Economy
Budget sends mixed signals on PLI push across key manufacturing sectors
Allocations for 2026-27 across 14 sectors reveal clear winners and laggards
 "Budget sends mixed signals on PLI push across key manufacturing sectors")
Container scheme to attract ₹1 trillion investments, says Sonowal
Container support scheme will lead to capacity equal to 10% of global demand
 "Container scheme to attract ₹1 trillion investments, says Sonowal")
Scrapping revenue deficit grants may strain fragile states: Economists
Economists warn that removal of revenue deficit grants could hurt fiscally weak and hill states, forcing them to seek alternative support from the Centre
 "Scrapping revenue deficit grants may strain fragile states: Economists")
US tariffs not the only factor for Customs duty changes: CBIC chairman
CBIC Chairman Vivek Chaturvedi explains the Budget's calibrated customs duty exemptions, SEZ flexibility and tariff reforms amid global trade headwinds
 "US tariffs not the only factor for Customs duty changes: CBIC chairman")
India-US trade deal: Agri, dairy interests 'protected', says Piyush Goyal
Goyal said both sides were working on a "joint statement" outlining the details of the first phase of the agreement
 "India-US trade deal: Agri, dairy interests 'protected', says Piyush Goyal")
India-US trade deal lifts great deal of uncertainty, say FinMin officials
Department of financial services (DFS) secretary M Nagaraju said: "Dark clouds of uncertainty had lifted from the world economy and industry should now cheer up and heave a sigh of relief"
 "India-US trade deal lifts great deal of uncertainty, say FinMin officials")
Falling Russian crude oil imports drag down pvt ports' growth to 2% in FY26
In comparison, central government-owned ports grew 9%
 "Falling Russian crude oil imports drag down pvt ports' growth to 2% in FY26")
Replacing Russian oil likely to be a challenge for Indian refiners
Along with price discounts, India must replace around 1.7 million barrels per day of average Russian crude imports
 "Replacing Russian oil likely to be a challenge for Indian refiners")
From the brink and back: How the India-US trade deal finally shaped up
After months of tariff shocks, stalled talks and diplomatic sparring, India and the US finally stitched together a trade deal that reshaped bilateral ties
 "From the brink and back: How the India-US trade deal finally shaped up")
Trade deal sweetens FY27 growth arithmetic as exports lift outlook
Economists say the India-US trade deal could lift FY27 GDP growth by 20-40 basis points by boosting exports and reducing uncertainty, though risks from imports remain
 "Trade deal sweetens FY27 growth arithmetic as exports lift outlook")
India's exports to get boost with US cutting tariff: FM Nirmal Sitharaman
Trump's steep 50 per cent tariffs last year dented Indian exports by raising landed costs, squeezing exporter margins, and eroding competitiveness in the American market
 "India's exports to get boost with US cutting tariff: FM Nirmal Sitharaman")
US deal, FTAs likely to stitch a new growth story for textiles sector
With the US agreeing to cut tariffs on Indian goods to 18%, industry expects India's textile and apparel exports to gain a competitive edge and post double-digit monthly growth from FY27
 "US deal, FTAs likely to stitch a new growth story for textiles sector")
India-EU FTA likely to come into force this year: EU Ambassador to India
Delphin noted enthusiasm from business communities on both sides, emphasising opportunities in supply chain integration and worker mobility
 "India-EU FTA likely to come into force this year: EU Ambassador to India")
Farm livelihood concerns allayed as agri, dairy sectors kept out of US deal
Centre says sensitive sectors such as agriculture and dairy are outside the India-US trade deal, easing concerns even as US officials speak of higher farm exports
 "Farm livelihood concerns allayed as agri, dairy sectors kept out of US deal")
Business Standard poll: Status quo on repo rate likely in RBI review
Some economists said that a pause is warranted at this juncture to assess the upcoming CPI and GDP data, which will be released in mid to late February 2026 using new base years
 "Business Standard poll: Status quo on repo rate likely in RBI review")
Datanomics: Labour-heavy exports regain ground after India-US trade deal
India-US tariff cut to 18% lifts prospects for labour-intensive exports as firms diversify markets and oil sourcing shifts amid geopolitical pressure
 "Datanomics: Labour-heavy exports regain ground after India-US trade deal")
India's telecom exports to gain competitive advantage from US trade deal
Reciprocal tariffs cut to 18% under the India-US trade deal are expected to improve margins and competitiveness for Indian telecom equipment and optic fibre makers
 "India's telecom exports to gain competitive advantage from US trade deal")
Tariff reset lifts India's medical device pulse amid China+1 shift
For Indian medical device exporters, the tariff reset addresses a long-standing vulnerability: wafer-thin margins
 "Tariff reset lifts India's medical device pulse amid China+1 shift")
FTP Para 4.14 vs Para 2 of 22/2023-Customs, mismatch trips importer
Customs notifications override FTP provisions on duty exemptions, while advance authorisation imports can bypass MIP for deemed exports if inputs aren't sold in the DTA
 "FTP Para 4.14 vs Para 2 of 22/2023-Customs, mismatch trips importer")
US-India tariff reset lifts engineering exports; auto components lead gains
India's engineering exports to the US are set to regain momentum after reciprocal tariffs were cut to 18%, with auto component makers expected to benefit the most
 "US-India tariff reset lifts engineering exports; auto components lead gains")