Business Standard Editorial Comment

Measuring services: New index for formal sector will fill a critical gap

India's ISP proposal broadly aligns with these international practices, particularly in its reliance on administrative data and value-based indicators

Policy prescription: MoF's economic review presents a realistic assessment

One clear message from the West Asia conflict is the need to build buffers of key inputs, and this should not be limited to oil and gas

Declining influence: UAE exit signals Opec's waning grip on oil prices

The UAE's exit has raised questions about the future of Opec and its ability to influence global oil prices

Scale and efficiency: Organon's acquisition will benefit Sun Pharma

Organon's portfolio includes over 70 products across women's health and biosimilars

Agile deal-making: New Zealand FTA done, time to consider joining CPTPP

It is important now to reconsider whether it makes sense to officially apply for candidacy to CPTPP, a gold-standard trade deal that would significantly increase comfort levels for investors, traders

Women's workplace safety in India struggles with culture, weak enforcement

Workplace challenges often begin subtly: Inappropriate remarks dismissed as humour or exclusion from informal networks

Beyond borders: India must harness its untapped services trade potential

Unlike trade in goods, where tariffs dominate, services face regulatory and structural barriers like data-localisation rules, licensing requirements, restrictions on foreign ownership, and compliance

Rising heat stress: Integrated climate strategy key to building resilience

India, the largest producer of rice with an output of about 150.18 million tonnes, faces a sharpened threat as heatwaves are projected to severely impact production in the Ganga-Indus basin

Damaging stalemate: Hopes for early resolution of the US-Iran crisis fade

Over the weekend, a third aircraft carrier, the USS George W Bush, entered the waters near Iran, joining the USS Gerald Ford, the world's largest aircraft carrier, and the USS Abraham Lincoln

With Cook's exit, AI will be biggest challenge for new Apple CEO Ternus

Apple's leadership shift to John Ternus comes at a critical moment as the company races to catch up in AI and defend its dominance in a rapidly evolving tech landscape

Fed Watch: Change of guard at US cenbank will have implications for markets

A leadership shift at the US Fed amid political pressure and policy debates could test central bank independence and shape global financial stability

Ground realities: Ceasefire extended, but path ahead remains unclear

If, as reported, the powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) is actively sidelining the political authorities, it is difficult to see scope for common ground

AI can compress drug discovery timelines, unlock real-world health gains

Health data remains in silos across hospitals, insurers, and geographies, often locked behind incompatible systems

Chips to ships: South Korea, India must collaborate in additional sectors

Lee Jae-Myung's India visit highlights untapped potential in India-South Korea ties, from semiconductors to shipbuilding, amid a shared push for a stable Indo-Pacific

Crisis response: Things could get tough if the conflict continues

Fragile West Asia ceasefire and oil risks test India's economy, as the RBI balances rupee stability, inflation control, and growth amid rising global uncertainty

The world of Mythos: Need for structures to ensure governance, regulation

When Anthropic realised the capability of the new model, it acknowledged CMP was too dangerous for general release

Reservations about quotas: Universities must eliminate faculty ward quotas

It may be argued that the quota acts as a perk of sorts for faculty in the absence of other key benefits

Fixing fertiliser subsidy: Pricing reform, targeted farmer support needed

Rising fertiliser subsidy exposes distortions in urea pricing, fuelling overuse and fiscal strain, highlighting need for direct farmer support and subsidy reform

Bill of contention: Failure highlights lack of consensus-building

Women's quota Bill defeat exposes political mistrust and flaws in linking reservation to delimitation, raising questions over consensus and timing

Labour market friction: India needs more jobs with better work conditions

Workers allege irregular wage payments and exploitative practices