Economy & Policy News
A quick guide to GST Council's key decisions on tax and compliance
From easier input tax credit claims to automated registration and a ₹40-crore cap on penalty-only appeals, the proposed changes seek to reduce compliance friction.
 "A quick guide to GST Council's key decisions on tax and compliance")
GST Council unveils major reforms, eases penalties and speeds up refunds
Measures ease compliance through simpler registrations, quicker refunds, wider tax credit access and relief on penalties and enforcement
 "GST Council unveils major reforms, eases penalties and speeds up refunds")
Home-cooked meals get 10% dearer in Sep on higher onion, oil, LPG prices
The cost of a home-cooked vegetarian thali rose 10 per cent year-on-year in September, driven by higher prices of onion, vegetable oil, rice and LPG, according to a report released on Thursday.
 "Home-cooked meals get 10% dearer in Sep on higher onion, oil, LPG prices")
Inflation pressures broaden as 37% of CPI basket rises above 4%: RBI
RBI's October Monetary Policy Report flags widening price pressures across goods and services, with food and fuel inflation adding to concerns over second-round effects
 "Inflation pressures broaden as 37% of CPI basket rises above 4%: RBI")
State-owned banks raise repo-linked lending rates by 25 bps after RBI move
Several banks, including BoB, PNB and Indian Bank, raise repo-linked lending rates by 25 bps after the RBI's policy rate increase, making loans costlier for borrowers
 "State-owned banks raise repo-linked lending rates by 25 bps after RBI move")
Monsoon deficit threatens crop output, adds to food inflation risks
The southwest monsoon was both patchy and deficient. That has hurt key farm regions and raised concerns over food prices
 "Monsoon deficit threatens crop output, adds to food inflation risks")
Confident of hitting $1 trillion exports target in FY27: Piyush Goyal
Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal says India's export target is achievable despite subdued global trade growth, citing strong domestic businesses, MSMEs and new FTAs
 "Confident of hitting $1 trillion exports target in FY27: Piyush Goyal")
PM Modi welcomes fresh GST reforms to ease compliance, speed up refunds
The prime minister said that the GST Council's recommendations on removal of arrest provisions, greater decriminalisation and simpler procedures will have a very positive impact
 "PM Modi welcomes fresh GST reforms to ease compliance, speed up refunds")
GST Council allows employers to claim ITC on group insurance coverage
The GST Council's decision to allow input tax credit on employee group health and life insurance is expected to reduce coverage costs for employers, particularly MSMEs
 "GST Council allows employers to claim ITC on group insurance coverage")
GST reforms address 99% of rate, process issues, says FM Nirmala Sitharaman
The FM said the Council has also taken steps to make the movement of goods smoother by limiting inspections, detention and seizure to officers of the supplier or destination state
 "GST reforms address 99% of rate, process issues, says FM Nirmala Sitharaman")
GST Council widens input tax credit scope, eases refund rules for firms
Businesses will be able to claim credit on employee insurance, telecom towers, pipelines and certain free samples, while refunds will be widened to input services and machinery
 "GST Council widens input tax credit scope, eases refund rules for firms")
Is India's inflation problem spreading beyond food and fuel prices?
India's inflation rose to 4.8% in August from 3.4% in March, with food and fuel leading the rise, while core prices and services are now showing signs of wider pressure
 "Is India's inflation problem spreading beyond food and fuel prices?")
Domestic refiners shun costly Russian oil as West Asia flows recover
Surging prices for Russia's flagship Urals crude loaded in the Baltic, a mainstay for Indian refiners, are driving the pullback
 "Domestic refiners shun costly Russian oil as West Asia flows recover")
India's dealmaking broadens: 255 M&As worth $13.2 bn in Q3 of 2026
Deal volumes rose 7% from the previous quarter, while deal values fell 53% from $27.9 billion in Q2
 "India's dealmaking broadens: 255 M&As worth $13.2 bn in Q3 of 2026")
India, 13 nations call for global action to curb excess industrial capacity
The countries said structural excess capacity and non-market policies distort markets, hurt domestic industries and widen supply-demand imbalances
 "India, 13 nations call for global action to curb excess industrial capacity")
Households turn wary on prices as consumer confidence slips: RBI surveys
The RBI's latest surveys show a widening gap between household price concerns and economic confidence, even as spending intentions remain resilient across urban and rural India
 "Households turn wary on prices as consumer confidence slips: RBI surveys")
India inflation likely rose to 5.4% in Sep on food, energy costs: Poll
Consumer inflation is expected to have risen to 5.4% in September from 4.82% in August, as higher food and crude oil prices add to inflationary pressures
 "India inflation likely rose to 5.4% in Sep on food, energy costs: Poll")
Govt bond yields near three-year high after RBI's hawkish policy shift
The benchmark 10-year government bond yield rises to 7.24 per cent as the RBI shifts to withdrawal of accommodation, with foreign outflows and oil prices adding pressure
 "Govt bond yields near three-year high after RBI's hawkish policy shift")
Rate hike to widen banks' margins as EBLR-linked loans reprice faster
Deposit rates may rise with a lag, credit demand seen holding up
 "Rate hike to widen banks' margins as EBLR-linked loans reprice faster")
CPSEs achieve 51% of FY27 capital expenditure target in first half
Spending led by Railways and NHAI rises 12% YoY in April-September, though September outlays slide 17%
 "CPSEs achieve 51% of FY27 capital expenditure target in first half")