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BUDGET EDITION

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CBS LINE Budget Edition Pre Budget Discussion Director’s Message Dr.Santhosh Kumar P K Director, Centre for Budget Studies A budget is not merely a compilation of numbers; it is a statement of vision and a reflection of a society’s priorities. One message stands out clearly in today’s economic discourse — development cannot be achieved through announcements alone; it must be realized through deliberate, well-designed, and accountable planning. The CBSline Budget Special brings together the discussions and analyses conducted by CBS, along with key insights and factual highlights drawn from the recent Kerala and Union Budgets. The conversations held ahead of the budget cycle, including our interactive sessions and engagements, reveal a common expectation: growth must be inclusive, fiscally responsible, and regionally balanced. Economics is not an abstract academic discipline confined to theory. It is a practical framework that shapes every...

VOICE & VIEWS

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Beyond Literacy: Rethinking Women’s Economic Empowerment in Kerala Beyond Literacy: Rethinking Women’s Economic Empowerment in Kerala Dr. Nirmala Padmanabhan Assistant Professor St. Teresa’s College, Ernakulam 1.How does economic development affect women’s lives at the grassroots level? Respondent: Currently, in the context of Kerala, they have only achieved literacy. To truly reach the grassroots level, it must result in economic empowerment. Unfortunately, that hasn't happened in many cases... Up until the stage of education, I would say there is no gender difference in Kerala. Girls are equal to, or even better than, boys. However, marriage and motherhood become the “conversion factors.” After that, their lives shift into gendered roles... Consequently, they either face a “glass ceiling” or withdraw from the labour force entirely. What we need is to solve caregiving and domestic responsibility burdens so women can retain financial independence. Th...

THE EDUCATORS' PEN

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CBS LINE Volume 4(2) Statistics in Economics: The Contemporary Art of Data-Driven Insight Dr. Lishamol Tomy Professor, Department of Statistics Deva Matha College Kuravilangad, Kerala Statistics has always been inseparable from economics. From early national income accounting to classical demand analysis, quantitative reasoning has long guided economic thought. What makes statistics contemporary today, however, is not its presence—but its expanded role, scale, speed, and influence in shaping economic understanding and public decision-making. In the modern era, economics operates within an environment defined by data abundance and rapid change. High-frequency financial data, administrative databases, digital transactions, satellite imagery, and platform-generated information have transformed how economic phenomena are observed. Statistics has evolved accordingly, moving beyond traditional estimation to become an adaptive and creative practice—an art of extracting meaning from complex, n...

STUDENTS' CORNER

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  CBS LINE Volume 4(2) Panchayats as SDG Delivery Institutions in Kerala Arafa Farzana U M A Economics University of Hyderabad The adoption of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) under the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development marked a transformative global commitment toward inclusive, equitable, and environmentally sustainable development. While the SDGs provide a universal framework, their success depends fundamentally on localisation — translating global goals into actionable policies at the grassroots. The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, with its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), demands localization to turn global targets into local realities. In India, Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) are the frontline for this shift. Kerala, with its strong decentralisation legacy and participatory planning model, stands out as a pioneering example of Panchayats functioning as effective SDG delivery institutions. , rooted in the 73rd Constitutional Amendment and t...

SCHOLARS' CORNER

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CBS LINE Volume 4(2) Odane Brooks PhD Scholar Centre for Budget Studies,CUSAT ESG is redefining business reporting. The shift reflects a broader change in how firms understand performance, accountability, and long term value creation. For years, reporting focused mainly on financial statements, profitability, and shareholder returns. While these indicators remain important, they no longer capture the full range of risks confronting businesses. Investors, regulators, and the public now expect firms to explain how environmental, social, and governance factors influence performance and sustainability. At its core, ESG reporting expands the scope of corporate disclosure. Environmental indicators examine climate exposure, emissions, and resource use. Social indicators assess labour practices, workforce wellbeing, and community impact. Governance indicators focus on leadership accountability, ethical conduct, and oversight structures. Together, these dimensions provide a broader understandin...

DAY TO DAY ECONOMICS

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CBS LINE Volume 4(2)

NEWS AT A GLANCE

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CBS LINE Volume 4(2) 🏛️ Economic Policy RBI holds repo at 5.25%; FY26 GDP raised to 7.4%. $500B India–US trade pact; tariffs slashed to zero. India–EU FTA eliminates 96.6% tariffs. US Fed holds at 3.5–3.75%; divided on next move. 💳 Fintech Forbes Fintech 50: AI-led Monarch tops at $850M. Fintechs push for direct Fed master accounts. MTN expands payments & lending across Africa. Nubank targets US with lean challenger model. 🌍 International Economics India–EU FTA boosts textile & machinery exports. China trade surplus hits $1.2T; shock concerns rise. US–Taiwan chip pact: $250B fab investment. UNCTAD warns of fragmented trade blocs. 📊 Macro Update S&P lifts 2026 global GDP to 2.9%. China factory activity at 3-year low. Fed split as inflation cools to 2.4%. Global PMI at 51.2 – first expansion in 8 months. Roshni Thayyil MSc in Econometrics and Financial Technology

TECH HACK

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CBS LINE Volume 4(2)

QUIZ CORNER

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   CBS LINE Volume 4(2) Current Affairs Quiz 2026 Current Affairs Quiz 2026 Explore Global Events, Policy, Science & Governance Start Quiz Fidha Fathima Previous Next Your Score: /10 Restart