Preparing India for a true innovation-led economy

India today presents a striking paradox in research, development, and innovation. Despite unprecedented government ambition, reflected in major funding commitments, regulatory reforms, and improving global innovation rankings, the country still continues to underperform on the fundamentals that drive innovation strength. 

Economic Survey promises, impact of new labour codes

India's new labour codes, with draft central rules released in December 2025, have been presented as a reform with transformative potential. The Economic Survey 2025-26 makes an optimistic case: these codes are expected to increase formalisation from 60.4% to 75.5%, generate 77 lakh jobs, reduce unemployment, boost female labour force participation and contribute 1.25% to GDP by 2029-30. These projections assume that simplifying compliance for firms will incentivise formalisation and expand registered employment. 

Is India tailing the U.S. in its West Asia policy?

A major war has erupted in West Asia, with Israel, the U.S., and Iran locked in direct conflict. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Israel just before the country, along with the U.S., attacked Iran. India has not condemned the killing of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Meanwhile, the war has resulted in rising energy prices, economic risks, and put at risk the safety of hundreds of thousands of Indian families in the region.

Women's political participation in India

Women's relationship with electoral politics has undergone a profound transformation over the past six decades. Women today vote in numbers nearly equal to men, and in several State elections, even surpass them. Yet this remarkable rise in participation has not translated proportionately into representation or power. The Indian case presents a striking paradox: electoral inclusion without structural equality.  

Electrifying industrial heat as a path to India's thermal independence

In the industrial town of Morbi in Gujarat, the air usually hums with the roar of gas-fired kilns producing millions of square metres of ceramic tiles. Today, however, a quarter of those kilns are cold. Nearly a thousand kilometres away in Ludhiana, Punjab, the textile hubs that clothe a third of India are facing a similar paralysis. The reason is geopolitical. 

Electrifying industrial heat as a path to India's thermal independence

In the industrial town of Morbi in Gujarat, the air usually hums with the roar of gas-fired kilns producing millions of square metres of ceramic tiles. Today, however, a quarter of those kilns are cold. Nearly a thousand kilometres away in Ludhiana, Punjab, the textile hubs that clothe a third of India are facing a similar paralysis. The reason is geopolitical. 

India co-sponsors resolution passed by UNSC against Iran

India has prioritised the safety of "all civilians", the government said on Wednesday in an effort to deflect criticism that it had only condemned Iran's actions, and not those by the U.S. and Israel in the ongoing war in West Asia.  

SC to study what constitutes 'personal data' in DPDP laws

The Supreme Court on Thursday agreed to examine what constitutes "personal data" under India's new digital personal data law, which is being accused of using data privacy norms to block the right to information.

'Parental income alone cannot set creamy layer status'

Settling the decades-long confusion over how to calculate wealth or income to determine the creamy layer status of OBC candidates for reservation, the Supreme Court ruled this week that it "cannot be decided solely on the basis of the [parental] income". 

CPI inflation quickens to 10-month high of 3.2% in February

Retail inflation in India quickened to a 10-month high of 3.2% in February 2026, driven up by inflation in the food and tobacco categories, the latest data shows.

CPI inflation quickens to 10-month high of 3.2% in February

Retail inflation in India quickened to a 10-month high of 3.2% in February 2026, driven up by inflation in the food and tobacco categories, the latest data shows.