Economy & Policy News
Govt cuts windfall tax on diesel, petrol and ATF exports, effective today
Diesel export duty lowered to ₹24 a litre from ₹25.5, while petrol levy is scrapped and ATF tax cut to ₹19.5 a litre as oil prices fall
 "Govt cuts windfall tax on diesel, petrol and ATF exports, effective today")
From food shortages to record harvests: How India learnt to feed itself
India is celebrating its 80th Independence Day on Saturday. Eight decades after Independence, one measure of the country's economic transformation can be seen in its ability to produce food.
 "From food shortages to record harvests: How India learnt to feed itself")
From agriculture to services: How India's economy transformed over 80 years
India's economy has undergone a major transformation over eight decades, moving from an agriculture-led model towards a more diverse, services-driven economy
 "From agriculture to services: How India's economy transformed over 80 years")
Vishwakarma 2.0 set for September 17 launch with bigger credit push
Centre likely to launch second phase of PM Vishwakarma scheme on September 17, with higher credit access and stronger market support for artisans
 "Vishwakarma 2.0 set for September 17 launch with bigger credit push")
From reforms to self-reliance: PM's speeches chart India's economic journey
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will deliver his 13th Independence Day address from the Red Fort, with reforms, jobs and self-reliance likely to feature prominently
 "From reforms to self-reliance: PM's speeches chart India's economic journey")
India finds favour in Europe; America remains sceptical: Pew survey
Pew Research Center survey across 36 countries shows India's global image tilting slightly positive, with sentiment improving across several European countries
 "India finds favour in Europe; America remains sceptical: Pew survey")
Gujarat High Court bars retrospective GST on corporate guarantees
Gujarat High Court has barred GST on corporate guarantees issued before October 26, 2023, while retaining the 1% valuation mechanism for guarantees continuing beyond that date
 "Gujarat High Court bars retrospective GST on corporate guarantees")
PM internship scheme seeks to bridge skills gap, says FM Sitharaman
Sitharaman said the scheme gives young people hands-on workplace experience and industry exposure to address the gap between formal training and employers' expectations
 "PM internship scheme seeks to bridge skills gap, says FM Sitharaman")
White House report flags India in China-linked transshipment network
The White House report places India in Tier 1 of China's alleged transshipment network and flags the Pune-Gujarat-Chennai production belt as a potential corridor
 "White House report flags India in China-linked transshipment network")
Wholesale inflation eases marginally to 9.78% in July as fuel prices cool
Fuel and power inflation slowed sharply in July, offsetting higher inflation in primary articles and manufactured products, while core WPI rose to 8.2 per cent
 "Wholesale inflation eases marginally to 9.78% in July as fuel prices cool")
How Indian economy has transformed since the landmark 1991 reforms
By 2025-26 the primary sector's share had roughly halved to about 18%, the tertiary sector had surged to some 56% and industry sat almost exactly where it began, at around 25%
 "How Indian economy has transformed since the landmark 1991 reforms")
India's forex reserves climb past $700 billion on robust inflows
India's foreign exchange reserves rose to a four-month high of $707 billion as of August 7, bolstered by robust inflows under policy measures to strengthen India's balance of payments
 "India's forex reserves climb past $700 billion on robust inflows")
India's exports to FTA partners surge in Q1, Singapore shipments rise 100%
The data showed that exports to Singapore surged 101.2 per cent to $6.52 billion during April-June 2026, from $3.24 billion in the year-ago period
 "India's exports to FTA partners surge in Q1, Singapore shipments rise 100%")
35 years of liberalisation: From Detroit of Asia to Chennai for the World
Three decades after liberalisation transformed its auto industry, Chennai has built a deep manufacturing and talent ecosystem and is emerging as a global hub for vehicles, components and EVs
 "35 years of liberalisation: From Detroit of Asia to Chennai for the World")
Wholesale inflation eases to 9.78% in July as fuel price rise cools
WPI Food Index inflation rose to 6.65% in July from 6.14% in June, while fuel and power inflation eased to 20.05% from 27.41%
 "Wholesale inflation eases to 9.78% in July as fuel price rise cools")
Venezuelan crude turns costly for India as discounts shrink, freight surges
Delivered cost of Venezuela's Merey grade surges to $95 bbl, while Russian grade has flipped from a discount to a premium over Dated Brent
 "Venezuelan crude turns costly for India as discounts shrink, freight surges")
Foreign firms' investment intensity in India has fallen since FY20: EAC-PM
EAC-PM study finds foreign-owned firms' investment intensity in India has declined since FY20, while domestic business groups have steadily raised investment
 "Foreign firms' investment intensity in India has fallen since FY20: EAC-PM")
Startup tech deployment should move beyond major cities: FM Sitharaman
The finance minister said government support should go beyond funding, with technologies having relevant public applications deployed quickly in districts and public facilities
 "Startup tech deployment should move beyond major cities: FM Sitharaman")
Surge in imports bill pushes trade deficit to 6-month high of $31.98 bn
Goods imports rose to a nine-month high of $76.22 billion in July, while goods exports jumped nearly 20 per cent to $44.24 billion during the month
 "Surge in imports bill pushes trade deficit to 6-month high of $31.98 bn")
India wary as US' Russia tariff Bill advances, keeps eye on trade talks
Official says trade talks with Washington remain 'reassuring'
 "India wary as US' Russia tariff Bill advances, keeps eye on trade talks")