Economy

Cabinet clears ₹5,000 crore equity infusion into SIDBI to boost MSME credit

The government's phased equity support aims to strengthen SIDBI's capital base, expand MSME lending, improve credit access and support employment growth while keeping capital adequacy well above regul

India-EU trade deal almost done, Spain's Albares signals stronger ties

Everything is going forward perfectly. We do not expect any obstacle," Spain's Foreign Minister Albares said after bilateral meetings with Jaishankar

Cabinet clears ₹5,000 cr equity infusion into Sidbi to boost MSME credit

The equity infusion into Sidbi will be provided over three years to strengthen its capital base and expand credit flow to MSMEs, with support expected to reach 2.6 million additional units by FY28

Fertiliser imports set for record $18 billion this fiscal year: Officials

In the first ​nine months of the fiscal year that ends in March, India's fertiliser imports surged 71 per cent from a year earlier to $13.98 billion

India stopped buying Russian oil after Trump's 25% tariff, claims Bessent

The Trump administration is weighing a Russia sanctions bill by Senator Lindsey Graham that would allow the US to impose tariffs of at least 500 per cent on countries that continue buying Russian oil

BPCL leads push to lock in long-term Middle East crude oil purchases

BPCL, as the company is known, has issued tenders for three grades - Abu Dhabi's Murban, Iraqi Basrah and Oman crude - for delivery from April to March 2027

India's December core sector output hit highest level so far in FY26

India's core sector output hit a FY26 high in December, with year-on-year growth rising to a four-month peak of 3.7%, led by electricity, cement and steel

Americans pay the bulk of tariffs on Indian exports, finds study

Indian exporters did not cut prices after the US imposed 50% tariffs, instead reducing volumes, leaving American consumers to bear most of the tariff burden, a Kiel study finds

India's oil bill plunges 8.5% in December amid falling crude prices

The country benefited from lower crude oil prices, driven by an oversupplied global market and subdued demand conditions

US senator Steve Daines pushes for American pulses' access to Indian market

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

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

UAE deal offers timely financial backstop as foreign investors pull out

A short visit by UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed has resulted in investment plans linked to GIFT City and infrastructure, offering a confidence boost amid sustained foreign fund outflows

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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