On-screen marking irregularities draw allegations of tender manipulation, with calls for a CBI probe and ministerial accountability.
Congress leaders alleged serious irregularities in CBSE's introduction of the On-Screen Marking System for Class 12 exams and the award of the related contract. They questioned changes in tender conditions on bidder eligibility, turnover, capability standards, data-centre requirements, and blacklisting safeguards, saying these revisions may have favoured a particular vendor. They demanded accountability from the Education Minister and called for a full CBI probe and an independent judicial inquiry.

On-screen marking transparency faces answer-sheet mix-ups as CBSE reviews scanning quality and portal integration issues.
Around 20 answer-sheet mix-up cases were reported in CBSE's first-time on-screen marking process, with students identifying mismatched scanned copies through the portal. The board later shared the correct answer sheets with affected students and treated the complaints as top-priority concerns in the revaluation process. Scanning-quality issues also led to rescanning of about 68,000 answer sheets, while a little over 13,000 still did not attain the required legible quality even after rescanning.

Digital fixed deposits combine competitive returns, paperless onboarding and Video KYC for resident investors seeking secure banking convenience.
Competitive fixed deposit products are being marketed to depositors seeking stable returns, low-risk exposure, capital protection and digital convenience, with emphasis on RBI-regulated banking frameworks, paperless onboarding and online maturity management. The Equitas Digital Full KYC Digital Fixed Deposit is presented as a fully digital deposit option available through mobile-app onboarding and Video KYC, with deposit insurance coverage under the Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation framework.

International taxation outreach highlights transfer pricing, advance pricing agreements and safe harbour provisions under the new income tax framework.
Taxpayer outreach on the transition to the new Income-tax Act, 2025 focused on international taxation, transfer pricing and advance pricing agreements. The programme highlighted cross-border transfer pricing mechanisms, international cooperation, India's role in the global taxation ecosystem, and the relevance of advance pricing agreements and safe harbour provisions for certainty and ease of compliance. Departmental initiatives such as Kar Saathi were presented as part of stakeholder awareness and engagement.

Money laundering probe targets alleged fraudulent payments and related transactions linked to CMRL and connected entities
The Enforcement Directorate searched premises linked to former Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan, his family members and persons associated with CMRL in a money laundering probe under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act. The case concerns alleged fraudulent payments to Exalogic Solutions Private Limited, loans allegedly advanced despite repayment defaults, and related transactions said to have generated proceeds of crime. The agency acted on the basis of a Serious Fraud Investigation Office prosecution complaint treated as the predicate offence.

Online filing of ITR-2 is enabled for capital gains taxpayers without business income on the e-filing portal.
Online filing and Excel utility for ITR-2 have been enabled on the e-filing portal for assessment year 2026-27, allowing eligible individuals and Hindu undivided families with capital gains income, but no business or profession income, to begin filing returns.

Sexual harassment and religious conversion allegations trigger charge sheet with conspiracy, rape and harassment offences.
Police filed the first charge sheet in a case involving allegations of sexual harassment, exploitation and religious conversion at a TCS unit in Nashik. The Special Investigation Team submitted a 1,500-page charge sheet against four accused persons, with the case linked to nine FIRs and multiple arrests. The charge sheet invokes offences under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, and relies on WhatsApp chat screenshots and seized email trails.

Tax law simplification and voluntary compliance highlighted in outreach programme on the new income tax regime.
Tax authorities organised an awareness programme under the nationwide outreach campaign "PRARAMBH 2026" to familiarise taxpayers and stakeholders with the New Income-tax Act, 2025 and the Income-tax Rules, 2026. The programme highlighted simplification of tax laws, trust-based governance, decriminalisation of selected provisions, timely taxpayer services and data-driven NUDGE campaigns to encourage voluntary compliance.

Taxpayer awareness on the new tax regime highlighted Tax Year, return filing, and TDS/TCS compliance provisions.
A taxpayer awareness and outreach programme was conducted to familiarise stakeholders with the provisions of the Income Tax Act, 2025. The sessions highlighted the new Tax Year concept, return filing framework, and TDS/TCS provisions, with the stated aim of reducing compliance burdens and improving taxpayer convenience. An interactive question-and-answer session addressed implementation queries and supported stakeholder engagement.

Virtual digital assets taxation draws scrutiny as lawmakers back continued tax treatment amid regulatory uncertainty.
A parliamentary finance panel expressed concern over large-scale investment in virtual digital assets such as cryptocurrency and supported continuation of tax on such digital transactions. The discussion focused on the absence of a specific regulatory law in India, differing international approaches to regulation or prohibition, and the need to examine stakeholder views before recommending a future course of action. Cryptocurrency transactions are already subject to income tax and GST, including a 30 per cent income tax on gains, a 1 per cent TDS on certain payments, and tax treatment of gifts.

Pan-India solar inverter distribution expands market access, service support, and adoption across residential and commercial rooftop segments.
Pan-India distributorship agreement was entered into for FIMER's string inverter portfolio, with Redington Solar appointed as the distribution partner to extend nationwide market access for solar inverter products. The arrangement is intended to strengthen reach across commercial and industrial customers, solar developers, EPCs, rooftop installers, and residential users, including support for 3KW and 5KW inverter solutions under the PM Surya Ghar initiative as well as other commercial inverter offerings. The partnership provides single-point distribution support covering product availability, competitive pricing, credit assistance, logistics, commissioning assistance, and after-sales service.

Pan-Africanist rhetoric draws backlash as Macron's Africa summit intervention reignites debate over France's colonial legacy.
French President Emmanuel Macron faced criticism after interrupting a panel session at the Africa Forward Summit in Kenya and demanding silence from the audience. The backlash also followed his claim to be a "Pan-Africanist," amid debate over France's shift from a colonial legacy toward a partnership of equals with African countries.

Illegal constructions and municipal membership scrutiny follow notice, failed stay request and demolition at AIMIM corporator's properties.
Municipal action targeted alleged illegal constructions at the residence, office and shops of an AIMIM corporator after a notice called for a reply within 72 hours on the status of the properties. The corporator sought a stay, but no stay was granted, and the civic body proceeded with demolition under police protection while indicating that the property's fate could be decided if no satisfactory response was received. The matter was also linked to proposed action regarding the corporator's membership in the municipal body, subject to verification of property documents and alleged nondisclosure in the nomination process.

Transparent income tax compliance gets a tech-driven push with simpler language, digital assistance and automated refund processing.
Income tax administration is being repositioned around a simplified, transparent and technology-driven compliance framework under the Income Tax Act, 2025, with emphasis on reducing litigation, improving voluntary compliance and aligning taxpayers and tax authorities through clearer language. The department is promoting digital assistance and taxpayer outreach through initiatives such as an AI-powered chatbot, educational FAQs and brochures, and printed guidance on exemptions and TDS in regional language.

Workplace harassment and conversion allegations trigger POSH compliance push, with mandatory complaints committees and She-Box registration.
Allegations of religious conversion, sexual harassment, molestation and mental harassment at a private workplace led to police investigation, multiple FIRs and arrest of an absconding employee. The prosecution said the inquiry covered messaging platforms, online content and alleged conversion-linked conduct, while separate directions were issued for strict implementation of the POSH framework, including Internal Complaints Committees and She-Box registration for establishments employing 10 or more persons.

Income tax collection and compliance in Bihar and Jharkhand rise as the new tax law stresses clarity and easier filing.
Income Tax collection in Bihar and Jharkhand during the 2025-26 financial year was reported at about Rs 20,000 crore, with a substantial share received through tax deduction at source. Officials also noted that the new Income Tax Act, 2025 will replace the 1961 Act and is intended to improve clarity, ease of compliance, and reader-friendly presentation without altering tax policy.

Fake firms and forged identities allegedly used to route hawala-linked transactions, GST fraud and shell-company banking networks.
Alleged operation of a network of fake firms, forged identities and bank accounts was uncovered in connection with suspected hawala transactions, GST fraud and routing of large cash and electronic payments across multiple states. The alleged network was said to use Aadhaar, PAN and other documents of labourers, scrap workers, painters and daily wage earners to obtain GST registrations, open bank accounts and create shell companies, with multiple firms and accounts under scrutiny.

Startup ecosystem diversification drives innovation across food, design, compliance, education, IP trade and digital platforms in India.
India's startup ecosystem in 2026 is described as a diverse landscape of ventures spanning design, food, IP exchange, wellness, education, compliance, surveillance, gaming, real estate, digital platforms and social impact. The common focus is on solving real-world problems through scalable, future-ready models built on innovation, quality, sustainability, community enablement and purpose. The featured businesses include consumer brands, backend food production, IP trade infrastructure, agri-tourism, AI training, compliance advisory, premium manufacturing, lead generation, property discovery and child-focused medical support.

Direct tax collections rise despite tax cuts, with stronger corporate tax growth and stable non-corporate receipts.
Net direct tax collections increased in FY26 but fell short of the revised fiscal target after income tax relief measures were introduced in the budget. The changes included a higher rebate, revised tax slabs and rates, and a higher standard deduction, with collections showing stronger corporate tax growth, stable non-corporate tax receipts, and slightly lower refund issuance.

Direct tax collections rise with stronger gross receipts and lower refunds, though the revised target remains unmet.
Net direct tax collections for 2025-26 rose 5.12 per cent to over Rs 23.40 lakh crore, but remained below the revised estimate of Rs 24.21 lakh crore. CBDT data showed net corporate tax collections at Rs 10.99 lakh crore and personal income tax, including Securities Transaction Tax, at about Rs 12.41 lakh crore. Gross direct tax collection stood at about Rs 28.12 lakh crore, while refund issuance declined 1.09 per cent to Rs 4.71 lakh crore.