takes shape, says Ashwini Vaishnaw

In an exclusive interview, IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said the law targets harmful money games but also assured support for affected workers while promoting e-sports and skill-based gaming.

How misinformation aims at thwarting the India-UK FTA 

For India and the UK, while the signing of the FTA has been a historic moment, fact remains that for both, there will be mobilisation in their democratic civil societies to thwart the positives of the FTA. Misinformation and disinformation will emerge in bigger ways. The best way to counter it is to pre-empt and ensure easily understandable information is made available on the FTA

Cutting Forests, Cutting Corners: India’s forest policy is sabotaging its own climate goals

India is dismantling the forest protections it needs to meet its climate commitments, creating a policy contradiction that undermines both carbon sequestration capacity and economic competitiveness 

India-US trade deal: It’s time to seize the moment

As US tariff pressure mounts, India stands poised to transform crisis into opportunity by accelerating long-overdue economic reforms that could make the nation more competitive globally

India-UK FTA: The devil is in the details

India’s historic deal with UK will require significant reforms on gender representation, labour competitiveness to capitalize on the FTA opportunity

Why Karnataka govt’s flawed decisions are adding to Bengaluru’s traffic crisis

The Congress government, which came to power in May 2023, has been taking decisions that are in sharp contrast to its manifesto, which promised to increase the share of public transport in Bengaluru.

Setu co-founder Sahil Kini appointed as CEO of Reserve Bank Innovation Hub

Kini's appointment follows a months-long search that drew over 400 applicants, including senior leaders from fintechs, banks, and regulatory institutions.

Farm products represent tricky terrain in India-US trade talks

In a week’s time the 3-month pause on the US’ unilateral announcement of reciprocal tariffs ends. Agriculture and dairy segments represent India’s 'red lines'. However, US pressure to open up these areas may not subside as it seeks to find an alternative to China’s market 

Karnataka launches ‘AI workforce impact study’ ahead of new IT policy

Karnataka’s ‘AI Workforce Impact Survey’ invites responses from industry leaders, HR heads, tech professionals, and academia; open till June 27.

Keeping foreign policy hostage to domestic political optics hurts India

Pakistan is a “phenomenal partner” to the US in countering terrorism, a US military general told the country’s legislators this week. It’s an observation Indians will find perverse, particularly from a country which partners India in multiple areas. This, in turn, begs the question on whether India’s diplomatic outreach has been futile. The answer may actually lie in the government’s domestic political priorities which often overwhelm everything else

India rolls out tweaked electric car manufacturing scheme, offers tax cuts against local production commitment

The scheme will now allow companies to import a limited number of electric cars at a lower import duty of 15 percent, if they commit to investing Rs 4,150 crore to manufacture electric passenger cars in India within three years from approval.

Karnataka to roll out its first dedicated MSME policy

Karnataka’s Industries and Commerce Department will with the help of a consultant soon draft a new policy that charts a roadmap for the sector benchmarked to domestic and international standards.

RBI’s accounting policies lack transparency, burdening taxpayers

RBI has taken an overly conservative approach to risk management and lacks transparency in how it implements its policies. It withholds surpluses belonging to the government, instead allocating to its own reserves. This compels the government to borrow more from the market

Data at a Glance | When was the last time policy uncertainty was so high?

The world is gripped by a growing sense of unpredictability. Markets are wavering, businesses are treading cautiously, and consumers are feeling the strain. How deep is the unease, and how does it compare to previous episodes of massive uncertainty?

India needs to move beyond services, turn into a 'product nation': Vaishnaw

Ashwini Vaishnaw made it clear that while India’s services industry will continue to grow, the next big leap must come from product development.