Economy & Policy Analysis

Global North must stop growing for India to catch up in prosperity: Piketty

Thomas Piketty says rich nations must curb growth and cut fossil-fuel use if countries like India are to achieve developed-world living standards by 2100

Agriculture needs dual approach to tackle El Nino, build climate resilience

El Nino is a natural phenomenon in the eastern Pacific Ocean that influences global weather patterns, including India's monsoon

'India's fiscal deficit may rise to 4.7% of GDP in FY27 amid West Asia war'

India's fiscal deficit may widen to 4.7 per cent of GDP in FY27 as higher oil prices, subsidy costs and revenue risks from the West Asia conflict weigh on finances, writes Aditi Nayar of ICRA

India, US begin 3-day talks to finalise details of trade agreement

The US team is led by its chief negotiator Brendan Lynch. India's chief negotiator is Darpan Jain, who is an additional secretary in the Department of Commerce

Greater use of biofertilisers can reduce India's chemical fertiliser burden

Balanced nutrient use, biofertilisers, and improved soil health can help India cut fertiliser imports and make agriculture more sustainable without hurting crop production

Linking CEO pay to customer happiness: Benefits and risks for Indian firms

Irdai's recommendation on linking CEO remuneration to customer grievances offers a larger lesson on rewards, governance and what companies choose to optimise

Datanomics: India's rising car exports face fresh Lankan speed bump

After lifting its import ban in 2025, Sri Lanka has seen a sharp rise in vehicle imports, prompting a temporary surcharge to protect forex reserves and ease pressure on the external sector

How much do you really earn? New survey aims to crack India's income puzzle

Since 1950, the National Sample Survey (NSS) has produced respected household statistics on consumption, employment, health, debt and education. Income has remained the conspicuous gap

Datanomics: PM Modi's 5-nation tour likely to strengthen trade ties

PM Narendra Modi's five-nation tour underscores India's push to deepen trade ties as exports to these countries outpace imports despite a cumulative trade deficit

PM Modi in Rome: Why India, Italy need to build a strategic future together

Rome increasingly understands that the future of European competitiveness, economic resilience and strategic diversification will depend upon trusted industrial partnerships beyond the Continent

Explained: What is Balance of Payments and how does it affect the rupee?

As oil and gold imports raise dollar demand, terms such as BoP, current account deficit and forex reserves are back in focus. Here is why they matter for the rupee

Statsguru: Skewed priorities in priority sector lending across districts

A report by the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister has flagged sharp regional imbalances in priority sector lending and called for a more equity-focused PSL framework

Inflation prints: Wholesale, retail paths diverge amid West Asia turmoil

Over financial years 2017-2026, the volatility of WPI, measured by standard deviation, was almost three times higher than that of CPI, according to the rating agency

Datanomics: Why trade imbalance with Vietnam is a concern for India

Trade deficit with Vietnam widening since FY19

Austerity and symbolism: Matching intent with action amid crises

Following through announcements with enforcement of measures is key, as a run through recent Indian economic history shows

Can India's cotton mission deliver without adopting new technology?

Experts argue that India's Mission for Cotton Productivity may struggle to revive yields and exports unless next-generation genetic technologies and science-led reforms are adopted

Statsguru: Big welfare promises confront strained state economies

Welfare promises dominate politics even as several states face rising fiscal stress and uneven economic capacity

Opinion: India has window of opportunity to unlock tourism boom from Europe

India's improving value perception, geopolitical stability and diverse offerings create a rare opportunity to sharply increase foreign tourism revenues from Europe if approached systematically

What sells ought to be good: How metrics reshaped our idea of quality

Can we build systems where quality and scale coexist - not because quality always wins, but because losing the ability to tell the difference may cost us more than we realise?

India is the third-largest economy in the world in real terms

PPP-based estimates show India as the world's third-largest economy, highlighting how currency distortions mask real purchasing power, domestic demand strength, and global economic influence