Opinion

Best of BS Opinion: India's energy challenge and defence export opportunity

Here are the best of Business Standard's opinion pieces for today

The Covid lessons: West Asia conflict can also be used to usher in reforms

West Asia conflict may disrupt Budget 2026-27 projections, squeezing revenues and raising subsidies, prompting fiscal adjustments and potential reforms, echoing lessons from the Covid-era shock

Rewiring power for a new era: India's energy transition is too cautious

India imports more than 90 per cent of its oil needs and roughly half its gas requirements

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

Electricity: Overhauling tariff policy for a renewables-driven future

Unless tariff policy is revamped, India's discoms will be more obstacles than catalysts in the transition to a renewables-driven electrostate

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

India's leapfrog moment: A coordinated push can reshape growth path

As India nears the $3,000 per capita mark, a coordinated push in skills, clean energy and AI could help it leapfrog the middle-income trap

Best of BS Opinion: Between reform and risk in a fragmenting global order

Here are the best of Business Standard's opinion pieces for today

RBI policy expectations: Safeguarding growth amid a supply shock

With limited policy space amid a global supply shock, RBI is likely to hold rates, balancing inflation risks with the need to protect growth

Debt, demography, democracy: Busting myths in intergovernmental transfers

The 16th Finance Commission shifts focus away from demography, arguing ageing alone does not weaken state finances or justify higher transfers

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

The economics of global disorder: Resilience to trump efficiency, growth

There have, no doubt, been admirable efforts by the government to cushion the energy shock emanating from the Gulf, but there is only so much it can do in such global circumstances

India's misunderstood shock: Lessons from the pandemic on what not to do

With the Reserve Bank of India's first policy meeting since the ongoing energy shock underway, the obvious question is whether rate hikes are coming

Best of BS Opinion: Iran conflict could trigger prolonged bear market

From US foreign policy risks and India's labour data changes to bear market fears and FCRA concerns, today's Best of BS Opinion brings together key insights shaping global and domestic debates

Duty concessions to SEZ for DTA clearances likely to find few takers

Modest duty cuts and complex conditions may limit SEZ units' appetite for concessional DTA clearances despite the government's intent to boost capacity use

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

West Asia conflict threatens to push markets into bear market rhythm

Markets face risk of a prolonged bear phase as oil shocks and geopolitical tensions test inflation, growth, and investor confidence globally

Governance must be a core bank value, not just a compliance checklist

HDFC Bank's boardroom tensions highlight a deeper issue: governance failures persist not due to weak rules, but weak internalisation of accountability and oversight