New Delhi, Feb. 19 -- India's Supreme Court delivered one of its sharpest judicial rebukes yet of the country's growing "freebies" culture on Thursday, warning that indiscriminate welfare handouts risk weakening work incentives and undermining long-term economic development.

Hearing a petition linked to Tamil Nadu's state-run power utility, the court said it was time to re-examine policies that offer universal subsidies without assessing whether beneficiaries can afford to pay. While acknowledging the legitimacy of targeted support for the poor, the bench questioned the political logic and fiscal sustainability of blanket giveaways.

The observations came as the Supreme Court took note of a plea by Tamil Nadu Power Distribution Corporati...