Editorial Comment

Welfare politics and procedural issues pose risks to fiscal discipline

Are the new or revised schemes costed properly? If not, what will it do to the Budget figures?

FCRA changes risk expanding state control over civil society space

Proposed FCRA changes risk tightening control over NGOs, raising concerns over administrative overreach and constraints on legitimate civil society work

Between easing inflation and rising geopolitical risks, RBI chooses caution

RBI holds rates amid West Asia uncertainty, with oil prices and geopolitical risks set to shape inflation, growth, and future policy moves

Reducing import dependence: Renewable energy can play a significant role

It has been argued that India must push up the domestic production of fossil fuels, including oil and gas, along with diversifying sources of imports

Defence outperformance: Exports grow, but a more broadbased strategy needed

Private sector must drive defence growth, with successful nations relying on strong public-private partnerships to build competitive and scalable manufacturing ecosystems

Streamline regulations: Jan Vishwas Bill is a step in the right direction

Notably, the Bill is not a standalone reform. It is part of a broader and consistent policy intervention over the past decade and is aimed at improving the business environment

To the moon and beyond: Artemis II mission can pave way for deep space

The Artemis programme and the associated Artemis Accords are one axis of a new space race

Improving job quality: India needs to generate more productive employment

Revamped PLFS offers sharper labour data, but reveals a deeper concern-India's workforce remains trapped in low-quality jobs with weak wage growth

Dire straits: Prolonged war could alter the global security architecture

Escalating US-Iran conflict and oil disruptions threaten global stability, while shifting alliances signal a weakening of America's geopolitical influence

Gauging disruption: AI studies highlight labour-market inequality

If entry-level roles shrink because of AI, the pathway for skill accumulation itself may be disrupted

RBI's rupee challenge: Policymakers should not be swayed by absolute levels

While the war is affecting macroeconomic dynamics in various ways, requiring intervention, economic management has become significantly complex for the Reserve Bank of India (RBI)

Indian legal system's gender gap begins at the bar and reaches the bench

Many woman lawyers are first-generation professionals, making the early years particularly difficult

Census 2027 will inform policy, but it could also reshape India's politics

The Census exercise will be carried out in two phases. The first phase will be a house-listing and housing Census, which will be conducted between April and September over a period of 30 days

Clouded year ahead: Economic conditions have changed since February 1

Multiple sectors will come under pressure, complicating the government's plans for the year

Fractured future: MC14 exposes the limitations of WTO amid deep divisions

The larger takeaway from MC14 is the fragmentation of global trade governance

Big business groups' diversification game amid slowing growth, rising risks

Slowing growth and volatile earnings are pushing India Inc. to diversify aggressively-even as weak R&D spending raises concerns about long-term competitiveness

Inflation dynamics: Ongoing Iran conflict will complicate policy choices

Research has shown that both the inflation rate and volatility moderated after the adoption of the flexible inflation-targeting framework

Trust deficit: Sebi's move to address conflict of interest needs more heft

Sebi moves to tighten conflict norms, but limited disclosures and voluntary code risk falling short of restoring investor trust in the regulator's independence

Restricting social harm: US verdicts expose social media's design flaws

Regulation must engage with the architecture of platforms rather than rely solely on blunt prohibitions

No end in sight: West Asia conflict escalating costs for global economy

Countries in Asia heavily dependent on West Asian fossil fuel are already struggling to contain the inflationary impact and hardships of fuel shortages