FinTech and banking education expanded through AI-integrated industry collaborations to prepare industry-ready professionals and strengthen cybersecurity.
Chandigarh University Uttar Pradesh will prepare industry-ready professionals for banking, financial services and fintech by integrating AI-augmented curricula, industry collaborations, experiential learning and corporate mentorship. The panel highlighted AI's transformative impact on financial-sector functions and cybersecurity, and stressed that financial discipline, tax reform and a strong regulatory framework are essential complements to education reforms that aim to enhance employability and economic inclusion.

ITR filing: Excel utility enabled for ITR-1 and ITR-4, easing compliance and extending the filing deadline.
The Income Tax Department has enabled an Excel utility for filing ITR-1 and ITR-4 for the stated assessment year, allowing eligible individuals, HUFs and non-audit entities to file returns and include certain long-term capital gains from listed equities in these forms. The forms were revised structurally and required additional system development, integration and testing before the utilities could be made available. The department has also extended the filing deadline for ITR-1 and ITR-4 for that year.

Digital access and ICT skills: survey reports widespread mobile and internet usage and methodological caveats for sub national estimates.
The CMS: T (Jan-Mar 2025) used CAPI and a two-stage stratified sample (FSUs allocated by projected population; SSUs as households, SRSWOR) to produce national estimates on mobile and internet use and selected self-reported ICT skills. Operational definitions: use = at least once in prior three months; ownership = active SIM personal device with majority-use rule for joint phones. High usage and smartphone possession among 15-29 year olds and households are reported, with state-level estimates subject to sample-size and Relative Standard Error limitations; ICT skills are self-reported and online purchases exclude services.

National Household Travel Survey to collect comprehensive travel data informing infrastructure and public transport planning.
The summary explains a preparatory national workshop for field personnel ahead of two nationwide surveys in the coming NSS round: the Domestic Tourism Expenditure Survey to collect household expenditure and trip data for the Tourism Satellite Account and the inaugural National Household Travel Survey to gather comprehensive travel behaviour data for infrastructure and public transport planning; the operation emphasizes rigorous field techniques, cross agency coordination, and near national coverage with specified accessibility exclusions.

Unclaimed dividend facilitation enables direct investor-company engagement and on-site grievance redressal at pilot investor camps.
IEPFA and SEBI will operate pilot Niveshak Shivir camps offering direct facilitation of long-held unclaimed dividends, on the spot KYC and nomination updates, and resolution of pending IEPFA claims through dedicated kiosks where investors, companies and RTAs interact directly to expedite recovery and provide immediate grievance redressal.

Free Trade Agreement investment clause secures major FDI commitments and complements domestic ease of doing business reforms.
The document describes coordinated international and domestic legal measures to boost investment and business ease: FTAs-highlighting an FTA investment clause with EFTA countries that secures staged foreign direct investment commitments and aims to catalyse additional ecosystem investment-alongside domestic reforms including removal of obsolete laws, decriminalisation, reduction of compliances, and the Jan Vishwas self certification framework to simplify statutory compliance. Industry government engagement on AI governance, skilling, and renewable energy policy is presented as regulatory support to attract and sustain investment.

Workplace assault prompts police complaint, medical care and initiation of criminal investigation and legal proceedings.
An alleged workplace assault between two Income Tax Department officers resulted in one officer's injury, prompt reporting to police, on-site police response and facilitation of medical care, and initiation of ongoing legal proceedings and investigation.

Counter-terrorism cooperation urged globally as diplomatic delegations call for united response and zero tolerance for cross-border terrorism.
Diplomatic and parliamentary interlocutors affirmed unified condemnation of terrorism and called for collective international measures to combat transnational violent extremism. The Indonesian PAN leadership and resident ambassadors expressed support for India's position that religion and race cannot justify exporting terrorism. The Indian all party delegation communicated a policy of zero tolerance and described its calibrated response, Operation Sindoor, while seeking cooperative political and diplomatic measures to uphold regional peace and security.

Multimodal connectivity under PM GatiShakti: infrastructure proposals evaluated to enhance regional transit and airport access.
The Network Planning Group evaluated four metro extensions and one Greenfield airport proposal for alignment with the PM GatiShakti National Master Plan, focusing on multimodal connectivity, last mile integration, and intermodal coordination to reduce travel time, ease urban congestion, enhance airport access, and stimulate regional economic and commuter benefits through targeted interchanges and terminal/airside infrastructure.

Digital transformation of PSGICs drives AI claims systems and product innovation to enhance service delivery.
PSGICs are directed to implement a time-bound digital transformation including AI-driven claim settlement, leverage advanced data analytics for pricing and claims modelling, develop innovative products for emerging risks including cyber fraud, strengthen underwriting and portfolio optimisation to align combined ratios with global benchmarks, and enhance customer-centric measures such as prompt grievance redressal, social media engagement, and Account Aggregator integration with end-to-end digital KYC; strategic collaborations and regular progress reviews are mandated.

Drug seizure under NDPS Act: concealed heroin and methamphetamine intercepted in truck cavities, four traffickers arrested.
Seizure operations under the NDPS Act intercepted heroin and methamphetamine concealed in specially fabricated cavities on trucks in Manipur and Assam; DRI, with Assam Rifles assistance, recovered multiple packets and arrested four suspected traffickers as part of an ongoing regional enforcement campaign.

Merger control: approval of combination between Jumbotail and Solv involving acquisition and multiple share subscriptions.
Approval is granted for a proposed combination where JTPL will acquire 100% of SCRTIPL and issue and subscribe shares to SC Ventures, Solv-India, SCV Master, Artal Asia and founders, creating new investor and holding relationships; JTPL operates an online wholesale marketplace and SCRTIPL operates the Solv B2B platform, while several investor and holding entities have indirect or no direct business activity in India and founders will backstop certain investment obligations.

Merger clearance granted for acquisition transferring control of a driveline and metal components supplier, enabling consolidation in the sector.
The Commission approved the proposed acquisition by American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings, Inc. of sole control of Dowlais Group plc through acquisition of the entire issued and to be issued ordinary share capital. The Acquirer and Target both operate in the design, manufacture and supply of drive transmission and metal automotive components, with the Target additionally engaged in sintered metal products, atomised metal powders and additive manufacturing.

ITR filing deadline extension to facilitate revised forms and updated e filing utilities for non audit taxpayers.
The tax administration extended the ITR filing deadline for individuals, HUFs and non audit entities to allow incorporation of structural and content revisions in ITR forms and to permit development, integration and testing of updated e filing utilities and back end systems, noting enhanced reporting requirements and the timing of TDS credit entries that would otherwise compress the filing window.

Extension of ITR filing deadline grants taxpayers additional time to file returns amid ITR revisions and system rollout.
Extension of the due date for filing Income Tax Returns moves the original July deadline to September to accommodate structural and content revisions in the notified ITRs and to allow time for development, integration, and testing of ITR utilities; the measure also addresses delayed reflection of TDS credits and aims to safeguard the integrity and accuracy of the return filing process.

Due date extension for income tax return filing granted to non audited taxpayers to accommodate revised ITR forms and system updates.
The due date for filing income tax returns for AY2025 26 is extended to September 15 for individuals, HUFs and non audited entities to allow additional time for system development and testing following structural revisions to ITR forms. Notified changes permit certain long term capital gains from listed equities to be reported in ITR 1 and ITR 4, revise deduction reporting (including 80C and 80GG) with dropdown selections, and require section wise TDS details; TDS credits are expected to begin reflecting in early June.

ITR filing deadline extended to accommodate extensive ITR form changes and system readiness, easing taxpayer compliance.
The CBDT has extended the due date for filing ITRs for AY 2025-26 for non audit taxpayers from the original July deadline to a later September deadline to accommodate extensive changes in notified ITRs and allow time for system readiness and rollout of updated ITR utilities, aiming to facilitate a smoother filing experience.

Market-linked wealth creation combines life protection and flexible fund switching with tax benefits for long-term financial goals.
Tata AIA Param Raksha Life Pro+ combines investment-linked wealth creation through a range of market-linked funds with comprehensive life protection. Key operative features include unlimited free fund switching, a high sum assured death benefit, advance payout for terminal illness, accidental disability and accidental death covers, and return of premiums options. The product is presented as addressing long-term financial goals while offering tax benefits and flexibility for policyholders.

Project monitoring to resolve land acquisition and forest clearance bottlenecks, urging portal use for timely infrastructure implementation.
The PMG under DPIIT reviewed bottlenecks in mega infrastructure projects in Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, prioritizing resolution of land acquisition and forest clearance issues through coordinated inter-ministerial and inter-governmental action. Project proponents were urged to use the PMG portal for raising and tracking implementation issues, while stakeholders were directed to strengthen institutional oversight and time bound monitoring to expedite statutory clearances and project execution.

Survey Methodology advances strengthen data-policy linkages and collaboration between producers and users for improved economic statistics.
The National Statistics Office, in collaboration with the Indian School of Business, is holding a Data User's Conference to present ASUSE 2023-24 and the Forward-Looking CAPEX survey, focusing on sampling design, coverage, methodological innovations, sectoral trends, and enterprise behaviour. Technical sessions and a multi-expert panel will examine the surveys' policy relevance, propose measures to enhance data quality, address gaps, and strengthen producer-user collaboration to improve the national statistical framework and support forward-looking economic analysis.