In badminton, India’s Treesa Jolly and her partner Gayatri Gopichand will play in the women’s doubles quarterfinal of the Swiss Open Championship in Basel, Switzerland, this evening. The top Indian women’s doubles pair will take on Hong Kong. China’s eighth-seeded pair, Yeung Nga Ting and Yeung Pui Lam.

The Indian duo secured a straight-game victory by 21-12, 21-8 over Germany’s Amelie Lehmann and Selin Hubsch in the pre-quarterfinal match yesterday. In men’s singles, India’s Sankar Subramanian will play the quarterfinal match opposite Christo Popov of France later tonight. The 64th-ranked Indian defeated the current world No. 2, Anders Antonsen of Denmark, in the pre-quarterfinal 18-21, 21-12, 21-5 late last night. All other Indian players have bowed out of the championship after losing their pre-quarterfinal matches.

By Srinath Sridharan

Deregulation, at its core, is about reducing friction and streamlining governance, not removing safeguards. Yet in today’s fast-changing world — where digital finance, geopolitical shifts, and disruptive technologies are reshaping industries — the real question is not whether India needs deregulation. It is how to strike the right balance before economic instability sets in.

The Union government is expected to announce a national deregulation commission soon. Its mandate will be to accelerate approvals and remove barriers, particularly for smaller businesses. But as the chief economic advisor recently noted, digitisation alone does not equate to deregulation. Policy changes must extend beyond central directives and take root at the state and local levels. Businesses need real regulatory improvements, not just bureaucratic rebranding.

The ghost of the licence-permit raj still lingers in Indian business. It hides in endless approvals, in the fine print of archaic laws, and in the unchecked power of officials across all levels who see regulation as a means of control rather than economic enablement. Some call it state interference. Others call it institutional inertia. In many cases, it is just corruption by another name. Regardless of what it is called, the result remains the same. Businesses, especially smaller ones, find success not just through merit but by navigating a system where knowing the right people matters as much as operational excellence.

Over the years, careful deregulation has strengthened India’s financial sector. Banking, capital markets, and fintech services have expanded, making India a global leader in financial innovation.

History has shown excessive deregulation, when unchecked, can be a catalyst for crisis. The 2008 meltdown was rooted in an unregulated subprime mortgage market. The collapses of various businesses stemmed from excessive risk-taking in poorly supervised financial environments. The FTX crypto debacle served a stark reminder of what happens when innovation outpaces oversight.

Advocates of free markets argue that industries should be opened up with minimal regulation, allowing competition to drive efficiency. While this fosters innovation and consumer benefits, it also carries risks. Many businesses in deregulated sectors operate on borrowed funds, often relying on public money through bank loans. When such entities collapse, the repercussions go beyond shareholders and employees.

Aviation offers a cautionary tale. Private airlines entered the market, competition increased, and fares dropped. But reckless expansion and financial mismanagement made business models unsustainable. Kingfisher Airlines defaulted on nearly Rs 9,000 crore in bank loans, while Jet Airways collapsed under an Rs 8,500-crore debt burden. Deregulation drove competition but lacked the financial safeguards necessary to prevent systemic fallout.

Telecom tells a similar story. Liberalisation in the 1990s and 2000s fuelled India’s telecom boom. But unchecked price wars and unsustainable financial strategies led to an industry crisis. Vodafone Idea remains burdened with massive debt, and banks have suffered as a result. Eventually, government intervention became necessary. BSNL is bleeding, and with no strategic focus. Deregulation, when unaccompanied by financial stability mechanisms, merely shifts risks from corporations to the public.

In a world where economic sanctions, trade curbs, and geopolitical tensions drive financial movements, unregulated exposure can be dangerous. Foreign investment is often viewed as a benefit of deregulation, bringing in capital, technology, and expertise. But without strong safeguards, deregulation can make Indian firms vulnerable to foreign buyouts. Walmart’s acquisition of Flipkart and the dominance of foreign digital payment platforms highlight this challenge. China, in contrast, has maintained regulatory oversight over key industries, ensuring foreign capital aligns with national economic interests.

Emerging technologies bring additional complexities. Artificial intelligence (AI) is influencing credit decisions, blockchain is redefining transactions, and decentralised finance is challenging traditional banking. While these innovations hold promise, they raise critical questions. Who is accountable when an AI-driven credit system discriminates against a borrower? How do regulators oversee financial transactions that bypass traditional banks? Without proactive oversight, these advancements could introduce systemic risks that become harder to control.

The promise of deregulation in job creation also has trade-offs. Reduced oversight can weaken labour protections, leaving workers vulnerable. The gig economy, powered by platforms like Ola, Uber, Swiggy, and Zomato, grew rapidly due to regulatory flexibility. But this also denied gig workers basic protections of social security. The challenge is to balance business flexibility with fair labour practices.

India needs its own model of strategic deregulation — one that fosters business growth while safeguarding economic stability. Phased deregulation should be the norm, allowing testing of policies before full implementation. Regulatory sandboxes, already successful in fintech, should expand across industries to enable innovation without exposing the economy to untested risks. Financial oversight must evolve with market liberalisation. Deregulation cannot follow a one-size-fits-all approach. Each sector requires tailored safeguards that protect public interest while allowing competition to thrive.

Above all, policymakers must recognise that effective regulation is about resilience. A well-calibrated approach will prioritise financial prudence, consumer protection, and national economic interests. Instead of reacting to crises, India must proactively shape a regulatory framework that ensures businesses grow despite clear rules, not because of their absence. The goal is not just to open markets but to create an ecosystem where deregulation is an enabler, not an experiment — one that accelerates progress without inviting avoidable economic shocks.

The writer is corporate advisor and independent director.

Disclaimer: Views expressed are personal and do not reflect the official position or policy of FinancialExpress.com. Reproducing this content without permission is prohibited.

NEW DELHI: A major “demographic change” has taken place in Assam’s Dubhri, the seat Congress won with the largest margin, BJP leader Sudhanshu Trivedi said on Friday, a day after he termed the district “mini-Bangladesh” and sparked a controversy. Trivedi had made the remark Wednesday while participating in a debate on Home Ministry.
Resuming his speech on Friday, the BJP leader said he was asked by Union Home Minister Amit Shah to correct the “figures.”
“The biggest victory in last Lok Sabha election (for Congress) was registered on the Dhubri seat of Assam, with 10,12,476 votes, where a big demographic change has happened,” Trivedi said.
Congress leader Rakibul Hussain was elected to the Lok Sabha from Dhubri.
“Last election was the only election when a Congress leader wrote in an article in a Bangladesh newspaper which had a headlines ‘Modi has to go’. What is the link between the headline and the victory in Assam, I leave it to your judgment,” he said.
Slamming the opposition, Trivedi said, “When CAA was proposed they tried to make Shaheen Bagh in the whole country. When they look beyond the border, they use the term ‘crime against humanity’ for Gaza, not for Bangladesh.”
He also criticised the Opposition-ruled states which passed resolutions against the Citizenship Amendment Act.
“They are saying Home Ministry is interfering in states, but the reality is that the states have infringed upon the rights of the Home Ministry. Several states passed resolutions against the CAA, even though only the Centre can make laws on citizenship,” he said.
Trivedi said the abrogation of Article 370 made India “truly secular,” as the amendment that added to the preamble the word ‘secular’ was not accepted by Jammu and Kashmir before that.
He gave the Home Ministry the credit for the Maha Kumbh being held “without any major incidents,” and voiced his support for a population control law.
According to the Uttar Pradesh government, 30 pilgrims were killed and 60 injured in a stampede at the Maha Kumbh on January 29.
Participating in the debate, Congress MP Ajay Maken, who earlier served as a Minister of State in the Home Ministry, raised concerns over law and order situation in Delhi.
“Delhi has become the crime capital of India, and it comes directly under the Home Ministry, even though it has the highest police-population ratio,” said Maken.
He said the Union and Delhi governments should work together to improve the law and order in the national capital.
He also slammed the action taken by Aam Aadmi Party-led Punjab government against agitating farmers, and said the Home Ministry has started counting agitations as “crimes against public peace.”
“The question is do agitations come in the category of crime? Are farmers criminal? Are we in a democracy or a police state? Agitation is not a crime, when BJP was in opposition they also used to stage agitation,” he said.
Maken also expressed concern over youth falling prey to drugs, and urged the Union government to take action, to protect the “demographic dividend” that India has.

By Kunal Khattar

The signs of India’s rapid progress are hard to miss – from smart cities and industrial corridors, to an uber-efficient network of highways and metros. With a GDP growth projected to exceed 6.5% in FY26, India is the fastest-growing large economy. But with the threat of climate change, progress should not come at the cost of the environment, neither should it exclude anyone. As we embark on the quest to achieve Viksit Bharat by 2047, the need to focus on sustainability is greater than ever before.

India’s economic growth

With rising incomes and urbanisation, India’s consumer market is expected to be the world’s second largest by 2030. As this market evolves, high-tech solutions will be much sought-after. The Indian mobility market, for instance, is set to double by 2030, exceeding $600 billion.

India’s manufacturing sector, contributing 17% to GDP, is poised to reach $1 trillion by FY26. With policies such as the Rs 1.97 trillion Production-linked Incentive (PLI) scheme, our domestic manufacturing capabilities have increased manifold. By incentivising industries like large-scale electronics, IT hardware, drones, solar components, and automobiles, PLI is contributing to India’s mobility infrastructure.

Shifts in these sectors will result in a surge in India’s energy needs. As per the International Energy Agency (IEA), India’s oil demand is projected to rise by 1.3 million barrels per day (MBPD) by 2030. The dependence on oil imports presents a strong case in favour of pursuing e-mobility goals. Therefore, creating an environment conducive to mobility innovation – through infrastructure or logistics corridors – can protect the country from future global supply chain disruptions such as oil shortages.

India’s young workforce

India has the world’s largest youth population (65% below the age of 35), comprising digital natives who can be trained to tackle geographic challenges unique to India.

Strategic investment

Mobility innovation is a route towards a smart future, but there are hurdles. Tackling these cannot be the job of the government alone. Public-private collaboration is the key to accelerating innovation. A positive outcome could be an increase in R&D investment. The gross expenditure on R&D in India is 0.64% of the country’s GDP, with the private sector funding only 36% of R&D – private sectors in China, Japan, South Korea, and the US contribute over 70% of their total national R&D expenditure.

As a burgeoning manufacturing hub, India’s mobility innovations can help strengthen its position in global value chains. Signing FTAs with more countries and diversifying exports to Africa and Latin America can lead to growth opportunities.

Attracting FDI, particularly in high-tech sectors such as electric mobility, AI, and clean energy, will be key to India’s economic journey. Doing so will also democratise technology access and drive inclusive growth. We are on the right track – gross FDI inflows rose to $55.6 billion during April-November FY25, marking a 17.9% increase.

With the right ingredients – favourable demographics, government policies, tech advancements, and a robust mobility ecosystem – and the right intention, we can achieve Viksit Bharat by 2047.

The author is founding partner, AdvantEdge Founders.

Disclaimer: Views expressed are personal and do not reflect the official position or policy of FinancialExpress.com. Reproducing this content without permission is prohibited.

Airlines in India have started competing to offer the most affordable fares and the best facilities to both domestic and international passengers. As convenient as air travel is, passengers also face a few hassles like flight delays or long waits at the airport.

Just like you see waiting rooms at railway stations and bus terminuses for passengers, airports also have lounge facility for passengers waiting for their flights. At these lounges, travelers can sit, use wi-fi, and enjoy food and drinks before they embark on their journey. However, not all airport lounges are open to everyone. Some airports have lounges available only for membership holders, while some charge a hefty fee.

So, if you want to use the lounge access facility at airports, the best way is to get a membership by owning a premium credit card that offers this facility. Many banks and credit card companies offer free lounge access at select airports in India and globally. If you are a frequent traveler then having such a credit card can be helpful.

Also read: Why are people spending less using credit cards – Key worries are…

Best credit cards for airport lounge access in India in 2025

(Source: Bank Bazaar)

HDFC Visa Signature Credit Card

Joining Fee: NIL

Annual Fee: Free for the 1st year if Rs 15,000 is spent within 90 days of card allotment.

Annual Fee Waiver: Spend Rs 75,000 a year for free renewal.

Lounge Access: Complimentary access at domestic or international airports.

HDFC Bank Diners Club Black Credit Card

Joining Fee: Rs 10,000 + taxes

Annual Fee: Rs 10,000 + taxes

Annual Fee Waiver: Spend Rs 5 lakh within 12 months to waive the renewal fee.

Lounge Access: Complimentary access at domestic or international airports.

HDFC Bank Millennia Credit Card

Joining Fee: Rs 1,000 + taxes

Annual Fee: Rs 1,000 + taxes

Annual Fee Waiver: Spend Rs 1 lakh in a year to waive the renewal fee.

Lounge Access: Complimentary access at domestic or international airports.

HDFC Bank Tata Neu Infinity Credit Card

Joining Fee: Rs 1,499 + taxes

Annual Fee: Rs 1,499 + taxes

Annual Fee Waiver: Spend Rs 3 lakh a year before renewal to get the fee waived.

Lounge Access: Complimentary access at domestic or international airports.

SBI Elite Credit Card

Joining Fee: NIL

Annual Fee: Rs 4,999 (from the second year onwards)

Annual Fee Waiver: No waiver conditions are mentioned.

Lounge Access: Complimentary access at domestic or international airports.

Also read: Should you buy jewellery using your credit card?

SBI Prime Credit Card

Joining Fee: NIL

Annual Fee: Rs 2,999 (from the second year onwards)

Annual Fee Waiver: No waiver conditions are mentioned.

Lounge Access: You get 4 international airport lounge complimentary visits and 8 for domestic airports.

SBI Club Vistara Prime Credit Card

Joining Fee: None

Annual Fee: Rs 2,999 (from the second year onwards)

Annual Fee Waiver: No waiver conditions are mentioned.

Lounge Access: You get 8 complimentary visits to domestic airports.

Axis Bank Magnus Credit Card

Joining Fee: Rs 12,500 + taxes

Annual Fee: Rs 12,500 + taxes

Annual Fee Waiver: Spend Rs 25 lakh in a year to waive the renewal fee.

Lounge Access: You get complimentary access to domestic airports.

Axis Vistara Signature Credit Card

Joining Fee: Rs 3,000

Annual Fee: Rs 3,000

Annual Fee Waiver: Visit the bank’s official website for details.

Lounge Access: Complimentary access at select domestic and international airports.

AU Bank Zenith Credit Card

Joining Fee: None

Annual Fee: Rs 7,999 + applicable taxes

Annual Fee Waiver:

First-year fee waived on spending Rs 1.25 lakh within 90 days of issuance.

From the second year onwards, spend Rs 5 lakh in the previous card anniversary year to waive the fee.

Lounge Access: Complimentary access at select domestic and international airports.

Note: The fees mentioned here are subject to change and you should confirm the latest fees with the respective credit card issuers. Data is sourced from the Bank Bazaar website.

FinancialExpress.com does not endorse any specific investment instruments. Readers are encouraged to make their own informed decisions, as any losses incurred will be their sole responsibility.

The ceasefire, which began on January 19, has mostly held despite setbacks. However, with the first phase ending this week, the future of the next phase, aimed at ending the conflict, remains uncertain. Hamas stated it has yet to receive any proposals.

Following days of deadlock, Egyptian mediators facilitated the transfer of the four hostages’ remains in exchange for 620 Palestinian detainees held either in Gaza or Israeli prisons.

The process faced obstacles when Israel refused to release prisoners on Saturday after Hamas conducted a public ceremony displaying live hostages and coffins with hostage remains. The event drew sharp criticism, including from the United Nations.

Unlike the previous exchange, the final handover occurred without a public display. Israel confirmed early Thursday that it received the four hostages’ remains, according to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office.

The mood of the weather has changed in many states of the country as the summer is set to commence. While there has been fresh snowfall in Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh, rain activities have been seen in some states. On the other hand, heat has started showing its effect in Maharashtra and Goa.

According to the Meteorological Department, there is a possibility of heavy rain and snowfall at different places in Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand during the next 24 hours. Light to moderate rain level rain with thunder and lightning may occur in Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan from February 27 to March 1. Strong winds (speed 30-40 km per hour) are likely to blow in Punjab and Haryana on February 27 and 28.

Rain with thunderstorms in Delhi today

The Meteorological Department has predicted rain with thunderstorms in Delhi on Thursday and the maximum and minimum temperatures are expected to be 26 and 18 degrees Celsius respectively. Delhi recorded the highest temperature of this season so far on Wednesday. The Meteorological Department said that the maximum temperature in Delhi in February this year was recorded at 32 degrees Celsius and it is as much as the maximum temperature recorded on 27 February 2023. Whereas in February 2024, the maximum temperature was recorded slightly less than this at 29.7 degrees Celsius. 

Light to moderate rain likely in these states

The Meteorological Department said that heavy rain is likely at isolated places in Punjab on February 28. Hailstorms are also likely at isolated places in Punjab and Haryana on February 27 and 28. Apart from these states, there may be thunderstorms in Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Karaikal, Kerala and Mahe from February 27 i.e. today to March 2.

How will the temperature be in the country in the next 24 hours

According to the Meteorological Department, the minimum temperature in North-West India is likely to gradually increase by 2 degrees Celsius and then fall by 2-4 degrees Celsius during the next 2 days. No significant change in minimum temperature is likely over the rest of India during the next 4-5 days. No significant change in maximum temperature is likely over the state of Gujarat during the next 2 days and thereafter a gradual increase of 2-3 degrees Celsius is likely.

Heat will be felt in these places

During the next 24 hours, heat can be seen in many districts of Maharashtra including Gujarat, Mumbai and Goa. The weather will remain hot in these states till February 28 and people may have to face trouble due to heat.

Also read: Earthquake of magnitude 5 hits Assam’s Morigaon district

India News Live Updates: Prohibitory orders imposed after several injured in clashes in Jharkhand’s Hazaribag

Jharkhand’s Hazaribag administration on Wednesday imposed prohibitory orders in parts of the district after two groups clashed during Maha Shivratri, an official said. Several people were injured after members of both the groups clashed over installation of religious flags and a loudspeaker during Maha Shivratri at Ichak, police said.

“Prohibitory orders have been promulgated under section 163 of BNS banning procession, assembly of five or more persons, carrying of arms, etc,” they added.

The clashes started when one group objected to the installation of religious flags and a loudspeaker in front of a school in Dumraon village within Ichak police station limits by members of another.

The war of words escalated into violence, with both sides pelting bricks at each other. A number of two-wheelers were also set on fire, police said.

Senior police officers, along with adequate security personnel, went to the spot and used force to disperse the groups.

The situation is tense but under control, police added.

“Law and order is under control. We appeal to people to celebrate Maha Shivratri peacefully,” a police official said.