Deep Dive: Beyond The Headlines

India has built scale in electronics and other manufacturing sectors, but much of the value still comes from imported components, materials and technology. As policy shifts from final assembly towards deeper localisation, this BS Deep Dive examines what India actually makes at home, where import dependence persists, and whether domestic suppliers can become globally competitive without permanent protection.

India Inc delivered a better-than-expected June quarter, with revenue growth accelerating and several sectors and companies springing positive surprises. But margin pressures, uneven sectoral performance and questions over the sustainability of the momentum remain. This BS Deep Dive examines what Q1FY27 earnings reveal—and whether markets have already priced in the good news.

India continues to sell stakes in public sector enterprises, but outright privatisation has become increasingly uncommon. Why has the government’s strategy changed? This BS Deep Dive examines the evolution of India’s disinvestment policy, the different routes used to monetise state assets, and what the shift means for investors, public finances and the future of PSUs.

From benchmark indices and sectoral leaders to technical charts, smart-money portfolios and gold, this edition of Deep Dive Trend Tracker brings together the key market trends shaping investment decisions as July ends and August begins.

Thirty-five years after India dismantled the licence raj, Business Standard examines what the 1991 reforms achieved, where they fell short, and why the country may need another wave of bold economic reforms to realise its Viksit Bharat ambition.

India has emerged as one of the world’s fastest-growing electronics manufacturing hubs, backed by nearly ?1.9 trillion in government incentives. But beneath the production and export numbers lies a bigger question: has India built deep manufacturing capabilities or largely become a final-assembly base? This BS Deep Dive examines the country’s next challenge—moving up the electronics value chain.

An uneven monsoon and the threat of El Niño are once again forcing investors to reassess the outlook for inflation, interest rates, corporate earnings and rural demand. This BS Deep Dive examines how weather could shape sectors, markets and the broader economy in the months ahead.

India’s states are driving the country’s next phase of growth—but they are doing so with sharply different fiscal strategies, development priorities and economic outcomes. From public finances and infrastructure spending to social welfare, demographics and investment, this BS Deep Dive examines how the choices made by state governments are shaping India’s future.

India Inc is set to kick off the Q1FY27 earnings season amid mixed sectoral trends and persistent global uncertainty. While banks and domestic-facing sectors are expected to remain resilient, IT exporters, commodity producers and other cyclical businesses face a more challenging quarter. This BS Deep Dive examines what investors should expect from the companies and sectors that will set the tone for the earnings season.

The first half of 2026 tested investors with geopolitical tensions, volatile commodity prices, shifting interest-rate expectations and a busy primary market. As attention turns to the rest of the year, this BS Deep Dive examines the outlook for equities, IPOs, commodities, sectors and the key risks that could shape markets in H2.

India’s AI ambitions extend far beyond chatbots. From building computing infrastructure and developing sovereign AI models to creating new jobs and reducing dependence on global technology giants, the country is trying to lay the foundations for an AI-driven economy. This BS Deep Dive examines the opportunities, challenges, and strategic choices that could shape India’s place in the global AI race.

Cybercriminals are evolving faster than ever. From “boss scams” and digital arrests to mule accounts and corporate fraud, cybercrime is becoming one of India’s fastest-growing threats. This BS Deep Dive examines how modern scams work, why even educated users fall victim, where investigations hit roadblocks, and what individuals and businesses can do to protect themselves.