Indian Economy

India's services PMI hits four-month high in October as demand picks up

India's services PMI rose to 55.8 in October from 55.2 in September, driven by stronger new business growth and easing input cost inflation, while employment growth slowed.

Equity capital vital, market's concerns merit attention: FM Sitharaman

Asserts there is no fragility in the economy and India needs less cynicism

Companies pessimistic about economy, bullish on business: IMA India survey

IMA India's Q3FY27 survey shows business confidence falling as economic sentiment weakens, even as companies grow more optimistic about profitability, investment and hiring

Gold pulls forex reserves down for seventh straight week to $719.8 billion

India's foreign exchange reserves declined $1.3 billion to $719.8 billion in the week ended October 23 as a $2.7 billion fall in gold reserves offset gains in foreign currency assets

FTAs to open $85 trillion market; traders need to expand footprint: Goyal

With India's trade pacts set to provide preferential access to its goods and services in countries with a combined GDP of USD 85 trillion in the coming years, the industry should look beyond the huge domestic market and step out of its comfort zone to expand globally, Union Minister Piyush Goyal said on Friday. He said that before 2014, India had implemented free trade agreements (FTAs) with countries having an aggregate GDP of USD 10 trillion. In the last four and a half years, the government has entered into nine trade pacts which covered 38 developed countries, having a GDP of USD 60 trillion. India is now negotiating seven to eight more agreements, which will add another USD 15 trillion, where India will get preferential access for its goods and services, the commerce and industry minister said at the 4th Edition Festival of Ideas here. Together, all these trade agreements cover markets accounting for about 76 per cent of global GDP, or "USD 85 trillion out of the world's total

Services growth widens in August; 13 of 19 sectors post double-digit gains

NSO data shows 17 services sub-sectors expanded in August, led by retail trade, while repair services rebounded sharply and air transport contracted for a fifth straight month

US trade deal to give India strong comparative advantage, says Piyush Goyal

Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal says the proposed India-US trade agreement will protect farmers and other sensitive interests while strengthening India's position in global trade

India well placed to benefit from global supply chain shifts: EAC-PM chief

EAC-PM chairman S Mahendra Dev says India can gain from global supply chain shifts, but high business costs, land constraints and a shortage of mid-sized firms pose challenges

India's GDP growth seen at 7.35% in Q2 FY27 amid risks: Finance ministry

Stronger industrial output, energy consumption, port traffic, GST collections and auto sales support the growth outlook, while inflation, energy price volatility and geopolitical tensions pose risks

Growth with resilience

Vibrant BFSI sector will augment growth

Growth momentum holds despite shocks: RBI Deputy Governor Poonam Gupta

At the BFSI Insight Summit 2026, RBI Deputy Governor Poonam Gupta said India's growth momentum remained strong despite global shocks, aided by a diversified economy and policy response

India's oil imports, external finance remain key challenges: Poonam Gupta, Dy Governor, RBI

India's dependence on imported oil and external finance remains a challenge, Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Deputy Governor Poonam Gupta said at the Business Standard BFSI Insight Summit 2026.

India needs labour-intensive growth to address job challenges: Economists

India needs to make its economic growth more labour-intensive to generate enough jobs,

BFSI sector must lead infra and manufacturing funding, says Shaktikanta Das

At the Business Standard BFSI Insight Summit 2026, Shaktikanta Das called on banks and financial institutions to boost funding for infrastructure, advanced manufacturing, green finance and MSMEs

BFSI Insight Summit 2026: FCNR(B) bought India 3-5 years, says Uday Kotak

Uday Kotak warns India must prepare to repay $160-170 billion in FCNR(B) deposits and interest over three to five years, urging structural reforms to address macroeconomic risks

FCNR(B) a strong insurance policy, but repayment risks loom: Uday Kotak

At the Business Standard BFSI Insight Summit 2026, Uday Kotak said the FCNR(B) scheme had given India three to five years to strengthen its macroeconomic and financial position

Bankers hail RBI's FCNR(B) playbook as dollar inflows surge to $12.7 bn

Public sector banks mobilised around $12.7 billion through foreign currency non-resident (bank), or FCNR(B), deposits, helped by the Reserve Bank of India's (RBI's) swap support,

India's credit-to-GDP ratio to rise as credit access expands: Economists

Speaking at the Business Standard BFSI Insight Summit 2026, economists called for wider credit access, productive lending, stronger domestic capital markets and sustained investment to drive growth

BFSI Summit 2026: Shaktikanta Das to Poonam Gupta, here are key speakers

Meet the policymakers, regulators, bankers and investors shaping India's financial future, from monetary policy and market reforms to banking, insurance and investment.

Ten rules for external sector stress

There is wisdom from history in managing the rupee