India's ongoing evaluation of a potential comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the United States has sparked critical discussions among policymakers and trade experts. While such an agreement may promise increased market access and enhanced bilateral trade, analysts from the Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI) have raised red flags over the long-term implications for India’s key domestic sectors. From agriculture and pharmaceuticals to automobile manufacturing and e-commerce, a broad FTA with the U.S. could introduce structural vulnerabilities.

India’s financial planning industry is experiencing a significant demand-supply gap. With only 3,215 Certified Financial Planner (CFP) professionals in the country as of December 2024, there is growing concern that this number will be insufficient to meet the rising demand for personal finance expertise. As the sector sees an annual growth rate of 17.7%—one of the highest in the world—financial planning professionals are struggling to keep pace. The shortage of trained CFP professionals is exacerbated by an influx of unqualified individuals seeking to fill the void.

Uttar Pradesh is set to become a leading center for advanced potato research and value-added production with the establishment of the International Potato Research Centre in Agra and Centres of Excellence in Saharanpur and Kushinagar. These initiatives are poised to revolutionize the state’s potato industry, which already contributes over 35% of India’s total potato yield. With cutting-edge research, improved seed varieties, and modern farming techniques, Uttar Pradesh is positioning itself as the key player in the country’s potato sector.

OPPO has achieved remarkable success in India with the K12x, selling over two million units and emerging as a top choice in the mid-range smartphone market. The device’s performance, long battery life, and affordability helped it secure a 4.5-star rating on Flipkart, alongside exceptional reviews from over 1.5 lakh users. Building on this success, OPPO is set to launch the highly anticipated OPPO K13 ahead of its global debut.

In a key economic move, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has revised its inflation projection for the current fiscal year, bringing it down to 4% from the earlier estimate of 4.2%. This adjustment comes on the back of favorable agricultural output and falling crude oil prices, signaling a positive economic trajectory. The Consumer Price Index (CPI)-based headline retail inflation has seen a notable decline, reaching a 21-month low of 3.6% in February 2025.

In a significant development, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has authorized the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) to revise the transaction limits for person-to-merchant (P2M) payments under the Unified Payments Interface (UPI). The move comes in response to evolving user needs and aims to enhance the efficiency of the payments ecosystem. Additionally, RBI is set to introduce a series of reforms aimed at improving regulatory frameworks for lending against gold jewellery, co-lending arrangements, and fintech innovation.

In a significant move aimed at boosting customer engagement, IndiGo, the leading budget airline in India, has announced its collaboration with global hospitality giant Accor to enhance their respective loyalty programs. This partnership will allow customers to earn and redeem points across both flight and hotel bookings, offering a seamless and enriched experience. Through this strategic collaboration, both companies aim to increase the value they provide to their loyalty program members, expanding the range of benefits available to them.

In a recent statement, Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Sanjay Malhotra clarified the central bank's approach to currency management, stating that it does not target specific levels for the rupee-dollar exchange rate. Instead, the RBI intervenes only in cases of excessive volatility. Malhotra also addressed the impact of US tariffs on India, noting that while these tariffs are a growth challenge, India has a comparative advantage over other countries.

The Department of Investment and Public Asset Management (DIPAM) has called on mutual fund houses to increase their investments in public sector enterprises (PSEs). This push comes after the record-high dividend payout from central public sector enterprises (CPSEs), which reached Rs. 1.50 lakh crore in the 2024-25 fiscal year. DIPAM Secretary Arunish Chawla emphasized that these dividends reflect the strong performance of CPSEs, benefiting both the government and the common citizen.

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari has called for increasing agriculture’s contribution to India’s GDP from the current 14% to 22%, suggesting that such a shift could curb the migration of rural youth to urban areas. Speaking at a recent event, Gadkari also advocated for diversifying agriculture into energy sectors such as biofuels and green hydrogen. He highlighted the importance of soil testing for enhanced productivity and emphasized India’s need to reduce its reliance on fossil fuel imports, currently valued at Rs. 22 lakh crore annually.