Economy & Policy News

RBI may hike rates by 0.25% in Oct policy amid inflation: Experts poll

If the RBI increases the rate in the upcoming policy, it would mark a reversal in the interest rate policy, which has witnessed rate cuts in 2025 and an extended pause thereafter

Uflex, US firm Spectra enters race for proposed polymer banknote programme

The programme was initiated by Bharatiya Reserve Bank Note Mudran Pvt Ltd (BRBNMPL), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Reserve Bank of India

Govt raises deepwater gas price ceiling to $9.89 per MMBtu, APM cap at $7

The new ceiling for gas from deepwater, ultra-deepwater and high-pressure, high-temperature discoveries is applicable for the period October 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027

Steel Ministry asks SAIL, NMDC to explore overseas mineral assets

Steel Authority of India Ltd (SAIL) is India's largest public sector steel-making entity, and NMDC is the country's leading iron ore player

Niti Aayog member Rajiv Gauba calls for light-touch regulation for growth

Gauba said the state should be firm where risks are high and light-touch where risks are low, while remaining predictable in both cases

Regulation must manage risks while supporting growth: NITI Aayog's Gauba

The NITI Aayog member said regulation should be calibrated to risk while remaining predictable for businesses

Goyal holds bilateral meetings with top officials of several US firms

Goyal highlighted India's growing strengths as a global hub for talent, innovation and business services, and the potential for deeper India-US business partnerships

India's answer to a risk-priced world is openness, not fragility: PK Mishra

Mishra says India must remain open while limiting vulnerability, balancing resilience costs with energy security, competitive manufacturing and diversified trade

Next phase needs private investment, higher R&D spend: Sitharaman

Sitharaman calls for private investment and higher R&D spending to drive India's next growth phase, strengthen innovation and build resilience amid global uncertainty

Today's financial resilience may not imply tomorrow's immunity: RBI Guv

Sanjay Malhotra said future crises could emerge from geopolitics, cyberattacks or technology failures, requiring resilience across banks, markets and financial infrastructure

RBI backs blockchain technology, remains cautious on crypto: Guv Malhotra

Sanjay Malhotra said RBI supports distributed ledger technology and tokenisation but remains wary of crypto assets over concerns about sovereignty, policy and capital flows in emerging economies

Today's financial resilience does not guarantee future stability: RBI guv

Speaking at the KEC 2026, Malhotra outlined five priorities for policymakers and called for continued vigilance against emerging systemic risks that are increasingly cross-border and interconnected

Sanctions, tariffs sometimes weaponised as policy tools: PK Mishra

P K Mishra said wars and disruptions around key maritime routes such as the Strait of Hormuz expose India's energy security to risks, prompting the country to build stocks and diversify suppliers

G20 discusses curbing excess capacity, dumping hurting fair trade: Goyal

Trade ministers discussed how government-backed overcapacity, predatory pricing and dumping affect manufacturers in India, the US and Europe, alongside reforms to the WTO, Goyal said

Democracy makes India's economic reforms durable, says vice-president

C P Radhakrishnan said consensus-building may slow decisions at times but makes reforms sustainable, while warning that growth benefits must reach every section of society

Datanomics: Services cushion shrinks as trade deficit pushes CAD deeper

Within the BoP, the current account yielded a deficit (CAD) in the first quarter of financial year 2026-27 (Q1FY27), reversing the surplus seen in Q4FY26, as the merchandise trade deficit widened

10 years of inflation targeting: How elephant was driven away to the jungle

India's inflation-targeting framework has anchored price expectations, but economists see scope to refine its mandate

India-US trade deal is not imminent yet, says USTR Jamieson Greer

USTR Jamieson Greer says both sides have identified the sticking points and are working diligently towards an agreement, with another leaders' call likely soon

VB-G RAM G: Work demand from households rises 34% to 15.64 mn in September

Household demand reaches 15.64 mn amid monsoon deficit in south, west states, up 26% from August

Only a competition-friendly economy will thrive: Finance ministry report

'Don't take growth for granted amid global shocks'