Page 8 - Himanshi Bhardwaj

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

IMF lifts India FY27 growth to 6.5% as lower US tariffs offset risks

IMF has raised India's FY27 growth forecast to 6.5 per cent, saying lower US tariffs could offset the impact of West Asia tensions even as global growth and trade outlook weaken

SVAMITVA boosts rural credit access, loan amounts rise 23%: EAC-PM

SVAMITVA scheme is boosting rural credit access, with property cards enabling households to use land as collateral and increasing sanctioned loan amounts by 23%

Retail inflation rises to 3.4% in March on higher food, fuel prices

India's retail inflation rose to 3.4% in March, driven by higher food and fuel prices, with economists warning of further upside risks amid global uncertainties

9.85 mn houses power rural-led unincorporated construction surge: NSO

NSO study shows household-led construction dominates unincorporated sector with strong rural skew, high labour intensity and reliance on internal funding

ADB pegs India FY27 growth at 6.9% supported by reforms, trade deals

Multilateral lender predicts economic growth to rebound to 7.3% in FY28 driven by EU trade pact and a rise in government staff's income

West Asia oil shock threatens India despite robust buffers: World Bank

High oil prices pose risks but India's strong buffers, resilient exports and policy space can help navigate global uncertainty, says the World Bank

Women's credit expands, but entry of new borrowers slows: NITI report

Lending to women continues to grow, but share of first-time borrowers declines in microfinance, even as retail credit sees rising participation

Centrally funded infrastructure projects log 17.02% cost jump in February

Cost overruns in centrally funded infrastructure projects rose to 17.02 per cent in February, pushing revised estimates to Rs 42.5 trillion across 1,948 ongoing projects

West Asia tensions likely to heighten fiscal risks, says Govinda Rao

Economist M Govinda Rao warns rising geopolitical tensions could expose India's fiscal vulnerabilities, calling for reforms in GST, deficits, and public spending

GeM records ₹18.4 trillion GMV since inception; MSMEs dominate FY26

Government e-Marketplace records strong procurement growth, with MSMEs leading participation and AI-driven tools enhancing transparency, efficiency, and monitoring across transactions

'₹12,754 cr misclassified, ₹54,282 cr in pending utilisation certificates'

Audit shows delays, misbookings affecting transparency in Union accounts