Economy & Policy News
Bihar MFI Bill seen having limited impact on RBI-regulated lenders
Industry executives say RBI-regulated microfinance lenders are exempt from most provisions of the Bihar MFI Bill
 "Bihar MFI Bill seen having limited impact on RBI-regulated lenders")
New series addresses lacunae in older GDP methodology amid revision
Discrepancies between the expenditure and production sides not completely wiped out
 "New series addresses lacunae in older GDP methodology amid revision")
Centre's fiscal deficit at 63% of full year target at Jan-end: CGA data
The Centre estimates the fiscal deficit (the gap between expenditure and revenue) during 2025-26 at 4.4 per cent of GDP, or Rs 15.58 trillion
 "Centre's fiscal deficit at 63% of full year target at Jan-end: CGA data")
GDP growth projection for FY27 revised to 7-7.4% as per new series: CEA
Economy continues to maintain strong growth momentum, supported by broad-based activities, says CEA Nageswaran
 "GDP growth projection for FY27 revised to 7-7.4% as per new series: CEA")
US licences for India's Venezuelan oil purchases mask ground realities
While GL 46A allows financing activities related to transactions, alongside are sanctions on dealings with Venezuelan state oil company PdVSA
 "US licences for India's Venezuelan oil purchases mask ground realities")
Lower FY26 nominal GDP number to raise fiscal deficit ratio marginally
Lower nominal GDP estimates have nudged up FY26 fiscal deficit and debt ratios, implying a steeper consolidation path even as new NSO GDP data revises sectoral weights
India's Q3FY26 GDP growth slows to 7.8% from 8.4% in Q2 on new series
India's GDP grew 7.8% in Q3FY26 under the new series, slightly slower than earlier quarters, while full-year FY26 growth is estimated higher at 7.6% compared to 7.1% in FY25
 "India's Q3FY26 GDP growth slows to 7.8% from 8.4% in Q2 on new series")
PM Modi proposes reform charter to boost collaboration for Viksit Bharat
At a post-Budget webinar, PM Modi calls for a reform partnership charter to formalise collaboration among government, industry, FIs and academia, and urges deeper reforms and investment
 "PM Modi proposes reform charter to boost collaboration for Viksit Bharat")
India-US trade deal will be 'rebalanced' if situation changes: Piyush Goyal
Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal said that Indian trade authorities are closely tracking developments after the US Supreme Court ruling against country-specific tariffs
 "India-US trade deal will be 'rebalanced' if situation changes: Piyush Goyal")
India's growth may outpace current estimates after GDP data overhaul
Earlier this month, the government revised its inflation series to better capture shifting spending patterns in the world's fastest-growing major economy
 "India's growth may outpace current estimates after GDP data overhaul")
Howard Lutnick meets Piyush Goyal, holds 'highly productive' trade talks
Howard Lutnick held talks with Piyush Goyal in Delhi as tariff uncertainty persists following fresh US duties and renewed trade deal discussions
 "Howard Lutnick meets Piyush Goyal, holds 'highly productive' trade talks")
What shifts beyond the base under India's new GDP series overhaul
A key pillar of the new series is the improved measurement of the household and informal sectors that account for a significant share of output and employment
 "What shifts beyond the base under India's new GDP series overhaul")
A beginner's guide to GDP estimates ahead of the release of new series
What is GDP, how is it calculated, and why do estimates matter? A simple guide to GDP, GSDP, nominal vs real growth and India's new base year
New GDP series: How revisions in FY2011-12 rewrote high-growth years
Under 2004-05 series, India recorded 3 straight yrs of 9%-plus growth
 "New GDP series: How revisions in FY2011-12 rewrote high-growth years")
From defence to tech collaboration: 16 pacts reshape India-Israel ties
India and Israel sign 16 pacts across AI, defence and mobility, agree on deeper tech ties and allow 50,000 more Indian workers in Israel over five years
 "From defence to tech collaboration: 16 pacts reshape India-Israel ties")
Govt mandates sale of petrol with up to 20% ethanol blending from April 1
Ethanol blending programme was introduced to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and cut energy imports
 "Govt mandates sale of petrol with up to 20% ethanol blending from April 1")
Saudi Arabia bans poultry imports from 40 nations; India sees no big impact
Saudi Arabia has halted poultry imports from 40 countries, including India, over disease concerns, but industry players say the move will not affect India due to its limited exports to the kingdom
 "Saudi Arabia bans poultry imports from 40 nations; India sees no big impact")
Revenue secretary calls for trust-based, tech-driven customs reforms
Arvind Srivastava says next phase of customs reform must deepen stakeholder trust and leverage technology as India's expanding trade ecosystem places new demands on governance
 "Revenue secretary calls for trust-based, tech-driven customs reforms")
Explained: How new GDP series will alter growth estimation methodology
India will shift GDP base year to FY23 and adopt price deflators and double deflation to improve accuracy, reflect structural shifts, and align national accounts with global standards
 "Explained: How new GDP series will alter growth estimation methodology")
Datanomics: FY05 vs FY12 GDP series - Industry share rose, services fell
New 2022-23 GDP base may not change sector shares unless methodology is revised, as past shifts show sharp impact of statistical tweaks
 "Datanomics: FY05 vs FY12 GDP series - Industry share rose, services fell")