Economy
Higher wages fail to move the needle for workers amid rising living costs
Rising living expenses, fear of contract hiring cast shadow on real gains
 "Higher wages fail to move the needle for workers amid rising living costs")
India spreads LNG supply basket to Africa, barred Russian projects
Importers explore cargoes from Russia and Norway as Qatar supply disruptions and geopolitical tensions force diversification and raise questions over sanctioned LNG sourcing
 "India spreads LNG supply basket to Africa, barred Russian projects")
Indian refiners pay for Iran oil in yuan via ICICI Bank, says report
Indian refiners use yuan via ICICI to settle rare Iranian oil purchases under US waiver, as sanctions and payment hurdles complicate trade
 "Indian refiners pay for Iran oil in yuan via ICICI Bank, says report")
West Asia crisis: More destinations added to RELIEF scheme for exporters
Govt expands RELIEF scheme to Egypt, Jordan, tweaks export norms to aid firms hit by West Asia disruptions and improve DGFT approvals
 "West Asia crisis: More destinations added to RELIEF scheme for exporters")
Govt belatedly lists major banks authorised to import gold and silver
List of 17 banks valid until March 2029; delay briefly disrupted bullion mkt
 "Govt belatedly lists major banks authorised to import gold and silver")
PNGRB says LPG pipeline expansion plan to attract ₹12,500 crore investment
Regulator invites bids for LPG pipeline projects to reduce bulk road transport, improve efficiency and support cleaner energy distribution
 "PNGRB says LPG pipeline expansion plan to attract ₹12,500 crore investment")
India's projects economy is going digital, and that changes everything
As India enters a massive infrastructure build-out phase, digital tools, startups and data-driven systems are transforming project execution, improving efficiency and reshaping the construction ecosys
 "India's projects economy is going digital, and that changes everything")
Gold imports rise 24% to hit all-time high of $71.98 billion in 2025-26
Gold imports stood at $58 billion in 2024-25. It was $45.54 billion in 2023-24 and $35 billion in 2022-23
 "Gold imports rise 24% to hit all-time high of $71.98 billion in 2025-26")
India's forex kitty jumps $3.8 billion to reclaim $700-billion mark
In the previous reporting week ended April 3, the overall reserves had jumped $9.063 billion to $697.121 billion
 "India's forex kitty jumps $3.8 billion to reclaim $700-billion mark")
Govt lists banks allowed to import gold, silver after delay disrupts flows
Authorised by the RBI, the order permits 15 banks, including the State Bank of India, HDFC Bank, and Bank of India, to import both gold and silver from April 1, 2026, to March 31, 2029
 "Govt lists banks allowed to import gold, silver after delay disrupts flows")
Electricity consumption sees slowest growth in years on cooler weather
Energy supplied by state power retailers during the year rose almost 1 per cent, the worst performance since 2021 when electricity use declined due to the pandemic
 "Electricity consumption sees slowest growth in years on cooler weather")
Refiners likely used yuan through ICICI Bank for payment of Iranian oil
Last month, Washington unveiled 30-day waivers on US sanctions for the purchase of Russian and Iranian oil at sea in an attempt to ease prices that were driven up by the US-Israeli war on Iran
 "Refiners likely used yuan through ICICI Bank for payment of Iranian oil")
RBI pulls out ₹2 trillion transient liquidity via 7-day VRRR auction
The RBI accepted the bid at a 5.24 per cent cut-off rate and 5.23 per cent weighted average rate
 "RBI pulls out ₹2 trillion transient liquidity via 7-day VRRR auction")
RBI asks state oil refiners to curb spot dollar buying, says report
The state-run refiners have been asked to access the credit line via the State Bank of India, the sources said. SBI is India's largest bank and is state-backed
 "RBI asks state oil refiners to curb spot dollar buying, says report")
India's marine products exports up, rice down in FY26: Trade data
India's marine exports rise nearly 14% in FY26 despite tariffs and war impact, while rice shipments decline amid weak prices and West Asia disruptions
 "India's marine products exports up, rice down in FY26: Trade data")
West Asia conflict: US waiver ends, India to keep Russia oil tap open
Indian refiners plan to continue sourcing Russian crude from non-sanctioned suppliers and vessels despite US decision not to renew temporary sanctions waivers
 "West Asia conflict: US waiver ends, India to keep Russia oil tap open")
US Section 301 investigation: India Inc rejects excess capacity premise
In submissions to USTR, industry bodies flag risks to supply chain ties
 "US Section 301 investigation: India Inc rejects excess capacity premise")
MSME copper recyclers face shutdown risk amid West Asia conflict
Units warn of permanent shutdowns and curtailed operations as West Asia conflict disrupts scrap supply, raises costs, and strains liquidity; government relief sought
 "MSME copper recyclers face shutdown risk amid West Asia conflict")
IMF urges targeted buffers, reforms for India amid West Asia shock
IMF advises India to deploy fiscal buffers through targeted support as prolonged West Asia crisis could intensify energy shocks and disrupt growth across Asia
 "IMF urges targeted buffers, reforms for India amid West Asia shock")
Currency in circulation surged 11.9% in FY26, most in five years
As a percentage of India's GDP, it declined to 12.1% from 14.4% in FY21, say experts
 "Currency in circulation surged 11.9% in FY26, most in five years")