Economy Current Affairs
The latest Economy news for competitive exams: 477 stories from 134 daily digests. Covers the last 6 months, newest first. Each story has a short summary, what to note for exams, and a link to its full entry with practice MCQs and sources.
Latest Economy news
The newest Economy stories in the archive, up to 7 October 2026.
India's Services Sector Growth Hits Three-Month High in September 2026
India's services sector growth reached a three-month high in September 2026, with the HSBC India Services PMI rising to 55.2 from 54.1 in August.
What to note Recent trends in India's services sector growth and factors influencing the PMI in 2026.
Key terms HSBC India Services PMI · services sector · domestic demand · digital solutions · exports
Full entry with MCQs and sources →RBI Raises GDP Growth Forecast to 7.1% and Inflation to 5.2% for FY27
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has revised its GDP growth forecast for the fiscal year 2026-27 to 7.1 percent. Alongside this, the RBI has also increased its Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation forecast to 5.2 percent for the same period.
What to note RBI's updated GDP and inflation forecasts for FY27 highlight key economic trends and policy outlook relevant for economic and banking exams.
Key terms Reserve Bank of India · RBI · GDP growth · CPI inflation · FY27
Full entry with MCQs and sources →RBI hikes repo rate by 25 bps to 5.5%, shifts stance to calibrated tightening
On October 7, 2026, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) increased the repo rate by 25 basis points to 5.5%, marking the first hike in nearly three-and-a-half years. Along with the rate hike, the RBI changed its monetary policy stance from 'neutral' to 'calibrated tightening'.
What to note RBI's repo rate hike and change in monetary policy stance are key indicators of India's economic policy direction.
Key terms Reserve Bank of India · RBI · repo rate · monetary policy committee · calibrated tightening
Full entry with MCQs and sources →India-US Trade Deal Talks Plateau Amid Difficult Concessions, Says Sitharaman
India and the United States have reached a plateau in their trade deal negotiations, with Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman stating that further demands and concessions will be very difficult.
What to note The current status and challenges in India-US trade negotiations and related tariff issues.
Key terms United States · Nirmala Sitharaman · trade deal · tariffs · Russian oil
Full entry with MCQs and sources →Centre Considers Reviving Jet Fuel Price Stabilisation Fund Scheme Amid Rising Costs
The Indian government is considering reviving the jet fuel price stabilisation fund scheme to address the surge in aviation turbine fuel (ATF) costs. The earlier scheme, which had a corpus of ₹10,000 crore, had lapsed.
What to note Government's move to revive the jet fuel price stabilisation fund scheme to control aviation fuel costs and fare pressures.
Key terms Centre · jet fuel price stabilisation fund · aviation turbine fuel · ₹10,000 crore scheme · airlines
Full entry with MCQs and sources →GST Arrest Powers May Be Removed; Council to Discuss Decriminalisation
The Centre and states are considering removing arrest powers under the Goods and Services Tax (GST) enforcement regime. This proposal arises from concerns about the misuse of arrest provisions against businesses.
What to note Changes in GST enforcement and decriminalisation measures are important for understanding recent reforms in indirect taxation laws.
Key terms GST · Centre · states · GST Council · Winter Session
Full entry with MCQs and sources →October 2026: Economy
The most important of 31 Economy stories in October 2026.
India's Fiscal Deficit Reaches 41.9% of FY27 Target by August
India's fiscal deficit widened to ₹7.1 lakh crore by August 2026, reaching 41.9% of the full-year FY27 target of ₹16.96 lakh crore. Total expenditure stood at 38.9% of the budget estimates, up from 37.1% in the same period of the previous year.
What to note The fiscal deficit status and government expenditure trends for FY27 as of August 2026.
Key terms Fiscal Deficit · FY27 · Net Tax Revenue · Expenditure · Centre
Full entry with MCQs and sources →India's Manufacturing PMI Rises to Seven-Month High of 55.1 in September 2026
India's manufacturing sector showed a strong recovery in September 2026, with the HSBC India Manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) rising to 55.1, a seven-month high. This marked a 2.3-point increase from August's 52.8 reading.
What to note Recent trends in India's manufacturing sector and PMI figures indicating economic recovery.
Key terms Manufacturing PMI · HSBC · Factory activity · Sales · Production
Full entry with MCQs and sources →September GST Collections Cross ₹2 Trillion with Strong Import Revenue Growth
In September 2026, Goods and Services Tax (GST) collections in India rose by 14.7% to ₹2.04 trillion. Import-linked GST revenue grew nearly 26%, contributing to more than half of the overall increase.
What to note Recent GST collection trends and factors influencing revenue growth in India.
Key terms GST · ₹2.04 trillion · import-linked revenue · GST Council
Full entry with MCQs and sources →Government Reduces Windfall Tax on Diesel and ATF Exports Amid West Asia Tensions
The Government of India has reduced the windfall tax on diesel exports from ₹20 per litre to ₹16 per litre and on Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) exports from ₹15 per litre to ₹10.5 per litre.
What to note Recent changes in India's fuel taxation policy and their geopolitical context.
Key terms Government of India · windfall tax · diesel · Aviation Turbine Fuel · petrol
Full entry with MCQs and sources →September 2026: Economy
The most important of 128 Economy stories in September 2026.
Cabinet Approves ₹1.86 Lakh Crore Green Energy Corridor Phase-III Scheme
The Union Cabinet has approved the Green Energy Corridor Phase-III scheme with an investment of ₹1.86 lakh crore. The initiative aims to strengthen India's Intra-State Transmission System (InSTS) to enable the evacuation of up to 135 gigawatts of renewable energy across States and Union Territories.
What to note The government's initiatives to strengthen renewable energy infrastructure and the specifics of the Green Energy Corridor Phase-III scheme.
Key terms Green Energy Corridor · Intra-State Transmission System · Renewable Energy · Battery Storage · Union Cabinet
Full entry with MCQs and sources →NPCI Introduces 0.4% MDR on UPI Merchant Transactions Above ₹2,000
The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) has introduced a 0.4% Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) charge on UPI transactions exceeding ₹2,000. The Ministry of Finance clarified that person-to-person UPI transactions and small merchants are exempt from this charge.
What to note Details of the new MDR charge on UPI transactions and its exemptions are important for questions on digital payments policy.
Key terms NPCI · UPI · Ministry of Finance · MDR · merchants
Full entry with MCQs and sources →India Cuts Import Duty on Edible Oils to Curb Price Rise
The Indian government has reduced import duties on crude and refined edible oils including palm, soybean, and sunflower oils. This decision aims to lower import costs amid rising food inflation, concerns over global vegetable oil supplies, and increased domestic demand during the festive season.
What to note Government's reduction of import duties on edible oils to control inflation and stabilize prices.
Key terms import duty · edible oils · palm oil · soybean oil · sunflower oil
Full entry with MCQs and sources →India’s Software Exports Rise 8.2% to $221.4 Billion in FY26 with US Share at 54.1%
India's software services exports increased by 8.2% to reach $221.4 billion in the fiscal year 2025-26. The United States accounted for 54.1% of these exports, marking a significant share amid ongoing global trade tensions.
What to note The growth and composition of India's software exports and the role of the US market in FY26.
Key terms software exports · US · RBI · off-site services · 2025-26
Full entry with MCQs and sources →August 2026: Economy
The most important of 95 Economy stories in August 2026.
RBI Highlights Indian Economy's Resilience Amid Global Uncertainties
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has stated that the Indian economy remains resilient despite ongoing global uncertainties. This comes amid a global economic tug of war influenced by factors such as artificial intelligence and oil shocks, as noted by the IMF chief.
What to note RBI's assessment of India's economic resilience amid global challenges and IMF's view on global economic risks.
Key terms Reserve Bank of India · Indian economy · IMF chief · global uncertainties · artificial intelligence
Full entry with MCQs and sources →India's Economic Growth May Exceed RBI's 6.7% Forecast, Deputy Governor Says
RBI Deputy Governor Poonam Gupta stated that India's economic growth could surpass the Reserve Bank of India's forecast of 6.7%, potentially reaching around 7%. This optimistic outlook is supported by stronger-than-expected economic indicators, favorable external accounts, and rising foreign investment.
What to note The latest economic growth forecasts and RBI's outlook for India.
Key terms RBI · Poonam Gupta · economic growth · foreign investment · rate hike
Full entry with MCQs and sources →Fitch Retains India's BBB- Sovereign Credit Rating for 20th Year
Fitch Ratings has retained India's sovereign credit rating at BBB- for the 20th consecutive year, citing a robust growth outlook. The agency forecasts India's GDP growth at 6.4% for the current fiscal year. However, Fitch has also highlighted fiscal risks stemming from youth protests over jobs.
What to note Fitch's retention of India's BBB- rating and GDP growth forecast is significant for understanding India's economic outlook and fiscal risks.
Key terms Fitch Ratings · BBB- rating · GDP growth · youth protests · jobs
Full entry with MCQs and sources →RBI Includes Tata Sons in Upper Layer List for NBFCs, Reviews De-registration Plea
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has placed Tata Sons on its Upper Layer list for Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs). This inclusion is independent of Tata Sons' ongoing application for de-registration as an NBFC, which remains under review by the RBI.
What to note RBI's regulatory classification of NBFCs and recent developments involving Tata Sons.
Key terms Tata Sons · Reserve Bank of India · RBI · NBFC · Upper Layer list
Full entry with MCQs and sources →July 2026: Economy
The most important of 99 Economy stories in July 2026.
Indian Rupee Appreciates Sharply Against US Dollar in July 2026
In late July 2026, the Indian rupee showed significant appreciation against the US dollar, rising from 96.28 to 95.64 within a few days. The rupee gained 28 paise to 96.25 on July 27 morning, surged 61 paise to settle at 95.92 later that day, and further appreciated by 54 paise to close at 95.99 on July 27.
What to note Recent trends in the Indian rupee's exchange rate against the US dollar and factors influencing currency movements.
Key terms Indian rupee · US dollar · Forex traders · domestic equities · interbank foreign exchange
Full entry with MCQs and sources →India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement Comes Into Effect
The India-U.K. Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) officially came into effect on July 15, 2026. Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated that the trade deal will provide significant benefits to India's farmers, entrepreneurs, and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
What to note The India-UK trade deal's impact on Indian farmers and MSMEs and its effective date.
Key terms United Kingdom · CETA · Narendra Modi · farmers · MSMEs
Full entry with MCQs and sources →India Eases FDI Rules for Inventory-Based E-Commerce to Boost Exports
On July 23, 2026, India revised its Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) policy to ease restrictions on inventory-based e-commerce models exclusively for exports of goods produced in India.
What to note Recent changes in India's FDI policy for e-commerce and their impact on export promotion.
Key terms FDI policy · e-commerce · inventory-based model · exports · Press Note 3 of 2026
Full entry with MCQs and sources →Gujarat Tops NITI Aayog’s 2026 Investment Friendliness Index
NITI Aayog released its first Investment Friendliness Index in 2026, ranking 17 major Indian states based on their investment climate. Gujarat secured the top position with a score of 56.6 points, followed by Maharashtra with 53.7 points and Tamil Nadu with 53.3 points.
What to note The rankings and scores of states in NITI Aayog's 2026 Investment Friendliness Index.
Key terms NITI Aayog · Gujarat · Maharashtra · Tamil Nadu · Investment Friendliness Index
Full entry with MCQs and sources →Daily digests covering Economy
The 12 most recent of 134 digests with Economy items — every item in full, with its sources and practice MCQs.