In India’s financial pulse, Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs) — Micro Finance Institutions (MFIs) are key factors for development. NBFCs are entities that provide similar services to banks but do not hold a banking license, for instance, engaged in the business of loans and advances, acquisition of shares/debenture/securities, leasing, hire-purchase, insurance, and more. Illustration by The Geostrata It has emerged as a vast source of financing for individuals as well a

With the advancement of technology, the global retail sector has undergone a profound shift in the last two decades, defined by the rise of e-commerce. Once seen as a rival threatening the survival of retail businesses, e-commerce has now become a catalyst for transformation. On the one hand, e-commerce has changed consumer behaviour by making it more convenient. Illustration by The Geostrata On the other hand, it has compelled retailers to restructure their strategies to sus

We live in a world of glaring, debilitating contradictions where we produce more food than any civilisation in history, but hunger remains a chronic, worsening crisis. Global agriculture produces trillions of calories of food every year, enough to feed every man, woman, and child, and yet there is the painful reality that over 295 million people in the world today are facing acute hunger, pushing them to the brink of catastrophe. Illustration by The Geostrata This crisis i

Under the multifaceted networks of economic safety, cross-connections that exceed traditional supply-chain models can be found in complex geotechnical, technological, and financial networks  that redesign the business at a distant level. Illustration by The Geostrata Mapping these constellations of conflict and the relative permanence of ProKin, researchers shed light on the interdependence and dependence of risk and opportunity inherent in interlinkages of semiconductor sup

Imagine a time when the Romans believed in “ Roma Aeterna”, an empire eternal, invincible and destined to last forever. Today, what remains of that grandeur is a viral TikTok trend. The British Empire, once so vast that the sun never set, is now reduced to nostalgic relics like the royal family, gilded castles, and colonial territorial disputes. Illustration by The Geostrata This is history’s brutal lesson: Power is Transient. According to Modelski and Thompson’s Long Cycle T

Urban cities, which were once the centres of commerce, civilisation, and culture, are now increasingly being transformed into battlegrounds of modern-day conflicts. Modern warfare is no longer confined to frontlines, but is now playing out more in densely populated urban spaces. From Kyiv and Gaza to Khartoum and Aleppo, urban cities have become spaces of warfare. This highlights the fact that the lines between war zones and civilian spaces are blurring.  Illustration by The

The evocative music of a handloom is not merely the sound of weaving, it is a sound of civilisation. The delicate slide of natural cotton, the earthly scent of natural indigo dye, and the careful folding of a silk saree reserved across generations are more than fleeting moments. Illustration by The Geostrata They are fragments of a narrative that has been going on for the past 5,000 years: each of India, each of its unmeasured fabric, crafted by hand and entwined with soul. T

A map drawn as far back as 1947 in Pre-Communist China has, today, become the source of global concerns that are only increasing as China establishes itself close to the helm of contemporary geopolitics. Illustration by The Geostrata Such is the story of origins of the 9-dash line  which initially started out with 11 dashes, only for China to give the Gulf of Tonkin to Vietnam hence, forfeiting two dashes. The South China Sea is visualised by China such that it asserts “histo

A lustrous metal that has witnessed history from ancient Bharat to modern-day Viksit Bharat, from the Indus Valley Civilisation to the artificial intelligence era, gold has served as a means of family inheritance, pride, and a reliable economic asset. Illustration by The Geostrata Its nature of scarcity makes it precious, and its ability to act as a safety valve for central banks worldwide makes it unique among other metals. In the Indian economy, this lustrous metal is more

The Indian growth story has long been an attractive prospect for foreign capital. However, in recent years, the high value exits of global investors have raised pressing concerns about the sustainability of India’s investment climate. Illustration by The Geostrata A mix of internal and external factors has negatively affected investor confidence, despite the country’s solid macroeconomic fundamentals. Chief among the concerns of the investment community are valuation pressure

India is on the path to becoming a developed nation in the coming decades. However, the overall pattern of national development takes a new twist in line with the restricted number of women in the workforce to date. Illustration by The Geostrata Instead of being a peripheral women's problem of fewer women's workforce participation, it is an economic challenge that must be addressed to ensure the nation’s growth, competitiveness, and long-term sustainability. Relatively low by

Critical minerals   are present on the nodules of major minerals, holding immense industrial and manufacturing potential for companies, countries, and economies alike. The contemporary discourse on critical minerals is highly dependent on the prevailing socio-economic developments and disparities, largely defined by technological advancements. Illustration by The Geostrata Though there may be different classifications of which mineral is critical, nevertheless, they are vital

In the current day and age, a new phrase has emerged, gaining massive traction across the globe. Brain drain is a condition where a nation is deprived of its highly skilled citizens due to their departure to other countries for a host of reasons, including economy, policy gaps, personal interest, and better opportunities. Globally, India is known as a hub of excellence, with institutes like IITs, AIIMS, and IIMs producing world-class talent. The global influence of the Indian

The Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) between India and the UK is a monumental step that was officially signed on 24th of July 2025 , which starts a new chapter of economic cooperation. Illustration by The Geostrata This study is to reflect on the characteristics of this Free Trade Agreement, interpreting their various opportunities for both nations. We will also examine how the CETA proportionally structures the elimination of tariffs and market access across

With the introduction of the Goods and Services Tax (GST), India underwent a major indirect tax reform, making it a historic step. In...

The World Bank’s 2025 report shows India with one of the world’s lowest consumption inequality levels, but income and wealth data reveal a much wider gap. This article explores why consumption surveys like HCES understate inequality, how India’s poverty has declined, and why income and wealth metrics expose deep divides. It highlights the need for policies on wages, education, and social protection to reduce long-term inequality.

In the 21st Century, the global power structures have dramatically changed, with geopolitics now being decoupled from geoeconomics,...

“A shift in politics can make the market sway, changing fortunes from day to day.” Often when we think of the stock market, the first...

In a kite fight, regardless of asymmetrical build, if the stronger kite gets bruised with multiple tears or if the spool runs out, it has...

The GST Council, the Finance Commission, and the Ministry of Finance are the three pillars of fiscal governance of the Indian economy....