Economy

Two-thirds of MSMEs use AI, but only 21% deploy business software: Study

A CII-ISB study finds 65.8 per cent of surveyed MSMEs use AI tools, but just 21 per cent deploy ERP or customised software, highlighting gaps in technology adoption and productivity.

Indian Railways' freight loading rises 6.14% to 135.5 mt in September

Coal loading rose 9 per cent in September, while freight revenue increased 9.3 per cent year-on-year, as Indian Railways transported 135.5 million tonnes of goods during the month

India grows with the world, not at anyone's cost, says PM Narendra Modi

Addressing the Bloomberg New Economy Forum, PM Narendra Modi stressed global cooperation, democratisation of technology and India's commitment to reforms amid uncertainty

GEC-III opens door to competitive bidding for state power transmission

The Rs 1.86 trillion GEC-III scheme aims to strengthen intra-state transmission networks and battery storage, while using competitive bidding to reduce costs and improve renewable energy evacuation

CEA chairman flags fuel supply concerns as electricity demand rises sharply

CEA Chairman Ghanshyam Prasad warns of depleting coal stocks at power plants amid rising demand, calling for more baseload capacity and a balanced mix of energy resources

Strong statistical systems key to achieving Viksit Bharat goal: P K Mishra

Principal Secretary to the PM P K Mishra calls for credible statistics, granular data, technology adoption and stronger Centre-state coordination to improve policy decisions and outcomes

Tamil Nadu overtakes Telangana with highest retail inflation in September

Tamil Nadu's retail inflation rose to 6.81 per cent in September, while Telangana slipped to fourth place as all-India inflation climbed to 5.54 per cent amid rising food prices

Indian Railways freight loading rises 6.1% to 135.5 mt in September

Freight loading rose 6.14 per cent year-on-year, while revenue increased 9.3 per cent to Sep 2025 levels, with coal loading up 9 per cent and daily coal rake supply to power plants rising 11.6 per cen

Odisha spends only 25% of capital outlay, 33% of annual estimate by Sep

The state spent ₹18,183 crore of its ₹72,100 crore capital outlay by September, while overall expenditure reached ₹94,463 crore

IMF raises India's FY27 growth forecast to 7% on strong domestic demand

The IMF raised its FY27 growth forecast for India, citing resilient domestic demand and robust services activity, and lifted its FY28 projection to 7 per cent from 6.7 per cent

Govt's free trade push could lead to $140 billion GDP gain for India

The surge in US tariffs since President Donald Trump returned to the White House in January 2025 is redrawing global trade links

IMF raises India's growth forecast to 7% in FY27 on strong domestic demand

The IMF has raised India's FY27 growth forecast to 7% from 6.4%, citing resilient domestic demand and robust services activity, and lifted its FY28 projection to 7%

Food, fuel push retail inflation to 23-month high of 5.54% in September

Retail inflation rose from 4.83% in August as food inflation climbed to 7.74%, led by a sharp rise in onion prices, while transport and services costs added to pressure

Chatroom: How to reduce demurrage on detained import consignments

TNC Rajagopalan answers SME queries related to GST, export and import matters

Transit states can intercept e-way bill vehicles on specific intelligence

GST Council proposes curbs on transit-state inspections, while pushing wider e-invoicing, stronger data analytics and a facilitative approach to tax compliance

India's poverty rate seen falling by 2.1% to 12.1% by 2028: World Bank

Poverty reduction to slow despite gains in jobs, consumption, and social transfers

'FTAs can add $170 billion to India's GDP by 2035, cushion US tariffs'

Bloomberg Economics estimates that India's expanding trade agreements could lift GDP by up to 2.1 per cent by 2035, while stronger exports elsewhere help offset US tariffs

FTAs to push global carmakers to make in India, says Piyush Goyal

Piyush Goyal says calibrated tariff concessions on car imports under India's trade pacts with the EU and UK will help global automakers assess demand and encourage local manufacturing

Fisme urges SME Growth Fund aid for MSMEs with SMA-2, NPA loan accounts

Fisme wants the ₹10,000-crore SME Growth Fund to support financially stressed MSMEs with SMA-2 or NPA accounts, provided they have credible plans to revive their businesses

Uttar Pradesh govt targets 4.8 million tonnes of oilseeds output

Uttar Pradesh targets 4.8 million tonnes of oilseeds output in FY27, backed by 5 million free seed kits and ₹950 crore in subsidies for seeds and agricultural machinery.