Editorial Analysis

Recently, IMD forecasts below-normal precipitation (about 43% below normal) that have intensified due to delayed rainfall and emerging El Niño conditions.

Recently Indian companies like Reliance Industries Ltd. (RIL) and Amul achieved distinct milestones, but not enough to be globally dominant, innovation-driven, and embedded in the highest-margin segments of the global economy.

The efficacy of Ayushman Bharat Health and Wellness Centres (HWCs) and Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) has once again raised questions about the success of India’s public health policies in Universal Health Coverage (UHC).

Recently, the United States Trade Representative (USTR) had initiated a Section 301 investigation into Vietnam as it was designated as a 'Priority Foreign Country' in the Special 301 Report (2026) on account of some issues related to intellectual property (IP) protection and enforcement.

Discussion around 'Sovereign AI' came to fore following reports of US putting restrictions on access to some cutting-edge AI models like Anthropic's Fable to non-US nationals, thus calling upon India to come up with its own government-sponsored Large Language Model (LLM).

India’s recent $2 billion procurement of military drones from domestic manufacturers marks a significant milestone in the country’s defence modernisation and Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India) agenda and strengthens indigenous manufacturing.

The recently released National Family Health Survey (NFHS)-6 by MoHFW highlights India’s advancements in child nutrition and maternal health, while also revealing persistent challenges related to infant feeding practices, dietary quality, maternal workload, and local-level implementation gaps.

India achieved its NDC target of 50% installed electricity capacity from non-fossil sources ahead of 2030, yet solar curtailment of 2.3 TWh and 44 GW of unsigned PPAs in 2025 reveal that the transition has moved from a capacity challenge to a systems challenge.

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.