IIP index: Industrial output jumps to over two-year high of 7.8% in December on broad-based recovery

India’s industrial production growth accelerated to a more than two-year high of 7.8% in December 2025, driven by strong performances across mining, manufacturing and electricity, official data released on Wednesday showed.Factory output, measured by the Index of Industrial Production (IIP), had grown 3.7% in December 2024, PTI reported.“Industry momentum further strengthened in December 2025 as…

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Budget 2026: What five years of data shows about India’s defence spending

As finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman prepares to present the Union Budget 2026 on February 1, defence spending is expected to remain a key focus amid rising geopolitical uncertainty and sustained emphasis on military modernisation. Defence outlay shows steady rise Over the last five years, India’s defence expenditure has followed a clear upward trajectory. Spending rose…

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Budget 2026: Rebuilding cotton’s innovation pipeline – research must be the centre of policymaking

Though cotton anchors India’s agrarian economy, yet faces a critical paradox. (AI image) By Dr. M. RamasamiCotton occupies a critical place in India’s agricultural and industrial economy. It supports millions of farm households, feeds a globally competitive textile sector, and remains one of the country’s most widely cultivated commercial crops. Yet, despite this significance, cotton…

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RBI advances repurchase of bonds as yields spike

Mumbai: Govt bond yields jumped to an almost 11-month high as state borrowing and tight liquidity rekindled supply-glut fears, pushing the RBI to fast-track bond repurchases and roll out other liquidity measures. The benchmark 10-year 6.48% 2035 yield closed at 6.72%, up from 6.66%, its highest since early March.Sell-off pressure forced an early start to…

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Budget 2026 Expectations Live Updates: Parliament’s Budget session begins today; all eyes on President Murmu’s speech

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday took part in the customary halwa ceremony, signalling the final phase of preparations for the Union Budget 2026-27, which is scheduled to be presented in the Lok Sabha on February 1. The ritual was held at North Block on Raisina Hill, the former headquarters of the finance ministry, as…

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