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EXPLAINED: Goi - The Real Truth

Don't put a toll on UPI: Why merchant discount rate isn't the answer

A proposal to introduce a merchant discount rate (MDR) on UPI transactions above ₹2,000 for businesses with annual turnover of ₹1-1.5 crore aims to address the cost of maintaining the payments ecosystem. While banks and payment providers need a sustainable revenue model, the article argues that reintroducing MDR would undermine…

The Economic Times

Jump on this bandwagon: India’s ethanol push gathers speed as it transforms energy security and rural economy

Ethanol, a renewable biofuel, has become integral to India's transport fuel strategy. India achieved ten percent blending ahead of schedule in 2022 and is expanding its use. This program has generated significant payments for farmers and reduced crude oil imports. Flex-fuel vehicles and expanded retail infrastructure are key to the…

The Economic Times

India must finish the capital account reforms begun in 1991

India's capital controls have transformed from restrictive permissions to more refined regulations. As the nation pursues its economic aspirations, a more open and predictable capital framework is essential. Recent moves by regulators were unexpected and lacked clarity for investors.

The Economic Times

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Why CDSCO and BEE have not kept pace with the industries they oversee

CDSCO still faces challenges like chronic understaffing, gaps in technical skills, weak lab infra and fragmented approvals. About a decade back, the organisation was recommended a benchmark of 1 inspector for every 50 manufacturing units. Yet, in end-2023, it carried a strength of barely 200 inspectors against a sanctioned strength…

The Economic Times

Usernaam ke Vaaste? Some things to consider about the ruckus over WhatsApp introducing usernames

WhatsApp's introduction of usernames, a feature long present in rivals like Telegram and Signal, has sparked debate, particularly in India. While aiming to enhance privacy by obscuring mobile numbers, especially for vulnerable users, concerns about impersonation and scamming persist. The article argues that usernames, when linked to KYC-verified numbers, don't…

The Economic Times

When the state questions your citizenship

An MEA official's statement that Indian passports aren't proof of citizenship, made during Passport Seva Divas, has sparked concern. Amidst ongoing citizenship verification drives, the article highlights the anxiety of proving one's Indian identity. The author shares a personal experience of their passport being questioned years after issuance, raising questions…

The Economic Times

MEA's passport remark needs a crucial clarification

MEA's assertion that a passport isn't conclusive proof of citizenship has sparked debate. While legally correct, as citizenship is defined by the Constitution and Citizenship Act, the statement overlooks the practical reality. Passports are generally issued only to citizens after rigorous checks, creating a strong presumption of citizenship for most…

The Economic Times

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Passport row highlights India's larger citizenship documentation challenge

A remark by an External Affairs Ministry official on Passport Seva Divas that a passport is "a travel document, not a document of citizenship" sparked confusion and debate, with many questioning whether passports still serve as proof of Indian citizenship.

The Economic Times

How India can build a bigger oil buffer without straining the exchequer

As tensions around Iran and the Strait of Hormuz ease, India should focus not only on managing the immediate oil crisis but also on strengthening long-term energy security, the authors argue. While the government has asked ONGC to build a new 1.75-million-tonne strategic oil reserve in Mangaluru, expanding reserves through…

The Economic Times

FTAs building a new trade architecture for Viksit Bharat

India is actively pursuing Free Trade Agreements to boost market access and shield its businesses. These agreements target complementary economies, aiming to secure a level playing field for Indian exporters. FTAs also focus on services, talent mobility, and investment. Modern trade dimensions like technical barriers and environmental standards are addressed.

The Economic Times

Bharat innovates, ready for take-off

India's deep-tech startups are showcasing their advanced capabilities in France. This event highlights India's growing strength in space, AI, and defence. Indian companies are developing rockets and satellites for global markets. France serves as a key gateway to Europe. This initiative aims to foster international partnerships for co-development and investment.

The Economic Times

ATMs hungry, but not for more cash

Many Indians face empty ATMs despite ample cash in circulation. This is due to serious disruptions in cash movement. UPI's rapid rise and increased operating costs weaken ATM operators. Banks are also changing withdrawal rules. The government is working on solutions like hybrid ATMs and post office ATMs to improve…

The Economic Times

India turns to nuclear power as Gulf risks rise

India is boosting its energy security. Investments are growing in solar, wind, and nuclear power. Recent geopolitical events highlight nuclear energy's role. India's nuclear program is advancing with new reactors and private sector involvement. The nation aims for significant nuclear capacity by 2047. This strategy diversifies energy sources and reduces…

The Economic Times

Shot of hike as painkiller: India’s economic storm calls for decisive MPC action

India's economy faces a perfect storm. The rupee is at historic lows, subsidies are soaring, and fiscal deficit risks are rising. Capital outflows are accelerating, and prices are climbing. The Monetary Policy Committee meets this week. Many expect rates to stay unchanged. However, rising inflation pressures may force a rate…

The Economic Times

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The Economic Times

Club rules need not apply: Reclaiming 'commons' on which Delhi Gymkhana Club stands must be a start for other such returns

The government has taken control of Delhi Gymkhana Club. This action highlights issues of nepotism and valuable land in other elite clubs across India. Many of these clubs, established during the British Raj, now operate on hereditary membership. This practice grants automatic membership to descendants, limiting access for others. The…

The Economic Times

NEET 2026 cancellation shows why India must ditch printed exam papers

India's medical entrance exam, NEET, faces recurring paper leaks due to a flawed physical distribution system. A digital cinema-like model, using encrypted papers and separate decryption keys delivered just before the exam, offers a robust solution. This approach, similar to secure film distribution, could prevent future leaks and restore fairness…

The Economic Times

Modi’s toughest economic test may demand more than appeals

Prime Minister Narendra Modi faces economic headwinds. Appeals for reduced consumption of imported goods like oil and gold may not suffice. Allowing oil prices to rise or the rupee to depreciate could curb demand but risks inflation. Tax cuts on fuel offer an alternative to protect consumers. Addressing foreign investment…

The Economic Times

India must leverage its digital verification architecture to evolve into a trust-based economy

India faces a low-trust economy with high friction, exemplified by complex KYC norms. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman highlighted this issue. The nation must shift towards a trust-based system by rewarding responsible conduct. Leveraging digital infrastructure like Aadhaar and UPI offers a path to reduce friction and build trust. This transition…

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The Economic Times

Enough with mythologies: India needs new state-sponsored AI entities to create essential strategic capability

A new AI model called Mythos can find software flaws. Its restricted release raises concerns about misuse by hackers or foreign governments. India, with its large pool of engineers and young people, needs to develop its own advanced AI. This requires state-led initiatives to foster homegrown AI capabilities and ensure…

Digital Camera World

This Soviet 'sniper' camera looks more like a rifle than a photography tool and once sold for $63,000!

Classic Cameras #17 – Why the USSR built a 300mm telephoto camera on a wooden gun stock

Newslaundry

‘Avoid religious rhetoric, draw on past economic and security gains’: Editorials after Pahalgam attack

Across editorial pages in the wake of the Pahalgam attack, the message was clear on Thursday: resist divisive rhetoric, draw strength from recent gains in peace and development, and ensure justice is swift and focused.

Newslaundry

Mamata walkout: Hindu points to NITI’s ‘structural issues’, Jansatta slams CM’s ‘uncertain position’

At the first NITI Aayog meeting of the NDA government last week, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke about the need for combined efforts of all states for a ‘Viksit Bharat 2047’.

Newslaundry

‘Hands tied, June 4 changed to July 23’: What front pages, editorials said on budget 2024

From signs of political exigencies to its focus on job creation, many have seen the first budget of the BJP-led NDA government as a message to the Indian voter.

Dynamite News

7,160 projects worth Rs 1,43,778 crore completed so far under Smart Cities Mission: MoHUA

As many as 7,160 projects worth Rs 1,43,778 crore under Smart Cities Mission have been completed so far, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs said on Tuesday. Read further on Dynamite News:

Newslaundry

Editorials on Bengal train mishap: ‘Focus on eye-catching aspects? Not doing the basics right’

While authorities probe the Kanchanjunga Express-cargo train accident near West Bengal’s Jalpaiguri, the toll has raised serious questions over accountability, safety and policy priorities.

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