In early August, U.S. President Donald Trump announced that imports from India to the U.S. will be charged tariffs at 50%. This includes a 25% penalty for India’s oil purchases from Russia. The U.S. tariffs bring challenges to the Indian economy. What are the policy options for India? Tariffs are the taxes levied on imports…
In May this year, the Ministry of Finance released India’s draft Climate Finance Taxonomy for public consultation. As a foundational tool, the taxonomy aims to mobilise climate-aligned investments, prevent greenwashing, and clarify for investors which sectors, technologies and practices contribute to mitigation, adaptation, or transition. Importantly, the document calls itself a “living” framework, adaptable to…
Representational file image. | Photo Credit: Reuters The Standing Committee on Finance has recommended that the Government consider an action plan to evenly distribute industries across all States, for “more balanced and equitable economic development”, it said in a report submitted to the Lok Sabha. This comes at a time when the Congress has accused…
Foreign Institutional Investors bought equities worth ₹550.85 crore on August 18, 2025, according to exchange data. File | Photo Credit: Reuters The rupee appreciated 40 paise to close at 86.99 (provisional) against the U.S. dollar on Tuesday (August 19, 2025), supported by optimism over GST restructuring and positive domestic equity markets. Forex traders said rupee…
The central government’s proposals to reform the Goods and Services Tax (GST) system are bold and timely. They stand to benefit the middle class and the business community, as the government claims. Shifting 99% of the items in the 12% slab to a 5% tax rate, and 90% of the items in the 28% slab…
Representational file image. | Photo Credit: Reuters India has recommended a three-year import tariff of 11%-12% on some steel products to curb shipments from top producer China. The levy, if imposed, will start at 12%. It will be eased to 11.5% in the second year and to 11% in the third year, the Directorate General…
Moody’s added that the tariffs imposed by the U.S. have left countries across Europe and the Asia-Pacific region “feeling bruised”. File. | Photo Credit: Reuters The combined 50% tariff on Indian exports to the U.S. will reduce demand for Indian goods “very substantially”, Moody’s Analytics said in a report. The report was talking about the…
As many as 23% of the total 56.04 crore Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) accounts are inoperative, Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary said on Monday (August 18, 2025). Out of 56.03 crore PMJDY accounts at the end of July 31, 2025, 13.04 crore such accounts are inoperative, he said in a written…
Union Finance Minister during the monsoon session of Parliament in New Delhi. File | Photo Credit: PTI/Sansad TV Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will on Wednesday (August 20, 2025) address a crucial meeting of a group of ministers of States as she makes a case for the sweeping GST reforms that will slash tax rates and…
The story so far: E20 petrol, which contains 20% ethanol and is being sold by Indian oil refiners, has been much in the news lately. India has achieved its target to blend 20% ethanol per litre of fuel five years ahead of the target under the National Policy on Biofuels. Ethanol blending in India rose…
