Op-Eds

From efficiency maximisers to compliance optimisers. In 1931, Austria’s Credit-Anstalt – the nation’s largest bank – collapsed not from bad loans but from political fragmentation. Despite having the resources to intervene, French and British central banks chose political considerations over financial stability, triggering a global depression. Nearly a century later, financial institutions face the consequences...   Read More

People in the delta need urgent investment in embankments, clean water, women’s healthcare, climate-resilient livelihoods, and targeted climate adaptation funding. Summary The Sundarbans, a vital mangrove delta, faces existential threats from rising sea levels and climate change. As men migrate for work, women like Amina endure harsh conditions to sustain their families. The region's cultural...   Read More

The Prime Minister is pushing for GST reforms before Diwali, urging states to adopt the shared draft. Concerns persist regarding unpredictable tax rates and overlapping investigations, leading to numerous demand notices. The article suggests rationalizing rates, expanding the tax base, and adopting a nuanced approach to compliance, including preventing non-compliance and supporting taxpayers. Two days...   Read More

Latest findings reveal commendable progress made by India, but gaps across gender, age, and income persist. In the dynamic landscape of a rapidly digitising India, recent data presents a compelling narrative of progress, shifting from the cautionary tale of a few years ago to an optimistic view of widespread adoption. The country’s strategic investments in...   Read More

The Panchayati Raj Division of NITI Aayog convened a National Workshop on 24th July, 2025 to address a foundational challenge confronting India’s Rural Local Bodies (RLBs): how to enhance their Own Source Revenue (OSR). While constitutional provisions empower Panchayats to generate and manage local revenue, the ground reality reflects a disconcerting reliance on grants, limiting...   Read More

Efforts to increase female participation face challenges such as geographical barriers and perceptions about physical work. India’s solar and wind energy capacity is increasing year on year. According to data released by the Union Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, between 2022-23 and 2024-25, installed solar energy capacity recorded an average annual growth of 38 per...   Read More

As India forges ahead with its renewable energy goals to combat climate change, the transition away from coal presents a complex economic challenge. As India forges ahead with its renewable energy goals to combat climate change, the transition away from coal presents a complex economic challenge. While the environmental urgency is clear, the macroeconomic consequences...   Read More

There are significant education gaps that need to be addressed. Support systems like creches and safe transport are vital. In 2016, Bihar made headlines by reserving 35 per cent of all government jobs for women. It was a bold move — an attempt to do more than just include women on paper. The policy extended...   Read More

The Thar Desert, India’s iconic sea of golden sand dunes and steadfast desert cultures, is undergoing a dramatic transformation—one that is as mesmerizing as it is misleading. Global headlines now highlight its unexpected metamorphosis not into a harsher wasteland, but into a surprisingly green zone. Over the past two decades, satellite imagery has confirmed a...   Read More