Financial literacy campaigns expand guidance for Financial Literacy Centres, standardized messaging and targeted education to strengthen public financial capability.
RBI and NCFE coordinate nationwide financial literacy initiatives: Lead Banks to set up Financial Literacy Centres for special camps; a multi media multilingual campaign "RBI Kehta Hai" and mass media drives promote safe banking and consumer protection; a FAME booklet supplies standardized content for target groups; NCFE implements the National Strategy for Financial Education with targeted programmes for under 18 and over 60 audiences and reports delivery of fifty four programmes in the North East with measured improvements in knowledge, grievance redressal awareness, and fraud prevention.

Incentive scheme expands UPI-led digital payments under DIGIDHAN mission, increasing bank participation and merchant onboarding nationwide.
The Incentive Scheme for promotion of RuPay Debit Cards and low value BHIM UPI P2M transactions, supported by the DIGIDHAN mission and an Incentive Scheme for Banks (ISB) portal, was implemented following stakeholder consultations to incentivise banks, Third Party App Providers and merchant onboarding, expand QR/POS acceptance infrastructure, and thereby drive substantial growth in UPI-led digital payment transactions during the scheme period.

Digital payment security strengthened by AI fraud monitoring and national cybercrime reporting channels and awareness campaigns to prevent transaction fraud.
To address payment fraud, authorities have implemented device binding between mobile number and device, two-factor authentication via PIN, daily transaction limits and use-case curbs; NPCI provides AI/ML-based fraud monitoring to banks to alert and decline suspicious transactions; awareness campaigns and national reporting channels - a cybercrime portal, helpline and DoT's Digital Intelligence Platform with the Chakshu facility - enable citizen reporting of suspected financial cybercrimes.

Timely credit decisions for small enterprises-short decision timelines and digital, paperless lending to expand MSME finance.
Banks must furnish an indicative document checklist to MSE applicants and decide credit applications for small MSE loans within specified short timelines, guided by Board approved loan policies and prudential rules. The framework combines priority sector targets, collateral exemptions for small advances, simplified working capital computation and external benchmark linked pricing to expand access. Digital and market infrastructures - TReDS, account aggregators, unified lending interfaces, GST Sahay, Udyam Assist, digital credit scoring and online approval platforms - support automated, paperless loan appraisal, onboarding of informal micro enterprises and monitoring of outstanding dues, backed by credit guarantee schemes.

Non-performing asset reduction measures improve MSME credit health through resolution frameworks and targeted regulatory support.
MSME advances have risen while gross NPAs and gross NPA ratio have declined; regulators and the Government implemented measures including lender loan and recovery policy obligations, formation of recovery cells, enhanced information sharing, a comprehensive framework for compromise settlements and technical write-offs, an asset-transfer framework permitting transfers to eligible transferees including ARCs, the Pre-Packaged Insolvency Resolution Process for corporate MSMEs, and the Prudential Framework for early recognition and time-bound resolution of stressed assets.

Regulatory compliance: integrated payroll and spend platform automates employee expense processing and delivery of tax-saving benefits.
An integrated payroll and spend management solution links Zaggle Save and Strada's payroll platform to digitize employee expenses, reimbursements and benefits, eliminate manual touchpoints, enable real-time processing and centralized visibility, and automate the delivery of flexible tax-saving benefits while maintaining compliance with central banking and tax regulations through real-time compliance monitoring and payment-network compatibility.

Ex-post facto approval of MoU on financial and economic cooperation broadens institutional collaboration and investment frameworks between both countries.
Ex-post facto approval was granted to a Memorandum of Understanding on financial and economic cooperation between the Ministries of Finance of India and the State of Qatar establishing collaboration in economic policy coordination, use of financing tools, public private partnership frameworks and investment promotion, and providing for expert workshops, information exchange and business community dialogue to institutionalise bilateral engagement and explore new investment sectors.

Real time data collection strengthened through digital surveys and monitoring dashboards to improve employment statistics accuracy.
Budgetary support strengthens Real Time Data Collection for NSO surveys under the Capacity Development Scheme. PLFS uses CAPI and web applications with in built validation, real time submission, and structured training; methodology and findings are supervised by the National Statistical Commission and aligned with international labour statistics standards. DMEO's Output Outcome Monitoring Framework and an online dashboard capture scheme targets and progress, with evaluation reports and recommendations shared with ministries and the Department of Expenditure to inform scheme renewals.

Double Taxation Avoidance treaty renegotiation aims to restore Mauritius' investment conduit status and parity in investor treatment.
Amendment discussions focus on the Double Taxation Avoidance Convention (DTAC) and related treaty provisions with India to address perceived erosion of Mauritius' role as an investment conduit after the 2016 protocol. A second joint committee session will revisit both the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation and Partnership Agreement (CECPA) and the DTAC to address bilateral taxation rules, treaty treatment of investors, and trade imbalances, with Mauritius seeking parity with competing jurisdictions and greater facilitation of investment into African markets.

GST evasion detection increases; authorities deploy analytics and targeted controls to curb fraudulent registrations and ITC fraud.
Detection of GST evasion and Input Tax Credit (ITC) fraud is highlighted, with quantified case counts, aggregate amounts detected and voluntary deposits. Enforcement relies on intelligence-led, analytics-driven measures: risk-based selection of returns and audits, monitoring of e way bill anomalies, identification of fraudulent registrations and initiatives such as Project Anveshan using analytics and facial recognition to identify GSTINs prone to fraud.

Access to digital accounts: bill permits overriding access codes during authorised searches and surveys when passwords are withheld.
The Income Tax Bill, 2025 authorises an officer to override access codes for computer systems and 'virtual digital space' to inspect and seize electronic records, but strictly limited to execution during search and survey operations when the person in control refuses to provide passwords or access; presented as a reiteration of existing powers to obtain digital evidence necessary to detect and compute tax evasion, particularly where data is stored remotely or protected by access controls.

Fund domiciliation and tax-neutral regime expands fund migration and eases entry for global fund managers into IFSC.
GIFT IFSC's fund management framework uses tax-neutral fund domiciliation, relaxed investor eligibility and lower subscription thresholds, and clarified sponsor contribution rules to facilitate redomiciliation and market entry. The new FME Regulations and coordinated engagement with fiscal authorities aim to provide unified regulation, tax efficiency for Category III AIF distributions and redemptions, and operational predictability. Targeted incentives-such as fee waivers for ESG funds and eased FPI norms for NRIs-are intended to broaden investor access and strengthen GIFT IFSC's competitiveness for global fund managers.

Voluntary disclosure of foreign assets increased after targeted outreach, prompting ITR revisions and tax payments under a compliance-first campaign.
The Income-tax department's Trust First campaign used targeted SMS and email outreach to solicit voluntary revision of ITRs from taxpayers with significant foreign accounts or income, resulting in numerous belated returns, revised residential status declarations, reported foreign assets and additional foreign income, and tax payments; the campaign utilised data obtained through the Common Reporting Standard and FATCA exchanges and prioritised voluntary correction over immediate verification.

Unrestricted digital access by tax officials may enable surveillance and weaponisation of accounts based on mere suspicion.
The new income tax law is alleged to permit tax officials administrative access to taxpayers' e mail, social media, bank and trading accounts on mere suspicion, allowing reading of private conversations, monitoring of posts and tracking of financial transactions and investments; this removal of procedural safeguards risks intrusive monitoring and potential weaponisation of agencies for harassment, intimidation and reputational harm.

Decriminalization of business laws streamlines compliance, reducing legal risk and simplifying procedures to boost investment and exports.
The webinar presented and advanced EODB reforms focused on decriminalization and simplification of business laws, expansion of financial inclusion measures (including IPPB service growth and rural credit scoring), and targeted initiatives to deepen credit access and investment friendliness. It reported implementation steps on MSME credit reforms and MUDRA loan adjustments, proposed substitution of imprisonment with civil penalties for minor non compliances, and described plans for pension-sector regulatory coordination and an Insurance Laws Amendment Bill, with stakeholder recommendations forwarded to support timely budget implementation.

Legal notices and past convictions shape political attacks as former CM alleges repeated agency summons and contested punishments.
Assertion that a political figure was punished despite no wrongdoing and ongoing scrutiny by investigative and tax agencies, noting prior convictions in fodder scam cases and routine service of notices by the Enforcement Directorate, CBI and Income Tax Department as recurring instruments of pressure within a partisan political dispute.

Limited-edition race day merchandise launched, inspired by Nandi Hills, offering performance apparel and Novablast running shoes.
ASICS India launched a limited-edition race day merchandise collection for the TCS World 10K Bengaluru inspired by Nandi Hills, available online and at flagship stores. The collection features performance-focused items including a 100% polyester interlock graphic tee with sweat-wicking properties and a Novablast limited-edition running shoe with FF BLASTTM PLUS cushioning, presented in a coordinated Arctic Sky and Vapor colour palette to reflect local inspiration and support the race-day experience.

Public Financial Management System strengthens transparent, integrated digital government payments and supports harmonised Union State financial reporting.
The 49th foundation day noted the Public Financial Management System (PFMS) as a nationwide digital infrastructure that digitises government payments, integrates with multiple external systems and financial institutions, and improves transparency and direct delivery of scheme benefits. Officials stressed the need for harmonisation of Union and State accounts, including Urban, Rural and Local Bodies, to enable consistent financial reporting, and reported new PFMS functionalities such as electronic utilisation certificates and an e Asset module for tracking capital assets.

Regulatory leadership change installs rule oriented bureaucrat to steady market regulation amid privatization and investor outflows.
A senior career bureaucrat has been appointed head of the national securities regulator for a three year term, replacing a private sector chair whose tenure combined regulatory reforms with controversy. The appointee brings extensive experience in disinvestment and privatisation, having overseen major asset sales and the management of government equity in public enterprises, and is characterised by a rule bound administrative approach. The leadership change coincides with market volatility and foreign portfolio capital outflows, and follows a period of regulatory initiatives alongside allegations of conflict of interest and workplace complaints under the previous chair.

Regulatory leadership change: seasoned bureaucrat appointed to head market regulator amid foreign portfolio outflows and governance concerns.
Tuhin Kanta Pandey has been appointed head of the securities market regulator for a three-year term, replacing the outgoing chairperson. The appointment comes amid market pressure from foreign portfolio investor withdrawals and recent controversies affecting the regulator's reputation and internal culture. Pandey brings extensive experience as the longest-serving secretary of the department overseeing public asset management, having led disinvestment and privatisation initiatives including the transfer of Air India, and has been involved in central fiscal policy and drafting a proposed new income tax measure.