Prime Minister Narendra Modi marked his 75th birthday by laying the foundation stone of India’s first PM Mitra Park in Madhya Pradesh’s Dhar district, a project poised to turn the state into a major textile hub. Spanning 2,158 acres, the park is being developed with state-of-the-art infrastructure and facilities to benefit cotton farmers, generate employment,...
Tag: Indian economy
GST Rate Cut to Boost Growth, India to Continue Russian Oil Imports: FM Nirmala Sitharaman
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Friday said that the recent GST rate cut will help boost domestic growth and counter the adverse impact of the US’s 50% tariff hike on Indian exports. Speaking in an interview, she stressed that India will continue to buy Russian oil based on economic considerations, as crude oil remains...
GST Council Imposes 40% Tax on Pan Masala, Cigarettes, and Other Harmful Items
New Delhi: The GST Council has announced major changes to India’s Goods and Services Tax system, reducing the number of tax slabs to just two — 5 percent and 18 percent — effectively removing the earlier 12 percent and 28 percent slabs. While this move is expected to make many essential goods more affordable for...
GST Overhaul Sparks Consumer Relief, Sensex Surges Nearly 900 Points
Mumbai: Indian stock markets saw a strong surge on Thursday morning following the GST Council’s announcement of a major overhaul to the Goods and Services Tax (GST) system. The 30-share BSE Sensex jumped by 888.96 points to reach 81,456.67, while the 50-share NSE Nifty gained 265.7 points, closing at 24,980.75. The GST Council has simplified...
GST Rejig 2025: Smartphones Stay at 18% Slab, No Price Cut for Buyers
New Delhi: The Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council, in its 56th meeting, unveiled a revamped tax structure introducing simplified slabs of 5 percent and 18 percent, along with a 40 percent category for luxury and sin goods. The changes, effective from September 22, aim to boost consumption ahead of the festive season. However, for...
Finance Ministry to Begin Budget 2026-27 Preparations From October 9
New Delhi: The Finance Ministry will commence the pre-budget exercise for the fiscal year 2026-27 from October 9, 2025, against a backdrop of geopolitical uncertainties and a steep 50 per cent US tariff on shipments from India. The upcoming budget is expected to focus on boosting domestic demand, generating employment, and steering the economy towards...
President Murmu Urges Banks to Prioritize Farmers’ Empowerment and Rural Economy
President Droupadi Murmu on Tuesday stressed that the empowerment of farmers and the rural economy must remain a key priority for the Indian banking sector. Speaking at the 120th foundation day celebrations of City Union Bank in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, she highlighted the critical role banks can play in transforming the nation’s economy. “From start-ups...
India’s GDP Grows 7.8% in Q1 FY26, Surpassing Market Expectations
India’s economy expanded by 7.8 percent in the first quarter (April–June) of FY 2025-26, surpassing analysts’ expectations and signaling continued momentum despite global uncertainties and inflationary pressures. According to data released by the National Statistics Office (NSO) on Friday, real GDP, which accounts for inflation, rose to Rs 47.89 lakh crore from Rs 44.42 lakh...
Former RBI Governor Urjit Patel Appointed Executive Director at IMF for 3 Years
New Delhi: The government has approved the appointment of former Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Urjit Patel as Executive Director (ED) at the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for a three-year term. He will succeed K V Subramanian, whose tenure was cut short by six months, effective April 30, 2025. The Appointments Committee of the...
PM SVANidhi Scheme Extended Till 2030 with ₹7,332 Crore Outlay to Empower Street Vendors
The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the restructuring and extension of the Prime Minister Street Vendor’s AtmaNirbhar Nidhi (PM SVANidhi) Scheme till March 31, 2030, with a total financial outlay of ₹7,332 crore. This decision aims to benefit 1.15 crore beneficiaries, including 50 lakh new street vendors, according to an...









