News for 'Economic Times'

Nirmala Sitharaman, the longest serving FM will present record 9th Budget on Feb 1

Nirmala Sitharaman, the longest serving FM will present record 9th Budget on Feb 1

Rediff.com30 Jan 2026

Sitharaman took charge of the Finance Ministry on May 31, 2019, and has steered the economy through the COVID-19 pandemic and geopolitical turmoil, making India the fastest-growing major economy in the world.

Is AI Really Boosting India's Economy?

Is AI Really Boosting India's Economy?

Rediff.com12 Feb 2026

'The real risk is not that AI will fail to transform India's economy.'
'The risk is that it already is -- while our measurement systems continue to look the other way,' observes Nishant Sahdev, a theoretical physicist at the University of North Carolina.

India-EU pact weaves new hope into $100 bn textile export dream

India-EU pact weaves new hope into $100 bn textile export dream

Rediff.com4 Feb 2026

The proposed trade deal with the 27-nation European Union (EU) is expected to provide zero-duty access to the $95 billion European market for Indian textile and apparel manufacturers. Currently, India's share of the European market is just 6 per cent, or $5.5 billion.

'Women Are Far More Dangerous And Cruel'

'Women Are Far More Dangerous And Cruel'

Rediff.com25 Feb 2026

'Women in crime can turn on and off emotions like a tap.' 'Something that comes in the way of their goals can be eliminated without a second thought.'

How India Is Rewriting Its FTA Playbook

How India Is Rewriting Its FTA Playbook

Rediff.com28 Jan 2026

India has been on an FTA-signing spree of late. Since 2021, it has signed eight trade agreements, three of which -- with the UK, Oman and New Zealand -- were finalised in 2025 alone.

Why Capital Expenditure Needs Monitoring

Why Capital Expenditure Needs Monitoring

Rediff.com23 Feb 2026

After years of rapid expansion, the Centre's capital spending growth eases as private investment shows early signs of revival, points out A K Bhattacharya.

Budget 2026: 7 new high-speed rail corridors announced

Budget 2026: 7 new high-speed rail corridors announced

Rediff.com1 Feb 2026

Two dedicated freight corridors -- Eastern and Western -- are in operation covering several states and districts.

AI Squeezes Entry-Level Jobs

AI Squeezes Entry-Level Jobs

Rediff.com2 Feb 2026

Concerns have emerged about the impact of AI adoption on young workers, particularly those seeking their first job in high-skilled occupations.

Meghalaya Blast Exposes Dangers Of Rat-Hole Mining

Meghalaya Blast Exposes Dangers Of Rat-Hole Mining

Rediff.com7 Feb 2026

The human cost of rat-hole mining falls disproportionately on migrant labourers.

Rupee slumps 29 paise to close at all-time low of 90.78/USD

Rupee slumps 29 paise to close at all-time low of 90.78/USD

Rediff.com15 Dec 2025

The rupee plunged 26 paise to an all-time low of 90.75 against the US dollar in intra-day trade on Monday, weighed down by uncertainty over an India-US trade deal and persistent foreign fund outflows.

Bowed our head, lost self-respect: Pakistan PM on loans

Bowed our head, lost self-respect: Pakistan PM on loans

Rediff.com31 Jan 2026

Seeking foreign loan had forced Pakistan to 'bow' its head and make compromises at the 'cost of self-respect', Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has said in a candid admission about the humiliation involved in approaching 'friendly countries' for financial aid.

From 18% to 10%: Trump's new global levy brings relief for India

From 18% to 10%: Trump's new global levy brings relief for India

Rediff.com21 Feb 2026

US President Donald Trump announced a new global levy on imported items, resulting in a lower tariff rate for India, following a Supreme Court verdict against his previous sweeping tariffs.

Gold, Silver Fall: Investors Must Stay Cautious

Gold, Silver Fall: Investors Must Stay Cautious

Rediff.com19 Feb 2026

The recent correction suggests that while precious metals hedge geopolitical tension and inflation, they are not immune to sharp short-term corrections and profit-booking.

86% Taxpayers Shift To New Tax Regime

86% Taxpayers Shift To New Tax Regime

Rediff.com13 Feb 2026

'Among corporates, about 60% of income is now reported under the new tax regime.'

Cybersecurity biggest risk for enterprises: Ficci-EY report

Cybersecurity biggest risk for enterprises: Ficci-EY report

Rediff.com9 Feb 2026

Cybersecurity breaches have emerged as the top risk shaping organisational performance, with 61 per cent of respondents identifying it as the primary risk, said a Ficci and EY report.

'I Don't Want To Let Down The Economy...'

'I Don't Want To Let Down The Economy...'

Rediff.com9 Feb 2026

'This Budget has a one-year agenda, which you can call the sprint, and the marathon is towards Viksit Bharat.'

Conscious Unbossing: GenZ's New Workplace Trend

Conscious Unbossing: GenZ's New Workplace Trend

Rediff.com5 Feb 2026

Contrary to popular misconception, Gen Z's work ethic isn't about avoiding responsibility. It's about choosing impact over hierarchy, explains Kartik Narayan, CEO of jobs marketplace, Apna.

Rare-Disease, Cancer Drugs Get Cheaper

Rare-Disease, Cancer Drugs Get Cheaper

Rediff.com3 Feb 2026

For patients, the immediate impact is a reduction in the final cost of therapies that often run into lakhs per month.

'Next Samvat Could See Equities Align With Economic Growth'

'Next Samvat Could See Equities Align With Economic Growth'

Rediff.com16 Oct 2025

'The outlook for the next Samvat is more constructive, as many of the earlier drags are gradually becoming supports.'

India second-most preferred investment destination for CEOs: PwC survey

India second-most preferred investment destination for CEOs: PwC survey

Rediff.com21 Jan 2026

India is the second-most-preferred destination among chief executive officers planning international investments - up from the fifth spot last year, according to PwC's 29th Annual Global CEO Survey released on Tuesday. The United States is their first choice.

War has to end: Trump to Putin after meeting Zelenskyy

War has to end: Trump to Putin after meeting Zelenskyy

Rediff.com22 Jan 2026

United States President Donald Trump on Thursday said he had a good meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and his message to Russian President Vladimir Putin is that 'war has to end'.

Was Maduro's Capture A Warning Shot To China?

Was Maduro's Capture A Warning Shot To China?

Rediff.com24 Jan 2026

China has made serious inroads into Latin America, which the US may now be hinting is simply not ok: Stay in your lane, Xi! In simple terms, China will no longer have access to Venezuelan oil, points out Rajeev Srinivasan.

Budget reflects a maturing economy

Budget reflects a maturing economy

Rediff.com11 Feb 2026

The Budget reflects a clear focus on strengthening India's long-term prospects by leaning on nation-building sectors such as infrastructure, manufacturing, and technology while maintaining fiscal responsibility.

At Davos, Trump repeats claim of stopping India-Pak war

At Davos, Trump repeats claim of stopping India-Pak war

Rediff.com21 Jan 2026

US President Donald Trump repeated his claim at the World Economic Forum in Davos that he stopped the war between India and Pakistan, a claim India has consistently denied.

Nirmala Sitharaman creates history with 9th consecutive Budget

Nirmala Sitharaman creates history with 9th consecutive Budget

Rediff.com1 Feb 2026

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday makes history as she presents a record ninth consecutive Budget that is expected to unveil measures to sustain growth momentum, maintain fiscal discipline, and contain reforms that could buffer the economy from global trade frictions, including US tariffs.

Rupee slumps 38 paise to close at all-time low of 90.32 against US dollar

Rupee slumps 38 paise to close at all-time low of 90.32 against US dollar

Rediff.com11 Dec 2025

The rupee plunged 38 paise to close at an all-time low of 90.32 against the US dollar on Thursday amid uncertainty over the India-US trade deal. Forex traders said the rupee is expected to trade with a negative bias as the delay in the trade deal between India and the US may continue to dent investor confidence.

The Fall of India's Development Ambitions

The Fall of India's Development Ambitions

Rediff.com1 Feb 2026

Like the realisation on the failure of development, we have also internalised the failure on democracy, argues Aakar Patel.

Now, India's gems & jewellery sector on par with China, Thailand

Now, India's gems & jewellery sector on par with China, Thailand

Rediff.com4 Feb 2026

Exporters of gems and jewellery have said the free-trade agreement (FTA) has brought relief to their sector because this opens up the world's second-largest market and brings them on a par with China and Thailand, which face zero tariffs on shipments to Europe.

Trump withdraws invite to Canada for Gaza Peace Board

Trump withdraws invite to Canada for Gaza Peace Board

Rediff.com23 Jan 2026

United States President Donald Trump on Friday withdrew the invitation extended to Canada to join the Board of Peace.

T20 World Cup: Sri Lanka urges Pakistan to rethink India match boycott

T20 World Cup: Sri Lanka urges Pakistan to rethink India match boycott

Rediff.com6 Feb 2026

Citing heavy losses all around, SLC urges PCB to reconsider boycott of Indo-Pak fixture

Youth & Experience: Meet India's World Cup 15

Youth & Experience: Meet India's World Cup 15

Rediff.com4 Feb 2026

Defending champions India have unveiled a well-rounded 15-member squad for the upcoming ICC Men's T20 World Cup

Cop transferred after abusing, slapping migrant worker; video goes viral

Cop transferred after abusing, slapping migrant worker; video goes viral

Rediff.com9 Feb 2026

A policeman in Erode, Tamil Nadu, has been transferred to the Armed Reserve after a video surfaced showing him verbally abusing and allegedly slapping a migrant worker at a roadside eatery. The incident, captured on CCTV, sparked outrage and prompted swift action from authorities.

Why Budget 2026 Deserves 8.5/10

Why Budget 2026 Deserves 8.5/10

Rediff.com2 Feb 2026

This is the first Budget in my memory of Budgets over the last half a century which has embraced upfront, enthusiastically and emphatically, technology, modernity and fiscal sobriety, notes Shreekant Sambrani.

E2W companies seek PM E-Drive subsidy extension beyond March 2026

E2W companies seek PM E-Drive subsidy extension beyond March 2026

Rediff.com27 Jan 2026

India's electric two-wheeler (e2W) manufacturers have urged the government to extend subsidies under the PM E-Drive (Electric Drive Revolution in Innovative Vehicle Enhancement) scheme beyond March 2026, cautioning that a withdrawal could slow near-term demand even as confidence in long-term electric mobility adoption remains intact.

Problems won't solve by one power...: UN chief's dig at Trump

Problems won't solve by one power...: UN chief's dig at Trump

Rediff.com30 Jan 2026

Guterres emphasised that global structures and institutions must reflect the complexity and the opportunity of the "new times and realities"

What Will Xi Jinping Do Next With All That Power?

What Will Xi Jinping Do Next With All That Power?

Rediff.com11 Feb 2026

'For the first time in a hundred years, the army has been taken out of the political equation. And for the first time ever, there is only one man who calls the shots. Not even Mao had this kind of power.'

India-US Deal Shields Farmers

India-US Deal Shields Farmers

Rediff.com4 Feb 2026

New Delhi will substantially reduce tariffs on industrial and agricultural goods while continuing to protect sensitive sectors. Tariffs on some agricultural products that are not traditionally considered sensitive will be brought down to zero, while in the case of relatively sensitive items, duties will be reduced in a graded manner and quotas will be imposed.

Interview with chairman SC Shetty: 'SBI Will Double Its Balance Sheet In 6-7 Years'

Interview with chairman SC Shetty: 'SBI Will Double Its Balance Sheet In 6-7 Years'

Rediff.com11 Feb 2026

'Credit growth in India remains in double digits, even though corporate borrowing is subdued.' 'Corporate credit is weak because companies are cash-rich and cautious amid global uncertainty.'

SC flags airfare fluctuations during festivals, calls it 'exploitation'

SC flags airfare fluctuations during festivals, calls it 'exploitation'

Rediff.com19 Jan 2026

A bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta termed the exorbitant rise of airfares by airlines as "exploitation" and asked the Centre and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to file their replies to a PIL seeking binding regulatory guidelines to control the unpredictable fluctuations in airfare and ancillary charges imposed by private airlines in India.

IOC voices concern for Iranian athletes

IOC voices concern for Iranian athletes

Rediff.com30 Jan 2026

The IOC has expressed concern for the welfare of Iranian athletes amid escalating unrest, mass arrests and reports of deaths, saying it remains in contact with Iran's Olympic community.