Economy
India, Jordan aim to double trade to $5 billion over the next five years
The two sides finalised agreements in the fields of culture, renewable energy, water management, digital public infrastructure and a twinning arrangement between Petra and Ellora
 "India, Jordan aim to double trade to $5 billion over the next five years")
Ethanol producers face overcapacity as blending program hits roadblock
For ethanol supply year (ESY) 2025-26, several ethanol producers have procurement orders below capacity, forcing some to pause expansion plans as policy uncertainty grows around the blending roadmap
 "Ethanol producers face overcapacity as blending program hits roadblock")
Tax hierarchy sees reshuffle as Odisha, Telangana take unexpected leads
Smaller states such as Odisha and Telangana are emerging as the fastest-growing contributors to GST and direct taxes, challenging the long-held dominance of India's traditional economic powerhouses
 "Tax hierarchy sees reshuffle as Odisha, Telangana take unexpected leads")
India's exports to China see 90% growth to $2.2 billion in November
Trend indicates Beijing is shifting its sourcing away from US, say officials
 "India's exports to China see 90% growth to $2.2 billion in November")
Centre planned to modify MGNREGA over repeated complaints: Shivraj Chouhan
Government introduces VB G-RAM-G bill in Parliament to replace MGNREGA amid strong opposition protest
 "Centre planned to modify MGNREGA over repeated complaints: Shivraj Chouhan")
Rupee breaches 91 as foreign outflows persist, trade deal delay weighs
The rupee is currently the worst-performing Asian currency, with 5.95 per cent depreciation witnessed in 2025 so far
 "Rupee breaches 91 as foreign outflows persist, trade deal delay weighs")
40% cost on states under VB-G RAM G Bill to weaken rural jobs: Rahul Gandhi
Rahul Gandhi said the proposed VB-G RAM G Bill's 40% cost shift to states would undermine MGNREGA's core principles, weaken rural job security and centralise control over budgets, rules and works
 "40% cost on states under VB-G RAM G Bill to weaken rural jobs: Rahul Gandhi")
India's exports to China rise on petroleum and electronics shipments
India's exports to China rose from $ 9.20 billion in April-November 2024 to $ 12.22 billion in April-November 2025, an increase of 32.83 per cent year-on-year
 "India's exports to China rise on petroleum and electronics shipments")
RBI's $5 bn FX swap oversubscribed nearly twofold, draws over $10 bn
The RBI cut rates by 25 basis points earlier this month, and has cut them by a total of 125 basis points this year
 "RBI's $5 bn FX swap oversubscribed nearly twofold, draws over $10 bn")
Britain's Budget message is: If you invest in the country, we will back you
Indian businesses are in pole position to benefit from measures announced by Chancellor Rachel Reeves
 "Britain's Budget message is: If you invest in the country, we will back you")
India, Jordan aim to double bilateral trade to $5 bn in 5 years: MEA
Shortly after this briefing, PM Modi, along with King Abdullah II, will jointly address the India-Jordan Business Forum, which will be attended by leading business dignitaries from both countries
 "India, Jordan aim to double bilateral trade to $5 bn in 5 years: MEA")
India's flash PMI falls to 58.9 in Dec, growth at softest pace since Feb
Flash PMI December 2025: Both manufacturing and service sectors witnessed muted growth in business activity
 "India's flash PMI falls to 58.9 in Dec, growth at softest pace since Feb")
India's exports grow fastest in nearly 3.5 years; gold imports shrank
Shipments to US, China rose sharply in November
Centre proposes renaming MGNREGA to VB-G RaM G, to change funding pattern
The Centre has proposed renaming MGNREGA as VB-G RaM G, raising guaranteed workdays to 125 and shifting the funding pattern to 60:40, drawing criticism over diluted worker protections
 "Centre proposes renaming MGNREGA to VB-G RaM G, to change funding pattern")
Datanomics: Right to Disconnect Bill fuels work-life balance debate
Since it is a private member Bill, there is a high probability of it not getting passed in the house
 "Datanomics: Right to Disconnect Bill fuels work-life balance debate")
RK Goyal takes oath as CIC; watchdog at full strength after 9 years
The Central Information Commission has attained full strength after nine years following the appointment of a new chief and eight information commissioners, amid concerns over backlog and transparency
 "RK Goyal takes oath as CIC; watchdog at full strength after 9 years")
Unemployment rate at 8-month low of 4.7% in November, shows PLFS
For urban areas, the jobless rate fell to 6.5 per cent from 7 per cent during the same period
 "Unemployment rate at 8-month low of 4.7% in November, shows PLFS")
Will achieve 56.1% debt-to-GDP ratio in FY26: FM Nirmala Sitharaman
The finance minister also assured that there was no shortage of fertiliser in the country, whether imported or domestically produced, and there was enough buffer available for the upcoming rabi season
 "Will achieve 56.1% debt-to-GDP ratio in FY26: FM Nirmala Sitharaman")
India-US framework trade deal soon: Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal
Having missed the 'fall' deadline, India is aiming to conclude the first tranche of the trade deal before the end of the calendar year
 "India-US framework trade deal soon: Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal")
Early signs of stress in micro LAP, housing loans, CV portfolio: CIBIL
Festive spending and Goods and Services Tax (GST) changes drove credit growth in the economy across vehicle finance and consumer durables in the last few months
 "Early signs of stress in micro LAP, housing loans, CV portfolio: CIBIL")
