Economy & Policy News
Active job vacancies on govt job portal falls to 16-month low in Feb
The count of active jobs in February was the lowest since October 2024, when it was 14.12 lakh, according to the NCS performance dashboard
 "Active job vacancies on govt job portal falls to 16-month low in Feb")
No substantial inflation impact at this point due to rising crude: FinMin
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, in a written statement, said that the medium-term impact of global crude oil price rise on inflation would depend upon several factors
 "No substantial inflation impact at this point due to rising crude: FinMin")
Customs issues norms for return of export cargo amid West Asia crisis
The field offices under the CBIC will recover all export incentives, including IGST, drawback, etc., manually from such cargo, if they have already been disbursed
 "Customs issues norms for return of export cargo amid West Asia crisis")
Crude at $115 per barrel could raise India's oil import bill by $64 billion
If global crude averages $110-115 per barrel in FY27, India's net oil imports could rise by $56-64 billion annually, worsening the current account deficit and fuelling inflation
 "Crude at $115 per barrel could raise India's oil import bill by $64 billion")
Urged India to buy Russian oil at sea to ease supply fears: US energy secy
However, the move, he said, is a short-term, pragmatic effort to stabilise the market and did not signal any change in Washington's policy towards Russia
 "Urged India to buy Russian oil at sea to ease supply fears: US energy secy")
West Asia war tests India's oil shock absorbers amid supply worries
Strategic reserves offer limited cover as shipping disruptions slow the arrival of replacement barrels
 "West Asia war tests India's oil shock absorbers amid supply worries")
West Asia war: 45K Indian containers stuck; export costs increase fivefold
Exporters stare at either a diversion in routes, or a U-turn to India
West Asia conflict clouds cast shadow on India-Gulf labour corridor
Rising tensions in West Asia are slowing recruitment of Indian workers to Gulf countries, potentially delaying over 300,000 overseas job placements in the coming months
 "West Asia conflict clouds cast shadow on India-Gulf labour corridor")
Ministries have Feb-Mar to bridge 26% average revised estimate gap
Some ministries are over 45% short of revised estimates
 "Ministries have Feb-Mar to bridge 26% average revised estimate gap")
US waiver unlocks Lukoil, Rosneft crude oil for India amid West Asia crisis
Alternative routes for LPG, LNG supplies being explored, say officials
 "US waiver unlocks Lukoil, Rosneft crude oil for India amid West Asia crisis")
States spent only 51.8% of capex budget till January, shows data
States spent only 51.8 per cent of their combined FY26 capital expenditure budget during April-January, trailing the Centre's capex pace, according to CAG data
 "States spent only 51.8% of capex budget till January, shows data")
CBIC eases procedures for export cargo returning amid Hormuz disruption
CBIC has issued temporary relaxations for handling export cargo returning to Indian ports due to the Strait of Hormuz disruption, outlining simplified processes to speed up clearances
Govt eyes private investment in bullet trains with new PPP framework push
Centre explores PPP model for at least one of seven proposed bullet train corridors as India plans ₹16-trillion high-speed rail expansion
 "Govt eyes private investment in bullet trains with new PPP framework push")
From 1776 to 2026: Adam Smith's lessons for the global economy
As The Wealth of Nations turns 250, debates over tariffs, inequality and monopolies show how Adam Smith's ideas remain strikingly relevant to today's economic battles
 "From 1776 to 2026: Adam Smith's lessons for the global economy")
The promises, pitfalls of agreements with India's largest trading partners
India's trade deals with the US and Europe promise market access and investment flows, but industry readiness and new regulatory barriers may shape their real impact
 "The promises, pitfalls of agreements with India's largest trading partners")
India taps alternative crude oil supplies as West Asia conflict drags on
India imports about 88 per cent of its crude oil requirement, with roughly half of those supplies in February passing through the Strait of Hormuz
 "India taps alternative crude oil supplies as West Asia conflict drags on")
Energy imports are in full flow from all non-Hormuz routes: Hardeep Puri
Addressing concerns over supply chain vulnerabilities, the government has successfully reduced its reliance on the volatile Strait of Hormuz by diversifying its import routes
 "Energy imports are in full flow from all non-Hormuz routes: Hardeep Puri")
West Asia conflict puts $11.8 bn of India's agri exports at risk: GTRI
India exported $7.48 billion of cereals, fruits, vegetables and spices to West Asia in 2025, with the region accounting for 29.2 per cent of India's global exports in this category
 "West Asia conflict puts $11.8 bn of India's agri exports at risk: GTRI")
India got best trade deal with US among competing nations: Piyush Goyal
The minister added that India and the US are strategic partners, and the two are the largest democracies in the world
 "India got best trade deal with US among competing nations: Piyush Goyal")
Queues, price hikes and shortages as Asia battles worsening fuel crunch
Despite oil prices staying relatively contained amid the crisis, with traders warning of $100 crude, the impact is already being felt across Asia, the world's largest energy-consuming region
 "Queues, price hikes and shortages as Asia battles worsening fuel crunch")