Page 15 - Economy

Private firms' bond, debenture investments surge sharply in FY25: RBI

During this period, corporate bond issuances increased to ₹9.87 lakh crore in FY25, compared to ₹8.38 lakh crore in the previous fiscal year

RBI data shows slower sales growth for private firms at 11.4% in FY25

Sales growth in the manufacturing sector moderated marginally to 9.2 per cent in 2024-25 from 9.4 per cent in the previous year

Women account for 26% of India's credit, portfolio hits ₹76 trillion

Women now account for 26% of India's credit system, with outstanding portfolio rising to Rs 76 trillion, driven by digital lending and growth in entrepreneurship

Southwest monsoon season rainfall likely to be below normal, says IMD

India is likely to receive 80 cm of rainfall during the season - the long period average (1971-2020) of the seasonal rainfall over India is 87 cm

Iran denies charging toll for Indian tankers transiting Strait of Hormuz

India says 15 India-flagged vessels remain stuck in the Persian Gulf

India gets first Iranian oil in 7 years, shows ship tracking data

The Iran-flagged Felicity has reached Sikka Port in western India, while the Curacao-flagged Jaya is at the eastern port of Odisha, the data shows

Edible oil imports in March grows 12% to 1.173 million tonne: SEA

As per the SEA data, imports of crude palm oil surged to 6,73,965 tonne last month from 3,43,949 tonne in March 2025

March retail inflation up at 3.4% vs 3.2% in Feb on rising food prices

Data showed rural inflation at 3.63 per cent, while urban inflation remained lower at 3.11 per cent

Switch Mobility completes India's largest electric bus export to Mauritius

Switch Mobility has delivered 100 electric buses to Mauritius under a government-backed initiative, marking India's largest such export and advancing clean public transport in the island nation

World Bank chief warns of looming jobs crisis even after Iran war ends

World Bank chief said governments must balance immediate crises with long-term priorities including job creation, clean water access and electrification

Palm oil imports fall 19% to three-month low in March amid price surge

India's palm oil imports in March fell to 689,462 metric tons, the lowest since December 2025, down from 847,689 tons in February

India got highest number of regressive tax recommendations from IMF: Oxfam

The report said 59% of the IMF's tax advice to low- and lower-middle-income countries was regressive, while 52% of its recommendations to high-income countries were progressive

Iran war prompted India to change crude formula to fix 3-year inaccuracy

Old formula did not represent the price paid by Indian refiners

West Asia war: OMCs face renewed pressure as US-Iran peace talks collapse

Indian vessel carrying nearly 20,400 tonnes of LPG crossed Hormuz on April 11

CBDT urged to issue master circular on legacy tax guidance in new I-T law

Experts flag ambiguity over applicability of legacy circulars under the new Income-tax Act, 2025, seeking clarity to reduce disputes and ensure uniform compliance

Consumer durables' Q4 results may show impact of war, March rainfall

Rising input costs and unseasonal March rains hurt consumer durables demand in Q4FY26, with margin pressures expected to persist despite modest growth outlook

India's poverty map bends under climate pressure, finds NISER study

Niser analysis across 593 districts links erratic weather patterns to shifting livelihoods, unstable incomes

Coal imports slip 8.5% in Feb amid record stockpiles, firm global prices

India's coal imports fall 8.5% in February as high domestic stockpiles and firm global prices curb demand, with adequate supplies easing power concerns

'India-UK free trade pact may come into force from second week of May'

While India has opened its market to various consumer goods, including chocolates, biscuits, and cosmetics, it will gain greater access to export products, such as textiles, footwear

Centre hikes export duty on diesel to ₹55.5/l, ATF to ₹42/l; petrol nil

The Finance Ministry effected the hike through five notifications by raising the Special Additional Excise Duty on diesel to ₹24 per litre and adjusting the Road and Infrastructure Cess