GIFT IFSC emerges as a strong and vibrant international banking hub, mobilises over $52.8 billion under RBI’s FCNR(B) Swap Facility, $11.62 bn in EC...
Economic growth and infrastructure investment were presented as supporting exports, skilled employment, connectivity, and long-term development. Economic growth, export expansion and infrastructure investment are presented as interconnected drivers of India's development, global standing and employment opportunities. Infrastructure expenditure, railway expansion and improved transport connectivity are identified as measures intended to facilitate movement, simplify transportation, support trade and exports, and strengthen industrial and commercial activity. These measures are associated with the objective of a developed India by 2047 and enhanced employment, business and growth opportunities.
Co-location and dark fibre settlement addressed allegations of preferential market-data access and speed advantages in trading. SEBI's co-location and dark fibre matters involving NSE concerned allegations that certain stockbrokers obtained unfair preferential speed advantages to access market data and execute trades ahead of other investors. NSE pursued settlement applications covering both matters, and revised settlement terms increased the cumulative amount. Payments made by NSE together completed the agreed settlement amount.
Preferential tariff treatment remains the condition for finalising the bilateral trade agreement and improving Indian export competitiveness. Finalisation of the India-US Bilateral Trade Agreement is contingent on the United States extending preferential tariff treatment to India relative to competing supplier countries. Further negotiations are required following changes in the United States tariff environment. A comparative tariff advantage is intended to improve the price competitiveness of Indian goods in the United States market, particularly against competitors benefiting from lower duties under least-developed-country preferences or trade agreements.
MSME secured lending equity capital, subject to regulatory approval, supports expansion without management-control change in operations. Business Nextgen Finance Private Limited, a non-deposit taking non-banking financial company registered with the Reserve Bank of India, has raised Rs 215 crore in equity capital to expand secured credit for micro, small and medium enterprises. The transaction received prior Reserve Bank of India approval. The capital base will support secured lending scale-up, geographic expansion, technology investment and wider access to formal credit in underserved markets. The investment does not involve a change in management or day-to-day control.
Money-laundering probes into narcotics trafficking rely on predicate police and narcotics cases and examine cross-border linkages. Money-laundering investigation under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act involves coordinated searches in connection with multiple narcotics-trafficking matters. The investigation is founded on police and Narcotics Control Bureau FIRs and linked chargesheets concerning separate drug-trafficking allegations, including alleged trafficking in methamphetamine, marijuana and MDMA with suspected cross-border linkages.
Conversational AI account management enables businesses to access payment information, settlement support, refunds, and payment links through WhatsApp. RAY is a conversational AI account manager on WhatsApp that enables businesses to access payment information, support, and operational actions through messages or voice notes. It can provide payment summaries, analyse payment activity, monitor settlement status, generate payment links, and issue refunds. The AI assistant is designed to proactively identify payment-health issues, flag settlement events, recommend actions, and use merchant-specific context to support payment management without dashboard navigation.
Portfolio management services distribution enables certified mutual fund distributors to digitally onboard and report for eligible high-net-worth clients through AssetPlus. AssetPlus has launched Portfolio Management Services for certified Mutual Fund Distributor partners to digitally onboard, track, manage and report PMS investments for eligible high-net-worth clients. PMS distribution requires NISM Series-XXI-A certification and operates within the APRN distributor-registration framework. PMS comprises individually managed portfolios run by SEBI-registered Portfolio Managers and held in clients' demat accounts. The minimum investment is Rs. 50 lakh, and offerings are governed by the SEBI (Portfolio Managers) Regulations, 2020. The platform provides daily reconciliation of holdings, performance and valuations.
NPOP-certified ethnic rice exports strengthen organic producer access to international markets through certification, traceability, and organised export production. NPOP-certified ethnic rice exports from Tripura to Austria and the Netherlands connect local farmers and Farmer Producer Companies with international markets through organised, export-oriented production. The initiative emphasises certification, traceability, food safety and quality as requirements for access to markets for certified organic products. Buyer-seller linkages support export opportunities, while coordinated organic value-chain engagement strengthens certification and quality systems and supports producers in meeting international standards.
Gated residential community launch combines smart-home villas, extensive lifestyle amenities and planned expansion into future residential developments. VR LIVIN Ventures LLP launched 'THE FIRST', an 83-villa gated residential community in Madhavaram, North Chennai, which recorded sales of 20 villas during its first two launch days. The development includes smart-home villas and more than 50 lifestyle amenities, with access to nearby metro connectivity and social infrastructure. It forms part of the company's intended expansion of residential projects in Chennai and other South Indian locations.
GST rationalisation for amusement park admissions could lower ticket prices, stimulate consumer demand, and support investment without input tax credit. GST rationalisation for amusement park, water park and indoor entertainment admission tickets is sought through a flat 5% GST rate without Input Tax Credit. The proposed rate is intended to reduce ticket prices, improve affordability and increase customer demand in a capital-intensive tourism and entertainment sector. Many smaller and mid-sized operators report limited ability to offset GST liability through ITC. Lower taxation is projected to support facility expansion, revenue growth, new investment, employment and reinvestment in recreational services.
Money laundering linked to hybrid ganja smuggling involves alleged illicit cross-border transfers and foreign-exchange violations. Enforcement Directorate searches form part of a money-laundering investigation into alleged hybrid ganja smuggling from Thailand. A case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act concerns suspected laundering of drug-trafficking proceeds and transfer of funds to Thailand through illegal channels. The inquiry also examines possible foreign-exchange violations and an alleged arrangement involving carriers, visas and funds for transporting narcotic substances.
Foreign-currency deposit mobilisation supports currency appreciation while creating surplus-liquidity sterilisation pressures through deposit swaps in domestic banking markets. Foreign-currency deposit mobilisation strengthened foreign-exchange liquidity and supported rupee appreciation. FCNR(B) deposits, together with overseas foreign-currency borrowings and external commercial borrowings, increased aggregate foreign-currency resources. Bank swaps of such deposits with the central bank may create surplus banking-system liquidity and a sterilisation challenge, while oil prices, global yields, dollar movements and foreign equity inflows remain relevant currency-market factors.
Money laundering investigation examines alleged diversion of bank loans from a power project to group entities and personal use. Money laundering investigation under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act concerns alleged diversion of bank loans obtained by Kohinoor Power for a power plant in Jharkhand. The loan proceeds were allegedly transferred to other group entities and used personally. Searches were conducted at eleven premises associated with the group's promoters, directors and auditors. The company entered liquidation proceedings before the National Company Law Tribunal, with limited recovery for creditors.
Globalisation of auto component manufacturing is linked to trade access, resilient supply chains, technology adoption, safety, and vehicle scrappage. The auto component industry is encouraged to expand globally through reciprocal market access, overseas manufacturing, international investment and trade partnerships. Supply-chain resilience is to be strengthened through indigenisation of vulnerable products, access to critical minerals, and domestic capacity in auto components, speciality steel, technical textiles and semiconductors. Priority is also given to high-value integrated solutions, artificial intelligence-enabled quality control, vehicle safety and industrial parks offering manufacturing infrastructure. Vehicle scrappage requires coordinated government incentives and fair industry valuation to support replacement demand for new-age vehicles.
Updated IP cooperation guidelines strengthen cross-border innovation, patent examination coordination, traditional knowledge protection, and geographical indication commercialisation. IP BRICS Heads adopted Updated Operational Guidelines to direct result-oriented intellectual property cooperation, promote cross-border innovation, and reinforce joint engagement in global IP standards. Priority areas include protection of traditional knowledge and traditional systems of medicine, reinforced patent examination cooperation, exchange of search results, patent analytics, and geographical indication protection and commercialisation. Coordination mechanisms and periodic progress reviews are emphasised for effective implementation and continuity of cooperation.
Sovereign credit rating upgrade reflects resilient growth, improved fiscal expenditure quality, stronger financial systems, and a robust external position. India's long-term foreign-currency and local-currency issuer ratings were upgraded from 'BBB+' to 'A-', with a Stable Outlook, reflecting resilient economic growth, improved fiscal expenditure quality, strengthened financial-sector soundness, and a robust external position. Fiscal improvement is linked to greater capital expenditure and lower fiscal deficit. Financial resilience is supported by improved banking and non-banking sector asset quality and capital adequacy. External strength arises from a contained current account deficit, services surplus, and foreign-exchange reserves exceeding short-term external debt.
Public sector general insurance performance requires profitable underwriting, lower claim ratios, digitalisation, standardised monitoring, and quality grievance redressal. Public Sector General Insurance Companies were advised to focus on profitable business lines, reduce the Incurred Claim Ratio, and accelerate technology use and digitalisation while optimising related expenditure. They are to improve insurance penetration, density, outreach and customer awareness, particularly in underserved segments, while reducing protection gaps. A robust, standardised KPI framework should enable comparable financial and non-financial performance assessment and be reviewed quarterly. Customer grievances require expeditious and quality redressal.
Cross-border financing through GIFT-IFSC expands foreign currency mobilisation, external commercial borrowing disbursements, and international bond market access. GIFT-IFSC's IBUs mobilised foreign-currency liquidity under the RBI's FCNR(B) deposit swap facility, with 20 IBUs sanctioning USD 54.02 billion and disbursing approximately USD 52.82 billion as at 31 August 2026. Between April and August 2026, IBUs disbursed USD 11.62 billion in External Commercial Borrowings, while Indian banks raised USD 11.12 billion through bond listings on IFSC exchanges. These activities support cross-border financing, international capital-market access and foreign-exchange inflows.
Bilateral business council leadership appointment strengthens operational capacity to advance Canada-India economic and investment partnerships. Operational leadership for bilateral economic engagement is strengthened through the appointment of Shuchita Sonalika as the first Chief Operating Officer of the Canada-India Business Council. The appointment is directed toward enhancing the council's capacity to support expanding investment and economic relations between Canada and India, in coordination with its board, members and partners. Sonalika brings international affairs experience in advancing India's economic partnerships across global markets.
Regulatory certainty and compliance reforms support investment facilitation, infrastructure development, MSME credit access, and reduction of bank non-performing assets. Regulatory certainty, ease of compliance and investment facilitation are identified as central elements of India's economic reform orientation. The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code is included among reforms supporting regulatory certainty, reduced paperwork and easier compliance. Policy priorities include infrastructure development, artificial intelligence and data centres, credit access for MSMEs, reduction of banks' non-performing assets, fiscal discipline, and investment facilitation by central and state governments.
26 new passenger services, 8 DEMU services and 5 MEMU services to be introduced
Run of 57 trains to be extended
Frequency of 24 trains to be increased
First AC EMU rake to be introduced on Mumbai suburban network in 2013-14
72 additional services to be introduced in Mumbai and 18 in Kolkata
Rake length increased from 9 cars to 12 cars for 80 services in Kolkata and 30 services in Chennai
500 km new lines, 750 km doubling, 450 km gauge conversion targeted in 2013-14
First ever rail link to connect Arunachal Pradesh
Some Railway related activities to come under MGNREGA
For the first time 347 ongoing projects identified as priority projects with the committed funding
Highest ever plan outlay of Rs. 63,363 crore
Loan of Rs. 3000 crore repaid fully.
A new fund-Debt Service Fund set up to meet committed liabilities.
Freight loading of 1047 MT, 40 MT more than 2012-13
Passenger growth 5.2% in 2013-14
Gross Traffic Receipts – Rs. 1,43,742 crore i.e. an increase of 18,062 crore over RE, 2012-13
Dividend payment estimated at Rs. 6,249 crore
Operating Ratio to be 87.8% in 2013-14
Supplementary charges for super fast trains, reservation fee, clerkage charge, cancellation charge and tatkal charge marginally increased
Fuel Adjustment Component linked revision for freight tariff to be implemented from 1st April 2013
Enhanced reservation fee abolished
Elimination of 10797 Level Crossings (LC) during the 12th Plan and no addition of new LCs henceforth
Introduction of 160/200 kmph Self Propelled Accident Relief Trains
‘Aadhar’ to be used for various passenger and staff related services
Internet ticketing from 0030 hours to 2330 hours
E-ticketing through mobile phones
Project of SMS alerts to passengers providing updates on reservation status
Next –Gen e-ticketing system to be rolled out : capable of handling 7200 tickets per minute against 2000 now, 1.20 lakh users simultaneously against 40,000 now
Introduction of executive lounge at 7 more stations: Bilaspur, Visakhapatnam, Patna, Nagpur, Agra, Jaipur and Bengaluru
Introduction of ‘Azadi Express’ to connect places associated with freedom movement
Four companies of women RPF personnel set up and another 8 to be set up to strengthen the security of rain passengers, especially women passengers
10% RPF vacancies being reserved for women
1.52 lakh vacancies being filled up this year out of which 47000 vacancies have been earmarked for weaker sections and physically challenged
Railways to impart skills to the youth in railway related trades in 25 locations
Provision of portable fire extinguishers in Guard-cum-Brake Vans, AC Coaches and Pantry Cars in all trains
Pilot project on select trains to facilitate passengers to contact on board staff through SMS/phone call/e-mail for coach cleanliness and real time feedback
Provision of announcement facility and electronic display boards in trains
Providing free Wi-Fi facilities on several trains
Upgrading 60 stations as Adarsh Stations in addition to 980 already selected
Introduction of an ‘Anubhuti’ coach in select trains to provide excellent ambience and latest facilities and services
179 escalators and 400 lifts at A-1 and other major stations to be installed facilitating elderly and differently-abled
Affixing Braille stickers with layout of coaches including toilets, provision of wheel chairs and battery operated vehicles at more stations and making coaches wheel-chair friendly
Centralized Catering Services Monitoring Cell set up with a toll free number (1800 111 321)
Complimentary card passes to recipients of Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna & Dhyan Chand Awards to be valid for travel by 1st Class/2nd AC
Complimentary card passes to Olympic Medalists and Dronacharya Awardees for travel in Rajdhani/Shatabadi Trains
Travel by Duronoto Trains permitted on all card passes issued to sportspersons having facility of travel by Rajdhani/Shatabadi Trains
Facility of complimentary card passes valid in 1st class/2nd AC extended to parents of posthumous unmarried awardees of Mahavir Chakra, Vir Chakra, Kirti Chakra, Shaurya Chakra, President’s Police Medal for Gallantry and policy medal for Gallantry
Policy Gallantry awardees to be granted one complimentary pass every year for travel along with one companion in 2nd AC in Rajdhani/Shatabadi Trains
Passes for freedom fighters to be renewed once in three years instead of every year.
Setting up of six more Rail Neer bottling plants at Vijayawada, Nagpur, Lalitpur, Bilaspur, Jaipur and Ahmedabad
Setting up of a multi-disciplinary training institute at Nagpur for training in rail related electronics technologies
Setting up of a centralized training institute at Secunderabad--Indian Railways Institute of Financial Management
Five fellowships in national universities to be instituted to motivate students to study and undertake research on Railway related issues at M.Phil and Ph.D. levels
Fund allocation for staff quarters enhanced to Rs. 300 crore
Provision of hostel facilities for single women railway employees at all divisional headquarters
Provision of water closets and air conditioners in the locomotive cabs to avoid stress being faced by loco pilots
MKP/Samir/BS
(Release ID :92504)
Railway infrastructure and service expansion announced, including new lines, enhanced services, safety upgrades and digital ticketing improvements.
Railway policy for 2013-14 emphasises expansion of services and infrastructure, including new express and passenger trains, suburban AC EMU introduction, extended and increased frequencies, new lines, doubling and gauge conversions, and first rail link to Arunachal Pradesh. Financial measures include the highest plan outlay, full loan repayment, creation of a Debt Service Fund, projected traffic receipts and operating ratio, and marginal fare and freight tariff adjustments via a fuel adjustment component. Safety, accessibility and passenger amenities are advanced through accident relief trains, elimination of level crossings, station accessibility works, digital ticketing upgrades, and targeted recruitment and training initiatives.
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