Politics

India’s political spokespersons are fading as television declines and digital platforms rise, exposing parties’ failure to adapt communication strategies to younger audiences who value authenticity, explanation and platform fluency 

OPINION | Inside India’s big savings slowdown and rising debt culture

A move from fixed deposits to SIPs, and from thrift to credit, is redrawing India’s social map. The shift is strengthening aspirations but also increasing fragility, creating clear winners among financially literate households and leaving others vulnerable

OPINION | Trump trade policy in 2025 didn’t work as it ignored Economics 101

The US President’s ‘Liberation Day’ tariff announcement has seen a partial rollback to mitigate domestic political repercussions. Moreover, neither China nor India gave in under pressure 

Eastern Window | Japan, South Korea enter arms race, threatening stability in North Asia

Countries in North Asia like China, Japan, South Korea, and North Korea are engaged in an intense arms race with efforts to acquire nuclear weapons. Such moves amid US-China rival may threaten the stability of the region

OPINION | Judging Caste: What the Supreme Court’s report reveals

A new report produced by the apex court on the evolution of jurisprudence on caste shows that even within a rule-based framework, social conditioning makes its presence felt

OPINION | RSS Redefines Hindutva: A living, inclusive civilisational idea

RSSFACTS: RSS redefines Hindutva as a timeless, inclusive philosophy, focusing on unity, diversity, and the principles of Dharma. It connects Hindu culture, society, and civilisation while aligning with India's Constitution and values

OPINION | The global AI Race and India’s regulatory dilemma 

Much like earlier regimes governing nuclear and satellite technologies, AI is now being managed through international controls rather than traditional technology regulation

OPINION | 2025 Roundup: The year Indian startups got its mojo back

In 2025, Indian startups revived with AI-driven applications, particularly in voice tech and quick commerce, while venture capital investment surged, focusing on full-service AI and global expansion

OPINION | Tarique Rahman in Bangladesh: Will the prodigal’s return impart stability?

His homecoming is the outcome of India and the Bangladesh Nationalist Party making peace with each other on an equal footing through dialogue

OPINION | India’s strategic shift to strengthen rare earth supply chains

India has approved a $820 million scheme to boost rare earth magnet production, aiming to diversify supply chains and reduce dependence on China, with US-India collaboration key

OPINION | Religion, the fuel that drives West Bengal’s’ politics

Humayun Kabir’s new political party suggests class antagonism has been consigned to the dustbin of electoral history. The state is headed for an election in 2026 where religious polarisation may play an unprecedented role 

OPINION | Beyond First Impressions: Why the India–New Zealand FTA will matter more than its critics admit

India-NZ FTA will have to be ratified by New Zealand’s parliament, where some members are expected to oppose it. Their dismay about the FTA is based on a narrow approach which doesn’t account for the larger economic and strategic benefits that will come the way of both countries 

OPINION | The Fallibility of the Supreme Court: Reflections on judicial decision making

Former Chief Justice B. N. Kripal’s *Supreme But Not Infallible* highlights the Supreme Court’s fallibility, emphasising its power to review judgments and correct errors to uphold justice and constitutional values

OPINION | Reimagining wealth management, a digital-first future ​ 

India’s wealth management industry needs to adopt fee-based advisory, digital tools, and hybrid models to serve a wider range of customers

OPINION | VB- G Ram G will have a consequential impact on state finances

The attempt to get states to shoulder a greater share of the financial burden of welfare schemes is over a decade old The financing formula in the MNREGA replacement builds on it without concurrently providing states greater autonomy in implementation

OPINION | Islamists in Bangladesh have staged a silent coup; a civil war is no longer implausible

Osman Hadi’s killing unsurprisingly led to the scapegoating of India. But the mystery over the identity of his killer encapsulates the murky developments that have led to Jamaat’s ascent and left the society deeply divided

OPINION | A nuclear legislation that creates an enabling framework for private investment

SHANTI, the new nuclear law, removes ambiguity in the liability of stakeholders in a nuclear plant. It, therefore, enables an assessment of potential risk and paves the way for new entrants

OPINION | Backing Indian ambition with capital for growth

As India heads into a pivotal Budget, the spotlight must turn to how domestic capital can power national ambition and anchor long-term value creation

OPINION | China will enter the Year of the Fire Horse with confidence about its trajectory

The advent of Donald Trump as US president resulted in a disruptive 2025. China not only weathered the storm, it also indicated that it sees itself as the inheritor and reformer of the post-war institutional order

OPINION | Vault Matters: Why Rajiv Anand will be 2026’s most tracked bank CEO

Turning around an institution is a mammoth task. Especially when it is going through investigations for fraud. Rajiv for a foreseeable future may be caught between clearing the air for things that happened in the past and aspirations to take the ship forward. A tough tug-of-war

OPINION | Five forces that will decide who hires and who is hired in 2026 and beyond

Based on LinkedIn's study of the behaviour of more than 160 million professionals in India, what emerges is that in 2026 demonstrated skills and trust matter more than pedigree in hiring. SMEs and cities in Tiers 2&3 have arrived

OPINION | Why VB- G RAM G represents a superior version of India’s workfare program 

The Viksit Bharat- Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin), or VB- G RAM G, Bill was passed by Parliament on December 18. It will replace the MGNREGA Act, which provided a guaranteed wage employment to rural households. A spokesperson for the BJP makes a case for why this represents a necessary change in the backdrop of contemporary challenges

OPINION | The RSS and the limits of western ‘right-wing’ labels

RSSFACTS: The RSS' ideology, rooted in Dharma, transcends Western political binaries. It emphasises cultural unity, social harmony, and moral restraint, making the ‘right-wing’ label inaccurate and misleading 

OPINION | MGNREGA is not being merely replaced; welfare philosophy is being overturned

The Viksit Bharat- Guarantee For Rozgar Yojana And Ajeevika Mission (GRAMIN), or VB- G RAM G, Bill was tabled in Lok Sabha on December 16 to replace MGNREGA, the workfare programme that’s been the cornerstone of the welfare system. An assessment of what’s actually going to change follows

OPINION | SaaS isn't dying, it's getting a stronger foundation

In 2025, enterprises learned critical lessons on AI integration, sustainability, and SaaS adoption. Key takeaways include managing integration tax, choosing efficient AI models, and co-creating SaaS solutions for greater long-term value