Page 81 - Economy
India's petrol demand rises 7% in October; diesel sales remain flat
India's fuel consumption trends diverged in October, with petrol sales rising on festive demand and diesel demand subdued by the growing use of EVs and CNG vehicles in public transport
 "India's petrol demand rises 7% in October; diesel sales remain flat")
Untapped mines could save India $100 bn in imports annually: CSEP study
Policy hurdles, high royalties and red tape keeping global explorers away, warns report
 "Untapped mines could save India $100 bn in imports annually: CSEP study")
Mauritius looking to revive rice ties with India to ease out Pakistan
Pakistan became the country's significant rice supplier after India banned non-basmati rice exports in 2023 to cool down domestic markets
 "Mauritius looking to revive rice ties with India to ease out Pakistan")
India taps IISc as centre of excellence to boost critical minerals research
The Ministry of Mines has chosen IISc Bengaluru as a key hub for research and innovation in critical minerals, strengthening India's self-reliance in clean energy, defence, and advanced technologies.
 "India taps IISc as centre of excellence to boost critical minerals research")
GST 2.0 drives two-wheeler owners to car showrooms, boosts Maruti
GST 2.0 price cuts are bringing a new set of first-time car buyers into Maruti showrooms, with small car bookings rising sharply and a focused campaign launched to ease financing
 "GST 2.0 drives two-wheeler owners to car showrooms, boosts Maruti")
Govt seeks views on allowing FDI in inventory-based e-commerce for exports
The proposal aims to boost India's exports without impacting the businesses of small retailers
 "Govt seeks views on allowing FDI in inventory-based e-commerce for exports")
Accessibility isn't charity, it's India's $1 trn GDP booster: Sminu Jindal
Jindal called for mandatory monthly training for airline staff and steeper financial penalties for mishandling assistive devices
 "Accessibility isn't charity, it's India's $1 trn GDP booster: Sminu Jindal")
GST net revenues inch up 0.6% in October; refunds jump nearly 40%
Muted domestic mop-up reflects rate-cut impact, festive deferment; import GST boost cushions growth
 "GST net revenues inch up 0.6% in October; refunds jump nearly 40%")
₹2,000 notes worth ₹5,817 crore remain in circulation, says RBI
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) had announced the withdrawal of ₹2,000 denomination banknotes from circulation on May 19, 2023
 "₹2,000 notes worth ₹5,817 crore remain in circulation, says RBI")
India's GST collection increases 4.6% to ₹1.96 trillion in October
In August and September, collections were relatively subdued at ₹1.86 trillion and ₹1.89 trillion, respectively
 "India's GST collection increases 4.6% to ₹1.96 trillion in October")
Greater decentralisation needed in India, but states resist: EAC-PM chief
Recalling contribution of former economist Rohini Nayyar, Dev said the implementation of MGNREGA through panchayats not only helped improve wages but also helped build trust in grassroots democracy
 "Greater decentralisation needed in India, but states resist: EAC-PM chief")
RBI rejects bids for 7-year G-sec due to demand for higher yield
Govt banks stay away from auction
 "RBI rejects bids for 7-year G-sec due to demand for higher yield")
Centre's fiscal deficit in H1 stood at 36.5% of full-year target
In H1 of FY26, capex grew at a robust 40 per cent, exhausting more than half (51.8 per cent) of the Rs 11.2 trillion full year target against 37.3 per cent spending during the same period a year ago
 "Centre's fiscal deficit in H1 stood at 36.5% of full-year target")
RBI board meets in Udaipur, reviews economic, geopolitical developments
This was the 619th meeting of the central board of directors of the RBI, the central bank said, adding that Governor Sanjay Malhotra chaired the meeting
 "RBI board meets in Udaipur, reviews economic, geopolitical developments")
India's foreign exchange reserves drop by $6.93 billion to $695.36 billion
RBI data shows foreign currency assets and gold holdings declined in the week ended Oct 24, pulling total reserves below the $700-billion mark
 "India's foreign exchange reserves drop by $6.93 billion to $695.36 billion")
India's Apr-Sep fiscal deficit hits ₹5.73 trillion, 36.5% of FY26 estimate
The Centre's receipts stood at ₹17.3 lakh crore, or 49.5% of the FY26 target, while expenditure reached ₹23.03 lakh crore, or 45.5% of the estimate, led by higher interest and subsidy payments
 "India's Apr-Sep fiscal deficit hits ₹5.73 trillion, 36.5% of FY26 estimate")
Some companies in India get China licences to import REMs, says MEA
MEA confirms licences for Indian companies to import rare earth magnets from China; also announces US waiver on Chabahar port sanctions for six months
 "Some companies in India get China licences to import REMs, says MEA")
Rupee slips sharply as hopes of US Federal Reserve rate cut in Dec fade
The rupee weakened as much as 0.56 per cent, the most since August 29, to 88.70 per dollar on Thursday, closing in on its September record of 88.8050
 "Rupee slips sharply as hopes of US Federal Reserve rate cut in Dec fade")
Piyush Goyal stresses need for export diversification amid tariff heat
At a meeting with exporters, Goyal reviewed FTA talks with EU, Chile and New Zealand, and discussed challenges from US tariffs and quality control orders
 "Piyush Goyal stresses need for export diversification amid tariff heat")
Stats ministry plans fresh look at CPI housing gauge, seeks public feedback
Housing is an important component of the CPI series as it has a weightage of 21.67 per cent in urban areas and 10.07 per cent at the all-India level in the current series
 "Stats ministry plans fresh look at CPI housing gauge, seeks public feedback")