Economy
Record seafood shipments mask stress in key markets, say exporters
India's seafood exports hit a record in FY26, but exporters warn that rupee depreciation and weak demand in key markets like the US mask underlying stress
 "Record seafood shipments mask stress in key markets, say exporters")
India fiscal deficit may breach target, rise to 4.5% in FY27: BMI
Fitch warns India's fiscal deficit may exceed the FY27 target due to higher subsidies and policy support, while Moody's sees rising inflation and unemployment risks
 "India fiscal deficit may breach target, rise to 4.5% in FY27: BMI")
West Asia conflict prompted MPC status quo, flag external sector risks
RBI holds rates amid West Asia risks, as MPC flags inflation, supply shocks, and external pressures while maintaining a cautious growth outlook
 "West Asia conflict prompted MPC status quo, flag external sector risks")
RBI proposes measures to strengthen Prepaid Payment Instruments framework
Accordingly, a draft Master Direction on Prepaid Payment Instruments was issued, and comments were invited by May 22, 2026
 "RBI proposes measures to strengthen Prepaid Payment Instruments framework")
MPC members voted for status quo on rates amid W. Asia crisis: RBI minutes
The central bank's six-member MPC voted unanimously to keep the benchmark repurchase rate at 5.25 per cent
 "MPC members voted for status quo on rates amid W. Asia crisis: RBI minutes")
India can sustain growth despite crude at $90-100 per barrel: Assocham
India can sustain economic growth despite crude prices in the $90-100 per barrel range, supported by strong consumption, infrastructure spending and macroeconomic resilience
 "India can sustain growth despite crude at $90-100 per barrel: Assocham")
State-wise gaps in SASCI fund utilisation widen as scheme expands: SBI
SBI report highlights widening gaps in SASCI fund utilisation across states, with uneven absorption and signs of substitution as the scheme expands in scale and complexity
 "State-wise gaps in SASCI fund utilisation widen as scheme expands: SBI")
Government eyes E85 fuel rollout, but is India ready for the shift?
Reports suggest the government may soon notify E85 fuel rules as India eyes higher ethanol blends, but experts flag gaps in vehicle readiness, infrastructure, pricing, and transition timelines
 "Government eyes E85 fuel rollout, but is India ready for the shift?")
India's unemployment to tick up, inflation to rise in 2026: Moody's
Moody's Analytics projects India's unemployment rate to edge up to 7 per cent in 2026, while inflation may rise to 4.5 per cent, the highest among Asia-Pacific peers
 "India's unemployment to tick up, inflation to rise in 2026: Moody's")
IPL travel economy amid West Asia crisis: Under pressure or holding steady?
IPL continues to drive strong domestic travel demand despite West Asia crisis, though rising fuel costs and weaker inbound traffic pose emerging risks for airlines and hospitality
 "IPL travel economy amid West Asia crisis: Under pressure or holding steady?")
FIEO asks exporters to engage with US buyers for tariff refund share
FIEO President S C Ralhan said that there is no legal right of Indian exporters on those refunds, as only the US businesses are getting the refunds
 "FIEO asks exporters to engage with US buyers for tariff refund share")
India's textile exports grow 2.1% to ₹3.16 trn in FY26 despite US tariffs
The growth comes despite the sector facing steep tariffs imposed by the US, its largest export destination, for most of the financial year
 "India's textile exports grow 2.1% to ₹3.16 trn in FY26 despite US tariffs")
India's marine product exports surge to all-time high of ₹72,325 cr: MPEDA
India's marine exports rose to a record ₹72,325 crore in FY26, driven by shrimp and market diversification despite global trade disruptions
 "India's marine product exports surge to all-time high of ₹72,325 cr: MPEDA")
India's seafood exports hit record ₹72,325 cr in FY26 despite US tariffs
India's seafood exports reached a record high in FY26, with growth in China, EU and Southeast Asia helping offset a decline in shipments to the US due to higher tariffs
 "India's seafood exports hit record ₹72,325 cr in FY26 despite US tariffs")
LNG vessel flagged off from US, to bolster energy supply chain: Gail
The vessel with a carrying capacity of 174,000 cubic meter (cbm) was flagged off on April 20 and is now en route to India
 "LNG vessel flagged off from US, to bolster energy supply chain: Gail")
How South Korea tie-up could help India reduce costly freight dependence
New framework with South Korea links shipyard capacity, technology and orders to India's push to reduce reliance on foreign carriers
 "How South Korea tie-up could help India reduce costly freight dependence")
India's fertiliser production sees weakest growth in 13 years in FY26
India's fertiliser output contracts in FY26, hit by LNG shortages and shutdowns, marking the sector's weakest performance in over a decade
 "India's fertiliser production sees weakest growth in 13 years in FY26")
Broader 'export incentives' definition in ITA 2025 prompts CBDT clarity
Experts warn wider wording in new income-tax law could expand tax scope to indirect benefits, urging CBDT to clarify and prevent disputes for exporters
 "Broader 'export incentives' definition in ITA 2025 prompts CBDT clarity")
India's crude oil import bill fell 5% in March amid West Asia conflict
Natural gas consumption up 7% as government promotes usage
 "India's crude oil import bill fell 5% in March amid West Asia conflict")
Indian exporters may not get US tariff refunds, but pricing power improves
Indian exporters are linked to about $12 billion of the total refunds. Textiles and apparel account for roughly $4 billion of that amount
 "Indian exporters may not get US tariff refunds, but pricing power improves")