Economy

Datanomics: Services cushion shrinks as trade deficit pushes CAD deeper

Within the BoP, the current account yielded a deficit (CAD) in the first quarter of financial year 2026-27 (Q1FY27), reversing the surplus seen in Q4FY26, as the merchandise trade deficit widened

A quick guide to GST Council's key decisions on tax and compliance

From easier input tax credit claims to automated registration and a ₹40-crore cap on penalty-only appeals, the proposed changes seek to reduce compliance friction.

GST Council unveils major reforms, eases penalties and speeds up refunds

Measures ease compliance through simpler registrations, quicker refunds, wider tax credit access and relief on penalties and enforcement

Home-cooked meals get 10% dearer in Sep on higher onion, oil, LPG prices

The cost of a home-cooked vegetarian thali rose 10 per cent year-on-year in September, driven by higher prices of onion, vegetable oil, rice and LPG, according to a report released on Thursday.

Inflation pressures broaden as 37% of CPI basket rises above 4%: RBI

RBI's October Monetary Policy Report flags widening price pressures across goods and services, with food and fuel inflation adding to concerns over second-round effects

State-owned banks raise repo-linked lending rates by 25 bps after RBI move

Several banks, including BoB, PNB and Indian Bank, raise repo-linked lending rates by 25 bps after the RBI's policy rate increase, making loans costlier for borrowers

Monsoon deficit threatens crop output, adds to food inflation risks

The southwest monsoon was both patchy and deficient. That has hurt key farm regions and raised concerns over food prices

Confident of hitting $1 trillion exports target in FY27: Piyush Goyal

Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal says India's export target is achievable despite subdued global trade growth, citing strong domestic businesses, MSMEs and new FTAs

PM Modi welcomes fresh GST reforms to ease compliance, speed up refunds

The prime minister said that the GST Council's recommendations on removal of arrest provisions, greater decriminalisation and simpler procedures will have a very positive impact

GST Council allows employers to claim ITC on group insurance coverage

The GST Council's decision to allow input tax credit on employee group health and life insurance is expected to reduce coverage costs for employers, particularly MSMEs

GST reforms address 99% of rate, process issues, says FM Nirmala Sitharaman

The FM said the Council has also taken steps to make the movement of goods smoother by limiting inspections, detention and seizure to officers of the supplier or destination state

GST Council widens input tax credit scope, eases refund rules for firms

Businesses will be able to claim credit on employee insurance, telecom towers, pipelines and certain free samples, while refunds will be widened to input services and machinery

Is India's inflation problem spreading beyond food and fuel prices?

India's inflation rose to 4.8% in August from 3.4% in March, with food and fuel leading the rise, while core prices and services are now showing signs of wider pressure

Domestic refiners shun costly Russian oil as West Asia flows recover

Surging prices for Russia's flagship Urals crude loaded in the Baltic, a mainstay for Indian refiners, are driving the pullback

India's dealmaking broadens: 255 M&As worth $13.2 bn in Q3 of 2026

Deal volumes rose 7% from the previous quarter, while deal values fell 53% from $27.9 billion in Q2

India, 13 nations call for global action to curb excess industrial capacity

The countries said structural excess capacity and non-market policies distort markets, hurt domestic industries and widen supply-demand imbalances

Households turn wary on prices as consumer confidence slips: RBI surveys

The RBI's latest surveys show a widening gap between household price concerns and economic confidence, even as spending intentions remain resilient across urban and rural India

India inflation likely rose to 5.4% in Sep on food, energy costs: Poll

Consumer inflation is expected to have risen to 5.4% in September from 4.82% in August, as higher food and crude oil prices add to inflationary pressures

Govt bond yields near three-year high after RBI's hawkish policy shift

The benchmark 10-year government bond yield rises to 7.24 per cent as the RBI shifts to withdrawal of accommodation, with foreign outflows and oil prices adding pressure

Rate hike to widen banks' margins as EBLR-linked loans reprice faster

Deposit rates may rise with a lag, credit demand seen holding up