Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation has put in place well-defined mechanisms to ensure timely collection and publication of official s...
Temporary Section 122 surcharge expiry may restore MFN treatment for Indian exports, while Section 301 tariff uncertainty continues. The US temporary Section 122 import surcharge on Indian goods is scheduled to expire unless extended or replaced, restoring affected imports to normal US MFN tariff treatment. Liability depends on entry for consumption or warehouse withdrawal. Section 232 national-security tariffs remain unchanged. Indian exports may still face fresh measures under Section 301 investigations into forced labour and excess manufacturing capacity, alongside potential country-specific or sectoral tariffs. The expiry may improve export competitiveness and market access, particularly for labour-intensive and MSME-driven sectors.
Quantum finance innovation will advance secure digital banking through cybersecurity, fraud detection, collaborative research, workforce development and digital literacy. A Quantum Finance Innovation Hub is proposed to apply quantum technologies to banking through stronger cybersecurity, proactive financial-fraud detection and secure digital financial ecosystems. The initiative will bring together industry, academia, startups, research organisations and government agencies to promote innovation in quantum computing, artificial intelligence and related technologies. It also focuses on workforce development, digital literacy, public confidence in digital financial services, and technology-enabled responses to cybercrime and digital-arrest scams.
Chief executive succession plan appoints a CEO designate, subject to shareholder approval, for an AI-led corporate leadership transition. Corporate leadership succession at Infosys is proposed through the appointment of Ashiss Kumar Dash as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer designate from 1 April 2027. The five-year appointment is subject to shareholder approval and follows a recommendation of the Board's Nomination and Remuneration Committee. The incumbent will remain in office until the transition date and support an orderly transfer of responsibilities. The succession plan identifies the CEO designate's business, technology-delivery, client and global operations experience as relevant to AI-led transformation.
Bullion market pressure intensified as rising oil prices, inflation concerns and restrictive monetary policy expectations weakened gold and silver sentiment. Gold and silver prices declined amid weaker global bullion trends, profit-booking, and higher crude oil prices linked to Middle East tensions. Market commentary associated the decline with inflation concerns and expectations that major central banks may sustain restrictive monetary policy for longer. Gold was described as facing near-term pressure from higher interest-rate expectations, inflation risks, and geopolitical uncertainty.
Quantum finance innovation will develop secure, AI-enabled banking solutions through collaborative research, startup incubation, cybersecurity enhancement and workforce development. Quantum finance innovation is to be advanced through a memorandum of understanding for establishing the PNB Quantum Finance Hub at Amaravati Quantum Valley. The hub will develop, test and support adoption of secure, intelligent and future-ready banking solutions using Quantum Computing and Artificial Intelligence. It will bring together industry, academia, startups and government agencies for research, innovation, incubation and acceleration of financial technologies, focusing on cybersecurity, fraud detection, operational efficiency, risk management and customer experience.
Foreign investment in inventory-based e-commerce is allowed only for exports of Indian-made goods, while domestic retail remains prohibited. Foreign direct investment in inventory-based e-commerce is permitted exclusively for exports of goods or products manufactured or produced in India. Restrictions on business-to-consumer and inventory-based e-commerce do not apply to these exports, subject to the Foreign Trade Policy 2023 and export regulations. Foreign direct investment in inventory-based e-commerce retailing for domestic sales remains prohibited, with the revised position taking effect upon the relevant foreign exchange notification.
Joint Home Loan Eligibility and Shared Repayment Liability Shape Borrowing Capacity, Tax Claims, Documentation, and Exit Planning. Joint home loans allow eligible applicants to combine income for a single housing loan, while making every co-applicant fully responsible for repayment. Eligibility depends on each applicant's income, financial obligations, credit history, age, repayment capacity and property criteria. Applicants should agree on EMI sharing, ownership proportions and exit arrangements before applying, as removal of a co-applicant requires lender approval and reassessment. Co-owner borrowers may claim applicable interest and principal repayment deductions subject to ownership, contribution and income-tax requirements. Each applicant must provide separate identity, income and banking documentation.
Export competitiveness increasingly depends on regulatory compliance, preferential trade access and diversification into smartphones, medicines, petroleum products and semiconductors. India's export potential to 2031 is centred on smartphones, polished diamonds, petroleum products and medicines, with the United States, Hong Kong, Japan, China, Singapore and the United Arab Emirates as important markets. New product opportunities include iron ore concentrates, gasoline vehicles and light petroleum oils. Although selected destinations offer duty-free or preferential access, market entry in mature markets increasingly depends on compliance with non-tariff measures, including registration, quality certification, safety documentation and product standards. Semiconductor-related manufacturing is identified as a long-term opportunity supported by expanding electronics capacity, supply-chain diversification and domestic incentives.
Foreign investment in inventory-based e-commerce is permitted exclusively for exports of Indian-manufactured or produced goods under export compliance rules. Foreign direct investment in inventory-based e-commerce is permitted exclusively for exports of goods or products manufactured or produced in India. Foreign direct investment remains permitted in business-to-business e-commerce and the marketplace model, while business-to-consumer and inventory-based direct sales to consumers remain prohibited except for the specified export activity. Export-oriented inventory-based operations must comply with the applicable Foreign Trade Policy and foreign exchange regulations governing exports.
Women's leadership in credit expands through a Chennai community platform supporting mentorship, inclusive lending practices, and financial ecosystem collaboration. The Chennai chapter of the 'Credit Goes to HER' initiative provides a platform for women professionals in banking, NBFCs, fintech, housing finance, academia and policy to share knowledge, obtain mentorship and collaborate on inclusive credit practices. It seeks to strengthen women's leadership and participation in the credit ecosystem while supporting responsible lending, financial inclusion, transparency and data-driven decision-making.
Digital personal-loan campaign combines online collateral-free borrowing, eligibility-based assessment, flexible repayment options and conditional lifestyle rewards for successful disbursals. Digital personal-loan campaign permits eligible customers to apply online for collateral-free borrowing and receive specified lifestyle rewards upon successful disbursal, subject to campaign terms. Applicants may check an offer, provide personal, financial and employment information, review loan terms, complete know-your-customer and bank-account verification, and undergo assessment. Interest rates, loan amounts and repayment tenures depend on eligibility, credit profile, income and internal assessment. An EMI calculator supports comparison of repayment options and estimation of monthly instalments before application.
Foreign-exchange market pressure weakened the rupee as elevated crude prices and risk sentiment drove trading conditions. Foreign-exchange market movement saw the rupee depreciate against the US dollar amid elevated crude oil prices linked to heightened West Asia hostilities. Weak domestic equity markets and foreign investor equity outflows contributed to negative sentiment. Market commentary indicated that prospective Reserve Bank of India intervention supported the rupee and could limit sharper depreciation, while shipping-security concerns contributed to elevated oil prices.
Homebuyer refund claims in developer insolvency proceed through pro-rata distribution of funds deposited for eligible buyers. Homebuyer refund claims connected with demolished residential towers are being considered within the developer's insolvency proceedings. Buyers who have not opted for alternative allotment seek repayment. Eligible refunds are contemplated on a pro-rata basis from funds deposited by the Interim Resolution Professional, subject to the claims process and the availability of deposited funds.
Free trade agreement tariff reductions create investment opportunities for Asia-Pacific manufacturers seeking UK and European market access. The UK-India Free Trade Agreement is presented as reducing tariffs on advanced machinery and manufacturing-related goods and creating trade and investment opportunities for Asia-Pacific manufacturers seeking UK and European market access. Manchester is promoted as an investment location through its advanced manufacturing cluster, skilled workforce, innovation infrastructure, international links, and available manufacturing and research space. Invest Manchester provides investor support and undertakes international engagement to develop trade, investment and innovation partnerships.
Practical legal training and structured internships strengthen judicial examination preparation, professional skills, and career exposure for law students. Legal education employability initiatives combine curriculum alignment for judicial and competitive examinations with mentoring, legal drafting practice, research training, and professional interaction. Internships provide practical exposure to courts, judicial institutions, government bodies, law firms, advocates' chambers, corporate legal departments, and non-governmental organisations. Students in integrated and three-year law programmes complete prescribed minimum internship periods, with summer and winter placements commencing after the first year. Specialisation-based internships cover civil, criminal, corporate, cyber, intellectual property, arbitration, taxation, and government or non-governmental legal work.
Student fashion showcase celebrates identity, personal storytelling, craft preservation and conscious creation through nine contemporary design collections. Student fashion showcase 'Astitva' presented nine contemporary collections exploring identity, belonging, transformation, memory, resilience, grief and cultural heritage through personal design narratives. The collections included a contemporary reinterpretation of Bhujodi weaving, Ajrakh block printing and Kumaoni hand-knitting, emphasising preservation of Indian craft traditions. Recognition included a designer award for the craft-revival collection and a sustainability award for a collection focused on craftsmanship, conscious creation, heirloom design and mindful luxury.
Rupee exchange-rate movements face pressure from elevated crude prices and equity outflows, moderated by possible central-bank intervention. Rupee exchange-rate movement in early foreign-exchange trading reflected a modest appreciation against the US dollar after depreciation in the preceding session. Possible dollar sales by state-owned banks, widely viewed as central-bank intervention, and a weaker US dollar supported the currency. Elevated crude-oil prices, foreign institutional equity outflows, and negative domestic equity-market sentiment continued to create downside pressure, although expected central-bank support was considered likely to limit losses.
Official statistics dissemination uses digital validation, release calendars, anonymised microdata and accessible platforms to strengthen timeliness and transparency. Official statistics collection and dissemination are supported through digital survey platforms with built-in validation, real-time monitoring and supervisory quality controls. Consumer Price Index, National Accounts Statistics and Index of Industrial Production data are collected, compiled or validated through specified quality and timeliness mechanisms. An Advance Release Calendar supports accountable publication, while anonymised survey microdata, stakeholder engagement and digital portals improve transparency, accessibility and use of official statistics.
Official statistical modernization strengthens macroeconomic measurement through revised bases, digital surveys, validated data collection and district-level estimates. Official statistical methodology and National Sample Surveys are periodically reviewed to reflect changing economic conditions, emerging data needs and international standards. Base revisions for key macroeconomic indicators incorporate updated data, expanded coverage, revised weights, administrative sources and improved estimation of the unincorporated sector. Survey methods are updated through expert consultation, pilot studies and field testing. Digital collection platforms, validation checks, real-time monitoring, AI-enabled tools and multilingual interfaces support improved data quality, quicker releases, high-frequency surveys and district-level estimates.
Energy statistics reporting expands with internationally aligned consumption data, energy-sector credit flows, and improved coal and electricity coverage. Energy Statistics India 2026 reports Total Primary Energy Supply and renewable energy potential, supporting energy policy and infrastructure planning. Its 33rd edition adds data on credit flow to the energy sector, the international energy scenario, and international marine and aviation bunker use. It aligns end-use consuming sectors for energy commodities with international standards and addresses data gaps in industry-wise coal and electricity consumption.
Government has made changes in the Investment Pattern for Non-Government Provident Funds, Superannuation Funds and Gratuity Funds. A Notification to this effect was issued by Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance, here today. The Investment Pattern is reviewed from time to time and revisions are effected based on the developments in the financial market and economy. The investment pattern was last revised on 24th January, 2005. Subsequently, it was decided to revise the investment pattern to make it more flexible and give the trustees of these funds more autonomy and discretion. Accordingly, the proposed revised pattern was put up on the website of the Ministry of Finance in draft form in September, 2007 inviting comments. A large number of comments were received and these have been examined by the Government.
Based on this feedback, the revised investment pattern was finalised and notified today. It explicitly recognises the fiduciary responsibility of the Trustees and the need for the exercise of due diligence by them and gives them greater flexibility in terms of a wider variety of financial instruments as well as greater freedom to actively manage the portfolio. The changes suggested in the new investment pattern include:
(i) merger of Central Government Securities, State Government Securities and units of gilt Mutual Funds into a single category and allowing investment up to 55% of the investible funds;
(ii) providing a flexible ceiling for various category of instruments instead of fixed investment ceiling as at present;
(iii) providing new category of instruments, such as, rupee bonds of multilateral funding agencies, money market instruments ;
(iv) permitting investment in term deposit receipts of not less than one year duration issued by scheduled commercial banks subject to the specified financial criteria; and
(v) permitting direct investment up to 15% of the investible funds in shares of companies on which derivatives are available in the Bombay Stock Exchange or National Stock Exchange.
Further, it has been provided that,-
(i) The Trustees of these funds will have freedom to exit from a rated financial instrument when their rating falls below investment grade as confirmed by one credit rating agency;
(ii) The Trustees have been given freedom of trading of securities, subject to the turnover ratio (i.e., the value of securities traded in the year divided by average value of the portfolio at the beginning and end of the year) not exceeding two.
(iii) Though it is expected that throughout the year the investments are in conformity with the investment pattern, the same may be achieved by the end of the financial year. Trusts will have the flexibility of exceeding the investment ceiling up to 10% of the limit prescribed during the year.
This investment pattern would come into force from 1st April, 2009, that is, from the financial year 2009-10.
BSC/SS/GN-196/08
Investment pattern reform grants trustees greater fiduciary discretion and wider permissible instruments, with staged implementation.
Notification revises the investment pattern for Non Government Provident Funds, Superannuation Funds and Gratuity Funds, consolidating gilt instruments into one category with an elevated ceiling, replacing fixed category ceilings with flexible limits, and adding eligible instruments including rupee bonds of multilateral agencies, money market instruments and qualifying bank term deposits; limited direct equity investment in companies with listed derivatives is permitted. Trustees are recognised as fiduciaries with duties of due diligence and are granted powers to exit downgraded rated instruments, trade within a turnover limit, and temporarily exceed ceilings subject to year end compliance.
Note: It is a system-generated summary and is for quick reference only.
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