Himanshi Bhardwaj

Stories by Himanshi Bhardwaj

States' Capital Expenditure Utilisation Falls Below Last Year's Level in Apr-Aug FY27

States' Capital Expenditure Utilisation Falls Below Last Year's Level in Apr-Aug FY27

Rediff.com   6 Oct 2026

Indian states' capital expenditure (capex) utilisation for April-August FY27 fell to 21.21 per cent, slightly below the 21.73 per cent recorded in the same period of FY26, according to a CAG analysis. Despite the dip, this figure remains the third highest in the past six years, with significant variations observed across states.

Indian Factories Pull Back on New Investments in FY25, Prioritising Employment Growth

Indian Factories Pull Back on New Investments in FY25, Prioritising Employment Growth

Rediff.com   2 Oct 2026

Indian factories saw an 8 per cent decline in gross fixed capital formation (GFCF) in FY25, marking the first drop since the pandemic, despite achieving record high employment generation, according to the latest Annual Survey of Industries (ASI) data.

Can Food Prices Cool Before 2026 Ends?

Can Food Prices Cool Before 2026 Ends?

Rediff.com   16 Sep 2026

'I don't really expect the August increase in food prices, which was close to 6 per cent, to persist as we go close to the end of this year.'

Private Sector Capex Rises 7% in FY25, Govt Spending Slows

Private Sector Capex Rises 7% in FY25, Govt Spending Slows

Rediff.com   15 Sep 2026

Private corporations in India invested approximately 30.3 trillion in fixed assets during FY25, marking a 7 per cent increase from the previous year, according to the statistics ministry. This growth in private capital expenditure contrasts with a slowdown in government capital spending.

China Dominates India's Electronics Imports

China Dominates India's Electronics Imports

Rediff.com   12 Sep 2026

'The large number of tariff lines in the 90-99 per cent band highlights how deeply embedded Chinese sourcing has become in India's electronics imports.'

Is Caste Census Only In Name?

Is Caste Census Only In Name?

Rediff.com   15 Aug 2026

Opposition leaders have questioned how caste responses will be recorded without state-wise pre-prepared lists.

N-plants save blushes for India's Q1 investment outlay

N-plants save blushes for India's Q1 investment outlay

Rediff.com   10 Aug 2026

India's fresh investment plans in Q1FY27 surged 71 per cent to 14.77 trillion, primarily driven by four large nuclear power projects worth 6.5 trillion, according to investment monitoring firm Projects Today. Excluding these nuclear projects, fresh investment plans actually declined 4.27 per cent quarter-on-quarter.

India's Growth Pace May Dip as Global Economy Slows, Warns Moody's Analytics

India's Growth Pace May Dip as Global Economy Slows, Warns Moody's Analytics

Rediff.com   17 Jul 2026

Moody's Analytics predicts India will remain the fastest-growing major economy in 2026 and 2027, but its pace will moderate due to a global slowdown, geopolitical risks, and financial market volatility, despite the boost from AI demand.

Women Owners Employ More Women

Women Owners Employ More Women

Rediff.com   14 Jul 2026

In cities where women own a larger share of small businesses, women also account for a larger share of jobs.

Welfare Spending Pushes Four States Into Red

Welfare Spending Pushes Four States Into Red

Rediff.com   26 Jun 2026

Election-related freebies and populist measures are other factors crimping the revenue profile of these states.

Fiscal Strain: 18 States Exceed Deficit Ceiling, Revenue Surplus Declines

Fiscal Strain: 18 States Exceed Deficit Ceiling, Revenue Surplus Declines

Rediff.com   17 Jun 2026

Eighteen of India's 28 states exceeded the fiscal deficit ceiling of 3 per cent of GSDP in FY25, a deterioration comparable to the Covid year of 2020-21, according to the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG). The report also noted a decline in states reporting a revenue surplus, with Bihar, Mizoram, and Telangana moving into deficit.

India's Unemployment Rate Climbs to 11-Month High in May

India's Unemployment Rate Climbs to 11-Month High in May

Rediff.com   16 Jun 2026

India's unemployment rate reached an 11-month high of 5.5 per cent in May, up from 5.2 per cent in April, according to the National Statistics Office, indicating a softening labour market as labour-force participation also eased.

India can return to over 7% growth path in FY28: CEA

India can return to over 7% growth path in FY28: CEA

Rediff.com   6 Jun 2026

Chief Economic Advisor V Anantha Nageswaran stated that India's economy is projected to return to a 7 per cent-plus growth trajectory by 2027-28 (FY28), or sooner if external conditions improve, despite near-term challenges from the West Asia crisis.

Which Is India's Fastest Growing State?

Which Is India's Fastest Growing State?

Rediff.com   27 May 2026

Assam emerged as the fastest-growing large state with a remarkable 17.3 per cent nominal GDP CAGR over five years.

IIP basket gets a refresh: Rare earths in, kerosene out

IIP basket gets a refresh: Rare earths in, kerosene out

Rediff.com   26 May 2026

The new Index of Industrial Production (IIP) series, which shifts the base year from 2011-12 to 2022-23 and is scheduled for release on June 1, will, for the first time, track rare earths and minor minerals, piped natural gas (PNG), and water supply, sewerage and waste management.

West Asia crisis may cost India Rs 2.1 trillion, says BoB

West Asia crisis may cost India Rs 2.1 trillion, says BoB

Rediff.com   23 May 2026

Bank of Baroda economists project India's GDP to grow 6.5-6.8 per cent in FY27 but warn that the fiscal deficit could overshoot the budgeted 4.3 per cent target, potentially reaching 4.7-4.8 per cent of GDP due to subsidy overruns, excise duty cuts, and oil marketing company losses.

CII urges govt to phase out fuel excise cut

CII urges govt to phase out fuel excise cut

Rediff.com   11 May 2026

The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) has urged the Indian government to gradually restore the Rs 10-per-litre cut in special additional excise duty on petrol and diesel over six to nine months. This move aims to relieve pressure on government finances as crude oil prices stabilise, without significantly impacting consumer sentiment.

Haryana leads informal job growth, Gujarat sees sharp contraction in 2025

Haryana leads informal job growth, Gujarat sees sharp contraction in 2025

Rediff.com   8 May 2026

Haryana recorded the fastest growth in unincorporated non-agricultural employment among major Indian states in 2025, with a 29.8 per cent increase to 3.1 million workers, while Gujarat experienced the sharpest contraction, declining by 12.6 per cent to 8 million.

Unincorporated Sector Drives Job Growth, Digital Divide Persists

Unincorporated Sector Drives Job Growth, Digital Divide Persists

Rediff.com   7 May 2026

India's unincorporated non-agricultural sector, excluding construction and corporate enterprises, added approximately 7.5 million workers in a single year, reaching 128.1 million employed in 2025, according to the NSO's ASUSE 2025 report.

GST growth slipped to five-year low of 5.6% in FY26

GST growth slipped to five-year low of 5.6% in FY26

Rediff.com   4 May 2026

India's like-for-like gross Goods and Services Tax (GST) revenue growth slowed to a five-year low of 5.57 per cent in FY26, reaching Rs 23.32 trillion, primarily driven by a significant surge in import revenues.