Repeated hikes in CNG, petrol and diesel prices across metro cities are expected to increase commuting and logistics costs, adding fresh pressure on consumers and transport operators.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Monday launched a sharp attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi over rising inflation, unemployment and the condition of the economy, alleging that the Centre had failed to provide relief to citizens struggling with financial hardship.
India’s inflation numbers are beginning to tell two very different stories. One is reassuring.
Americans are paying more for groceries, gasoline and other everyday necessities as inflation accelerates again, with economists increasingly pointing to geopolitical conflict and energy disruptions as key drivers of rising living costs.
A sharp increase in petrol and diesel prices in Punjab has raised concerns over rising transport costs, agricultural expenses and a possible spike in essential commodity prices.
Consequently, the standing deposit facility (SDF) rate remains at 5%, and the marginal standing facility (MSF) rate and the Bank Rate remain at 5.50%.
The Budget comes at a time when India remains one of the fastest-growing major economies, even as global growth moderates due to geopolitical uncertainties, tight financial conditions and slowing demand in key markets.
While giving a detailed presentation on the Economic Survey, CEA said the Real GDP growth has improved steadily, rising from an average of 6.4 per cent during FY12-FY20 to 6.5 per cent in FY25, and is projected to accelerate further to 7.4 per cent in FY26.
The Economic Survey observed that, unlike in 2023 and 2024, when rural inflation exceeded urban inflation, rural inflation declined in 2025 and remained lower than urban inflation, reflecting the sharp fall in food prices and offering relief to rural households.
India is poised for a relatively stable growth trajectory in FY26, supported by resilient domestic demand, government-led capital expenditure, and easing inflationary pressures, even as global uncertainties continue to cloud the outlook, according to SBI Capital Markets’ latest EcoCapsule report.
