Economy

India's billionaire population to grow by 51% to 313 by 2031: Knight Frank

India's billionaire count is set to jump 51% by 2031, outpacing China and the US, as rapid wealth creation and strong real estate demand reshape the country's economic landscape

War-risk premiums surge: Can ₹12,980 cr maritime pool steady trade costs?

War-risk premiums have surged sharply, raising shipping costs. India's ₹12,980 crore Bharat Maritime Insurance Pool aims to stabilise coverage, but whether it can make trade cheaper remains uncertain

Manufacturing lifts India's private sector activity in April: Report

India's private sector activity recovered in April with PMI rising to 58.3, driven by manufacturing output and sales, though input costs remained elevated amid fuel and raw material pressures

West Asia crisis: Rice exports dip 7.5% to $11.53 billion in 2025-26

Iran is India's top basmati rice export destination, but the shipments are witnessing growing stress on order flows, payment cycles, and ship schedules due to the prevailing instability

April flash composite PMI at 58.3 as demand pushes manufacturing growth

The flash manufacturing PMI stood at 55.9 compared to 53.9 in March, while the services PMI came in at 57.9 versus 57.5 earlier

India 'tough nut to crack' on trade, says USTR Greer after latest talks

Greer was responding to questions by lawmakers on exports of DDGs, which are used as high-protein livestock feed, soybean meal and ethanol

Bernstein flags jobs, AI, and subsidy risks in open letter to PM Modi

The brokerage says India's growth story could under-deliver without faster reforms as AI threatens services jobs, subsidies rise and manufacturing struggles to absorb labour

New Zealand's opposition Labour Party to back free trade deal with India

New Zealand and India concluded a free trade deal in December that will eliminate or reduce tariffs on 95 per cent of New Zealand's ‌exports to India

Record seafood shipments mask stress in key markets, say exporters

India's seafood exports hit a record in FY26, but exporters warn that rupee depreciation and weak demand in key markets like the US mask underlying stress

India fiscal deficit may breach target, rise to 4.5% in FY27: BMI

Fitch warns India's fiscal deficit may exceed the FY27 target due to higher subsidies and policy support, while Moody's sees rising inflation and unemployment risks

West Asia conflict prompted MPC status quo, flag external sector risks

RBI holds rates amid West Asia risks, as MPC flags inflation, supply shocks, and external pressures while maintaining a cautious growth outlook

RBI proposes measures to strengthen Prepaid Payment Instruments framework

Accordingly, a draft Master Direction on Prepaid Payment Instruments was issued, and comments were invited by May 22, 2026

MPC members voted for status quo on rates amid W. Asia crisis: RBI minutes

The central bank's six-member MPC voted unanimously to keep the benchmark repurchase rate at 5.25 per cent

India can sustain growth despite crude at $90-100 per barrel: Assocham

India can sustain economic growth despite crude prices in the $90-100 per barrel range, supported by strong consumption, infrastructure spending and macroeconomic resilience

State-wise gaps in SASCI fund utilisation widen as scheme expands: SBI

SBI report highlights widening gaps in SASCI fund utilisation across states, with uneven absorption and signs of substitution as the scheme expands in scale and complexity

Government eyes E85 fuel rollout, but is India ready for the shift?

Reports suggest the government may soon notify E85 fuel rules as India eyes higher ethanol blends, but experts flag gaps in vehicle readiness, infrastructure, pricing, and transition timelines

India's unemployment to tick up, inflation to rise in 2026: Moody's

Moody's Analytics projects India's unemployment rate to edge up to 7 per cent in 2026, while inflation may rise to 4.5 per cent, the highest among Asia-Pacific peers

IPL travel economy amid West Asia crisis: Under pressure or holding steady?

IPL continues to drive strong domestic travel demand despite West Asia crisis, though rising fuel costs and weaker inbound traffic pose emerging risks for airlines and hospitality

FIEO asks exporters to engage with US buyers for tariff refund share

FIEO President S C Ralhan said that there is no legal right of Indian exporters on those refunds, as only the US businesses are getting the refunds

India's textile exports grow 2.1% to ₹3.16 trn in FY26 despite US tariffs

The growth comes despite the sector facing steep tariffs imposed by the US, its largest export destination, for most of the financial year