Himanshi Bhardwaj

Like-for-like GST growth declines to five-year low of 5.57% in FY26

GST collections growth slowed to a five-year low in FY26, with import revenues outpacing domestic demand, rising refunds, and uneven state performance signalling deeper structural shifts

Rural women dominate labour market, yet gender gap persists, says NSO

Unemployment remains most pronounced among youth

India not growing enough pulses to meet nutritional needs of population

India faces a nutrition gap as pulses production and consumption fall short of dietary norms, even as cereals remain overconsumed across states

India's industrial production closes 2011-12 era with no signs of breakout

Industrial output growth remained steady at 4.1% in FY26 as India closed its 2011-12 IIP series, with the NSO set to roll out a new base year reflecting evolving economic dynamics

India's March factory output at series peak despite West Asia war

India's industrial output closed the 2011-12 series with modest growth of 4.1% in FY26, as the NSO gears up to release a revamped IIP series with a 2022-23 base year

NSO moots a new Index of Service Production with 2024-25 as base year

NSO proposes GST-based Index of Service Production to track high-frequency trends in services sector, addressing gaps in short-term economic indicators

Energy-driven economic shocks must be offset by productivity gains: CEA

CEA V Anantha Nageswaran calls for productivity gains to counter energy shocks from West Asia, highlights role of digital public infrastructure in building economic resilience

Cost overruns in central infra projects ease slightly to ₹5.61 trn in March

Cost overruns in centrally funded infrastructure projects eased marginally in March, though revised estimates remain significantly higher than original project costs

Disaster risks now a fiscal and growth challenge, says DEA secretary

DEA Secretary Anuradha Thakur said disaster risks are now a fiscal and development challenge, urging resilience to be embedded in infrastructure planning

Govt dismisses reports on possible petrol, diesel price hike as 'fake news'

Centre says no proposal to raise petrol and diesel prices despite rising crude, calls reports misleading and aimed at creating panic among consumers

Financial literacy gap flips script: Rajasthan edges ahead of Gujarat

A study by IIM Udaipur finds households in Gujarat and Rajasthan save regularly but lag in investing and retirement planning, highlighting gaps in financial capability

India's fertiliser production sees weakest growth in 13 years in FY26

India's fertiliser output contracts in FY26, hit by LNG shortages and shutdowns, marking the sector's weakest performance in over a decade

Bills at public hospitals are much higher in poorest states: NSO survey

NSO data shows higher out-of-pocket costs in poorer states' government hospitals, highlighting disparities in public healthcare despite rising insurance coverage

West Asia war has delayed India-GCC FTA negotiations: NITI Aayog

Trade Watch report highlights geopolitical risks to trade diplomacy, flags vulnerabilities in gems and jewellery sector and calls for structural reforms

March dip drags India's FY26 core sector showing to five-year low

Fertiliser, coal, crude oil and electricity drag index; FY26 growth slows to a five-year low as input shortages and weak output weigh on industrial momentum

NITI flags need to reorient gems and jewellery sector for global growth

Report highlights need for higher value addition, diversification, and policy reforms to boost competitiveness of India's gems and jewellery sector globally

NITI calls for increased Centre-state coordination for tourism push

Vice Chairman Suman Bery stresses stronger coordination, better infrastructure and state-led execution to unlock tourism's potential as a key economic and cultural driver

IMF urges targeted buffers, reforms for India amid West Asia shock

IMF advises India to deploy fiscal buffers through targeted support as prolonged West Asia crisis could intensify energy shocks and disrupt growth across Asia

WPI inflation rises to 38-month high of 3.88% in March on fuel, inputs

Wholesale inflation surged to a 38-month high in March, driven by fuel, primary goods, and manufactured products, with analysts expecting further upward pressure

Unemployment rate climbs to 5.1% in March, highest in five months

Unemployment rate rose to a five-month high in March as labour force participation and worker population ratio declined across both rural and urban areas