Economy & Policy News
Union Budget 2026: Tracking what Budget 2025 promised and delivered
With the Union Budget 2026 around the corner, here is a status check on Budget 2025 promises, from tax reforms and insurance FDI to manufacturing, gig workers and innovation funding
 "Union Budget 2026: Tracking what Budget 2025 promised and delivered")
Indian exporters can help NZ reduce China dependence, boost shipments: GTRI
GTRI's report stated that opportunities exist for various Indian sectors to increase penetration in the island nation, given a bilateral free trade agreement
 "Indian exporters can help NZ reduce China dependence, boost shipments: GTRI")
IRFC to refinance World Bank's ₹10K crore loan for freight corridor
DFCCIL and IRFC have signed a refinancing pact for ₹10,000 crore of World Bank dollar loans for the Eastern freight corridor, a move expected to save the government ₹2,700 crore
 "IRFC to refinance World Bank's ₹10K crore loan for freight corridor")
PwC seeks clarity on GST input tax credit for data centre construction
PwC has urged the government to clarify whether hyperscale data centre infrastructure qualifies as plant and machinery for GST input tax credit, and to address PE and SEP risks for overseas players
 "PwC seeks clarity on GST input tax credit for data centre construction")
Economy may grow at 7% in FY27 despite trade tensions: CareEdge Ratings
CareEdge Ratings expects 7% growth in FY27, citing a possible US-India trade deal, low inflation and strong capex, while warning US tariffs could weigh on goods exports
 "Economy may grow at 7% in FY27 despite trade tensions: CareEdge Ratings")
ICSI flags glitches, timeouts on MCA 3.0 portal as filing deadline nears
ICSI has flagged slowdowns, timeouts and outages on the MCA 21 version 3 portal; government sources say some issues stem from awareness gaps as fixes continue
 "ICSI flags glitches, timeouts on MCA 3.0 portal as filing deadline nears")
FTAs to open overseas opportunities for Indian professionals: Commerce secy
He has stated that India's demographic dividend offers immense potential to meet the rising global demand for professional services
 "FTAs to open overseas opportunities for Indian professionals: Commerce secy")
New GDP series to improve informal sector estimates, add double deflation
India's revamped GDP series will use richer data and double deflation to better capture the informal economy, address IMF concerns and improve accuracy from 2026
 "New GDP series to improve informal sector estimates, add double deflation")
New Zealand to allow GI registration for Indian goods under FTA with India
A GI, a type of an intellectual property right, is primarily an agricultural, natural or manufactured product (handicrafts and industrial goods) originating from a definite geographical territory
 "New Zealand to allow GI registration for Indian goods under FTA with India")
India aims to conclude US trade talks sooner than later: Commerce Secretary
The talks are also important as the Donald Trump administration has imposed a steep 50 per cent tariff on Indian goods entering American markets
 "India aims to conclude US trade talks sooner than later: Commerce Secretary")
Benign inflation may keep India's policy rates low for a long time: RBI Guv
India's inflation rate picked up in November from a record low in the previous month but stayed well below the central bank's 4% target
 "Benign inflation may keep India's policy rates low for a long time: RBI Guv")
India offers higher FDI, easier bank branch norms under New Zealand FTA
Under the India-New Zealand FTA's Financial Services Annex, India has offered higher FDI limits in banking and insurance and a simpler licensing regime for foreign bank branches
India-US to resume trade talks in January after year-end holiday pause
Talks are going on for the last nine months, with no outcome, despite over a half dozen rounds of in-person formal and informal negotiations
 "India-US to resume trade talks in January after year-end holiday pause")
New CPI series to use e-commerce, online sources for price data: Govt
The new series of CPI (consumer price index-based inflation) with base year (2024=100) data is scheduled to be released on February 12, 2026
 "New CPI series to use e-commerce, online sources for price data: Govt")
USISPF welcomes SHANTI Act as overhaul of India's civil nuclear framework
The US-India Strategic Partnership Forum says the SHANTI Act modernises India's civil nuclear regime, opens scope for private and foreign participation, and clarifies liability
 "USISPF welcomes SHANTI Act as overhaul of India's civil nuclear framework")
India-New Zealand FTA to open new doors for skilled professionals: Diaspora
Negotiations for the FTA have been concluded and after completion of domestic approvals, it is expected to be implemented from next year
 "India-New Zealand FTA to open new doors for skilled professionals: Diaspora")
India-New Zealand FTA to help boost exports, attract investment: Experts
FIEO President S C Ralhan said upon entry into force, the free trade agreement (FTA) will provide zero-duty access on 100 per cent of India's exports, with tariff elimination across all tariff lines
Outward remittances under LRS slip 2% in Oct on travel, education dip
Outward remittances under RBI's LRS slipped to $2.36 billion in October 2025 as overseas travel and education outflows fell, while remittances for equity and debt investments rose sharply
 "Outward remittances under LRS slip 2% in Oct on travel, education dip")
Core sector growth rises to 1.8% in Nov; four sectors still contract
November's 1.8% uptick follows 1st contraction in 15 mths; infra demand revs up steel, cement
 "Core sector growth rises to 1.8% in Nov; four sectors still contract")
AIA: Notification 21/2023-Cus more useful for advance authorization
Para 5.04 (f) of the FTP clearly says that 'eexport obligation may be fulfilled both by physical exports as well as deemed exports'
 "AIA: Notification 21/2023-Cus more useful for advance authorization")
