Economy & Policy News
Govt considers reducing taxes on bond investments by foreign investors
Deliberations to ease the tax burden have gathered pace as authorities try to curb the rupee's depreciation
 "Govt considers reducing taxes on bond investments by foreign investors")
Why higher gold import duty alone may not ease India's CAD pressure
As India raises gold import duty to curb rising imports, experts warn higher taxes alone may not cut demand and could revive smuggling, hurting formal jewellers and limiting CAD gains
 "Why higher gold import duty alone may not ease India's CAD pressure")
Two India bound LPG tankers transit Strait of Hormuz amid energy crisis
One of the LPG carriers, Symi, emerged in the Gulf of Oman on Thursday after turning off its transponder, with the other - NV Sunshine, went dark just after making it through the strait
 "Two India bound LPG tankers transit Strait of Hormuz amid energy crisis")
April wholesale inflation skyrockets to 8.3% on massive jump in fuel prices
The fuel and power category recorded the highest inflation among major groups at 24.71 per cent in April, compared with 1.05 per cent in March
 "April wholesale inflation skyrockets to 8.3% on massive jump in fuel prices")
India seeks extension of US waiver on Russian oil as West Asia war drags on
The US first provided a green light in March, and then widened that with an authorization that runs until May 16, in an effort to limit rising oil prices with additional barrels
 "India seeks extension of US waiver on Russian oil as West Asia war drags on")
India's gold policy trap: Cut duty to curb smuggling, raise to save rupee
India is the world's second-largest gold consumer, and more than 90 per cent of its demand is met through imports
 "India's gold policy trap: Cut duty to curb smuggling, raise to save rupee")
India bans exports of raw, white and refined sugar with immediate effect
The ban applies to raw, white and refined sugar and marks a shift in policy from "restricted" to "prohibited", according to a notification
 "India bans exports of raw, white and refined sugar with immediate effect")
RBI may pay highest-ever dividend to help Centre tackle West Asia crisis
Last year the RBI made a record dividend payout of ₹2.69 lakh crore to the central government for 2024-25, 27 per cent higher than ₹2.11 lakh crore transferred in the previous year
 "RBI may pay highest-ever dividend to help Centre tackle West Asia crisis")
Govt hikes tariff on precious metals to shield foreign exchange reserves
Gold, silver duties more than double to 15%, & 15.4% for platinum
 "Govt hikes tariff on precious metals to shield foreign exchange reserves")
MPC to look through West Asia shock if it's transitory: RBI Governor
Coordination with fiscal policy becomes critical amid 'supply shock as bad as it is', says Malhotra
 "MPC to look through West Asia shock if it's transitory: RBI Governor")
Rupee weakens to record closing low, approaches 96 against the dollar
Persistent importer demand, elevated crude oil prices and West Asia tensions pushed the rupee to a record closing low despite RBI intervention
 "Rupee weakens to record closing low, approaches 96 against the dollar")
Customs duty hike may divert gold, silver imports to UAE FTA route
Widening tariff gap under India-UAE CEPA could encourage higher bullion imports through Dubai amid concerns over arbitrage opportunities
 "Customs duty hike may divert gold, silver imports to UAE FTA route")
After PM Modi's call, ministers, NDA chief ministers cut convoy size
Government says Prime Minister Narendra Modi's appeal focuses on prudent fuel use and reducing import dependence, not fiscal tightening or spending cuts
 "After PM Modi's call, ministers, NDA chief ministers cut convoy size")
Oil shocks hit wholesale inflation harder than retail prices: BoB study
Bank of Baroda study says crude oil price shocks have a stronger impact on wholesale inflation than consumer prices, with delayed effects on growth
 "Oil shocks hit wholesale inflation harder than retail prices: BoB study")
RBI relaxes approval norms for banks' outward remittance tie-ups
Authorised Dealer banks can now partner with digital remittance platforms without prior RBI approval, subject to compliance safeguards
 "RBI relaxes approval norms for banks' outward remittance tie-ups")
Shipping insurance costs likely to fall 25% with Bharat Maritime Pool
Industry expects sovereign-backed maritime insurance pool to reduce war-risk premiums and improve trade certainty amid geopolitical disruptions
 "Shipping insurance costs likely to fall 25% with Bharat Maritime Pool")
Plan to upgrade rail network to 220 kmph, says railways minister Vaishnaw
Railways minister says Ahmedabad-Dholera corridor will serve as a model for future semi-high-speed rail projects across India
 "Plan to upgrade rail network to 220 kmph, says railways minister Vaishnaw")
RBI eases rules for outward remittances; drops prior approval for non-banks
The central bank has issued an operating framework for facilitating outward remittance services by non-bank entities through Authorised Dealer (Category I) banks in India
RBI announces switch auction for Rs 30,000 crore government bonds
RBI said the switch operation will help the government spread redemption liabilities and reduce rollover risks by replacing short-term securities with longer-tenor bonds
 "RBI announces switch auction for Rs 30,000 crore government bonds")
Can a 15% gold duty fix India's trade deficit? The math is not simple
India may need a steep fall in gold imports to ease its trade deficit, but high prices, investment demand and smuggling risks complicate the duty hike's impact
 "Can a 15% gold duty fix India's trade deficit? The math is not simple")