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.

SEBI chairman appointment: Finance Secretary named to lead securities regulator for a three-year term amid market outflows.
Appointment of the SEBI chairmanship to the Finance Secretary establishes him as head of the capital markets regulator for a three-year term, charged with market oversight amid outward foreign portfolio flows. The appointment follows extensive central administration experience, including leadership of public asset management and implementation of disinvestment and privatisation policies, and recent involvement in budget formulation and tax law reform.

Misuse of investigative agencies alleged, prompting electoral strategy focused on grassroots mobilisation and party discipline for a supermajority.
TMC leadership aims to secure a supermajority by winning at least one more seat than its prior tally through disciplined grassroots mobilisation and by diminishing opponents to the point of deposit forfeiture; it alleges politicised use of investigative agencies (Enforcement Directorate, CBI, Income Tax) against opposition figures and seeks to clarify and limit external political consultancy involvement while enforcing internal accountability and rewards for committed workers.

Insurance reform expands rural coverage and subsidies while tax reform raises disposable income and eases compliance.
Budget 2025-26 advances insurance-sector inclusion by permitting full foreign equity in insurers, granting tax and GST reliefs for micro and rural insurance, providing direct premium subsidies and viability gap funding, offering interest-free loans to insurers expanding rurally, and expanding government insurance schemes for low-income groups, farmers, women and gig workers while boosting digital distribution and agent commissions.

Long-term capital gains tax on property: revised reinvestment limits and rate changes reshape exemption and planning strategies.
Long-term capital gains on property are computed using the indexed cost of acquisition (adjusted by the Cost Inflation Index) and taxed under the revised post Budget regime; reinvestment exemptions under Sections 54 and 54F are now capped, the long term holding period for property has been reduced, and taxpayers may still seek exemptions via reinvestment in residential property, specified government bonds, affordable housing projects, asset diversification, or REITs, with real estate developers providing tailored planning and compliance support.

ISO certification recognises tax office quality management, enhancing administrative credibility and operational service capability.
Awarding of ISO 9001:2015 certification to the Office of the Principal Chief Income Tax Commissioner, Bhopal recognises its quality management systems in public administration, attributes the achievement to employee and officer performance, and presents the certification as enhancing the office's credibility and operational capabilities in administering services to taxpayers.

Roving inquiry into alleged dowry finances rejected as improper; statutory scheme and disputed facts not for tax inquiry.
The petitioner requested an income tax inquiry into alleged large cash dowry payments and ten years of the family's financial records, but the court dismissed the petition as a roving and fishing inquiry arising from a matrimonial feud. The court found the disputes to be highly contested questions of fact inappropriate for income tax adjudication, noted absence of a statutory mechanism under the Income Tax Act for the submitted complaint, and held that non response by tax authorities did not violate any fundamental or statutory right.

AI-based tax evasion detection expands enforcement by identifying fraudulent GST input credits and triggering targeted action.
Artificial Intelligence has been integrated into the state tax administration to identify misuse of the GST system, including fraudulent input tax credit claims and abuse of GST analytics, enabling algorithmic detection of anomalies for targeted investigation and enforcement to improve compliance and revenue mobilization.

Cash-for-job allegations demand familial defense as undisclosed wedding gifts and appointment irregularities attract public scrutiny.
A commission report found that Rakesh Kumar Paul was appointed to the commission and later made chairman based solely on a personal application without formal selection or verification, a process described as ill founded that enabled widespread corruption across numerous recruitments. The report also records allegations that Paul gifted jewellery to the son of the late chief minister which were not declared in the son's election affidavit or reported to income tax authorities, raising questions about gift disclosure obligations and political accountability linked to recruitment irregularities.

Bribery and money laundering: ED files PMLA chargesheet alleging tax assessment conspiracy and undue benefits against former tax officials.
The Enforcement Directorate filed a PMLA prosecution complaint and chargesheet in the special PMLA court at Ernakulam against five persons and Powath Jewellers, alleging a criminal conspiracy and bribery to secure a lesser income tax assessment through illegal gratification involving a Principal Commissioner of Income Tax, an ex ITO, and other named individuals; the court took cognisance of the chargesheet.

Chief Election Commissioner appointment under new selection law establishes tenure and retirement framework for the Election Commission.
Gyanesh Kumar was appointed Chief Election Commissioner as the first incumbent selected under the new statutory appointment framework for the Election Commission, confirming the applicable tenure limits and retirement age ceiling; Vivek Joshi was appointed Election Commissioner, constituting the poll panel that will oversee multiple forthcoming state assembly polls and reflecting prior administrative service and deputation in their trajectories to office.