Consumer Price Index Base Year Revision to 2025 for Accurate Inflation Measurement and Policy Formulation

Consumer Affairs Amends E-Commerce Rules 2020: Prior Price, Search Transparency Mandated from Jan 1, 2027

The Department of Consumer Affairs has amended the Consumer Protection (E-Commerce) Rules, 2020 to curb discount manipulation, search ranking bias, dark patterns, and data misuse. Effective January 1, 2027, platforms must display the lowest price in the preceding 30 days as the 'prior price', clearly mark sponsored listings, conduct annual dark pattern audits, and integrate with the National Consumer Helpline (NCH).

Centre Imposes Stockholding Limit on Sugar, Allows Duty-Free Import of 10 Lakh MT to Curb Price Surge

To curb a sharp 15% spike in sugar prices ahead of the festive season, the Centre has imposed a 15-day stockholding limit on bulk consumers (using >10 MT/month) and allowed duty-free import of 10 lakh MT of raw sugar until October 31, 2026. The move invokes the Essential Commodities Act, 1955 and involves both the Ministry of Consumer Affairs and the Ministry of Commerce.

India Drifts Toward Middle-Income Trap: Jobless Growth, Stagnant Wages, Need Vocational Education

India's rapid GDP growth masks a structural crisis of jobless growth, stagnant wages, and low productivity, risking a middle-income trap. The article explains how social norms undervaluing vocational skills and weak technology diffusion are root causes. Crucial for understanding India's economic challenges and reforms needed for inclusive growth.

ISRO Transfers SSLV, PSLV, LVM3 to Private Sector Under Indian Space Policy 2023

ISRO is transitioning from manufacturing operational launch vehicles to a pure R&D role, transferring SSLV, PSLV, and LVM3 production to private industry. This shift, mandated by the Indian Space Policy 2023, aims to expand India's share in the global space economy from less than 2% ($9 billion in 2026) to $40-45 billion over the next decade. The move opens up significant commercial opportunities for private players while preserving ISRO's expertise for strategic and scientific missions.

LPG Subsidy: Non-eKYC Households to Get Only 5/10 kg Cylinders at Market Price from Oct 1 2026

From October 1, 2026, households that haven't completed biometric Aadhaar authentication (eKYC) will only receive 5 or 10 kg LPG cylinders at market price, losing access to subsidized 14.2 kg refills. This move aims to rationalize subsidies but may burden non-compliant consumers, especially in rural areas.

NPPA Proposed Trade Markup Cap: 50-75% Margins for Medical Devices to Curb 10-30x MRP Inflation

India's medical device pricing, currently under drug-focused DPCO rules, allows MRPs inflated 10-30 times above cost. AiMeD proposes a trade markup cap at the GST trigger point (50-75% by price band) to ensure fair pricing, patient protection, and parity between domestic and import manufacturers.

Sugar Prices Spike 44% in a Month, Govt Must Recalibrate Ethanol Policy to Protect Food Security

India's sugar prices surged 44% in a month (Rs 45 to Rs 65/kg) due to a perfect storm of lower production, low opening stocks, and ethanol diversion. The government's ethanol blending programme (20% by 2025-26) is competing with food markets, exposing a policy failure. This article is critical for understanding the food-fuel trade-off, government regulation, and the need for recalibration of the ethanol policy.

MoSPI: Better Informal Sector Data via ASUSE & PLFS Drives Downward Revision in Nominal GDP

India's new GDP series (base 2022-23) shows lower nominal GDP for past years, primarily because direct annual surveys (ASUSE, PLFS) now replace proxy-based estimates for the informal sector. This is a data quality improvement, not an economic slowdown — a critical distinction for exam questions on GDP measurement and methodology.