Economy

Gig hiring likely to surge in 2026 as qcom, ecom expand beyond metros

E-commerce and quick commerce platforms are set to add nearly a million gig workers in 2026, driven by last-mile delivery demand and rapid expansion of dark stores in non-metro cities

India now negotiates trade deals from position of strength: Piyush Goyal

Days after India-US trade deal, Piyush Goyal says the India of today is negotiating trade deals from a position of strength and confidence

CBDT draft rules overhaul transfer pricing reporting, raise perquisite caps

Draft Income-tax Rules ahead of the 2025 Act propose sweeping changes to transfer pricing disclosures, perquisite valuation norms, digital record-keeping and compliance architecture

India-US trade deal: Industry awaits clarity on agri products tariff cuts

What remains unclear is whether American soybean oil will be allowed on a quota basis with nil basic customs duty, and whether the 6.5 per cent agri and education cess will be exempted

J&K earns ₹2,152 crore from liquor shop auctions in two financial years

The government stated that no new JKEL-2 liquor licences are proposed to be issued in the next financial year

Indian refiners avoid Russian oil purchase in push for US trade deal

Indian Oil, Bharat Petroleum and Reliance Industries are not accepting offers from traders for Russian oil loading in March and April, said a trader who approached the refiners

India to grant import duty concessions on select US agricultural products

According to a joint statement, India and the US have agreed on a framework for the first phase of the bilateral trade agreement, which is expected to be signed by mid-March

Energy security top priority as India plans to diversify sourcing: MEA

After Goyal sidestepped a query on Russian oil imports, MEA said energy security for 1.4 billion people remains India's top priority

Component warehousing safe harbour to offer competitive tax outcome

The proposed safe harbour regime for component warehousing linked to manufacturing may offer multinationals a globally competitive tax outcome and greater certainty on transfer pricing

CBDT puts draft Income-tax Rules, forms out for feedback till Feb 22

Draft rules and forms placed in public domain for 15 days as part of preparatory work for implementation of Income-tax Act, 2025 from April 2026

India-US trade deal: Zero duty for large bikes, to benefit Harley-Davidson

For motorcycles with engine capacities exceeding 1,600 cc, the duty was curtailed to 30 per cent from 50 per cent

India-US trade deal: DDGS duty cuts raise concerns despite tariff rate caps

India-US interim trade framework cuts tariffs on several agricultural items, but Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal said sensitive products such as apples, soybean oil and DDGS will be capped under quotas

Zero duty on gems, pharma exports under India-US trade deal: Piyush Goyal

Addressing a press conference, the Union Minister said that several Indian goods will attract zero duties on export, including pharmaceutical products and smartphones

US trade deal will not hurt interests of farmers, MSMEs, artisans: Goyal

Addressing a press conference, the commerce minister hailed the India-US trade framework, adding that it protects farmers, boosts exports, and strengthens bilateral trade ties

India-US trade deal: Pharma sees no major change during Section 232 probe

India's pharmaceutical exports to the US are unlikely to see major tariff changes under the interim pact as Section 232 investigations continue, though medical devices may gain from better access

India-US trade deal: Boost seen for energy, minerals imports over 5 yrs

India has expressed intent to import $500 billion worth of energy, minerals, technology products and aircraft parts from the US over five years under an interim trade agreement

India-US trade deal: Which sectors will benefit most from tariff cuts?

The trade framework opens opportunities for Indian exporters, safeguards sensitive sectors, and sets the stage for broader cooperation in technology, digital trade, and supply chains

Trade pact opens $30 trn US market; safeguards key sectors, farmers: Goyal

Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said that the framework is expected to create jobs and MSME exports while keeping staple crops and dairy outside tariff concessions

India, US agree on interim trade deal framework ahead of full deal talks

The interim framework outlines tariff cuts, market access and technology cooperation while protecting sensitive Indian sectors, paving the way for a broader India US trade agreement

US lifts extra 25% tariffs on Indian goods linked to Russian oil buys

The step is part of a wider agreement to ease trade tensions, under which India plans to buy about $500 billion worth of US goods, including energy, aircraft and technology, over the next five years