Economy

India's household debt rises to 41.3% of GDP, above five-year average: RBI

RBI says household debt rose to 41.3% of GDP at end-March 2025, led by consumption-oriented retail loans, even as net financial savings improved in Q4 FY25

New Year's Eve drives quick commerce surge as demand spikes on apps

Quick commerce and food delivery platforms saw an uptick in New Year's Eve demand, with grapes searches surging on Instamart and purchases spiking on Zepto

Centre's fiscal deficit at 62.3% of FY26 BE in April-November; capex up 28%

CGA data showed the Centre's fiscal deficit rose to Rs 9.77 trillion, or 62.3 per cent of FY26 Budget estimates, in April-November as capex surged and net tax revenue slipped

Bond yields under pressure on state borrowing; rupee seen steady in 2026

Rupee weakened 4.75% in 2025, became worst-performing Asian currency

Govt launches ₹4,531 cr market access support scheme for exporters

The Centre has launched a ₹4,531 crore market access support scheme for FY26-31 to boost exporters' global reach, with an MSME bias and support for trade events and new markets

India extends steel safeguard duty of up to 12 per cent for three years

The Centre has converted the provisional safeguard duty on steel into a three-year levy of up to 12 per cent to curb cheap imports, mainly from China and other exporting nations

Ministry notifies Labour Codes draft rules, seeks feedback within 45 days

Revised draft rules for the four Labour Codes clarify key provisions such as gratuity on 'wages' and gig worker registration, with stakeholder inputs invited for up to 45 days

India, Russia move towards more balanced, diversified economic ties in 2025

During Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to New Delhi in December, India and Russia unveiled a raft of measures, including a five-year roadmap to build a robust economic partnership

Goldilocks phase, reforms glide path to spur Indian economy in 2026

Real GDP growth accelerated through successive quarters, reaching 8.2 per cent in Q2 of 2025-26, while retail inflation slipped below the Reserve Bank's lower tolerance band of 2 per cent

Long-term policy support key to meeting India's energy goals: Experts

Experts also believed decarbonisation will continue to be a priority for the industry

EU's carbon tax to kick in from Jan 1, may hurt Indian exporters: GTRI

The 27-nation bloc is imposing this tax on goods that emit carbon during the manufacturing process

Govt imposes tariff on certain steel products for 3 years to limit imports

The levy, locally known as a safeguard duty, will be imposed at 12 per cent in the first year followed by ​11.5 per cent in the second year and then 11 per cent in the third year

Import of Russian oil hits 3-year low in Dec amid tighter Western sanctions

Despite sanctions, Rosneft remained India's largest Russian crude supplier in December; Lukoil also contributed significant volumes

Corporate lending to rebound as loan-bond rate gap narrows, RBI eases norms

Analysts expect banks' corporate credit to pick up as the bond-loan rate gap narrows and RBI reforms, including acquisition financing and eased exposure norms, begin to bite

India's Russian oil imports fall in December, but demand stays structural

In December, Russia remained the country's top supplier but its share fell to less than a quarter of all oil imports from about a third in November

India's economy in 2025: Low inflation, FTAs and GDP growth amid US tariffs

With inflation easing, tax revenues rising and major FTAs taking effect, India's economy held firm in 2025 even as US tariffs and global slowdown fears weighed on trade

Why Russian oil shipments to India are set to plunge in Dec and what's next

Overall Russian oil deliveries to India had slowed to as little as 712,000 barrels a day in the second week of December, before rising, according to Kpler

India inflation likely to remain low in 2026, new CPI series planned

Besides cooling food prices, the decision of the government to reduce GST rates on about 400 items in September helped in further improving the price situation in the country

Govt may revise LPG subsidy formula as US imports push up costs

The oil companies are seeking to include US LPG prices and the much higher shipping costs from the US

GST Council may weigh 5% levy on air, water purifiers as AQI worsens

The GST Council may consider cutting tax on air and water purifiers from 18% to 5%, amid worsening air quality and calls to treat them as essential public health equipment