Economy
Manufacturing PMI falls to 53.5 in July, lowest in nearly 5 years
The HSBC India Manufacturing PMI fell from 54.2 in June to 53.5 in July, as slower growth in new orders, purchasing and employment offset stronger export demand
 "Manufacturing PMI falls to 53.5 in July, lowest in nearly 5 years")
Govt plans to invest $5 bn to strengthen railway connectivity along borders
The spending, set to unfold over the next 18 months, will help build new tracks, platforms and network strengthening across Punjab, West Bengal, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Assam and several states
 "Govt plans to invest $5 bn to strengthen railway connectivity along borders")
Weekly policy watch: RBI MPC, PMI data, and forex reserves in focus
India's policy calendar this week will be led by the RBI's policy decision, PMI readings and forex reserves data
 "Weekly policy watch: RBI MPC, PMI data, and forex reserves in focus")
Traders bet RBI rate hold, cash boost to steepen India's yield curve
The trade reflects a global trend, with the US yield curve sharply steepening after the Federal Reserve held interest rates steady last week
 "Traders bet RBI rate hold, cash boost to steepen India's yield curve")
CERC proposes transmission charge relief for delayed renewable projects
Several clean energy projects have been stalled in India because of a lack of transmission infrastructure
 "CERC proposes transmission charge relief for delayed renewable projects")
Indian drugmakers in no rush to shift to US despite tariff threat
Indian pharma companies are expanding selectively in the US for complex products while retaining India as their manufacturing base despite Trump's tariff threat
 "Indian drugmakers in no rush to shift to US despite tariff threat")
Minus N-power plans, fresh private investments fell 32% sequentially in Q1
India's fresh investment plans jumped 71% in Q1FY27, but excluding four mega nuclear projects, private investment weakened amid West Asia-related uncertainty
 "Minus N-power plans, fresh private investments fell 32% sequentially in Q1")
BS poll: 'Cautious' MPC may stick to status quo, retain neutral stance
Most economists expect stance to remain 'neutral'
 "BS poll: 'Cautious' MPC may stick to status quo, retain neutral stance")
West Asia, project delays dent highway building in April-May FY27
Down 45% year-on-year to 740 km in April-May FY27
 "West Asia, project delays dent highway building in April-May FY27")
Govt raises semiconductor demand forecast 50% to $150 billion by 2030
India's semiconductor market already estimated at about $64 billion in 2026
 "Govt raises semiconductor demand forecast 50% to $150 billion by 2030")
Govt to introduce Bankers' Books Evidence Bill in Lok Sabha on Monday
The proposed law will replace the 1891 Act, expand the definition of bankers' books and provide a technology-neutral legal framework for financial records.
 "Govt to introduce Bankers' Books Evidence Bill in Lok Sabha on Monday")
Focus of TN Budget will shift to investment from expenditure: Chakravarty
Congress MP Praveen Chakravarty says Tamil Nadu's first TVK budget will prioritise revenue reforms, fiscal discipline and investment, while calling for a rethink on jobs and welfare
 "Focus of TN Budget will shift to investment from expenditure: Chakravarty")
India okayed just one FDI proposal from China, 13 from Hong Kong in FY26
Overall, the government has approved 63 FDI (foreign direct investment) proposals worth Rs 10,292.67 crore, or $1.18 billion, during April 2025-March 2026, according to the DPIIT data
 "India okayed just one FDI proposal from China, 13 from Hong Kong in FY26")
Quadruple import duty on truck tractors: MHI tells finance ministry
MHI says lower import duty is enabling dumping of foreign electric truck tractors in India
 "Quadruple import duty on truck tractors: MHI tells finance ministry")
New urea policy revives self-reliance push, but demand keeps racing ahead
The Centre's new investment policy could attract up to Rs 1 trillion into urea production, but rising demand, subsidy distortions and weak private participation may keep India reliant on imports
 "New urea policy revives self-reliance push, but demand keeps racing ahead")
Panel orders first comprehensive study to reform Delhi's cooperative sector
NABARD approves Delhi's first comprehensive cooperative sector study to identify reforms, strengthen governance, boost digitisation and revive financial performance
 "Panel orders first comprehensive study to reform Delhi's cooperative sector")
Coal dispatch grows 17% in July as India's production rises 7.5% 69.75 MT
India's coal production grew to 69.75 MT in July 2026 from 64.88 MT a year earlier, while coal dispatch rose to 86.33 MT during the month
 "Coal dispatch grows 17% in July as India's production rises 7.5% 69.75 MT")
Govt to fund offshore oil and gas exploration to cut import dependence
Besides underwriting part of the cost of drilling exploration wells, the government will part-fund common infrastructure, including subsea pipelines and onshore oil and gas receipt
 "Govt to fund offshore oil and gas exploration to cut import dependence")
Petrol, diesel sales soar on weak monsoon, LPG demand shifts to piped gas
Petrol sales by Indian Oil Corp (IOC), Bharat Petroleum Corp Ltd (BPCL) and Hindustan Petroleum Corp Ltd (HPCL) climbed 9.7 per cent to 3.45 million tonnes during July
 "Petrol, diesel sales soar on weak monsoon, LPG demand shifts to piped gas")
Weekly economy wrap: Factory growth accelerates as govt unveils energy push
Industrial and services activity strengthened, while fiscal spending, energy security and export competitiveness dominated the policy agenda
 "Weekly economy wrap: Factory growth accelerates as govt unveils energy push")