News Headlines 30 November 2025: Read Today’s Banking, Finance, Economy, Business News

News Headlines 30 November 2025

Government Introduces New Rule: Messaging Apps Must Stay Linked to Active SIM Cards

The Indian government has issued a major directive requiring messaging apps like WhatsApp, Telegram, Signal, Snapchat, ShareChat, JioChat, Arattai, and Josh to remain linked to an active SIM card at all times. Under the new Telecommunication Cybersecurity Amendment Rules, 2025, these platforms must ensure SIM-binding within 90 days and enforce stricter login rules for web users, including automatic logout every six hours. The rule aims to curb fraud, prevent misuse by cybercriminals, and close loopholes that allow apps to function even after SIM deactivation. While telecom bodies support the move for better security, experts remain divided on its overall effectiveness.

Crisil Raises India’s FY26 GDP Growth Forecast to 7%

Crisil has upgraded India’s GDP growth forecast for FY26 to 7%, up from 6.5%, after the economy delivered a strong 8% growth in the first half of the year. The revision follows better-than-expected Q2 performance, where real GDP grew 8.2%, supported by strong private consumption, improved manufacturing and services activity, easing inflation, and a favourable statistical base. Crisil expects momentum to continue into Q3, driven by GST rationalisation, income-tax cuts, and lower interest rates. However, growth in the second half may moderate to 6.1% due to higher US tariffs and a normalising government capex.

India–Israel Ties Enter New Phase with Trade Talks, Tech Partnerships and Strategic Cooperation

India and Israel are moving into a stronger phase of partnership as both countries begin formal discussions on a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and deepen collaboration in technology, defence, agritech, water management and cybersecurity. A new report highlights that the signing of Terms of Reference in Tel Aviv marks the start of a phased FTA—beginning with an “early harvest” deal on low-contention items, followed by a broader second phase. A modern Bilateral Investment Agreement signed in 2025 offers greater legal protection to investors and signals growing trust between the two nations. Although bilateral trade dipped to about $3.6 billion in 2024–25, both sides are preparing to expand engagement through innovation-driven sectors and deeper strategic cooperation.

Vivek Chaturvedi Appointed New Chairman of CBIC

The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved the appointment of Vivek Chaturvedi, a 1990-batch IRS (Customs & Indirect Taxes) officer, as the new Chairman of the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC). He succeeds Sanjay Kumar Agarwal, who retired on November 28, 2025. Chaturvedi, currently a CBIC Member overseeing Tax Policy and Legal wings, brings over 30 years of experience in indirect tax administration. He previously served as Principal Director General of Vigilance, Chief Vigilance Officer and headed DGARM, where he led major data-analytics initiatives to curb tax evasion

India’s Coffee Industry Set for Rapid Growth, Production Target Raised for 2047

India’s coffee sector is poised for major expansion, with the industry expected to grow at a CAGR of 8.9% by 2028, while the out-of-home coffee market is projected to rise even faster at 15–20%, reaching $2.6–$3.2 billion. The Coffee Board of India has set an ambitious target to scale national production to 9 lakh tonnes by 2047, up from the current 3.6 lakh tonnes, nearly 70% of which is exported to 128 countries. Specialty coffees such as Monsooned Malabar, Mysore Nuggets and Koraput Coffee are boosting India’s global reputation, while successful tribal cooperatives like Odisha’s TDCCOL highlight coffee’s role in socio-economic empowerment. With smallholder farmers contributing 99% of holdings and 70% of output, coffee remains crucial for rural livelihoods. GST cuts, FTAs and rising global demand have pushed exports above $1 billion for four consecutive years, touching a record $1.8 billion in FY25. Lower GST on coffee extracts is also set to reduce retail prices and improve margins for small processors, supporting wider domestic consumption.

India Poised to Become World’s 3rd Largest Economy by 2030

India’s economic rise is accelerating, with the country on track to become the world’s third-largest economy by 2030 with an estimated GDP of $7.3 trillion, according to an official statement. The nation’s strong performance is being driven by decisive policymaking, structural reforms and deeper global integration. Latest data shows real GDP grew 8.2% in Q2 FY26, up sharply from 5.6% last year, while Q1 growth stood at 7.8%. Nominal GDP rose 8.7% in Q2, reflecting broad-based strength across sectors. The primary sector grew 3.1%, while the secondary (8.1%) and tertiary sectors (9.2%) powered overall expansion. In the first half of FY26, India recorded 8% GDP growth compared to 6.1% in the previous year, with the tertiary sector leading at 9.3%. Inflation also hit a historic low of 0.25% in October 2025 — the lowest ever in the current CPI series — remaining comfortably within the RBI’s tolerance band. With stable macroeconomic indicators, a neutral monetary policy stance and sustained reforms, the government says India is well positioned to maintain its growth momentum and continue its climb on the global economic ladder.

India’s Exports to the US Drop 28.5% After Sharp Tariff Hikes, Says GTRI

India’s exports to the United States fell sharply by 28.5% between May and October 2025, following steep tariff hikes imposed by the US government. According to a report by the Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI), export value dropped from $8.83 billion to $6.31 billion as tariffs climbed from 10% in April to 50% by late August, making Indian goods among the most heavily taxed in the US market. The steepest fall was seen in labour-intensive sectors like gems and jewellery, textiles, solar panels, chemicals, and seafood, which together saw a 31.2% decline, amounting to a loss of nearly $1.5 billion. Even tariff-exempt sectors such as smartphones, pharmaceuticals, and petroleum products reported declines, with smartphone exports plunging 36%.

Crisil Raises India’s GDP Growth Forecast to 7% as Economy Shows Strong Momentum

Crisil has upgraded India’s GDP growth forecast for the current financial year to 7%, up from its earlier estimate of 6.5%, after the economy delivered a stronger-than-expected 8% growth in the first half of FY26. Chief Economist Dharmakriti Joshi said Q2 growth reached 8.2%, driven by robust private consumption, strong manufacturing and services activity, and easing inflation. While growth may moderate to 6.1% in the second half, Crisil expects momentum to remain healthy thanks to GST reforms, tax cuts, and lower interest rates. Chief Economic Adviser V. Anantha Nageswaran also predicted that India’s GDP could cross $4 trillion by FY26, noting strong rural and urban demand, healthy agricultural output, rising freight movement, and record tractor sales. With stable inflation and continued public capital spending, both Crisil and the government expect India’s full-year growth to stay at or above 7%, reinforcing the country’s position as one of the world’s fastest-growing major economies.

India’s Fiscal Deficit Reaches 52.6% of Annual Target by October 2025

India’s fiscal deficit stood at 52.6% of the full-year target by the end of October 2025, rising from 46.5% a year earlier, according to the Controller General of Accounts. The deficit reached ₹8.25 lakh crore during April–October against the year’s target of ₹15.69 lakh crore (4.4% of GDP). Government receipts touched ₹18 lakh crore (51.5% of the annual estimate), driven by ₹12.74 lakh crore in tax revenue and ₹4.89 lakh crore in non-tax revenue. Tax transfers to states saw a strong rise, reaching ₹8.34 lakh crore, up ₹1.11 lakh crore from last year. Total expenditure stood at ₹26.25 lakh crore (51.8% of the annual estimate), with ₹20 lakh crore spent on revenue expenditure and ₹6.17 lakh crore on capital expenditure. Interest payments accounted for ₹6.73 lakh crore, while subsidies totalled ₹2.46 lakh crore. The numbers reflect continued fiscal pressure even as the government increases support to states and maintains high capital spending to sustain economic growth.