Economy
Urban consumer confidence perks up; rural stays flat, says RBI survey
Inflation expectations dip across households
 "Urban consumer confidence perks up; rural stays flat, says RBI survey")
India, Russia sign pacts on Arctic maritime push, Eurasian corridors
India and Russia signed key maritime and transport MoUs to strengthen the INSTC, Chennai-Vladivostok corridor and Northern Sea Route, including training for Indian polar seafarers
 "India, Russia sign pacts on Arctic maritime push, Eurasian corridors")
Two new units of Kudankulam nuclear plant to be ready soon: Rosatom DG
Rosatom is the supplier of key equipment and technology for the project being jointly developed with the Nuclear Power Corporation of India
 "Two new units of Kudankulam nuclear plant to be ready soon: Rosatom DG")
RBI emphatic on durable liquidity support; focus clearly on transmission
Multiple MPC members of late flagged the re-emergence of space for further monetary easing given the record-low CPI inflation
 "RBI emphatic on durable liquidity support; focus clearly on transmission")
IOC, BPCL buy sanctions-free Russian oil for January amid wider discounts
India's top refiner, IOC, has also bought some cargoes of Russian oil for January loading, they said
 "IOC, BPCL buy sanctions-free Russian oil for January amid wider discounts")
World food prices drop for third month in November, says UN's FAO
Global food prices fell for a third straight month in November, driven by declines in sugar, dairy and oil - though cereals bucked the trend with a modest rise
 "World food prices drop for third month in November, says UN's FAO")
Dighi Port to handle 200k cars annually as APSEZ partners with Motherson
APSEZ said this partnership will make Dighi Port the new automobile exports terminal for exporters in Mumbai to the Pune auto belt
 "Dighi Port to handle 200k cars annually as APSEZ partners with Motherson")
Centre mulls extending coal power expansion for another 12 years
The proposal, currently under discussion between the power ministry and the government's policy making agency NITI Aayog, marks a major shift
 "Centre mulls extending coal power expansion for another 12 years")
MPC meeting: RBI ups GDP forecast to 7.3%, inflation outlook drops sharply
RBI cuts the repo rate to 5.25%, revises FY26 GDP growth to 7.3%, and lowers its inflation forecast to 2%, signalling stronger momentum and easing food-price pressures
 "MPC meeting: RBI ups GDP forecast to 7.3%, inflation outlook drops sharply")
Importers rush to hedge while exporters wait on sidelines amid rupee dip
The domestic currency touched a fresh low of 90.41 against the dollar on Thursday but gained back its intraday losses to close at 89.98
 "Importers rush to hedge while exporters wait on sidelines amid rupee dip")
Nominal GDP growth slowdown raises concerns despite strong real growth
Despite strong real growth, slowing nominal GDP and a sharply weaker deflator raise fiscal concerns, challenging Budget assumptions for FY26
 "Nominal GDP growth slowdown raises concerns despite strong real growth")
New Labour Codes aim for big reform, but face bigger test of enforcement
The Centre has notified implementation of four labour codes, including new provisions for gig workers. But definitions, enforcement capacity and state rules may decide how far benefits reach
 "New Labour Codes aim for big reform, but face bigger test of enforcement")
India's FY26 growth forecast likely to be revised upwards: Harald Finger
Finger talks about the task ahead for the 16th Finance Commission, impact of artificial intelligence (AI), and more
 "India's FY26 growth forecast likely to be revised upwards: Harald Finger")
Fitch lifts FY26 growth forecast to 7.4% on stronger consumer demand
Fitch raises India's FY26 growth forecast to 7.4%, citing strong consumer demand and GST-driven sentiment, while expecting slower growth ahead, limited rupee fall and one more RBI rate cut
 "Fitch lifts FY26 growth forecast to 7.4% on stronger consumer demand")
New cess revenue to be shared with states, says FM Nirmala Sitharaman
Parliament passes Central Excise (Amendment) Bill 2025
 "New cess revenue to be shared with states, says FM Nirmala Sitharaman")
Rupee dip against US dollar adds baggage to overseas travel costs
As the rupee weakens past 90/$, outbound travellers may adjust itineraries or reduce spends, while inbound and domestic tourism gain as India becomes more cost-competitive.
 "Rupee dip against US dollar adds baggage to overseas travel costs")
Consumer durable firms set to hike product prices as rupee slides
Consumer electronics firms expect to raise prices by up to 10% as the rupee weakens and input costs rise, while food companies watch the currency closely before adjusting prices
 "Consumer durable firms set to hike product prices as rupee slides")
Enhancing margins: Weak rupee a silver lining for IT services companies
The Indian IT services industry derives roughly 90 per cent of its revenues from global markets-about 57 per cent from the US and around 28 per cent from Europe
 "Enhancing margins: Weak rupee a silver lining for IT services companies")
India, Russia discuss boosting trade in fisheries, meat, dairy products
According to an official statement, Russia expressed willingness to import fishery and meat products from India. It also showed interest in veterinary vaccine development and animal health management
 "India, Russia discuss boosting trade in fisheries, meat, dairy products")
RBI steers away from aggressive intervention as rupee touches new lows
RBI is intervening mainly to smooth volatility rather than defend specific levels as the rupee hits fresh lows amid outflows and trade-deal uncertainty, with its forward position limiting room to act
 "RBI steers away from aggressive intervention as rupee touches new lows")
