Economy
India, EU likely to conclude much awaited FTA talks on January 27
'Sensitive' agri issues may be off the table
 "India, EU likely to conclude much awaited FTA talks on January 27")
Unemployment rate inches up in Dec to 4.8%, still the second-lowest in FY26
The unemployment rate had fallen to an eight-month low of 4.7 per cent in November
 "Unemployment rate inches up in Dec to 4.8%, still the second-lowest in FY26")
Houses with Metro access show better financial discipline: EAC-PM paper
Housing lenders could treat metro connectivity as a mitigating risk factor, argues PM-EAC
 "Houses with Metro access show better financial discipline: EAC-PM paper")
India's exports rise 1.8% to $38.51 bn in Dec; trade deficit widens
Total exports for the month hit $38.51 billion despite geopolitical challenges, says government
 "India's exports rise 1.8% to $38.51 bn in Dec; trade deficit widens")
Unemployment rate rises marginally to 4.8% in December: Govt data
The overall UR is estimated at 4.8 per cent in December 2025 against 4.7 per cent observed in November 2025
 "Unemployment rate rises marginally to 4.8% in December: Govt data")
India-EU trade deal likely on Jan 27, EU leaders to attend summit in Delhi
President of the European Council Antonio Luis Santos da Costa and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen will be on a state visit to India from January 25 to 27
 "India-EU trade deal likely on Jan 27, EU leaders to attend summit in Delhi")
India's Russian oil imports likely to dip again, stranding cargoes at sea
The country imported about 1.3 million barrels a day of Russian crude in December, according to data from ship-tracking firms Vortexa Ltd. and Kpler
 "India's Russian oil imports likely to dip again, stranding cargoes at sea")
Exports to China rose in 2025, but trade deficit hit record high at $116 bn
Indian exports to China which over the years struggled to make headway climbed to $19.75 billion between January and December last year
 "Exports to China rose in 2025, but trade deficit hit record high at $116 bn")
Smartphone exports may have topped $30 billion in 2025 on PLI push
Phones make up 38% of India's outbound shipments since 2021 on PLI push
 "Smartphone exports may have topped $30 billion in 2025 on PLI push")
Datanomics: US imposes 25% tariff, worsening Iran's economic stress
As the US slaps fresh tariffs on Iran's trading partners, India faces little fallout - but the move underscores Tehran's deepening economic stress under decades of sanctions
 "Datanomics: US imposes 25% tariff, worsening Iran's economic stress")
Maharashtra overtakes Tamil Nadu in NITI's 2024 export preparedness index
Maharashtra has emerged as the most prepared large state in NITI Aayog's Export Preparedness Index 2024, overtaking Tamil Nadu as several other states gain ground
 "Maharashtra overtakes Tamil Nadu in NITI's 2024 export preparedness index")
India, US restart virtual trade talks; Sergio Gor presents credentials
India and the US have resumed virtual talks on a bilateral trade deal after the holiday break, with both sides signalling commitment but no timeline yet for in-person negotiations
 "India, US restart virtual trade talks; Sergio Gor presents credentials")
Wholesale inflation climbs to eight-month high of 0.83% in December
India's wholesale price inflation rose to an eight-month high of 0.83 per cent in December, ending a two-month deflationary spell as food prices stabilised and core inflation firmed up
 "Wholesale inflation climbs to eight-month high of 0.83% in December")
India's crude lifelines surge as sanctions reshape global oil flows
Recent geopolitical developments have seen record fuel supplies, expanded discounts on oil and robust domestic appetite for fuel
 "India's crude lifelines surge as sanctions reshape global oil flows")
RBI recognises FEDAI as self-regulatory organisation for authorised dealers
The Reserve Bank of India has recognised FEDAI as a self-regulatory organisation for authorised dealers, giving it a year to align governance and operations with the Omnibus SRO framework
 "RBI recognises FEDAI as self-regulatory organisation for authorised dealers")
Geoeconomic confrontation emerges as top global risk, says WEF report
The World Economic Forum's Global Risks Report 2026 flags geoeconomic confrontation as the biggest global threat, with interstate conflict, climate risks and polarisation close behind
 "Geoeconomic confrontation emerges as top global risk, says WEF report")
India's GDP to grow at 7.5-7.8% in FY26, 6.6-6.9% in FY27: Deloitte
Early in 2025, signals of external risks such as unpredictable trade policies, geopolitical tensions, and slowing growth among major partners prompted decisive action
 "India's GDP to grow at 7.5-7.8% in FY26, 6.6-6.9% in FY27: Deloitte")
India wholesale inflation rises to 0.83% in Dec 2025 against -0.32% in Nov
December 2025 WPI-based inflation: Positive rate is due to an increase in prices of other manufacturing, minerals, and the manufacturing of machinery and equipment
World Bank upgrades India's economic growth forecast to 6.5% for FY27
It highlighted AI and possible resolution of trade disputes as upside risks
 "World Bank upgrades India's economic growth forecast to 6.5% for FY27")
India's state finances face headwinds in FY26, says CareEdge report
The report suggests that growth in aggregate revenue receipts slowed to 7.2 per cent year-on-year during April-November 2025
 "India's state finances face headwinds in FY26, says CareEdge report")