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Ease of doing biz calls for regulatory, process reforms

Against the backdrop of global challenges and heightened uncertainty, the Survey has backed reforms, including regulatory entities, and called for “creating a cadre of professionals”, who are adept in regulatory design and implementation, to improve the ease of doing business.“Policy reforms do matter. Process reforms arguably more so. Processes define the interaction between govt and…

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To cut traffic load, targeted ‘congestion pricing’ mooted

New Delhi: Targeted ‘congestion pricing’ in dense business districts, combined with demand-based parking management, can reduce traffic volume, raise speeds and cut emissions, as seen internationally, according to Economic Survey 2025-26. It has highlighted how such steps have helped authorities in Singapore and London address congestion.Though efforts have been made since 2009 to propose charging…

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Red flags over sustainability of unconditional cash transfers

Make Up 50% Of Rural Monthly Consumption New Delhi: Unconditional cash transfers (UCT) by state govts now account for nearly half of the monthly per capita consumption expenditure among the rural population, raising concerns about fiscal sustainability and medium-term growth, especially when there is no complementary investment skilling and human capital, Economic Survey said.It said…

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World will move from ‘thinking about buying Indian’ to ‘buying Indian without thinking’: Sitharaman

World will move from “thinking about buying Indian” to “buying Indian without thinking”: Sitharaman Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Thursday highlighted the Economic Survey and said the survey mentions that a progression from ‘Swadeshi’ to ‘Strategic Resilience’ to ‘Strategic Indispensability’ will ensure the world moves from “thinking about buying Indian” to “buying Indian without…

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Silver breaches Rs 4 lakh/kg, gold hits record Rs 1.83 lakh/10g as global safe-haven demand surges

Silver prices in the national capital crossed the Rs 4 lakh per kg mark on Thursday, while gold touched a fresh lifetime high of Rs 1.83 lakh per 10 grams, tracking a sharp rally in global markets amid rising geopolitical and economic uncertainty, according to the All India Sarafa Association, as reported PTI.Silver extended gains…

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Budget 2026: Charting a course for ports – Two areas FM can address to bolster the sector

To increase the port capacity and also, cater to the advancements in shipping, development of mega ports (greater than 300 MTPA capacity with 18+ meter draft) is on the agenda. (AI image) By Jagannarayan Padmanabhan and Parul Singhal Garg Prioritising efficiency-linked incentives (ELI) and promoting compliance with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are among key asks…

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Microsoft stock plunges 12.3%, drags Wall Street lower-here’s what driving the fall

Microsoft led a pullback on Wall Street on Thursday, with US stocks retreating from record levels after the tech heavyweight logged its steepest single-day fall in years, weighing on broader market sentiment. While gold prices also reversed sharply after a blistering run, reflecting a broader cooling of risk appetite across global markets.Microsoft sank 12.3% despite…

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India should prioritise trade opportunities over tariffs, says World Bank chief Ajay Banga

World Bank Group President Ajay Banga (Photo-AP) India should “think less” about tariffs and focus more on opportunities to expand trade, World Bank Group President Ajay Banga said on Thursday, as geopolitical tensions continue to cloud the global trade outlook.Interacting with media during a visit to the Central Tool Room and Training Centre (CTTC) in…

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IT sector faces AI-era uncertainties as global model power concentrates, says Economic Survey

The Economic Survey has cautioned that India’s entry into the artificial intelligence era comes with “looming uncertainties” and structural asymmetries that could reshape labour markets and pose fundamental questions for the future of the Indian IT sector, even as the country seeks to harness AI-driven productivity gains.The Survey flagged the growing concentration of market power…

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