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Monday, February 23, 2026
TopicConsumption

Topic: Consumption

New CPI basket shows that India’s expenditure pattern has changed

The changes ensure that payments such as dearness allowance or pensions, that are linked to the CPI, will be more closely based on the true consumption baskets of households.

Budget tries to balance growth with fiscal prudence, but relies on spending cuts over revenue boost

Govt has done well to stick to path of fiscal consolidation. It’s unclear if compression of revenue spends net of interest payments is the direction the govt would like to take in coming yrs.

Govt estimates of GDP growth reveal several pain points. Budget 2025 should prioritise consumption

The first advance estimates peg India’s GDP (Gross Domestic Product) growth at 6.4 percent in FY 2024-25, compared to 8.2 percent growth recorded in...

In tradeoff between fiscal prudence & boosting economy, budget should focus more on demand & jobs

With a favourable macro-fiscal backdrop, the finance minister can use the additional fiscal space to either hasten the path to consolidation or support the sectors with subdued growth.

GST regime needs transformation. Rate rationalisation, simplification must be council’s key priority

Layers of complexity due to multiple tax rates result in similar products being taxed differently. There should be a phased move towards a low single rate to reduce incentive for evasion.

India considering personal tax rate cuts to boost consumption, Reuters sources say

The plan could be announced in July, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government presents the first budget after BJP failed to win a majority on its own.

Shrinking gap between average rural & urban consumption spends good news, but inequality persists

Consumption inequality between top & bottom 5% of population is more pronounced in urban India, latest Household Consumer Expenditure Survey says. Widest gap in rural Rajasthan & urban Haryana.

Indian economy showing solid growth, but these must be new govt’s top 5 priorities to sustain momentum

The outcome of the general elections has taken a surprising turn, differing from both exit poll predictions and market expectations. However, the agenda for...

Lower on food, higher on conveyance & durables — how consumption patterns changed in past decade

Household Consumption Expenditure Survey shows urban-rural gap has narrowed, particularly at lower levels of consumption, implying effectiveness of govt policies in improving rural incomes.

Here are 5 key takeaways from Household Consumption Expenditure Survey 2022-2023 highlights

Other key findings include spending on food falls in expenditure of rural households in 11 years. Report made after survey of 2.76 lakh-plus households across country.

On Camera

Nick Jonas wearing a mangalsutra is validation for many Indians. He’s our favourite jiju

Nick Jonas is not trying to modernise the mangalsutra, but his gesture shows that choices can be equal. If commitment must be flaunted, it need not be gendered.

In the West, there’s anxiety. In India, optimism—Rishi Sunak says India poised to be leader in AI

On Wednesday, the former UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak was speaking in New Delhi at a Carnegie & Observer Research Foundation event on AI.

Suspected brake failure leads to Tejas accident after landing, airframe likely to be written off

The IAF, so far, remains mum on this accident which has led to grounding of the fleet for safety checks.

No country is ever fully sovereign. Cold War era taught India its real meaning

India’s fraught neighbourhood places multiple constraints on its strategic choices. It leaves no time to take a deep breath, lean back and reset.