Page 105 - Economy & Policy News

Govt invites bids for coal gasification projects under ₹8,500-cr scheme

The coal ministry has launched the second round of financial incentives, offering Rs 2,366 crore to support coal and lignite gasification projects and promote cleaner coal use

India manufacturing PMI eases to 57.7 in Sep, selling prices hit 12-yr high

The September manufacturing PMI reading marked the weakest improvement in sector health since May, though it remained well above the neutral 50 threshold

Slowdown in new orders pulls manufacturing PMI to 4 month low in September

India's manufacturing PMI fell to 57.7 in September from 59.3 in August, as US tariffs slowed orders and output, though GST rate cuts lifted business confidence and export demand

RBI keeps repo rate unchanged at 5.5%, revises real GDP forecast to 6.8%

RBI Oct MPC meet 2025: The MPC retained the repo rate at 5.5 per cent, increased the growth estimate and revised the inflation forecast for FY26 downward to 2.6 per cent

RBI October MPC rate decision today: Here are 5 things you should know

RBI Oct MPC meet 2025: During its August meeting, the MPC retained the repo rate at 5.5 per cent after slashing it by 100 bps in three consecutive cuts since February

Datanomics: Decoding the unrest in Ladakh and rising unemployment

The budget allocation for the region for most years showed a decline compared to Budget Estimates

Fiscal deficit widens to 38% of BE on higher capex, weak taxes: CGA

India's fiscal deficit rose to 38.1 per cent of FY26 budget estimates in April-August, driven by higher capital expenditure and muted revenue receipts, CGA data showed

Govt puts ecommerce players under vigilance over GST pass-through

Tax officers are checking if the GST rate cuts are being passed on to customers by comparing prices before and after September 22

Rupee weakens 3.7% in H1FY26, hits fresh lows on US tariffs, outflows

The rupee depreciated 3.7 per cent in H1FY26, hitting new lows on US tariffs, foreign outflows and crude prices, while government bond yields swung on RBI policy shifts

ADB lowers FY27 India growth forecast to 6.5% citing US tariff impact

On risks to the outlook, it noted that the direction of bilateral trade policy between the US and India will pose both upside and downside risks

DFS, Meity secys among 3 external members of Payments Regulatory Board

The new Payments Regulatory Board, chaired by the RBI governor, will replace BPSS and include government nominees - the DFS secretary, Meity secretary and retired IAS officer Aruna Sundararajan

Retail credit growth moderates in August ahead of festival demand

RBI data shows retail credit growth slowed to 11.8% in August from 13.9% a year earlier, with housing, vehicles and credit card loans recording sharper moderation

India's road construction likely to slide to 5-year low in FY26: Icra

Icra attributed the decline to lower execution due to extended monsoon periods and a decline in project awarding over the past two years

India's external debt climbs to $747.2 billion at June-end: RBI report

The external debt to GDP ratio moderated to 18.9% at the end of June 2025 from 19.1% at the end of March 2025

After ethanol tender pricing setback, sugar industry hopes for review

An industry body for sugar factories has written to the Centre seeking a revision of the tender, which has left procurement prices unchanged from last year, noting that sugarcane prices have gone up

India's Apr-Aug fiscal deficit widens to ₹5.98 tn, 38.1% of FY26 target

Net tax receipts stood at ₹8.1 trillion, down from ₹8.7 trillion in the same period last year, while non-tax revenue rose to ₹4.4 trillion from ₹3.3 trillion a year ago

DGFT extends RoDTEP scheme till March 2026 amid steep US tariffs

The Directorate General of Foreign Trade has extended the RoDTEP scheme till March 2026, ensuring policy continuity for exporters navigating US tariff hikes and global headwinds

GDP gap between high- and low-income states worrisome: Suman Bery

NITI Aayog Vice-Chairman Suman Bery also pointed out that aggregate employment has increased by 150 million, of which 80 million women entered agricultural work

India must grow twice as fast to avoid jobs trap, warns Morgan Stanley

The South Asian nation's labour market is facing a dual challenge of unemployment and underemployment, Morgan Stanley economists led by Chetan Ahya wrote in a note

India-EFTA trade pact to take effect on Oct 1 with $100 bn investment plan

The bloc committed an investment of $100 billion -- $50 billion within 10 years after the implementation of the agreement and another $50 billion in the next five years