Economy & Policy News

Energy prices pushed exports, imports to record highs in October

Merchandise imports hit a record $89.35 billion in October, while exports surged 45 per cent to $49.47 billion; the trade deficit widened to $39.88 billion

Rate hikes may not tame supply-led inflation: CEA V Anantha Nageswaran

CEA V Anantha Nageswaran says supply shocks will dominate the global economy, making monetary policy less effective and placing greater responsibility on fiscal measures

India-US deal may be inked after Washington settles its tariff framework

India awaits US tariff framework before signing interim trade deal; Washington assures New Delhi of a comparative tariff advantage over competitors

Rupee weakens to 94.25/$, 10-year bond yield rises as crude prices surge

The rupee settled at 94.25 against the dollar, while the benchmark 10-year bond yield rose six basis points to 7.31 per cent amid higher crude prices and a firm dollar index

India needs sector-wise accounts to measure knowledge economy: MoSPI panel

MoSPI panel proposes a federated framework to measure India's knowledge economy, with dedicated accounts for AI, research, human capital and other knowledge-based sectors

Datanomics: Milk & milk products saw price pressures before latest hikes

Liquid milk inflation crossed 4% in September, while paneer prices rose over 5.5% in October, indicating mounting price pressures even before leading dairy brands announced price hikes

MSME body seeks sectoral export studies to boost free trade agreement gains

Industry body urges market-specific studies across 10 priority sectors and upgrades to testing facilities to help smaller exporters overcome compliance barriers and benefit from FTAs

India imports over half its edible oil, faces food risks: NITI Aayog VC

Addressing an event here, Lahiri said India meets more than half of its edible oil needs through imports, and imports are estimated at 17 million metric tonnes, valued at about $20 billion

India's fuel demand to keep rising through 2034 despite EV adoption

Fuel demand from road transport will peak at more than 2.5 million barrels a day in eight years before gradually declining, according to BloombergNEF's India Electric Vehicle Outlook 2026

India's Oct merchandise trade deficit rose to one-year high of $39.88 bn

The deficit topped the $32.25 billion forecast in a Reuters ​poll and widened from $30.21 billion in September

Banks raise deposit rates after RBI's Oct repo hike; lending rates inch up

Major lenders have increased fixed deposit rates on select tenures following the RBI's 25-basis-point repo rate hike in October, while lending rates have also begun to rise

Retail inflation breaches RBI's 6% upper limit at 2-yr high of 6.09% in Oct

A sharp rise in food prices and broad-based increases across CPI divisions pushed retail inflation to 6.09 per cent in October, raising expectations of another RBI rate hike

Only 28% of PLI employment target met by FY26, says NITI Aayog report

NITI Aayog calls for sector-specific intervention, shift towards demand-side support

Crude oil retreat may offer India macroeconomic relief in H2 of FY27

Crude oil prices falling below $90 a barrel could ease inflationary pressures, narrow the current account deficit and provide relief to government finances in H2 FY27

India to have one of the 'best' trade deals with the US: Piyush Goyal

Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal said India has negotiated a strong set of outcomes and expects one of its best trade deals with the US, as talks continue.

India Inc's ECB, FCCB fundraising intent falls to $7 billion in September

Of the total, $6.71 billion worth of proposals were under the general permission route, while $336.94 million was under the special permission route

Rupee slips past 94 per dollar, bond yields harden ahead of auction

The rupee closed 0.37 per cent lower at 94.04 against the dollar as rising US Treasury yields weighed on the currency, while government bond yields hardened ahead of the weekly auction

Green hydrogen push faces reality check as projects struggle to take off

Nearly four years after launch, India's green hydrogen mission faces high costs, slow execution, and uncertain demand. Experts say bankable contracts and purchase mandates hold the key to success

Nearly 70% of PLI scheme segments on track, says NITI Aayog report

The PLI scheme is a major policy initiative of the government aimed at strengthening domestic manufacturing, attracting investment

Retail inflation at 6.09% in October, breaches RBI's upper band after 2 yrs

Food inflation climbed to 8.94 per cent in October from 7.74 per cent in September, adding to pressure on India's retail inflation