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Thursday, March 12, 2026
Topic15th Finance Commission

Topic: 15th Finance Commission

New cities to spring up in India? Govt invited proposals 2 yrs ago, but no projects finalised yet

The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, which invited proposals in March 2022, received 26 proposals from 21 states including MP, Maharashtra, Bengal, Kerala till January last year.

Govt’s method to evaluate rich states has gaps. Take tax devolution down to district level

Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Gurugram add to the wealth of their states. It's crucial to look at district data because the 15th Finance Commission's calculation ignores intra-state inequality.

‘Tales from 15th Finance Commission’ book launch was less on policy, more on Bharat Darshan

Apart from Commission members, the panel at the book launch also had Sushil Kumar Modi, Manpreet Singh Badal and Palanivel Thiagarajan.

Tame subsidies, hike fees for govt services — Centre’s tips to states to slash deficit

At a meeting with chief secretaries of states, Union Finance Secretary T.V. Somanathan made a presentation that highlighted a worrying rise in debt in some states.

Finance ministry’s ‘assured funds’ is old story. Army can utilise land to generate revenue

Smart defence budgeting has become important with China encroaching on India. This revenue model of the Army workforce can help.

1 doctor for 1,511 people, 1 nurse for 670 — Covid exposes India’s healthcare ‘fault lines’

The 15th Finance Commission, in a first-of-its-kind stock-taking exercise in the backdrop of Covid pandemic, has put out statistics about chronic shortages in India’s health system.

Wouldn’t have spoken different language if I were in finance ministry — NK Singh after Budget

N.K. Singh, head of the 15th Finance Commission, says Modi govt has been reasonable & fair on panel suggestions, given the fiscal pressures.

Bengal above national average on social indices, but fiscally stressed — 15th finance panel

Mamata's West Bengal beats some BJP-ruled such as Gujarat & MP on human development, but has high interest burden and low investments.

Defence fund to state grants, Modi govt may ignore some ideas of NK Singh finance commission

Current constraints, including a 9.5% fiscal deficit, make it tough for the Modi govt to give states more sectoral funds beyond the 41% share recommended by the 15th Finance Commission.

‘Money is scarce’ — Modi govt set to axe about 40 schemes that ‘have lost relevance’

Expenditure Secretary T.V. Somanathan tells ThePrint these centrally sponsored schemes are not bad but some hard choices have to be made given the scarcity of funds.

On Camera

Modi govt organises Rozgar Melas, but vacant posts show its hiring capacity is limited

Before attempting to answer whether the Rozgar Melas are working, it would be useful to take a look at the performance of the Modi govt on this front since it was formed in May 2014.

India’s Russian crude imports approach pre-Trump sanction levels amid Hormuz disruptions & US ‘waiver’

India has already purchased nearly 16 million barrels of Russian crude so far in March 2026, translating to roughly 1.6 million barrels per day, indicating a sharp uptick.

India-Bangladesh relations on track—After military intel chief’s visit, envoy goes to Army War College

In a first during his tenure as High Commissioner to India, Riaz Hamidullah addressed JOCAP consisting of tri-forces officers, as New Delhi & Dhaka step up normalisation efforts.

Trump brings the Age of Humiliation for friends. Modi needs stoicism abroad, humility at home

Trump has ushered in the age of humiliation. His method is to push around America’s friends rudely and publicly. He knows none of them can afford to fight back.