Economy & Policy News

Fuel demand remained strong in Dec; petrol sales grew 6.7%, diesel up 5%

Cooking gas demand increased by 12.7 per cent YoY in December supported by strong household demand

In second full month of GST 2.0, net collections increase 2.2%

Net GST revenues rose just 2.2% in December 2025, the slowest pace in a year, as weak domestic demand and high refunds offset stronger import-led collections

India can save $1 bn in crude imports by replacing 10% diesel with LNG

Reducing liquid-fuel demand will lower exposure to global oil price shocks as India remains heavily dependent on imported crude oil, said the country's petroleum regulator

Gross GST collections rise 6% to over ₹1.74 trillion in December 2025

Net GST revenues (after adjusting refunds) stood at over ₹1.45 lakh crore, up 2.2 per cent year-on-year

Commercial LPG cylinder prices up by ₹111 in metro cities; check rates here

With the latest price hike, the price of a 19-kg commercial cylinder in Delhi has now jumped to ₹1,691.50, whereas in Mumbai, it has increased from ₹1,531.50 to ₹1,642.50

Govt to conduct nationwide Adult Skills Survey to assess skills level

The survey is expected to be conducted after the first quarter of 2026. It is aimed at assessing skill levels across basic, intermediate, and advanced categories

Cigarettes, biris, pan masala, tobacco products to get costlier from Feb 1

The Finance Ministry on Wednesday also notified the Chewing Tobacco, Jarda Scented Tobacco and Gutkha Packing Machines (Capacity Determination and Collection of Duty) Rules, 2026

Centre imposes steel safeguard duty for 3 years; up to 12% on imports

The Centre has converted the provisional safeguard duty on steel into a three-year levy of up to 12 per cent to curb cheap imports, mainly from China and other exporting nations

India's household debt rises to 41.3% of GDP, above five-year average: RBI

RBI says household debt rose to 41.3% of GDP at end-March 2025, led by consumption-oriented retail loans, even as net financial savings improved in Q4 FY25

Sugar production surges 23.4% to 11.83 million tonnes in Oct-Dec: NFCSF

Sugar output in Uttar Pradesh, the country's largest sugar producing state, increased to 3.56 million tonnes during October-December period of 2025-26 season from 3.26 million tonnes in the year-ago

Centre's fiscal deficit at 62.3% of FY26 BE in April-November; capex up 28%

CGA data showed the Centre's fiscal deficit rose to Rs 9.77 trillion, or 62.3 per cent of FY26 Budget estimates, in April-November as capex surged and net tax revenue slipped

Datanomics: India's trade diversification remains a mixed bag so far

India's exports to the US increased by nearly $6 billion in FY26 (Apr-Nov) year-on-year

2026 to bring data, policy, tax changes; labour codes, CBAM to take effect

With new GDP, CPI and IIP base years, sweeping tax reforms, GST overhaul, labour code rollout and EU's carbon tax, 2026 is set to reshape India's economic, regulatory and labour landscape

Centre notifies revised draft rules for labour codes, seeks responses

Revised draft rules for the four Labour Codes clarify key provisions such as gratuity on 'wages' and gig worker registration, with stakeholder inputs invited for up to 45 days

Govt launches ₹4,531 cr market access support scheme for exporters

The Centre has launched a ₹4,531 crore market access support scheme for FY26-31 to boost exporters' global reach, with an MSME bias and support for trade events and new markets

India, Russia move towards more balanced, diversified economic ties in 2025

During Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to New Delhi in December, India and Russia unveiled a raft of measures, including a five-year roadmap to build a robust economic partnership

Goldilocks phase, reforms glide path to spur Indian economy in 2026

Real GDP growth accelerated through successive quarters, reaching 8.2 per cent in Q2 of 2025-26, while retail inflation slipped below the Reserve Bank's lower tolerance band of 2 per cent

Long-term policy support key to meeting India's energy goals: Experts

Experts also believed decarbonisation will continue to be a priority for the industry

Govt imposes tariff on certain steel products for 3 years to limit imports

The levy, locally known as a safeguard duty, will be imposed at 12 per cent in the first year followed by ​11.5 per cent in the second year and then 11 per cent in the third year

Import of Russian oil hits 3-year low in Dec amid tighter Western sanctions

Despite sanctions, Rosneft remained India's largest Russian crude supplier in December; Lukoil also contributed significant volumes