Page 2 - Economy

GeM records ₹18.4 trillion GMV since inception; MSMEs dominate FY26

Government e-Marketplace records strong procurement growth, with MSMEs leading participation and AI-driven tools enhancing transparency, efficiency, and monitoring across transactions

Ecommerce tariffs: India open to a longer extension of the moratorium

This will give businesses greater predictability, says Goyal

'₹12,754 cr misclassified, ₹54,282 cr in pending utilisation certificates'

CAG flags Rs 12,754 crore misclassification and Rs 54,282 crore pending utilisation certificates in FY25, raising concerns over transparency, budgeting gaps and fund transfers

Indian clearing house raises margin requirements for dollar-rupee forwards

CCIL said ‌it would levy a volatility margin of 20 per cent of initial margin with immediate effect under its foreign exchange forward segment regulations

Tiger Global ruling concerns: CBDT exempts pre-FY18 investments from Gaar

CBDT clarifies GAAR provisions to exempt pre-2017 investments from scrutiny, aiming to boost investor confidence and ensure tax certainty

Coal demand rises in India as West Asia crisis disrupts gas supply

Coal demand in India is rising as the West Asia crisis disrupts gas supplies, prompting higher auctions by Coal India and pushing industries to reconsider fuel choices amid tightening energy markets

Global risk aversion halts FPI momentum in FAR securities in FY26

In the financial year 2024-25, FPI inflows were supported by phased entry into JPMorgan's Government Bond - Emerging Market Index (GBO-EM)

Delhi Budget FY27 hikes capital outlay, but lags as share of GSDP

Delhi's FY27 Budget raises capital outlay and green spending, but capex remains below 1 per cent of GSDP, even as revenue surplus strengthens and fiscal deficit stays within limits

Bombay High Court halts GST action on 18% hotel restaurant levy

Court continues interim relief, stays show-cause notice in case challenging 18% GST rate on restaurants in high-tariff hotels, with hearing slated for June

IIP growth rose to 5.2% in February as manufacturing output climbs

Industrial output growth edges up to 5.2% in February, led by manufacturing recovery, while electricity and mining output show mixed trends amid global pressures

Centre's fiscal deficit in April-February at 80% of FY26 target: CGA

Fiscal deficit narrows to 80.4% of revised estimates in April-February FY26, aided by higher revenues and steady capex, though global risks may pressure FY27 outlook

WTO's MC14 concludes without declaration as countries 'ran out of time'

Ministerial ends without consensus on key issues including e-commerce tariffs and TRIPS, with talks set to continue in Geneva amid deep divisions among members

Inflation dynamics: Ongoing Iran conflict will complicate policy choices

Research has shown that both the inflation rate and volatility moderated after the adoption of the flexible inflation-targeting framework

FY26 marks sweeping tax overhaul with new income tax law, GST reforms

Union Budget-driven changes introduce new Income Tax Act, GST 2.0 rationalisation, and compliance reforms aimed at simplifying taxation and boosting transparency

Finance Commission nudges CAG to override states on subsidy classification

The issue has drawn significant attention and public debate in recent times as states often announce a spate of freebies, particularly before Assembly elections

GST reforms have boosted economy, says FM Sitharaman in Lok Sabha

Sitharaman says rise in auto sales, tractors and cement output shows GST rate cuts supported demand, even as concerns remain over uneven price transmission

Unincorporated sector establishments increased 8% last year, shows survey

India's unincorporated sector saw nearly 8% growth in establishments and over 6% rise in employment in 2025, with GVA expanding 10.87%, reflecting steady expansion

High growth has not translated into meaningful job creation: Jayati Ghosh

India's economic growth has not translated into sufficient job creation, with weak formal employment and low female participation, says economist Jayati Ghosh

NRI deposit flows fall 25.86% to $10.61 bn in April-January: RBI data

NRI deposit inflows declined 25.86 per cent to $10.61 billion in April-January 2026, mainly due to a sharp fall in FCNR deposits, even as NRE and NRO inflows rose

India's forex reserves fall $7 billion to $709.76 billion, shows RBI data

India's forex reserves dropped USD 7.052 billion to USD 709.759 billion during the week ended March 13, the RBI said on Friday. In the previous reporting week, the overall reserves had dropped USD 11.683 billion to USD 716.81 billion. The kitty had expanded to an all-time high of USD 725.727 billion during the week ended February 13 this year. For the week ended March 13, foreign currency assets, a major component of the reserves, fell USD 7.678 billion to USD 555.568 billion, the data released by the central bank showed. Expressed in dollar terms, the foreign currency assets include effects of appreciation or depreciation of non-US units, such as the euro, pound, and yen, held in the foreign exchange reserves. Value of gold reserves increased USD 664 million to USD 130.681 billion during the week, the RBI said. The Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) were down USD 23 million to USD 18.697 billion, the apex bank said. India's reserve position with the IMF was also down by USD 15 millio