Gold loan borrowing capacity rises as gold prices climb, with valuation and eligibility rules unchanged.
Rising gold prices increase the borrowing capacity available against pledged gold because gold loan amounts are calculated on the basis of the weight and purity of the ornament and the gold rate applied on the assessment date. The higher rate environment therefore allows the same jewellery or coins to support a larger loan amount without any change in the underlying eligibility criteria. Gold loan eligibility requires the applicant to be an Indian citizen aged between 21 and 80 years and to submit one KYC document. Accepted security includes gold jewellery or ornaments of 18 karat to 22 karat purity, and gold coins up to 24 karat.

Quality-led MSME competitiveness drives India's push toward global value chains through benchmarking, excellence and continuous improvement.
India's MSMEs are presented as central to growth, manufacturing and exports, but the country's low global trade share is said to show a competitiveness gap. The text frames quality as the missing link between scale and participation in global value chains. It describes a National Quality Mission based on cluster development, self-assessment, roadmaps, total quality management, zero defect manufacturing and operational excellence, together with benchmarking, leadership development and continuous improvement.

Money laundering probe under PMLA focuses on alleged payments, loans and proceeds of crime linked to Exalogic and CMRL.
Enforcement Directorate continued its investigation under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act into alleged transactions between Exalogic Solutions Pvt Ltd and Cochin Minerals and Rutile Ltd, questioning Veena T again and examining her bank lockers. The probe concerns allegations that payments and loans were routed without corresponding services, with the ED alleging that the arrangements generated proceeds of crime and relying on a prosecution complaint filed by the Serious Fraud Investigation Office.

Model Risk Management guidance broadens regulatory expectations for AI, machine learning and third-party model governance.
Reserve Bank of India has released draft Guidance on Regulatory Principles for Model Risk Management for public comments. The guidance applies to a wide range of regulated entities and covers all models used by them, including third-party models and models employing artificial intelligence or machine learning. It sets out broad regulatory expectations across the model lifecycle to strengthen governance, oversight, risk management and controls against financial, operational, compliance and reputational risks.

Agri-food export acceleration gains momentum as BHARATI links startups with market access, compliance, and global buyers.
APEDA concluded the first cohort of its BHARATI export enablement and acceleration programme for agri-food startups. The initiative supports innovation, entrepreneurship, value addition, technology adoption and global market readiness, with training in export preparedness, market access, regulatory compliance, packaging, branding and investor readiness, together with mentorship and stakeholder engagement. It also facilitated international market exposure and early export outcomes across multiple foreign markets.

Index of Services Production expands monthly measurement of formal services output through trial indices, GST data, and GVA-based weighting.
Index of Services Production (ISP) is proposed as a monthly short-term indicator of real output in the formal services sector, using a base year of 2024-25 and trial releases before regular dissemination. The series will cover major services sub-sectors, exclude government and informal activities, and rely on administrative data, GST outward supplies and ASISSE estimates, with GVA-based weights and a fixed-weight Laspeyres volume index.

Customer liability in digital transactions: revised RBI norms mandate shadow reversal, zero liability rules, and prompt fraud protection measures.
Revised customer liability framework for digital banking transactions requires banks to strengthen systems for safe electronic banking, send instant SMS alerts for specified transactions, and record delivery and customer responses. On complaints of fraudulent transactions, banks must prevent further unauthorised activity, provide value-dated reversal where required, and apply zero liability rules for bank negligence or timely reported third-party breaches. A separate shadow reversal mechanism applies to fraudulent credit card transactions, and compensation is ed for small-value fraudulent transactions within stated limits.

Trade liberalisation and social security coordination advance as India and the United Kingdom prepare for new economic agreements.
Official visit to the United Kingdom to advance preparations for the India-UK CETA and Double Contribution Convention, including a bilateral meeting to align regulatory roadmaps, streamline cross-border customs coordination and finalise administrative mechanisms. The discussions cover tariff liberalisation, market access for Indian exports, operationalisation of the Double Contribution Convention for eligible temporary workers, and mutual market access commitments in key services sectors, alongside Government-to-Business engagements to strengthen trade, investment and industrial collaboration.

Foreign exchange compliance concerns emerge as missing transaction records, suspicious trades, and stock mismatches are alleged against the company.
The Enforcement Directorate alleged suspected contravention of foreign exchange law after searches against the company and related persons, stating that foreign transaction records were not produced and that verification of imports, exports, overseas investments, and trade settlements was therefore difficult. It also alleged unusual business indicators, suspicious block trades, possible undisclosed offshore links, fund routing through NRI benamidars, suspicious trade netting with foreign parties, and a substantial mismatch between recorded stock and goods found during physical verification.

Bilateral trade agreement talks advance as India and the United States weigh market access, tariffs and digital trade terms.
India and the United States reviewed progress on an interim bilateral trade agreement, discussing market access, digital trade, supply chain resilience, non-tariff barriers and strategic-sector cooperation. The talks focused on pathways to conclude an interim arrangement before an approaching tariff deadline, with both sides describing the discussions as substantial but without confirming that outstanding issues had been resolved. The broader framework also contemplates reciprocal tariff adjustments if agreed tariffs change.

Fixed deposit rate revision by Bandhan Bank offers higher returns for senior citizens and other depositors on select tenures.
Bandhan Bank revised interest rates on select fixed deposits by up to 20 basis points, offering higher returns for senior citizens and other customers on specified tenures. The bank also continues to offer an interest rate on savings account balances above Rs 5 lakh and up to Rs 10 lakh. The revision comes amid broader changes in deposit offerings while the Reserve Bank of India kept the repo rate unchanged and maintained a neutral policy stance.

India-U.S. Bilateral Trade Agreement talks advance with focus on market access, digital trade, supply chains, and interim deal pathways.
India-U.S. Bilateral Trade Agreement negotiations advanced through consultations on enhanced market access, digital trade, supply chain resilience, reduction of non-tariff barriers, and expanded cooperation in strategic sectors. The discussions also focused on an interim agreement as a milestone toward a comprehensive Bilateral Trade Agreement, with both sides reaffirming support for a commercially meaningful framework that benefits businesses, farmers, workers, and consumers and strengthens bilateral trade and trusted supply chains.

Bilateral Trade Agreement talks advance as India and the United States review market access, digital trade, and supply chain resilience.
India and the United States reviewed progress in negotiations for an interim bilateral trade agreement and examined core elements of the proposed Bilateral Trade Agreement, including enhanced market access, digital trade, supply chain resilience, reduction of non-tariff barriers, and expanded cooperation in strategic sectors. The discussions were directed toward concluding an interim arrangement as a milestone toward a comprehensive pact, with both sides describing substantial progress and reaffirming a commitment to a balanced, commercially meaningful agreement.

Monetary policy caution as RBI keeps neutral stance and says a rate hike is premature amid inflation risks.
Reserve Bank of India policy remains in wait-and-watch mode, with the Governor saying it is premature to talk of a rate hike and that the monetary stance will stay data dependent. The central bank is monitoring West Asia developments, crude oil movements, fuel-led inflation pressures and the monsoon, while assessing possible second-round effects on the broader economy. The RBI has kept the policy repo rate unchanged at 5.25 per cent and retained a neutral stance amid risks to growth and inflation.

Corporate law reform seeks to decriminalise minor procedural defaults, rationalise penalties, and streamline compliance for companies and LLPs.
The Corporate Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026 proposes amendments to the Limited Liability Partnership Act, 2008 and the Companies Act to support ease of doing business, modernise corporate governance, and improve the compliance framework for companies and LLPs. The proposed changes are directed at decriminalising minor procedural defaults, rationalising penalties, and shifting several minor lapses from criminal liability to monetary penalties, while streamlining regulatory processes and reducing litigation.

Bilateral trade agreement talks focus on market access, digital trade, and easing non-tariff barriers.
India and the US reviewed the core elements of the proposed bilateral trade agreement, including enhanced market access, digital trade, supply chain resilience, reduction of non-tariff barriers, and expanded cooperation in strategic sectors. The discussions also addressed pathways to conclude an interim agreement as an important step toward a comprehensive BTA. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to an agreement that is balanced, commercially meaningful, and beneficial to businesses, farmers, workers, and consumers in both countries.

NBFC consumer financing for camera purchases through EMI plans, partner stores, and pre-approved eligibility checks.
Bajaj Finance Limited is described as an RBI-registered deposit-taking NBFC-Investment and Credit Company engaged in lending, acceptance of deposits, and financial services for retail, SME, and commercial customers. The note also refers to a consumer finance arrangement for Nikon camera purchases through partner stores and Bajaj Mall, with pre-approved eligibility checks, Easy EMI Loan or Insta EMI Card options, repayment tenures from 3 to 60 months, and zero down payment on select models.

Bilateral trade agreement talks advance as India and the United States review progress and seek to deepen economic partnership.
India and the United States concluded ministerial-level talks on the proposed first phase of the bilateral trade agreement, reviewing progress in ongoing trade negotiations and exploring avenues to deepen economic partnership. The talks were conducted within a time-sensitive schedule, with both sides seeking to finalise the first phase before the expiry of temporary tariffs imposed by the United States.

Districts as Export Hubs initiative identifies turmeric and garlic as key export products, highlighting value addition and export promotion.
Turmeric and garlic were identified as the district's key export products under the Districts as Export Hubs initiative after review of export potential, agro-climatic suitability and market prospects. The District Export Promotion Committee considered the District Export Action Plan under the Foreign Trade Policy 2023 and noted that processing, packaging, branding and marketing could support value addition, improve farmers' income and expand export opportunities for local producers.

Gold loan valuation and eligibility rules shape secured borrowing against pledged jewellery, coins, and ornaments.
Gold loans are secured loans against pledged gold jewellery, ornaments or coins, with the loan amount determined by the gold's weight, purity, prevailing rate and the lender's loan-to-value ratio. Eligibility is described as simple, with Indian citizens aged 21 to 80 able to apply, while gold of 18 to 22 karat purity, and gold coins up to 24 karat purity, is accepted. Valuation excludes decorative elements and uses the lower of the previous day's closing price and the 30-day average closing price from the relevant market source.