India has notified four new labour codes, replacing a plethora of existing laws to simplify compliance, improve ease of doing business, and expand worker protections. But trade unions warn that the changes prioritise corporate interests over worker rights and could weaken job security.
Shruti Mahajan
iStock.com
The RBI has a nice problem to have – a booming economy and record-low inflation. This may make the MPC’s policy decision a tighter call and keep markets on tenterhooks.
Datametricx
India’s latest GDP numbers reveal strong real activity but muted income generation. The narrow real–nominal gap reframes the entire growth narrative.
BasisPoint Groupthink
Finance Ministry
The government should urgently roll out the Export Promotion Mission and press Washington to drop the Russia-related tariff.
Ajay Srivastava
BasisPoint Insight
Gold demand surged despite calm macros for reasons rooted in psychology, not fear. India’s financial actions reflect diverse motives that leaders must learn to read. People aren’t irrational. Our narratives about them are lazy.
Kirti Tarang Pande
iStock.com/rvimages
The future of deterrence and crisis escalation is shifting as Pakistan’s 27th Amendment cements the army’s dominance, tightening nuclear control and altering the risks India must navigate.
Lt Gen Syed Ata Hasnain (Retd)
iStock.com/Pavliha
Monthly production reporting is useful, but without visibility on import contracts, policy timing will remain reactive rather than anticipatory.
G. Chandrashekhar
Fresh evidence shows that India’s fight against childhood anaemia strengthens markedly when nutrition and sanitation programmes work together rather than in parallel.
Amitrajeet A. Batabyal*
Your weekly rundown of significant judicial rulings and legal battles influencing policy, companies, regulation, and governance.
Rashtrapati Bhavan
India’s Q2 GDP growth is expected to accelerate, supported by firmer demand, a broad rural revival and steady investment, even as public capex softens.
iStcoks/mgstudyo
India’s Labour Codes offer scalability and ease for large enterprises, but MSMEs may struggle with rising costs and unfamiliar compliance burdens unless implementation is carefully supported.
Sharmila Kantha
India’s renewed FTA push with Israel signals a pivot from limited merchandise trade to high-value partnerships in defence, agri-tech, electronics, water systems and innovation.
A film about migrant workers becomes a mirror for our privilege, reflecting the gaps in our economy, our ambitions, and our national story. It is time to hold the gaze.
Phynix
Black Friday did not begin as a celebration of discounts. It began as chaos.
R. Gurumurthy
Via WikiCommons
India’s merchandise exports declined in October, as expected, but the weakness extended beyond the impact of US import tariffs.
The NDA’s new Bihar cabinet showcases stability at the top but uneven representation below — from caste arithmetic to gender gaps and regional imbalances.
Amitabh Tiwari
PIB
Analysts expect a sharp revival, but earnings, demand indicators and trade dynamics continue to signal caution in an economy still struggling for momentum.
Dhananjay Sinha
Michael Patra is an economist and former RBI Deputy Governor.
Arun is a seasoned writer on economic and policy matters.
Abheek is an Independent Economist and the Former Chief Economist at HDFC Bank.
Ajay Srivastava is the founder of the Global Trade Research Initiative.
Vijay, trade expert & ex-IRS officer, works with Deloitte India and Ashoka University’s ICPP.
Dhananjay, a D-School alum, is CEO and Co-Head of Equities at Systematix Group.
Kriti is a psychologist specialising in mental health, org behaviour, and brand strategy
Srinath is an author, corporate advisor, and independent director on corporate boards.
Ex-civil servant Chavaly held key Railways, Finance roles; specialises in infra & PPPs
Nilanjan Banik, Professor at Mahindra University, specialises in trade and development economics.
Sachin was till recently an MD with Standard Chartered Bank.
Rajesh Mahapatra is the former Editor of The Press Trust of India
Krishnadevan is Consulting Editor at BasisPoint Insight.
Chandra advises companies on big-picture narratives on strategy and markets.
Kalyan Ram co-founded Cogencis. He now leads BasisPoint Insight.
Gurumurthy is an ex-central banker who handled markets, and later, financial stability for RBI.
Lt Gen Syed Ata Hasnain is a former Commander of India’s Kashmir Corps.