Economy

India forex reserves fall $1.27 bn to $719.75 bn as gold holdings dip

India's forex reserves fell by $1.27 billion to $719.75 billion in the week ended October 23, as a $2.65 billion decline in gold reserves outweighed gains in foreign currency assets.

Centre's fiscal deficit at ₹7.15 trillion in Apr-Sep, 42.1% of FY27 target

India's fiscal deficit rose from ₹5.7 trillion in April-September FY26 to ₹7.14 trillion in the first half of FY27, while capital expenditure increased to ₹6.5 trillion, according to government data

Cabinet approves ₹10,000 cr container manufacturing scheme: Why it matters

The scheme aims to raise India's annual container manufacturing capacity nearly tenfold to 750,000 TEUs, create jobs and reduce reliance on imports

Less-educated women drove India's female workforce growth: Icrier

A new Icrier report found that women with lower levels of education drove female workforce growth, while household responsibilities and wage gaps continued to shape women's employment across sectors

Centre notifies National Social Security Board for gig, platform workers

Established under the statutory framework of the Code on Social Security, this marks a historic shift by integrating digital gig and platform professionals into India's formal welfare architecture

India remains growth engine; Super El Nino impact yet to materialise: IMF

IMF to reassess India's growth projections in the January World Economic Outlook update after the risks posed by the weather event materialise

New RBI forex derivative rules make FCNR(B) hedging costlier for banks

Banks face higher costs to hedge interest payments on FCNR(B) deposits as RBI's new forex derivative rules require a 20 per cent reserve, while dollar-rupee forward premiums rise

Price stability top policy agenda in H2FY27 amid inflation: FinMin review

The finance ministry flagged elevated crude oil prices, food inflation and kharif crop uncertainty as key risks to price stability, while projecting 7.35% GDP growth in Q2FY27

India's pharma exports grow 4.9% to $16.14 bn in H1FY27 on Europe gains

India's pharmaceutical exports rose 4.9 per cent to $16.14 billion in H1FY27, driven by growth in Europe, ASEAN and Latin America, even as shipments to the US moderated.

2026 an inflection point resembling 1991: CEA V Anantha Nageswaran

Nageswaran calls for building strategic leverage for geopolitically contested resources

Services growth widens in August; 13 of 19 sectors post double-digit gains

NSO data shows 17 services sub-sectors expanded in August, led by retail trade, while repair services rebounded sharply and air transport contracted for a fifth straight month

Odisha plans integrated rare-earth corridor to boost mineral processing

The proposed Gopalpur cluster will integrate mineral extraction, processing and permanent-magnet manufacturing to strengthen Odisha's critical mineral value chain

CAG impact report shows recoveries worth ₹4,251 crore after audit in FY26

Recoveries fell short of amounts flagged in several major cases

Datanomics: Will US replace Singapore as India's top FDI destination?

Indian investment commitments of over $330 billion in the US could boost outward FDI flows, potentially challenging Singapore's position as the top destination for Indian investments.

US trade deal to give India strong comparative advantage, says Piyush Goyal

Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal says the proposed India-US trade agreement will protect farmers and other sensitive interests while strengthening India's position in global trade

India well placed to benefit from global supply chain shifts: EAC-PM chief

EAC-PM chairman S Mahendra Dev says India can gain from global supply chain shifts, but high business costs, land constraints and a shortage of mid-sized firms pose challenges

Uttar Pradesh mulls ₹5,500 crore investment in green energy infra

Battery systems at six thermal power plants to support clean energy supply and meet peak demand

Halt in Russian crude imports could raise costs for Indian refiners: Kpler

Refiners may face tighter competition for alternative supplies and higher freight and procurement costs, while limited scope to raise Venezuelan oil output could restrict access to cheaper heavy crude

India's GDP growth seen at 7.35% in Q2 FY27 amid risks: Finance ministry

Stronger industrial output, energy consumption, port traffic, GST collections and auto sales support the growth outlook, while inflation, energy price volatility and geopolitical tensions pose risks

US trade deal will protect all sensitive Indian interests: Piyush Goyal

The commerce minister said Indians would celebrate the agreement once its details are public, as negotiations continue following changes in the US tariff landscape