Government and RBI Strengthen Digital Lending Ecosystem Through New Regulatory Framework, Digital Lending App Directory and Enhanced Customer Safeguar...
A First for India: EbixCash World Money's Perpetual RBI Licence Brings Trade and Family Remittances Within Reach of Millions - Unlocking Opportunities...
Core banking migration supports faster transactions, stronger cyber security, transparent services and more convenient digital banking for customers. Migration of the cooperative bank's core banking system to the Finacle 10.2.25 platform is intended to enable faster, more transparent and secure banking services. The platform is expected to support customer-friendly transactions, stronger cyber security, convenient digital banking and improved operational efficiency. It may also strengthen the bank's delivery of financial benefits under government welfare schemes.
Foreign investment recovery signals improved economic confidence amid sustained trade momentum and renewed food- and fuel-led inflation pressures. Foreign investment recovery, external trade momentum and inflation developments are examined amid geopolitical and supply-chain uncertainty. Strong export and import growth, the operationalisation of the India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement, renewed portfolio inflows and higher foreign direct investment were identified as supporting external-sector confidence. Consumer price inflation increased, led by food and fuel, while core inflation remained unchanged. Food-price pressures continued across staples, edible oils and vegetables, although comfortable foodgrain stocks could mitigate food-inflation effects.
Interim trade deal negotiations near completion as bilateral discussions advance tariffs, defence agreements, strategic cooperation, and regional security. India-US bilateral engagement focused on advancing an interim trade arrangement reported to be nearing completion, alongside discussions on tariffs, energy, defence and security, critical minerals, and artificial intelligence. The talks included a shared interest in finalising the interim trade deal and completing unspecified defence agreements connected with prior bilateral commitments. Regional security, West Asia, the Indo-Pacific, and Quad cooperation were also discussed amid efforts to restore bilateral relations following trade, immigration, and security-related strains.
Bail cancellation requires harm to criminal justice administration, not merely a legally flawed order granting liberty. Bail cancellation must turn on whether continued liberty obstructs the administration of criminal justice, not solely on legal error in the order granting bail. A deficient bail order, without more, does not justify revoking liberty. Challenges to bail orders should not displace the objective of timely trials and securing convictions. Although erroneous legal principles may require correction for consistency, they may not alone warrant cancellation of bail. Broader questions concerning the governing cancellation standard remain open.
Corporate law amendments face extended parliamentary review of proposals on compliance decriminalisation, ease of doing business, and governance modernisation. Parliament extended the Joint Parliamentary Committee's reporting deadline on the proposed Corporate Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026 until the end of the Monsoon Session. The Committee is examining amendments to the Limited Liability Partnership Act, 2008 and the Companies Act intended to facilitate ease of doing business, decriminalise minor procedural defaults, and modernise the corporate governance framework.
Same-day gifting delivery expands access to cakes, flowers and curated gifts through an integrated pan-India online platform. Archies Online has introduced a pan-India same-day delivery service for cakes, flowers, gifts and hampers across major cities. Its integrated online platform offers greeting cards, personalised gifts, chocolates, soft toys and curated hampers for personal, professional and festive occasions. Same-day options include Rakhi and Friendship Day collections, supported by product curation, fresh sourcing and a delivery network intended to provide timely and dependable gifting services.
Mephedrone trafficking enforcement uncovered a clandestine laboratory, controlled precursors, alleged drug proceeds and an intended receiver. Illicit manufacture and trafficking of Mephedrone, a psychotropic substance under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985, were addressed through an intelligence-led operation involving a clandestine laboratory. Manufacturing equipment, Mephedrone, its controlled precursor, Monomethylamine, and other chemicals used in manufacture were seized under the Act. Cash believed to be drug-trafficking proceeds and a further amount intended as token payment for delivery were recovered. Three persons were arrested in connection with the alleged network.
Bail parity in liquor-scam proceedings sustained where principal accused had bail; adverse investigative remarks were removed. Bail in the alleged liquor-scam proceedings was sustained on the basis of parity, the applicant's comparatively lesser alleged role, prolonged custody, and the documentary nature of the investigation. The evidentiary value of statements, financial records and digital material was regarded as an issue for trial rather than conclusive assessment at the bail stage. Adverse observations against the state economic-offence investigation were expunged.
Generic medicine import tariffs are designed to encourage domestic pharmaceutical manufacturing while preserving policy for patented, branded and innovative drugs. Generic medicine imports into the United States are proposed to remain duty-free for two years, followed by escalating tariffs. The structure is intended to encourage pharmaceutical companies to establish manufacturing plants and equipment in the United States, with higher duties applying where companies do not do so within the stated period. The policy is confined to generic drugs, while the approach for patented, branded and innovative medicines is stated to remain unchanged.
Oil-driven inflation pressures may prompt higher interest rates, despite equity gains led by artificial-intelligence and semiconductor shares. Asian equity markets largely rose following Wall Street gains led by artificial-intelligence and semiconductor shares. Rising crude oil prices are identified as a renewed inflation risk that could encourage central banks to raise interest rates, slowing economic activity and affecting equity valuations. Japan's reliance on imported energy and the effects of a weaker yen on trade values and energy costs are also highlighted.
Foreign exchange market volatility pressures the rupee as oil-linked geopolitical risks boost safe-haven dollar demand and prompt market monitoring. Foreign exchange market movement saw the rupee depreciate against the US dollar amid higher crude oil prices, geopolitical tensions affecting oil-shipment security, and safe-haven demand for the dollar. RBI measures intended to attract overseas deposits were reported to support market confidence through foreign-currency inflows. Dealers were monitoring possible RBI participation through state-owned banks to moderate currency volatility while permitting gradual exchange-rate adjustment and preventing disorderly market movements.
Rules-based multilateral trade engagement guides India's policy review, highlighting digital reforms, trade facilitation and clarification of market measures. India's WTO Trade Policy Review reaffirms commitment to a transparent, rules-based, inclusive and development-oriented multilateral trading system. It identifies reforms in trade facilitation, digital customs, logistics modernisation, quality infrastructure, Digital Public Infrastructure, innovation, sustainability, agricultural resilience and regional trade agreements. WTO Members recognised India's economic resilience and customs and digital modernisation, while seeking clarification on trade and investment regimes, Quality Control Orders, trade-remedy measures and WTO reforms.
Financial inclusion expands universal banking, social insurance, pensions and collateral-free credit for underserved households and entrepreneurs. Financial inclusion is pursued through universal banking under Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana, social-security coverage through life, accident and pension schemes, and credit access for underserved borrowers. Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana provides collateral-free institutional finance to micro and small business units for income-generating activities. The Stand-Up India Scheme supports Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe and women entrepreneurs through loans for greenfield projects in manufacturing, trading, services and agriculture-allied activities.
Foreign exchange contravention liability requires evidence that the person was responsible for the overseas transfer in question. Foreign exchange transfer for the 2009 South Africa cricket tournament was examined under the Foreign Exchange Management Act after funds were moved to an overseas entity without prior Reserve Bank approval. The appellate tribunal set aside the penalty imposed on Lalit Modi, finding no material establishing that he was in charge of the relevant affairs or personally responsible for the alleged contravention. Liability for a foreign-exchange contravention must rest on evidence connecting the person proceeded against with responsibility for the impugned transaction.
Rural infrastructure financing under RIDF supports irrigation, roads, water supply, cooperative digitisation, producer organisations and climate-resilient livelihoods. Rural Infrastructure Development Fund financing supports rural infrastructure in Haryana, including irrigation, roads and drinking-water assets. Rural cooperative strengthening includes digitisation and financial viability of Primary Agricultural Credit Societies, alongside promotion and financial support for Farmer Producer Organisations. Climate-resilient measures include watershed development, groundwater management, micro-irrigation, direct seeding of rice and vegetable clusters, supplemented by livelihood training for rural women and agricultural lending and project-appraisal support.
Supreme Court proceedings address juvenile adult trials, insolvency, electoral representation, environmental funds and foreign-exchange complaint requirements. Supreme Court proceedings covered election representation, criminal justice, insolvency and regulatory compliance. The Court considered challenges concerning political-party merger approval, separate insolvency proceedings for group entities, and espionage charges. It sought responses on an appeal mechanism for persons excluded from the National Register of Citizens and alleged non-utilisation of environmental relief funds. Criminal matters included medical assessment for interim bail, a fresh trial in a blast case, and the principle that a juvenile accused of murder may face adult trial where statutory conditions for a heinous offence are met.
Digital lending safeguards require verified app associations, responsible recovery, data privacy, grievance redressal and reporting channels against illegal loan apps. Digital lending safeguards include a public directory enabling customers to verify a digital lending app's association with a regulated entity. The Digital Lending Directions, 2025 impose mandatory requirements on recovery practices, data privacy and customer grievance redressal for regulated entities, lending service providers and digital lending apps. Measures also include blocking illegal loan applications following due process, cybercrime reporting channels, complaint facilities for unlawful money collection, and public awareness programmes on fraud prevention and risk mitigation.
Authorised Dealer Category-II remittances expand to specified trade and family-maintenance payments under the revised FEMA framework. FEMA framework revisions described as effective from May 2026 expand Authorised Dealer Category-II activities to include specified trade remittances and family-maintenance remittances, subject to the applicable RBI and FEMA framework. EbixCash World Money Limited states that its perpetual AD-II licence carries this expanded scope. The release describes a non-bank channel for MSME and SME cross-border payments, supported by Nostro-account settlement, remittance and travel-card services, and technology-enabled compliance measures including document verification, sanctions screening, fraud detection and transaction monitoring.
Foreign investment regulation: Draft rules propose simpler, principle-based compliance and clearer separation of procedural requirements from investment policy. Draft Foreign Exchange Management (Foreign Investment) Rules, 2026 propose a simplified, principle-based foreign investment framework. The proposals rationalise provisions, harmonise definitions, and separate procedural foreign-exchange requirements from foreign direct investment policy and sector-specific conditions. They aim to streamline procedures, reduce compliance burdens, enhance operational flexibility, and apply investor-neutral and investee-neutral provisions while preserving regulatory safeguards. The draft Rules remain subject to public consultation before finalisation.
Prepaid payment instrument programme adds mobility and gift card capabilities with digital servicing subject to applicable programme conditions. Prepaid payment instrument programme launched for Indian Overseas Bank through CARD91's technology stack, incorporating RuPay National Common Mobility Card and Gift Card capabilities. The programme was implemented following requisite approvals, testing and compliance validation. The RuPay NCMC facility supports prepaid, tap-based payments for metro, bus and parking transactions, subject to the bank's programme conditions and user eligibility. Digital card servicing may include balance enquiry, transaction history, reload or top-up functions, and customer support, subject to applicable programme terms.
The ECB policy is regularly reviewed and modified by the Government in consultation with Reserve Bank of India, keeping in view the evolving macroeconomic condition, sectoral requirements and investment demand. The policy was reviewed in June, 2009. As per the extant ECB guidelines, units in the SEZ are permitted to access ECBs for their own requirements. However, based on review effective from June 30, 2009, SEZ developers have been permitted to avail of ECB under the Approval route for providing infrastructure facilities also, as defined in ECB policy, within the SEZ. However, ECB shall not be permissible for development of integrated township and commercial real estate within the SEZ. The infrastructure facilities as defined in the extant ECB policy include (i) power, (ii) telecommunication, (iii) railways, (iv) road including bridges, (v) sea port and airport (vi) industrial parks (vii) urban infrastructure (water supply, sanitation and sewage projects) and (viii) mining, refining and exploration.
ECB can be accessed under two routes. Viz. (i) Automatic Route as outlined in Section I(A) and (ii) Approval Route as outlined in Section I (B) of Master Circular dated July 1, 2009 on ECB issued by RBI under FEMA. Under the Automatic Route, the eligible borrowers may enter into loan agreement with recognized lender for raising ECB complying with the amount, maturity, all-in-cost, and end use etc. conditions in the ECB guidelines without prior approval of the Reserve Bank. However, the borrowers are required to obtain a Loan Registration Number (LRN) from the Reserve Bank before drawing down the ECB. The procedure for obtaining LRN has been outlined in Section II(i)(b) of Master Circular on ECB and Trade Credits issued by RBI under FEMA,
This information was given by Minister of State for Finance, Shri Namo Narain Meena in written reply to a question raised in Lok Sabha today.
External commercial borrowings: SEZ developers may use the Approval route for permitted infrastructure financing, not real estate.
SEZ units may access ECBs for their own needs, and SEZ developers may obtain ECBs under the Approval route to provide defined infrastructure within SEZs; ECBs remain impermissible for integrated township and commercial real estate. ECBs are available under the Automatic Route or the Approval Route per the Master Circular: the Automatic Route permits eligible borrowers to contract with recognized lenders without prior RBI approval subject to amount, maturity, all-in-cost and end-use conditions and requires obtaining a Loan Registration Number before drawdown.
Note: It is a system-generated summary and is for quick reference only.
TaxTMI 
of 3352
Join Channel
TaxTMI 