GST tax deduction at source applies to specified government payments, with monthly deposit, return filing, and certificate issuance requirements.
Section 51 GST TDS applies to specified government deductors from 1 October 2018, requiring registration before payment to suppliers above the prescribed contract threshold. Intra-State supplies attract 1% CGST and 1% SGST, while inter-State supplies attract 2% IGST, with tax computed on the taxable value excluding GST and cess shown in the invoice. Deductors must maintain records, generate CPIN challans, deposit tax, file FORM GSTR-7 within ten days after month-end, and issue FORM GSTR-7A certificates.

GST tax deduction at source: registration, deduction, payment, monthly return filing and TDS certificate requirements for deductors.
Tax deduction at source under the GST Act applies to specified government entities and public bodies making payment for taxable supplies above the prescribed threshold. The tax deductor must register online in FORM GST REG-07, deduct tax at the applicable rate from taxable supply value, deposit the amount through the GST portal by the due date, file monthly return in FORM GSTR-7, and issue FORM GSTR-7A certificate to the deductee. The guideline also covers treasury and non-treasury payment procedures, amendment of registration and return details, transitional cases, and default consequences including interest, late fee and penalty.

Green Technology and Innovation Strategic Partnership deepens India-Nordic cooperation on clean energy, sustainability and trusted technologies.
India and the Nordic countries agreed to elevate their relationship to a Green Technology and Innovation Strategic Partnership, focusing on clean energy, sustainability, innovation, emerging technologies and trusted technologies. The partnership is intended to combine innovation, scale and talent while advancing shared commitments to democracy, the rule of law, multilateralism and a rules-based global order. The leaders also discussed trade and investment ties, research collaboration, Arctic and polar research, skill development, talent mobility and cooperation in multilateral fora.

Information Security Management Systems certification strengthens police data protection, cyber resilience, and confidentiality of sensitive digital infrastructure.
Karnataka State Police Data Center has been awarded ISO/IEC 27001 certification for Information Security Management Systems, recognising compliance with internationally accepted standards for information security, data protection, cyber security practices and information management processes. The certification is said to strengthen confidentiality, integrity and availability of sensitive information and critical digital infrastructure, while improving cyber resilience, protection against unauthorised access, and the security, privacy, transparency and accountability of data management.

India-UK trade agreement implementation could ease whisky tariffs and support export growth, jobs and market access.
Swift implementation of the India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement is being sought by the Scotch Whisky Association, which expects the pact to support exports to India. The agreement has been signed and ratified in the UK, but operationalisation has encountered delays linked to proposed steel import restrictions. Officials are working on a creative solution so the agreement can be formalised at an early date, while the wider trade deal is presented as reducing whisky tariffs and supporting growth, jobs and export opportunities.

Input tax credit refund filing now requires Annexure-B through the offline utility with invoice-wise HSN/SAC reporting and GSTR-2B validation.
Annexure-B for refund applications involving accumulated Input Tax Credit must be furnished through the prescribed offline utility on the GST portal for specified refund categories, including exports without payment of tax, supplies to SEZ units or developers, inverted tax structure claims, and export of electricity. The utility requires invoice-wise HSN/SAC-wise reporting, separate line items for different input categories, correct disclosure of taxable value, tax amount, blocked credit status, and proper reporting of ITC reversals. The generated JSON is to be uploaded for validation against GSTR-2B, subject to the system rules for validation, duplicate checks, and file limits.

State Domestic Product estimation discussions focus on reconciling methodologies, data sources, and comparable GSDP estimates.
Annual joint discussions between the National Accounts Division and State/UT economics and statistics directorates are held to reconcile differences in State Domestic Product estimates compiled independently by the States/UTs and the national accounts authorities. The current exercise covers current price Gross State Domestic Product estimates for FY 2022-23, 2023-24 and 2024-25 on the revised base year 2022-23, with sectoral groups examining revised methodologies and data sources to arrive at comparable SDP estimates.

Industry-government collaboration drives reforms, export growth and digital infrastructure expansion for stronger competitiveness and resilient growth.
Industry-government collaboration is urged to improve ease of doing business, strengthen competitiveness and accelerate reforms through resilience, productivity, supply-chain strength and export growth. Investment in data centres, cloud services and digital infrastructure is promoted, with cloud services from India or Indian data centres to the rest of the world described as enjoying 100 per cent tax-free status till 2047. Export-led growth, value addition, industrial parks, a single-window system and integrated digital access are presented as key operational priorities.

Rupee depreciation driven by oil prices, capital outflows and dollar strength raises inflation and external pressure.
Sharp depreciation of the Indian rupee is attributed to elevated crude oil prices, sustained foreign portfolio outflows, widening trade deficits and broad US dollar strength. India's heavy dependence on imported oil increases dollar demand, while rising gold imports and higher overall imports widen the current account gap and add pressure on the currency. Reserve Bank of India intervention can smooth volatility, but it cannot fully offset structural pressure from oil costs and capital outflows.

Pillar 3 disclosure requirements are being aligned with Basel norms as draft capital adequacy amendments invite public comments.
The Reserve Bank of India has issued draft amendment directions to align Pillar 3 disclosure requirements with the Basel Pillar 3 disclosure framework and invited public comments. The consultation covers proposed amendments to capital adequacy directions for commercial banks and small finance banks, reflecting a review aimed at greater consistency in prudential disclosure norms. Comments may be submitted through the designated online regulatory channel, by post, or by email within the stated consultation period.

Inflation pass-through from fuel prices keeps CPI under watch as wholesale costs and RBI caution rise.
Retail inflation remained below the RBI's medium-term target even as wholesale inflation rose sharply, with fuel and energy prices driving a marked divergence between CPI and WPI readings. Petrol and diesel price increases are expected to add to retail inflation gradually through transport, logistics, food distribution and other input costs. The RBI is expected to maintain a cautious pause on interest rates while monitoring global crude prices, food inflation and the transmission of fuel price increases into retail inflation.

EV charging and critical power growth drive Exicom's strongest FY26 quarter with EBITDA breakeven and expanding capacity.
Exicom Tele-Systems reported its strongest quarter of FY26, with standalone revenue and EBITDA margin improving sharply and consolidated EBITDA turning breakeven for the first time since the Tritium acquisition. The company linked the improvement to stronger domestic EV charging demand, rising exports and Tritium's commercial scale-up, while noting that the full-year consolidated loss reflected a longer period of Tritium operations in FY26. It also highlighted growth in the critical power business and the inauguration of an integrated Hyderabad manufacturing facility.

Trade confidence in SME family businesses remains strong, but worsening risk and governance tensions are dragging down export potential.
India's SME family business exporters show strong trade optimism, but that confidence is being reduced by a hostile and worsening risk environment. A study of 461 leaders uses four indices to measure forward-looking optimism, macro risk burden, risk momentum, and family governance risk, producing a modestly positive Net Trade Confidence Score. The report highlights a structural gap between business expectations and operating conditions and calls for targeted support on trade literacy, export finance, and family governance in internationalisation decisions.

Money laundering through benami accounts and extortion allegations drove custodial interrogation in a large financial crime probe.
Proceedings under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act involved allegations that Ashok Kharat orchestrated an extortion racket and laundered more than Rs 70 crore through benami bank accounts. The agency alleged misuse of victims' documents, opening of multiple accounts in a single day, and acquisition of properties in the names of Kharat and his family members from the alleged proceeds.

Temple gold monetisation rumours denied; official communications confirm no approved scheme or strategic reserve classification.
False claims regarding a proposed monetisation scheme for temple gold holdings are expressly denied. Assertions that the Government plans to issue gold bonds to temples in exchange for temple gold reserves, or that any such proposal has been approved, are stated to be completely false, misleading, and without basis. Claims that gold plates on temple towers, doors, or other temple structures would be treated as Strategic Gold Reserves of India are also denied as baseless.

Sanctions compliance settlement follows alleged Iran-linked LPG shipments, with cooperation, self-disclosure and remedial controls credited.
Civil sanctions liability arising from alleged Iran-related LPG shipments was settled with the U.S. Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control, without any admission of the allegations. The company's purchases from a Dubai-based trader were alleged to have involved LPG that originated from Iran, despite being represented as Omani and Iraqi supply. OFAC credited extensive cooperation, proactive self-disclosure, suspension of LPG imports, and strengthened sanctions compliance measures across the corporate group.

Supply shock monitoring shapes RBI's data-dependent inflation stance as temporary price spikes may be looked through.
The Reserve Bank of India is monitoring whether supply shocks become embedded in the general price level and require monetary policy action. Temporary first-round effects may be looked through, but sustained increases that raise wages, production and transportation costs and generate broader inflation may call for tighter policy. A wide inflation tolerance band provides space to absorb short-run volatility while keeping the medium-term focus on price stability and data-dependent policy.

Sanctions compliance and voluntary self-reporting led to a reduced OFAC settlement for Iranian-origin LPG import allegations.
Adani Enterprises settled an OFAC sanctions matter involving apparent violations linked to imports of Iranian-origin LPG through Mundra Port by agreeing to pay USD 275 million. The company said the resolution did not constitute a finding of guilt or wrongdoing and resolved all related liabilities. OFAC reduced the amount after voluntary self-reporting, proactive disclosure, cooperation, and corrective compliance steps, including strengthened sanctions controls and enhanced internal measures across the corporate group.

Rupee pressure and forex controls intensify as rising oil prices, dollar strength, and import curbs weigh on currency stability.
The rupee weakened to a record low against the US dollar amid a strong dollar, rising crude oil prices, geopolitical tensions, and foreign investor outflows. Market participants noted that the exchange rate remained under pressure from global sentiment and elevated oil prices. The commentary also noted that RBI intervention and restrictions on imports of gold and silver could support the rupee at lower levels, while higher import duty and licensing controls on precious metals were intended to curb non-essential imports and reduce forex outflows.

Raw jute shortage and trade restrictions push jute mills toward closure, prompting demands for stock release and import relief.
Raw jute shortages, steep price escalation, and trade restrictions have disrupted jute mill operations in West Bengal, leaving mills without a transparent reference price or workable procurement conditions. Millers seek release of residual stocks, easing or withdrawal of stock and trade restrictions, permission for emergency imports, and restoration of a viable price corridor for raw jute. They also urge abolition of agricultural marketing fees and improved payment discipline to suppliers to stabilise supplies and protect employment across the jute belt.