Category Public Finances and Macroeconomics

Copy of Insights 13

Rethinking GST: Structural Reforms over Simplistic Slab Reductions

There is much talk of the proposed simplification of India’s complex GST regime. Prime minister Narendra Modi in his Independence Day speech, said, "…The government will implement next generation GST reforms which will bring down tax burden on the common man."

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GST Exemptions and NIL Rates: Policy Gains Versus Consumer Realities

Health insurance for individuals has been made exempt from Goods and Services Tax. GST has been removed from life insurance premium payments for individuals, as well. Both used to be charged GST at 18%. So, this represents major relief for individuals, this lowering of the cost of buying insurance by nearly a fifth, right?  That magnitude of reduction in the cost of either life or health insurance is merely an illusion. The cost of insurance might come down somewhat, but definitely not by 18%.

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Embracing Opportunity with Caution: India’s Strategic Engagement with America

India embraces its need for American intelligence and weapons to keep China at bay. At the same time, India does not want to be obliged to the US so much that it comes under its thumb. India is better off with a multipolar world, with multiple power centres.

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Strengthening Social Security: Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY), 2015

The Indian population is growing, and the country is demonstrating strong growth potential. In this scenario, a lack of financial inclusion can be one of the major challenges faced by the government.

India’s Startup Engine: A Policy Review of the Fund of Funds Initiative (2016)

India’s Startup Engine: A Policy Review of the Fund of Funds Initiative (2016)

The Fund of Funds for Start-ups (FFS), managed by the Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI), was launched on January 16, 2016, under the Start-up India Action Plan to address critical gaps in India’s early-stage finance landscape. With an initial corpus of ₹10,000 crore, the scheme aims to foster innovation-driven enterprises by contributing to SEBI‑registered Category I and II Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs).

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