Economy
India can be global hub for research, learning with state-led reforms: CEA
India is uniquely placed to benefit from demographics, technology and AI adoption, but state-led reforms under NEP 2020 will determine whether the country can emerge as a global research destination
 "India can be global hub for research, learning with state-led reforms: CEA")
India, Oman to sign free trade agreement on Thursday in Muscat
It will be signed in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is on a four-day, three-nation visit
 "India, Oman to sign free trade agreement on Thursday in Muscat")
Bringing down debt-to-GDP ratio will be govt's core focus: Sitharaman
The finance minister stressed that fiscal management remains a priority and must be consistently upheld year after year
 "Bringing down debt-to-GDP ratio will be govt's core focus: Sitharaman")
India's Russian oil imports strong, to exceed 1 mn barrels per day in Dec
Ties between the two countries have remained strong despite pressure from Western sanctions after Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi
 "India's Russian oil imports strong, to exceed 1 mn barrels per day in Dec")
Designing the future: Technology-led innovation for Viksit Bharat
Across sectors-transport, manufacturing, smart cities, water systems, renewable energy-the design technology-led innovation is reshaping how India creates
 "Designing the future: Technology-led innovation for Viksit Bharat")
Why the Indian judiciary needs new tests for economic adjudication
Judicial reforms need institutional reinvention as this is of the highest significance for economic disputes before the courts
 "Why the Indian judiciary needs new tests for economic adjudication")
Outbound shipments from India to China surge to $12.22 bn in Apr-Nov
Trend indicates Beijing is shifting its sourcing away from US, say officials
 "Outbound shipments from India to China surge to $12.22 bn in Apr-Nov")
India's new GDP series to reboot consumption maths as spending shifts
India will use household consumption survey data to estimate spending in the revised GDP series, reflecting a shift as families now spend more on non-food items than food
 "India's new GDP series to reboot consumption maths as spending shifts")
India, Jordan aim to double trade to $5 billion over the next five years
The two sides finalised agreements in the fields of culture, renewable energy, water management, digital public infrastructure and a twinning arrangement between Petra and Ellora
 "India, Jordan aim to double trade to $5 billion over the next five years")
Ethanol producers face overcapacity as blending program hits roadblock
For ethanol supply year (ESY) 2025-26, several ethanol producers have procurement orders below capacity, forcing some to pause expansion plans as policy uncertainty grows around the blending roadmap
 "Ethanol producers face overcapacity as blending program hits roadblock")
Tax hierarchy sees reshuffle as Odisha, Telangana take unexpected leads
Smaller states such as Odisha and Telangana are emerging as the fastest-growing contributors to GST and direct taxes, challenging the long-held dominance of India's traditional economic powerhouses
 "Tax hierarchy sees reshuffle as Odisha, Telangana take unexpected leads")
Centre planned to modify MGNREGA over repeated complaints: Shivraj Chouhan
Government introduces VB G-RAM-G bill in Parliament to replace MGNREGA amid strong opposition protest
 "Centre planned to modify MGNREGA over repeated complaints: Shivraj Chouhan")
40% cost on states under VB-G RAM G Bill to weaken rural jobs: Rahul Gandhi
Rahul Gandhi said the proposed VB-G RAM G Bill's 40% cost shift to states would undermine MGNREGA's core principles, weaken rural job security and centralise control over budgets, rules and works
 "40% cost on states under VB-G RAM G Bill to weaken rural jobs: Rahul Gandhi")
India's exports to China rise on petroleum and electronics shipments
India's exports to China rose from $ 9.20 billion in April-November 2024 to $ 12.22 billion in April-November 2025, an increase of 32.83 per cent year-on-year
 "India's exports to China rise on petroleum and electronics shipments")
RBI's $5 bn FX swap oversubscribed nearly twofold, draws over $10 bn
The RBI cut rates by 25 basis points earlier this month, and has cut them by a total of 125 basis points this year
 "RBI's $5 bn FX swap oversubscribed nearly twofold, draws over $10 bn")
Britain's Budget message is: If you invest in the country, we will back you
Indian businesses are in pole position to benefit from measures announced by Chancellor Rachel Reeves
 "Britain's Budget message is: If you invest in the country, we will back you")
India, Jordan aim to double bilateral trade to $5 bn in 5 years: MEA
Shortly after this briefing, PM Modi, along with King Abdullah II, will jointly address the India-Jordan Business Forum, which will be attended by leading business dignitaries from both countries
 "India, Jordan aim to double bilateral trade to $5 bn in 5 years: MEA")
India's flash PMI falls to 58.9 in Dec, growth at softest pace since Feb
Flash PMI December 2025: Both manufacturing and service sectors witnessed muted growth in business activity
 "India's flash PMI falls to 58.9 in Dec, growth at softest pace since Feb")
India's exports grow fastest in nearly 3.5 years; gold imports shrank
Shipments to US, China rose sharply in November
Centre proposes renaming MGNREGA to VB-G RaM G, to change funding pattern
The Centre has proposed renaming MGNREGA as VB-G RaM G, raising guaranteed workdays to 125 and shifting the funding pattern to 60:40, drawing criticism over diluted worker protections
 "Centre proposes renaming MGNREGA to VB-G RaM G, to change funding pattern")
