DATA RECAP: THE WEEK IN CHARTS

From widening trade gaps caused by US tariff headwinds and surging gold imports, to a rise in the urban unemployment rate in October, shifting consumption patterns in the economy

- CURATED BY RUPANJAL CHAUHAN

Indian companies' cautious but steady push into generative artificial intelligence (AI), and Nitish Kumar taking oath as Bihar chief minister for a record 10th time, here's this week's news in numbers.

TRADEDYNAMICS

INDIA'S GOODS trade deficit widened to a record high of $41.7 billion in October, showed provisional data released by the commerce ministry this week. The trade gap widened by 29.6% from September, and by nearly 60% from a year ago. The surge in gold imports and the impact of US tariffs on Indian exports were the primary factors for the rise in trade deficit. Exports to the world's largest economy stood at $6.3 billion, up 15% from September, but 8.6% lower than a year ago. Gold imports, meanwhile, tripled year-on-year to $14.7 billion. Gold prices have risen over 60% in just one year, driven by global economic uncertainty, geopolitical tensions, and robust buying by central banks.

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