TMS Ep580: Q2 GDP numbers, Chennai calamity, RBI MPC, trading hours

India's economy grew 7.6 percent in the second quarter of this financial year, much higher than the Monetary Policy Committee's forecast of 6.5 percent. The pace of expansion surprised most economists even as RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das had dropped hints about it at a Business Standard summit. But what does the fine print tell us? What are the details that stand out?

But impressive growth does not always translate into good infrastructure that can withstand nature's tests. Heavy rainfall caused by a cyclone has once again brought several parts of Chennai and nearby districts to a standstill. Despite spending hundreds of crores on building stormwater drains, there is no end to the floods. Could the Chennai disaster have been prevented? Kasthuri Akhil spoke to Jaya Dhindaw from the World Resources Institute – an NGO that studies urban challenges and offers solutions to make cities more liveable and sustainable.

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Ahead, all eyes are on the three-day meeting of RBI's interest rate setting panel. The decision, which will be announced tomorrow, December 8, remains a crucial trigger for stock markets, which are holding on to their recent strength and posting record highs. Find out what is expected from Friday's RBI policy, its likely impact on equity markets and other factors to be watched

Keeping with the market theme, the National Stock Exchange is considering indefinitely postponing its internal deadline for extending trading hours. Longer trading hours are expected to boost profitability and volumes at the country's largest exchange. Read more about trading hours in this segment of the podcast.