Current Affairs - Economy

India's merchandise exports rose by 18% year-on-year to reach $45.2 billion in May 2026, reflecting strong performance in the country's external trade sector. During the same month, merchandise imports increased by 20.62% to $73.41 billion, resulting in a trade deficit of $28.21 billion. For the April–May 2026-27 period, total exports stood at $88.91 billion, registering a growth rate of 16.09% over the corresponding period of the previous year. The data highlights continued momentum in India's export sector despite global economic uncertainties. The Ministry of Commerce and Industry, through the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), plays a key role in formulating policies that support and promote international trade.

The World Bank projected India's GDP growth at 6.6% for 2026, maintaining its position as the fastest-growing major economy in the world. This forecast follows a strong economic expansion of 7% in 2025 and reflects confidence in India's long-term growth potential. While global economic growth is expected to slow due to geopolitical tensions and international conflicts, India is projected to outperform other major economies such as China, the United States, the Euro Zone, and Japan. The forecast highlights India's resilience, expanding domestic demand, ongoing reforms, and growing role in the global economy, making it a key driver of future economic growth worldwide.

The Consumer Price Index (CPI) for May 2026 reported a provisional national inflation rate of 3.93%, reflecting the overall change in retail prices across the country. Released by the National Statistical Office (NSO) under the Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation, the CPI is a key indicator used to measure inflation and monitor price movements in a fixed basket of goods and services. The data is collected from a wide network of urban markets and villages across India. Inflation trends influence monetary policy decisions, household purchasing power, and overall economic planning, making CPI one of the most important economic indicators in the country.

Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) secured the 22nd position globally in the Container Port Performance Index (CPPI) 2025, released by the World Bank and S&P Global Market Intelligence. This achievement marked an improvement of one rank from the previous year and helped JNPA retain its status as India's highest-performing container port. The CPPI evaluates ports based on operational efficiency, turnaround time, and overall performance. The report also highlighted the impact of global shipping disruptions and congestion on freight movement. JNPA's strong ranking reflects its continued efforts to improve port operations and enhance India's maritime trade infrastructure.

The Ministry of Textiles approved 96 companies under Round-III of the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for Textiles on June 10, 2026. This includes 22 newly approved applicants in the latest phase. The selected companies have committed a total investment of ₹12,822.67 crore, while the new applicants alone are expected to invest ₹2,339.14 crore. The scheme focuses on promoting Man-Made Fibre (MMF) apparel, MMF fabrics, and technical textiles to strengthen India’s textile manufacturing capabilities. It is also expected to generate significant employment opportunities and contribute substantially to production, exports, and overall growth in the textile sector.