News for 'Economy and Growth Programme'

IMF raises India's GDP growth projection to 7.3% for FY26

IMF raises India's GDP growth projection to 7.3% for FY26

Rediff.com19 Jan 2026

The IMF on Monday raised India's growth projection to 7.3 per cent for fiscal 2025-26, up 0.7 percentage point from its October forecast, on the back of better-than-expected performance of the economy. The Washington-headquartered multilateral lending agency has also revised India's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth forecast to 6.4 per cent for fiscal year 2026-27 beginning April 1, 2026, from its earlier estimate of 6.2 per cent.

Budget 2026: Next 5 Reforms Needed To Boost Growth

Budget 2026: Next 5 Reforms Needed To Boost Growth

Rediff.com28 Jan 2026

Sustaining 8 per cent-plus growth rates is necessary if we are to reach high-income status by 2047, points out Amitabh Kant.

Can This Budget Deliver Strategic Growth and Jobs?

Can This Budget Deliver Strategic Growth and Jobs?

Rediff.com31 Jan 2026

India is growing fast, but to keep growing strong, the government must make more things at home, create jobs, and spend money wisely, suggests Rajiv Memani, regional managing partner, Africa-India Region, EY.

India's GDP Grows 7.8% in Q3 Under New Series; beats estimate

India's GDP Grows 7.8% in Q3 Under New Series; beats estimate

Rediff.com27 Feb 2026

India's economy experienced a growth of 7.8 per cent during the October-December quarter of 2025-26, according to the new series of national accounts with 2022-23 as the base year.

Ramping up domestic LPG production to ensure supply: Sitharaman

Ramping up domestic LPG production to ensure supply: Sitharaman

Rediff.com1 days ago

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announces increased domestic LPG production to offset import disruptions caused by Middle East tensions, alongside assurances of fertiliser availability and the clearing of UPA-era oil bonds.

Biotechnology Facility Foundation Laid in Thiruvananthapuram

Biotechnology Facility Foundation Laid in Thiruvananthapuram

Rediff.com1 Mar 2026

Union Minister Jitendra Singh inaugurated a new biotechnology facility and dedicated a national facility for recombinant cells and sensors at the Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology in Thiruvananthapuram, highlighting India's focus on biotechnology and its potential for economic growth.

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.

How Corporate India Can Propel Women into Tech Leadership Roles

How Corporate India Can Propel Women into Tech Leadership Roles

Rediff.com8 Mar 2026

Top female executives are calling for corporate India to redesign workplace systems to support women's advancement into leadership roles in the technology sector, particularly in emerging fields like artificial intelligence.

Auto PLI distorted e2W market, hurt innovation: C-DEP report

Auto PLI distorted e2W market, hurt innovation: C-DEP report

Rediff.com28 Feb 2026

The production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme for the automobile sector has created market distortions, excluded innovation-led electric two-wheeler (e2w) makers, and failed to convert cost advantages into export competitiveness, with 77 per cent of export volumes driven by non-PLI models, said a report released by the Centre for Domestic Economy Policy Research (C-DEP) on Friday.

'India Is A Reverse AI Trade Globally'

'India Is A Reverse AI Trade Globally'

Rediff.com25 Feb 2026

'The day that the market realises that they've overspent (on AI) and there's a sudden collapse in the capex, then India can start outperforming again.'

India's GDP estimated to grow at 7.4% in FY26; fastest in the world

India's GDP estimated to grow at 7.4% in FY26; fastest in the world

Rediff.com7 Jan 2026

The Indian economy is likely to grow at 7.4 per cent in 2025-26, up from 6.5 per cent in the previous fiscal, mainly on account of better performance of manufacturing and services sectors, as per the government data released on Wednesday.

Union Budget 2026: Sitharaman tries to cover all bases, leaves out markets

Union Budget 2026: Sitharaman tries to cover all bases, leaves out markets

Rediff.com1 Feb 2026

Budget 2026 sticks to fiscal discipline, shuns populist measures despite five key state elections coming up, but ends up rattling stock markets with a higher transaction tax on derivatives trading.

2025 Marks India's Arrival As A Great Power

2025 Marks India's Arrival As A Great Power

Rediff.com26 Jan 2026

In a world fractured by uncertainty, India stands out for its policy consistency, paired with sustained ambition, points out Pritam Banerjee.

'Buying Opportunity, Not A Regret Opportunity'

'Buying Opportunity, Not A Regret Opportunity'

Rediff.com2 Feb 2026

'For those in for the long haul, this is a God-given opportunity.' 'Your market is falling despite strong fundamentals, and such a clear roadmap has been announced.'

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.

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.

New GDP series to improve informal sector estimates

New GDP series to improve informal sector estimates

Rediff.com1 Jan 2026

India's new national accounts will leverage new data sources and surveys to enhance the measurement of the country's informal economy, and introduce double deflation methods across sectors, replacing the current system that relies on a single deflation mechanism in Gross Domestic Product (GDP) calculations.

ISRO Clears 200 Milestones, Gaganyaan Next

ISRO Clears 200 Milestones, Gaganyaan Next

Rediff.com24 Dec 2025

From a surge in startups to crewed mission preparations, 2025 marks a transformative year as India eyes $44 billion space economy by 2033.

India-EU FTA: 'Mother Of All Deals': Goyal

India-EU FTA: 'Mother Of All Deals': Goyal

Rediff.com17 Jan 2026

Both India and the EU are likely to announce a conclusion of trade talks on January 27.

India, EU near 'mother of all deals' amid US tariff threat

India, EU near 'mother of all deals' amid US tariff threat

Rediff.com20 Jan 2026

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen says India and the EU are close to a 'historic trade agreement' that could create a market of two billion people and account for almost a quarter of the global GDP.

States Have Thrown A Spanner In RBI's Easy-Money Machine

States Have Thrown A Spanner In RBI's Easy-Money Machine

Rediff.com7 Jan 2026

State debt is rising because revenues are disappointingly weak. Ten states have debt ratios exceeding 30 per cent. In 2023-2024, states were borrowing simply to meet day-to-day expenses, points out Debashis Basu.

Don't Expect Tax Relief In This Budget!

Don't Expect Tax Relief In This Budget!

Rediff.com27 Jan 2026

After the last Budget's announcement of a major tax relief for those earning an annual salary of less than Rs 12 lakh, there is not much that individuals can look forward to in the forthcoming Budget, points out A K Bhattacharya.

The AI Financial Bubble Is For Real

The AI Financial Bubble Is For Real

Rediff.com1 Jan 2026

'I don't see how a company like OpenAI can honestly expect to generate revenue significant enough to maintain its spending habits via John and Jane Q. Public,' points out Sree Sreenivasan.

US visa curbs, AI surge will shape Indian IT in 2026

US visa curbs, AI surge will shape Indian IT in 2026

Rediff.com23 Dec 2025

India's $280-billion IT industry heads into 2026, balancing visa-related headwinds and global trade uncertainty against its biggest-ever push into artificial intelligence and the rapid expansion of global capability centres (GCCs). Heightened scrutiny of the US H-1B visa programme - including a proposed $100,000 fee for new visas and concerns over a potential 25 per cent outsourcing tax - has complicated cross-border delivery for Indian firms, even as companies accelerate efforts to reduce reliance on onsite staffing.

AI Films Are Coming: India Must Adapt

AI Films Are Coming: India Must Adapt

Rediff.com10 Dec 2025

'If we don't become part of this, if we don't embrace this particular technology, millionaire brands might go down, which we cannot allow.'

Why YouTube Is Investing In India

Why YouTube Is Investing In India

Rediff.com30 Dec 2025

'As a nation, we create beautiful content and a high volume of it (films) but we are limited by the number of theatres and screen density.' 'You now have a living-room large screen available to showcase that.'

What Amazon Can Learn From Meesho

What Amazon Can Learn From Meesho

Rediff.com19 Dec 2025

'The Indian consumer is moving so quickly and they have so many options.'

What India Plans to Focus On At COP30 Summit in Brazil

What India Plans to Focus On At COP30 Summit in Brazil

Rediff.com27 Oct 2025

'At COP30, the emphasis will be on unlocking climate finance, reinforcing the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities, and building resilience through inclusive transitions and the mainstreaming of adaptation.'

Trump admin faces lawsuit over H-1B visa fee hike

Trump admin faces lawsuit over H-1B visa fee hike

Rediff.com17 Oct 2025

The US Chamber of Commerce has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration's decision to impose a USD 100,000 fee on new H-1B visa petitions, arguing it harms American innovation and competitiveness.

India's top IT cos wrap up Q1 with single-digit topline growth

India's top IT cos wrap up Q1 with single-digit topline growth

Rediff.com28 Jul 2025

India's top IT services firms delivered single-digit revenue growth in April-June, capping off a mixed, somewhat-sobering quarter as macroeconomic instability and geopolitical tensions weighed on global tech demand and delayed client decisionmaking. Management commentary painted a mixed picture, caution prevailed, yet industry CEOs also emphasised cost optimisation, vendor consolidation, and opportunities in AI makeovers.

At G20, Modi bats for open satellite data access

At G20, Modi bats for open satellite data access

Rediff.com23 Nov 2025

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday proposed a G20 initiative aimed at enhancing clean energy transitions by boosting recycling, easing supply chain pressures and advancing joint research on critical minerals, and suggested forging a partnership to make satellite data more accessible and interoperable.

Bengaluru Faces Urban Breakdown

Bengaluru Faces Urban Breakdown

Rediff.com22 Oct 2025

Bengaluru is at a critical juncture, where its economic model, reliant on attracting and retaining skilled professionals, is directly threatened by a measurable decline in urban quality of life, point out Shishir Gupta and Rishita Sachdeva.

H-1B Visa: Why Nvidia Will Pay $100,000 For Talent

H-1B Visa: Why Nvidia Will Pay $100,000 For Talent

Rediff.com9 Oct 2025

'As one of many immigrants at Nvidia, I know the opportunities we've found in America have profoundly shaped our lives.'

'If Entrepreneurship Is A Marathon, Then...'

'If Entrepreneurship Is A Marathon, Then...'

Rediff.com17 Nov 2025

'...then preparing oneself for the long haul is also essential.' 'Identifying and holding onto values gives you strength to withstand the difficulties enroute.' 'Taking care of your physical, mental, and intellectual well-being gives you the strength to stay the path.'

Pakistan's Economy On Tenterhooks

Pakistan's Economy On Tenterhooks

Rediff.com20 May 2025

With general government debt now approaching three-quarters of GDP, and only incremental reform efforts visible, Pakistan risks prolonging its economic stagnation unless fundamental governance, regulatory, and industrial overhauls are undertaken.

'Gen Zs Are Not Interested In Farming'

'Gen Zs Are Not Interested In Farming'

Rediff.com3 Nov 2025

'They are totally disconnected with farm activities which their families have been involved in for years.'

Why Modi Needs Mission-Mode Bureaucrats

Why Modi Needs Mission-Mode Bureaucrats

Rediff.com15 Oct 2025

Learning from East Asia, India must reform its district administration with performance, accountability, and vision to achieve the goal of Viksit Bharat, points out Deepak Mishra.

Amazon, Flipkart deploy war rooms for Rs 1.2 trillion festival battle

Amazon, Flipkart deploy war rooms for Rs 1.2 trillion festival battle

Rediff.com23 Sep 2025

At the stroke of midnight, live dashboards lit up simultaneously across Amazon India's World Trade Centre headquarters and Flipkart's Outer Ring Road office in Bengaluru. In sprawling "war rooms" at both the companies, executives monitored real-time data streams tracking payment speeds, inventory levels, and delivery logistics as millions of shoppers flooded online platforms.

Florida Governor Slams H-1B Visas As 'Total Scam'

Florida Governor Slams H-1B Visas As 'Total Scam'

Rediff.com28 Aug 2025

'Most of them (H-1Bs) are from one country, India, there's a cottage industry about how all those people make money off this system.'

Will Macron Be Ousted Before 2027?

Will Macron Be Ousted Before 2027?

Rediff.com10 Sep 2025

France today increasingly resembles the Italy of the past, when governments fell with bewildering regularity, prime ministers came and went in rapid succession, and political instability became the norm rather than the exception, point out Krishnan Srinivasan and Manoj Mohanka.