Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman chairs 3rd Meeting of Apex Monitoring Authority of NICDIT and reviews the pro...
DFS Hosts PSB Confluence 2026: Day 1 Deliberations focus on Four themes- Deposit Mobilisation, Banking for Youth, Supporting the Investment Cycle and ...
EXIM operations at Vizhinjam commence with container movement, supported by investor facilitation, infrastructure backing and port-led logistics development. EXIM operations at Vizhinjam international seaport commenced with the flagging off of two containers after a successful trial export shipment. The state government proposes investor engagement, regulatory facilitation and infrastructure support to expand global export activities through the port. Mission Samudra is to operate as a port-led industrial and logistics development scheme. The deep-water port was developed under a public-private partnership model and had received commercial commissioning certification.
Money-laundering investigation under PMLA expands through searches into alleged consultancy payments linked to CMRL and Exalogic Solutions. Money-laundering investigation under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act involves fresh searches connected with Cochin Minerals and Rutile Ltd and Exalogic Solutions. The inquiry concerns alleged fraudulent payments made under the guise of IT consultancy services and a purported money trail involving persons allegedly connected with those transactions. The action follows earlier searches and questioning in relation to the same matter.
Recruitment examination irregularities trigger money-laundering investigation into alleged bribery, paper leaks, answer-sheet tampering, and preferential veterinary officer selections. Money-laundering investigation under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act concerns alleged irregularities in veterinary officers' final selection through a public recruitment examination. Searches covered premises linked to commission officials, alleged intermediaries, the digital evaluation entity, and selected candidates. Allegations include bribery demands, examination-paper leakage, OMR answer-sheet tampering, and facilitation of selection for relatives of commission officials.
Export-import operations advance through operational preparedness review and planned port-led industrial and logistics development initiatives. Operational preparedness for full land-based export-import operations at Vizhinjam Seaport was reviewed, including the Vehicle Traffic Management System. EXIM cargo operations follow a trial shipment of the port's first export container to Valencia. Mission Samudra is proposed to support port-led industrial and logistics development alongside these operations. The deep-water port was developed through a public-private partnership model and had obtained commercial commissioning certification before its dedication to the nation.
Industrial corridor development prioritises empowered SPVs, integrated infrastructure and investor-ready parks to accelerate manufacturing investment and operations. National Industrial Corridor Development Programme implementation prioritises timely infrastructure completion, land allotment, investment mobilisation and commencement of manufacturing. PM GatiShakti-aligned planning requires integrated connectivity, utilities and social infrastructure, while States should resolve land, clearance and SPV-power bottlenecks. BHAVYA proposes investment-ready, plug-and-play industrial parks appraised for ready land, credible demand, connectivity, utilities, realistic phasing and early investor attraction. NICDIT routes Government participation and equity support for BHAVYA project SPVs, and NICDC coordinates implementation and monitoring.
RERA compliance exemption for stalled housing projects raises whether statutory obligations may be waived to enable phased project completion. RERA compliance exemption is sought for completion of 16 stalled residential projects by a public sector construction entity appointed under a project-completion arrangement. The appellate insolvency tribunal declined to direct a waiver, considering itself incompetent to exempt compliance with statutory provisions. The arrangement requires phased completion, award and commencement of construction work, and oversight through an apex committee and project-wise committees. The projects remain incomplete owing to the developer's financial crisis.
Deposit mobilisation and youth banking guide strategies for stronger public financial institutions, investment financing and Global Capability Centre opportunities. PSB Confluence 2026 considers strategic priorities for Public Sector Banks and Public Financial Institutions across deposit mobilisation, banking for youth, investment-cycle financing and Global Capability Centres. Discussions seek practical, scalable strategies to strengthen customer engagement, youth-responsive banking propositions, institutional financing capabilities and participation in the expanding Global Capability Centre ecosystem. Youth engagement may use the MY Bharat platform to strengthen links with the formal financial system and awareness of education finance, entrepreneurship, internships and financial-sector careers. Further themes include value-chain infrastructure, priority sector lending and credit card business reform.
Banking-sector reform will guide lender capacity, financial stability, inclusion, consumer protection, deposit growth and responsible credit-card expansion. Banking-sector reform is proposed through a high-level committee on Banking for Viksit Bharat to review the sector and align it with growth needs while safeguarding financial stability, financial inclusion and consumer protection. Key themes include deposit mobilisation, youth banking, investment support, global capability centres, value-chain infrastructure, credit cards and priority-sector lending. Public-sector banks are expected to improve competitiveness through technology, sectoral expertise, product adaptation and customer-focused deposit growth. Credit-card development must maintain responsible underwriting, customer protection and appropriate risk controls.
FCNR(B) concessional swap facility availability narrows to timely mobilised deposits amid rupee depreciation and foreign currency inflow concerns. Foreign-exchange conditions reflected rupee depreciation amid weak domestic equity markets and higher crude oil prices. FCNR(B) concessional swap facility availability is confined to foreign currency deposits mobilised by banks within the revised cut-off period, replacing the previously longer mobilisation window. The facility is intended to encourage foreign currency inflows, while banks use the FCNR(B) scheme to mobilise foreign currency deposits through attractive interest rates.
Banking sector review panel will align future growth with financial stability, inclusion and consumer protection through government recommendations. High Level Committee on Banking for Viksit Bharat is proposed to comprehensively review the banking sector and align it with India's next phase of growth. It is intended to safeguard financial stability, financial inclusion and consumer protection, while providing views and recommendations to the Government on banking-sector development and reform.
Prime Minister Internship Scheme enhances youth employability through paid industry exposure, cross-field learning, workplace readiness and potential full-time employment. The Prime Minister Internship Scheme provides paid internships with leading companies across India to improve youth employability through practical workplace exposure, industry experience and skills development. It addresses the gap between classroom learning and employers' expectations of workplace readiness. Participation is not confined to academic qualifications, allowing youth to pursue fields of interest and gain hands-on professional learning. Strong internship performance may lead to full-time roles, while the scheme stresses responsible work where errors may affect quality, consumer safety and organisational reputation.
SAFTA origin fraud in areca imports allegedly enabled improper duty exemption through false Bangladeshi-origin declarations. SAFTA preferential duty treatment for areca-nut imports was allegedly misused by falsely declaring goods originating in South-East Asian countries as Bangladeshi origin. Since areca nuts normally attract 100% basic customs duty, the scheme sought to obtain the full SAFTA exemption reserved for qualifying Bangladeshi goods meeting Rules of Origin requirements. The alleged mechanism included routing goods through Bangladesh, changing containers and bags, using improperly obtained Certificates of Origin, and facilitating clearance through importers, Customs Brokers and IEC holders. Investigative findings also indicated cash proceeds, hawala channels and dummy entities.
FCNR(B) concessional swap facility closure may reduce temporary foreign-currency inflow support and heighten rupee weakness concerns. The Reserve Bank of India restricted its concessional swap facility for FCNR(B) deposits to deposits mobilised by August 31, advancing the earlier cut-off date. The facility was intended to encourage foreign-currency inflows, while banks mobilise such deposits through attractive interest rates. Market commentary indicated that existing inflows may support the rupee in the near term, but the curtailed availability of the facility could reduce this temporary cushion and increase depreciation risk.
Temporary tariff suspension for earthquake recovery is sought to ease pressure on affected Colombian businesses. Temporary suspension of high tariffs on Colombian products has been sought to support business recovery following a severe earthquake declared a natural disaster. The request links tariff relief to economic disruption affecting businesses amid extensive destruction, injuries and missing persons. United States emergency assistance has been provided through food, shelter and health supplies, while no response to the tariff-suspension request had been reported.
Port-led industrial development and direct export operations aim to expand logistics infrastructure, market access and trade connectivity. Mission Samudra is proposed as a port-led industrial and logistics development programme linked to the commencement of export-import operations at Vizhinjam seaport. It covers industrial clusters, new cities, port connectivity, logistics, development initiatives, programme management and capacity building. Direct export shipments are intended to improve overseas-market access and reduce transit time and logistics costs, particularly for small and medium enterprises. The framework also anticipates growth in warehousing, cold storage, container freight stations and logistics parks, supported by private participation and road and rail connectivity.
Electric vehicle export diversification strengthens India's presence across European, Asia-Pacific and Latin American markets through expanding overseas demand. India's electric motor car exports expanded sharply in the first quarter of 2026-27, reflecting increased international acceptance and competitiveness of India-manufactured electric vehicles. Europe became the principal export destination, led by Spain and the United Kingdom, with further demand across several European markets. Exports also reached Asia-Pacific markets, Nepal and emerging Latin American destinations. This wider market presence reflects improving quality and safety standards, stronger integration into global electric-vehicle supply chains, and diversification of India's electric-vehicle export profile.
LPG production preparedness requires refiners and upstream producers to maintain capacity and increase output during supply constraints. Government has established a standing LPG production preparedness framework under which refining companies, oil marketing companies and upstream producers may be directed to increase production during supply constraints. Companies must maintain adequate LPG storage, evacuation and transportation infrastructure and pursue technically and economically feasible production-enhancing measures. Written directions may prescribe production quantities and periods, including restrictions on alternative uses of input streams required for LPG. The production schedule is updated twice yearly to reflect new facilities and added capacity from infrastructure, technology and distribution improvements.
Free trade agreement market access requires MSMEs, farmers and exporters to meet global quality standards. Free trade agreements expand market-access opportunities for Indian MSMEs, exporters and producers through reduced or eliminated import duties on traded goods. Textiles, machinery, medicines, seafood and agricultural products can access international markets where they meet global standards and remain competitively priced. Farmers and producers are encouraged to develop export-oriented products, including chemical-free agricultural produce, while MSMEs may use preferential trade access to support manufacturing, exports, employment and growth.
Chemical-free farming can strengthen agricultural exports by meeting global standards and responding to rising international demand. Chemical-free farming is urged to meet growing global demand and expand agricultural exports. Agricultural products must meet global parameters to facilitate access to international markets, including markets opened through free trade agreements. Food processing, export-oriented farm production, and global branding of traditional cuisine, millets, spices, fruits and flowers are identified as important elements of agriculture and food production policy.
Voluntary foreign asset disclosure allows eligible taxpayers to regularise overseas holdings with immunity from further tax, penalties and prosecution. FAST-DS permits eligible taxpayers to disclose specified undisclosed foreign assets, foreign income, and foreign assets omitted from return schedules. Undisclosed assets or income not previously offered to tax may be declared up to Rs 1 crore on payment of an effective 60 per cent levy, based on fair market value as of 31 March 2026. Assets already offered to tax, or acquired during non-resident status but omitted from the return schedule, may be declared up to Rs 5 crore on payment of a fee. Valid declarations provide immunity from further tax, penalty and prosecution, while declared amounts are excluded from total income.
Union Finance Minister Shri Pranab Mukherjee released the first Budget Manual of the Union Government, here today. Releasing the Manual, the Finance Minister said that the Union Budget has evolved over the past six decades to reflect the strength of India's democratic processes in shaping its economy, and has emerged as a crucial tool for Public Finance Management. He said that this Manual is an attempt to bring together the entire Budget related activities and procedures etc. which were hitherto available in a dispersed manner in the form of executive instructions and guidelines . The Manual has been prepared by the Budget Division of the Department of Economic Affairs. Finance Minister Shri Mukherjee congratulated the Division for taking this initiative.
The Finance Minister said Budget Manual is a comprehensive document explaining in detail the procedures and activities connected with the preparation of Budget. Mr Mukherjee said that Budget Manual will serve as a guidance document to the officials involved in Budget making in the Finance Ministry as well as in other Ministries/Departments. He said that it is also expected to act as a good reference document for interested readers and stakeholders. He said that this document is an effort in the direction of fostering greater transparency and better understanding about procedures and systems relating to making of Union Budget.
At the outset, the Manual brings out the Constitutional provisions related to the Budget. It describes the contents of various Budget documents. The Finance Minister said that the Manual also deals with the Organizational aspects, roles and responsibilities of the Parliament, Parliamentary Committees and the responsibilities of various wings of the Executive in the Budget making process. The Union Government's accounting and classification systems have also been explained apart from the working of the Consolidated Fund of India, the Contingency Fund of India and the Public Account of India, the Finance Minister added.
Minister of State for Finance, Shri Namo Narain Meena alongwith the Secretaries of different departments of the Ministry of finance including Finance Secretary, Shri Ashok Chawla, Revenue Secretary, Shri Sunil Mitra, Expenditure Secretary, Smt. Sushma Nath, Secretary, Financial Services, Shri R. Gopalan, Secretary, Disinvestment, Shri Sumit Bose and Chief Economic Advisor, Dr. Kaushik Basu were also present on this occasion among others.
The core sections of the Manual explain the entire chain of activities related to Budget preparation right from the issue of Budget Circular in September to the Budget Day in February, including the processes of estimation of receipts and expenditure, their firming-up and finalization through the Pre-Budget Meetings and their compilation. The comprehensive calendar of Budget related activities, their timelines, details of the related duties and responsibilities of the officers and staff together with the Security and 'Lock-in' procedures have also been brought out. Finally the Manual deals with the Implementation and Reporting of various Budget announcements. There are also a series of Annexes which provide a holistic perspective on the related subjects. An attempt has been made to incorporate all the Budget related issues in the Manual so as to make it a self contained and one stop guidance document.
Text of the Finance Minister's address on the occasion is given below:
"I am pleased to participate in this function to release the Budget Manual for the Union Government. The Budget process of our country predates the Independence and has evolved over the past six decades to reflect the strength of our democratic processes in shaping our economy. It has emerged as a crucial tool for public finance management.
Budget was first introduced on 7th April, 1860, two years after the transfer of Indian administration from East-India Company to British Crown. The first Finance Member, who presented the Budget, was James Wilson. Mr. Liaquat Ali Khan, Member of the Interim Government presented the Budget of 1947-48. After Independence, India's first Finance Minister, Shri Shanmukham Chetty, presented the first budget of independent India on 26th November, 1947.
Toni Morrison, the famous author and winner of the Pulitzer and Nobel Prize for literature, had once stated, I quote-
"If there's a book you really want to read but it hasn't been written yet, then you must write it".
~Toni Morrison
The Union Government Budget Manual is one such book, the need for which has been felt for long. I am happy to note that the Budget Division has brought out this Manual. Large areas of the Budget making procedures and processes have not been in public domain, leading at times to some misinterpretations and conjectures. The Budget Manual will shed such misconceptions. I am sure this Manual will bring about greater transparency and better understanding about the Union Government Budget making procedures and systems.
The Manual attempts to outline the entire chain of events leading to the Union Budget. The purpose of this Budget Manual is to provide guidance and a training tool for the officers and staff engaged in the Budget preparation, not only in the Finance Ministry but in other Ministries/Departments as well.
Finally, I would also like to express my appreciation to the officials of the Finance Ministry for taking this initiative and completing the task of preparing the Union Government Budget Manual.
With these words I would now like to release the Budget Manual for the Union Government."
DSM/GN (Release ID :66030)
Budget Manual consolidates Union Budget procedures and roles, standardising accounting, timelines and transparency for public finance management.
The Budget Manual consolidates dispersed executive instructions into a single guidance document describing Constitutional provisions, contents of budget documents, accounting and classification systems, and the operations of the Consolidated Fund of India, the Contingency Fund of India and the Public Account of India. It delineates roles of Parliament, parliamentary committees and executive wings, and outlines the full sequence of budget formulation from the Budget Circular to Budget Day, including timelines, officer duties, security and lock-in procedures, implementation and reporting, with annexes for related subjects.
Note: It is a system-generated summary and is for quick reference only.
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