Labour and economy news
Factory output, inflation, the rupee, policy and labour news, explained for job seekers.
RBI Governor asks states to improve spending quality and borrow carefullyAt the 36th State Finance Secretaries meet on 27 October, RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra urged careful borrowing and asked states to join ULI and use P-CBDC.28 October 2026 · 2 min readIndia needs 8-9 million new jobs a year, economists tell BFSI SummitJPMorgan's Sajjid Chinoy urged more labour-heavy jobs at the BFSI Summit on 27 Oct. SBI's Soumya Kanti Ghosh said only 30.7% of informal workers are trained.28 October 2026 · 2 min readFactory output grows 6.7% in September, a four-month lowIndia's industrial output (IIP) grew 6.7% in September 2026, a four-month low. Motor vehicles rose 19% and electrical equipment 33.9%, while mining fell 6.2%.28 October 2026 · 2 min readRBI raises the repo rate to 5.50%: what the October 2026 decision means for EMIs and jobsThe RBI's rate committee raised the repo rate by 0.25 points to 5.50% on 7 October 2026 and shifted to calibrated tightening. GDP forecast is 7.1%, inflation 5.2%.27 October 2026 · 2 min readRetail inflation jumps to 5.54% in September 2026, with food prices up 7.74% and onions doublingIndia's retail inflation rose to 5.54% in September 2026 from 4.83% in August. Food inflation hit 7.74%, onions were up 108% and rural prices rose faster.27 October 2026 · 2 min readGST collection hits Rs 2.04 lakh crore in September 2026, up 14.7%Gross GST collections were Rs 2.04 lakh crore in September 2026. Imports brought in 25.9% more, domestic GST grew 10.1% and refunds fell 3%.27 October 2026 · 2 min readUrban youth unemployment rises to 19% in September 2026, and 26.6% among young womenMoSPI's PLFS bulletin for September 2026 shows overall unemployment steady at 5.0%, but urban youth (15-29) unemployment at 19% and young urban women at 26.6%.27 October 2026 · 2 min readRupee at 95.22, oil near a 15-year high: what it means for jobs and pricesThe rupee fell for a third day to 95.22 per dollar as Brent crude stayed near $115. India's oil basket averaged about $120 in October, the highest since March 2012.27 October 2026 · 2 min readBusiness at a 4-month high (PMI 56.7), but hiring is the weakest this yearHSBC's flash PMI for October 2026 rose to 56.7 on strong orders, including export orders. But services firms stopped adding staff and overall hiring was the weakest of 2026.27 October 2026 · 2 min readIndia's auto parts exports reached $24 billion in FY26, but imports of parts were higher at $25.4 billionS&P Global reports auto component exports rose 5% to about $24 billion in FY2026, with Europe up 9%. Imports grew faster, up 13% to $25.4 billion.27 October 2026 · 2 min readIndia's auto exports July-September 2026: two-wheelers up 28%, trucks up 72%, but car exports fall 5%SIAM data for Q2 FY27: two-wheeler exports 16.5 lakh (+27.7%), three-wheelers 1.6 lakh (+30.4%), commercial vehicles +72.5%, passenger vehicles down 5.2%.27 October 2026 · 2 min readTractors slip month on month in September 2026 on a patchy monsoon, while construction equipment reboundsFADA: 76,906 tractors sold in September 2026, up 13.75% on last year but down 12.58% from August. Construction equipment rose 38%. Mahindra and JCB lead.27 October 2026 · 2 min readPLFS August 2026: unemployment at 5.0%, rural at 4.1%, urban at 6.8%India's monthly labour survey for August 2026 shows unemployment at 5.0%, rural 4.1%, urban 6.8%, and labour force participation at 55.6%. What the numbers mean.26 October 2026 · 2 min readMinimum wages revised from 1 October 2026 for central sphere workers: new daily ratesThe Labour Bureau raised the variable dearness allowance from 1 October 2026. See the new daily rates for construction, sweeping, loading and watch and ward work.26 October 2026 · 2 min readThe 50% wage rule: how the labour code can change your basic pay, PF, gratuity and take-homeUnder the Code on Wages, if allowances are more than half of your pay the extra is counted as wages. What this means for PF, gratuity and in-hand salary.25 October 2026 · 2 min readESIC in 2026: 3.25% employer and 0.75% employee, Rs 21,000 limit, benefits and a 20 November deadlineESIC rates are unchanged in 2026 and the Rs 21,000 wage limit still applies. What it covers, who must register, due dates and the transition ending 20 November 2026.25 October 2026 · 2 min readEPF Scheme 2026: compliance checklist for employers, late-payment damages and withdrawal rulesThe EPF Scheme, 2026 took effect on 1 July 2026. A plain summary of employer filings, delay damages, the Rs 500 a day late fee and the new withdrawal rules.25 October 2026 · 2 min readPF ceiling at Rs 25,000: good and bad for employees (take-home, savings and pension)Your take-home may fall by up to Rs 1,200 a month, but your PF savings may grow. Who gains, who loses, and what to ask HR.25 October 2026 · 2 min readPF ceiling at Rs 25,000: what it means for employers (cost, payroll and risks)Higher statutory PF contribution, payroll changes, ECR checks and CTC redesign. A plain guide to the upside and downside for employers.25 October 2026 · 2 min readEPF wage ceiling raised from Rs 15,000 to Rs 25,000: what changed and from whenThe government has notified Rs 25,000 as the wage ceiling for provident fund coverage, effective 17 September 2026. About 51 lakh more workers are expected to come under mandatory cover.25 October 2026 · 2 min readFixed-term employees can get gratuity after one year under the new labour codeUnder the labour codes, fixed-term employees become eligible for gratuity after one year of service. What gratuity is and how to ask for it.25 October 2026 · 2 min readThe four labour codes are in force: what changes for workersIndia's four labour codes took effect on 21 November 2025. KPMG lists the changes workers should know: appointment letters, wages, overtime and more.25 October 2026 · 2 min readRural unemployment 4.5%, urban 6.7%: why cities still struggle to give jobsJuly 2026 PLFS data shows urban unemployment at 6.7%, well above rural at 4.5%. Urban women face 8.8%. What the gap tells us.25 October 2026 · 2 min readIndia's unemployment rate fell to 5.1% in July 2026, from 5.5% in JuneThe monthly labour force survey (PLFS) for July 2026 shows unemployment at 5.1% and labour force participation at 55.4%. Rural, urban and women's numbers.25 October 2026 · 2 min read