UPI transaction charges remain unavailable for consumers and person-to-person payments, while limited threshold-based merchant MDR may be considered.
Proposed amendment of section 10A of the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007 is intended to support UPI sustainability, technological advancement and resilience. Consumer payments and person-to-person transactions are to remain free. Any future merchant discount rate would apply only to limited merchant transactions above a threshold, at a nominal rate, while most merchant transactions remain free. The framework supports investment in cybersecurity, fraud prevention and infrastructure, alongside a self-sustaining and inclusive digital-payment ecosystem.

Cost optimisation in public finance strengthens investment decisions, risk allocation, indigenous manufacturing and value-driven government expenditure through specialised financial expertise.
ICoAS cost optimisation supports public financial management through prudent resource utilisation, financial oversight and improved cost management across government. Its role includes supporting indigenous manufacturing, better investment decisions, efficient public expenditure and maximum value for public spending. With greater private-sector participation and Public-Private Partnerships, ICoAS officers are expected to promote cost efficiency, appropriate risk allocation and sound project structuring. Capacity building emphasises integrity, financial modelling, data visualisation, analytical frameworks and artificial intelligence for improved public-finance management.

BHAVYA Scheme project selection uses challenge-based evaluation of infrastructure, industrial ecosystems, and policy enablers under prescribed eligibility criteria.
BHAVYA Scheme Phase-I proposals submitted by State and Union Territory governments will be evaluated and scored under prescribed eligibility and evaluation criteria. Challenge-based project selection considers connectivity and site suitability, quality of core, value-added and social infrastructure in the detailed project report, and the industrial ecosystem and policy enablers. The Scheme guidelines provide for completion of the first-phase selection process within one year from notification.

Digital public procurement promotes transparent sourcing, reduced seller charges, competition monitoring and evidence-based spending oversight through an integrated marketplace.
Government e-Marketplace digitises public procurement through a unified platform promoting transparency, efficiency, good governance and wider supplier participation. Seller-facing measures include reduced transaction charges, exemption of smaller orders, a cap on maximum transaction fees and reduced vendor assessment fees. The platform uses Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning tools to identify suspected cartelisation, collusion and order splitting, while its digital transactional trail supports expenditure monitoring, identification of inefficiencies and evidence-based policy interventions.

BRICS industrial cooperation advances MSME, photovoltaic, startup and logistics frameworks alongside resilient trade and digital services collaboration.
BRICS industrial cooperation under PartNIR was strengthened through a Joint Declaration and institutional measures addressing MSMEs, photovoltaics, startup-led innovation, and resilient transport and logistics. The measures include an SME cooperation framework, Terms of Reference and an Action Plan for photovoltaic industry cooperation, and a startup innovation action plan. Trade discussions focused on the multilateral trading system, MSME participation in international trade, resilient global value chains, and cross-border digitally delivered services within a rules-based trading framework.

Patent and trade marks agent qualification examinations require written-paper minimums, aggregate passing scores, and viva voce assessment for registration.
Patent and trade marks agent examinations comprise an objective Paper I, a descriptive Paper II and a viva voce assessing suitability to practise before the Intellectual Property Office. Candidates must secure the stipulated minimum marks in each written paper and the required aggregate score to pass. Registration in the relevant Register of Patent Agents or Register of Trade Marks Agents is available only to candidates who satisfy all prescribed eligibility conditions and qualify the examination.

Public grievance redressal strengthens through monitoring, senior review, workshops, stakeholder coordination, and customer-centric service delivery improvements.
Public grievance redressal is assessed through the Grievance Redressal Assessment and Index, which analyses grievance categories and disposal. The Department of Financial Services' Insurance and Banking Divisions received third and sixth ranks respectively in the June 2026 assessment. Its framework includes disposal of grievances, random reviews by senior officials, and workshops on effective grievance redressal, supporting best practices, stakeholder coordination, technology use, customer-centric service, and accountable public service delivery.

Monthly public accounts review records receipts, expenditure, tax devolution, interest payments, subsidies, and capital spending through June.
Consolidated monthly accounts up to June 2026 report total receipts of Rs.10,49,243 crore, comprising net tax revenue, non-tax revenue and non-debt capital receipts. Tax devolution transfers to State Governments total Rs.2,63,336 crore. Total expenditure is Rs.13,57,076 crore, including revenue expenditure of Rs.10,16,818 crore and capital expenditure of Rs.3,40,258 crore. Revenue expenditure includes interest payments and major subsidies.

Illicit psychotropic drug manufacture triggered seizure, apprehensions, and investigation into planned trafficking under narcotics control law.
Illicit manufacture and trafficking of Alprazolam and Diazepam, psychotropic substances regulated under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985, were detected at a clandestine facility. Searches recovered finished and intermediary substances, together with raw materials and reaction mixtures used in manufacture, and the goods were seized under the Act. The manufacturer and an intended buyer were apprehended, with material indicating a proposed transaction for further illicit trafficking. Preliminary investigation indicated prior involvement in illegal drug production and trafficking.

Competition approval for hotel-sector consolidation covers share acquisitions and merger of Accor-branded hotel entities into InterGlobe Hotels.
Competition approval was granted for related share acquisitions and the merger of AAPC India, Caddie, Triguna, Srilanand Mansions, Techpark and Accent into InterGlobe Hotels. The combination involves entities jointly controlled by the Bhatia Family Group and the Accor Group, including hotel-owning and developing entities, hotel management and franchising operations, leasing activities, and captive consultancy and support services relating to Accor-branded hotels in India.

Tax certainty measures revise fund-management safe harbours, electronic-payment charges, sectoral exemptions, business-trust treatment, and excess expenditure appropriation.
The Taxation and Other Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026 proposes to replace the Income-tax (Amendment) Ordinance, 2026 and amend payment-system and tax laws. It would prohibit charges on notified electronic payments, revise safe-harbour conditions for eligible investment funds and fund managers, and expand tax exemptions for Government securities, qualifying rough-diamond sales and bonded-warehouse component storage. It also modifies exemptions concerning electronic-goods contract manufacturing, data centres and business-trust dividends, while imposing a differentiated surcharge on qualifying special purpose vehicles. A separately included appropriation bill authorises excess expenditure from the Consolidated Fund of India.

MSME credit expansion combines SIDBI lending initiatives with guaranteed additional working-capital facilities for eligible borrowers.
MSME credit access is being expanded through SIDBI's branch network, direct lending, refinance support, co-lending arrangements, affordable credit for informal micro-entrepreneurs, and invoice-based digital credit for micro enterprises. Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme 5.0 enables eligible MSMEs to obtain additional credit linked to peak fund-based working-capital outstanding, with full guarantee coverage for member lending institutions against defaults on the additional facility. The scheme also covers scheduled passenger airlines under distinct eligibility and guarantee parameters.

Quality statistics drive statistical-system reform through administrative data, interoperable systems, stronger governance, and international cooperation for evidence-based policymaking.
Quality statistics are advanced through modernised national statistical systems, administrative data, digital public infrastructure, and stronger data-governance and privacy standards. Cooperation among national statistical offices is intended to address data gaps through knowledge sharing, methodological harmonisation and statistical innovation. Discussions also emphasised digital dissemination, transformational statistical reforms, and the use of administrative data for timely, cost-effective and granular official statistics, supported by harmonised metadata, interoperable systems and institutional collaboration.

Digital statistical modernisation strengthens survey quality, macroeconomic indicators, international standards alignment and infrastructure performance monitoring through standardised data systems.
National statistical modernisation uses digital survey platforms with validation checks, AI-enabled support and multilingual interfaces, alongside short-duration surveys and administrative data to improve sampling and timely official statistics. Reforms include base revisions for Gross Domestic Product, Consumer Price Index and Index of Industrial Production; adoption of metadata, quality-assessment and classification standards; and alignment with international statistical principles and methodologies. Sustainable development indicators and infrastructure monitoring are supported through a national indicator framework, PAIMANA and a standardised performance dashboard.

Bilateral investment and trade facilitation drive proposed co-investment, digital cooperation and advanced manufacturing partnerships between Indian and Uzbek businesses.
India-Uzbekistan cooperation is proposed through co-investment, co-manufacturing and co-innovation, supported by the Bilateral Investment Treaty to promote investor confidence and reciprocal investment. Priority sectors include mining, textiles, healthcare, agriculture, food processing, digital technologies and advanced manufacturing. Trade facilitation measures include reducing trade barriers, mutual recognition of standards, approvals, testing and certification, customs digitalisation and improved trade routes. Regulators and standard-setting bodies are expected to cooperate under a structured, time-bound economic partnership.

Concessional agricultural credit supports working capital, crop diversification, allied activities, and digital expansion under the Kisan Credit Card scheme.
The Kisan Credit Card-Modified Interest Subvention Scheme provides concessional institutional credit to reduce farmers' interest burdens and improve timely working-capital access. The scheme is reported to support cropping intensity, multi-season cultivation, diversified crop portfolios, timely input use, and credit discipline through the Prompt Repayment Incentive. It also supports dairy, livestock, and fisheries-based income diversification. Credit-delivery measures include collateral-free lending, digital platforms, simplified applications, coverage expansion, and awareness campaigns. State-wise data tracks operative accounts, outstanding credit, and non-performing Kisan Credit Card accounts.

Counterfeit drug enforcement targets illicit manufacture, storage and trafficking networks, with coordinated seizures and referral of non-narcotic stock.
Counterfeit-drug enforcement under Operation Vajra addressed an inter-state network involved in the illicit manufacture, storage and distribution of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and spurious pharmaceutical products. Searches of unregistered godowns recovered narcotic products, unauthorisedly manufactured Buprenorphine injection ampoules, and counterfeit non-NDPS medicines. A farmhouse-based illicit manufacturing facility was dismantled, with machinery, chemicals and related materials seized under the NDPS Act, 1985.

Tax devolution advance instalment strengthens State finances for accelerated capital and developmental expenditure through distribution of Union tax proceeds.
Tax devolution was released to State Governments as an additional advance instalment alongside the normal monthly devolution schedule. The fiscal transfer shares net proceeds of Union taxes and duties with States, with the stated purpose of strengthening State finances and supporting accelerated capital and developmental expenditure. The release includes a State-wise distribution of tax-devolution proceeds.

Digital public procurement engagement begins with stakeholder events promoting transparent, efficient and inclusive marketplace governance.
Government e-Marketplace launched ten-day celebrations preceding its tenth Foundation Day, including a commemorative logo, stakeholder events and recognition of employees, buyers and sellers. The programme begins a year-long nationwide outreach initiative bringing together buyers, sellers, policymakers, industry representatives and ecosystem partners through events, dialogues and collaborative platforms. Its stated focus is technology-enabled, transparent, efficient and inclusive public procurement.

Protection and indemnity insurance expands domestic maritime risk coverage for third-party liabilities and strengthens self-reliant insurance capacity.
Bharat Maritime Insurance Pool has introduced a sovereign-backed Protection & Indemnity insurance product to cover third-party maritime liabilities, including crew and cargo claims, pollution liability and wreck removal. The product expands the pool beyond cargo and hull war-risk coverage and is supported by combined indemnity capacity and a port-correspondent network. The pool is intended to maintain uninterrupted maritime war-risk insurance, build domestic underwriting capacity, strengthen maritime risk management, reduce foreign-market dependence and promote self-reliance in specialised insurance solutions.