The cess was originally introduced for a period of five years to compensate States for any loss arising out of the implementation of GST. File. | Photo Credit: Getty Images/iStockphoto The Ministry of Finance on Thursday (January 1, 2026) issued a series of notifications that would bring into effect the new taxation regime for tobacco products…
Representative image | Photo Credit: Getty Images/iStockphoto Shares of cigarette and tobacco product makers tumbled on Thursday (January 1, 2026) morning trade after the government notified February 1 as the date from which additional excise duty on tobacco products, and a health cess on pan masala will be levied. The stock of Godfrey Phillips India…
The new levies on tobacco and pan masala will be over and above the GST rate, and will replace the compensation cess which is currently being levied on such sin goods. | Photo Credit: Reuters The government on Wednesday (December 31, 2025) notified February 1 as the date from which additional excise duty will be…
On the revenue front, total tax revenue stood at ₹13.9 lakh crore at the end of November 2025, 3.4% lower than in the same period of 2024-25. Non-tax revenue, however, was almost 21% higher during the same period. | Photo Credit: Reuters The Centre’s fiscal deficit at the end of November 2025 stood at ₹9.77…
Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Sanjay Malhotra. File | Photo Credit: PTI The Indian economy is projected to register high growth, driven by strong domestic consumption and investment despite a volatile and unfavourable external environment, RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra said on Wednesday (December 31, 2025). “Maintaining financial stability and strengthening the financial system remains…
At a time when developing and developed countries alike are navigating an increasingly unpredictable global trading regime, India is at a crossroads, fast emerging as a resilient player in international trade and as an increasingly reliable economic partner. The conclusion of the India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (FTA), announced by Prime Ministers Narendra Modi and…
India’s relatively strong industrial performance in November 2025, especially driven by the manufacturing sector as it was, was more likely a flash in the pan than the start of a consistent trend. The Index of Industrial Production (IIP) grew 6.7% in November, the fastest growth rate in 25 months. Within this, the manufacturing sector grew…
The federal steel ministry has repeatedly said it does not want the domestic steel industry to face injury due to cheap imports and sub-standard products. File | Photo Credit: Reuters India has imposed a three-year import tariff of between 11% and 12% on some steel products, according to a finance ministry order published on Tuesday…
India’s real GDP grew 8.2% in the second quarter of 2025-26, up from 7.8% in the first quarter and 7.4% in the fourth quarter of the last fiscal. File. | Photo Credit: B. Velankanni Raj India has surpassed Japan to become the world’s fourth largest economy with a size of $4.18 trillion and is poised…
On December 29, 2025, the Sensex declined by 345.91 points or 0.41% to settle at 84,695.54. File | Photo Credit: Reuters Stock market benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty declined in early trade on Tuesday (December 30, 2025) as persistent foreign fund outflows and a muted trend in global equities dented investors’ sentiment. The 30-share BSE…
