Editorial Analysis

India needs technological capabilities along with increasing R&D expenditure and private-sector participation to be globally competitive.

Nepal is scheduled to graduate from the UN’s Least Developed Country (LDC) category on November 24, but has sought a three-year deferral to better prepare for a smooth and sustainable transition.

The debate over theatre commands gained renewed attention following recent conflicts and discussions on air-power reforms, with the IAF urging a measured approach to integration without disrupting proven operational structures.

As India’s renewable capacity grows faster than transmission and storage infrastructure, there is a need for grid integration ensuring reliable, affordable electricity.

As China’s export competitiveness intensifies and India seeks to benefit from the China-plus-one strategy while countering the ‘China Squeeze’ on developing-country manufacturing, questions over the reliability of India’s manufacturing data have gained renewed importance.

The UDISE+ 2025–26 report highlights substantial expansion in India’s school education system while revealing persistent regional, social, infrastructure and teacher-related disparities.

The Centre’s fiscal position in 2026-27 is expected to remain broadly close to budget estimates, despite risks from weak tax collections, higher subsidies, geopolitical tensions and volatile crude oil prices.

India’s rapid e-commerce and quick-commerce expansion is driving warehouse modernisation, making AI-led optimisation and selective automation crucial to improving speed, efficiency and logistics competitiveness.

The transition from MGNREGA to VB-G RAM G has coincided with a sharp fall in rural employment generation, raising concerns over implementation, wage security and rural livelihoods.

The blue economy is gaining policy attention as India expands maritime infrastructure, fisheries, ocean technology and coastal development while seeking inclusive and sustainable growth.