Biz Masala

  ECONOMY & POLICY   |   SPECIAL ANALYSIS The IMF’s endorsement strengthens the government’s defence of revised national accounts. Yet questions raised by former RBI Governor Raghuram Rajan and former Finance Secretary Subhash Chandra Garg highlight the need for transparent data, consistent comparisons and a closer look at what headline growth means. Illustrative graphic supplied for this story; not an official GDP chart. BY BIZ MASALA DESK   •   20 OCTOBER 2026 India’s economic growth debate has taken an important turn. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has welcomed the country’s revised Gross Domestic Product (GDP) methodology, strengthening the government’s defence of its statistical framework. The endorsement comes amid controversy over reported real GDP growth of 7.8% in April–June 2026 and criticism from two prominent former policymakers: Raghuram Rajan and Subhash Chandra Garg. The dispute is about more than whether India is growing ra...

  BIZ MASALA   |   BUSINESS • MARKETS • ECONOMY • PEOPLE Investment announcements are only the beginning. The real test is whether growth delivers secure work, better earnings and wider opportunity. HERO IMAGE — Women work at sewing stations in a garment factory. Photograph supplied by the editor; original source and republication permission should be confirmed. By Biz Masala | Employment & State Economy The contest between Andhra Pradesh and Telangana is often framed around investment, infrastructure and the next big industrial project. For workers, however, the more practical question is different: which economy is creating jobs that people can access, keep and build a future around? The answer is not captured by one unemployment rate or one investment announcement. Employment participation, job quality, pay, the mix of sectors and the number of projects that actually begin operating all matter. Official labour-market data offer a useful starting point...

  BUSINESS • MARKETS • PEOPLE • INSIGHT More people at work—but are they getting good jobs? India’s latest labour survey shows a workforce dominated by self-employment, a modest rise in regular salaried work and persistent differences in participation and earnings. The harder question is whether work delivers adequate income, security and purchasing power. By Biz Masala | 20 October 2026 Hero photograph: Garment workers on a factory production floor. Image supplied by the editor; original source and publication rights must be confirmed before publication. At a glance: India’s labour market in 2025 Indicator PLFS 2025 figure Labour-force participation rate, age 15+ 59.3% Worker population ratio, age 15+ 57.4% Unemployment rate, age 15+ (usual status) 3.1% Workers self-employed 56.2% Workers regular wage/salaried 23.6% ...