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Saturday, February 21, 2026
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Standard Deviation

Fiscal deficit, inflation, rupee—why govt and RBI need to cut themselves some slack

Both the government and the RBI are currently so focused on their respective targets that they are losing sight of the fact that some flexibility might actually be a good thing.

India must revise its definition of middle class. Those earning Rs 1 cr aren’t ‘rich’ anymore

The tax officials will, of course, have a better understanding of what the revenue implications will be. But let them at least start thinking about expanding the definition.

India is confusing ‘standing strong’ with standing alone in international negotiations

India needs to figure out what kind of global player it wants to be while remaining uncompromising on its interests—hard-nosed and difficult, or cooperative and collaborative.

Budget 2025—three reasons your income tax isn’t going down

Income tax is such a steady and reliable revenue stream, and an increasingly vital one, that the government simply cannot afford to do anything that would curtail it.

Shaktikanta Das has handled govt better than rockstar RBI chiefs. The real test is now

The next few weeks will show how successfully Governor Shaktikanta Das can navigate the latest butting of heads between the government and the RBI.

Trump unpredictable, Modi dependable? On trade, it’s just the opposite

The Modi government must reflect on the reputation it is building for India. It is fueling a perception of unpredictability.

To let China invest in India or not—an old economic problem has struck policymakers again

PM Modi has sought to incentivise manufacturing in India through PLI schemes, but the components have come mainly from China, with Indian companies only engaged in assembling.

The new ‘Hindu rate of growth’ is here. It’s called 7% and it’s just not enough

The current ‘Hindu rate of growth’ is far faster than the original one, but it is still wholly inadequate to cater to the needs of the population.

Don’t be surprised with a PM gift before elections. That’s how fuel prices are manipulated

Oil prices are nearly 40% lower than they were in June 2022, when fuel prices were effectively frozen; yet, consumers have not benefited from this decrease.

Indian investors don’t need a coddling nanny. Let them make mistakes and learn

There is a difference between protecting an investor from unscrupulous external action, and protecting them from themselves. The former is necessary, but the latter should be avoided.

On Camera

Why legal provisions are necessary to curb the power of trade unions: MH Mody

The collusion between the new class of bureaucrats, politicians, businessmen and trade union bosses perpetuates itself partly because of the short-run benefits and partly because they see no way out of the system, wrote author MH Mody in 1980.

In the West, there’s anxiety. In India, optimism—Rishi Sunak says India poised to be leader in AI

On Wednesday, the former UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak was speaking in New Delhi at a Carnegie & Observer Research Foundation event on AI.

Embraer moves full throttle in pursuit of IAF contract, ties up with Hindalco after Adani

IAF is firming up plans to revamp airlift capabilities with medium transport aircraft that will be assembled in India & serve as its main workhorse. Embraer is leading contender as of now.

No country is ever fully sovereign. Cold War era taught India its real meaning

India’s fraught neighbourhood places multiple constraints on its strategic choices. It leaves no time to take a deep breath, lean back and reset.