As we wait for budget on 01^st February, our pre budget note lays down the context and our Policy Square episode of this month has Mr Atanu Chakraborty sharing his insights from behind the scenes on what goes on in the making of the budget.

This edition of the policy note also focuses on the foundational elements for India’s economy, be it (1) the requirement of a vulnerability matrix of MSMEs, (2) need to have a strategy around rare earths, (3) investing in infrastructure, (4) focussing on indigenization in defence, (5) importance of enhanced FPI participation and (6) how adaptation finance is more important than mitigation finance. In our expert section, we have Mr VK Singh – MD, NRCTC, sharing his insights on the mobility segment in our capital region and how it is evolving. While we hope you find it a useful read, we also look forward to suggestions to further increase the value add from this note.