Archive

1) India ranks 3rd among Global South economies in trade partnership diversity, as per United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) Trade and Development Report 2025, and its diversity index score is higher than all Global North countries.

2) India–European Union (EU) Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations were concluded in January 2026 and described as the “Mother of All Deals,” marking a major strategic trade milestone in 2026.

1) Real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth for Financial Year (FY) 2025-26 is estimated at 7.6%, above 7.1% in FY 2024-25, showing stronger expansion under new 2022-23 base series.

2) Nominal GDP at current prices is projected to grow 8.6% in FY 2025-26, capturing both real output rise and price changes together for policymaking.

1. Union Budget 2026–27 places textiles at the centre of growth, prioritising jobs, exports, rural livelihoods, and sustainable manufacturing, with integrated policy focus from fibre production to fashion markets.

2. India’s fibre strengths include largest cotton acreage, largest jute output, second-largest silk and cotton production, major MMF hub, and second-largest polyester and viscose fibre production worldwide among nations.

1. Union Budget 2026–27 reiterates Ease of Doing Business as a growth pillar, prioritising digitisation, tax certainty, investor access and litigation reduction to strengthen confidence across sectors nationwide.

2. An interconnected single digital window for cargo approvals is proposed, enabling streamlined customs clearances, reduced interface duplication, faster releases, and lower compliance friction for trade participants and paperwork.

Key Takeaways

According to a NITI Aayog report (August 2024), India ranks firstglobally in the production of rice bran oil, castor seed, safflower, sesame, and niger.
National Mission on Edible Oils (NMEO)aims to strengthen the country’s oilseed ecosystem and achieve Atmanirbharta in edible oil production.

Key Takeaways

2025 Economic reforms focused on outcome-driven governance, simplifying systems, and boosting growth, inclusivity, and ease of doing business.

Key Takeaways

Government approves ₹7,280 crore scheme to establish domestic integrated REPM manufacturing ecosystem.

1) Viksit Bharat–G RAM G Bill, 2025 proposes replacing Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) with a new statutory rural employment framework linked to the Viksit Bharat 2047 vision.

2) The Bill raises the guaranteed wage employment to 125 days per rural household per financial year, compared to the earlier 100-day entitlement under MGNREGA.

Introduction

India’s labour ecosystem has undergone a significant structural transformation aimed at aligning worker welfare with the needs of a rapidly evolving economy. As employment expands across sectors and work arrangements diversify, the regulatory framework has been redesigned to ensure simplicity, security, and sustainability. The consolidation of multiple legislations into a streamlined structure reflects an effort to modernise labour governance while balancing economic growth with social protection.

Introduction

India’s economy is experiencing a phase of strong and broad-based expansion, marked by high growth, easing inflation, rising production, and improving employment indicators. The country has emerged as one of the fastest-growing major economies globally, supported by domestic demand, policy reforms, and increasing integration with global markets. This growth phase reflects a combination of structural transformation, macroeconomic stability, and sustained public and private investment.