eznews.inStarting from FY27, India will shift its fiscal consolidation strategy from focusing on the fiscal deficit-to-GDP ratio to the debt-to-GDP ratio. As Finance Minister prepares to unveil the FY27 Budget, India's fiscal discipline stands in contrast to many major economies that have increased their deficits post-COVID-19. While India's fiscal deficit has decreased from 4.6% of GDP in FY20 to a projected 4.4% for FY26, developed nations like Germany have transitioned from surpluses to deficits. The government's debt-to-GDP ratio is expected to be around 55% for FY26, with a target of reducing it to 50% by FY31. Despite a modest rise in debt levels, India's stable sovereign yields and improved credit ratings reflect its responsible fiscal governance. This positions India favorably for future economic shocks, unlike advanced economies burdened by high debt and rising bond yields. 
Published: Jan 31 2026, 9 pmeznews.inIn a volatile trading session, India's benchmark indices closed lower ahead of the much-anticipated Union Budget 2026 presentation by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. The SENSEX fell by 296.59 points to settle at 82,269.78, while the NIFTY dropped 98.25 points, ending at 25,320.65. In contrast, crude oil prices saw a slight increase, rising by 3.00 to reach 5,933.00. Gold prices, however, plummeted by 20,328.00, now priced at 149,075.00, while silver dipped by 3.00 to 291,922.00. The Budget, which will be Sitharaman's ninth consecutive presentation, is expected to focus on key economic indicators such as fiscal deficit and capital expenditure, with the Economic Survey projecting a GDP growth rate of 6.8% to 7.2% for FY2026-27. The live presentation is set to begin at 11 a.m. and will be broadcast across various platforms.
Published: Feb 01 2026, 5 ameznews.inIndia's Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal has announced that a newly concluded trade agreement with the European Union (EU) is expected to double India's exports to Europe within five years. The pact, described as the "mother of all deals," will create a free market encompassing 2 billion people across India and 27 EU nations, with 99% of Indian exports receiving duty-free access from day one. Goyal emphasized the importance of this agreement for various sectors, including leather goods and marine products, while addressing concerns about the EU's stringent safety standards, asserting that Indian exporters are well-equipped to meet these requirements. The agreement also includes safeguards against the EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism, ensuring fair treatment for Indian exporters. Goyal highlighted the potential for collaboration in defense and renewable energy, while expressing optimism about achieving India's ambitious export target of USD 2 trillion by 2032.
Published: Feb 01 2026, 12 ameznews.inViasat India has emphasized the need for regulatory clarity and coordinated policy action to enhance advanced air mobility (AAM) in India's densely populated airspace. During a roundtable discussion at Wings India 2026, Managing Director Gautam Sharma highlighted the importance of satellite communications in ensuring safe AAM operations. He noted the challenges posed by the high density of Indian airspace, stressing the necessity for coexistence between crewed and uncrewed aircraft to maintain safety. Sharma called for support from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and urged the Civil Aviation Secretary to collaborate with the Department of Telecommunications to officially designate L-band as a safety service. This designation would facilitate its use by unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and AAM platforms for navigation and safety, thereby promoting the potential of AAM in India.
Published: Jan 31 2026, 9 pmeznews.inIndia Post is expanding its logistics capabilities, now able to transport larger consignments, including home appliances, according to L. K. Dash, Director of Postal Services. Speaking at the International Cargo Business Summit in Cochin, Dash emphasized the integration of India Post with cross-border logistics networks, aiming for nationwide delivery within 10 days. The summit highlighted Kochi's strategic position as a logistics gateway to Africa and the Gulf Cooperation Council, with industry leaders discussing the need to enhance e-commerce while ensuring safety and compliance. Tushar Jani, Chairman of the Cargo Service Centre Group, noted India's competitive trucking costs and the government's initiative to establish e-commerce export hubs. However, experts warned that the success of e-commerce exports hinges on reliable last-mile delivery, with regulatory authorities stressing the importance of balancing facilitation and security through technology. New initiatives, including a mobile app for real-time inspections, aim to streamline processes and enhance compliance.
Published: Jan 31 2026, 7 pmeznews.inThe elevator and smart vertical mobility industry anticipates significant indirect benefits from concessions to the real estate and construction sectors in the upcoming Budget. Industry stakeholders are advocating for sustained infrastructure investment, targeted digitalisation incentives, and enhanced local manufacturing measures to foster safe and scalable urban growth. Contributing nearly 16% to India's GDP, the sector is poised for expansion, with the elevator market projected to grow from $15 billion to $22-23 billion by 2033, driven by urbanisation and demand for energy-efficient solutions. Suraj Thodimarath, President of the Elevator & Escalator Component Manufacturers’ Association of India, emphasized the need for budgetary support for smart cities and affordable housing to boost elevator demand. With residential projects driving 65-70% of lift demand, the industry views the 2026 Budget as a crucial opportunity to establish India as a global leader in smart vertical mobility through continued policy backing.
Published: Jan 31 2026, 6 pmeznews.inThe Indian government has set an ambitious target of 119 million tonnes (mt) of wheat production for the 2025-26 season, with harvesting scheduled to begin in April. However, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned that most north-western states, except Rajasthan, are likely to experience below-normal rainfall and above-normal temperatures in February, which could adversely affect wheat yields. IMD's Director General, M. Mohapatra, noted that while some regions may see normal rainfall, the overall forecast suggests a significant drop in precipitation. Elevated temperatures could accelerate crop growth, leading to forced maturity and reduced yields for wheat and other rabi crops, including oilseeds and pulses. Additionally, vegetable and horticultural crops may face critical challenges, such as early flowering and poor fruit development, due to the warmer conditions. The total wheat acreage has reached a record high of 334.17 lakh hectares this year, up 2% from the previous season.
Published: Jan 31 2026, 6 pmeznews.inAt a press conference in Chennai on January 31, 2026, R Selvam, Executive Director of the Council for Leather Exports (CLE), announced that despite US tariffs impacting the Indian leather and footwear industry, exports are projected to remain stable at around $5.25 billion for the current fiscal year, down slightly from $5.5 billion last year. The recently signed India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA), which eliminates import duties on leather and footwear, is expected to significantly boost exports, contributing to a target of $14 billion by 2030. Selvam emphasized the need for the government to implement the Focus Product Scheme to enhance the production ecosystem and attract investments. M Abdul Wahab, Regional Chairman (South) of CLE, noted the industry's resilience amid challenges, highlighting that the EU accounts for 43% of exports and that the FTA could be a game changer for growth. The upcoming India International Leather Fair is set to feature over 425 national and 67 international exhibitors.
Published: Jan 31 2026, 6 pmeznews.inCochin International Airport Limited (CIAL) inaugurated the International Cargo Business Summit (ICBS) 2026 on Thursday, emphasizing Kochi's growing significance in India's trade and logistics landscape. Managing Director S. Suhas highlighted the airport's extensive cargo warehousing facilities, which play a crucial role in handling Kerala's exports. V. P. Nandakumar from FICCI noted CIAL's investments in digital transformation to enhance cargo operations. KPMG's Dhaval Raut revealed that Kochi accounts for nearly 60% of Kerala's air cargo, particularly perishables, necessitating improved cold-chain logistics. The summit featured discussions on global trade dynamics and the potential for agricultural exports, with experts advocating for modern cargo infrastructure. M. Afzal Malbarwala introduced the 'Sea-to-Sky' logistics concept, positioning CIAL as a vital link between maritime and air cargo. Speakers also highlighted emerging trade opportunities with the EU and ASEAN, reinforcing Kochi's role as a regional logistics hub.
Published: Jan 31 2026, 6 pmeznews.inTuhin Kanta Pandey, Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), highlighted the growing efficiency of India's capital markets during his address at the World Forum of Accountants 2.0, organized by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in India (ICAI). He noted that over ₹100 trillion has been raised through equity and debt issuances between FY16 and FY26, with record IPO activity reflecting confidence in the Indian market. In FY25, there were 320 IPOs, followed by 311 in the first nine months of FY26. Pandey emphasized the need for collaboration between regulators and chartered accountants to navigate the complexities of the market, particularly in an era where misinformation can overshadow facts. He urged accountants to uphold ethical standards and foster a culture of trust, stating that while regulation can enforce compliance, it cannot instill the courage and independent judgment necessary for sustainable governance.
Published: Jan 31 2026, 5 pm
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