Page 8 - Economy & Policy Analysis

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

Datanomics: Bank fraud accounts for 30% of cases investigated by ED

The number of fraud cases investigated by the ED has been steadily increasing, over a decade till 2024

5 years of NEP 2020: Time for a bold leap in school health and wellness

Five years on, new realities have emerged, ones that demand urgent attention. And the time has come to revisit the policy's implementation with courage and clarity

Datanomics: Net exports' contribution to US GDP growth at its peak

Net exports of goods and services contributed 4.99 percentage points to GDP growth in the second quarter of 2025, the highest in the US since at least 1947

Running on clean hopes, dirty fuel: India's renewable plans face key risks

India's renewable plans read bold, but shortfalls in generation, grid gaps, and sluggish execution risk dimming the big switch

A fresh approach needed to manage demand and supply of fertilisers

India is the second-largest consumer of fertilisers in the world, but lacks the natural resources to manufacture them

Navigating US tariffs: Strategic responses for building resilience

While the higher tariffs for US markets are a big economic challenge, they also create opportunities for innovative solutions that may take India on a higher growth trajectory

India-UK trade deal: Navigating through worldwide economic chaos

The India-UK trade deal is a balanced and comprehensive agreement expected to create millions of jobs and open vast opportunities for bilateral trade and investment, benefiting both nations

How India's health insurance sector is undergoing a profound shift

The industry has grown in scale and ambition, but outdated reporting norms are being replaced-backed by regulations and market pressure-for better transparency and lasting sustainability

Motor Vehicle Agregator Guidelines: Empowering drivers, customers alike

These guidelines, built on the legal foundations of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 aim to regulate the operations of app-based cab aggregators such as Ola, Uber, Rapido, and others