Economy & Policy News
Cabinet clears higher equity limit for Powergrid to boost transmission push
Cabinet raises Powergrid's equity investment limit to Rs 7,500 crore per subsidiary, enabling greater participation in capital-intensive transmission projects and aiding renewable energy evacuation
 "Cabinet clears higher equity limit for Powergrid to boost transmission push")
Domestic market continues to power India's corporate biz travel: Report
Domestic travel forms 72% of corporate trips, says a Thomas Cook India report, with key hubs driving demand, rising costs prompting controls and more firms adopting digital tools
 "Domestic market continues to power India's corporate biz travel: Report")
Govt overhauls GDP data using granular CPI, WPI data to improve accuracy
Under previous methods, low nominal GDP growth alongside low wholesale inflation created discrepancies by translating into higher real growth rates
 "Govt overhauls GDP data using granular CPI, WPI data to improve accuracy")
Cabinet likely to approve critical minerals pacts with Germany, Canada
This comes at a time when India is ramping up efforts to secure critical minerals like lithium, cobalt, nickel, and rare earth elements through international alliances
 "Cabinet likely to approve critical minerals pacts with Germany, Canada")
Uniform 15% tariff would benefit some Asia-Pacific economies: Moody's
US Supreme Court last week ruled against the Trump administration's country-specific tariffs after which Trump imposed 10 per cent tariffs on all countries for 150 days
 "Uniform 15% tariff would benefit some Asia-Pacific economies: Moody's")
India may need a productivity commission, says NITI Aayog's Suman Bery
BS Manthan: Suman Bery suggests rebranding NITI Aayog as a 'Productivity Commission', stressing higher labour productivity and greater women's workforce participation to achieve Viksit Bharat
 "India may need a productivity commission, says NITI Aayog's Suman Bery")
Datanomics: Top inflation and deflation items in Jan were same as in Dec
Food deflation and bullion-led inflation offset each other in January, but net impact of top items lifted retail inflation to 2.75% from 1.33% in December
 "Datanomics: Top inflation and deflation items in Jan were same as in Dec")
Gold imports not alarming yet, FDI inflows a puzzle: FM Sitharaman
'Too soon to comment on US tariff twist, but India committed to forging more trade deals'
 "Gold imports not alarming yet, FDI inflows a puzzle: FM Sitharaman")
New CPI series unlikely to reset inflation target framework: RBI guv
FY27 Q1-Q2 inflation forecast may be raised 20-30 bps, says MPC member Saugata Bhattacharya
 "New CPI series unlikely to reset inflation target framework: RBI guv")
NMP 2.0 for FY26-30 launched: Govt aims ₹16.7 trn from asset monetisation
Private investment of Rs 5.8 trillion also included in the target
 "NMP 2.0 for FY26-30 launched: Govt aims ₹16.7 trn from asset monetisation")
India, France amend tax treaty, remove most-favoured nation clause
India and France have signed a protocol amending their DTAC, removing the MFN clause and revising dividend, capital gains and PE provisions to bring clarity and align with global tax standards
 "India, France amend tax treaty, remove most-favoured nation clause")
Govt to raise ₹16.3K cr by monetising oil and gas assets in next four years
The Centre plans to monetise DSFs, storage assets, GAIL Gas equity and dark fibre leases to raise Rs 16,300 crore by FY30 as part of NMP 2.0, targeting both midstream and upstream segments
 "Govt to raise ₹16.3K cr by monetising oil and gas assets in next four years")
India set for mega investment boom in CCUS, but scale remains a challenge
A ₹20,000 crore outlay in Budget 2026 may accelerate commercial-scale carbon capture, utilisation and storage projects as India balances industrial growth with its 2070 Net Zero goal
 "India set for mega investment boom in CCUS, but scale remains a challenge")
NMP 2.0 targets ₹2.76 trillion power asset monetisation by FY30
NMP 2.0 aims to monetise Rs 2.76 lakh crore worth of power sector assets by FY30 through hydro projects, transmission lines and PSU equity dilution, with Rs 49,900 crore targeted for FY26
 "NMP 2.0 targets ₹2.76 trillion power asset monetisation by FY30")
RoDTEP benefits cut by 50% as govt rationalises export rebate scheme
The government has halved RoDTEP incentives with immediate effect, reducing rebate rates and value caps across categories, a move expected to raise exporters' costs amid global uncertainty
 "RoDTEP benefits cut by 50% as govt rationalises export rebate scheme")
India removes 'most favoured nation' clause for France: What it means
India has removed the 'most favoured nation' clause from its tax treaty with France, aiming to reduce disputes and clarify tax rules
 "India removes 'most favoured nation' clause for France: What it means")
'Too early to comment': FM Sitharaman on impact of US tariff changes
Asked about the impact of tariff changes on the Indian economy, Sitharaman said it is a "bit too soon" to comment
 "'Too early to comment': FM Sitharaman on impact of US tariff changes")
NaBFID raises $125 million in maiden foreign currency loan from HSBC
NaBFID's total assets rose 44 per cent to ₹1.04 trillion ($11.4 billion) as of Dec. 31, 2025, according to its website
 "NaBFID raises $125 million in maiden foreign currency loan from HSBC")
Indian regulators move to curb leverage in $5.2 trn derivatives market
There is growing urgency in New Delhi after the RBI warned that excessive leverage may spark a market shock threatening household finances
 "Indian regulators move to curb leverage in $5.2 trn derivatives market")
Rupee rebound hinges on revival of sustained foreign fund inflows
The outlook for the rupee may also be clouded by renewed uncertainty after the US Supreme Court struck down several of President Donald Trump's tariffs
 "Rupee rebound hinges on revival of sustained foreign fund inflows")