Economy & Policy News

Oil jumps over 2% to more than $95/barrel as conflict threatens transit

Brent crude climbed above $95 a barrel as US-Iran hostilities and Houthi threats to Red Sea shipping heightened fears of major oil supply disruptions

Foreign investors return shows renewed confidence in India: RBI bulletin

The central bank said resilient domestic activity, improving trade momentum and stronger foreign investment inflows point to a favourable outlook for the Indian economy

Unemployment among rural women at one-year high in June: Experts

Weak monsoon and delayed kharif sowing may have pushed rural women's unemployment to a one-year high in June despite higher labour force participation

Adverse developments in West Asia, US, Russia: India may be worst-hit

The legislation allows US President Donald Trump to impose tariffs of as much as 100 per cent on the top five purchasers of Russian oil and natural gas, essentially targeting China and India

India's GDP likely grew 6.4-6.6% in Q1 FY27 despite cost pressures: Icra

Economic activity rose to a 32-month high in June, but Icra expects GDP growth to moderate from 7.8 per cent in Q4 FY26 amid pressure on margins in key sectors

NITI Aayog's investment index: What separates top states from the rest?

NITI Aayog's first Investment Friendliness Index ranks states on investment readiness and highlights why some attract more private capital while others continue to lag

India's edible oil import bill may rise 9% to ₹1.75 trn this year: SEA

India's edible oil import bill could climb 9% to a record ₹1.75 lakh crore this year, driven by higher import volumes, a weaker rupee and global supply pressures

India's manufacturing set to nearly triple by 2035, says Morgan Stanley

The report expects India's manufacturing industry to grow 2.8 times over the next decade, helped by reforms, public investment, and global supply chain diversification

Rural income gains hit two-year low, informal borrowing rises: Nabard

Nabard's latest survey shows that rural income growth has slowed to a two-year low. The findings come as rural inflation reached 5% in June, compared with 4% in urban area

Trump's 200% tariff plan on generic drugs: What it means for India

Donald Trump has proposed phased tariffs of up to 200% on imported generic drugs by 2028 to boost US manufacturing. Here's why the move matters for India's pharma sector and bilateral trade

Value of rupee market-determined with no specific level or band: Sitharaman

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman says the rupee is market-determined with no target band, while RBI intervenes only to curb excessive volatility

India's fertiliser exports rise 52% in three years from FY24 to FY26

Official data show Brazil remains biggest buyer as imports continue to dominate the sector

Oil prices, weak monsoon pose biggest risks to India's FY27 GDP growth: IMF

The IMF warns that rising oil prices from West Asia tensions and an El Nino-hit monsoon pose key downside risks to India's 2026-27 economic growth outlook

PLI schemes attracted ₹2.4 trn investments, generated 1.45 mn jobs in FY26

The government's PLI schemes across 14 sectors attracted Rs 2.4 trillion in investments and generated 1.45 million jobs by FY26, with exports rising to Rs 15.2 trillion

Q1 results preview: West Asia war may weigh on state-run OMCs' margins

Higher crude prices, a weaker rupee, elevated insurance costs and delayed fuel price hikes are expected to weigh on the June-quarter earnings of state-run oil marketing companies

Tighten norms on repeat violations, protect MSMEs: House panel to CCI

A parliamentary panel has urged the CCI to periodically review its regulations, improve transparency in penalty calculations and strengthen safeguards for MSMEs and startups

WTO says India must tackle structural gaps to realise Viksit Bharat by 2047

Trade policy review says India must lower trade costs, bridge infrastructure gaps and deepen global integration to sustain growth and achieve developed-country status by 2047

India's digital trade dilemma deepens after WTO duty moratorium lapses

With the WTO moratorium on electronic transmissions having lapsed, India must weigh tariff flexibility against its growing stake in open, predictable digital trade

Power discoms await revival as structural reform delays persist in India

Power discoms posted a Rs 2,701 crore profit in FY25, but heavy subsidy dependence, weak tariffs and persistent operational gaps continue to threaten a durable revival

MCA plans unified tech platform for India's insolvency framework

The Ministry of Corporate Affairs has sought stakeholder feedback on a proposed integrated digital platform to streamline insolvency processes and improve transparency under the IBC