Economics
Trade, fiscal policy, banking, agriculture and economic indicators
Wholesale price inflation at 11-month high of 2.13 pc; higher crude prices to push WPI higher
India's Wholesale Price Index (WPI)-based inflation rose to 2.13% year-on-year in February 2026, the highest level in 11 months and the fourth consecutive mo...
India’s basmati rice exports to stay steady despite Middle East conflict: Crisil
CRISIL Ratings projects India's basmati rice export volume to remain broadly stable in the current and next fiscal year, with growth of up to 2% over the 6.0...
India's trade deficit narrows on month to $27.1 billion in Feb; Tariff uncertainty, Iran conflict loom
India's merchandise trade deficit for February 2026 stood at USD 27.1 billion — narrower than January 2026's USD 34.68 billion but sharply higher than Februa...
India's February unemployment rate eases to 4.9% y/y
India's unemployment rate (as measured by CMIE — Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy) eased to 4.9% in February 2026, down from 5.0% in January 2026, beatin...
India needs outcome-driven urban policy, says EAC-PM paper
A working paper titled "India's Hidden Urbanisation and its Policy Implications" authored by EAC-PM member Shamika Ravi (with consultants Manuj Joshi and Apu...
India’s exports to US fall 13 pc in Feb; trade gap with China crosses USD 100 bn
India's merchandise exports to the United States declined approximately 12.88% year-on-year to USD 6.88 billion in February 2026, attributed to the impact of...
CCI issues guidance note advising enterprises to conduct self-audits on AI tools to avoid competition risks
The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has issued a guidance note urging enterprises to conduct self-audits of their AI tools to identify and address hidd...
India-US trade deal to be signed when Trump re-establishes tariff rates, Trade Secy says
India's Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal stated that India remains engaged with the US for a "mutually beneficial" trade agreement, but will sign only after...
India inks terms of reference with Philippines, Maldives for trade pact talks
India's Department of Commerce inked Terms of Reference (ToR) with the Philippines for a Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) and with the Maldives for a Free ...
Iran war begins to bomb the GST bonanza. What can happen?
Escalating geopolitical tensions in West Asia following the conflict that began on February 28, 2026, are threatening to reverse the consumer demand boost ge...
Support measures for exporters on anvil to deal with West Asia crisis
The Commerce Ministry is finalising a support package for Indian exporters hit by disruptions arising from the West Asia conflict that escalated on February ...
The balancing act: How India is stepping up engagement with Iran as Hormuz crisis deepens
India has adopted a direct diplomatic engagement strategy with Iran to secure safe passage for Indian vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, which has been ef...
Foreign Exchange Management (Export and Import of Currency) (Amendment) Regulations, 2026
The Reserve Bank of India, exercising powers under Section 47(2)(ga) of the Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999 (FEMA), notified an amendment to the Foreig...
Centre pushes ₹71,000 crore highway projects in West Bengal; links all 23 district HQs
The Central Government has pushed forward highway projects worth approximately ₹71,000 crore in West Bengal, designed to connect all 23 district headquarters...
Dodging tigers and the law: In rural Madhya Pradesh, LPG shortage drives many into forests
LPG shortages in rural Madhya Pradesh — exacerbated by the March 2026 price hike of ₹60 per cylinder triggered by Iran conflict disruptions to Hormuz supply ...
E-KYC now mandatory for all domestic LPG consumers amid supply shortage
The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has made biometric Aadhaar authentication (E-KYC) mandatory for all domestic LPG consumers. The E-KYC mandate comes...
Return of Russian oil signals US pragmatism
The US Treasury Department issued a 30-day temporary waiver (codified as General License 133) allowing Indian state and private refiners to purchase Russian ...
Why Iran differs from Ukraine in terms of economic fallout for India and the world
Economists and policy analysts are drawing comparisons between the economic fallout of the current Iran conflict (2026) and the Russia-Ukraine war (2022), fi...
Why gold prices have remained subdued in India despite raging West Asian conflict
Despite the West Asia conflict that began on 28 February 2026 driving safe-haven gold demand globally, domestic gold prices in India have remained relatively...
How India’s tough spot between Iran and US can dent the economy
India faces acute economic stress from the Strait of Hormuz closure: disruption to LPG supply chains, rising crude oil prices, and inflationary pressures on ...