ECONOMY
Govt to stick to 4.4% fiscal deficit aim in FY26 but will need to 'manage' expenditure
Economists say Centre will have to cut down on revenue and capital expenditure to achieve 4.4% of fiscal deficit target, as they see a sharp shortfall in tax revenues – more than Rs 1 lakh crore in FY26.
BUSINESS
India’s 'Goldilocks' run to continue for next two years; FY27 growth likely at 6.5-7%: EAC-PM Chair
'India has entered into FTAs with various trade partners which is contributing to diversification of exports. This adds to the overall resilience of exports,' the EAC-PM Chairman said.
BUSINESS
Budget 2026 may offer incentives to attract more global investment in AI
The industry has asked for a conditional tax holiday for some data-centre developers with eligibility tied to capacity thresholds, employment and green energy targets
BUSINESS
US intervention in Venezuela: Near-term impact on India’s oil import mix is unlikely, says official
"Venezuela’s crude oil share in India’s import basket is marginal. The present crisis is not going to affect India materially, or change the import mix anytime soon," government official told Moneycontrol.
BUSINESS
PRAGATI helps expedite infra projects, Navi Mumbai airport an example: Cabinet Secretary TV Somanathan
The PM chairs these meeting directly with chief secretaries of states and secretaries of central ministries to address issues relating to specific projects.
BUSINESS
Re depreciation needed to counter US tariffs: PM’s advisory panel member Ram Mohan
On private capital expenditure, he says: ".., announcements of billions of rupees of investment by corporate groups is not reflected in what is happening on the ground."
BUSINESS
Draft rules for new labour codes unveiled: 30% threshold for recognition of trade unions and what constitutes as wages defined
According to labour ministry officials, stakeholders can submit their comments on these rules in the next 45 days, post which the final rules will be published and notified. The officials say, the implementation of code, along with their rules, should be done by April 2026.
BUSINESS
India’s economic reform newsmakers — 2025
Appointed RBI Governor in December 2024, Sanjay Malhotra guided monetary policy in 2025. In his tenure, the central bank delivered about 125 bps of rate cuts amid easing inflation and stable growth.
BUSINESS
Mantris who meant business in 2025
From trade agreements to following the path of fiscal prudence, streamlining GST, a new tax code and more. 2025 was a year of some long pending reforms. Significantly, India also replaced its labour laws with 4 new labour codes. The ministers behind the reforms that defined India in 2025.
BUSINESS
CAG to audit defence pension portal 'SPARSH'
India’s supreme audit institution will examine issues such as defective data migration to SPARSH portal, ineffective grievance redressal mechanism, and expedited implementation of the scheme, which caused hardships to veterans, in 2026-27.
BUSINESS
Centre disburses Rs 61,000 crore to states under capex loan scheme till mid-December
According to internal data, seen by Moneycontrol, Uttar Pradesh has received the maximum amount of Rs 8,465 crore under the scheme till December 15. Assam has received Rs 5,597 crore and Maharashtra has received Rs 4,584 crore.
BUSINESS
New GDP base year to correct underestimated farm data; horticulture GVA expected to surge
An official says that in the current GDP series, with base year 2011-12, the share of ‘agriculture, livestock, forestry and fishing’ in the overall GVA is 14-15 percent
BUSINESS
New labour codes: Centre mulling monetary contributions to support employer-led re-skilling fund
"The labour ministry will issue the rules, which would provide clarity on how the re-skilling fund will work. Apart from the 15-day wage contribution by employers, the fund will have monetary contribution from several other sources, which may include the government too," said a government official.
BUSINESS
Year Ahead: Private capex seen taking the baton in 2026 as public-led infra spend peaks
The growth outlook for 2026 for public and private capex appears to be more balanced, say economists. Private capex would be supported by continuing low levels of global crude prices, likely easing of global supply situations, and India’s FTA push.
INDIA
Complaints mount against ex-servicemen contributory health scheme
Defence veterans allege that the Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme implemented in 2003 has been riddled with lack of funds from the Centre, causing hardships to defence veterans.
BUSINESS
Insolvency code revamp: Experts seek equal rights for foreign creditors, want rules codified
Codified cross-border insolvency rules will bring predictability, enhance creditor confidence and improve India’s standing as an insolvency-friendly jurisdiction, experts say
BUSINESS
IndiGo has not yet received a notice from CCI, but internal inquiry continues
The competition regulator is yet to complete is initial assessment in the conduct of IndiGo and its role in the flight disruptions that took place earlier in December
INDIA
G RAM G caps Central funds as southern states show more-than-expected spending, says official
A Central government official, without sharing any data, claimed that few states such as Tamil Nadu and Kerala exceeded the original estimates presented by them
BUSINESS
Select Committee on IBC 2.0 recommends decriminalising technical lapses, and imposing 3-month timeline for NCLAT
On cross border insolvency framework, the Committee feels that it is 'imperative' to codify the basic tenets of the framework directly within the Code itself to provide clear legislative guidance for the central government.
BUSINESS
India at demographic inflection point, higher education system will decide our trajectory, says CEA Nageswaran
As millions of youth get ready to enter the workforce, whether this demographic dividend becomes a growth accelerator or a social strain will depend on the quality and adaptability of the higher education system, says the CEA, urging states to take the lead
BUSINESS
Year-Ender: Govt, regulators unveil major reforms in 2025 centered on deregulation
Experts say labour codes have finally moved ahead, but the government also needs to make land and environment clearances simpler, especially for infrastructure and industry. They say MSMEs need a lighter compliance load.
BUDGET
High borrowing, crowding out private investment fears may limit capex push in upcoming Union Budget
Budget 2026-27 may peg central capex (capital expenditure) at 3.2 percent of the GDP for FY27, slightly higher than 3.1 percent pegged for the current financial year. "Capex cannot keep rising indefinitely when the government is already running a persistent revenue deficit," one official said
BUSINESS
IndiGo under CCI scanner: IndiGo executives might meet competition regulator in coming days
The CCI has initiated a suo motu inquiry in the IndiGo case, and if any violation of competition norms is found, the regulator may impose a monetary penalty on the airline, as per the official.
BUSINESS
NITI Aayog panel reckons further easing of quality control orders, scrapping of mandatory CSR for MSMEs
NITI Aayog Member’s Rajiv Gauba-headed panel has finalized a report, likely to be released by December-end, which proposes radical overhaul of registration, licensing, and inspection frameworks for businesses. The report suggests cutting penal interest on delayed GST payments from 18% to 12%.
