Economy
Budget FY26: Economists urge govt to focus on consumption, tax reforms
India's economic growth slowed more sharply than anticipated in the July-September period of FY25, dropping to a seven-quarter low of 5.4 per cent
 "Budget FY26: Economists urge govt to focus on consumption, tax reforms")
Indian economy to grow at 6.5-6.8% in FY25 on high consumption: Deloitte
The government's continued focus on infrastructure development, digitisation, and attracting FDI will be the additional growth booster, enhancing overall efficiency
 "Indian economy to grow at 6.5-6.8% in FY25 on high consumption: Deloitte")
Southern states steal the show in monthly household spending: Survey
Kerala, Telangana, and Tamil Nadu lead India in household consumption, surpassing the national average in spending
 "Southern states steal the show in monthly household spending: Survey")
The India story: Striving for a stronger share of the global trade pie
India's trade relations with the world have evolved in the last 25 years. New partnerships have been forged, old ones have been strengthened, but challenges remain
 "The India story: Striving for a stronger share of the global trade pie")
Rupee hits new low of Rs 85.54 after worst intraday fall in 2 years
Weakens below 85.8 intraday, RBI does rescue act
 "Rupee hits new low of Rs 85.54 after worst intraday fall in 2 years")
PMS players breach threshold, set to have non-EPFO assets of over Rs 10 trn
PMS assets excluding EPFO and similar entities have grown 116% since FY1
 "PMS players breach threshold, set to have non-EPFO assets of over Rs 10 trn")
Rural, urban food spending rises amid inflation pressure, shows HCE report
Conversely, among non-food items, rural households reduced spending on medical care, education, rent, fuel, and durable goods
 "Rural, urban food spending rises amid inflation pressure, shows HCE report")
Q2 FY25: Current account deficit at 1.2% of GDP; BoP surplus at $18.6 bn
The merchandise trade deficit increased to $75.3 billion in Q2 of 2024-25 from $64.5 billion during the same period last year
 "Q2 FY25: Current account deficit at 1.2% of GDP; BoP surplus at $18.6 bn")
Forex reserves decline by $8.4 billion of $644 billion as of Dec 20
The decline in reserves is due to both intervention and revaluation effects
 "Forex reserves decline by $8.4 billion of $644 billion as of Dec 20")
RBI allows interoperability between PPIs like wallets for UPI payments
Currently, UPI payments are interoperable such that a user can use any TPAP to transfer funds
 "RBI allows interoperability between PPIs like wallets for UPI payments")
Govt plans to borrow Rs 3.9 trillion via treasury bills in Q4FY25
Market participants said that the gross borrowing amount was higher than expected
 "Govt plans to borrow Rs 3.9 trillion via treasury bills in Q4FY25")
Manmohan's legacy as PM: Goodwill earned in 1st stint, but slips in the 2nd
Economic data shows history will be kinder to him for his first term rather than second
 "Manmohan's legacy as PM: Goodwill earned in 1st stint, but slips in the 2nd")
List of defining reforms under Singh as finance minister, Prime Minister
RTI passed to empower citizens to seek information from public authorities, promoting transparency during his tenure as PM
 "List of defining reforms under Singh as finance minister, Prime Minister")
Rural, urban consumption inequality dips during Aug 2023-July 2024: Govt
Consistent with the trend observed in HCES:2022-23, non-food items remain the major contributor to the household's average monthly expenditure in 2023-24
 "Rural, urban consumption inequality dips during Aug 2023-July 2024: Govt")
Current account deficit narrows to at $11.2 bn in July-September: RBI
The current account deficit stood at $11.2 bn, or 1.2 per cent of GDP in the reporting quarter, compared with a revised deficit of $11.3 bn or 1.3 per cent of GDP in the same quarter a year ago
 "Current account deficit narrows to at $11.2 bn in July-September: RBI")
Forex reserves drop to over seven-month low of $644.39 bn as of Dec 20
The reserves declined by $8.5 billion in the reporting week, logging their biggest weekly fall in over a month. They had declined by a total of $5.2 billion in the prior two weeks
 "Forex reserves drop to over seven-month low of $644.39 bn as of Dec 20")
Year 2025 to transform coal sector with first exchange, gasification & more
India's coal production is set to increase by 8 to 10 per cent in the coming years, driven by growing electricity demand and increased contributions from captive mines
 "Year 2025 to transform coal sector with first exchange, gasification & more")
Budget 2025: Govt may cut income tax rates to lift consumption, says report
The move could benefit tens of millions of taxpayers, especially city dwellers burdened by high living costs, if they opt for a 2020 tax system that strips exemptions like housing rentals
 "Budget 2025: Govt may cut income tax rates to lift consumption, says report")
India eyes $25 billion export opportunity in US amid China tariff dispute
These sectors include electronics and electrical equipment, footwear, textiles and garments, furniture and home decor, automotive components, toys, and chemicals
 "India eyes $25 billion export opportunity in US amid China tariff dispute")
Monetary policy stance may have led to demand slowdown in H1: Finmin review
India's economic growth slowed more sharply than anticipated in the July-September period of FY25, dropping to a seven-quarter low of 5.4 per cent
 "Monetary policy stance may have led to demand slowdown in H1: Finmin review")
