Rajeev Gowa called for adopting less intrusive and risk-based regulation at the 5th Kautilya Economic Conclave
Shri Rajiv Goba stated at the 5th Kautilya Economic Conclave that economic policies should be adopted with less intervention and risk-based regulation. He described this approach as essential for India's prosperity.
Journalism India··0 views·3 min read
At the 5th Kautilya Economic Conclave, held in New Delhi from October 3 to 4, 2026, prominent policy maker and economist Shri Rajiv Gaba delivered a significant message. He emphasized that for India's economic progress, the government should adopt less interventionist policies and calibrate regulation based on risk.
During the conclave, Gaba clarified that excessive regulation and interference in current policy decisions are preventing the creation of a favorable environment for entrepreneurship and investment. He cited examples of how small and medium enterprises (SMEs) face obstacles in expanding their operations. "When regulation is too strict, it hinders innovation and growth," he stated.
Gaba also explained that risk-based regulation would provide the government with greater flexibility in low-risk areas, while strict oversight would continue in high-risk sectors. He described this approach as "smart regulation." Under this model, the regulatory burden for financial institutions, startups, and other enterprises could be reduced.
Other prominent speakers at the conclave also discussed this topic. Dr. Radha Chandra stated that a risk-based approach should also be adopted for financial inclusion. Meanwhile, Industry Minister Pawan Singh said that the government has already begun experimenting with "modular regulation" to simplify rules for small businesses.
To strengthen his argument, Gaba cited statistics. He noted that according to the 2022-23 economic report, there was an 18% decline in small businesses, while large enterprises grew by 6%. Changes in regulation are necessary to bridge this gap.
In the conclave's closing session, several participants agreed with Gaba's points. In particular, Amit Kumar, a leading entrepreneur in the startup ecosystem, said that "less interventionist policies" would open the path to "freedom" and "growth" for startups.
Meanwhile, some critics raised the question that risk-based regulation could lead to uncontrolled risks in certain sectors. Responding to this concern, Gaba stated that regulation should be implemented alongside "balanced risk management."
During the conclave, the new "Innovation and Regulation Report 2026" released by the Government of India was also discussed. According to the report, India needs "regulatory reform" to advance in global competition.
Shri Rajiv Gaba reiterated in this program that policy makers should take steps toward "smart regulation." He concluded that the combination of less interventionist policies and risk-based regulation would inject new energy into the Indian economy.
Thus, the remarks by Rajiv Gaba at the 5th Kautilya Economic Conclave initiated a new dialogue among policy makers, entrepreneurs, and researchers, which could play a significant role in shaping the future of India's economic policies.
