Editorial Comment

Securities Markets Code is a welcome step for simpler market regulation

While the Code retains most of the existing provisions, there are additions and changes that warrant mention here - the composition of Sebi and its powers, for instance

India cannot fix its education brain drain without globalising at home

As Western nations tighten student visas, a NITI Aayog report flags a chance for India to emerge as a global education hub-if structural gaps in research, regulation and visas are fixed

Clinging to the H-1B lottery has finally caught up with Indian ITeS

Indian ITeS should have moved away from the H-1B lottery

Caribbean crisis: US actions in Venezuela threaten India's economy

Mr Trump's claim that Mr Maduro is emptying his prisons and illegally flooding the US with criminal elements and that the country is a major source of drug trafficking lacks foundation

Swift resolution required: Capacity gaps threaten insolvency outcomes

As the government is doing a number of things to improve the ease of doing business, it must recognise that a smooth and predictable exit mechanism is as critical as facilitating entry

India's Bangladesh options: Measured responses will serve New Delhi better

The growing anti-Indian movement has added an element of uncertainty to the safety of Indian economic assets too

More ambition needed: New FTAs welcome, but bigger targets lie ahead

An FTA has also been agreed upon with the United Kingdom (UK), which means that India now has formal trade pacts with three of the five Anglosphere economies

Western approaches: PM Modi's three-nation tour has created useful momentum

The Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (Cepa) is the second FTA signed between India and a West Asian nation - the first being with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in 2022

Passengers must pay: Rail freight revenue can increase, but so must fares

A parliamentary panel has urged Indian Railways to diversify freight beyond coal, revisit tariffs and confront passenger fare subsidies to keep the system financially viable

FDI for growth: Foreign participation in insurance should raise competition

Even as the sector opens up to greater competition and foreign investment, long-standing challenges continue to constrain its reach and credibility

Trade possibilities: Latest numbers should not distract policymakers

Strong November export growth offers relief, but trade uncertainty persists as India races to seal a deal with the US amid tariffs, capital outflows and rupee pressure

Regulating higher education: Focus should be on improving outcomes

The UGC oversees non-technical universities, the AICTE is concerned with technical education, while the NCTE is the regulatory body for teachers' education

Harnessing nuclear energy: Bill seeks to address key investor concerns

Changes in the provision on operator liabilities can be expected to encourage investment

The label wears Prada: How global deals can galvanise India's handicraft

As the Prada-Kolhapuri deal demonstrated, IP protection lies at the core of any dynamic collaborative arrangement between domestic artisans and global marketers

Copyright protection: Better framework is needed for AI training

A central government-appointed body will collect and distribute these royalties while a separate committee will set rates, subject to judicial review

Nuclear energy for growth: Sustaining a vibrant enabling environment is key

India's goal is to boost its installed nuclear-power capacity to 100 Gw from the current 8.8 Gw by 2047

A binding national plan is urgently needed to tackle air pollution

The key message from this 10-year study is that despite policy intervention and technological improvement, India's major cities continue to suffer major air-quality challenges

Beating expectations: Recent reforms will improve the business environment

India's GDP surged 8% in the first half, defying global headwinds, but weak nominal growth and slowing tax revenues raise fresh questions ahead of the MPC's policy review

A timely course correction: The rollback of QCOs must be sustained

A long-overdue course correction begins as the government moves to roll back QCOs that hurt small firms, consumers, and exports - but momentum must continue to prevent regulatory overreach

Bihar voters have spoken, the new government must now keep its promises

As things stand, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is expected to lead the government again and, having been mostly at the helm since 2005, is well aware of where the state stands