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After promise of freebies, new state governments must face fiscal reality

Elections in India have become fertile ground for the proliferation of freebies

illustration: binay sinha

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India Inc's boardrooms have failed spectacularly at corporate governance

Crash-landings such as the one by Kingfisher Airlines could be ascribed to ill-judged government policy

India Inc's boardrooms have failed spectacularly at corporate governance
Updated On : 13 May 2026 | 10:49 PM IST

After promise of freebies, new state governments must face fiscal reality

Elections in India have become fertile ground for the proliferation of freebies

After promise of freebies, new state governments must face fiscal reality
Updated On : 13 May 2026 | 10:44 PM IST

Failed tests: National Testing Agency needs better preparation for exams

Neet determines admission to roughly 120,000 MBBS (bachelor of medicine, bachelor of surgery) seats, with over 2 million students competing for them

Failed tests: National Testing Agency needs better preparation for exams
Updated On : 13 May 2026 | 10:41 PM IST

Stability and growth: India needs to accelerate its pace of reforms

It is worth recognising that the global business environment has changed over the past few years, and a country like India has to improve its business environment more proactively

Stability and growth: India needs to accelerate its pace of reforms
Updated On : 13 May 2026 | 10:30 PM IST

Best of BS Opinion: PM Modi issues a fiscal call to arms

From Modi's austerity appeal and India's learning crisis to geopolitical trade shifts, AI accountability and public health reforms - here are today's key Opinion takeaways

Best of BS Opinion: PM Modi issues a fiscal call to arms
Updated On : 13 May 2026 | 6:15 AM IST

Managing fiscal fallout: Govt must make the necessary adjustments

Higher fuel prices and limited gas availability are affecting economic activities, which could result in lower overall tax collection and add further pressure on the Budget

Managing fiscal fallout: Govt must make the necessary adjustments
Updated On : 12 May 2026 | 10:24 PM IST

Learning deficit: India's education must focus on quality of outcomes

In many private schools, children struggle with reading comprehension and arithmetic despite parents paying higher fees in the hope of better outcomes

Learning deficit: India's education must focus on quality of outcomes
Updated On : 12 May 2026 | 10:19 PM IST

India's policymaking must replace mere forecasts with strategic scenarios

In a large country like India, the government can also consider the role it can play in directly influencing global prospects

India's policymaking must replace mere forecasts with strategic scenarios
Updated On : 12 May 2026 | 10:11 PM IST

Paris ruling against Lafarge redefines legal limits of corporate conduct

At its core, the case against it exposes the tension between protecting business interests and upholding basic human rights

Paris ruling against Lafarge redefines legal limits of corporate conduct
Updated On : 12 May 2026 | 10:05 PM IST

India's next pharma leap will be built on smarter global regulations

A risk-based system allows regulators to pay attention where it matters most, while providing industry with predictability

India's next pharma leap will be built on smarter global regulations
Updated On : 12 May 2026 | 10:00 PM IST

Best of BS Opinion: Beyond appeals, measuring govt compensation and more

From Hormuz risks to US tariff battles, today's opinions explore markets, governance failures, fiscal transparency and Islamic history

Best of BS Opinion: Beyond appeals, measuring govt compensation and more
Updated On : 12 May 2026 | 6:15 AM IST

The legal price of State failure: Accountability must bind all authorities

It is now routine for MIIs to face monetary consequences for regulatory failures, through settlement or adjudication, occasionally accompanied by non-monetary sanctions

The legal price of State failure: Accountability must bind all authorities
Updated On : 11 May 2026 | 10:59 PM IST

India must first understand what it spends on public sector compensation

India may be significantly underestimating the true fiscal cost of public sector compensation, raising concerns over long-term fiscal sustainability

India must first understand what it spends on public sector compensation
Updated On : 11 May 2026 | 10:58 PM IST

Judicial roadblocks for trade tariffs won't change Donald Trump's mind

For many countries around the world, including India, the possibility of Section 301 tariffs is even more concerning than the arbitrary IEEPA levies the President introduced last year

Judicial roadblocks for trade tariffs won't change Donald Trump's mind
Updated On : 11 May 2026 | 10:45 PM IST

Beyond appeals: Prices are the best way to change consumer behaviour

If the government allows prices to adjust swiftly in response to the changed supply situation, then people will automatically follow suit

Beyond appeals: Prices are the best way to change consumer behaviour
Updated On : 11 May 2026 | 10:41 PM IST

Best of BS Opinion: Manufacturing ambition, the next IT state and more

From manufacturing reforms and Bengal's industrial future to Japan ties, wildlife conflict and digital culture, today's commentaries examine India's evolving challenges

Best of BS Opinion: Manufacturing ambition, the next IT state and more
Updated On : 11 May 2026 | 6:15 AM IST

AI to robotics: The growing convergence trend reshaping technology

AI, robotics, spatial intelligence and omni computing are converging to create smarter healthcare, manufacturing and energy systems

AI to robotics: The growing convergence trend reshaping technology
Updated On : 10 May 2026 | 11:30 PM IST

The next IT state: New govt can make West Bengal an upscale tech hub

The focus on MSMEs has not translated into meaningful capital formation, which sustains industrial growth and employment

The next IT state: New govt can make West Bengal an upscale tech hub
Updated On : 10 May 2026 | 9:51 PM IST

Manufacturing ambition: India needs a coherent strategy to boost industry

In a fast-changing global environment, India needs a coherent strategy and a set of reforms to attract investment and meaningfully increase manufacturing output

Manufacturing ambition: India needs a coherent strategy to boost industry
Updated On : 10 May 2026 | 9:43 PM IST

Tax benefits meant for savers must not become subsidies for sellers

Tax breaks meant for savers are increasingly enriching insurers and distributors, while mis-selling leaves ordinary investors exposed to heavy losses

Tax benefits meant for savers must not become subsidies for sellers
Updated On : 10 May 2026 | 9:43 PM IST