Growth outlook for India moderates as higher energy costs weigh on demand, while tax cuts and trade support aid recovery.
India's growth is projected to moderate to 6.6 per cent in fiscal year 2026-27, with the slowdown linked to weaker private demand caused by higher energy prices and other input costs. Goods and Services Tax rate reductions are expected to support consumer demand, while fuel tax reductions and other measures have been used to ease price pressures. Reduced tariffs and expected free trade agreements may mitigate weaker external demand, with growth projected to rebound in subsequent fiscal years.

Rupee weakness deepens as crude oil, capital outflows and global risk sentiment pressure the currency against the dollar.
The rupee weakened sharply in the interbank foreign exchange market and closed at a record low against the US dollar amid geopolitical tensions, a stronger greenback, foreign capital outflows and weak domestic equity sentiment. Traders said elevated crude oil prices and concern over India's import bill added pressure, while near-term movement was expected to depend on crude oil, capital flows and global risk sentiment. Commentary also noted RBI sensitivity to excessive currency volatility and continued selling by foreign institutional investors.

Duty-free gold jewellery exports under India-Oman CEPA expand market access and boost exporter competitiveness.
Direct duty-free exports of gold jewellery from eastern India to Oman have commenced under the India-Oman Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), with the first consignment from Kolkata dispatched by air cargo. The agreement gives Indian gold jewellery and diamonds duty-free access in the Omani market and is described as improving exporter competitiveness by reducing routing costs and enabling faster deliveries. The CEPA also extends duty-free market access to a broader range of Indian goods and covers services and investment.

Public banking sovereignty concerns arise over the proposed privatisation of IDBI Bank and its wider social impact.
Concern is expressed over the proposed strategic disinvestment and transfer of management control of IDBI Bank to the private sector, on the footing that the move implicates financial sovereignty, depositor confidence, social justice and the public character of banking. The note refers to the bank's origin as a development financial institution, its role in India's financial architecture, and the assurance that government ownership would not fall below 51 per cent, together with parliamentary caution against dilution of that level of control. Concern is also raised over the possible transfer of valuable land and other assets, the impact on employees, and the wider trend of foreign participation in Indian banking.

Money laundering quashing dispute turns on false representation allegations, foreign investment concerns, and the prima facie test at quashing stage.
The Enforcement Directorate proposed to challenge a Delhi High Court order quashing money laundering proceedings against NewsClick and its editor-in-chief after the predicate FIR was set aside. The agency said the order overlooked allegations of false representations to authorities and banks regarding the investor, source and nature of funds, commercial character of the investment, and share valuation in the context of alleged foreign direct investment without required permission. The ED also said the quashing stage required only a prima facie view on whether the allegations disclosed an offence.

Cross-border digital payments expand with a direct UPI-NPI remittance link enabling real-time transfers and financial inclusion.
Cross-border peer-to-peer remittance has been launched between India and Nepal through a direct linkage of India's Unified Payments Interface and Nepal's National Payments Interface, enabling seamless, real-time and secure instant money transfers through mobile banking applications and digital wallets. The arrangement is presented as a digital payment corridor intended to strengthen financial connectivity, improve convenience for travellers and businesses, and promote accessible, safe and affordable cross-border payments.

Rupee weakness amid West Asia tensions, dollar strength and foreign outflows pressures the domestic currency in interbank trade.
The rupee weakened against the US dollar in interbank trade amid heightened West Asia tensions, a stronger dollar index, heavy foreign institutional investor outflows and weak domestic equity sentiment. Market participants said the local unit came under pressure from external geopolitical developments and broader risk aversion, while earlier gains were linked to likely Reserve Bank of India intervention to curb excessive volatility in the domestic currency.

Maritime trade security and supply chain resilience gain focus as India stresses diversification, energy security, and wider cooperation.
Maritime trade security and supply chain resilience were highlighted as essential responses to global economic risks, with emphasis that maritime trade should remain neither impeded nor endangered amid tensions in the Gulf. India's concern with energy, food and fertiliser security and the need for further diversification of supply chains were also underlined.

Make in India-led manufacturing expansion: Haleon plans a greenfield Madhya Pradesh facility to strengthen supply chains and oral health access.
Haleon announced plans to establish its first manufacturing facility in India as a greenfield site at Pithampur, Madhya Pradesh, with the project aligned to the Make in India vision and intended to strengthen the company's long-term presence in the country. The facility is described as a strategic manufacturing base for oral health and other everyday health products, designed to support supply chain resilience, domestic value addition, exports to wider Asia, employment generation, and future-ready automated production, with operational commencement expected by 2029-30.

Free trade agreements and cooperative federalism drive India's growth strategy, with MSME competitiveness and women-led development in focus.
India's growth strategy is being advanced through free trade agreements, international market access, and a stronger export ecosystem, with emphasis on enabling MSMEs to align with global standards and improve competitiveness. The economic direction also relies on the demographic dividend through quality education, demand-driven skilling, and employment pathways for youth. Cooperative federalism, State collaboration, and women-led development are described as central to Viksit Bharat, with focus on education, skilling, safety, and empowerment of women.

Excise duty exemption on higher ethanol-petrol blends expands, paving the way for future ethanol fuel adoption.
Excise duty exemption has been extended to higher ethanol-petrol blends, with duty reduced to nil on petrol containing 22 per cent, 25 per cent, 27 per cent and 30 per cent ethanol. The extension broadens the earlier waiver for blends of up to 20 per cent ethanol and reflects the view that blending ethanol with petrol at fuel depots is a manufacturing activity that would otherwise attract excise duty. The measure is a preparatory regulatory step for any future introduction of higher ethanol-content fuels.

Control and assurance functions harmonisation through draft RBI governance amendments invites stakeholder comments across regulated entities.
Reserve Bank of India has issued draft Amendment Directions for public comments to harmonise and consolidate instructions on control and assurance functions across multiple categories of regulated entities, including banks, co-operative banks, non-banking financial companies, credit information companies and asset reconstruction companies. The draft directions comprise governance-related and miscellaneous amendments intended to align the applicable regulatory framework across these entities. Comments and feedback may be submitted through the Connect 2 Regulate portal or by email using the prescribed subject-line format for the relevant category of regulated entity.

Standardised approach for counterparty credit risk updates seek clearer netting, margining, and disclosure treatment under revised directions.
The Reserve Bank has proposed draft Amendment Directions on Standardised Approach for Counterparty Credit Risk (SA-CCR) to update the framework for computing counterparty credit risk exposure. The draft revisits the earlier SA-CCR-based guidelines in light of later netting, margining, and Basel Committee developments, and seeks to clarify the treatment of CCR across banking and trading book exposures, multiple margin agreements, multiple netting sets, clearing-member transactions, option premium deferment, effective notional for options, and disclosure templates. Comments have been invited from regulated entities and other stakeholders within the consultation period.

Money laundering probe under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act covers alleged payments without services and unexplained loan transactions.
Enforcement Directorate investigation under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act concerns alleged transactions involving Cochin Minerals and Rutile Ltd and Exalogic Solutions Private Limited, including payments without corresponding services and loans without timely repayment. The agency has alleged that these transactions generated proceeds of crime and proceeded on the basis of a prosecution complaint filed by the Serious Fraud Investigation Office. Veena T sought postponement of her scheduled ED questioning on health grounds and said documents would be submitted through counsel.

Rupee weakness deepens as crude prices, foreign outflows and a firmer dollar pressure the local currency.
The rupee weakened in early trade against the US dollar amid higher global crude oil prices, continued hostilities between the US and Iran, heavy foreign institutional investor outflows, and a soft domestic equity market. The local currency was also weighed down by a marginally stronger dollar index and remained sensitive to risk sentiment and external macroeconomic cues. RBI-linked dollar selling had earlier supported the rupee, while intervention was likely aimed at curbing excessive volatility and preventing a sharper slide.

Excise duty waiver on ethanol-blended petrol encourages a shift toward cleaner fuel variants across blended petrol categories.
Excise duty on ethanol-blended petrol has been waived for E22, E25, E27 and E30 variants, with the applicable duty set at nil for petrol containing 22 per cent, 25 per cent, 27 per cent and 30 per cent ethanol blend. The measure is intended to encourage consumers to shift towards ethanol-blended petrol and applies through a finance ministry notification.

Trade and regulatory cooperation deepen as India and Tajikistan prioritise pharmaceuticals, agriculture, services and wider economic engagement.
India and Tajikistan reviewed bilateral trade, investment and regulatory cooperation, and agreed to strengthen coordination between competent authorities, trade bodies and business chambers to facilitate smoother trade and new business projects. Pharmaceuticals, agriculture, services and wider sectoral cooperation were identified as priority areas, including faster registration processes, closer regulatory dialogue and stronger business-to-business linkages. The meeting concluded with signing of the Protocol of the 12th Session and a reaffirmation of commitment to deepen industrial, trade and economic cooperation.

Foreign direct investment allegations fail as quashing follows absence of criminal offence and unsupported money-laundering claims.
Quashing of FIR and money-laundering proceedings was ordered where the underlying investment was treated as an economic decision that did not disclose any criminal offence. The court held that there was no cap or restriction on receipt of foreign direct investment in digital media at the relevant time, and that the allegations of cheating, criminal breach of trust and siphoning of funds were unsupported. The Enforcement Directorate's case also failed because the alleged conspiracy did not show any illegal objective or unlawful means, and no incriminating material had emerged despite extensive investigation.

Phytosanitary import rules shape Indian mango exports to Nepal as officials clarify no ban and continue permit issuance.
Imports of Indian mangoes into Nepal continue to be permitted subject to prescribed phytosanitary requirements, with import permits and release orders being issued on compliance. Nepal has clarified that no ban or suspension has been imposed, while introducing a Hot Water Treatment requirement for consignments. India has said it is facilitating exports in line with the new norms and is pursuing concerns over the revised measures through bilateral channels under the WTO Sanitary and Phytosanitary Agreement and the International Plant Protection Convention framework.

Structural excess capacity allegations rejected as India cites low per capita consumption in textiles and steel.
India has rejected allegations of structural excess capacity in textiles and steel, saying low per capita consumption in both sectors shows no basis for the claim. In response to a United States Trade Representative probe under Section 301, India stated that the notice lacks cogent rationale and prima facie evidence to support the allegation that its major industries create trade surplus through surplus capacity. The trade remedies authority also said excess capacity is not recognised within WTO trade remedial laws.