In our earlier analyses of state finances (refer our earlier two pieces in ET; December 3, 2025 and January 15, 2026; as you find appropriate), drawing on the Comptroller and Auditor General of India reports over the past decade, we highlighted a troubling shift. India’s most populous states, accounting for nearly three fourths of the population, were gradually...
India's economic surveys, though strong, require reform to include cultural contexts and intra-household dynamics. Ignoring how social norms, kinship, and aspirations shape decisions leads to policy blind spots. Incorporating these measurable variables would provide a more accurate understanding of economic behavior, improving policy effectiveness and making data more truthful.
A study reveals step-ladder jumps and shifts in the durables that households in India purchase as they ascend income slabs. Conventional economic narratives often assume that consumption rises smoothly with income. As households earn more, they are expected to spend more—a linear and predictable relationship. Yet, empirical evidence...
India's Budget 2026 aims for growth by boosting public investment and controlling the deficit. The focus now shifts to how this investment will create jobs and boost household incomes. The neo-middle class, a key consumer group, faces income volatility. Future success depends on ensuring stable employment and social infrastructure, not just building assets.
Unemployment, poverty, and inflation numbers make headlines and stir political commentary, but are we deploying data as a credible tracker of India’s progress?
