Editorial Comment

Mind their language: The State should abstain from imposing choices

The policy, being implemented in phases, stipulates that students learn at least three languages

Comfortable position: Low inflation may not lead to another rate cut

Prices of oils and fats, for example, increased by over 17 per cent and may require policy attention

Back to the future? Investment has remained a hurdle for West Bengal

Mr Chandrasekaran and Ms Banerjee reportedly discussed private-public partnerships in the context of economic growth in the state

IBC reset needed: Delays in the resolution process must be addressed

If resolution plans can be set aside years later, it undermines the credibility of the insolvency process and raises questions about the very foundations of the Code. This cannot be allowed to persist

Exclusion errors: ECI must ensure genuine voters are not left out

Ever since it was set up, and without a definitive proof of citizenship issued under the Citizenship Act, the ECI has done a commendable job in preparing inclusive electoral rolls

Low visibility: AAIB report on Air India crash needs technical clarity

The problem with the AAIB's 15-page report is that it has sparked damaging speculation about "pilot error" or, worse, pilot suicide

Build to last: Maintaining structures is as critical as building them

But the tragedy is not an exception. Last year, the government admitted that 42 major and minor bridges collapsed in the past five years

Managing excess liquidity: Financial markets need more clarity now

Excess liquidity could also incentivise the banking system to extend loans at lower rates

Gaps in data gathering understate actual levels of inequality in India

According to the Household Consumption Expenditure Survey (HCES) 2022-23, inequality in consumption did decline

India must deepen ties with Asean nations, not abandon its trade agreement

Some within the government, as well as prominent voices in industry, have complained that the FTA with Asean allows for the dumping of Chinese goods in India via Southeast Asia

Nutrition transition: Focus should now be on diet quality, protein shifts

More importantly, the wide disparities in calorie consumption between the poorest and the wealthiest have narrowed significantly, signalling a welcome reduction in nutritional inequality

Letters and the spirit: Trump pushes global trade into uncharted territory

With the end of the 90-day pause on the imposition of the so-called reciprocal tariffs and the US sending letters, a few things are now clear

Making Brics count: Summit highlighted diminishing global relevance

The lengthy, nearly 16,000-word Rio de Janeiro Declaration, which followed the summit, made all the right noises about "inclusive and sustainable" governance

Presidential promises: Donald Trump swiftly implements his budget agenda

Mr Musk, and other critics of the Budget Bill, are concerned in particular about the risk of rising debt levels in the US

Off the road: Vehicle pollution needs structured solutions, policy action

The proposed CAFE norms also show that addressing the problem needs a better approach

Waiting for India-US deal: The trade outlook remains uncertain amid delays

Nearly half of India's population depend directly or indirectly on agriculture for livelihood. There are also concerns in India about genetically modified food items that the US wants to push

Focus on development: Don't divert state capacity to curb free speech

Karnataka government has produced a draft Bill that allows for jail terms of up to seven years for the production of fake news and other problematic content

Govt must go beyond RDI, fund bluesky research at the university level

The RDI scheme may address some of the concerns about private-sector R&D, though it will be critically important to support the right sort of projects

US' approach to Pak terror raises questions on Quad's effectiveness

The fact that a Quad foreign ministers' meeting was held a day after Mr Trump was sworn in for a second term and talks began for a New Delhi summit later this year is seen as a sign of hope

Employment push: New job scheme must be supported by structural reforms

The widespread skill mismatch and the low penetration of technical and vocational education have further compounded the problem