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Thursday, August 14, 2025
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Standard Deviation

Modi govt can’t ignore sectors in state list. Offer incentives to build hospitals, schools

India doesn't have enough hospital beds. The central government laments that health is a state subject and passes the buck.

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.

On Camera

Asim Munir wants to be guardian of the Middle East. He’s fated to fail at home

Countering insurgency needs the Pakistan Army to demonstrate a political will that ties leaders at the centre with those in the borderlands. But it may not have the imagination.

Slashing GST on waste can unlock Rs 1.8 lakh crore, high tax hurting circular economy goals—CSE

Centre for Science and Environment in new report makes case for rationalising GST on waste material, saying most informal operators can’t afford high tax & it also hinders recycling.

India, US troops to undertake joint military exercise next month, first after Op Sindoor

21st edition of annual joint military exercise will be held from 1 to 16 September, aimed at sharing military tech, operational best practices & disaster relief coordination methods.

Modi’s ready to risk it all for farmers. Farm reform can answer Trump with new Green Revolution

Standing up to America is usually not a personal risk for a leader in India. Any suggestions of foreign pressure unites India behind who they see as leading them in that fight.