Given the fluctuation in the price of gold and changing safe-haven dynamics in the global economy, it becomes important to know about this precious yellow metal not only from an economic standpoint but also through demand, consumption and geographical perspectives. Why Gold Prices Are Falling in 2026 Despite Global Tensions What’s Happening in the News? Gold prices have crashed sharply amid the ongoing war in West Asia. Previously, prices of the yellow metal had surged in 202

Government Strengthens MSMEs with Financial and Non-Financial Support Under ₹25,060 Crore Export Promotion Mission (2025–2031) The Ministry of Commerce and Industry has launched seven additional interventions  under the Export Promotion Mission (EPM) , a flagship initiative designed to empower Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) to compete effectively in global markets. The new measures aim to address key structural constraints faced by MSMEs, including high cost of c

Study on RuPay and BHIM-UPI scheme shows 49% global dominance, 94% merchant adoption and rapid expansion to 8 countries After a decade of the launch of the Unified Payments Interface (UPI), the Department for Financial Services (DFS), Ministry of Finance, has released a comprehensive report titled: “Socio-Economic Impact Analysis of the Incentive Scheme for Promotion of RuPay Debit Card and low-value BHIM-UPI (Person-to-Merchant) Transactions.” The report was released during

India has entered a new phase in economic measurement. The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) has officially released the Consumer Price Index (CPI) Base Year 2024 series , marking a significant overhaul of how retail inflation is measured in the country. This release is part of a broader statistical modernization exercise that also includes the upcoming new GDP series (Base 2022–23)  and Index of Industrial Production (IIP) series (Base 2022–23) . Th

The Union Budget 2026–27 , tabled in the Lok Sabha by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman , has proposed the establishment of three new dedicated Chemical Parks  through a challenge-route, cluster-based plug-and-play model , marking a major policy push for India’s chemical and petrochemical industry. The initiative is supported by a ₹600 crore central allocation  for FY 2026–27 and is aimed at boosting domestic production, reducing import dependence, and enhancing global comp

In a landmark policy announcement with deep economic, industrial, and geopolitical implications, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman  announced the creation of dedicated Rare Earth Corridors (RECs)  across four mineral-rich Indian States — Odisha, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu  — during her Union Budget 2026–27 speech  in Parliament on Sunday, February 1, 2026 . Presenting her ninth consecutive Union Budget  for the financial year April 2026 to March 2027 , Sit

In the Union Budget 2026–27 , Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman  announced a new reform-oriented initiative called the Corporate Mitra programme , aimed at providing structured professional support to Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs)  across India. The proposal was presented in Parliament on February 1, 2026 , as part of the government’s wider economic strategy focused on growth, employment generation, enterprise development, and improved compliance mechanisms  f

Kerala Left Out as Union Budget 2026 Skips High-Speed Rail Despite State Push for Thiruvananthapuram–Kannur Corridor Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman , while presenting the Union Budget 2026–27 , announced the development of seven new high-speed rail corridors across India , marking a major step towards modernising the country’s passenger rail infrastructure and promoting environmentally sustainable transport systems. The announcement was made during her ninth consecutive

In 1999, when February 28 fell on a Sunday, then Finance Minister Yashwant Sinha presented the Budget a day earlier on Saturday, February 27, during the Atal Bihari Vajpayee–led NDA government. Nirmala Sitharaman Creates History With 9th Consecutive Union Budget Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman  created history on February 1 by presenting her ninth consecutive Union Budget , becoming the first Finance Minister in India  to deliver nine Budgets in an unbroken sequence

The Budget Session of Parliament 2026  officially commenced on Wednesday, January 28, 2026 , setting the stage for the presentation of the Economic Survey of India  and the Union Budget 2026–27 . The session, which will span 65 days , is scheduled to conclude on Thursday, April 2, 2026 , and will comprise 30 sittings  across two phases. The Budget Session opened with a joint address by the President of India  to both Houses of Parliament — the Lok Sabha  and the Rajya Sabha  

The Union Government has formally notified February 1, 2026  as the date from which a new taxation regime for tobacco products and pan masala  will come into effect, marking a major restructuring of India’s indirect tax framework on so-called “sin goods”. Under the new system, additional excise duty will be levied on tobacco products , while a Health and National Security Cess will be imposed on pan masala , replacing the GST compensation cess , which will cease to exist from

Half of all cars sold in South Africa in 2025 now have direct or indirect links to India, marking a major shift in the country’s automotive import landscape. South Africa’s automobile market is witnessing a significant transformation, with India emerging as the dominant source of vehicle imports. According to market intelligence firm Lightstone , nearly 50 per cent of all cars sold in South Africa in 2025  are either manufactured by Indian companies or contain components made

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI)  on Monday released its annual Report on Trend and Progress of Banking in India 2024–25 , highlighting the continued resilience of the Indian banking sector, supported by strong balance sheet growth, improving asset quality, robust profitability, and healthy capital buffers. At the same time, the report flagged a sharp rise in the value of bank frauds , even as the number of fraud cases declined during the year, underlining emerging risks amid

Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal  on Sunday announced that 100 per cent of Australian tariff lines will become zero-duty for Indian exports from January 1 , marking a significant milestone in bilateral trade relations between India and Australia. The announcement was made on the third anniversary of the India–Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA) , which came into force in December 2022. According to the Minister, the agreement has deliver

India has emerged as the world's second-largest fish-producing country, with a 103% increase in output over a decade. This article explores India's rising dominance in aquaculture and shrimp production, the environmental and economic challenges faced by the sector, and key government initiatives like PMMSY and FIDF driving sustainable growth.

BSNL and Numaligarh Refinery Limited (NRL) have joined hands to implement India’s first 5G Captive Non-Public Network (CNPN) in the refinery sector. This transformative partnership—announced at the “Industry 4.0 Workshop for CPSEs”—marks a pivotal step toward India’s digital industrial future, integrating technologies like IoT, AR/VR, and digital twins under the Atmanirbhar Bharat vision.

Amid media reports on possible tax rate changes, the Income Tax Department confirms that the Income Tax Bill 2025 does not alter current tax rates. The bill aims to simplify language, remove outdated provisions, and modernize the 60-year-old Income Tax Act, 1961 without changing the existing tax structure.

This article explains the National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP), India’s official system for organic certification. It covers how the system works, its global recognition, support for small farmers, and recent clarifications addressing misinformation about subsidies, crop focus, and certification practices.

The National Cooperation Policy 2025 marks a turning point in India’s grassroots development. With a future-ready vision of “Sahkar Se Samriddhi,” the policy aims to modernise and expand cooperatives as engines of inclusive economic growth. Rooted in a century-old tradition and aligned with global trends, this new policy brings a robust six-pillar framework, constitutional backing, and a people-first approach to empower rural India.

India's free trade pact with the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) will be implemented from October 1, 2025. The TEPA agreement, signed after 16 years of negotiation, promises $100 billion in investments, job creation, expanded trade in services and goods, and protection for India’s pharmaceutical and agricultural sectors.