Economics
Trade, fiscal policy, banking, agriculture and economic indicators
Compounding gains: On the India-New Zealand FTA
The India–New Zealand FTA, signed April 27, 2026, is being seen as the latest in a series of seven recent FTAs that collectively represent a step-change in I...
Government proposes E100 fuel approval
The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways issued a draft notification proposing amendments to the Central Motor Vehicles Rules to formally incorporate E85 ...
Finance Ministry caps outlay for schemes pending 16th Finance Commission approval
The Department of Expenditure issued an order capping budgetary allocations for all central sector and centrally sponsored schemes that could not complete ma...
India invokes WTO peace clause for FY25 rice subsidies for farmers
India has invoked the WTO peace clause for the seventh consecutive time, this time to cover rice subsidies provided to farmers during FY25 (2024–25). The ric...
Asian Development Bank cuts regional growth forecasts on impact of war in West Asia
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) released its April 2026 Asian Development Outlook, describing the revision as a "significant downward revision" — cutting th...
West Asia crisis creates a need to reprioritise policies and fiscal spending: CEA Nageswaran
The Chief Economic Adviser (CEA) identified four distinct channels through which the West Asia conflict is affecting India: (i) price and supply shock in ene...
Oil prices ease after rally as UAE exits OPEC; Iran conflict, Hormuz blockade keep supply concerns high
Brent crude futures dipped approximately 1% to around $111.25 a barrel following seven consecutive sessions of price increases, as the UAE's exit from OPEC i...
PM Modi to take stock of long-term strategy to address supply chain shocks next week
A high-level review meeting was convened to assess India's long-term strategies for managing supply chain vulnerabilities, with concerned ministries and empo...
India spent ₹4.3 lakh crore on energy subsidies in FY25; fossil fuel support still triples clean energy
India spent at least ₹4.3 lakh crore (USD 51 billion), equivalent to approximately 2.3% of GDP, on energy subsidies in Financial Year 2025 (FY25), according ...
Centre proposes motor vehicle rule changes to expand 100% ethanol fuel adoption
The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways issued a draft notification on 27 April 2026 proposing amendments to the Central Motor Vehicles Rules (CMVR) to f...
Global tensions present opportunity for India amid inflationary risks: Finance Ministry
The Finance Ministry's Monthly Economic Review (MER) for April 2026 assessed that while global trade tensions and geopolitical disruptions present risks to m...
Skilling India for a Future-Ready Workforce
The Economic Survey 2025-26 underscored the centrality of employment-focused skilling in bridging India's skill gaps, improving productivity, and enabling so...
GDP growth may slip to 6% if Indian crude basket averages $120/barrel in FY27: EY
An EY India analysis estimates that India's GDP growth in FY2026-27 could slip to approximately 6% — from a base estimate of 6.5–6.7% — if the Indian crude b...
Tropical forest loss eases after record year: researchers
Global Forest Watch data published in April 2026 shows the world lost 4.3 million hectares of tropical primary rainforest in 2025 — equivalent in area to Den...
India accelerates maritime expansion plan amid Strait of Hormuz concerns
An inter-ministerial review meeting convened in the context of Strait of Hormuz tensions accelerated India's merchant fleet expansion programme, committing t...
‘Exporters in Karnataka and other States will benefit from IMEC amid West Asia crisis’
The India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) is receiving renewed attention as ongoing West Asia conflict disrupts traditional maritime trade routes...
Public transport must be safe and dignified, not a space of silent fear: Karnataka High Court
The Karnataka High Court, while hearing a case involving women's safety in public transport, observed that it "cannot remain oblivious to the larger societal...
West Asia war, weak monsoon pose downside risk to growth, says finance ministry
The Finance Ministry's monthly economic review flagged the West Asia conflict and the possibility of a below-normal monsoon as the two principal downside ris...
RBI allows banks to extend relief measures to borrowers without their requests in disaster-hit areas
The Reserve Bank of India has issued final directions prescribing a comprehensive framework for relief measures to borrowers in areas affected by natural cal...
RBI rejects NBFC pleas on funds, norms tightening
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) rejected several suggestions from the Non-Banking Finance Company (NBFC) sector seeking regulatory relaxation, reaffirming it...