Economic Survey predicts bright India, increasingly darker world

The Economic Suron vey 2025-26 Thursday painted a relatively rosy picture of India's domestic growth outlook, raising the country's mediumterm forecast to 7% from the earlier estimate of 6.5%.

However, it simultaneously outlined a relatively grim outlook for the global economy, estimating a 10%-20% chance of a crisis worse than the global financial crisis of 2008 unfolding in 2026. Even its bestcase scenario is a continuation of conditions as they were in 2025, but "increasingly less secure and more fragile".

SC stays 2026 UGC campus equity rules, calls it 'too sweeping'

Amid widespread protests, the Supreme Court on Thursday kept in abeyance the University Grants Commission (Promotion of Equity in Higher Education Institutions) Regulations, 2026, which allegedly recognises only castebased discrimination committed against Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Other Backward Communities within educational campuses while failing to protect upper castes or general category students.

India-Arab League: bridging cultures, creating opportunities

As India grows into a major power, the Arab League region forms a critical part of its global matrix. For the Arab League countries too, India is a strong and reliable partner.

Devolution, not debt

While the Union Budget is keenly tracked by States to assess their share in overall Central tax devolution, it is becoming increasingly clear that this revenue stream no longer plays the stabilising role it once did in State finances. The evidence lies in the rapid expansion of State Development Loans (SDLs), which have emerged as a key financing instrument for States' day-to-day spending needs.

Is India prepared for the end of globalisation?

Without stronger state capability, greater social cohesion, and a social contract committed to sharing growth more evenly, India risks remaining a country that lays claim to being a Vishwaguru without the institutional foundations and economic means to achieve it.

Has health spending by the Centre increased?

Public spending on health in India continues to be abysmally low compared to many countries.

In 2018-2019, Health and Education Cess (HEC) was introduced as 4% of one's total taxable income. The cess was supposed to top up and expand existing government spending on health and to take care of the health of poor and rural families.

Grains to gigabytes: unboxing India through FM's speeches

The history of India's Union Budget is effectively the biography of a nation in transformation. This timeline traces the shifting centre of economic gravity through five decisive phases and how the 'Briefcase' has carried India's destiny - from grain sacks to smartphones - in each Finance Minister's own words. Nivedha M, Sambavi Parthasarathy, Devyanshi Bihani, Nitika Francis, and Vignesh Radhakrishnan.