DRI seizes around 5.8 kg foreign-origin gold worth Rs. 9 crores from a secret cavity in car, uncovering a sophisticated gold smuggling modus operandi;...
Third National Conference and Exhibition on Corporate Social Responsibility (NCCSR 2026) concludes, calls for stronger governance, convergence and out...
Union Finance Minister Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman on visit to Singapore for high-level meetings with Singapore Leadership and CEOs of business firms in S...
CCI approves acquisition of sole control over Omega-Meyer Ltd and Meyer Organics by BCPE Wellbeing Holdco Two Ltd. and Integral Investments Asia IV Lt...
Financial connectivity and investment cooperation focused on institutional capital, digital finance, and strategic-sector investment opportunities. Bilateral investment and financial cooperation between India and Singapore focused on mobilising long-term institutional capital, expanding financial connectivity, and increasing investment in infrastructure and strategic sectors. Investment discussions covered AI-related infrastructure, semiconductors, renewable energy, manufacturing, MSMEs, trade finance, healthcare and food supply chains. Financial-technology dialogue addressed asset tokenisation, digital money, CBDCs, interoperability and trusted settlement arrangements, alongside possible cooperation on their use in financial markets.
CETA implementation prioritises accessible origin rules, customs guidance, and business engagement to expand bilateral trade and investment. Effective CETA implementation depends on accessible tariff schedules, rules of origin and documentation guidance, together with support for businesses navigating tariff reductions, customs procedures, regulatory requirements and procurement opportunities. Committees, working groups and a joint utilisation review are intended to receive business feedback, address implementation issues and improve use of the agreement. Sectoral round tables, delegations and exhibitions, along with mutual recognition and capacity-building, are envisaged to support new exporters, product lines, investment and partnerships.
CETA implementation establishes annual utilisation data exchanges and institutional mechanisms to support preferential trade and resolve business barriers. CETA implementation includes annual exchanges of utilisation data and business feedback, beginning one year after entry into force, to identify barriers to preferential tariff use and support needs. Committees, working groups and government contact points will be established to maintain operational implementation and address emerging issues. Certificates of Origin issued through self-certification support claims for preferential treatment, while tariff-rate quotas apply to specified vehicle imports.
Trade openness and domestic manufacturing are positioned to expand technology access, investment, employment, and global competitiveness. Global market engagement through Free Trade Agreements is paired with domestic manufacturing and employment objectives. Access to advanced technologies and electronics is linked to investment in electronics, white goods and semiconductor manufacturing. Tourism, demographic advantage and international demand for Indian workers are identified as employment opportunities. Car-import quota arrangements with the United Kingdom and European Union are described as focused on expensive vehicles, while domestic automobile manufacturing and world-class quality standards are positioned as central to global competitiveness.
NDPS enforcement targets concealed poppy straw trafficking through intelligence-led vehicle interceptions, seizures, arrests, and continuing network investigation. NDPS Act enforcement involved two intelligence-based vehicle interceptions leading to seizure of 4,209.80 kg of concealed poppy straw, two vehicles and wheat bags used as cover cargo. Three persons were arrested under the relevant provisions. The recovered contraband included lanced poppy straw, unlanced poppy straw and poppy straw powder. Investigation continues to identify the source, intended recipients and other persons connected with the trafficking network.
Gold smuggling through engineered vehicle cavities triggered customs seizure and arrests after intelligence-led interception of interstate transport routes. Intelligence-led customs enforcement intercepted a car travelling from Kolkata to Hyderabad at Visakhapatnam and recovered 5,832.90 grams of 24-carat foreign-origin gold from a specially fabricated cavity beneath the front co-passenger seat leg space. The occupants reportedly admitted that the gold had been smuggled into India through the Indo-Bangladesh border. The gold was seized under the Customs Act, 1962, and both occupants were arrested.
Cross-border gold smuggling faces intelligence-led seizures where transporters cannot substantiate lawful possession or procurement of foreign-origin gold. Intelligence-led enforcement against cross-border gold smuggling resulted in the seizure of foreign-origin gold moved through road and railway corridors connecting Bangladesh-border areas and Tripura with Kolkata. Vehicle occupants and railway passengers failed to furnish documents supporting lawful possession or procurement of the gold. Investigations linked gold recovered in bangles and bars to material smuggled across the Indo-Bangladesh border and indicated the involvement of an organised syndicate using transport routes to move gold towards major markets.
Methamphetamine trafficking enforcement treats unauthorised possession and transport above the commercial threshold as serious NDPS offences. Methamphetamine is regulated as a psychotropic substance under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985. Unauthorised possession, manufacture, sale, purchase, transport, import or export is punishable according to the offence and quantity. The seized quantity exceeds the notified commercial quantity threshold of 50 grams; offences involving that category attract rigorous imprisonment from 10 to 20 years and a monetary fine under the Act.
Corporate social responsibility governance requires board oversight, impact measurement, sectoral alignment and stakeholder convergence for measurable development outcomes. Corporate social responsibility is treated as a component of corporate governance requiring company-level responsibility, Board oversight, public disclosure and impact assessment. Strategic CSR decision-making should be based on identified needs, implementation capacity, geographic and thematic relevance, measurable outcomes, monitoring and accountability. Sector-specific approaches, including the Comprehensive CSR Framework for Indian Coal Companies, support structured and need-based interventions. CSR reporting aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals enables assessment of corporate contributions, while credible impact measurement, transparency and stakeholder engagement support social-sector financing and purposeful CSR implementation.
Corporate social responsibility governance redirects compliance-led spending toward accountable, evidence-based interventions delivering measurable and inclusive development impact. CSR was examined as a strategic instrument for inclusive and sustainable development, rather than expenditure-led statutory compliance alone. Priorities included scaling effective interventions, addressing geographical imbalances in CSR resources, and aligning initiatives with national and regional development priorities. The CSR Exchange Portal was considered as a coordination mechanism for companies, implementing organisations and development stakeholders, supported by credible project information, transparent processes, data integration, and stronger project assessment, monitoring and reporting.
Economic resilience and evidence-based policymaking shape priorities for inclusive growth, macroeconomic stability, trusted digital infrastructure, and global partnerships. Macroeconomic stability, investment and financial resilience were considered in relation to global fragmentation, technological disruption and recurrent shocks. Deliberations addressed central banking responses to inflation, financial fragility and capital flows, alongside institutional credibility. Trusted digital infrastructure, artificial intelligence and communication networks were considered as drivers of productivity and economic transformation, subject to maintaining trust and competition.
AITIGA review negotiations face time-bound subcommittee deliverables to resolve policy issues and modernise trade arrangements. The AITIGA Joint Committee directed its sub-committees to accelerate pending review chapters through firm, time-bound deliverables and close coordination. Work covers legal and institutional issues, national treatment and market access, and rules of origin. ASEAN and India reaffirmed their commitment to resolve outstanding policy issues, deepen economic integration, and modernise the Agreement into a balanced and mutually beneficial framework strengthening bilateral trade.
International investment law requires balance between investment protection and States' regulatory authority amid sustainability and digital trade challenges. International trade and investment law are increasingly shaped by sustainability-linked trade measures and digital trade and require rigorous legal analysis. CTIL supports trade capacity through legal analysis for free trade agreement negotiations, WTO processes, dispute settlement and institutional knowledge-building. International investment law increasingly recognises States' regulatory authority alongside investment protection, with institutionalisation, legitimacy and the balance between investment and public power identified as central concerns. Research and capacity-building also address climate, sustainability, supply chains, artificial intelligence and other emerging trade-policy areas.
Expenditure-side GSDP compilation framework standardises regional estimates through common methods, local data sources, and allocation indicators. Draft guidelines establish a uniform framework for compiling expenditure-side Gross State Domestic Product estimates using base year 2022-23. They cover data sources, estimation procedures and methodologies for private and government consumption, gross fixed capital formation, inventory changes, valuables and net exports. State-specific data and allocation indicators are preferred, while recommended allocation methods support consistent estimates where direct subnational data are unavailable. The approach is intended to harmonise estimation practices and strengthen subnational national accounts capacity.
Freehold land monetisation proceeds through a two-stage electronic sale requiring technical bids and an Earnest Money Deposit. Monetisation of a 5.119-acre freehold industrial land parcel owned by HIL (India) Limited at Najafgarh Industrial Area, New Delhi, is facilitated through an E-Tender followed by E-Auction. Eligible bidders must complete registration, submit technical bids, and furnish the required Earnest Money Deposit or Bank Guarantee by the stipulated deadline. Sale is subject to "as is where is", "as is what is", "whatever there is" and no-recourse or no-complaint conditions. The exact land extent is to be determined through a joint survey with the successful bidder.
India-Singapore investment cooperation advances through investor engagement, financial connectivity, capital-market participation, and support for identified investment opportunities. India-Singapore investment cooperation is to be strengthened through engagements with political leadership, business representatives and global institutional investors. Discussions cover trade and investment, digital financial connectivity, capital markets, taxation, advanced manufacturing, skilling and aviation. The National Investment and Infrastructure Fund and GIFT City are identified as channels for Singaporean capital participation through investment vehicles and funds. The Ministry of Finance will facilitate connections between investors, Indian companies, financial institutions and State Governments for identified investment opportunities.
GST process reforms propose automated registration, refunds and return corrections while easing enforcement, credit access and trade compliance. GST process reforms propose automated registration, registration amendments and cancellation, return reconciliation, input tax credit correction, and phased system-based refund processing. Standardised demand notices and adjudication safeguards are proposed alongside lower penalties, capped penalty-only appeal pre-deposits, withdrawal of arrest powers and narrowed prosecution provisions. Input tax credit reforms would expand refunds and remove specified blocked-credit restrictions, while export measures would broaden zero-rated and export-of-services eligibility. Goods interception would be intelligence-based and authorised, with further compliance relief for small taxpayers and targeted classification, exemption and reverse-charge measures.
Free trade agreement utilisation enables MSME market access, rules-of-origin awareness, export participation, and foreign investment opportunities while protecting sensitive sectors. Free Trade Agreements are positioned to preserve sensitive domestic interests, particularly agriculture, fisheries and MSMEs, while widening market access for agricultural, marine, engineering, precision and electronic products and facilitating foreign investment. Proposed FTA utilisation desks across State Councils would assist MSMEs in using preferential arrangements, understanding rules of origin and market-access opportunities, participating in delegations and exhibitions, and presenting products and technologies to overseas markets.
Sole-control acquisition of nutraceutical and pharmaceutical businesses receives competition approval for Bain Capital-managed investment funds. Competition Commission of India approval permits BCPE Wellbeing Holdco Two Limited and Integral Investments Asia IV Limited, funds managed or advised by Bain Capital, to acquire sole control over Omega-Meyer Limited and Meyer Organics Private Limited. The target businesses provide nutraceuticals globally and in India, while Meyer Organics Private Limited also produces and supplies certain over-the-counter and prescription finished-dose pharmaceuticals in India.
Highway asset acquisition approval covers full ownership transfer of a tollway operator and road-project special purpose vehicles. Competition Commission of India approval covers the acquisition by Concessoc 41 SAS of the entire shareholding in Vishavari Tollway Private Limited and nine special purpose vehicles. The target entities operate designated national-highway stretches in Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and Gujarat, while Vishavari Tollway Private Limited provides operation and maintenance and engineering, procurement and construction services for those highway assets.
With the Indian economy regaining its robustness, the Income-Tax Department has collected additional Rs 2,477 crore from the top 90 advance tax-payers in the third quarter this fiscal.
The total Q3 advance tax paid by these 90 companies stands at Rs 12,881 crore against Rs 10,404 crore in the corresponding period last year with 61 of them paying more this year compared to the same period last year.
Significantly, 34 of these companies shelled out 100 per cent or more in advance tax during this quarter, an Income Tax source told PTI here
The 90 companies have together contributed Rs 33,358 crore to the advance tax kitty for the three-quarters so far this fiscal against Rs 27,197 crore in the same period last fiscal.
Of these, 68 paid a higher total advance tax payment till Q3 FY 10 while 22 shelled out a lesser amount.
Advance tax collection by top companies increases in the quarter, raising government advance-tax receipts and signalling stronger tax compliance.
Increase in advance tax collections from the top 90 corporate advance-taxpayers was recorded in Q3, with aggregate Q3 payments rising to Rs 12,881 crore from Rs 10,404 crore year on year and an incremental Rs 2,477 crore collected. Sixty-one companies paid more in Q3; 34 paid 100% or more of assessed advance tax. For the first three quarters the group's cumulative advance-tax payments rose to Rs 33,358 crore from Rs 27,197 crore, with 68 companies paying more year to date and 22 paying less.
Note: It is a system-generated summary and is for quick reference only.
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