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Friday, April 3, 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

The real risk in a ground operation in Iran. It’s not about US capability

Iran is not unfamiliar terrain for US planners. The scenario has been war-gamed for decades. But control of territory does not equate to control of the conflict.

Tanker with 600,000 barrels of Iranian crude shifts course from India to China midway

The shipment earlier bound for Gujarat’s Vadinar has changed course amid payment concerns; could still reach India if issues are resolved, according to Kpler.

India commissions its third nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine—INS Aridhaman

INS Arihant was first vessel under SSBN project and was quietly commissioned in 2016. The second indigenous SSBN, INS Arighat, was commissioned in August 2024.

Gulf war exposed India’s fragilities. It’s time for navel-gazing, in the national interest

It’s easy to understand why the government can’t speak the hard truth. When this war ends, as all wars do, India’s interests will lie with both the winner and the loser.