Economy & Policy Analysis

Datanomics: India eyes South Korea agreement review as deficit widens

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and South Korean President Lee Jae-myung exchanged several MoUs, with both sides agreeing to deepen cooperation in strategic sectors, including shipbuilding

India's projects economy is going digital, and that changes everything

As India enters a massive infrastructure build-out phase, digital tools, startups and data-driven systems are transforming project execution, improving efficiency and reshaping the construction ecosys

India's liquidity surplus hides deeper funding stress in banking system

Despite a headline liquidity surplus, India's banking system faces tightening funding conditions, rising short-term rates, and persistent external pressures weighing on liquidity

Why India's AI ambitions demand a reset in virtualisation strategy

AI adoption accelerates across sectors, India must rethink virtualisation models to ensure cost efficiency, flexibility, and secure infrastructure capable of supporting scalable and inclusive growth

Datanomics: Rupee weakens, Indian economy slips to sixth-largest

India's GDP in domestic currency terms records a CAGR of 8.56 per cent between 2021 and 2025, reflecting highest economic growth among major economies

From compliance to confidence: A new paradigm for food safety in India

India's food ecosystem is vast, diverse, and rapidly evolving - spanning everything from street vendors and small manufacturers to large-scale food processors and global exporters

Reforms in India: From ease of doing business to ease of trusting systems

Trust is no longer just a matter of perception; it is a hard economic and governance variable

Datanomics: Minorities face disadvantage in India's labour market

India's stable unemployment rate masks sharp disparities, with minorities facing uneven job access, lower participation and higher reliance on informal work

Gut health: Reframing India's nutrition story for a healthier future

India's nutrition story isn't simple. But in many ways, the direction forward is rediscovery. That good health is not just about what we eat, but about how well the body is able to use it

India's food systems need a reset for Viksit Bharat, rethink policy focus

The issue is no longer food availability; it is the absence of a coherent food systems approach

Going beyond 2% CSR: The institutions India needs for a Viksit Bharat

India - and its leading business houses - must go beyond mere CSR spending to build enduring institutions that strengthen governance, improve execution, and unlock large-scale social impact across sta

The future of retail: How empowering small businesses can drive growth

India's MSMEs are reshaping retail through digital adoption, data-led decisions and e-commerce expansion, but unlocking their full potential will require stronger infrastructure, training, and ecosyst

Datanomics: Ethanol push gains ground; dependence on oil imports persists

India's E20 fuel rollout boosts ethanol blending, but rising fuel demand keeps crude import dependence high, raising questions on its impact on energy security

Increasing AI adoption puts humanities and critical thinking back in focus

As generative AI reshapes knowledge and decision-making, the humanities face both renewed relevance and existential pressure, raising urgent questions for universities and critical thinking

In crisis created by the Iran war, survival won't be enough for businesses

Beyond firefighting, leaders must leverage shifting market dynamics and deepen relationships to secure a long-term competitive advantage

Can WTO MC14 deliver a consensus WTO reform agenda this time?

India's challenge at MC14 is conceptually clear, even if diplomatically complex: use the credibility conferred by its new bilateral relationships to defend, not dilute, the multilateral order

Datanomics: Bangladesh at 55 - stagnation, inflation, and other issues

As Bangladesh marks its 56th Independence Day, slowing growth, rising inflation and a widening trade deficit underscore mounting economic challenges

The missing piece: A cohesive national framework on India's urbanisation

India's 2026 policy framework recognises the importance of urban growth, but falls short of offering a cohesive, data-driven national urbanisation strategy to guide planning and investment

West Asia war: Shivalik, Nanda Devi can meet just a day's LPG demand

War-hit routes and contract-locked supplies squeeze availability

The minerals that will power tomorrow must be mined differently today

As demand for critical minerals surges with the clean energy transition, mining must adopt sustainable, technology-led practices to balance growth, environmental responsibility, community expectations