Topic
stress
Stress in MSME Micro-Borrower Segment Widens as Delinquencies Rise, Data Shows
Stress is emerging in the micro-borrower segment of India's MSME industry, particularly for loans below Rs 2 crore, with early-stage delinquencies at 2.7% in April 2026. This compares with 1.5% for small enterprises and 0.8% for medium enterprises. Hard delinquencies rose to 1.4% from 1.1% in March, suggesting defaults are hardening.
India's 3Fs Stress: How the US-Iran War Is Straining Fuel, Fertilisers and Forex
India is under stress from the '3Fs' — fuel, fertilisers, and forex — as the US-Iran war drives up crude oil prices and disrupts supplies via the Strait of Hormuz. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman urged conservation of foreign exchange. With over 85% crude import dependence and 50% of DAP and urea imports from the Middle East, the entire 2026-27 fiscal year could be affected, according to EY India's chief policy advisor.