Page 9 - Bs Opinion
AI-powered cognitive warfare demands a new defence of public trust
Information warfare has moved beyond fake news to shaping how we think. Building cognitive resilience is now as important as safeguarding our borders
 "AI-powered cognitive warfare demands a new defence of public trust")
The story now is not 'lower for longer', but the calm before higher rates
Strong growth, above-target inflation projections and near-zero real interest rates suggest the RBI's dovish stance may not last, raising the prospect of higher rates ahead
 "The story now is not 'lower for longer', but the calm before higher rates")
Status quo policy: Rate hike may still not be on the cards this year
RBI keeps the repo rate unchanged at 5.25%, raises FY27 growth forecast, trims inflation outlook and leaves the door open on future rate hikes amid global uncertainty
 "Status quo policy: Rate hike may still not be on the cards this year")
Beyond policy sales: Insurance companies must prioritise customer retention
Rising life insurance policy surrenders highlight weak policy persistency, underscoring the need for reforms focused on better products, sales practices and consumer retention
 "Beyond policy sales: Insurance companies must prioritise customer retention")
Policy prospects: Inflation projections demand monetary tightening
The RBI's decision to hold rates reflects easing inflation risks for now, but rising price pressures could warrant policy tightening in the coming months
 "Policy prospects: Inflation projections demand monetary tightening")
UPI fee proposal could complicate quick commerce's rapid expansion
The proposal to levy a fee on UPI transactions could put quick commerce in the slow lane
 "UPI fee proposal could complicate quick commerce's rapid expansion")
India must fix its jobless growth model to harness the Gen Z opportunity
Its jobless growth model needs serious course correction
 "India must fix its jobless growth model to harness the Gen Z opportunity")
Neet's digital transition must be matched by equal access to technology
The transition from pen-and-paper to computer-based testing changes the nature of preparation itself
 "Neet's digital transition must be matched by equal access to technology")
Justice delayed: India needs comprehensive justice system reforms
Raising the Supreme Court's strength is a welcome step, but filling vacancies and reforming lower courts remain key to tackling India's mounting judicial backlog
 "Justice delayed: India needs comprehensive justice system reforms")
Price protection: Minimum import price for PVC will increase costs
The MIP on PVC resin may support domestic producers but risks raising costs for MSMEs, infrastructure projects and exporters while failing to address supply shortages
 "Price protection: Minimum import price for PVC will increase costs")
India should align ESG disclosures with global reporting standards
India needs to align its ESG reporting norms with globally accepted standards to attract investments
 "India should align ESG disclosures with global reporting standards")
The canary in the AI coal mine: Winning the race without safeguards
Winning the AI race will matter little if, in the process, we create hazards that no country can contain
 "The canary in the AI coal mine: Winning the race without safeguards")
Export ambitions: States can play only a limited role in the push
India aims to raise its share of global merchandise exports from just 1.8 per cent in 2024 to around 10 per cent by 2047
 "Export ambitions: States can play only a limited role in the push")
Copyright in AI era: Deeper judicial, legislative scrutiny is needed
The substantive issue concerned the applicability of "fair dealing" under Section 52 (1)(a), for which the court has adopted an ample interpretation
 "Copyright in AI era: Deeper judicial, legislative scrutiny is needed")
Just a little space: Give micro-businesses the legal room to flourish
It is time India gave its informal micro-businesses legal recognition by creating designated spaces for them
 "Just a little space: Give micro-businesses the legal room to flourish")
Stock investors: Do you track your portfolio returns against benchmarks?
Tracking portfolio XIRR against the Nifty 50 TRI helps direct equity investors determine if their time and effort are generating meaningful alpha
 "Stock investors: Do you track your portfolio returns against benchmarks?")
Six issues impeding foreign investors in India need urgent attention
There is no single policy intervention that will alter this trajectory. We must assess the entirety of foreign firms' interaction with the Indian state
 "Six issues impeding foreign investors in India need urgent attention")
Sustained uncertainty: RBI's MPC is unlikely to change the policy rate
The RBI has projected an average inflation rate of 5.1 per cent for this financial year and is unlikely to change it much at this stage
 "Sustained uncertainty: RBI's MPC is unlikely to change the policy rate")
Dominating the skies: Indian aviation needs more competition and choice
The consolidation has left the market with two airlines of consequence - IndiGo and the Air India group
 "Dominating the skies: Indian aviation needs more competition and choice")
The economics of survival in an era of worsening climate extremes
The fact is that green technology is now making inroads into countries not for climate mitigation but because it makes more energy and economic sense
 "The economics of survival in an era of worsening climate extremes")