Opinion

US midterms deepen uncertainty over future policy and ties with India

Trump's midterm defeat may not change his policy direction, while a future Democratic administration may also retain elements of his inward-looking approach

Jailer 2 and Rajinikanth's vicarious politics: The paradox of a superstar

Rajinikanth's career presents a paradox. An actor who began by defying conventions gradually became captive to a persona that demanded repetition

Nvidia turmoil links Huang's scandal to AI markets and geopolitics

Nvidia's leadership uncertainty, alleged geopolitical links and circular AI funding raise questions about the future of the AI boom

US midterm upset leaves India facing a tougher regional recalibration

Since a US President enjoys immense executive powers, American foreign policy may not witness any significant change as a result of the elections

Factory safety must underpin India's manufacturing ambitions and investment

More significantly, 338 fatal injuries attributed to gassing were recorded over 2014-23, indicating that such incidents are neither new nor unfamiliar

Coal gasification ecosystem needs assured demand to attract investment

Weak response to the coal-gasification scheme highlights commercial viability concerns, underscoring the need for assured demand, easier financing, indigenous technology and better infrastructure

Private capital helped build India's early infrastructure, can do so again

In 1849, the government offered private companies a guaranteed 5 per cent annual return on the capital they invested to build the railways, backed by free land and licences running up to 100 years

RBI's forex curbs have steadied the rupee and revived investor sentiment

It is the stable rupee, not the blue wave in the US

Groundwater recharge needs local action and changes to farming practices

El Niño and below-normal rainfall heighten pressure on India's groundwater reserves, underscoring the need to combine scientific recharge planning with efficient irrigation and crop diversification.

Airtel's restored entry tariff highlights telcos' revenue-growth dilemma

Indian telecom operators face the challenge of raising average revenue per user (Arpu) while retaining subscribers, as pressure to increase tariffs runs up against affordability and competition.

India's workplace gender gap persists despite laws and high-profile firsts

Women remain under-represented in Indian corporate leadership and earn less than men, highlighting the gap between workplace policies and actual gender equality.

India needs tax reform to reduce distortions and lift investment growth

Recent tax changes are welcome, but India needs sustained reforms to address exemptions, reduce cascading taxes, improve compliance and broaden the tax base without distorting investment decisions.

Checks and balances: India should prepare for AI-led investment volatility

A significant increase in risk aversion or an unwinding of AI trades could lead to substantial volatility in global financial markets, if not a full-blown crisis

VISTAR must pair better data with safeguards and state capacity in India

More steps needed to improve official data collection

Oil shock strains FY27 finances, but buffers may contain fiscal slippage

Revenue and expenditure pressures are expected to widen the fiscal deficit, although the impact on market borrowings may be limited

Post-1991 reforms left India short on manufacturing, growth and jobs

Three decades after 1991, it is clear India needs a new policy approach

Chatroom: Clearing doubts on SEZ drawback claims and EOU job work

Experts clarify SEZ drawback procedures, the scope of newly amended rules and compliance requirements for EOUs sending imported raw materials for job work

India's fertiliser subsidy needs reform beyond digital verification

The objective should be to improve targeting without making access to an essential agricultural input conditional on the perfection of land records

Democrat control of Congress may bring limited gains for India-US ties

To be sure, the Democrats will have the security of a United States Supreme Court judgment of February, which struck down the President's use of emergency powers to impose tariffs on trading partners

India's video audience is shifting as streaming rewrites viewing habits

From 10-second episodes to 10-hour seasons, the deluge brought by streaming and on-demand services is now changing how Indians entertain themselves