universal subsidies india

Universal subsidies: Why targeting and exit clauses matter

An ADB–PwC report to the 16th Finance Commission calls for better targeting of universal subsidies, tighter audits and sunset clauses. Read more »
LIC market share

LIC market share ambition faces the digital insurance test

LIC market share is more than half of India’s life insurance industry, but can it retain its dominance in the age of digital underwriting? #LIC Read more »
Currency in circulation

Currency in circulation: What India’s ₹40 lakh crore cash stock means

Currency in circulation hit a record ₹40 lakh crore in January 2026 despite UPI clocking about 21.7 billion transactions worth ₹28.33 lakh crore. #UPI Read more »
policy circle image

India-US trade deal: Which farm products enjoy tariff cuts

The interim India-US trade deal keeps agriculture products mostly outside the framework, but the real risk lies in a few tariff lines, not a broad import surge. Read more »
Gujarat’s digital food currency pilot

Can digital food currency address PDS design flaws

Gujarat’s digital food currency pilot will use e-rupee coupons for PDS entitlements, but can it ensure failure-proof delivery at ration shops? #PDS #Ration #Gujarat Read more »
AI democratisation

New CPI series: Inflation may look steadier after rebasing

The new CPI series broadens services coverage and strengthens housing inflation measurement, including rural rent collection. Read more »
IT Rules Amendment

IT Rules Amendment: 3-hour takedown rule tests platform moderation

IT Rules Amendment's takedown timeline may curb irreversible harms, but they also risk opaque censorship and higher entry barriers for smaller platforms. #ITrules Read more »
revenue deficit grants scrapped

Scrapping revenue deficit grants could deepen centre-state fault lines

The 16th Finance Commission’s proposal to scrap revenue deficit grants may hurt weaker hill and northeastern states, and may revive ad hoc dependence on Delhi. Read more »
India-Bangladesh ties

India-Bangladesh ties: How Delhi lost a trusted friend

India bet on one party and one leader as the basis of India-Bangladesh ties, and the cost is strategic drift and harder bargaining with Bangladesh. Read more »
16th Finance Commission

16th Finance Commission: New devolution formula, tighter grants

The 16th Finance Commission keeps 41% vertical devolution but changes the horizontal formula: per-capita GSDP distance stays dominant, while GDP contribution gets a new 10% weight. #financecommission #GDP Read more »