BUSINESS
Punjab dominates stubble burning but UP’s share rises, Delhi’s AQI enters danger zone in September
In a worrying trend, September 2025 was marked as the first month since 2016 when Delhi’s air quality has stayed above 100 throughout the month.
BUSINESS
Fiscal deficit widens at 38.1% of FY26 target during first five months
The Rs 2.7 lakh crore dividend transfer from the Reserve Bank of India has helped provide some cushion, but international agencies are expecting a slippage in this year's fiscal deficit.
BUSINESS
RBI's October reviews mostly quiet since 2014 with just three tweaks, shows data
Repo rate has been altered thrice in the September–October window since 2014
BUSINESS
ADB lowers India’s FY26 growth forecast to 6.5% as tariffs bite
Domestic demand cushions impact, but investment outlook remains weak
BUSINESS
Industrial growth slows to 4% in August as manufacturing eases
Mining emerged as the best performer, rising to a 14-month high of 6 percent after contracting 7.2 percent in July. Electricity output also improved modestly, growing 4.1 percent compared with 3.7 percent in the previous month
BUSINESS
US medicine imports from India surge; dependence up 70% post pandemic
India now accounts for nearly 16% of US imports of finished retail drugs
BUSINESS
Centre announces borrowing plan of Rs 6.77 lakh crore for H2FY26
Securities with over 10 year tenure have had over three-fourths share in total borrowing in the second half, as per MC analysis of the calendar.
INDIA
Visa slowdown: Indians face sharper curbs even in UK, New Zealand
Work and family visas for Indians have halved in key destinations even as peers in Pakistan and Bangladesh see steadier flows
INDIA
Adoptions hit record high in FY25, but share of girls slips
While more girls than boys were adopted, their proportion in total adoptions has steadily declined.
INDIA
Fewer families, more investors: India slips behind neighbours on US family visas
Bangladesh and Pakistan edge past India in spousal and family categories, while Vietnam races ahead on investor route
BUSINESS
Southern states to gain most from GST cuts
Kerala’s CPI could fall 1.37 percentage points; overall impact may lower national inflation by nearly 1 percentage point
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
