The Economic Times

Uttar Pradesh, a state with a population larger than many countries, is experiencing a significant economic turnaround. Its economy has doubled in eight years, with improvements in industry and services. This shift is driven by enhanced security, infrastructure development, and better fiscal management.

Government revenue from cesses and surcharges is substantial. While intended for specific schemes, concerns persist about their actual usage. Reports highlight funds collected for specific purposes being retained by the government. The 16th Finance Commission noted these levies impede tax reform.

Japans strong performance at the 2024 Paris Olympics highlights the importance of a community-based sports ecosystem that India can learn from. In Japan, local municipal bodies play a key role in promoting sports, building infrastructure and organising activities, supported by local budgets, national funding and corporate sponsorships.

In a bold pivot, India is revolutionizing its defense approach by prioritizing domestic equipment manufacturing. The upcoming Defence Acquisition Procedure 2026 emphasizes ownership of both technology and intellectual property to lessen dependency on overseas sources. Additionally, fostering collaborations with global allies for co-development is crucial to this strategy. By the decade's conclusion, India aims to fortify its home-grown defense sector.

The India-US interim trade framework, released by the White House, reflects a careful compromise between the two nations. It provides immediate relief to Indian exporters, reducing US tariffs from 50% to 18%, secures continued technology access including GPUs for data centres, and establishes a predictable baseline for trade, though it falls short of Indias original ambitions.

Anthropic's new AI tool is shaking up the IT services sector. Companies face significant changes as AI automates tasks. The industry must adapt by focusing on outcome delivery and redesigning services. New opportunities exist in AI governance and risk management. Providers need to embrace reinvention to succeed in this evolving landscape.

India-US tariff relief offers some political confidence. However, US President Trump's order on Russian oil purchases creates complications. This move benefits China, which increases its Russian oil imports. India faces a difficult choice between US demands and its energy needs. The relationship faces political hurdles, requiring India to diversify partnerships and derisk its approach.

India's financial regulators demonstrated significant sophistication in 2025, implementing reforms that strengthened oversight and eased compliance burdens. These initiatives, including the RBI's new regulation framework and SEBI's Securities Market Code, have enhanced credit discipline and improved insolvency outcomes, signaling stability amidst global uncertainty and fostering an environment for economic growth.

Economic liberalisation, shifting global power, corporate ambition and technology cycles from the 1980s to the 2020s underline lessons on calculated risk, culture, innovation and adaptability in a volatile world shaped by Asias rise and artificial intelligence

The Supreme Court is considering compensation for dog-bite victims. States may be held liable for failing to protect residents. Experts emphasize sterilization and vaccination as the long-term solution. This approach aims to balance human safety and animal welfare. Victim compensation is seen as a crucial interim measure until long-term strategies are fully effective.

The India-US tariff deal has been widely criticised as a coerced compromise. While US tariffs on Indian goods have been cut from 50% to 18%, the reduction is largely a rollback of Trump-era economic pressure, not a generous offer. Indias government claims it has diversified oil supplies, but critics say being forced to abandon cheaper Russian crude for costlier US oil under threat of tariffs is submission, not diversification.

India is entering a new era of opportunity. Strong trade deals with the US, UAE, Britain, and EU are opening global markets. The nation is excelling in advanced manufacturing, particularly in mobile phones and chip design. India is also embracing Artificial Intelligence, becoming a leader in affordable AI services.

India's telecom infrastructure is transforming into a flexible digital backbone. New policies and 5G Advanced technology demand networks that work everywhere, regardless of technology. This evolution supports diverse digital needs across the country. Infrastructure must be resilient and sustainable. Innovations are making networks smarter and greener. This progress ensures universal connectivity, driving economic and social growth for a connected India.

India faces a new era of global uncertainty. Past actions by the US have created distrust. India is now prioritizing diversification of trade and defense partnerships. This strategy aims to build leverage and secure national interests. The focus is on creating options in a volatile world. This approach is crucial for India's future.

India is poised to become an innovation nation. New initiatives like RDIF and ANRF support deep technologies. Universities and labs are key to this transformation. Strategic support systems and patient capital are needed to bridge the gap between research and commercialization. Sector-focused clusters will foster growth. Translation of inventions into scalable innovations is imperative for global competitiveness.

India's budget brings significant tax changes for the IT sector. Safe harbour rules are unified, and advance pricing agreements will be fast-tracked. These measures aim to offer tax certainty to multinational companies. APAs determine prices for cross-border transactions in advance, reducing litigation. This policy shift is expected to boost investor confidence and drive long-term investment in India.

India has achieved major trade breakthroughs with the EU and US. The India-EU Free Trade Agreement offers long-term predictability and access to vast markets. The India-US deal primarily reduces punitive tariffs on Indian goods. These agreements are crucial for India's economic growth and diversification, challenging domestic protectionism and opening new avenues for Indian exports.

India's 100% FDI in insurance aims to boost competition and innovation, but faces challenges. Existing market saturation and the need for scale may deter new entrants. Crucially, improving claim settlement fairness and efficiency is vital for building public trust and ensuring the reform's success.

Will Crystal Meth Don stick to his tariffnumber? Your guess is as good as his

The young are choosing being a 'traditional wife' as a way of life, romanticising it, in some kind of Edenic return to the kitchen garden, providing many a new way of making them feel seen.

A public rift has emerged between the Beckham family and their son Brooklyn and his wife Nicola Peltz. Reports suggest Victoria Beckham's alleged actions have caused significant upset. This family drama is being compared to common Indian inheritance disputes. The situation highlights that even wealthy families experience complex relationships and conflicts.