Economy & Policy News

CPI alignment and need for flexibility back 4% inflation target retention

Economists support retaining the 4% inflation target, citing CPI alignment and the flexibility it offers RBI to manage supply shocks while sustaining growth

OECD projects India's GDP to grow at 7.6% in FY26, 6.1% in FY27

The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) on Thursday projected India's GDP to grow at 7.6 per cent in the current fiscal and 6.1 per cent in 2026-27.

Oil rises as investors reassess West Asia ceasefire prospects

Oil jumps over 3% as Middle East tensions threaten supply, with Hormuz disruption and global outages intensifying fears of a prolonged energy crisis

High energy prices may impact FY27 fiscal position; buffers available: ICRA

Elevated global crude and gas prices may affect India's FY27 fiscal position, though buffers such as expenditure savings and fiscal tools could help manage pressures, ICRA said

India's GDP growth above 7% in FY27 despite global headwinds: Assocham

India's economy is expected to grow above 7% in FY27, supported by domestic demand and investment, even as geopolitical tensions and global slowdown risks persist

India has about 60 days of fuel stocks, govt dismisses shortage claims

The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas said all petrol pumps across the country are adequately stocked and operating normally, with no rationing of petrol or diesel

DGTR initiates probe against imports of Chinese, Indonesian paperboards

The commerce ministry's investigation arm Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR) has started the exercise following a complaint filed by Indian Paper Manufacturers' Association

Indian iron ore imports set to hit 7-year high in FY26 on strong demand

Overall imports are likely to reach 12 million to 14 million metric tons in 2025-26, more than doubling from a year earlier, analysts and trade officials said

Payments up to ₹25,000 crore pending: Basmati exporters amid Iran war

The ongoing conflict in West Asia has severely disrupted India's premium basmati rice exports, causing significant losses to traders and threatening the livelihoods of farmers.

Freight surge, LPG shortage amid Iran war hit exports from east India

Freight rates have risen 60-80 per cent depending on destination, containers are in short supply, and exports have fallen by up to 50 per cent

India backs initiatives to ease investment flows to poor countries

But maintains that the WTO, as a trade body, is not the appropriate forum for such matters

S&P raises India growth forecast for FY27; flags risks from energy shocks

The ratings agency expects growth to moderate from FY26 levels, supported by consumption and investment, while warning of risks from geopolitical tensions and energy prices

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

India ready for peak power demand, but supply, transmission risks remain

India is better prepared to meet a record 270 Gw peak power demand this summer, supported by strong coal stocks and renewables, though geopolitical tensions and grid constraints pose risks

Govt asks RBI to maintain 4% retail inflation target till March 2031

The government on Wednesday asked the Reserve Bank to maintain retail inflation at 4 per cent with a margin of 2 per cent on either side for another five years ending March 2031.

Parliamentary Panel seeks relief for shippers hit by West Asia disruption

Parliamentary panel recommends insurance support, working capital relief and a long-term maritime resilience framework amid rising costs and supply disruptions

Questions on caste to be notified before second phase of Census 2027: Govt

The Census will be conducted in two phases - houselisting and housing census from April to September 2026, and population enumeration (PE) in February 2027

Indian refiners seek alternatives to US dollar for Russian oil payments

Transactions are being carried out by depositing Indian rupees into special overseas bank accounts held by Russian sellers which are then being converted into UAE's dirham or the Chinese yuan

West Asia war spillover may push rupee past 98/$, hit stocks: Bernstein

If the conflict lasts much of 2026, the repercussions could be 'catastrophic', Bernstein analysts said, citing supply risks, double-digit inflation and economic growth in the 2%-3% range

REC board approves ₹1.6 trillion market borrowing programme for FY27

The market borrowings of ₹1.6 trillion includes raising up to ₹1.4 trillion through the issuance of capital gains tax exemption bonds