COVER STORY
Policymakers have been shockingly apathetic to India's pollution crisis. A country cannot aspire to become a global technology and innovation powerhouse while treating the conditions in which its workforce lives as an afterthought
Growth Killer
Growth Killer
01-november-2026
Outlook Business Magazine - Growth Killer
Pollution is stealing the future of Indians, robbing them of their health, stunting educational growth and crippling the country’s economic dreams. One way or the other, those born without the luxury of avoiding exposure to a toxic environment are paying a hefty price for no fault of their own. For India, the choice then is not between growth and environment. Marico's push to turn its young digital bets into profitable businesses. Meanwhile, two finance experts offer their views on whether the cap on overseas investment by the MF industry is in India's interest in our "The Face-Off" section.
Editor's NotePolicymakers have been shockingly apathetic to India's pollution crisis. A country cannot aspire to become a global technology and innovation powerhouse while treating the conditions in which its workforce lives as an afterthought
Cover StoryPollution is stealing the future of Indians, robbing them of their health, stunting educational growth and crippling the country’s economic dreams
InterviewAlex Tabarrok, a Canadian-American economist, explains how air pollution affects India’s economy, arguing that a country's growth need not come at the cost of environmental protection and public health
InterviewAnumita Roychowdhury, executive director of research and advocacy at the Centre for Science and Environment, explains how mounting evidence points to the significant economic and health costs of air pollution in India
InterviewSachchida Nand Tripathi, Dean of the Kotak School of Sustainability at IIT Kanpur, talks about the growing economic and health costs of air pollution in India, highlighting persistent gaps in governance and enforcement
ColumnUrban affairs expert Jagdish Mamgain highlights how poor accountability, weak enforcement and lack of coordination among multiple agencies are undermining municipal governance
Deal BookAs the power of a handful of companies rises across sectors, from aviation and telecom to cement, the Competition Commission of India has been missing from action
Start-Up HubOperation Sindoor put India's defence-tech start-ups through their first major real-world test and brought them orders and investor attention. Where do they stand now?
The Face-OffMichael Patra, former deputy governor, RBI, says the authorities have found it prudent to prioritise the building up of strong foreign exchange reserves over cross-border retail equity diversification
The Face-OffDhananjay Sinha, CEO and co-head of equities at Systematix Group, says increasing the overseas investment limit for Indian MFs is not merely a question of investor convenience but one of financial market maturity
Nash EquilibriaA new study examines how foreign capital enters India and how Indian investment moves abroad
InterviewBalbir Singh Dhillon, who leads Audi’s India operations, talks about the brand's plans to revive growth in the country through new models and the challenges facing the luxury-car market.
ColumnRohit Dalmia, chairman and managing director, CineNow, explains why institutional capital and a sophisticated investment ecosystem are crucial to the future of India’s entertainment industry.
Down the AgesFrom a single truck to a fleet of 1,000-plus, a transport company is shifting gears as it looks to power ahead
Bharat Start-UpBelgaum-based start-up Enerzi aims to become a global brand in sustainable energy by offering economical, energy-efficient and eco-friendly solutions
Policymakers have been shockingly apathetic to India's pollution crisis. A country cannot aspire to become a global technology and innovation powerhouse while treating the conditions in which its workforce lives as an afterthought
Pollution is stealing the future of Indians, robbing them of their health, stunting educational growth and crippling the country’s economic dreams
Alex Tabarrok, a Canadian-American economist, explains how air pollution affects India’s economy, arguing that a country's growth need not come at the cost of environmental protection and public health
Anumita Roychowdhury, executive director of research and advocacy at the Centre for Science and Environment, explains how mounting evidence points to the significant economic and health costs of air pollution in India
Sachchida Nand Tripathi, Dean of the Kotak School of Sustainability at IIT Kanpur, talks about the growing economic and health costs of air pollution in India, highlighting persistent gaps in governance and enforcement
Urban affairs expert Jagdish Mamgain highlights how poor accountability, weak enforcement and lack of coordination among multiple agencies are undermining municipal governance
As the power of a handful of companies rises across sectors, from aviation and telecom to cement, the Competition Commission of India has been missing from action
Operation Sindoor put India's defence-tech start-ups through their first major real-world test and brought them orders and investor attention. Where do they stand now?
Michael Patra, former deputy governor, RBI, says the authorities have found it prudent to prioritise the building up of strong foreign exchange reserves over cross-border retail equity diversification
Dhananjay Sinha, CEO and co-head of equities at Systematix Group, says increasing the overseas investment limit for Indian MFs is not merely a question of investor convenience but one of financial market maturity
A new study examines how foreign capital enters India and how Indian investment moves abroad
Balbir Singh Dhillon, who leads Audi’s India operations, talks about the brand's plans to revive growth in the country through new models and the challenges facing the luxury-car market.
Rohit Dalmia, chairman and managing director, CineNow, explains why institutional capital and a sophisticated investment ecosystem are crucial to the future of India’s entertainment industry.
From a single truck to a fleet of 1,000-plus, a transport company is shifting gears as it looks to power ahead
Belgaum-based start-up Enerzi aims to become a global brand in sustainable energy by offering economical, energy-efficient and eco-friendly solutions
Editor's Note
Cover Story
Interview
Interview
Interview
Column
Deal Book
Start-Up Hub
The Face-Off
The Face-Off
Nash Equilibria
Interview
Column
Down the Ages
Bharat Start-Up