Economy

India's wholesale inflation climbs to 10-month high of 1.8 % in January

Wholesale inflation rose to a 10-month high of 1.81% in January, driven by higher food and core prices, with vegetable inflation turning positive and manufactured goods showing renewed price pressures

Japan's economy barely grows as exports drag; 2025 expansion just 1.1%

Japan's economy expanded at an anemic 0.2% annual pace in the last quarter, the government reported Monday, with growth for all of 2025 at just 1.1%. Private consumption rose at a 0.4% annualized pace in October-December, but that was offset by a 1.1% drop in exports, the latest seasonally adjusted preliminary data show. Japan's export-reliant economy has been shaken by President Donald Trump's tariffs, but has been growing at a lackluster pace for years. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is expected to roll out policies to help revive the economy after a landslide victory in a general election earlier this month. Takaichi has promised to spend more and to suspend Japan's sales tax on food, among other measures. Japan's GDP contracted 0.7% in July-September, quarter-to-quarter, after growing 0.5% in April-June. Since the economy returned to growth in the latest quarter, the country narrowly avoided a technical recession, which is two straight quarters of contraction. On a quarterly ba

New CPI series will have less instability structurally, says Pronab Sen

Former chief statistician says the revised cpi was overdue, supports excluding free pds items and sees little immediate impact on rbi policy decisions

New CPI series pegs India's retail inflation at 2.75% in January

Officials stressed that the December number under the old series and the January print are not comparable

How India can reframe global economic cooperation in a multipolar world

India seeks to convene, align and anchor a shifting global order by building platforms where governments, capital and enterprise forge the partnerships shaping future prosperity

Net direct tax collections up 9.4 % to ₹19.43 trillion till February 10

Net direct tax collections grow 9.4% to Rs 19.43 trillion till February 10 in FY26, aided by moderation in refunds, CBDT provisional data shows

External factors won't affect India-China trade: Consul General Qin Jie

Qin Jie, Consul General of the People's Republic of China in Mumbai, said on Saturday that India-China trade will not be affected by external factors, as both countries are very big economies that support multilateralism and multilateral trade. The Chinese Consul General was speaking to PTI on the sidelines of the International Business Conclave at Advantage Vidarbha 2026 in Nagpur. When asked how he sees the contours of trade between the two neighbours against the backdrop of the agreements India is signing, he said it is unlikely that it will be influenced much by outside factors. "Because India is a very big economy and China is also a very large economy. We are countries that both support multilateralism and multilateral trade and multicultural exchange," he said. To a question about his views on the deals that India has struck with the US and the European Union (EU), Qin Jie said, "India is free to decide its relations with the EU or other parts of the world But for India and

Outcome Budget data raises questions on returns from government capex

The Outcome Budget or OOMF is meant to link government spending to measurable results, but near-identical targets across years highlight gaps in assessing returns on public investment

Scrapping revenue deficit grants may strain fragile states: Economists

Economists warn that removal of revenue deficit grants could hurt fiscally weak and hill states, forcing them to seek alternative support from the Centre

India-US trade deal a big decision that will benefit all, says PM Modi

Chief ministers welcome the India-US trade deal, with PM Modi calling it a big decision, while TDP MPs seek clarity on withdrawal of punitive duties

Business Standard poll: Status quo on repo rate likely in RBI review

Some economists said that a pause is warranted at this juncture to assess the upcoming CPI and GDP data, which will be released in mid to late February 2026 using new base years

FTP Para 4.14 vs Para 2 of 22/2023-Customs, mismatch trips importer

Customs notifications override FTP provisions on duty exemptions, while advance authorisation imports can bypass MIP for deemed exports if inputs aren't sold in the DTA

Lords committee flags risks for UK industries in India free trade agreement

UK parliamentary panel backs the India-UK FTA as historic but warns British firms may face delayed gains, sectoral risks and tougher competition from Indian exports

Budget 2026: Cautious & prudent, yet focusing on the long-term journey

Economic Survey and Budget 2026 chart a fiscally prudent, future-ready roadmap, betting on infrastructure, manufacturing and resilience amid global uncertainty

Eco Survey maps swadeshi path to strategic resilience, indispensability

> Expects GDP to grow at 6.8-7.2% in FY27 amid macroeconomic stability > Says ₹ 'punching below its weight', geopolitics shaping capital flows

Uttar Pradesh leads infra chart with projects worth over ₹10 trillion

Uttar Pradesh has built India's largest infra pipeline worth over ₹10 trillion as it targets a $1-trillion economy by 2030, with projects spread across key sectors

Consumers view upcoming Budget 2026-27 with caution: Kantar Survey

Consumer optimism around India's long-term growth goals has softened ahead of Budget 2026, with households prioritising tax relief, job security and financial stability, a Kantar survey shows

India hopes to conclude social security pacts with all EU members in 5 yrs

Social Security Agreement ensures continuity of social security benefits on a reciprocal basis and thus avoids potential dual contributions for Indian workers and employers in the future

India-EU free trade agreement to improve access to premium alcobev brands

While detailed provisions of the agreement are awaited, the initially released agreement indicates that import tariffs will be reduced to 75% from current 150% across all EU spirits, wines categories

Stakeholders seek further tax reforms, higher standard deduction in Budget

With many income tax incentives already expired or approaching sunset, 34% of respondents said they expected the government to bring back a manufacturing-linked lower tax rate regime