Economy & Policy News

Govt looks to increase fine compliance for overloaded vehicles on NHs

Government brings in a graded penalty system for overloaded vehicles on national highways, with fees up to four times the base rate to improve compliance and reduce road damage

Heavy coal use, RE growth to insulate India from spike in power tariffs

India's reliance on domestic coal and rapid renewable energy expansion could shield it from global power tariff shocks, even as fuel prices surge amid the West Asia conflict

Oil shock may push inflation higher, slow growth: S&P Global report

S&P Global says crude at $130 per barrel could slow India's growth, widen fiscal deficit, raise inflation and strain corporate and banking sector performance

India's Russian oil imports more than triple to 5.3 bn euro in Mar

European think tank Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA), in a report, said after a drop in purchases in February, India was back to a buying binge in March

IMF lifts India FY27 growth to 6.5% as lower US tariffs offset risks

IMF has raised India's FY27 growth forecast to 6.5 per cent, saying lower US tariffs could offset the impact of West Asia tensions even as global growth and trade outlook weaken

Oil shock may slow India's growth by up to 80 bps: S&P Global Ratings

Higher energy prices may persist for months, crimping economic activity, however, strong corporate balance sheets, well-capitalised banks provide buffers against impact, S&P said in a report

OMCs losing ₹18/litre on petrol, ₹35 on diesel amid price freeze: Macquarie

While the government cut excise duty on fuels by ₹10 per litre in March, central levies have been on a declining trend and now stand at ₹11.9 per litre on petrol and ₹7.8 per litre on diesel

Iran war threatens to push 2.5 mn people in India into poverty: UNDP report

The United Nations Development Programme in its report noted that poverty is expected to rise from around 400,000 to 2.5 million in India

SVAMITVA boosts rural credit access, loan amounts rise 23%: EAC-PM

SVAMITVA scheme is boosting rural credit access, with property cards enabling households to use land as collateral and increasing sanctioned loan amounts by 23%

India receives first Iranian crude oil shipment after seven years

India was once among the largest importers of Iranian crude, attracted by favourable pricing, extended credit terms, and logistical advantages

West Asia crisis: Export of recycled metals hit as war-risk charges persist

Indian exporters continue to face steep war-risk and freight charges despite a ceasefire, with rising logistics costs eroding margins and disrupting supply chains

APAs may remain relevant despite expanded safe harbour regime

Experts say advance pricing agreements will continue to be preferred by large firms for flexibility, certainty, and cross-border alignment despite simplified safe harbour rules

Chatroom: Practical guidance on interest, EOU exemption and EPCG reporting

TNC Rajagopalan answers readers' SME queries related to GST, export and import matters

Retail inflation rises to 3.4% in March on higher food, fuel prices

India's retail inflation rose to 3.4% in March, driven by higher food and fuel prices, with economists warning of further upside risks amid global uncertainties

Commerce Minister Goyal holds talks with his Omani counterpart on trade

In the last few days, Goyal has held discussions with the trade ministers of Saudi Arabia, UAE, Bahrain and Kuwait

Charities, trade bodies come under Income-Tax Department scrutiny

Tax authorities flag certain receipts as 'commercial', citing possible violation of Section 2(15)

Private firms' bond, debenture investments surge sharply in FY25: RBI

During this period, corporate bond issuances increased to ₹9.87 lakh crore in FY25, compared to ₹8.38 lakh crore in the previous fiscal year

RBI data shows slower sales growth for private firms at 11.4% in FY25

Sales growth in the manufacturing sector moderated marginally to 9.2 per cent in 2024-25 from 9.4 per cent in the previous year

Women account for 26% of India's credit, portfolio hits ₹76 trillion

Women now account for 26% of India's credit system, with outstanding portfolio rising to Rs 76 trillion, driven by digital lending and growth in entrepreneurship

Southwest monsoon season rainfall likely to be below normal, says IMD

India is likely to receive 80 cm of rainfall during the season - the long period average (1971-2020) of the seasonal rainfall over India is 87 cm