Surabhi

tvtn

surabhi@aajtak.com

Economy Editor at Business Today. A journalist for nearly two decades, I write on government policy and economy on a wide array of issues ranging from taxation and economic affairs, commerce and industry, statistics and labour markets. A large part of the focus of my reporting is on breaking down complex government policies and jargon into simple concepts that everyone can understand. How these policies, whether they are tax cuts or hikes, changes in PF formalities or interest rate announcements by the RBI, impact ...

While the higher duty may potentially lower purchases of gold but might not have a significant impact on the import bill.

Will the hike in customs duty on gold, silver reduce India’s import bill?

by Surabhi |May 13, 2026

Rising global prices of the precious metals, preferential access through India-UAE CEPA could keep value, volumes high.

The department will accordingly hold training programmes on four themes for capacity building of officials.

How CBDT is focusing on capacity building and revenue mobilisation in FY27

by Surabhi |May 13, 2026

Central Action Plan proposes training programmes for officials with new Income Tax Act, meeting Budget tax targets, arrear collection.

PM Modi urges austerity, raises customs duty on gold and silver to control India’s import bill and current account deficit

BT Explainer: Why the Current Account Deficit is under pressure

by Surabhi |May 13, 2026

As the West Asia crisis continues and oil prices remain high, India’s CAD is seen to surge this fiscal and the government is taking measures to curb it

Headline inflation rose to 3.4% in March from 3.21% in February as the West Asia conflict played out.

West Asia war impact: Retail inflation in April may rise to 4% as price pressures build

by Surabhi |May 11, 2026

LPG turned pricier, food items, including tomatoes and edible oil, became costlier

With the notification, several changes will now take place for employees and employers. States can also use the Central rules as a framework to notify their own rules.

BT Explainer: The Centre has notified the rules under the four Labour Codes. Here’s what it means

by Surabhi |May 9, 2026

The rules govern minimum wages, maximum working hours, capped at 48 hours per week, forms for registration of new businesses, gig workers as well as provisions to review applications for retrenchment...

Government sources also indicated that that farm sector productivity and prices may not be much impacted from a poor monsoon due to El Nino effects developing later in the summer.

Low monsoons may not be much of a worry for the Indian economy. Here’s why

by Surabhi |May 6, 2026

Govt sources indicate that Budget math may be revisited later in the year, for now stick to RBI GDP growth, inflation forecasts for FY27

The RBI DG underlined that India's agriculture sector has become very resilient and the GDP had a very large share of services, which has a very stable number.

Review of inflation target in 2031 only if external shocks muted, growth is more robust, says RBI DG

by Surabhi |May 5, 2026

Indian economy's growth trajectory noting that it has been accelerating slowly over the last 40 years and has become more stable, says Poonam Gupta

In the just concluded assembly elections, political parties went all out to also promise much more.

Assembly elections over, will states be able to offer freebies?

by Surabhi |May 5, 2026

The finances of several states are already strained, and populist promises will have to be balanced with economic imperatives

The GST Council last met in September 2025 when it took up proposals for rate rationalisation and revamp of procedural norms as part of GST 2.0.

With state elections over, GST Council to get a new look

by Surabhi |May 4, 2026

A meeting of the GST Council is expected later in June once the government formation process in the five states of Assam, Keralam, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal is completed

Analysts have noted that the cash transfer scheme has had a huge impact on West Bengal’s finances even though they have proven beneficial to women to some extent.

West Bengal Election Results | Lakshmir Bhandar to Matrishakti Bharosa Card: How will it affect the state coffers?

by Surabhi |May 4, 2026

West Bengal Results 2026: Trinamool’s Lakshmir Bhandar scheme had an allocation of Rs 26,700 crore in FY26. The state’s finances have remained strained, and its revenue expenditure and revenue deficit...