Business

Draft IT Rule Changes Widen Scope, Raise Overreach Concerns

NEW DELHI: The proposed amendments to the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021 are drawing concern from policy and legal experts, who say the changes could expand government oversight over online content while stretching the scope of the parent Information Technology Act, 2000. At...

Apr 1 · >

Consumer Goods Firms Brace For Input Cost Challenges In FY27

MUMBAI: India’s consumer goods makers have stepped into FY27 with a familiar worry — rising input costs — as the conflict in West Asia disrupts supply chains and drives up crude prices. After a brief period of stability, inflation in key raw materials — along with higher packaging and...

Apr 1 · >

After Resilient FY26, War Clouds India’s FY27 Growth Outlook

NEW DELHI: The Indian economy demonstrated resilience in FY26 amidst high US tariffs and geopolitical developments, with estimates indicating a robust real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth of 7.6%, according to official advance estimates. Upward revisions of growth estimates for FY26 and FY27 by major rating agencies boosted confidence....

Apr 1 · >

IIP Growth Rose To 5.2% In February As Manufacturing Output Climbs

NEW DELHI: India’s industrial production grew 5.2 per cent in February, up 10 basis points from an upwardly revised three-month low of 5.1 per cent in January, according to data released by the National Statistics Office (NSO) on Monday. The marginal improvement was driven primarily by a recovery in...

Mar 31 · >

WTO Meet Ends Without Consensus On E-Commerce Duty Moratorium

NEW DELHI: The World Trade Organization’s fourteenth Ministerial Conference (MC14) concluded on Monday in Yaounde, Cameroon with members failing to resolve the contentious issue of extending the moratorium on customs duties on electronic commerce, such as digital downloads and streaming. In May 1998, WTO members agreed for the first...

Mar 31 · >

Centre’s Fiscal Deficit Narrows To Rs 12.5 Lakh Crore In April-February Of FY26

NEW DELHI: The government of India’s fiscal deficit narrowed to Rs 12.5 lakh crore or 80.4% of the FY26 during April-February of FY2026 from Rs 13.5 lakh crore, or 86% of the actual in the year-ago period despite capex growing by 15% year-on-year during this period. A mere 1%...

Mar 31 · >

Rupee Slips Past 95 Per Dollar; Benchmark Bond Yield Exceeds 7%

MUMBAI: The rupee was volatile in Monday’s session, touching an intraday low of 95.24 per dollar as large corporations exploited arbitrage opportunities between onshore and offshore markets, while importer demand for the greenback reversed the currency’s initial advance. The benchmark 10-year government bond yield, too, breached 7 per cent...

Mar 31 · >

Insolvency Bill Gets Lok Sabha Nod To Cut Resolution Delays

NEW DELHI: The Lok Sabha on Monday approved a clutch of amendments to the Insolvency and Bankruptcy code (IBC) that will significantly reduce resolution timelines, and pave the way for structural reforms in the decade-old law. The IBC (Amendments) Bill proposes new frameworks to handle complex cases, aligning with...

Mar 31 · >

WTO Debates Five-Year Extension Of Global Ban On Ecommerce Tariffs

NEW DELHI: As the World Trade Organization’s (WTO’s) 14th ministerial conference (MC14) drew to a close on Sunday, member nations were considering a five-year extension of the global ban on ecommerce tariffs, even as India continued to resist a long-term moratorium citing concerns over revenue loss, a Bloomberg report...

Mar 30 · >

US-India Partnership Set For ‘Win-Win’ Economic Growth

NEW DELHI: India’s growing economy and massive infrastructure needs align perfectly with American expertise in energy, advanced manufacturing and digital infrastructure and both sides are well-positioned for a ‘win-win’ expansion of their strategic economic pillar, US Ambassador Sergio Gor has said. The envoy said the two countries are prioritising...

Mar 30 · >

Global Shocks, $140-Billion Fuel Bill Push Electrification Pivot

NEW DELHI: An annual $140-billion oil & gas import bill, power demand projecting to grow 6.4% annually, and back-to-back global disruptions – from Russian oil to the Iran war – exposing vulnerabilities, electrification is emerging as a central pillar of India’s energy strategy. A Bernstein report said India’s energy...

Mar 30 · >

RBI’s Forced Dollar Unwind To Keep Rupee From Sliding, Bruise Banks

MUMBAI: The RBI’s unorthodox move to steady the rupee by forcing banks to unwind foreign exchange positions beyond $100 million will prevent its slide towards 95, even as markets fret over a possible escalation in the Iran conflict and the prospect of a US ground invasion. The move will...

Mar 30 · >

Microfinance Sector Back On Track With Higher-Value Loans

KOLKATA: The microfinance market recorded a month-on-month growth in gross loan portfolio in February, with large lenders increasing loan disbursements to customers with robust track record. The sector’s total book size stood at Rs 3.29 lakh crore at the end of February, up 2.5% over the previous month, according...

Mar 30 · >

Govt Plans To Borrow ₹8.2 Trillion In H1FY27; Yields Seen Softening

MUMBAI: The central government plans to issue ₹8.2 trillion worth of government securities (G-Secs) in the first half (H1) of 2026-27 (FY27), the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) said on Friday. The amount is lower than market expectations of ₹8.53 trillion to ₹8.85 trillion, dealers said. Bond yields are...

Mar 28 · >

Defence Acquisition Council Clears Rs 2.38 Lakh Crore Defence Deals

NEW DELHI: India on Friday cleared a sweeping set of defence procurement proposals worth about Rs 2.38 lakh crore, with the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) granting Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for a range of platforms aimed at strengthening the operational readiness of the Air Force, Army and Coast Guard....

Mar 28 · >

Government Steps In To Shield OMCs Via Big Duty Cuts

NEW DELHI: Amid the war in West Asia and impending Assembly elections, the government on Friday announced heavy relief for oil companies, cutting special additional excise duty on petrol and diesel by ₹10 per litre. In protecting consumers from a price rise, the government is likely to take a...

Mar 28 · >

Fuel Duty Cuts May Punch Rs 1.7 Lakh Crore Hole In Revenues

NEW DELHI: The Centre’s excise duty cuts on petrol and diesel by Rs 10 each to cushion the oil marketing companies (OMCs) from making losses may cost the exchequer a staggering Rs 1.7 lakh crore if the duties remain at the current level throughout FY27. It may partly offset...

Mar 28 · >

Moderate IPO Activity In February, In Line With Global Markets: SEBI Report

MUMBAI: Resource mobilisation from the primary market not only moderated in February, but was also the second-lowest in FY26, with 17 initial public offerings (IPOs) raising `4,650 crore. Mainboard activities remained subdued, reflecting cautious participation from large issuers, as per Securities and Exchange Board of India’s (Sebi) monthly bulletin...

Mar 28 · >
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