Deep Dive: Beyond The Headlines

With the festive season underway, investors are looking for opportunities in consumption-linked stocks, from automobiles and consumer durables to FMCG, jewellery and logistics. But inflation, weak monsoon conditions and questions over demand recovery complicate the outlook. This Deep Dive examines where analysts see opportunities, which sectors face risks and whether investors should bet on a festive revival or wait for stronger evidence.

Political tensions are escalating in Delhi as Opposition parties plan a march to the Supreme Court over electoral concerns and fresh protests loom. With the Chief Justice declining Congress's request for a meeting, this Deep Dive examines the unfolding confrontation, the demands driving the protests and the wider questions of dissent, democratic accountability and institutional response.

The GST Council has approved sweeping changes to tax administration, from ending officers' arrest powers and easing penalties to expanding input tax credits and speeding up refunds. New rules also promise relief for exporters, online sellers and transporters. This Deep Dive examines the decisions, who stands to benefit and how the reforms could change the way businesses comply with GST.

The RBI's latest rate hike could make loans costlier and deposits more rewarding. But how much of past rate changes actually reached borrowers and savers? And why is inflation becoming a bigger concern? This Deep Dive examines the impact of monetary policy on household finances, the changing inflation picture and a new initiative to make financial holdings easier to track.

The Reserve Bank of India has raised the repo rate by 25 basis points to 5.5 per cent, its first increase since February 2023. More significantly, the Monetary Policy Committee has shifted its stance to “calibrated tightening”, signalling that near-term rate cuts are off the table as inflation risks broaden.

The next phase of GST reform may be less about changing tax rates and more about fixing how the system works. From input tax credits and faster refunds to export treatment, enforcement and the Council's own institutional machinery, this Business Standard Deep Dive examines the reforms under consideration and what they could mean for businesses and taxpayers.

India's economy is sending conflicting signals. New project announcements have slowed and factory investment has fallen for the first time since the pandemic, even as GST collections accelerate and petrol and diesel consumption rises. This BS Deep Dive uses four indicators to examine what the latest data says about investment, demand and the economy's underlying momentum.

Indian markets enter H2FY27 after a turbulent first half marked by heavy foreign selling, weak benchmark returns, a falling rupee and sharp sectoral divergence—even as the IPO market remained remarkably resilient. This BS Deep Dive examines what lies ahead for equities, foreign flows, bonds, currencies, commodities and the primary market.

India's dominant stock exchange has finally become a listed company, completing a ₹22,562 crore IPO with a surprisingly quiet market debut. But NSE's ₹4.45 trillion valuation, commanding market position and the arrival of a new listed exchange play raise bigger questions for investors. This BS Deep Dive examines the listing, valuations, investor appetite, competition with BSE and what comes next for NSE.

Tata Sons and its controlling shareholder Tata Trusts are at odds over decisions that could reshape the group—from a potential listing and N Chandrasekaran's future to the treatment of the SP Group's stake. This BS Deep Dive examines the widening governance divide, the legal questions it raises, and where power ultimately resides within the Tata structure.

After years of waiting, NSE's IPO has finally opened for subscription, backed by strong institutional demand and the exchange's commanding position in Indian markets. But the issue comes with a hefty valuation and is entirely an offer for sale. This BS Deep Dive examines NSE's strengths and risks, its valuation against global peers and BSE, and what investors should consider before bidding.

UPI's zero-MDR era is set for a significant change, with a 0.4 per cent charge on merchant payments of ₹2,000 and above from October 15. But businesses are divided and merchants show little appetite for absorbing the cost. This BS Deep Dive examines who will pay, how businesses may respond, and what the change means for the next phase of India's dominant digital payments system.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is advancing rapidly, but leaders of some of the leading AI firms are now calling for slowing frontier-model development amid concerns over superalignment and recent AI-driven cyber incidents. Businesses, meanwhile, are strengthening guard rails around deployment. In this edition of BS Deep Dive, Business Standard examines whether AI safety measures can keep pace with the race to build increasingly powerful systems.

As India hosts the 2026 Brics Summit, an expanded grouping faces demands to translate its growing global weight into tangible results. From trade, investment and energy security to supply chains, sustainable aviation fuel and future skills, this BS Deep Dive examines what members want from Delhi—and how geopolitics could shape what the summit actually delivers.

Apple has pushed the iPhone further upmarket in India, unveiling its first foldable at ₹2.99 lakh, upgrading the Pro line and raising prices on several older models. This BS Deep Dive examines Apple's new devices, what makes the iPhone Duo different, and whether its premium pricing strategy can lift revenue even if it comes at the expense of volumes.