Editorial Analysis

The global shift of semiconductor manufacturers toward AI-oriented chips has created a shortage of memory chips used in consumer electronics. It has increased prices of smartphones, laptops, refrigerators, air conditioners, televisions, and other devices, contributing to retail inflation in India.

The recent visit of the Prime Minister of India to France, including meetings with the French President on the sidelines of the G-7 Summit in Evian has reinforced the growing India–France partnership centred on technology, innovation, defence and strategic autonomy.

The proposed Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) Amendment, 2026 introduced the Creditor-Initiated Insolvency Resolution Process (CIIRP) aimed at faster resolution of stressed assets while preserving enterprise value.

Disability pensions in India remain fragmented, inadequate and uneven across States even after India’s rapid digitalisation and expansion of Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) systems.

The implementation framework for labour reforms has been completed with the notification of the rules under the four Labour Codes. However, trade unions and labour scholars have raised concerns regarding several provisions and the absence of adequate worker safeguards.

Recent debates and other policy forums questioned whether weakening reforms, changes in India’s Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) framework, declining net FDI, and rupee depreciation indicate a loss of economic momentum and investor confidence.

India’s FTA network has expanded to 15 agreements covering 27 countries. with the India–Oman Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) coming into effect, while negotiations with several other countries and blocs are nearing completion.

The mismatch between generation and consumption of electricity makes energy storage systems (ESS) indispensable for ensuring grid stability, reliability, and efficient utilization of renewable power.

According to the Sample Registration System (SRS) Statistical Report and NFHS-5, India’s Total Fertility Rate (TFR) has fallen below the replacement level of 2.1, reaching around 2.0 and subsequently 1.9 signals that India may age and eventually shrink faster than previously anticipated.

Amid rising geopolitical tensions, deglobalisation, supply-chain fragmentation, and debates on India's growth model, economists are reassessing whether the 1991 liberalisation framework remains adequate for India's development aspirations.