News for 'Economic Update'

Gold import duty hike to spur grey market, smuggling, say exporters

Gold import duty hike to spur grey market, smuggling, say exporters

Rediff.com13 May 2026

The gems and jewellery industry anticipates challenging times following the government's decision to increase gold import duty to 15 per cent, a move that exporters warn could fuel the grey market and heighten smuggling risks.

WFH, no gold purchases, foreign travel, reduce fuel use: Modi calls for Covid-era methods

WFH, no gold purchases, foreign travel, reduce fuel use: Modi calls for Covid-era methods

Rediff.com11 May 2026

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has urged for restraint in the use of petro products due to the West Asia crisis, emphasising the need to save foreign exchange and reduce the impact of war. He also highlighted India's progress in solar power and ethanol blending, while assuring support to Telangana's development.

Xi backs open Hormuz, opposes nuclear-armed Iran: Trump after China visit

Xi backs open Hormuz, opposes nuclear-armed Iran: Trump after China visit

Rediff.com7 days ago

United States and China have agreed that "Iran can't have nuclear weapons," and that the Strait of Hormuz must be opened, according to US President Donald Trump.

Air India defers increments, asks staff to cut costs

Air India defers increments, asks staff to cut costs

Rediff.com9 May 2026

Air India has deferred annual salary increments for its staff by at least one quarter and urged a "relentless focus on costs" due to external headwinds like the closure of Pakistan airspace, West Asia conflict, rupee depreciation, and a significant surge in aviation turbine fuel prices, though the airline has assured there will be no layoffs.

Indian Equities Snap Losing Streak, End Marginally Higher

Indian Equities Snap Losing Streak, End Marginally Higher

Rediff.com13 May 2026

Indian benchmark equity indices, Sensex and Nifty, closed marginally higher, breaking a four-day losing streak, despite elevated crude oil prices and ongoing geopolitical uncertainties. The market saw a temporary pause in panic selling, though cautious sentiment persists.

Netas Walk Modi's Talk On Austerity

Netas Walk Modi's Talk On Austerity

Rediff.com2 days ago

In response to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's call for austerity, political leaders are reducing convoys and promoting public transport to conserve fuel.

Digital Access, Data Governance Remain Challenges For India's DPI

Digital Access, Data Governance Remain Challenges For India's DPI

Rediff.com8 May 2026

Chief Economic Advisor V Anantha Nageswaran highlights the challenges of digital access, data governance, interoperability, and cyber security in India's digital public infrastructure (DPI), despite its world-class scale.

'Biggest Single Danger Is If Remittances Come Down'

'Biggest Single Danger Is If Remittances Come Down'

Rediff.com13 May 2026

'At the first sign of real trouble, that money will move. There will be a run.'

OpenAI, Anthropic Threat For India's IT Majors

OpenAI, Anthropic Threat For India's IT Majors

Rediff.com5 days ago

OpenAI and Anthropic are not simply enabling new software capabilities, they are moving directly into enterprise execution, workflow ownership, and decision orchestration.

Sensex Rises Over 700 Points, Nifty Crosses 23,600 Amid Positive Market Sentiment

Sensex Rises Over 700 Points, Nifty Crosses 23,600 Amid Positive Market Sentiment

Rediff.com14 May 2026

Indian benchmark equity indices, Sensex and Nifty, saw gains in early trade, driven by strong performance in banking shares and positive sentiment from Asian markets, alongside optimism surrounding the ongoing US-China Summit.

How BBMB Is Meeting Water And Power Needs Of Partner States

How BBMB Is Meeting Water And Power Needs Of Partner States

Rediff.com7 days ago

Union Power Minister Manohar Lal Khattar has lauded the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) for its effective management of water and power resources, catering to the needs of partner states. The event marked 50 years of the BBMB.

Arvind Subramanian: Be Wary of China Bashing

Arvind Subramanian: Be Wary of China Bashing

Rediff.com14 May 2026

It seems odd to criticise a country for delivering growth rates in standards of living and consumption that have been perhaps the fastest, longest, and most broad-based (affecting hundreds of millions of people) in history, points out Arvind Subramanian.

China Boosts Indian Ocean Ambitions, Should India Worry?

China Boosts Indian Ocean Ambitions, Should India Worry?

Rediff.com14 May 2026

For India, China's Indian Ocean power projection, maritime domain awareness, dual-use ports, underwater surveillance, antisubmarinewarfare, naval exercises with Pakistan, pose considerable pressure, depleted India's strategic depth and marginalises Indian role, points out Srikanth Kondapalli.

How Sushmita Krishnan Is Making Paper From Water Hyacinths

How Sushmita Krishnan Is Making Paper From Water Hyacinths

Rediff.com5 May 2026

A young ecologist from Tamil Nadu is transforming water hyacinth, a fast-spreading aquatic plant, into a sustainable solution for food packaging. Sushmita Krishnan has developed a unique, chemical-free paper from water hyacinth that can be used for food packaging, turning an ecological challenge into an innovative opportunity.

Gurugram Real Estate Firm Owner Arrested In Land Scam

Gurugram Real Estate Firm Owner Arrested In Land Scam

Rediff.com10 May 2026

Gurugram Police have arrested a 50-year-old owner of a real estate firm for allegedly duping people of crores by promising land agreements.

How Basalt Could Slash Cement Industry's Carbon Footprint

How Basalt Could Slash Cement Industry's Carbon Footprint

Rediff.com7 days ago

A new study suggests that using basalt rock instead of limestone in cement production could significantly reduce carbon dioxide emissions, offering a pathway to a greener construction industry.

Iran, UAE FMs spar at BRICS meet in Delhi, Lavrov intervenes to cool tempers

Iran, UAE FMs spar at BRICS meet in Delhi, Lavrov intervenes to cool tempers

Rediff.com15 May 2026

Sharp differences between Iran and the UAE over the West Asia conflict were on full display during the BRICS foreign ministers' meeting in New Delhi, signalling the challenges the bloc faces in reaching a consensus position on the crisis.

BJP's Assam Sweep Redrew Political Map

BJP's Assam Sweep Redrew Political Map

Rediff.com12 May 2026

The 2026 election appears to have reinforced a new political formula in Assam: Strong organisation, continuous grassroots engagement, effective alliance management and welfare-based voter outreach.

Stock Markets Today: Sensex, Nifty Tumble as West Asia Conflict & PM Modi's Austerity Appeal Spook Investors

Stock Markets Today: Sensex, Nifty Tumble as West Asia Conflict & PM Modi's Austerity Appeal Spook Investors

Rediff.com11 May 2026

Indian stock markets experienced a significant sell-off, with the Sensex tumbling over 1,300 points, driven by escalating crude oil prices due to US-Iran tensions and Prime Minister Narendra Modi's call for austerity measures, which amplified investor concerns about India's economic outlook.

'One Operation Sindoor Won't End Terror'

'One Operation Sindoor Won't End Terror'

Rediff.com10 May 2026

'India's security challenges are no longer confined to the Line of Control or the Line of Actual Control.'
'They also span cyber networks, economic systems, information warfare, technology ecosystems, maritime routes, and internal social cohesion.'

Sri Lanka airport lease near China-controlled Hambantota port opens door for India

Sri Lanka airport lease near China-controlled Hambantota port opens door for India

Rediff.com5 days ago

India is closely monitoring Sri Lanka's decision to offer foreign investors control of an airport near the China-controlled Hambantota port, as it could present a rare opening for Indian firms seeking strategic footholds in the Indian Ocean.

'Every Political Party Will Be BJP-ised'

'Every Political Party Will Be BJP-ised'

Rediff.com3 days ago

'Look at the way SIR that was implemented in Bengal. They wanted to entirely curate the voter list in order to suit their purposes and victory.' 'Look at the targeted deletions and the targeted voting list.' 'The difference between the TMC and the BJP was only about 4% but that 4% vote was done so selectively that the difference ultimately showed up as 100 seats!'

Bruzon To Exit East Bengal: Here's Why

Bruzon To Exit East Bengal: Here's Why

Rediff.com3 May 2026

Oscar Bruzon has announced he will step down as head coach of East Bengal at the end of the current Indian Super League season, citing the absence of long-term planning and clarity over the club's future.

Karnataka Budget 2026-27 Praised for Balanced Approach to Economic Growth

Karnataka Budget 2026-27 Praised for Balanced Approach to Economic Growth

Rediff.com7 Mar 2026

The Bangalore Chamber of Industry and Commerce (BCIC) has welcomed the Karnataka Budget 2026-27, highlighting its focus on economic growth, support for MSMEs, and infrastructure development. Industry leaders have expressed optimism about the budget's potential to boost manufacturing, create jobs, and drive innovation in the state.

India's FDI Inflows Set to Cross $90 Billion in FY26, Says DPIIT Secretary

India's FDI Inflows Set to Cross $90 Billion in FY26, Says DPIIT Secretary

Rediff.com3 May 2026

India's foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows are projected to surpass $90 billion in 2025-26 (FY26), driven by robust policy reforms, free trade agreements, and strong economic growth, according to DPIIT Secretary Amardeep Singh Bhatia.

Why Paytm Shares Soared After Profit Announcement

Why Paytm Shares Soared After Profit Announcement

Rediff.com7 May 2026

Shares of One97 Communications, which operates the Paytm brand, experienced a significant jump after the company reported a consolidated profit for the January-March quarter.

What The Opposition Must Learn From Mamata's Defeat

What The Opposition Must Learn From Mamata's Defeat

Rediff.com6 May 2026

'If the Opposition associates itself too much with the minorities, then it becomes easy for the BJP to get Hindu consolidation votes.'

Will China Now Attack Taiwan?

Will China Now Attack Taiwan?

Rediff.com4 days ago

Chinese leaders, including its generals, will have to weigh whether they can win a war if they ever attack Taiwan and if at all, can they sustain the subsequent devastation, notes Rup Narayan Das.

India Is Now A Reverse Goldilocks Economy

India Is Now A Reverse Goldilocks Economy

Rediff.com5 days ago

India emerged reasonably well from 2025. But now, the oil shock and war-related supply disruptions have again driven funds out of India and significantly weakened the rupee, points out Ajay Chhibber.

Customs To Tighten Vigil Against Gold Smuggling After Duty Hike

Customs To Tighten Vigil Against Gold Smuggling After Duty Hike

Rediff.com13 May 2026

Revenue intelligence and customs officers are set to intensify surveillance and increase vigilance on international borders to combat potential gold smuggling following a significant increase in customs duty on gold.

Gold prices fall sharply amid global economic uncertainty

Gold prices fall sharply amid global economic uncertainty

Rediff.com25 Mar 2026

Gold prices experienced a significant decline in futures trading due to uncertainty surrounding geopolitical tensions in West Asia and conflicting statements regarding the conflict. Investors are also awaiting key macroeconomic data for further direction on interest rate cuts.

US marines board merchant ship in Arabian Sea

US marines board merchant ship in Arabian Sea

Rediff.com29 Apr 2026

US Marines boarded and searched a commercial ship, M/V Blue Star III, in the Arabian Sea on suspicion of violating the US blockade of Iranian ports, later releasing it after confirming it was not headed to Iran.

Fadnavis Calls For Maharashtra Police To Combat Cybercrime

Fadnavis Calls For Maharashtra Police To Combat Cybercrime

Rediff.com28 Apr 2026

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has emphasised the need for the state police to enhance their preparedness in addressing modern challenges such as cybercrime and financial offences. He highlighted the importance of the police force in maintaining law and order and contributing to the state's economic progress during the closing ceremony of the 36th Maharashtra State Police Sports Competition.

Why Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw Wants Niece Claire To Take Over

Why Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw Wants Niece Claire To Take Over

Rediff.com5 days ago

'Leadership is about understanding how a business works, how it is shaped, built, and expanded.'

Trump ends China visit after extensive talks with Xi on trade, global issues

Trump ends China visit after extensive talks with Xi on trade, global issues

Rediff.com7 days ago

Donald Trump says several issues were settled during the final day of talks with Xi Jinping covering trade, tariffs, and diplomacy.

Did Trump, Xi Reset US-China Relations?

Did Trump, Xi Reset US-China Relations?

Rediff.com15 May 2026

US President Donald Trump concluded his Beijing summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping, describing it as 'incredible' and highlighting 'fantastic trade deals' and a 'very strong' relationship between the two leaders.

WFH, avoid foreign travel for 1 year: Modi's 7 big appeals

WFH, avoid foreign travel for 1 year: Modi's 7 big appeals

Rediff.com11 May 2026

Prime Minister Modi has urged citizens to adopt measures like judicious fuel use, postponing gold purchases, and deferring foreign travel to strengthen India's economy in the face of the West Asia conflict's adverse impact.

West Bengal BJP Promises Investors A Fearless Environment

West Bengal BJP Promises Investors A Fearless Environment

Rediff.com12 May 2026

West Bengal BJP president Samik Bhattacharya advocated a new land policy to facilitate large-scale industrialisation and assured investors of a 'fearless' environment in the state.

Be Prepared For Fuel Price Hike!

Be Prepared For Fuel Price Hike!

Rediff.com13 May 2026

'OMCs are incurring losses of Rs 1,000 crore per day due to the West Asia crisis.'

Economic Survey 2026: Rupee valuation does not accurately reflect India's stellar economic fundamentals

Economic Survey 2026: Rupee valuation does not accurately reflect India's stellar economic fundamentals

Rediff.com29 Jan 2026

The value of the rupee, which has slipped to the 92 per dollar mark, does not accurately reflect India's stellar economic fundamentals, the Economic Survey said on Thursday.