Economy & Policy News
India's low energy stockpiles pose risk amid West Asia conflict: S&P
S&P Global Ratings warns India's limited strategic energy reserves and heavy import dependence heighten vulnerability to supply disruptions in West Asia
 "India's low energy stockpiles pose risk amid West Asia conflict: S&P")
Timeline: How India-China ties moved from border clash to investment thaw
In February 2026, India began easing its restrictions on buying Chinese equipment
 "Timeline: How India-China ties moved from border clash to investment thaw")
Have temporarily allowed India to accept Russian oil at sea: White House
Amid the conflict with Iran, the US said last week it was issuing a temporary 30-day waiver to allow Indian refiners to purchase Russian oil
 "Have temporarily allowed India to accept Russian oil at sea: White House")
'Absolutely no shortage of fuel': Goyal amid uncertainty in energy supply
Goyal said the government is closely monitoring the evolving situation and taking necessary steps to ensure the uninterrupted availability of fuel across the country
 "'Absolutely no shortage of fuel': Goyal amid uncertainty in energy supply")
Oil prices fall after IEA proposes largest oil stock release ever
Brent futures were trading down 23 cents, or 0.26 per cent lower, at $87.57 a barrel at 0023 GMT
 "Oil prices fall after IEA proposes largest oil stock release ever")
PM Modi calls for cushioning West Asia crisis impact amid supply fears
Modi's message to ministers to ensure that any inconvenience to citizens is minimised, and to gear up for potential disruptions, was conveyed at the Union Cabinet meeting
 "PM Modi calls for cushioning West Asia crisis impact amid supply fears")
FDI restrictions relaxed for China, other countries under Press Note 3
Automatic route allowed for stakes below 10%
 "FDI restrictions relaxed for China, other countries under Press Note 3")
Flexi-staffing industry growth falls to three-quarter low in Q3FY26
Sequential growth in India's flexi-staffing sector slowed to 0.5 per cent in Q3 FY26 as firms paused hiring amid labour code implementation, according to an ISF report
 "Flexi-staffing industry growth falls to three-quarter low in Q3FY26")
Tariffs, West Asia crisis get under the skin of Kolkata's leather hub
Every crease and fold tells the story of the city's leather industry, stretched thin by tariffs, disrupted consignments, and a fragile global market
 "Tariffs, West Asia crisis get under the skin of Kolkata's leather hub")
E-way bill generation rose 18.8% in February to third-highest tally
An e-way bill is an electronically generated document mandated under the GST regime for the movement of goods valued at more than Rs 50,000
 "E-way bill generation rose 18.8% in February to third-highest tally")
Govt seeks LS nod for additional expenditure of ₹2.81 trillion in FY26
Finance Ministry seeks Parliament approval for Rs 2.01 trillion net additional FY26 spending through the second supplementary demand for grants, with allocations for subsidies and reserve funds
 "Govt seeks LS nod for additional expenditure of ₹2.81 trillion in FY26")
Oil could hit $150/bbl, $200 possible on demand destruction: WoodMac
Oil prices could rise to $150 per barrel as a massive Gulf supply disruption forces demand destruction, with $200 possible if the conflict persists, says Wood Mackenzie
 "Oil could hit $150/bbl, $200 possible on demand destruction: WoodMac")
India secures additional LPG, LNG supplies from non-Hormuz routes
Indian refiners report 10 per cent increase in LPG production since government order
 "India secures additional LPG, LNG supplies from non-Hormuz routes")
JNPA waives charges on stuck cargo, exporters to get ₹12 crore relief
JNPA waives dwell time and reefer plugin charges for Middle East-bound export cargo stuck amid the West Asia crisis, while DG Shipping asks shipping lines to avoid opportunistic pricing
 "JNPA waives charges on stuck cargo, exporters to get ₹12 crore relief")
IBBI pushes transparency as CoC decisions in bankruptcy cases draw scrutiny
Recent proposals by the insolvency regulator aim to increase transparency and accountability in the Committee of Creditors' decisions after the Supreme Court flagged gaps in the IBC process
 "IBBI pushes transparency as CoC decisions in bankruptcy cases draw scrutiny")
Govt revises fiscal deficit ratios for FY23-FY25 after GDP base year update
The fiscal deficit was earlier estimated at 4.8 per cent for FY'25, 5.63 per cent for FY'24 and 6.4 per cent for FY'23
 "Govt revises fiscal deficit ratios for FY23-FY25 after GDP base year update")
West Asia conflict jolts oil markets as analysts weigh future energy shock
Brent crude briefly surged to $120 a barrel amid supply disruptions in West Asia. Analysts warn that the Iran war could reshape oil price trajectories and pose fresh risks to India's energy security
 "West Asia conflict jolts oil markets as analysts weigh future energy shock")
GIC Re war-risk curbs over West Asia war expose cracks in marine insurance
GIC Re's decision to withdraw war-risk cover in sensitive maritime zones highlights the fragile economics of marine insurance and raises concerns for Indian refiners dependent on global oil shipments
 "GIC Re war-risk curbs over West Asia war expose cracks in marine insurance")
Govt eases China-linked FDI curbs under Press Note 3: What it means
The Union Cabinet has reportedly eased FDI norms under Press Note 3, which requires prior government approval for investments from entities in countries sharing a land border with India
 "Govt eases China-linked FDI curbs under Press Note 3: What it means")
Govt relaxes FDI norms for China, other countries sharing land border
The decision was taken in a meeting of the Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi
 "Govt relaxes FDI norms for China, other countries sharing land border")