Trusted service-call numbering requires verified utilities and logistics entities to use dedicated numbers exclusively for transactional and service communications.
The 1601-series is introduced for verified utilities, courier and logistics entities making service and transactional voice calls. Numbers must be allocated directly to eligible entities, not intermediaries or aggregators, following verification by telecom service providers and an undertaking of exclusive use. Promotional voice calls are prohibited on this series and remain associated with the 140-series. The framework separates these calls from the 1600-series reserved for regulated financial-sector and government-to-citizen communications, supporting consumer recognition of legitimate calls and reducing impersonation risks.

GST revenue collection drives tax growth while data scrutiny, taxpayer verification, and compliance capacity remain key administrative priorities.
GST constituted the principal component of tax revenue for the 2025-26 fiscal year. Tax administration faces staff shortages, information-technology upgrade needs, and increased workloads from taxpayer registrations and return filings. Compliance oversight requires GST data scrutiny, risk assessment, identification of unregistered taxpayers, tax-evasion detection, and field verification of high-risk taxpayers. Long-term revenue planning sets progressively higher collection targets through 2063.

Russian crude imports reshape India's refining trade as processed petroleum products reach sanctioning jurisdictions despite import restrictions.
Indian imports of Russian crude oil reached a second consecutive monthly record in July 2026, with Russian crude forming the dominant share of India's Russian fossil-fuel purchases and more than half of total crude imports. Higher receipts through smaller terminals offset reduced volumes at Paradip. Indian refineries processing Russian crude also exported refined petroleum products to sanctioning jurisdictions, including the European Union, Australia and the United States, despite the European Union prohibition on imports of oil products made from Russian crude.

Cyber-fraud through stolen phones allegedly used mule accounts, banking credentials and coordinated technical operations to divert victims' funds.
Investigation into unauthorised withdrawals after theft of a mobile phone uncovered an alleged interstate cyber-fraud network using stolen devices, linked banking credentials and mule bank accounts. The scheme allegedly involved phone theft, supply of accounts and banking instruments, and a technical operation that accessed victims' accounts and routed funds for withdrawal or transfer. Digital surveillance, transaction mapping, seized devices, victim data and transaction records are being examined to identify linked complaints and the extent of funds allegedly diverted.

Rupee depreciation reflected stronger dollar, elevated crude prices and geopolitical uncertainty, while portfolio inflows and equity gains provided support.
The rupee depreciated against the US dollar amid a stronger dollar, higher global crude oil prices and uncertainty surrounding West Asia-related negotiations. Concerns over crude oil's potential impact on the trade deficit weighed on the currency, while positive domestic equity markets and foreign portfolio investment inflows provided support. Market caution remained focused on forthcoming US inflation data, dollar-index movements and Brent crude prices. Foreign-exchange reserves increased during the reported period.

Collateral-free personal loans offer extended repayment flexibility, conditional reward benefits, and online application subject to eligibility and disbursal requirements.
Loan Utsav 2026 provides eligible Bajaj Finance Personal Loan applicants an exclusive reward bundle where the loan is successfully disbursed during the campaign period. The collateral-free facility supports personal expenses, offers repayment tenures from 12 to 108 months, and may enable lower monthly EMI obligations through a longer selected tenure. Interest rates depend on eligibility, credit assessment, financial profile and lending criteria. Online applications require personal and financial details and required documents, with disbursal for eligible applicants possible after verification and approval.

Credit card payment flexibility supports seasonal shopping and travel through eligible EMIs, rewards, tracking tools and conditional merchant benefits.
Credit-card spending features include conversion of eligible purchases into EMIs, selected no-cost EMI options, reward points, cashback, merchant discounts and payment flexibility. Travel-related benefits may include domestic airport lounge access, travel-booking discounts, fuel-surcharge waiver and anniversary-linked rewards. The AU 0101 application enables transaction tracking, balance and interest-rate monitoring, EMI conversion and bill-payment management. Features and offers are subject to change, customer eligibility, internal policies and partner-merchant terms.

Foreign-exchange market conditions weakened the rupee as stronger dollar and crude prices offset support from reserve growth and inflows.
Foreign-exchange market conditions saw the rupee weaken against the US dollar in early trading, influenced by a stronger dollar and higher global crude oil prices. Foreign institutional equity inflows and increased foreign-exchange reserves moderated pressure on the rupee. Market attention remained focused on developments in West Asia and the Reserve Bank of India, alongside movements in the dollar index, crude oil prices and domestic equity markets.

GI-tagged Mithila Makhana export facilitation expands sea-route market access while supporting quality compliance and farmer-linked value chains.
Export facilitation for GI-tagged Mithila Makhana enabled the first commercial sea-route shipment from Bihar to Australia. APEDA, in association with the Bihar agriculture department, supported market access, coordination, capacity building and stakeholder engagement. The export model is intended to improve farmer price realisation, require adherence to global quality standards, and strengthen growers, processors and exporters. A separate HS Code for Makhana has taken effect under the Finance Bill, 2025, supporting product-specific trade classification.

Startup ecosystem support expands through digital payments, cloud access, AI innovation, investment readiness, governance support and global market programmes.
DPIIT has entered into strategic MoUs to support DPIIT-recognised startups through payment infrastructure, entrepreneurship development, cloud technology, mobility innovation, investment readiness and global-market access. Eligible startups may receive payment and cloud support, technical training, mentorship, startup formalisation assistance, market and investor connections, AI and mobility enablement, and programmes addressing governance, financial readiness, compliance and international expansion. The collaborations promote innovation across digital payments, clean energy, artificial intelligence, climate technology, advanced manufacturing, mobility and automotive technology.

UPI transaction charges remain unavailable for consumers and person-to-person payments, while limited threshold-based merchant MDR may be considered.
Proposed amendment of section 10A of the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007 is intended to support UPI sustainability, technological advancement and resilience. Consumer payments and person-to-person transactions are to remain free. Any future merchant discount rate would apply only to limited merchant transactions above a threshold, at a nominal rate, while most merchant transactions remain free. The framework supports investment in cybersecurity, fraud prevention and infrastructure, alongside a self-sustaining and inclusive digital-payment ecosystem.

Fair competition cooperation in renewable energy markets advances knowledge-sharing and evidence-based enforcement across interconnected digital and energy markets.
BRICS competition authorities adopted a Joint Statement strengthening cooperation to promote fair competition, including in renewable energy markets. Cooperation focuses on dialogue, knowledge-sharing and consideration of cross-border competition challenges in digital markets, emerging technologies and the energy transition. Competition enforcement is to remain principled and evidence-based, supporting efficiency, consumer welfare, innovation and merit-based competition. A collaborative renewable-energy competition study identified evolving market dynamics and areas for future cooperation.

Cost optimisation in public finance strengthens investment decisions, risk allocation, indigenous manufacturing and value-driven government expenditure through specialised financial expertise.
ICoAS cost optimisation supports public financial management through prudent resource utilisation, financial oversight and improved cost management across government. Its role includes supporting indigenous manufacturing, better investment decisions, efficient public expenditure and maximum value for public spending. With greater private-sector participation and Public-Private Partnerships, ICoAS officers are expected to promote cost efficiency, appropriate risk allocation and sound project structuring. Capacity building emphasises integrity, financial modelling, data visualisation, analytical frameworks and artificial intelligence for improved public-finance management.

Co-operative development financing would expand through direct assistance, share-capital participation and wider operational powers for sectoral support.
National Cooperative Development Corporation (Amendment) Bill, 2026 proposes to broaden the Corporation's mandate to promote co-operative development. It would permit direct loans and grants to co-operative societies and other entities engaged in co-operative development, where funds are used for co-operative purposes. With Central Government approval, the Corporation could participate in the share capital of such entities. The proposals also expand the meaning of foodstuffs, remove geographical restrictions for industrial-goods assistance, and provide additional functional powers.

GST compliance failures and electricity subsidy controls raise allegations of financial irregularities and potential losses to the public exchequer.
Allegations based on a Comptroller and Auditor General report identified purported GST compliance failures involving outstanding tax liabilities, e-way bills generated after cancellation of GST registrations, limited bill scrutiny, non-compliance, and turnover mismatches. The allegations also concerned electricity subsidies extended to consumers with prolonged zero bills or apparent non-residence, presenting these issues as possible financial irregularities and losses to the public exchequer.

Money-laundering prosecution complaints allege fund diversion through shell entities, credit-facility evergreening, layered transactions and fictitious project expenditure.
Money-laundering prosecution complaints allege that funds from toll-road projects and credit facilities were diverted through group companies, contractors, shell entities and conduit accounts. In the toll-road matter, allegedly sham or back-dated subcontracting arrangements and subsequent documentation were used to portray transfers as genuine project expenditure. In the credit-facilities matter, fresh facilities were allegedly used to repay, rotate and evergreen earlier liabilities rather than for sanctioned end-use, with funds layered and presented as legitimate business expenditure or receipts. Attached assets are sought to be confiscated as alleged proceeds of crime.

Direct Benefit Transfer pension disbursement replaces cooperative-bank doorstep delivery, while preserving home payments for beneficiaries unable to use bank accounts.
Direct Benefit Transfer of social security and welfare pensions to Aadhaar-linked bank accounts is intended to replace cooperative-bank doorstep delivery, except for bedridden and similarly situated beneficiaries. The change addresses delays in remitting undistributed pensions, deficient record updates and reconciliation, duplicate payments, delivery incentives, and compliance with Direct Benefit Transfer norms. Criticism focuses on beneficiary access to linked commercial-bank accounts, possible minimum-balance deductions, exclusion of cooperative banks, and the effect on doorstep-delivery workers.

Engineering business growth supported Raymond's first-quarter performance, with export expansion, capacity investment and net-debt-free financial flexibility.
Raymond Limited reported unaudited first-quarter FY27 growth in total income, EBITDA and profit before tax before exceptional items, while remaining net-debt-free with a net cash surplus. Its Engineering business comprises Precision Technology & Auto Components and Aerospace & Defence. Growth in the former was attributed to export expansion, operating leverage, product mix and cost reductions. Aerospace & Defence growth was linked to production for global OEMs, portfolio expansion and increased capacity, although margins were affected by targeted research and development investment. Forward-looking statements remain subject to regulatory, political, economic and technological risks.

Savings account selection requires comparison of effective interest, fees, digital service, access, and individual banking needs.
Savings-account selection should compare effective interest returns under slab-based rates, recurring operating charges and the customer's actual banking needs. Net value depends not only on advertised rates but also on relevant minimum-balance, card, ATM, alert and transfer fees. Digital reliability, customer support, branch availability and ATM access should be assessed according to the customer's average balance, cash use, transfer frequency, travel patterns and need for in-person assistance. The suitable account is one that matches real banking behaviour.