Top Headlines

1. Rupee & Inflation Update

   • India’s retail inflation rose to 2.07% in August 2025, up from 1.61% in July, mainly due to slower declines in prices of food staples (vegetables, meat, eggs, etc.).

   • Core inflation (excluding food & energy) held steady at ~ 4.1%.

   • This inflation level is still within RBI’s target range of 2–6%, keeping prospects of an interest rate cut alive.

2. Housing Prices & Rental Stress

   • A Reuters poll says home prices in India are expected to increase by ~6.3% in 2025 and ~7.0% in 2026, up from ~4% in 2024.

   • Meanwhile, supply of affordable housing remains very low, and many are being pushed into expensive rentals.

3. Exports: Sugar Season Outlook

   • India is poised to export sugar in the 2025-26 season (starting 1 October) due to expected surplus stocks after domestic consumption and ethanol needs are met.

   • Sugar production is projected at ~34.9 million metric tons, with domestic use slightly increasing and stocks remaining over 5 million MT.

4. Tax Cuts & Tyre Industry Boost

   • Tax cuts starting 22 September will lower the effective tax on many goods. For example, tractor tyres will see tax drop from ~18% to 5%, and other tyres too will benefit. CEAT (tyre manufacturer) expects major demand boost, especially in rural / semi-urban markets.

5. Money & Markets

   • The rupee recovered slightly to ~₹88.2750/USD, after touching record lows, helped by hopes of a U.S. Federal Reserve rate cut.

   • Indian equity markets rose for a second straight week, buoyed by tax cuts and rate-cut expectations globally.

6. Leadership Change

   • C. P. Radhakrishnan was sworn in as the 15th Vice-President of India. He will also serve as Chairman of the Rajya Sabha.

7. Travel & Infrastructure

   • Fast Track Immigration-Trusted Traveller Programme (FTI-TTP) launched at Lucknow Airport. Aims to provide quicker immigration clearance for Indian passport holders and OCI cardholders through dedicated e-gates and biometric enrollment.

8. Agriculture / Rural Development

   • India and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) signed a $126.42 million loan agreement for a project in Uttarakhand — the Sustainable, Inclusive, and Climate-Resilient Tourism Development at Tehri Lake.

   • The ACME Group and Japan’s IHI Corporation signed a JV to establish India’s largest green ammonia plant in Gopalpur, Odisha. Capacity ~0.4 MT/year; commissioning aimed by 2029-30.

If you like, I can also give you important state-level affairs or some “Prelims-friendly” facts from today.