The Union Budget for the upcoming financial year is expected to include provisions for promoting artificial intelligence (AI) in India. According to sources, a special policy package for AI is being formulated, with a focus on AI-skilling schemes and the establishment of AI centres. Additionally, the budget is likely to allocate funds to support these initiatives, ensuring measures are in place to safeguard employment in light of AI's rapid advancement. The Ministry of Finance h

As of May 2024, the Indian diaspora remains the largest globally, with 35.4 million Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) and People of Indian Origin (PIOs) living abroad, primarily in the UAE and the US. However, changes to tax residency rules introduced by the Finance Act, 2020, have been met with criticism from experts and industry groups, including the Bombay Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI), who argue that the amendments add complexity without yielding significa

Expansion of China's Trade-In Scheme China is extending its consumer trade-in program, originally launched in March 2024, to help stimulate demand in the struggling household sector. The scheme now includes additional home appliances such as microwave ovens, dishwashers, and rice cookers. In an effort to boost the digital goods market, subsidies are also being offered for products like smartphones, tablets, and smartwatches. Consumers who trade in old products can receive subsidies

The meeting chaired by Nagaraju Maddirala, Secretary of the Department of Financial Services (DFS), focused on the rapid expansion of India's fintech and startup sectors. Held in New Delhi, the meeting was attended by various key representatives, including those from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), the Ministry of Finance's Financial Intelligence Unit, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, and leaders from approximately

 Decoding GDP: Understanding the World's Most Powerful Economic Indicator Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is a widely used indicator of a country's economic performance. It represents the total value of goods and services produced within a country's borders over a specific period, usually a year. In this article, we will delve into the concept of GDP, its calculat

Non-Resident Indian (NRI) deposits have seen a significant surge, with inflows reaching $12 billion in April-October FY25, almost double the amount deposited during the same period last year ¹. This growth is attributed to the three main NRI deposit schemes: Foreign Currency Non-Resident (FCNR) deposits, Non-Resident External (NRE) deposits, and Non-Resident Ordinary (NRO) deposits.  

India’s Rising Defence Exports India’s defence exports have seen remarkable growth, with a ten-fold increase over the last decade. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh announced that India’s exports now exceed Rs 21,000 crore, compared to just Rs 2,000 crore ten years ago. He outlined a vision to increase this figure to Rs 50,000 crore annually by 2029, demonstrating India’s ambition to become a global leader in defence manufacturing. Emphasis on Technologic

Extension of Minimum Export Price (MEP) on Honey On Monday, the Indian government extended the Minimum Export Price (MEP) of $2,000 per tonne for natural honey until December 2025. This extension was crucial as the initial MEP was set to expire on December 31, 2024. The MEP ensures that honey exports will only be permitted if the price per tonne meets or exceeds this threshold. This step is expected to help stabilize the market and ensure quality exports. Honey Export Statist

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has made a significant change to the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) system by enabling UPI payments between verified digital wallets, also known as Prepaid Payment Instruments (PPIs), and third-party UPI applications. This new directive will allow users of digital wallets to make and receive UPI payments via any third-party UPI app, rather than being limited to the wallet’s own mobile application. The move is aimed at enhancing interoperability within t

Former Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh passed away on Thursday at the age of 92. Singh was admitted to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhi after his health deteriorated, and despite efforts to revive him, he was declared dead at 9:51 p.m.   Singh served as India's 14th Prime Minister from 2004 to 2014 and was a renowned economist who played a pivotal role i

Ahead of the Union Budget 2025-26, the government is expected to introduce measures to aid small businesses, farmers, and the export sector. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman recently held her fourth pre-budget consultation, where she discussed key economic policies and priorities with stakeholders. Sources suggest that the government may announce tax relief for middle-class citizens to help revitalize the slowing economy, along with support for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

India has made substantial progress in its infrastructure development in 2024, with multiple major projects completed and new ones lined up for the coming years. The government’s commitment of Rs 11 lakh crore in capital expenditure this fiscal year, alongside strategic initiatives like the National Infrastructure Pipeline and PM GatiShakti National Master Plan, has fueled this growth. Key Infrastructure Projects in 2024:

In a globalized world, transferring money internationally has become a necessity, whether you’re supporting family, paying for services, or managing student expenses abroad. Let’s explore the most affordable and reliable methods to send money internationally. Cost-Effective Ways to Send Money Abroad 1. Peer-to-Peer Payment Platforms Peer-to-peer (P2P) platforms like PayPal, Venmo, and Wise connect senders and receivers

India’s startup ecosystem has become a powerhouse of innovation, shaping industries and driving transformative change across various sectors. With entrepreneurship deeply rooted in India’s economy and culture, the tech industry alone is expected to grow by 3.8% in FY24, surpassing $250 billion, according to NASSCOM. From Artificial Intelligence to quick commerce, startups are not just capturing investors’ interest but also laying the groundwork for groundbreaking a

As India prepares for the Union Budget of 2025-26, the finance ministry has highlighted the need for flexibility in fiscal policy, given the ongoing global economic and geopolitical challenges. While the fiscal deficit for FY26 is expected to be below 4.5% of GDP, there are concerns over the ability to accurately project receipts and expenditures in the current uncertain environment. The global situation has worsened, with escalating conflicts, further complicating fiscal planning.

The Indian rupee weakened by 10 paise to a record low of 85.12 against the US dollar on Monday, marking a significant decline in its value. The domestic currency opened at 84.85, according to Bloomberg data, and had closed at 85.02 on Friday. This continued depreciation comes amid rising global pressures, including an increase in Brent crude prices, which rose 0.41% to $73.24 per barrel. The rise in crude prices was partly driven by easing concerns about a potential US government shutdown and

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will chair the 55th GST Council meeting in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, on Saturday, December 21. This meeting will focus on several important discussions related to the Goods and Services Tax (GST) in India. The agenda includes deliberations on taxability issues concerning food delivery platforms such as Swiggy and Zomato, and potential changes to GST rates on products like health insurance premiums, life insurance, wristwatches, shoes, and apparel. The cou

The World Bank has approved a substantial USD 800 million loan for the Amaravati Integrated Urban Development Program, which will support the development of Andhra Pradesh's greenfield capital city, Amaravati. The loan, approved by the Board of Executive Directors of the World Bank, aims to establish Amaravati as a sustainable, climate-resilient urban center that will create economic opportunities and improve the lives of its residents. The project is set to focus on building the city as

Raghuram Rajan, former Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), has linked corruption under the UPA government as the primary cause of non-performing assets (NPAs) in Indian banks. In a recent interview, Rajan explained that following the global financial crisis, several projects began facing severe delays due to corruption scandals, land acquisition issues, and other regulatory obstacles. These factors, he argued, significantly contributed to the rise of NPAs. Rajan praised the

Snack prices are feeling the impact of rising palm oil and potato costs, pushing many packaged food products to become more expensive. While domestic supply issues have caused potato prices to spike, global disruptions and increased import duties have made palm oil—a key ingredient in many snacks—costlier. As of recent reports, palm oil prices have hit their highest in over two years, with an all-India average price of Rs 130.5 per kg. Snack manufacturers, including Bika