Business Standard

India's 10-minute delivery obsession meets its first reality check

India's fascination with instant delivery is not unique. It took root during the pandemic, when lockdowns made rapid doorstep access to essentials a necessity

India Inc is flush with cash, but private investment is still missing

With private investment slow to revive, the burden of sustaining economic momentum has fallen disproportionately on the government

India's Olympics-sized ambitions need governance, institutional reforms

Hosting mega sporting events can boost infrastructure and the public interest, but without adequate institutional preparedness, the benefits are neither efficient nor enduring

Building partnerships: German Chancellor's visit raises hopes of EU FTA

The signing of the India-EU FTA will likely give a significant boost to trade between the two countries

Responsible growth: India must ensure data centres are sustainable

India's production of over 1.5 million engineering graduates annually and its share of more than 20 per cent of the workforce for global semiconductor design reinforce this appeal

Fed under fire: Undermining the institution can have serious consequences

The dollar's position in the international market not only reflects the size of the US economy but also the strength of its institutions, particularly the central bank

Increasing discomfort: AI and social media need new norms of regulation

The Grok controversy shows how fast-moving AI is outpacing laws, forcing governments to rethink how to curb explicit content without undermining free speech

New tariff threat: Additional duties on exports will raise risks for India

Rising US tariff threats over Russia ties are straining India's trade outlook, putting exports, investment flows and economic stability at fresh risk

A sweeping exit: How Donald Trump is dismantling global governance

Trump's withdrawal from key global bodies may weaken multilateralism, but it risks ceding international leadership to China rather than strengthening American sovereignty

Expenditure review: Development needs a wider role of state govts

As the Centre reviews hundreds of schemes, the push to rationalise spending could reshape fiscal federalism, ease pressure on states, and improve the efficiency of public expenditure

Delayed civic polls are quietly weakening India's cities and villages

Globally, there are hardly any examples of well-functioning cities that developed without empowered, accountable local governments

India's 7.4% GDP growth looks solid but faces a narrower margin for error

In absolute terms at current prices, the economy is projected to attain the size of ₹357.14 trillion, which is marginally higher than the level assumed in the 2025-26 Budget

Align skills to reality: Adult Skills Survey 2026 will inform policy

This exercise is timely, given that nearly three-fourths of India's workforce has only basic schooling, and graduate employability is just around 55 per cent

Fast-tracking infrastructure: Further reductions in delays are needed

PRAGATI has shown that some of these failures can be overcome through sustained oversight

Export promotion: Mkt access schemes need to be backed by coherent strategy

Mas risks becoming an enabling add-on rather than being a tool for enhancing competitiveness

Donald Trump's card in Venezuela: Invasion sets a dangerous precedent

With Europe pondering a coherent response, the global precedents that Mr Trump has set with this Venezuelan adventure are unambiguously dangerous

Governance deficit: Indore tragedy highlights systemic flaws

The Indore water tragedy exposes deep flaws in urban governance, revealing how capacity gaps and inequality persist despite funds, schemes, and "clean city" rankings

Level-playing field: Support to Vodafone Idea should not be exclusive

The five-year AGR moratorium gives Vodafone Idea crucial breathing space, but raises questions on fair competition and a level playing field in India's telecom sector

India's aviation boom is straining workers, systems and service quality

The new rules on Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) mandate more liberal duty rosters and rest periods for pilots and the cabin crew

Gig workers' strike exposes the hard limits of India's quick commerce model

A NITI Aayog survey in 2024 revealed that 90 per cent of gig workers lacked savings