BUSINESS
Not just H-1B: India hit hard by decline in dependent and student visas
F1 student visas plunged 35% since 2023, H4 dependent visas down 34%; China and South Asia see gains
ECONOMY
S&P holds India’s FY26 growth at 6.5%, says domestic demand to cushion US tariff impact
Inflation seen at 3.2% this year, giving RBI room for one more rate cut
BUSINESS
OECD lifts India’s FY26 growth outlook to 6.7 percent, inflation seen below 3 percent
India’s GDP growth rose by 7.8 percent in the first quarter of FY26, its fastest pace in five quarters, beating most forecasts, and policymakers expect the momentum to stay strong during the second quarter as well.
BUSINESS
India’s business activity eases in September but PMI still above 60
The Flash HSBC India Composite PMI Output Index came in at 61.9, the fourth straight month it has stayed above the 60 mark
BUSINESS
Government likely to launch MSME survey to track ease of doing business from 2026
First official exercise to track enterprise conditions, financial access and regulatory frictions
BUSINESS
Core sector growth rises to a 15-month high of 6.3% in August
The pickup in August core sector growth was led by coal, steel and cement, even as crude oil, natural gas and refinery products continued to underperform.
WORLD
H1B visas under pressure: Indian approvals down by over a third since 2023, Trump’s fee to add to strain
Trump’s $100,000 annual fee adds to strain as global approvals shrink and rivals gain ground.
BUSINESS
India–UAE trade hits $100 billion, but non-oil momentum slows
Despite milestone, 'core' trade segment flatlines; policymakers aim to double it in 3–4 years
BUSINESS
Pakistan defence ties go beyond Saudi Arabia
The South Asian country supplies 9% of Nigeria’s defence imports, even as China cements its role as Islamabad’s dominant supplier
BUSINESS
UPI winners and losers: Fast food, e-commerce surge, department stores collapse
UPI payments at fast-food outlets surged 255% in April–August 2025 from the same period in 2023, while transactions at department stores slumped nearly 80%
BUSINESS
History shows GST reforms have only temporary impact on govt revenues
Earlier rationalisations dented inflows briefly, but the GST-to-GDP ratio recovered quickly
BUSINESS
Stats ministry ties data to policy with new growth feedback loop
MoSPI now alerts ministries when sector performance lags, part of a push to make official statistics more policy-relevant
BUSINESS
Heavy rains threaten apple supply as prices stay elevated
Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir, which together produce over 90% of India’s apples, face damage to the crop and transport woes as several roads have been washed away this monsoon season
BUSINESS
India’s exports broaden to Germany, China, even as US stays on top
India's exports to Germany and China have gained ground, but America’s share has risen to nearly 22% of India’s outbound shipments.
BUSINESS
Kharif sowing edges up 1.4%, but excess rains loom as risk
Rice and coarse cereals have covered more area than last year, but pulses, oilseeds and cotton lag behind
BUSINESS
Northeast’s GDP share doubles in a decade, nears 6%
Connectivity upgrades, agro-processing and tourism are powering the region
BUSINESS
Unemployment rate falls to a four-month low of 5.1% in August
Female workforce participation continues to improve, with WPR rising for a second straight month
BUSINESS
Tariffs on China would hit both rich and poor in EU
Over 70% of Europe’s imports of yachts, musical instruments and Christmas decorations now come from China
BUSINESS
Bihar inflation remains subdued as elections approach
State records 0.5% price rise in August, a sharp reversal from topping charts just a year ago
BUSINESS
Wholesale inflation rises to a four-month high of 0.52% in August
Economists see cooling ahead as GST cuts kick in. Manufactured products, which make up nearly two-thirds of the WPI basket, also rose to a four-month high of 2.55% in August
BUSINESS
Retail inflation rises to 2.07% in August
July retail inflation revised to 1.61%
BUSINESS
Apple’s India supplier base nearly doubles since 2018, value addition at 20%
New suppliers expand footprint in India; industry watchers say new components manufacturing scheme will help push for more share in value addition
BUSINESS
Oman’s investments in India shrink post-pandemic but trade expands sharply
Imports of fuels, fertilisers and chemicals drive bilateral commerce past $10 billion, even as FDI inflows stagnate
BUSINESS
Apple iPhones in India get costlier for first time in five years, but still trail CPI inflation
The slower price rise in Apple devices mirrors the broader trend in India’s mobile phone market which has seen an inflation of 25 percent between 2019 and 2024, slightly below the iPhone increase but much lower than the headline consumer price index.
