Economy & Policy News

GST Council may allow export tag for overseas contract manufacturing

Proposal seeks to address a place-of-supply anomaly by allowing export treatment for work done for overseas companies even when finished goods remain in India

India-US trade talks hit plateau, further concessions difficult: FM

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman says negotiations have been rigorous and both sides may have little room left for further concessions as talks on a trade deal continue

Gross FDI hits 15-year high, net FDI at five-year peak in Q1 FY27

Repatriation by foreign investors accounted for 44 per cent of gross FDI, while foreign exchange equal to another 31 per cent moved out as Indian companies invested abroad

GST Council may widen ITC on business vehicles, ease interstate checks

Insurance, repairs and servicing may qualify; EVs could get matching tax treatment

State capex utilisation slips below last year's pace in April-August

Twenty-three states spent ₹2.4 trillion, or 21.21 per cent of their combined capex budget, in April-August FY27, slightly below 21.73 per cent a year earlier

Fewer women commute to work, spend a third less than men: NSO survey

Only 41.9 per cent of women workers commute 1 km or more for work, against 61.9 per cent of men, with the gender gap in commuting widest in rural India

India eyes new palm oil sources as Indonesia, Malaysia raise biofuel blends

Colombia, the world's fourth-largest palm oil producer, has emerged as a possible import source as India looks to diversify supplies amid higher biodiesel blending in Asia

Cultural capital must be integral to economic policy: Culture minister

While emphasising the "extraordinary civilisational wealth" inherited by India, he underlined that the "greatest question before us is, not what have we inherited"

India, Switzerland ink 5 pacts; agree to expand trade, investment ties

In his media statement, PM Modi said a series of important decisions were taken to expand market access for Indian exports to Switzerland and further facilitate investment between the two countries

Tech, people, cultural economy key to unlocking tourism: Shekhawat

Culture and Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat says cultural capital must gain a larger role in economic policy, alongside technology and human capital

RBI's panel starts monetary policy deliberations, 0.25 bps rate hike likely

An interest rate hike by the RBI in its upcoming monetary policy would mark a stance reversal, following rate cuts in 2025 and a prolonged pause thereafter

New bilateral investment treaty framework to get Cabinet nod: Sitharaman

The new template seeks to address shortcomings in the model approved in 2016 and provide sharper protection to investors from both sides

India economy strong; energy security, jobs key to growth: N Chandrasekaran

Chandrasekaran -- who was recently handed his third five-year term at the helm as Tata Sons Chairman amid an intense boardroom battle-- further said the Indian economy is doing very well

India, US have reached a plateau in trade talks, says FM Nirmala Sitharaman

Giving or taking more beyond that plateau would be 'very, very difficult' for both countries, Sitharaman said at an event in New Delhi

Weekly policy watch: RBI monetary policy, GST Council meet and PMI in focus

India's policy calendar this week will track RBI's rate decision, GST process reforms and fresh forex reserves data

Markets bet on RBI hike as inflation pressure builds, growth stays firm

Nearly 60% of ​economists polled by Reuters, 35 out of 61, expect a 25-basis-point rate hike at RBI's policy meeting ​on Wednesday

GST Council likely to ease audits for firms with multi-state operations

The GST Council is likely to consider coordinated audits for businesses with multiple state registrations to reduce duplication and ease compliance

Reforms, self-reliance key to Viksit Bharat, says Shaktikanta Das

Shaktikanta Das said India must build stronger domestic capabilities while remaining integrated with global markets and concluding more free trade agreements

Next-Gen GST and India's next phase of growth

Next-Gen GST aims to simplify compliance, support businesses and strengthen revenues as India seeks to build a more resilient economy and achieve Viksit Bharat

AI driving up global bond yields, a worry for EMs: DEA secy Anuradha Thakur

Economic Affairs Secretary Anuradha Thakur said heavy government borrowing and rising AI investment are increasing global demand for capital and pushing up its cost