Editorial Comment

Factory safety must underpin India's manufacturing ambitions and investment

More significantly, 338 fatal injuries attributed to gassing were recorded over 2014-23, indicating that such incidents are neither new nor unfamiliar

Coal gasification ecosystem needs assured demand to attract investment

Weak response to the coal-gasification scheme highlights commercial viability concerns, underscoring the need for assured demand, easier financing, indigenous technology and better infrastructure

Groundwater recharge needs local action and changes to farming practices

El Niño and below-normal rainfall heighten pressure on India's groundwater reserves, underscoring the need to combine scientific recharge planning with efficient irrigation and crop diversification.

Airtel's restored entry tariff highlights telcos' revenue-growth dilemma

Indian telecom operators face the challenge of raising average revenue per user (Arpu) while retaining subscribers, as pressure to increase tariffs runs up against affordability and competition.

Checks and balances: India should prepare for AI-led investment volatility

A significant increase in risk aversion or an unwinding of AI trades could lead to substantial volatility in global financial markets, if not a full-blown crisis

VISTAR must pair better data with safeguards and state capacity in India

More steps needed to improve official data collection

India's fertiliser subsidy needs reform beyond digital verification

The objective should be to improve targeting without making access to an essential agricultural input conditional on the perfection of land records

Democrat control of Congress may bring limited gains for India-US ties

To be sure, the Democrats will have the security of a United States Supreme Court judgment of February, which struck down the President's use of emergency powers to impose tariffs on trading partners

Agnipath 2.0 may ease recruitment pressures but weaken defence reform

Agnipath 2.0 may ease personnel shortages and retain trained soldiers, but higher pay and benefits risk adding to pension costs and squeezing funds for defence modernisation.

Demonetisation, 10 years after: Evidence still points to limited gains

Demonetisation failed to deliver a lasting reduction in cash circulation or clear evidence of black money being unearthed, while causing widespread disruption to businesses and individuals.

Green crackers, hazy reality: Allowing these may have only marginal impact

Green crackers and restricted timings may do little to ease pollution in the National Capital Region

RBI should deepen financial markets rather than rely on restrictions

The evolving global economic and financial conditions have resulted in significant volatility in the Indian financial market

Now, to govern

Democrats must build credible policies

Accounting deficiencies

Issues raised by the CAG should be addressed

A trust deficit

Govt must respect arbitral awards

Fundamental factors

FPI taxation and capital flows should not be mixed

Shifts in labour market

India must prepare for greater AI adoption

Insalubrious climate for reform

COP31 is up against all-round failures

Go beyond banking

An efficient financial structure will support growth

AI capex boom

Global tech investors are evaluating returns