Economy & Policy News
Karnataka Budget 2026: Social media ban, education boost, and more
Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah presented the state Budget with a focus on school infrastructure boost, women welfare schemes, and a ₹2,000 crore electric bus programme
 "Karnataka Budget 2026: Social media ban, education boost, and more")
India faces rupee, inflation risks from West Asia conflict: Moody's
Energy-importing regions in Asia and Europe would sustain the most immediate stress from $100-plus Brent crude
 "India faces rupee, inflation risks from West Asia conflict: Moody's")
Indian refiners move quickly to buy Russian oil after US relaxes curbs
There's around 15 million barrels of Russian crude on tankers in the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal, while vessels carrying another 7 million are idling near Singapore
 "Indian refiners move quickly to buy Russian oil after US relaxes curbs")
Adani Gas keeps CNG, PNG prices unchanged; curbs supply for few industries
A company official said about 70 per cent of ATGL's gas volumes are sourced domestically and supplied to CNG users and domestic kitchens (called piped natural gas (PNG)-domestic) customers
 "Adani Gas keeps CNG, PNG prices unchanged; curbs supply for few industries")
India's 2025-26 sugar output estimate cut 4.4% to 28.3 mn tonne: AISTA
Gross sugar production is expected at 31.5 million tonnes, with 3.2 million tonnes likely to be diverted for ethanol production, the All India Sugar Trade Association said
 "India's 2025-26 sugar output estimate cut 4.4% to 28.3 mn tonne: AISTA")
Uttarakhand's GSDP rises to ₹3.82 trn in FY25; FY27 growth pegged 8.2%
Uttarakhand's GSDP rose to ₹3.82 trillion in FY25 from ₹2.54 trillion in FY22, with higher per capita income, lower poverty levels and growth projected at 8.2 per cent for FY27
 "Uttarakhand's GSDP rises to ₹3.82 trn in FY25; FY27 growth pegged 8.2%")
US issues temporary licence to allow some Russian oil sales to India
Move comes months after President Donald Trump slapped tariffs on Indian goods in a bid to pressure Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government to abandon energy purchases from Russia
 "US issues temporary licence to allow some Russian oil sales to India")
West Asia crisis triggers severe LNG, LPG supply shock for Indian firms
LNG tenders fail, tankers stranded, storage at 30%; naphtha back in the mix
 "West Asia crisis triggers severe LNG, LPG supply shock for Indian firms")
Rice exporters seek urgent relief as Iran crisis disrupts exports, shipping
International freight rates have risen by an estimated 15-20 per cent, while war-risk surcharges and insurance premiums for Gulf-bound shipments have increased significantly
 "Rice exporters seek urgent relief as Iran crisis disrupts exports, shipping")
Iran war set to hit output in sectors dependent on oil and gas: Crisil
CRISIL cautions that continued West Asia tensions could disrupt LNG and crude supplies, pressuring fertilisers, refineries, chemicals and other energy-intensive sectors in India
 "Iran war set to hit output in sectors dependent on oil and gas: Crisil")
Centre reviewing Rodtep scheme to assess and justify its continuation
Reassessment is a part of exercise to rationalise central-sector schemes to enhance efficiency
 "Centre reviewing Rodtep scheme to assess and justify its continuation")
'Excited' about India trade deal: US dy secy of state Christopher Landau
Says US not to make same mistakes with India as it did with China
 "'Excited' about India trade deal: US dy secy of state Christopher Landau")
India seeks to retain tariff edge over Asian peers in US trade deal
Goyal said India is closely watching the evolving situation following the US SC's verdict, and will continue to engage with Washington for best possible opportunities in the interim trade deal
 "India seeks to retain tariff edge over Asian peers in US trade deal")
Maharashtra's economy likely to grow 7.9% in 2025-26: Economic Survey
Maharashtra's economy is projected to grow 7.9% in 2025-26 with per capita income rising to ₹3.47 lakh, driven largely by strong services sector growth
 "Maharashtra's economy likely to grow 7.9% in 2025-26: Economic Survey")
Indian gas firms may cut industrial supply if Qatar halt persists
QatarEnergy has halted production of liquefied natural gas (LNG) amid attacks on its facilities as tensions rise in West Asia
 "Indian gas firms may cut industrial supply if Qatar halt persists")
Rupee posts best day in a month; RBI dollar sales boost recovery
After breaching 92 per dollar, the rupee rebounded sharply on RBI's heavy dollar sales, becoming the best-performing Asian currency even as geopolitical risks kept markets cautious
 "Rupee posts best day in a month; RBI dollar sales boost recovery")
HPCL resumes Russian crude oil purchases after three-month gap: Report
State-run HPCL resumes Russian oil purchases after a three-month gap, booking two discounted cargoes as Moscow's share in India's crude imports shows signs of rising again
 "HPCL resumes Russian crude oil purchases after three-month gap: Report")
No issue can be resolved by military conflict, says PM Narendra Modi
Key pacts signed with Finland; India condoles Khamenei death
 "No issue can be resolved by military conflict, says PM Narendra Modi")
Rice exporters seek urgent relief as Iran crisis disrupts exports, shipping
The disruptions have also weighed on domestic prices, with basmati rice prices falling about 7-10 per cent in the past 72 hours, intensifying working-capital pressures for exporters
 "Rice exporters seek urgent relief as Iran crisis disrupts exports, shipping")
West Asia crisis may hit trade, LNG supply if disruption persists: Crisil
The rating agency said sectors dependent on imported Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), such as ceramics and fertilisers, may also face near-term production disruptions
 "West Asia crisis may hit trade, LNG supply if disruption persists: Crisil")