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Finance Commission changes pose transition risks for states' fiscal balance

The 16th Finance Commission throws up a transition challenge for states facing strict fiscal limits

Finance Commission, State Finances

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Trade sustainability rules are evolving and India must respond promptly

In a world where sustainability norms are increasingly shaping market access, staying out of the conversation is no longer a strategy

Trade sustainability rules are evolving and India must respond promptly
Updated On : 26 Feb 2026 | 11:02 PM IST

Finance Commission changes pose transition risks for states' fiscal balance

The 16th Finance Commission throws up a transition challenge for states facing strict fiscal limits

Finance Commission changes pose transition risks for states' fiscal balance
Updated On : 26 Feb 2026 | 10:59 PM IST

India must confront the fiscal risks of an expanding freebie culture

As subsidies and cash transfers surge, the Supreme Court and Finance Commission warn that unchecked freebies risk straining state finances and long-term growth

India must confront the fiscal risks of an expanding freebie culture
Updated On : 26 Feb 2026 | 10:54 PM IST

AgriStack could transform farming, but execution will decide its fate

AgriStack, pitched as the "next UPI", could transform farm subsidies, tenant inclusion and soil health - but only if farmer, land and crop data are accurate and trusted

AgriStack could transform farming, but execution will decide its fate
Updated On : 26 Feb 2026 | 10:49 PM IST

Best of BS Opinion: Recycling assets and rethinking digital access

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

Best of BS Opinion: Recycling assets and rethinking digital access
Updated On : 26 Feb 2026 | 6:16 AM IST

Building an ownership society with a universal retirement account for all

India needs a universal retirement account for every citizen beginning at birth in an era when capital, rather than labour, will dominate economic returns

Building an ownership society with a universal retirement account for all
Updated On : 25 Feb 2026 | 9:57 PM IST

Moving forward at WTO: India must recalibrate its positions at the forum

With WTO reform on the MC-14 agenda in Yaounde, India faces a key choice on plurilateral deals like the IFDA and the future of global trade rules

Moving forward at WTO: India must recalibrate its positions at the forum
Updated On : 25 Feb 2026 | 9:48 PM IST

Regulating social media: Banning it for children is no silver bullet

A private member's Bill has even proposed disabling the accounts of all under-16 users

Regulating social media: Banning it for children is no silver bullet
Updated On : 25 Feb 2026 | 9:30 PM IST

On the right track: Asset monetisation will boost efficiency and growth

Given fiscal constraints and the need to lower the debt-to-GDP ratio, the Union finance ministry sees reviving asset monetisation as key to sustaining growth momentum

On the right track: Asset monetisation will boost efficiency and growth
Updated On : 25 Feb 2026 | 9:24 PM IST

As 16th FC boosts southern share, delimitation may face fewer hurdles

More than three weeks after the 16th FC's recommendations became public, the southern states are no longer complaining about an unfair deal in the way central taxes are distributed among them

As 16th FC boosts southern share, delimitation may face fewer hurdles
Updated On : 25 Feb 2026 | 12:05 AM IST

Best of BS Opinion: India's AI boom, fiscal reset sharpen policy challenges

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

Best of BS Opinion: India's AI boom, fiscal reset sharpen policy challenges
Updated On : 25 Feb 2026 | 6:16 AM IST

Trump's judicial battles, global fallout: Tariff verdict sparks uncertainty

The US Supreme Court decision on tariffs could mark the start of a new era of uncertainty

Trump's judicial battles, global fallout: Tariff verdict sparks uncertainty
Updated On : 24 Feb 2026 | 10:04 PM IST

Regulatory reset: Strengthen Rera to protect homebuyers' interests

The Eco Survey 2025-26 notes quarterly average housing sales stood at 101,300 units up to Q2, compared to 81,600 in FY22-FY24, reflecting healthy demand and renewed confidence in the housing market

Regulatory reset: Strengthen Rera to protect homebuyers' interests
Updated On : 24 Feb 2026 | 9:58 PM IST

The data centre rush: India must ensure that investment is sustainable

There are reasonable questions that must be asked alongside this understandable enthusiasm. The availability of water and electricity, for example, looms large in any discussion on data centres

The data centre rush: India must ensure that investment is sustainable
Updated On : 24 Feb 2026 | 9:57 PM IST

Best of BS Opinion: De-risking economies in an increasingly uncertain world

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

Best of BS Opinion: De-risking economies in an increasingly uncertain world
Updated On : 24 Feb 2026 | 6:28 AM IST

Don't dampen MSME ambition: Compliance must ease without lowering standards

Easing compliance is welcome, but exemptions that discourage growth risk weakening governance; India's small firms need scale, finance and strong digital compliance systems

Don't dampen MSME ambition: Compliance must ease without lowering standards
Updated On : 23 Feb 2026 | 10:09 PM IST

RBI, money creation, and govt finances: Why non-bank debt will matter ahead

Large transfers and bond buys by the Reserve Bank of India have supported fiscal maths and liquidity; sustaining this when inflation or capital flows shift may prove harder

RBI, money creation, and govt finances: Why non-bank debt will matter ahead
Updated On : 23 Feb 2026 | 10:06 PM IST

A battle of attrition: Peace remains elusive in Ukraine as war drags on

Ukraine has lost a quarter of its pre-war population of 42 million, with five million living under Russian occupation and another six million having fled to Europe

A battle of attrition: Peace remains elusive in Ukraine as war drags on
Updated On : 23 Feb 2026 | 9:54 PM IST

Strategic alignment: India joining Pax Silica could secure supply chains

Participation in Pax Silica opens up the possibility of diversified sourcing, processing partnerships, and coordinated stockpiling

Strategic alignment: India joining Pax Silica could secure supply chains
Updated On : 23 Feb 2026 | 9:42 PM IST

A 6-3 reminder to Donald Trump that trade power flows from the Congress

The US Supreme Court curbs Donald Trump's tariff powers, reaffirming congressional authority and showing how institutional checks can still restrain populist executives

A 6-3 reminder to Donald Trump that trade power flows from the Congress
Updated On : 23 Feb 2026 | 9:47 AM IST