Page 7 - Economy & Policy Analysis

From boon to bane: How monsoon 2025 is turning into a nightmare for many

Above-normal monsoon this year has seen surge in kharif planting, driving up fertiliser demand, but heavy rains in northern states have also ruined standing crops, while floods have killed hundreds

The good and simple tax? All eyes on GST Council's two high-rate slabs

This article visually summarises, in two tables, how not-simple the GST is, which leads to serious but under-recognised problems of arbitrary and coercive implementation

Revenue deficit, capital spends: Key takeaways from 15th finance commission

The 15th FC had recommended a sizeable Rs. 2.9 trillion as revenue deficit grants (RDG) to a select number of states for FY2022-FY2026

Headline inflation should continue to be the target, says BS poll

Economists back headline CPI as India's inflation target, stressing food's heavy weight in consumption and urging RBI to retain the 4% benchmark with the current tolerance band

Weighed down by 50% US levy, Indian exporters recalibrate strategy

Vinod Kumar, president of the India SME Forum, said outreach to about 100,000 members has drawn 1,035 responses, with entrepreneurs already mapping ways to cope with the tariffs

Statsguru: Deflators likely to offset corporate results' impact on GDP

Deflators may offset corporate results' impact on GDP

What the revision of 3-decade-old inflation index may mean for rural wages

What the revision of a three-decade-old inflation index may mean for rural wages

India shifts focus to EU as US tariffs stall bilateral trade negotiations

With US tariffs squeezing exports and trade talks stalled, India banks on the UK FTA to push forward EU negotiations, covering autos, wines, procurement and digital trade

Centenary of 'Father of Green Revolution' who worried about its future

MS Swaminathan's contributions extend far beyond the Green Revolution

What the revision of a 30-year-old inflation index means for rural wages

Shifting the base year for two critical inflation indices is important as they determine minimum wages for agriculture and rural workers, and could also affect payments under the MGNREGA jobs programm

Pests, viral diseases threaten standing kharif crops, push up chemicals use

An increase in monsoon activity and resultant humidity has seen a significant proliferation of pests and viruses across states and crops, leading to greater application of chemicals

Trump-Putin Alaska meet: When spectacle meets discipline in brand politics

When Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin met in Anchorage on August 15, the world expected diplomacy. What it got instead was brand theatre

Rajasthan rides the crest of renewable energy wave, attracts investments

The state emerges as the top destination for new investment projects in Q1FY26, displacing the more advanced states of Maharashtra and Gujarat

Datanomics: India's manufacturing sector yet to show its strength

While certain sectors such as smartphones have shown remarkable export growth, the broader manufacturing landscape does not tell an inspiring story

A second chance at life: Organ transplants and India's medical advancements

India's progress has been remarkable. In 2013, we performed fewer than 5,000 organ transplants annually. By 2023, that number had risen to over 18,000

Monsoon-induced supply disruptions hold key to vegetable inflation ahead

While the monsoon has been fairly normal so far, rain-induced supply disruptions and damage to standing crops in areas adjoining major cities has already started pushing up vegetable prices

Datanomics: Rise of unconditional cash transfers ahead of Bihar polls

UCT now constitutes 0.87 per cent of the gross domestic product (GDP), outpacing both MGNREGA and food subsidies shares in the economy

How advanced manufacturing can define India's global manufacturing rise

India's rise in global manufacturing will be driven by innovation-first businesses, policy alignment, and closing the talent gap

Centre wants states to support exporters hit by Donald Trump tariff

Exporters have warned that the US tariff hike poses a setback, affecting nearly 55 per cent of India's shipments to the American market

Trump tariff: Russian oil imports may dip in Aug while US' share rises

Over half of the 40 ships carrying Russian oil to India for deliveries this month are uncertain about discharging their cargoes because they will reach India only after August 21