Economy

Fed keeps interest rates unchanged, awaits more data on inflation

The US Federal Reserve held interest rates at 3.75-4.00% in a 10-2 vote, citing persistent inflation, as two policymakers backed a 25-basis-point hike ahead of the midterm elections.

Centre cuts MRPs for trade-margin-capped cancer meds by up to 93%

Major innovator brands see no price reductions despite cuts of up to 93 per cent for some cancer medicines; patient groups say PAP exclusions and data gaps have diluted relief

Cabinet approves ₹10,000 crore scheme to boost container manufacturing

The scheme will offer financial support to domestic container manufacturers until 2039-40, aiming to cut import dependence, bridge cost gaps and boost annual capacity tenfold to 750,000 TEUs

Industrial output growth slips to four-month low of 6.7% in September

This is the weakest reading since May, when the Index of Industrial Production grew 5 per cent

Cabinet approves ₹7,395 crore scheme to make panchayats self-reliant

The Rs 7,395 crore scheme aims to strengthen over 2.5 lakh gram panchayats through capacity-building, better use of Finance Commission grants and mobilisation of their own revenue

Cabinet clears ₹10,000 cr scheme to boost domestic container manufacturing

The 13-year scheme aims to raise annual capacity to 750,000 TEUs, attract 15-20% of global container manufacturing to India and generate over 50,000 indirect jobs

India, Mexico formally begin preferential trade agreement negotiations

The proposed agreement will cover market access, rules of origin, customs procedures and trade remedies as India looks to deepen its trade footprint in Latin America

UP emerging as major hub for investment, innovation, industry: CM Yogi

Adityanath is scheduled to meet with a high-level Singapore delegation in Uttar Pradesh to expand economic cooperation and accelerate investments in the state

India's growth seen losing momentum after strong start to fiscal year: Poll

The US-Israeli-led war with Iran has so far had limited impact on ​economic growth, but it has pushed up inflation mainly through higher energy costs

Govt may ease FDI paperwork for entities with up to 10% LBC ownership

The government is considering easing paperwork for certain foreign investors under revised FDI norms, while advancing import substitution plans and allocating funds to support startups

India no longer catching up but creating new technologies: PM Modi

The Prime Minister calls for bold innovation as India steps up investment in emerging technologies and scientific research

UP to begin work on key industrial projects ahead of Assembly elections

State Cabinet approves four link expressways worth ₹17,542 crore, a robotics park in Greater Noida and GCC projects involving investments of ₹1,710 crore ahead of Assembly polls

Haryana power reform faces setback as govt opposes private distribution

Haryana's move to allow Eleven Power to compete with state-run DHBVN faces political headwinds and employee protests, raising questions over the future of Open Access in the power sector

BFSI Summit 2026: Focus must be on labour-intensive growth, say economists

At the BFSI Insight Summit 2026, economists warned that AI and capital-intensive growth could threaten job creation, calling for labour-intensive manufacturing and faster skilling

GST officers told to split multi-yr tax notices, substantiate fraud claims

CBIC's new circulars seek greater clarity in GST notices and adjudication, while easing registration requirements, export payment rules and input tax credit distribution

Looking beyond GST 2.0: Why compliance reforms are the next big test

The next phase of GST reforms, promises simpler registration, quicker refunds and wider input tax credit, but businesses say deeper structural and administrative changes are needed

Venezuelan crude offers Reliance margin boost, but supply is a hurdle

Marco Rubio's meeting with Mukesh Ambani has revived interest in Venezuelan crude, but limited supply and strong global refining margins could constrain Reliance's advantage over rivals

Expenditure quality key to states' long-term fiscal health: RBI Governor

RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra urged states to improve expenditure quality, adopt prudent borrowing and cash management practices, and use ULI and programmable CBDC for direct transfers

GST relief not enough to make health insurance affordable, say experts

Business Standard BFSI Insight Summit 2026: Experts said GST relief has eased premiums, but high medical costs, underinsurance, and a trust deficit remain key barriers to wider coverage

India needs $500 bn by 2030 to decarbonise key sectors: CEEW report

A CEEW-GFC and Tata Sons report says $10 billion in catalytic capital could mobilise $50 billion in blended finance to support India's transition to low-carbon technologies.