Economy

Manufacturing PMI at 4-year low in March as West Asia war hits demand

Input cost inflation hit a 43-month high in March, while softer demand, market uncertainty and the West Asia war slowed new orders and output growth

Centre uses LPG import crunch to speed up piped gas adoption, cut imports

In March, India added 580,000 new households to its piped gas network, up from 342,300 a year earlier

Govt grants full customs duty exemption on critical petrochemical products

The exemption on a wide range of critical petrochemical products till June 30, 2026, is a temporary and targeted relief to shield domestic manufacturers from disruptions caused by the Iran war

Venezuelan crude exports surge to 6-year high as India fills China gap

Indian refiners, including Reliance Industries Ltd, Hindustan Petroleum Corp and Indian Oil Corp have purchased a combined 343,000 barrels a day for loading in March

India, US to continue to work towards finalising interim trade deal: USTR

India and the US will continue efforts to finalise an interim trade deal, even as a USTR report flags high tariffs and non-tariff barriers

Railways freight grows 3.3% in FY26 as coal cargo records rare contraction

Indian Railways missed its FY26 freight target by about 30 mt as coal cargo declined, even as overall freight volumes and earnings grew

Tiger Global ruling concerns: CBDT exempts pre-FY18 investments from Gaar

CBDT clarifies GAAR provisions to exempt pre-2017 investments from scrutiny, aiming to boost investor confidence and ensure tax certainty

Crisil to Icra: Rating upgrades tempered in FY26 as downgrades edged up

West Asia conflict to test India Inc's balance-sheet strength and margins in FY27

Restaurant industry staring at ₹79,000 crore hit amid LPG shortage

LPG supply constraints are forcing restaurants to shut outlets, cut menus, and reduce hours, with industry losses estimated at up to ₹79,000 crore

Gross GST growth in FY26 least since Covid-hit 2020-21, net up 7.1%

Net GST collections rose 8.2 per cent year-on-year to ₹1.78 trillion in March, supported by strong import growth, steady compliance, and rising domestic consumption trends

Govt allows temporary customs duty relief for SEZ units sold domestically

One-year relief aims to boost SEZ manufacturing by allowing eligible units to utilise idle capacity in the domestic market amid global export volatility

Shipbuilding ties to be in focus during South Korea President's visit

India and South Korea to prioritise shipbuilding cooperation during Lee Jae Myung's visit, alongside talks on semiconductors and small modular reactors

Coal demand rises in India as West Asia crisis disrupts gas supply

Coal demand in India is rising as the West Asia crisis disrupts gas supplies, prompting higher auctions by Coal India and pushing industries to reconsider fuel choices amid tightening energy markets

Coal India's output falls by 1.5%, ample stockpiles ready to meet demand

Output dropped from a year earlier to 84.5 million tons, while sales grew 0.7%, the company said

GST collections grow 8.8% to over ₹2 trn in Mar on domestic sales, imports

The gross Goods and Services Tax (GST) mop-up was ₹1.83 trillion in March, 2025

Commercial LPG prices hiked by ₹195.5 amid escalating West Asia conflict

Domestic cooking gas LPG rates, which were last hiked by ₹60 per 14.2-kg cylinder on March 7, remain unchanged

RoDTEP benefits for exporters extended till Sep 30 amid Iran crisis

Recent developments in West Asia have posed challenges for maritime logistics, including shifts in routing and transit patterns

ATF hiked by 8.5% for domestic airlines, more than doubles for others

Domestic airlines will pay half of what other carriers such as non-scheduled, adhoc and charter would pay. For them the prices have gone up by Rs 110,703.08 per kl

Indian Oil hikes premium petrol, diesel prices amid West Asia tensions

Indian Oil has hiked XP100 petrol price from ₹149 to ₹160 per litre and Xtra Green diesel from ₹91.49 to ₹92.99 per litre in Delhi

US flags India's satellite rules for DTH, internet curbs as trade barriers

The report noted that localised internet shutdowns restrict access to information and services, disrupting commercial operations, and thereby undermining a free and open internet