Economy & Policy News

2026 an inflection point resembling 1991: CEA V Anantha Nageswaran

Nageswaran calls for building strategic leverage for geopolitically contested resources

CAG impact report shows recoveries worth ₹4,251 crore after audit in FY26

Recoveries fell short of amounts flagged in several major cases

Datanomics: Will US replace Singapore as India's top FDI destination?

Indian investment commitments of over $330 billion in the US could boost outward FDI flows, potentially challenging Singapore's position as the top destination for Indian investments.

US trade deal to give India strong comparative advantage, says Piyush Goyal

Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal says the proposed India-US trade agreement will protect farmers and other sensitive interests while strengthening India's position in global trade

India's pharma exports grow 4.9% to $16.14 bn in H1FY27 on Europe gains

India's pharmaceutical exports rose 4.9 per cent to $16.14 billion in H1FY27, driven by growth in Europe, ASEAN and Latin America, even as shipments to the US moderated.

RBI's new forex derivative norms to raise FCNR(B) hedging costs for banks

Banks face higher costs to hedge interest payments on FCNR(B) deposits as RBI's new forex derivative rules require a 20 per cent reserve, while dollar-rupee forward premiums rise

India well placed to benefit from global supply chain shifts: EAC-PM chief

EAC-PM chairman S Mahendra Dev says India can gain from global supply chain shifts, but high business costs, land constraints and a shortage of mid-sized firms pose challenges

Services growth widens in August; 13 of 19 sectors post double-digit gains

NSO data shows 17 services sub-sectors expanded in August, led by retail trade, while repair services rebounded sharply and air transport contracted for a fifth straight month

Halt in Russian crude imports could raise costs for Indian refiners: Kpler

Refiners may face tighter competition for alternative supplies and higher freight and procurement costs, while limited scope to raise Venezuelan oil output could restrict access to cheaper heavy crude

India's GDP growth seen at 7.35% in Q2 FY27 amid risks: Finance ministry

Stronger industrial output, energy consumption, port traffic, GST collections and auto sales support the growth outlook, while inflation, energy price volatility and geopolitical tensions pose risks

US trade deal will protect all sensitive Indian interests: Piyush Goyal

The commerce minister said Indians would celebrate the agreement once its details are public, as negotiations continue following changes in the US tariff landscape

India's dealmaking resilient despite weak rupee, equity slump: Citi

Rahul Saraf, Citi's head of investment banking for India said he expects more partnerships between Chinese companies and large Indian conglomerates in the industrial and consumer sectors

EPFO plans to channel 3% of fresh inflows into startups, AIF investments

The proposed framework could enable EPFO to invest through institutions such as the National Investment and Infrastructure Fund and SIDBI's Startup India Fund of Funds 2.0

Centre cuts MRPs for trade-margin-capped cancer meds by up to 93%

Major innovator brands see no price reductions despite cuts of up to 93 per cent for some cancer medicines; patient groups say PAP exclusions and data gaps have diluted relief

Fed keeps interest rates unchanged, awaits more data on inflation

The US Federal Reserve held interest rates at 3.75-4.00% in a 10-2 vote, citing persistent inflation, as two policymakers backed a 25-basis-point hike ahead of the midterm elections.

Cabinet approves ₹10,000 crore scheme to boost container manufacturing

The scheme will offer financial support to domestic container manufacturers until 2039-40, aiming to cut import dependence, bridge cost gaps and boost annual capacity tenfold to 750,000 TEUs

Industrial output growth slips to four-month low of 6.7% in September

This is the weakest reading since May, when the Index of Industrial Production grew 5 per cent

Cabinet approves ₹7,395 crore scheme to make panchayats self-reliant

The Rs 7,395 crore scheme aims to strengthen over 2.5 lakh gram panchayats through capacity-building, better use of Finance Commission grants and mobilisation of their own revenue

Cabinet clears ₹10,000 cr scheme to boost domestic container manufacturing

The 13-year scheme aims to raise annual capacity to 750,000 TEUs, attract 15-20% of global container manufacturing to India and generate over 50,000 indirect jobs

India, Mexico formally begin preferential trade agreement negotiations

The proposed agreement will cover market access, rules of origin, customs procedures and trade remedies as India looks to deepen its trade footprint in Latin America