Economy
US senator pushes for pulses exports, calls for faster India-US trade deal
US Senator Steve Daines urged faster India-US trade talks, pressing for greater market access for American pulses, a long-standing and sensitive issue for New Delhi
 "US senator pushes for pulses exports, calls for faster India-US trade deal")
MMRDA signs 10 MoUs worth Rs 8.73 trillion on day one of WEF 2026
MMRDA signs $96 billion worth of MoUs at WEF 2026 Davos, boosting Mumbai 3.0 vision and reinforcing Maharashtra's push towards a $1 trillion economy
 "MMRDA signs 10 MoUs worth Rs 8.73 trillion on day one of WEF 2026")
Compressed biogas emerges as fast-growing pillar of India's energy mix
India's compressed biogas sector has expanded rapidly in recent years, aided by policy support, blending mandates and investment, though challenges around feedstock and scale persist
 "Compressed biogas emerges as fast-growing pillar of India's energy mix")
Ficci's manufacturing index reaches an all-time high in Q3 of FY26
Ficci's manufacturing index hit a record high in Q3 FY26, with 91% firms reporting stable or higher output, signalling strong demand and optimism across key sectors
 "Ficci's manufacturing index reaches an all-time high in Q3 of FY26")
Core sector growth slows to 3.7% in December on lower oil, gas output
However, core sector growth improved on a month-on-month basis in December, led by higher cement, steel, fertiliser and electricity output
 "Core sector growth slows to 3.7% in December on lower oil, gas output")
Shift from cereals to horticulture gains pace across Indian farms
The past decade has seen farmers slowly but steadily expand acreage under more lucrative fruits and vegetables, signalling a gradual diversification away from cereal crops
 "Shift from cereals to horticulture gains pace across Indian farms")
Why Assam's rapid growth is more than a low-base effect
An RBI report places Assam as India's fastest-growing state over five years, driven by fiscal discipline, infrastructure spending and administrative reform rather than a low-base rebound
 "Why Assam's rapid growth is more than a low-base effect")
India's insurance reforms mark a fundamental structural advance
The 2025 insurance law amendments removing the FDI cap signal a decisive shift towards capital depth, competition and technology, strengthening India's push for Insurance for All
 "India's insurance reforms mark a fundamental structural advance")
25% US tariff may affect Iran's Chennai Petroleum Corp dividend claims
Fresh US tariffs on Iran may hit dividend flows to CPCL's Iranian shareholder, though operations stay insulated as the refiner deepens retail foray and expansion plans
 "25% US tariff may affect Iran's Chennai Petroleum Corp dividend claims")
Commerce dept pushing for major tweaks in SEZ norms to counter US tariffs
An overhaul of the existing two-decade-old law governing SEZs has been under discussion for almost four years
 "Commerce dept pushing for major tweaks in SEZ norms to counter US tariffs")
Early-bird results in Q3 show worst earnings growth in 17 quarters
IT firms, RIL slow profit growth; banks biggest laggards in revenue
 "Early-bird results in Q3 show worst earnings growth in 17 quarters")
India ranks sixth in Asia manufacturing index 2026, needs sharper push
Malaysia jumps to second place; China stays on top
IMF upgrades India's FY27 GDP growth to 6.4% despite trade risks
For FY26, the Fund, in its World Economic Outlook, revised its GDP growth forecast upwards to 7.3%
 "IMF upgrades India's FY27 GDP growth to 6.4% despite trade risks")
SME chatroom: Para 4.15 of FTP vs ANF 7A - Procedure defeats policy intent
DGFT procedures and ANF 7A requirements risk undermining Foreign Trade Policy benefits, raising concerns over deemed exports, duty drawback claims and delayed rollout of interest subvention
 "SME chatroom: Para 4.15 of FTP vs ANF 7A - Procedure defeats policy intent")
India, UAE set $200 billion trade target, deepen nuclear and infra ties
India, UAE announced a dozen outcomes after talks between PM Modi and President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, including a $200 billion trade target, nuclear cooperation and new investments
 "India, UAE set $200 billion trade target, deepen nuclear and infra ties")
India-EU Summit: Bilateral trade, defence and mobility deals on table
A military contingent from the EU, featuring the military staff flag and flags of Operations Atalanta and Aspides, the naval operations of the grouping, will feature at the Republic Day parade
 "India-EU Summit: Bilateral trade, defence and mobility deals on table")
IMF upgrades India's FY27 GDP growth forecast to 6.4% despite trade risks
IMF has also revised India's GDP growth forecast to 6.4 per cent for fiscal year 2026-27 beginning April 1, 2026, from its earlier estimate of 6.2 per cent
 "IMF upgrades India's FY27 GDP growth forecast to 6.4% despite trade risks")
Government bond yields rise to 10-month high tracking US Treasury yields
India's benchmark 10-year government bond yield rose to a 10-month high of 6.68% amid rising US Treasury yields, while markets await cues from the state bond auction
 "Government bond yields rise to 10-month high tracking US Treasury yields")
Piyush Goyal meets US ambassador, Senator Daines to discuss bilateral ties
The bilateral ties are strained after Trump imposed a 50 per cent tariff on India, including a 25 per cent additional import duty for India's purchase of Russian crude oil
 "Piyush Goyal meets US ambassador, Senator Daines to discuss bilateral ties")
India likely to enter upper-middle income group by 2030: SBI Research
According to an SBI Research report, India is expected to enter the World Bank's upper-middle income category by around 2030, though faster growth will be needed to reach high-income status by 2047
 "India likely to enter upper-middle income group by 2030: SBI Research")