Rural Growth News
Rural India's reality check: Consumers turn cautious as aspiration meets inflation
Despite ongoing aspirations, spending priorities are shifting to essentials and social events, while big-ticket purchases are being deferred, according to Kantar's Rural Barometer 2025.
5 min read17 Apr 2025Centre may revisit rural infrastructure fund allocation during half-yearly review
The fund, managed by the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), has had a budgeted allocation of ₹40,000 crore annually since it was raised from ₹30,000 crore in FY22.
2 min read11 Apr 2025Rural revival: Is it premature to celebrate?
Rural consumption rose in 2024, suggesting economic improvement. It held out hope for a slowing broader economy. However, increased demand for MGNREGS jobs casts doubt on this recovery's strength. Mint explores:
3 min read2 Apr 2025Govt announces multiple schemes for Bharat; allocation inadequate to match inflationary pressure
The budget outlines initiatives for rural prosperity, including skill development and broadband access, but experts said key allocations for MGNREGS and housing schemes aren't enough to tackle rural poverty.
5 min read2 Feb 2025A tale of two Indias: Inequality alleviation is a challenge we must tackle head-on
A study of seven decades of disparities—as they widened and shrank in phases—offers the country insights as well as clues to the policies we must pursue for a more equitable future. We need the best of times for everyone.
4 min read13 Jan 2025Reality check: Too many outcome shapers seem to be in need of one
The ivory tower is all too real. It explains a key deficiency in well-intentioned but useless analysis. It’s too distant from ground realities—as seen in a recent discussion on rural women’s empowerment.
4 min read23 Dec 2024Mint Explainer: How sustainable is India's rural consumption boom?
Strong monsoon, cash transfers, and rising women’s workforce participation are driving rural demand. However, inflation and cautious lending still pose risks to sustained growth.
4 min read19 Nov 2024Mint announces All About AI: Tech4Good Awards, to recognise those using AI for Social Good
Applications now open for individuals and institutions using AI to demonstrate measurable and scalable impact on society.
1 min read29 Oct 2024MGNREGS unlikely to see higher allocations in FY25 with improvement in rural economy
The Centre has allocated ₹86,000 crore towards MGNREGS for FY25.
3 min read23 Sep 2024Water must be at the centre of any efforts to uplift rural India
No sustainable path to rural development is possible without water conservation, given our reliance on agriculture. With men migrating to urban areas, we must empower women farmers with knowledge, finance and market access, even as the farming sector gets technological aids.
4 min read12 Sep 2024Popular Topics
Budget
The Union Budget contains details about the estimated receipts and the expenditure of the government for a particular fiscal year. The Budget is allotted for the upcoming fiscal year, which runs from 1st April to 31st March of the next year. Here is a quick guide on how the Union Budget is prepared