Op-Eds

A critical part of the package are the process reforms for simplifying registrations and expediting refunds, both for inverted duty structure and exports. The run-up to the 56th Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council meeting was full of mixed sentiments—lots of excitement about the broad-brush picture of GST 2.0 reform and yet some lurking apprehension about the...   Read More

Uneven state spending and neglect of infrastructure threaten India’s renewable energy targets despite ambitious national pledges. No country can scale renewable energy without robust infrastructure. Solar and wind power are variable, location-specific, and often generated far from consumption centres. Dedicated transmission corridors are needed to evacuate this power efficiently and reduce curtailments. Upgraded distribution systems...   Read More

India’s goods and services tax (GST) is set for an overhaul by Diwali this year. With so much hope pinned on this reform, we must get every detail of the regime right. Here’s a look at some key issues that must be addressed by the GST Council.  Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s announcement on Independence...   Read More

Investing in robust public–private partnerships to deliver VET (Vocational Education and Training) is critical for successful skilling. With a volatile external sector increasing the challenge of demand-driven growth, the Prime Minister unveiled a slew of proposed reforms from the Red Fort’s ramparts on August 15. While a recalibration of GST could induce higher domestic consumption...   Read More

Some northern states break gender development patterns, while new challenges emerge in the South India’s performance in SDG 5 (Gender Equality and Women Empowerment) remains a significant challenge, as highlighted in NITI Aayog’s 2023-24 report, where it is the only SDG India is an aspirant. In as many as 13 SDGs, it is a ‘forerunner’....   Read More

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