MSME and export promotion framework expands finance, technology, infrastructure, sustainability and global-market support for enterprise growth.
Haryana Progressive MSME and Export Promotion Policy 2026 creates a five-year framework for MSME growth through financial incentives, institutional support, industrial infrastructure, technology adoption and export facilitation. Identified thrust-sector enterprises may receive capital and interest subsidies, stamp duty reimbursement, employment assistance, insurance support, and incentives for automation, artificial intelligence, testing and research. Proposed venture capital and credit guarantee funds seek to improve institutional and collateral-free finance. Export support covers international certifications, credit, insurance, freight, e-commerce, trade fairs, documentation, compliance and buyer connections, alongside sustainability and inclusive entrepreneurship measures.

Employee data exposure alerts trigger review of alleged password spraying and MFA fatigue, with customer and operational systems unaffected.
Employee data exposure alerts prompted TCS to review allegations concerning limited basic employee information that appears to be more than four years old. No indication exists that customer data, customer systems, or operational systems have been affected. The alleged vectors involve password spraying and multi-factor authentication fatigue. TCS states that safeguards against these techniques have been in place for more than two years, its controls remain effective, and monitoring and further assessment will continue.

Mustard honey export demonstrates FPO-led aggregation, quality-focused production and industry collaboration for international agricultural market access.
Mustard honey export from Tripura to Dubai marks the first international shipment by Dergang Farmer Producer Organisation, supported through export-oriented aggregation and market linkage initiatives. The export creates overseas market access for local beekeepers and farmers, diversifies the honey value chain, and encourages quality-focused production. Industry collaboration supported bee production and an export-oriented supply chain, while capacity building, quality assurance, value addition and market linkages can strengthen agricultural exports and farmer participation in international markets.

Digital banking evidence gains recognition through a modernised framework for physical and electronic records, with privacy and security safeguards.
The Bankers' Books Evidence Bill, 2026, modernises the evidentiary framework for bankers' books by permitting banking records to be produced in physical or electronic form in legal proceedings. It recognises electronic, digital and virtual records and enables the Central Government to extend the regime to other regulated financial entities, supporting a uniform financial-sector evidentiary framework. The framework seeks secure and transparent use of banking records while safeguarding customer privacy, confidentiality and data security.

Illicit opioid medicine exports exposed through concealed cargo, clandestine manufacturing, repacking, and attempted transnational trafficking to Nigeria.
Illicit manufacture and attempted export of controlled opioid medicines were detected in a network producing, concealing, storing and exporting Tramadol Hydrochloride tablets to Nigeria. A consignment declared as Pregabalin capsules contained concealed Tramadol Hydrochloride and Tapentadol tablets. Investigation identified clandestine manufacture, repacking and preparation for export, with searches yielding tablet-compression machinery and raw materials. Tramadol is a psychotropic substance under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, while Tapentadol is regulated under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act and its rules.

Summons compliance under anti-money-laundering law faces appellate scrutiny after acquittal over unproven email service allegations.
Delhi High Court required Arvind Kejriwal to reply to Enforcement Directorate petitions challenging his acquittal in proceedings concerning alleged non-compliance with summonses. The trial court found that the agency had not proved intentional disobedience, service of summons through email, or lawful issuance of electronic summons under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act. The appellate challenge concerns proof of service, validity of electronic summons, and intentional non-compliance.

Pesticide residue concerns drive organic farming, school agriculture initiatives, infrastructure financing and climate-resilience support for farmers.
Food-safety concerns arising from pesticide residues and toxic substances are to be addressed through organic vegetable farming, household cultivation and the Kathir school-farming initiative. Kathir provides for institutional farming, teacher and committee support, markets, student training and clubs, with possible academic weightage for agricultural participation. Agricultural infrastructure financing supports post-harvest management, value addition, processing, packing, marketing and exports. Additional measures include banking support, agricultural technology adoption, women-farmer support and schemes addressing climate-related floods and drought.

Digital EODC processing removes physical duty challans through authenticated payment verification for export authorisation closure.
Export Obligation Discharge Certificate processing under the Advance Authorisation and Export Promotion Capital Goods schemes no longer requires physical duty-payment challans for voluntary customs-duty payments made on or after 1 August 2026. Authenticated licence-wise payment information is electronically transmitted from Customs/ICEGATE to DGFT systems and mapped to the relevant authorisation. Exporters can verify payment details on the customer portal, while Regional Authorities use corresponding back-office records, replacing manual submission and verification for authorisation closure.

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.