As the year draws to a close, Mint's editorial team offers a reflective yet forward-looking series alongside its weekly news roundup. The Springboard 2026 series provides a grounded exploration of potential shifts in healthcare, markets, pet care, cinema, and the creator economy by the year 2026, avoiding grand predictions for nuanced observations.
Key Economic and Policy Developments This Week
In significant trade news, India and Oman have inked a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). While annual bilateral trade already stands at around $10 billion, this pact is strategic. It grants zero-duty access for nearly all Indian exports to Oman, benefiting textiles, gems, engineering goods, and pharmaceuticals. This comes as a timely boost for exporters facing higher US tariffs and strengthens India's strategic and supply-chain interests in the Gulf region.
In a move to ease the compliance burden, the Indian government is considering softer GST rules for micro and small businesses. Proposals ahead of the Union Budget include shifting to quarterly GST payments from monthly ones, issuing warnings instead of penalties for first-time errors, and faster revival of suspended GST numbers. A single-window MSME app integrating various filings could also be introduced. This is crucial as compliance costs can consume 6-8% of turnover for small firms.
Infrastructure, Safety, and Business Insights
Rail safety is receiving a major financial commitment. Following recent accidents, the government plans its biggest-ever push, with allocations potentially crossing ₹1.3 trillion in 2026-27. Nearly half of Indian Railways' capital spending may be directed towards safer tracks, better rolling stock, and faster deployment of the Kavach anti-collision system. Experts, however, caution that funding must be matched with discipline and training.
The Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) landscape witnessed a watershed moment in 2025. A record $1 billion was cashed out by startup employees, fueled by a bumper IPO year that saw 16 startups go public. Companies like Meesho, Groww, and Pine Labs led this shift, turning paper wealth into real money and establishing ESOPs as a proven wealth engine.
Other Critical Stories from the Week
India's shipbuilding sector received a wake-up call, highlighting a strategic gap. While India moves 95% of its trade by sea, foreign ships carry most of it, costing the nation about $75 billion annually. A revival package of ₹69,725 crore aims to build a stronger domestic fleet.
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is planning stricter rules for paneer to combat adulteration. The proposed norms include clear labeling of non-dairy substitutes as "paneer analogues," mandatory sealed packaging, and added food colour for easy identification.
In corporate news, Gopal Vittal, the CEO who steered Bharti Airtel through the disruptive Jio price war, is set to become executive vice-chairman in 2026. Under his decade-long leadership, Airtel's market value grew more than 12 times.
Finally, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) has intensified its tech-driven enforcement, launching a record 400 investigations in FY25. Its orders now include detailed data trails and logic to withstand legal scrutiny, leading to a fall in appeals.
