Economics
Trade, fiscal policy, banking, agriculture and economic indicators
India’s rocky road to trade deal with US: The flip-flops, political pitfalls
India and the United States have been locked in protracted trade negotiations, with a framework for an interim Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) announced by...
India-US trade deal may have a $100-bn opportunity for India’s electronics exports. Here’s why
India and the United States agreed on a trade framework announced in February 2026 following a telephonic conversation between PM Modi and US President...
How does the trade deal with the US affect India’s macroeconomic outlook?
The India-US interim trade framework announced in February 2026 has significant implications for India's broader macroeconomic picture, particularly its...
US farm exports to India have been surging even with no trade deal
US agricultural exports to India surged significantly in the period leading up to and during the India-US trade negotiations of 2025–26, even in the absence...
A cautious nudge: On the 16th Finance Commission’s recommendations
The 16th Finance Commission, chaired by Dr. Arvind Panagariya, submitted its report on February 1, 2026, covering the period 2026-27 to 2030-31. The...
Hope and uncertainty as India and US strike long-delayed trade deal
The United States and India announced a framework for an interim trade agreement on February 6, 2026, following PM Modi's visit to Washington during which a...
Defence budget through the years: Big leap for 2026-27, but what numbers since 1999 reveal
The Union Budget 2026-27 allocated Rs 7.85 lakh crore to the Ministry of Defence — the highest-ever allocation, representing a 15.19% jump over the previous...
Corridor to future: High-speed rail, freight, one for rare earths
Union Budget 2026-27 announced a Dedicated Rare Earth Mineral Corridor linking four coastal mineral-rich states — Odisha, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil...
Budget rationalises tax penalty, prosecution framework for individuals; foreign asset disclosure scheme announced
Union Budget 2026-27 proposed a comprehensive rationalisation of penalty and prosecution provisions under the Income Tax Act, with the objective of reducing...
Union Budget 2026-27: Manufacturing gets big boost as govt slashes customs duties
The Union Budget 2026-27, presented on February 1, 2026 by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, announced significant customs duty reductions targeting...
Gadget charge: Outlay doubled to Rs 40,000 crore for electronic components
Union Budget 2026-27 raised the outlay of the Electronics Components Manufacturing Scheme (ECMS) to ₹40,000 crore — nearly doubling the original ₹22,919...
Union Budget: Rs 10,000-crore SME Growth Fund, reform to boost liquidity for MSMEs
The Union Budget 2026-27 announced a dedicated ₹10,000-crore SME Growth Fund to provide equity support to high-potential small and medium enterprises...
Relief for students pursuing education abroad: Overseas spending eased, TCS down to 2%
Union Budget 2026-27 reduced Tax Collected at Source (TCS) on overseas remittances for education and medical purposes from 5% to 2% under the Liberalised...
Budget 2026 | AI impact on jobs and services: Panel to look at the road ahead
Union Budget 2026-27 announced the establishment of a high-powered 'Education to Employment and Enterprises Standing Committee' to assess the impact of...
Union Budget: Rs 10K crore for container scheme amid shortage, dependency
Union Budget 2026-27 announced a ₹10,000 crore Container Manufacturing Assistance Scheme, directly targeting India's near-total dependence on Chinese-made...
Union Budget 2026-27: To cut China reliance, support for rare earths, critical minerals
Union Budget 2026-27 announced several measures targeting India's significant dependence on China for rare earth elements and critical minerals, with direct...
IT boost: Budget offers tax certainty with safe harbour reforms
Budget 2026-27 introduces a comprehensive overhaul of India's Safe Harbour Rules for transfer pricing — specifically targeting IT/ITeS, data centres, and...
US lowers tariffs on India to 18% from 50% under trade deal; rates better than Vietnam, Bangladesh & Pakistan
The United States agreed to lower tariffs on Indian goods from 50% to 18% as part of the India-US interim bilateral trade framework announced in February...
Oil a deal clincher? Trump says India will stop buying Russian crude, will buy more from US, even Venezuela
US President Donald Trump claimed on February 2, 2026 that Prime Minister Modi had agreed to stop purchasing Russian crude oil and instead buy American and...
Growth remains priority, looking at more PSU divestment: FM Sitharaman
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman stated in post-budget interactions that economic growth remains the government's primary objective, and PSU (Public...