The Economic Times

The upcoming budget must pivot towards sustainable economic advancement, steering clear of just showcasing favorable figures. Fulfilling earlier pledges related to renewable energy resources and infrastructural upgrades is crucial. Furthermore, in the wake of the Tiger Global decision, restoring confidence in the tax system is vital.

Tiger Global Supreme Court ruling: India's Supreme Court ruling in 'Tiger Global' has clarified treaty abuse principles. However, investors and taxpayers face uncertainty. The court stressed substance over form, but detailed guidance is missing. Clarity is needed on what constitutes 'substance' for treaty benefits. This impacts capital gains and cross-border transactions. The tax administration must now provide practical guidance.

India must rapidly expand nuclear power to meet rising electricity demand, ensure grid stability, cut pollution and support growth. New reforms, private participation, SMRs and global tie-ups can help scale capacity fast.

India's rigid stance at the WTO is hindering progress, alienating allies, and impacting its export aspirations. While pursuing bilateral FTAs, India opposes plurilateral agreements, even those open to all members. A more accommodative approach is needed to advance its interests and foster a balanced WTO system.

India's limited presence in global corporate R&D, with only 17 companies in the top 2,000 investors, highlights a critical structural imbalance. Dominated by public funding, the nation lags behind developed economies where private sector R&D drives innovation and global competitiveness. This needs a transition to a business-led ecosystem.

Indias PLI scheme has driven investment, output and exports at low fiscal cost by rewarding performance. With simpler design and sharper focus, it can become a core pillar of Indias manufacturing strategy.

Budget 2026: India stands at a strong economic point. Macroeconomic stability has been achieved and sustained. However, growth remains steady, not accelerating. The focus must now shift to structural reforms. These reforms are crucial for unlocking higher growth. Budget 2026 presents a key opportunity for decisive action.

India aims to complete major economic reforms by 2027. Trade liberalization is a key focus. This involves reducing customs duties, withdrawing quality control orders, signing trade deals with the US and EU, and joining the CPTPP. The government will also monitor exports and manage the rupee's value. These steps will boost India's global trade integration.

India's insistence on consensus at the WTO is seen as a diplomatic escape, hindering urgent reforms in a fractured geopolitical landscape. While advocating for leadership in WTO reforms, India's resistance to plurilateral initiatives risks sidelining it from shaping future global trade rules, necessitating a proactive approach to rule-making.

It's the perfect moment to really get involved in the electric vehicle industry and move up the ladder. Companies should be looking to invest and innovate now to capture a bigger piece of the growing EV market. This is the opportune time to build stronger positions and reap the rewards as the sector continues to boom.

Quick commerce thrives on instant delivery. While 10-minute promises may be tough, speed remains key. Regulators are watching delivery times due to gig worker conditions and city traffic. Technology and hybrid models with local stores could offer solutions. India's quick commerce boom shows its potential to solve last-mile delivery challenges.

Once dismissed as a city living in the past, Kolkata is quietly reinventing itself as a nostalgia-driven tourism hotspot. From heritage walks and lit-up colonial buildings to old eateries and river cruises, its forgotten charm is now its biggest draw.

People are increasingly choosing the 'least worst' option in politics and shopping. This trend reflects a broader shift towards avoiding undesirable outcomes rather than actively seeking preferred ones. The article highlights how this 'negative choice' influences decisions, from consumer purchases to political allegiances, shaping the current landscape.

Training AI to identify living and non-living things in our world is wonderfully used as a metaphor for an adivasi mother's struggle to teach her daughter to adapt to their new environment.

Assam stands at the cusp of a new age, thanks to the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The once tumultuous landscape is now a portrait of tranquility, as incidents of insurgency have significantly dropped. Simultaneously, robust infrastructure projects like expansive highways and innovative bridges are reshaping the state, establishing it as a vital corridor for trade and travel.

A recent incident at the University of Colorado, where Indian PhD scholars faced racist comments over the smell of palak paneer, highlights lingering food prejudices. Despite increased global connectivity, unfamiliarity and ignorance can lead to xenophobic reactions, as seen with various cuisines historically struggling for acceptance in the US.

China's history is a brutal cycle of power, paranoia, and collapse, repeating across dynasties. Despite rebranding, the Communist Party continues a tradition of one-party rule, fear, and purges. While lifting millions from poverty is a notable achievement, the suffering of ordinary people remains a constant, with regimes changing names but the cycle of control enduring.

The Trump administration has halted immigrant visas from 75 nations. This move mirrors past US policies that significantly limited immigration. The freeze aims to cut legal immigration by half. The State Department cited welfare usage by migrants as the reason. This policy change targets legal immigration, not illegal entries. The ban is expected to face legal challenges.

India navigates a complex energy landscape. US actions in Venezuela highlight global energy market volatility. India, reliant on imported energy, seeks affordable supplies while managing sanctions and geopolitical pressures. Diversification, strategic reserves, and flexible diplomacy are key. India must balance national interests with global dynamics to avoid economic repercussions from energy price fluctuations and trade restrictions.

Tiger Global Supreme Court news: The Supreme Court has changed foreign investment rules in India. A recent judgment means tax residency certificates are no longer enough. Investors must now prove real economic substance. This ruling impacts past and future investments. India is asserting its fiscal sovereignty. Tax efficiency now requires operational substance.

India taxpayers news: India's tax system faces a stark contrast between tax evaders and compliant citizens. The government is urged to shift from enforcement to incentives. Public disclosure of tax information, practiced globally, could boost compliance. Alternatively, voluntary disclosure with incentives like presidential recognition or tax deductions can identify honest taxpayers and curb black money.

The Supreme Court has ruled that a Tax Residency Certificate (TRC) is not conclusive proof of eligibility for Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA) benefits, reversing a High Court decision. This judgment unsettles long-standing investment structures and introduces uncertainty for foreign investors, despite grandfathering provisions for pre-2017 investments.