Economy

LNG prices surge to multiyear highs as West Asia war squeezes supplies

West Asian supply disruptions and low European gas storage are pushing LNG prices higher, forcing price-sensitive Indian buyers to compete with Europe for cargoes

Only 23% of rural LPG users rely on it exclusively, finds CEEW study

Around 73 per cent of rural households used LPG in the previous 90 days, but refill costs, last-mile delivery gaps and informal access continue to constrain sustained use

Weekly policy watch: Coal gasification deadline, forex reserves in focus

The week's policy agenda will focus on the coal gasification scheme, possible changes to plantation FDI rules and fresh forex reserves data

Private firms' capex rises 7% to ₹30.3 trillion in FY25, shows govt data

In FY24, they had made a capital expenditure of ₹28.3 trillion, showing an annual growth of 2.65%, as per the detailed Gross Fixed Capital Formation figures for FY25 released by the ministry

BS Roundtable: Swapan Dasgupta to set the tone at Bengal Beckons on Monday

Finance Minister Swapan Dasgupta will be the star attraction at the first edition of a Business Standard Roundtable in the state, Bengal Beckons, on Monday

Trust deficit in GDP data is a political issue: Rajeeva Karandikar

Former NSC chief Rajeeva Karandikar defends India's new GDP series, calling for greater transparency while rejecting claims of data manipulation

Govt mulls FDI liberalisation to bring more crops under plantation sector

India has received $295.23 million FDI in tea and coffee (processing and warehousing coffee), and $3.93 billion in rubber goods during April 2000 and March 2026

Braj region to be developed on lines of Ayodhya and Kashi: UP CM Adityanath

Uttar Pradesh chief minister says Braj Bhoomi will get improved infrastructure and facilities for devotees while preserving its spiritual and cultural significance

Govt sells 4,000 tonnes of buffer onions across 17 cities to cool prices

The Centre, through its agencies NCCF and Nafed, is sitting on a buffer stock of 1.21 lakh tonnes of onion for 2026

Weekly economy wrap: GDP beats estimates, but inflation risks remain

India's economy started FY27 on a strong footing, but questions emerged over the 7.8 per cent GDP growth in Q1 and the methodology behind it

Turnover-linked levy could be fairer for gig workers than payouts

A contribution mechanism for gig-worker social security that is linked to individual transactions rather than an aggregator's turnover could create a sharply uneven financial burden

India emerges as key diesel supplier to Europe as Russian, US flows falter

About 2,00,000 barrels per day of diesel (gasoil) transited the Bab-el-Mandeb in August on vessels bound for Europe, close to year-earlier levels

India's sugar flip-flop highlights fault lines in agri trade policy regime

The decision to import 1 MT of raw sugar after allowing exports earlier in the season has revived questions over crop estimates, policy predictability and the cost of repeated trade interventions

Eway bills rise 7.7% to 139.08 mn in August, third highest on record

August recorded the third-highest monthly eway bill count, signalling sustained momentum in goods movement and formal economic activity ahead of the festive season

Odisha plans integrated university township with industry focus

The proposed integrated university township is part of the Centre's university townships plan announced during Union Budget 2026-27

India's FDI paradox: Record gross inflows run into investor exits

Record inflows offset by higher repatriation and rising outward investment, keeping net FDI subdued

World Bank's Mishra pushes back on doubts over strength of India's growth

World Bank Executive Director Neelkanth Mishra said high-frequency indicators such as vehicle sales, cement volumes and credit demand point to strong economic momentum despite doubts over GDP data

India's data centre boom may add just 0.13% to GDP by 2030: Moody's

Despite billions of dollars in announced data centre investments, India's GDP gains may remain limited by 2030 as high import dependence curbs domestic value addition and job creation

Methodology of new GDP series is questionable, says Pronab Sen

Pronab Sen, the first chief statistician of India, in a telephonic conversation with Asit Ranjan Mishra, explains his key concern about the latest gross domestic product (GDP) data and the criticism h

India-New Zealand free-trade agreement likely to take effect next month

The New Zealand deal comes as India accelerates negotiations with several trading partners to expand market access for its exporters and strengthen supply chains