Editorial Analysis

The 16th Finance Commission under the chairmanship of Dr Arvind Panagariya published its report for 2026–31. It recommended radical reforms in tax devolution and grants, sparking disputes on fiscal federalism, equity and Centre–State relations.

Recent Indigo fiasco has exposed the systematic risks of of near-duopoly market structures across airlines & revived the discussion on the market concentration, competition and structural reforms in India’s fast-growing aviation sector.

India is expanding its Free Trade Agreement (FTA) network, but the experience with earlier FTAs has raised concerns over widening trade deficits and limited export competitiveness.

Global cuts in Development Assistance for Health (DAH), rising public debt, and concerns over under-utilisation of health budgets have renewed focus on improving the efficiency and governance of public health systems, particularly in India and other developing countries.

Digital technologies have evolved as a critical infrastructure in India, and Artificial Intelligence (AI) is set to become the next foundational public utility. 

With India’s recent bid for the UNSC (2028-29) being announced, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has brought up SHANTI (Securing Holistic Advancement through Norms, Trust and Integrity) as the next phase of India’s marine vision after SAGAR and MAHASAGAR.

The Foreign Contribution (restrictions) Amendment Bill, 2026, which was put on hold earlier amid protests, has been listed for consideration in the Monsoon Session of Parliament, renewing the discussion on foreign finance restrictions.

India’s growing profile in the Indo-Pacific, G20 and changing geopolitical realities have revived discussions about expanding its strategic vision beyond South Asia to a global and interest-based engagement.

The India AI Governance Guidelines (2025) and debates at the India AI Impact Summit 2026 highlighting inclusive  Artificial Intelligence (AI) utilisation to attain Viksit Bharat by 2047.

Recently, ‘The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2026’ (SOFI 2026) highlights a significant decline in hunger and the unaffordability of healthy diets worldwide.