Gold import duty hike drives sharp fall in volumes as foreign exchange conservation becomes policy priority.
Gold imports in India declined sharply in volume terms after the customs duty on gold and silver was raised from 6 per cent to 15 per cent. Imports reportedly fell to about 25-30 tonnes in a month from earlier levels of 75-100 tonnes, while higher global prices kept import values elevated. The duty increase is presented as part of a broader policy response aimed at curbing gold purchases and conserving foreign exchange for essential imports.

Money laundering probe over forged organ donation racket focuses on intermediaries, hospital transactions, and verification bypasses.
Enforcement Directorate searches were conducted at hospitals and residences across Kerala in a money laundering probe linked to an alleged racket facilitating illegal organ donations through forged documents. The investigation was based on multiple police FIRs, with preliminary material indicating that intermediaries arranged donations between donors, recipients and hospitals for substantial sums. Investigators were examining bank transactions and medical records connected with the alleged organ donation arrangements. Police enquiries also indicate that the accused forged hospital letterheads, police clearance certificates and recommendation letters to bypass verification and clearance requirements.

Trade and social security framework expands duty-free access, services mobility, and temporary worker contribution relief.
India and the United Kingdom will bring CETA and the Agreement on Social Security into force on 15 July 2026, creating a broad trade and mobility framework covering goods, services, digital trade, telecommunications, financial services, intellectual property, government procurement, innovation, SMEs, sustainability and transparency. CETA provides immediate duty-free access for nearly 99% of India's exports to the UK, expands services market access across 137 sub-sectors, and preserves protection for sensitive Indian sectors. The Social Security Agreement exempts temporary workers from dual contributions and extends the exemption period from 3 years to 5 years.

Trade agreement talks advance as India and the United States push for a balanced, commercially meaningful pact.
Trade negotiations between India and the United States were advanced through a directive by the two leaders to their officials to work towards a balanced, mutually beneficial and commercially meaningful interim bilateral trade agreement at the earliest. The talks were described as having made significant progress, with further negotiations already underway and a visiting trade representative expected to take them forward. Both sides also reaffirmed commitment to strengthen the India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership and expand cooperation across defence, strategic technologies, energy and bilateral trade.

Foreign interference in elections fuels Brazil-US tensions amid tariff disputes, sanctions, and criticism of drug-cartel designations.
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva warned against foreign interference in Brazil's October presidential election after remarks by the US President and renewed criticism linked to judicial action involving Lula's political rivals. The dispute reflects escalating tensions between Brazil and the United States over Brazil's domestic politics, including US sanctions against a Brazilian Supreme Court Justice and public comments about the Bolsonaro family. The article also notes proposed additional tariffs on Brazilian imports and Lula's criticism of the US designation of two Brazilian drug-trafficking groups as foreign terrorist organizations.

Phased customs duty cuts and quota limits govern UK passenger car imports under the India-UK trade pact.
India-UK trade pact provides phased reduction of customs duty on passenger vehicle imports from the UK, with quota-based access across specified engine-capacity and price bands. Conventional-engine passenger cars receive concessional treatment over 15 years, while electric, hybrid and hydrogen passenger cars are covered only from later years under limited quotas and reduced duties. Vehicles priced below GBP 40,000 CIF are excluded from market opening, and zero-emission two-wheelers, buses and trucks are excluded from any preferential customs duty concession.

Offer for sale structure drives National Stock Exchange's long-delayed public listing filing after regulatory hurdles ease.
National Stock Exchange filed preliminary papers for a proposed initial public offering structured entirely as an offer for sale by existing shareholders. The filing follows board approval and a no-objection certificate, after years of delay caused by regulatory concerns, including the co-location controversy and governance lapses. The exchange later made further compliance representations, appointed merchant bankers and other advisers, and pursued settlement in the unfair market access matter, with in-principle approval of that settlement described as removing a key obstacle to the proposed listing.

Social security exemption for Indian workers in the UK extends to five years under the trade pact.
Social security arrangements under the India-UK trade pact provide a temporary exemption from dual social security contributions for Indian workers and employers in the United Kingdom during overseas assignments. The exemption period is extended from three years to five years, applying to employees seconded from India to support UK operations. The arrangement is intended to preserve continued social security coverage during temporary postings and to facilitate labour mobility between the two countries.

Steel trade safeguards shape India-UK CETA implementation as quota limits and tariff rules are adjusted for exporters.
India-UK CETA is set to enter into force from 15 July 2026, with steel trade arrangements designed to keep a substantial share of India's exports outside the UK's safeguard measures. India's interests are said to be protected through country-specific quota, residual quota and access under the Authorised Use Scheme, while the UK's new steel regime will limit tariff-free imports, reduce quota volumes and impose a higher tariff on imports above the permitted levels. The article also notes the UK's planned carbon border adjustment mechanism from 2027.

India-UK free trade pact expands duty-free market access and extends social security relief for temporary workers.
India and the United Kingdom will bring into force the free trade agreement and the Agreement on Social Security, or Double Contribution Convention, on 15 July 2026 after completing internal procedures and ratifications. The pact is said to provide immediate duty-free access for 99 per cent of Indian exports, tariff reductions on selected British goods, and broader market access for services, while preserving exclusion lists for sensitive sectors. The Double Contribution Convention will exempt Indian companies in the UK from social security contributions for up to five years for employees sent from India.

Minimum Support Price guarantee and trade pact opposition drive a nationwide farmers' protest campaign.
Opposition to the proposed India-US Free Trade Agreement centred on demands for a legal guarantee of Minimum Support Price at C2 plus 50 per cent with assured procurement, repeal of free trade agreements, and a comprehensive farm loan waiver. The campaign also included planned nationwide protest action, protest forms to be by state bodies, and related demands on rural employment, wages, water rights and other local agitations.

Trade liberalisation and tariff cuts under the India-UK economic pact are set to begin on 15 July 2026.
The India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement is scheduled to enter into force on 15 July 2026, initiating a framework for deeper bilateral trade, investment and market access. The agreement is described as providing substantial tariff liberalisation across goods and services, including staged reductions or elimination of duties on selected products, and reciprocal social security coordination for highly skilled professionals on pre-existing visa routes.

International passenger and freighter operations set to begin at Navi Mumbai airport as customs readiness nears completion.
Navi Mumbai International Airport is expected to commence international passenger flights and international freighter operations from July 15, with Air India Express and IndiGo reported as the initial operators. Customs readiness for international operations was nearing completion, including relevant notifications and trial procedures for courier and cargo systems, with a further trade notice anticipated. The operator also said cargo would follow a hub-and-spoke model and that planning had begun for the next phase of terminal expansion.

Money laundering probe over alleged sham payments and loans draws ED questioning in transactions linked to proceeds of crime.
Enforcement Directorate questioning in a money laundering probe concerned alleged transactions between a now-defunct IT firm and a mining company, including payments said to have been made without corresponding services and loans allegedly extended despite delayed repayment. The agency alleged that these dealings generated proceeds of crime and summoned relevant documents relating to the firm's transactions. The investigation was registered under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act on the basis of a prosecution complaint filed by the Serious Fraud Investigation Office.

India-UK free trade pact and social security convention set to take effect together from 15 July 2026.
The India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) is scheduled to enter into force on 15 July 2026, marking the commencement of the bilateral free trade pact. The Agreement on Social Security, also described as the Double Contribution Convention (DCC), will take effect on the same date.

Country-of-origin fraud in walnut imports triggered customs duty evasion, arrests, and conditional release of seized consignments.
Fraudulent walnut imports were allegedly routed through Nhava Sheva Port by falsely declaring non-Afghanistan consignments as Afghanistan-origin to claim preferential tariff benefits under SAFTA, using forged transit bills of lading and proxy importers. Five persons were arrested and searches yielded digital and documentary evidence. In a related writ petition, conditional release of seized consignments was permitted only against deposit of the full differential duty or a bank guarantee of equivalent amount.

Ship-to GSTIN compliance and voluntary e-way bill closure reshape IRN and e-invoice API operations before production rollout.
Mandatory capture of Ship-to GSTIN has been introduced across specified e-Invoice API, e-Way Bill by IRN API and EWB Closure API flows, with URP permitted where GSTIN is not available. The revised framework requires a valid and distinct Ship-to GSTIN in Bill-to/Ship-to transactions, together with state code and PIN code validations, while export and B2B/SEZ scenarios are subject to specific treatment for ship details. A voluntary closure facility for e-Way Bills has also been introduced, with portal and API-based closure available using the EWB number, closure date and remarks.

Statistical governance and coordination strengthened through appointments to the National Statistical Commission and its standard-setting role.
Appointment of the Chairperson and Members of the National Statistical Commission was approved, with Dr. Saibal Chattopadhyay as Chairperson and three Members appointed. The Commission is a nodal body for core statistical activities, responsible for statistical priorities, standards and coordination. Its functions include standardising concepts, definitions, classifications and methodologies, improving public trust in official statistics, laying down quality standards, coordinating with governments and ministries, undertaking statistical audit, and monitoring the statistical system for performance improvement.

India-EU free trade agreement advances with investment, defence cooperation and connectivity talks on the agenda.
India and the European Union are to advance their trade and economic engagement by finalising a free trade agreement by the end of the year and accelerating work on an investment agreement. The two sides also identified wider areas of cooperation, including stepped-up security and defence cooperation and collaboration on connectivity through the India-Middle East-Europe Corridor.

Cybersecurity in banking hinges on distinguishing system breaches from customer deception, while faster patch deployment becomes critical against AI-driven vulnerability discovery.
Cybersecurity in banking requires a distinction between internal system breaches and cyber fraud caused by customer deception through phishing and social engineering. A private sector bank said its systems remain secure and that fraud incidents have not stemmed from weaknesses in its cybersecurity architecture. It also identified the main AI-related risk as faster discovery of software vulnerabilities, making quicker patch deployment and remediation essential.