News for 'Policy Research'

Revealed! What Led To The 1962 War?

Revealed! What Led To The 1962 War?

Rediff.com20 Oct 2025

As India and China continue to face off across the Himalayas six decades later, the echoes of that earlier conflict remain unmistakable. The core of China's sensitivity lies not in maps or mountain passes, but in its perception of sovereignty over Tibet, points out Dr Kumar.

Markets settle lower after RBI policy; Sensex sheds 109 points

Markets settle lower after RBI policy; Sensex sheds 109 points

Rediff.com7 Feb 2025

State Bank of India, Adani Ports, Tata Consultancy Services, ICICI Bank, Reliance Industries and PowerGrid were also among the laggards.

What Are Narrow Sectoral Funds?

What Are Narrow Sectoral Funds?

Rediff.com13 Nov 2025

'First-time or conservative investors should avoid narrow sectoral funds.'

'We Aren't Security Conscious As A Nation'

'We Aren't Security Conscious As A Nation'

Rediff.com6 Nov 2025

'Government officials use Gmail and ordinary phones without basic security consciousness.' 'Interoperability, especially in joint exercises with countries like the US, worries me.' 'It often means we open our systems to them, but they don't reciprocate.' 'They could have kill switches in their systems and might even be able to affect ours.'

The Putin Visit: The US-Pakistan Connection

The Putin Visit: The US-Pakistan Connection

Rediff.com8 Dec 2025

Luckily for us, a Russia that is desperate to stay relevant in an emerging multipolar world finds in India a reliable geostrategic partner. The Russian proximity to India also keeps China from exploiting its economic dominance vis a vis Russia, points out Colonel Anil A Athale (retd).

Google plans $15 bn AI hub in Visakhapatnam

Google plans $15 bn AI hub in Visakhapatnam

Rediff.com14 Oct 2025

Google plans to invest $15 billion over the next five years in setting an artificial intelligence hub in Visakhapatnam, a senior official of the company said on Tuesday.

Top four life insurance companies covered 14 mn fewer lives in FY25

Top four life insurance companies covered 14 mn fewer lives in FY25

Rediff.com29 Aug 2025

Some of the leading life insurance companies have reported a sharp decline in the number of lives covered in FY25, largely due to a slowdown in credit-linked life insurance policies. Stress in the microfinance segment has reduced loan disbursements and, in turn, the flow of new customers to insurers.

Trump urged to roll back H-1B curbs as US lawmakers flag India ties risk

Trump urged to roll back H-1B curbs as US lawmakers flag India ties risk

Rediff.com1 Nov 2025

US lawmakers have urged President Donald Trump to reconsider his proclamation on H1-B visas, including the USD 100,000 fee, asserting that Indian nationals are central to American leadership in IT and AI, and the restrictions will negatively impact US-India ties.

The World Is A Dangerous Place

The World Is A Dangerous Place

Rediff.com22 Nov 2025

After Donald Trump became president of the United States, he unleashed economic weaponisation, upsetting the old world order, leading to much unrest. If that wasn't all, the threat of an imminent nuclear war was issued by the US, Russia, China, North Korea and Pakistan. In today's fractious times, Dr Paulos Mar Gregorios would have made a dent, notes His Holiness Baselios Marthoma Mathews III.

No regulator should substitute boardroom judgement: RBI Guv

No regulator should substitute boardroom judgement: RBI Guv

Rediff.com9 Nov 2025

Reserve Bank of India (RBI)Governor Sanjay Malhotra on Friday said it was not the regulator's job to take decisions for bank boards, speaking in the context of the wide range of enabling reforms announced for lenders during the October monetary policy review, and emphasised that financial stability remained the regulator's focus.

Why Academic Freedom Isn't Absolute

Why Academic Freedom Isn't Absolute

Rediff.com27 Aug 2025

Confusing academic freedom with the right to free speech of an individual and expecting unconditional institutional support is not realistic. Academic freedom provides an opportunity for an academic to pursue their passion and contribute to the society through the outcome of their research and/or thought process, points out N Ravichandran.

Is AI Wiping Out Entry Level Jobs?

Is AI Wiping Out Entry Level Jobs?

Rediff.com14 Aug 2025

Generative AI is transforming workplaces but at a cost -- there are fewer jobs for young workers just entering the workforce, reveals a Goldman Sachs report.

Tariff poses major challenge for Maruti's exports to US

Tariff poses major challenge for Maruti's exports to US

Rediff.com15 Sep 2025

Almost 30 per cent of Maruti's auto-component exports are to the US, and about half of that is facing a duty of 25 per cent and the other half 50 per cent.

OpenAI's Back-to-School Shift

OpenAI's Back-to-School Shift

Rediff.com5 Sep 2025

By giving students powerful tools early, these companies build long-term trust and affinity.

Omar Yaghi: The Live-Wire Nobel Laureate

Omar Yaghi: The Live-Wire Nobel Laureate

Rediff.com21 Oct 2025

'It was from him I learnt that if you gave the student the freedom to find his own path, he would be more courageous to experiment.'

'We May See Fewer IPO In Next Samvat'

'We May See Fewer IPO In Next Samvat'

Rediff.com21 Oct 2025

'The primary market's rhythm mirrors investor confidence. While sentiment may appear cautious, it reflects maturity, not weakness.'

'Thar Desert Will Reach Delhi Soon'

'Thar Desert Will Reach Delhi Soon'

Rediff.com11 Dec 2025

'The natural barrier that is Aravalli, you are demolishing it, then who will stop the desert?' 'In future, I predict that people will roam around with oxygen cylinders in Delhi because they won't be able to breathe.'

Realty developers see a cracker of sales in key cities this festival season

Realty developers see a cracker of sales in key cities this festival season

Rediff.com22 Oct 2025

India's housing market has remained resilient this festival season (Dussehra-Diwali period), despite global macroeconomic challenges, tech-sector layoffs, and affordability pressures, with developers reporting 10-25 per cent year-on-year (Y-o-Y) rise in home sales across major cities.

'Government Is The Source Of Our Data Leakages'

'Government Is The Source Of Our Data Leakages'

Rediff.com4 Dec 2025

'Instead of the government and telecom operators solving the mess of their own creation, they're telling us we need to give access to our phones perpetually.'

Buoyant demand has failed to push steel prices

Buoyant demand has failed to push steel prices

Rediff.com21 Nov 2025

The Indian steel industry is faced with a paradox: Rising demand and falling prices. Demand continues to surge as user industries gather pace, with the World Steel Association projecting around 9 per cent annual growth for India over 2025 and 2026, the year domestic demand is projected to be almost 75 million tonnes (mt) higher than in 2020.

Why Millions Of Women Are Fighting Their Bodies

Why Millions Of Women Are Fighting Their Bodies

Rediff.com22 Oct 2025

Nearly 70% of autoimmune disease patients in India are women. Doctors have observed that autoimmune diseases are far more common among women, especially between the ages of 20 and 50, when hormonal and lifestyle factors are most active.

'H1-B visa fee is not about protecting American jobs, but...'

'H1-B visa fee is not about protecting American jobs, but...'

Rediff.com23 Sep 2025

'Immigrants have always been America's greatest strength, building prosperity, breakthroughs, and communities that enrich us all. Instead of embracing that strength, Trump is clamping down on every form of immigration, tearing families apart, destabilising businesses, and weakening our economy'

Remittance tax: Cost of sending money home to rise for Indians in US

Remittance tax: Cost of sending money home to rise for Indians in US

Rediff.com17 May 2025

In President Donald Trump's big priority bill, there is a proposal for a 5 percent excise tax on remittance transfers that would cover more than 40 million people, including those holding green cards and H1B visas.

'The Problem With Quick Fixes Is...'

'The Problem With Quick Fixes Is...'

Rediff.com8 Aug 2025

'...they always address problems superficially, never tackling root causes.' 'Currently, the policy response will focus on immediate relief -- getting people to safety, providing facilities, clearing debris.' 'This is necessary, but once immediate relief operations end, everything returns to 'normal' without addressing underlying vulnerabilities.'

Wholesale price inflation eases to 0.13% in Sep on lower food prices

Wholesale price inflation eases to 0.13% in Sep on lower food prices

Rediff.com14 Oct 2025

Wholesale price inflation (WPI) softened to 0.13 per cent in September on easing in prices of food articles and manufactured items, government data showed on Tuesday. WPI-based inflation was 0.52 per cent in August and 1.91 per cent in September last year.

India's Russian oil import rebounds in Oct after dip in Q2

India's Russian oil import rebounds in Oct after dip in Q2

Rediff.com17 Oct 2025

India's crude oil imports from Russia strengthened in the first half of October, reversing a three-month slide in arrivals seen during July-September as refineries were back on full stream to meet festive demand, according to ship tracking data.

Home Loans: Banks Roll Out Festive Offers

Home Loans: Banks Roll Out Festive Offers

Rediff.com6 Oct 2025

'Do exhaustive research and then select the one that best fits your budget and requirements.'

Trump's H1B Diktat Fuels Anxiety For Indians

Trump's H1B Diktat Fuels Anxiety For Indians

Rediff.com24 Sep 2025

Social media feeds and immigration forums lit up with questions from workers and families who feared they might be stranded abroad, unable to return to their jobs or reunite with loved ones.

Kashmir's Unmarked Graves: The Stunning Truth!

Kashmir's Unmarked Graves: The Stunning Truth!

Rediff.com8 Sep 2025

As many as 2,493 graves were identified as belonging to foreign terrorists who were killed in counter-insurgency operations.
These individuals often lacked identification to conceal their networks and maintain Pakistan's plausible deniability.

Delhi chokes under post-Diwali haze as AAP, BJP trade blame

Delhi chokes under post-Diwali haze as AAP, BJP trade blame

Rediff.com22 Oct 2025

Delhi's air quality deteriorates to 'very poor' levels, sparking a blame game between AAP and BJP over the causes and responsibility for the pollution.

Will GST Rate Cuts Bring Back FPIs?

Will GST Rate Cuts Bring Back FPIs?

Rediff.com8 Sep 2025

Foreign portfolio investors sold stocks worth Rs 1.42 trillion in 2025, with their sales hitting Rs 12,257 crore in the first four trading days of September.

How India Got The MiG-21 63 Years Ago

How India Got The MiG-21 63 Years Ago

Rediff.com26 Sep 2025

The MiG-21 episode demonstrates that procurement is always strategic.
Choices about what aircraft to acquire, who builds them, who supplies the spares, who trains the pilots and technicians are decisions with political consequences lasting for decades.

Indian-American Jay Bhattacharya to be Trump's health agency head

Indian-American Jay Bhattacharya to be Trump's health agency head

Rediff.com27 Nov 2024

US President-elect Donald Trump has nominated Indian-American scientist Jay Bhattacharya to lead the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the country's top health research and funding institutions. Bhattacharya, a professor of Health Policy at Stanford University, is known for his research on the health and well-being of vulnerable populations. Trump also nominated Jim O'Neill as the deputy secretary of Health and Human Services to work alongside Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

Sensex falls by 160 pts on sell-off in IT, healthcare shares

Sensex falls by 160 pts on sell-off in IT, healthcare shares

Rediff.com6 Aug 2025

Among the Sensex firms, Sun Pharmaceuticals, Tech Mahindra, HCL Technologies, Infosys, Bajaj Finance, Eternal, Tata Consultancy Services, UltraTech Cement, Bajaj Finserv, Tata Steel, ITC and L&T were the major laggards. Asian Paints, Mahindra & Mahindra, BEL, Adani Ports, State Bank of India, Trent, HDFC Bank were among the gainers.

Average cost of data breach in India rises 13% in 2025

Average cost of data breach in India rises 13% in 2025

Rediff.com7 Aug 2025

The average cost of an organisation for a data breach has risen 13 per cent to Rs 22 crore in 2025 from Rs 19.5 crore in the year-ago period, according to a report released on Thursday. However, despite the surge in costs, the security in artificial intelligence is still lacking, the report by global tech major IBM said.

Rethinking Homework in India's Classrooms

Rethinking Homework in India's Classrooms

Rediff.com8 Sep 2025

With the rise of digital classrooms, students are often asked to create videos, prepare slideshows or use online research to complete assignments. 'We are glad that children are not spending hours copying notes in the name of homework but even now parents end up doing or supporting a major portion of the homework.'

From Gujarat To Global Stage: Modi's 25 Year Journey

From Gujarat To Global Stage: Modi's 25 Year Journey

Rediff.com22 Oct 2025

'I disagree with much of Modi's politics, but it cannot be denied that in these years in office, he has carved more than a niche for himself in history,' points out Nilanjan Mukhopadhyay, author, Narendra Modi: The Man, The Times.

When FII & DII Buy Big, Should You Too?

When FII & DII Buy Big, Should You Too?

Rediff.com12 Aug 2025

In the Indian stock market, investors are interested in the actions of both domestic and foreign institutional investors (FIIs and DIIs). These groups have wealth as well as expertise in research, which makes them powerful participants in the Indian stock market. Their buy and sell positions have a large effect on stock prices and market sentiment due to the large volume.

RBI changes policy stance to open window for a rate cut

RBI changes policy stance to open window for a rate cut

Rediff.com9 Oct 2024

The Reserve Bank of India on Wednesday decided to keep the policy rate unchanged for the tenth time in a row but changed its stance to 'neutral' that may lead to a cut in the forthcoming policies. RBI maintained status quo despite the US Federal Reserve lowering the benchmark rates by 50 basis points last month.

Factors that will drive the markets this week

Factors that will drive the markets this week

Rediff.com3 Aug 2025

Equity markets this week will turn their focus on the RBI's interest rate decision, Q1 earnings from several blue-chip firms and tariff-related news for further cues, analysts said. Moreover, trading activity of foreign investors and trends in global equity markets will also drive investors' sentiment.