SEZ approval powers upheld as Board affirms UAC authority to restrict high risk items and grant extensions.
The Board reviewed multiple SEZ matters: it upheld UAC/DC authority to restrict warehousing of sensitive commodities and require client KYC under DoC Instruction No.117 and the proviso to Rule 19(2); remanded one appeal where only a draft show cause existed; affirmed that employee food services are not zero rated SEZ operations under existing Instructions; applied Rule 18(4)(d) to deny DTA sale of reconditioned imports requiring one to one export correlation; granted several one year LOA and in principle extensions; approved de notifications, non processing demarcation and co developer cancellations subject to DC oversight.

Social Stock Exchange establishes NPO registration, ZCZP issuance, disclosure and governance requirements for social fundraising.
The Master Circular consolidates the Social Stock Exchange framework: it prescribes NPO registration eligibility, procedures and disclosures for public issuance of Zero Coupon Zero Principal instruments (ZCZP), minimum initial and annual disclosure requirements including Annual Impact Reports assessed by Social Impact Assessors, quarterly utilization reporting, recognition of Self Regulatory Organisations for assessors, and establishment and terms of a Social Stock Exchange Governing Council; prior circulars on SSE are rescinded with transitional continuity provisions.

Cross recessed screws: consignments with inward entry 1 Nov 2025-12 Jan 2026 exempt from QCO; SMEs have staggered start dates.
A one-time exemption from the Cross Recessed Screws (Quality Control) Order, 2025 applies to consignments with inward entry dates between 1 November 2025 and 12 January 2026; implementation of the Order otherwise proceeds with staggered dates for small and micro enterprises, and oversight for affected iron and steel HSN chapters has been transferred to the technical ministry. Customs officers are to be informed and issues reported to the Board.

Interest subvention support for export credit limits eligibility, exclusions, reimbursement procedures, and effective dates and timing.
Amendments clarify that export credit compliant with the Reserve Bank of India's consolidated directions qualifies for interest subvention under NIRYAT PROTSAHAN, which applies to the interest cost for eligible MSME exporters. Revised subvention rates apply only to facilities sanctioned on or after notification; subvention is ineligible for deemed exports and for accounts turning non performing before the export cycle completes. Banks must submit IEC wise monthly online claims within fifteen days, reimbursements are monthly and limited to verified claims, and exporters are responsible for ensuring aggregate claims do not exceed the annual ceiling.

Designation of Appellate Authority and CPIO for Air Port and Air Cargo Commissionerate, Bengaluru, with contact and jurisdiction details.
Designation of Appellate Authority and Central Public Information Officer under the Right to Information Act is announced for the Air Port and Air Cargo Commissionerate, Bengaluru, nominating Shri E. T. Sunil as CPIO and Dr. Gunjal Sandeep Suryabhan as Appellate Authority, with office addresses, telephone contacts, and jurisdiction covering all sections of the commissionerate.

Closing Auction Session introduced for equity cash segment to determine closing prices via an equilibrium-price auction and aligned pre-open rules.
Introduce a Closing Auction Session (CAS) for derivative-listed cash equities in a phased manner: a 20-minute session (15:15-15:35) with reference price from 15:00-15:15 VWAP (or LTP/prior close if no trades), +/-3% price band, disclosed limit and market orders only, equilibrium-price closure maximizing executable volume with market-order priority, carryover of CTS limit orders (subject to exceptions and priority rules), applicable cash-market risk and margin rules, dissemination of indicative auction metrics, alignment of pre-open auction mechanics, revised settlement-price computation for derivatives, and SOP and system/implementation timelines.

SWAGAT FI framework grants eligible foreign investors unified access, 10 year registration, and streamlined KYC and account consolidation.
The Circular creates the SWAGAT FI framework to streamline registration and compliance for specified FPIs/FVCIs, listing eligible investor categories, requiring resident Indian contributors to invest via LRS through global funds with under 50% Indian exposure, and mandating an SOP to identify eligible jurisdictions. It enables conversion to SWAGAT FI on application, requires depositories to provide unified accounting for foreign investments, grants 10 year registration and KYC review periodicity, adjusts renewal fees and information obligations, and takes effect June 1, 2026.

SWAGAT-FI framework allows joint FPI/FVCI registration, conversion, extended renewal blocks and ten year KYC periodicity.
SWAGAT FI permits joint processing of FPI and FVCI registrations without duplicate applications where the same custodian and DDP are appointed; eligible FPIs may convert to SWAGAT FI FVCIs via their DDPs. Renewal timelines are adjusted with extended blocks for SWAGAT FI registrants and specified notice periods, and periodic KYC review for SWAGAT FI FVCIs is fixed at ten years, with implementation required by depositories, custodians and DDPs from June 01, 2026.

Wheat flour exports now require online DGFT authorisations, minimum 2,500 MT, specified documentation, and committee allocation.
Exports under HS Code 1101 require online application to DGFT within prescribed windows; authorisations are valid six months, non-transferable, and applications below 2,500 MT are ineligible. Eligible applicants include manufacturer-exporters with IEC and FSSAI, merchant exporters with validated manufacturer tie-ups, and EOUs/SEZ/AA holders seeking additional allocation. Applications must include specified documentation and self-declarations; misdeclaration triggers three-year ineligibility. A Special Exim Facilitation Committee allocates and may re-allocate quantities based on export history, processing capacity, and contracts. Allocated exporters must submit landing certificates within 30 days.

Export and import rules updated: authorised dealers must follow FEMA, use PRAVAAH for references, and report doubtful transactions.
The Reserve Bank promulgated the Foreign Exchange Management (Export and Import of Goods and Services) Regulations, 2026 to consolidate FEMA based rules for cross border trade, effective October 01, 2026. Authorised dealers must ensure transactions comply with FEMA and the Foreign Trade Policy, submit references via the PRAVAAH portal, and report doubtful transactions to the Directorate of Enforcement. Existing Master Directions and the listed circulars are superseded. The directions are issued under sections 10(4) and 11(1) of FEMA and do not affect other legal permissions required under other laws.

Sea cargo manifest implementation requires accurate electronic declarations while API onboarding and inland transhipment messaging continue during transition.
Sea Cargo Manifest and Transhipment Regulations implementation includes nationwide import-export manifest messaging and live stuffing messages. SEZ units are to be onboarded through API integration, and remaining inland transhipment messages are to be developed, tested and operationalised within the extended implementation period. Transitional provisions have been extended until 31 March 2026, during which stakeholders must submit accurate electronic declarations in the prescribed format.

Postal exports can now claim drawback, RoDTEP and RoSCTL electronically via integrated DNK and ICEGATE systems.
Postal exports may now access electronic export benefits after integration of the DNK portal with ICES/ICEGATE. Exporters claiming drawback, RoDTEP or RoSCTL electronically must register on ICEGATE, add bank details linked to the DNK site, and file amended PBE III/PBE IV forms with required supporting documents uploaded to E Sanchit/ICEGATE; electronic drawback claims must follow Rules 13 and 14 of the Drawback Rules, 2017, while Rule 12 procedures remain for non electronic claims.

Public Grievance Officer appointed for Taxpayer Service Centre/GST Seva Kendra with contact details; trade to be informed.
Shri Raja Tomy, Assistant Commissioner, is appointed as the Public Grievance Officer for the Taxpayer Service Centre/GST Seva Kendra/SEVOTTAM at the Kochi Commissionerate, with provided email and telephone contact details to receive and manage public and trade grievances; the notice instructs circulation of this information to all members of trade and industry.

Customs anti-corruption compliance prohibits unofficial clearance payments and directs stakeholders to report illegal gratification demands confidentially.
Customs anti-corruption compliance requires stakeholders not to make payments beyond legitimate service charges to secure clearance or satisfy alleged demands of Customs Officers. Customs collections are limited to statutory duties, cess, fines, penalties and interest payable under law, through ICEGATE or the TR-6 challan mechanism at designated banks. Demands for illegal gratification, harassment or undue delay may be reported with supporting evidence through the notified complaint channels, with confidential handling and examination or referral for appropriate action.

Sea cargo manifest implementation extended; stakeholders must file correct electronic declarations and report issues by 31 March 2026.
Implementation of the Sea Cargo Manifest and Transshipment Regulations (SCMTR) continues: import/export manifests are implemented and stuffing messages went live from 25 September 2025. Transitional provisions are extended to 31 March 2026; stakeholders must file correct electronic declarations in the prescribed format and report difficulties to the SCMTR Cell. DG Systems will onboard SEZ units via API by 31 March 2026 and will develop, test and operationalize remaining inland transshipment messages within an extended timeframe.

Sea Cargo Manifest compliance advances with electronic declarations, phased module onboarding, and extended transitional provisions for stakeholders.
Implementation of the Sea Cargo Manifest and Transhipment Regulations, 2018 is being progressed through phased electronic onboarding of manifest and stuffing message modules, with import-export manifest messages already operational pan-India. The Directorate General of Systems is tasked with onboarding SEZ units through API integration and developing, testing and operationalising the remaining inland transshipment messages within the extended timeline. The transitional provisions have been extended up to 31 March 2026, during which stakeholders must submit prescribed declarations electronically in the specified format.

Foreign exchange guarantees now require reporting in Form GRN and amended bank compliance and reporting obligations.
The regulations require reporting of all guarantees - issued, modified or invoked - to authorised dealer banks in prescribed Form GRN, and mandate that authorised dealer banks compile and submit returns in the manner and format to be communicated by the Reserve Bank, while ensuring compliance with Department of Regulation guidelines.

Customs clearance integrity requires rejecting illegal payment demands, using statutory online payments, and reporting bribery, harassment or undue delay.
Importers, exporters and trade stakeholders are cautioned against making illegal payments to customs brokers, intermediaries or others who cite purported demands by customs officers or customs handling charges. Illegal gratification by officers is prohibited, while making such payments may expose payers to penal consequences. The department collects only lawfully applicable statutory duties, cess, fines, penalties and interest through online payment modes on the ICEGATE portal. Demands, harassment or undue delay may be reported with supporting evidence through the designated complaint mechanism, with confidentiality assured.

Nomination of Appellate Authority: Shri Gopi Donthireddy appointed Additional Commissioner as RTI appellate authority for Chennai III.
An Appellate Authority under the Right to Information Act, 2005 is nominated for the Chennai III Preventive Commissionerate: the Additional Commissioner of Customs is appointed as Appellate Authority with immediate effect, pursuant to the administrative order. The public notice supplies the office address, room number, telephone and email for the appointed authority and records that the nomination is issued with the Principal Commissioner's approval.

Stock brokers' electronic trading system glitch framework revised with new applicability, reporting timelines, exemptions, and disincentives.
The framework redefines technical glitch as any malfunction in a broker's electronic systems impacting trading or risk management for five contiguous minutes or more, while excluding global provider outages, MII disruptions, KYC processing, non trading back office issues, payment gateway failures at banks/aggregators, and decision support tool errors. Applicability is limited to IBT/STWT brokers with over 10,000 registered clients; brokers must notify exchanges and clients within two hours, submit a Preliminary Incident Report by T+1 and an RCA within 14 working days via a common portal. Capacity planning, software testing, monitoring, and proportionate BCP/DRS obligations are to be implemented and financial disincentives rationalised by exchanges.