Economy Current Affairs — Last 12 months
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
Mon, 30 Mar 2026
Sun, 29 Mar 2026
Fri, 27 Mar 2026
Centre cuts excise duty on petrol and diesel by ₹10 a litre; pump prices unchanged
On 27 March 2026 the Centre cut excise duty on petrol and diesel by ₹10 per litre to offset oil companies' losses as crude rose from about $70 to $122 a barrel; retail prices were kept unchanged.
PLFS Annual Report 2025: unemployment rate 3.1%, LFPR 59.3%, youth unemployment falls to 9.9%
The PLFS Annual Report for calendar year 2025, released on 27 March 2026, put the usual-status unemployment rate at 3.1% and LFPR at 59.3%, with youth unemployment down to 9.9%.
Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2026 introduced: 784 provisions of 79 Acts to be amended
On 27 March 2026 MoS Jitin Prasada introduced the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2026 in the Lok Sabha, proposing to amend 784 provisions of 79 Central Acts and decriminalise 717 of them.
PLI schemes attract ₹2.16 lakh crore investment and 14.39 lakh jobs across 14 sectors
As of 31 December 2025, PLI schemes across 14 sectors had attracted investment of over ₹2.16 lakh crore, incremental production of ₹20.41 lakh crore and 14.39 lakh jobs, the government said on 27 March 2026.
Thu, 26 Mar 2026
Invest Karnataka Conclave 2026: 48 companies sign MoUs worth ₹51,469 crore
On 26 March 2026, 48 companies signed investment agreements worth ₹51,469 crore at the Invest Karnataka Conclave 2026 in Bengaluru, expected to create about 70,000 jobs.
Health insurance premiums cross ₹1.2 lakh crore in 2024-25; IRDAI cashless claim timelines: 1 hour and 3 hours
The Finance Ministry said on 26 March 2026 that health insurance premiums exceeded ₹1.2 lakh crore in 2024-25, growing about 9%, and that IRDAI requires cashless pre-authorisation within one hour and final authorisation within three hours.
NMET Governing Body reviews critical mineral exploration; Jitendra Singh calls for startup-driven mining ecosystem
On 26 March 2026 the Governing Body of the National Mineral Exploration and Development Trust, chaired by Mines Minister G. Kishan Reddy, reviewed critical mineral exploration; Dr Jitendra Singh urged faster exploration and startup participation.
National Housing Bank launches Gruh Sugam Portal for home loans to defence and government personnel
On 26 March 2026 the National Housing Bank launched the Gruh Sugam Portal, letting defence, paramilitary and government employees apply for home loans digitally from their place of posting.
Tue, 24 Mar 2026
ASUSE 2025: unincorporated establishments rise to 7.92 crore; 74.52 lakh jobs added
MoSPI's Annual Survey of Unincorporated Sector Enterprises 2025, released on 24 March 2026, shows establishments up 7.97% to 7.92 crore and employment up 6.18%, with over 74.52 lakh jobs added over ASUSE 2023-24.
India's total exports reach USD 714.73 billion in April–January FY 2025-26, up 5.26%
The Commerce Ministry said on 24 March 2026 that India's total merchandise and services exports rose 5.26% to USD 714.73 billion in April–January of FY 2025-26, from USD 679.02 billion a year earlier.
RBI revising rules on unauthorised e-banking transactions; MuleHunter.AI live in 26 banks
The Finance Ministry told Parliament on 24 March 2026 that RBI has proposed revised instructions on unauthorised electronic banking transactions, including compensation for small-value frauds, and that its MuleHunter.AI mule-account detection tool is live in 26 banks.
Mon, 23 Mar 2026
NSO CAPEX survey: private corporate capex estimated at ₹11.44 lakh crore for 2025-26
The NSO's Forward-Looking Survey on Private Corporate Sector CAPEX, released on 23 March 2026, estimates aggregate provisional capex of ₹11,43,879 crore for 2025-26 and investment intentions of ₹9,55,281 crore for 2026-27.
Government restores full RoDTEP rates and value caps for exporters amid West Asia disruption
On 23 March 2026 the Government restored RoDTEP rates and value caps for all eligible export products to the levels of 22 February 2026, withdrawing the 50% cut imposed a month earlier, to help exporters hit by West Asia shipping disruption.
Ministry of Mines launches seventh tranche of critical and strategic mineral auctions with 19 blocks
Union Mines Minister G. Kishan Reddy launched the 7th tranche of e-auction of critical and strategic mineral blocks on 23 March 2026, offering 19 blocks in 10 States, with Bihar offering the most (4).
Himachal Assembly passes 'orphan and widow' cess of up to ₹5 a litre on petrol and diesel
On 23 March 2026 the Himachal Pradesh Assembly passed the HP Value Added Tax (Amendment) Bill, 2026, enabling an 'orphan and widow cess' of up to ₹5 per litre on petrol and high-speed diesel to fund welfare of orphans and widows, amid a BJP walkout.
Sat, 21 Mar 2026
Government introduces CGSMFI-2.0 to revive bank lending to microfinance institutions
On 21 March 2026 the Government introduced the Credit Guarantee Scheme for Microfinance Institutions-2.0, under which NCGTC will guarantee bank loans to NBFC-MFIs and MFIs, facilitating credit of up to ₹20,000 crore and benefiting about 36 lakh small borrowers.
Mutual Credit Guarantee Scheme for MSMEs modified: service sector added, special terms for exporters
On 21 March 2026 the Government modified the Mutual Credit Guarantee Scheme for MSMEs, adding service-sector MSMEs, making the 5% upfront contribution refundable and creating special provisions for exporters with 75% guarantee coverage.
Himachal presents reduced ₹54,928 crore budget for 2026-27; CM and ministers defer part of salaries
On 21 March 2026 Himachal Pradesh CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu presented a ₹54,928 crore budget for 2026-27, smaller than 2025-26's ₹58,514 crore after the Revenue Deficit Grant was discontinued, and announced six-month deferment of part of the salaries of the CM, ministers and MLAs.
Fri, 20 Mar 2026
Telangana presents ₹3.24 lakh crore budget for 2026-27; Indiramma Family Life Insurance from 2 June
On 20 March 2026 Telangana Deputy CM and Finance Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka presented a ₹3,24,234 crore budget for 2026-27 and announced the Indiramma Family Life Insurance Scheme, offering ₹5 lakh cover to 1.15 crore families from 2 June.
Eight core industries grow 2.3% in February 2026
The combined Index of Eight Core Industries rose 2.3% (provisional) in February 2026 over February 2025, with cement, steel, fertilisers, coal and electricity growing, data released on 20 March 2026 showed.
Thu, 19 Mar 2026
Government approves RELIEF, a ₹497-crore export support under the Export Promotion Mission, with ECGC as nodal agency
On 19 March 2026 the Government approved RELIEF (Resilience & Logistics Intervention for Export Facilitation) under the Export Promotion Mission to support exporters hit by West Asia shipping disruption, with an outlay of ₹497 crore and ECGC Ltd as the nodal agency.
India auctions a record 200 mineral blocks in FY 2025-26; Gujarat leads with 32
The Ministry of Mines said on 19 March 2026 that 200 mineral blocks were auctioned in FY 2025-26, the highest ever in a single year, with Gujarat (32), Rajasthan (30) and Tamil Nadu (22) the top contributors.
Tue, 17 Mar 2026
Odisha's SLSWCA approves 23 industrial projects worth ₹4,510.65 crore with 10,122 jobs
Odisha's State Level Single Window Clearance Authority on 17 March 2026 approved 23 industrial investment proposals worth ₹4,510.65 crore, expected to create 10,122 jobs across 11 districts.
Over 1 lakh of 2.12 lakh DPIIT-recognised startups have at least one woman director or partner
The Ministry of Commerce and Industry told Parliament on 17 March 2026 that 1,02,054 of the 2,12,283 startups recognised by DPIIT as on 31 January 2026 have at least one woman director or partner.
Mon, 16 Mar 2026
India's total exports for April–February 2025-26 estimated at US$ 790.86 billion, up 5.79%
India's total exports of goods and services during April–February 2025-26 are estimated at US$ 790.86 billion, 5.79% higher than a year earlier, the Commerce Ministry said on 16 March 2026.
PLFS February 2026: urban unemployment falls to 6.6%, female LFPR rises to 35.3%
The Periodic Labour Force Survey monthly bulletin released on 16 March 2026 shows urban unemployment for persons aged 15+ fell to 6.6% in February 2026 from 7.0% in January, while overall LFPR stayed at 55.9%.
WPI inflation rises to 2.13% in February 2026
Annual inflation based on the Wholesale Price Index rose to 2.13% (provisional) in February 2026 from 1.81% in January, the Commerce Ministry said on 16 March 2026.
CCI holds 11th National Conference on Economics of Competition Law; NITI Aayog Member Rajiv Gauba gives keynote
The Competition Commission of India held the 11th National Conference on Economics of Competition Law in New Delhi on 16 March 2026, with NITI Aayog Member Rajiv Gauba as keynote speaker.