Economy Current Affairs — Last 12 months
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
Fri, 17 Oct 2025
Thu, 16 Oct 2025
Ministry of Mines releases State Mining Readiness Index; Madhya Pradesh, Goa and Punjab top their categories
The Ministry of Mines released the State Mining Readiness Index (SMRI) and state rankings (PIB, 16 October 2025), with Madhya Pradesh, Goa and Punjab ranked first in Categories A, B and C.
India and Brazil issue Joint Declaration to deepen the MERCOSUR–India Preferential Trade Agreement
On 16 October 2025 in New Delhi, Brazil's Vice President Geraldo Alckmin and Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal issued a Joint Declaration to substantially expand the MERCOSUR–India Preferential Trade Agreement, aiming to conclude talks within a year of their launch.
NMDC Steel becomes first in India to get BIS licence for hot-rolled steel for pipeline pipes (IS 18384:2023)
NMDC Steel Limited became the first company in India to receive a BIS licence under IS 18384:2023 for hot-rolled steel strip, sheet and plates for welded steel pipes for pipeline transportation, presented at World Standards Day 2025 in Raipur (PIB, 16 October 2025).
Wed, 15 Oct 2025
PLFS September 2025: labour force participation at 55.3%, female LFPR at 34.1%, unemployment at 5.2%
The PLFS Monthly Bulletin for September 2025 showed labour force participation at a five-month high of 55.3%, female participation at 34.1% and unemployment up slightly to 5.2% (PIB, 15 October 2025).
India's total exports for April–September 2025 estimated at US$ 413.30 billion, up 4.45%
India's total exports of goods and services in April–September 2025 were estimated at US$ 413.30 billion, up 4.45% from US$ 395.71 billion a year earlier, the Commerce Ministry said on 15 October 2025.
State Tourism Ministers' Meet in Udaipur advances 'One State: One Global Destination'
The Ministry of Tourism held a two-day State Tourism Ministers' Meet in Udaipur, Rajasthan, on 14–15 October 2025 to advance 'One State: One Global Destination', announced in the Union Budget 2025-26.
Tue, 14 Oct 2025
Google announces US$ 15 billion AI Hub in Visakhapatnam, its largest investment in India
On 14 October 2025 in New Delhi, Google announced an AI Hub in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, with about US$ 15 billion over 2026–2030 — its largest investment in India, including India's first gigawatt-scale data centre.
Ministry of Mines classifies all limestone as a major mineral, ending the end-use distinction
The Ministry of Mines said on 14 October 2025 that, by a gazette notification of 10 October 2025, all limestone is now a major mineral, removing the minor-mineral category for limestone used in kilns to make lime for building.
India Post resumes all international postal services to the USA from 15 October 2025 under Delivery Duty Paid system
The Department of Posts announced on 14 October 2025 that all categories of international postal services to the USA would resume from 15 October 2025, using a Delivery Duty Paid mechanism to meet new US customs rules.
WPI inflation at 0.13% in September 2025; WPI food index inflation at (-)1.99%
India's annual inflation based on the Wholesale Price Index was 0.13% (provisional) in September 2025, with WPI food index inflation falling to (-)1.99%, DPIIT said on 14 October 2025.
Labour Ministry signs MoU with Zomato to list 2.5 lakh gig opportunities a year on the National Career Service portal
On 14 October 2025 in New Delhi, the Ministry of Labour and Employment signed an MoU with Zomato, which will list about 2.5 lakh flexible livelihood opportunities a year on the National Career Service portal under a new 'Aggregator' category.
Mon, 13 Oct 2025
CPI inflation falls to 1.54% in September 2025, the lowest since June 2017
India's retail inflation based on the All India Consumer Price Index fell to 1.54% in September 2025, the lowest since June 2017, with food inflation at -2.28%, MoSPI said on 13 October 2025.
MoSPI releases draft schedule of National Household Income Survey 2026, India's first pan-India income survey
MoSPI said on 13 October 2025 that the National Household Income Survey, India's first pan-India survey measuring household income, will be launched in February 2026, and released its pre-testing report and draft questionnaire for feedback.
Amit Shah performs ground-breaking for ₹4 lakh crore investment proposals in Rajasthan; opens exhibition on new criminal laws
On 13 October 2025 in Jaipur, Rajasthan, Home Minister Amit Shah performed the ground-breaking for investment proposals worth ₹4 lakh crore and inaugurated a state-level exhibition on the three new criminal laws.
EPFO's 238th CBT meeting simplifies partial withdrawals and launches 'Vishwas Scheme' on penal damages
On 13 October 2025 in New Delhi, the 238th meeting of EPFO's Central Board of Trustees, chaired by Mansukh Mandaviya, merged 13 partial-withdrawal provisions into one rule allowing up to 100% of the eligible balance, and launched the 'Vishwas Scheme' to cut litigation over penal damages.
Defence Ministry utilises 51.23% of FY 2025-26 capital outlay by end of September
The Ministry of Defence said on 13 October 2025 that it had spent Rs 92,211.44 crore, or 51.23% of its Rs 1,80,000 crore capital allocation for 2025-26, by the end of September.
GST cuts to benefit Mizoram's GI-tagged Bird's Eye Chilli, bamboo crafts, passion fruit and tourism
A PIB explainer on 13 October 2025 said the GST rationalisation cuts tax on processed Mizo Bird's Eye Chilli, ginger and turmeric from 18% to 5%, and brings bamboo and cane products, processed fruit and hotel rooms up to ₹7,500 a night under the 5% slab.
Sun, 12 Oct 2025
Sat, 11 Oct 2025
India–EFTA TEPA explainer: $100 billion investment and 1 million jobs pledge, in force since 1 October 2025
A PIB explainer on 11 October 2025 said the India–EFTA Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement, signed on 10 March 2024 and in force since 1 October 2025, is the first Indian FTA with binding commitments on investment ($100 billion) and jobs (1 million) over 15 years.
ANRF Executive Council approves Special Purpose Fund and guidelines for ₹1 lakh crore RDI scheme
On 11 October 2025 the Executive Council of the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) approved a Special Purpose Fund and the implementation guidelines for the ₹1 lakh crore Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) Fund.
DRI's 'Operation Golden Sweep' busts gold smuggling syndicate at Mumbai airport; 10.488 kg seized, 13 arrested
Under 'Operation Golden Sweep', reported on 11 October 2025, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence seized 10.488 kg of 24-carat foreign-origin gold worth about ₹12.58 crore at Mumbai's CSMI Airport and arrested 13 people.
GST rate cuts and Jharkhand: iron 12%→5%, tendu leaves 18%→5%, hotel rooms 12%→5%
A PIB explainer on 11 October 2025 said the recent GST rate cuts help Jharkhand's steel, iron, farm, forest-produce and tourism sectors, with iron cut from 12% to 5% and tendu leaves from 18% to 5%.
Fri, 10 Oct 2025
NITI Aayog tax paper finds Income-tax Act, 2025 still criminalises 35 acts; proposes decriminalisation roadmap
On 10 October 2025 NITI Aayog released the second NITI Tax Policy Working Paper, 'Towards India's Tax Transformation: Decriminalisation and Trust-Based Governance', which finds the Income-tax Act, 2025 still criminalises 35 acts and omissions across 13 provisions.
NITI Aayog's 'Roadmap for Job Creation in the AI Economy' sees up to 4 million new tech jobs in five years
On 10 October 2025 NITI Aayog released a 'Roadmap for Job Creation in the AI Economy', saying India's tech services sector could create up to 4 million new jobs in five years and recommending a National AI Talent Mission.
Jitin Prasada at G20 Trade & Investment Ministers' Meeting in Gqeberha seeks restored WTO appellate body
On 10 October 2025, at Day 1 of the G20 Trade & Investment Ministers' Meeting in Gqeberha, South Africa, MoS Jitin Prasada called for restoring a two-tier WTO dispute settlement system with a working appellate body and held bilateral meetings.
GST cuts and Manipur: handloom 12%→5% for 2.5 lakh weavers; packaged coffee 18%→5%
A PIB explainer on 10 October 2025 said the recent GST cuts will benefit Manipur's handloom (2.5 lakh weavers), crafts, food processing, dairy and coffee sectors, with handloom fabrics cut from 12% to 5% and packaged coffee from 18% to 5%.
Thu, 09 Oct 2025
PM Modi at Global Fintech Fest 2025, Mumbai: India's AI approach rests on three principles
On 9 October 2025 at the Global Fintech Fest 2025 in Mumbai, PM Narendra Modi said India's AI approach rests on Equitable Access, Population-scale Skilling and Responsible Deployment, and called India Stack a beacon for the Global South.
Textiles Ministry eases PLI scheme for MMF and technical textiles; minimum investment halved
On 9 October 2025 the Ministry of Textiles notified amendments to the PLI scheme for MMF apparel, MMF fabrics and technical textiles, halving minimum investment to ₹150 crore (Part-1) and ₹50 crore (Part-2) and cutting the incremental turnover condition from 25% to 10%.
NPS and APY assets under management cross ₹16 lakh crore; subscribers top 9 crore
On 9 October 2025 the combined assets under management of the National Pension System and Atal Pension Yojana crossed ₹16 lakh crore, with the subscriber base surpassing 9 crore, PFRDA said.