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Thursday, January 29, 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

Economic Survey 2025-26 takes global lessons seriously—and shows why Swadeshi is the way to go

The Economic Survey 2025-26 is not a celebration of success, but a measured warning that the traditional paradigms of global economic growth are no longer applicable.

Flagging growing obesity & heart disease risk, Economic Survey recommends hiking taxes on junk food

The Economic Survey linked ultra-processed foods (UPFs) with worsening diet quality and higher risks of obesity, diabetes, heart disease and mental health conditions.

Indian Army ties up with US drone company that made its name in the Ukraine conflict

Shield AI will provide V-BAT vertical takeoff & landing drones along with licences for software, which will be integrated into aircraft and made available to select Indian partners.

Non-alignment is coming back in a new avatar: Trump-peedit alliance

No nation other than China can negotiate one-on-one with Trump on an equal footing. That’s why the middle powers who so far formed the core of multilateral bodies now feel orphaned.