"indian-economy"

As Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman prepares to present a record ninth consecutive Budget, she faces a defining fiscal moment amid external headwinds and internal challenges

Maintaining financial stability and strengthening financial system remain RBI north star, says Malhotra in his foreword in the latest edition of RBI Financial Stability Report

Ambedkar’s century-old work reminds us that a stable rupee is earned over time through credible institutions, clear policy, and structural reforms

New Delhi’s ability to seize this geopolitical window will depend less on foreign goodwill and more on its own domestic capacity

India’s net direct tax collection rose 8 per cent to Rs 17.04 lakh crore till December 17, driven by higher corporate advance tax payments and slower refunds. Corporate tax revenues outpaced non-corporate collections, official data showed

India will have a strong presence at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos from January 18-24, with four Union ministers, five Chief Ministers and over 100 business leaders participating in global discussions on growth, cooperation and innovation

The Centre has introduced regulatory relaxations and enhanced credit access to support MSME growth. Measures include BIS exemptions under quality norms, RBI-mandated loan benchmarking, credit guarantees and collateral-free lending to ease compliance and boost expansion

The RBI’s latest policy decisions signal confidence in India’s strong economic outlook, with GDP growth for FY26 revised to 7.3 per cent. SBI Chairman CS Setty said the rate cut, neutral stance, and liquidity steps will support momentum while ensuring price stability

Chief Economic Advisor V Anantha Nageswaran said the government is unconcerned about the rupee’s fall, noting it has not affected inflation or exports. Analysts say the currency may stabilise once the India-US trade deal is finalised

India’s GST collections rose marginally to Rs 1.70 lakh crore in November, supported by policy reforms and higher import IGST. Net GST revenue grew 1.3per cent, while April–November collections rose 7.3per cent, reflecting steady consumption and economic momentum

State Bank of India (SBI) reported a 10 per cent rise in standalone net profit to Rs 20,160 crore for the September quarter of FY26. Improved asset quality and higher interest income supported the bank’s strong quarterly performance

The Unified Payments Interface (UPI) recorded its highest-ever single-day value of Rs 1.02 lakh crore on October 18, buoyed by strong festive demand and GST rate cuts that boosted consumer spending. Retail sales also surged to an unprecedented Rs 6.05 lakh crore

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said India’s economy cannot thrive without trade and business activity, urging support for indigenous production. Speaking at a Lucknow event, he credited the Aatmanirbhar Bharat push for strengthening both India’s economy and defence manufacturing capabilities.

Rising tariffs, stagnant productivity, and AI disruptions demand a Commission for Productivity and Employment Growth

Andhra Pradesh Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan welcomed the rollout of GST 2.0, calling it an auspicious day for the Indian economy. Leaders highlighted the reforms’ benefits for farmers, MSMEs, local manufacturing, consumers, and the aviation sector, boosting India’s growth trajectory.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted India’s dependence on foreign nations as its biggest challenge, advocating self-reliance in sectors from semiconductor chips to shipping. He announced major reforms and investment plans to strengthen India’s maritime industry and overall economic independence

Chief Economic Adviser V Anantha Nageswaran said urban demand may be stronger than reflected in official data, citing UPI growth and SME spending. He projected FY26 growth at 6.3–6.8 per cent and emphasised the need for innovation to sustain exports

The GST 2.0 rationalisation has reduced rates across textiles and logistics, easing structural anomalies, cutting costs, and boosting demand. The reforms will make garments more affordable, lower freight costs, strengthen SMEs, and enhance India’s export competitiveness, particularly in textile

Billionaire investor Mark Mobius praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his 75th birthday, crediting him for India’s economic growth, digitalisation, and global rise, as celebrations included major health, welfare, and textile initiatives.

Ch V Sai Prasad highlighted systemic weaknesses in India’s economy, urging reduced dependence on foreign goods and stronger manufacturing. He noted the ongoing US tariff war is manageable but resilience is crucial for India’s ambition to become a global superpower