CBN Madhya Pradesh Unit busts high-tech MD manufacturing lab in Pune; Two masterminds arrested from Ujjain and Jodhpur under multi-city ‘Operation V...
Rupee depreciation reflects crude oil pressures, geopolitical uncertainty, safe-haven dollar demand, widening trade deficit, and rising inflation The rupee depreciated against the US dollar amid higher crude oil prices, renewed geopolitical concerns and increased demand for safe-haven dollar assets. Rising crude prices increased India's dollar-denominated import burden and contributed to foreign exchange outflows and pressure on the domestic currency. India's exports increased year-on-year in June, but the trade deficit widened as imports, particularly crude oil imports, rose. Wholesale price inflation also increased, while net direct tax collections recorded year-on-year growth, primarily reflecting higher corporate tax collections.
Bilateral economic cooperation expands through trade, investment, innovation, industrial partnerships and technology collaboration across priority sectors India and Spain pursued deeper economic cooperation through discussions on trade, investment, innovation and industrial partnerships. Priority areas included renewable energy, green hydrogen, advanced manufacturing, digital technologies, infrastructure, clean energy, mobility, tourism, automotive, railways and smart infrastructure. The discussions addressed market access, resilient supply chains, technology partnerships, investment flows and business linkages. The India-Spain Business Forum examined opportunities in manufacturing, infrastructure, renewable energy, digital technologies, the digital economy and innovation, while the Fast Track Mechanism was discussed as a means of facilitating new investments and strengthening business confidence.
Direct tax collections rise as corporate and non-corporate tax receipts grow, alongside increased refunds during the fiscal year Net direct tax collection increased by 16.40 per cent to over Rs 6.51 lakh crore up to July 13 of the fiscal year. Net corporate tax collection rose by 22 per cent, while net non-corporate tax collection, covering individuals, Hindu undivided families and firms, increased by about 12 per cent. Refunds of Rs 1.22 lakh crore were issued, and gross direct tax collection increased by 16.11 per cent to over Rs 7.73 lakh crore.
Export Order Through Subsidiary Expands Railway Equipment Business and Increases Unexecuted International Order Book Beyond Prior Executions IC Electricals received a USD 510,000 export purchase order from a United States customer through its subsidiary, Safe Coils India Private Limited. The order increases its unexecuted export order book to USD 1.8 million, representing growth of more than 300% compared with export orders executed during financial year 2025-26. The company manufactures railway electrical and electronic equipment and undertakes turnkey railway electrification projects, including design, supply, erection, testing, and commissioning of 25 kV AC overhead equipment and traction substations. Its forward-looking growth statements remain subject to governmental, economic, political, operational, and technological risks.
Excess GST collection requires promoter refund or direct GST claims by eligible homebuyers after credit-note deadlines expire Registered real estate promoters must collect GST from homebuyers only at notified rates and refund any excess collection or issue a credit note where legally permissible. If a project is cancelled, an agreement terminated, or an allotment revoked after the statutory credit-note period expires, an eligible unregistered allottee may seek a direct GST refund by obtaining temporary registration through a PAN and filing Form GST RFD-01 with proof of tax payment, supporting documents, and a promoter-issued certificate. Claims must be filed within two years and remain subject to GST verification.
India-UK trade pact expands preferential market access, with phased automobile tariffs, procurement rights, origin rules and intellectual-property safeguards The India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement provides duty-free or reduced-duty access for nearly 99% of Indian exports to the UK and phased tariff reductions for specified UK goods entering India. Automobile concessions are subject to quotas and differentiated treatment for conventional, electric, hybrid and hydrogen vehicles. Alcoholic-beverage concessions depend on phased tariff reductions and minimum import prices, while specified products remain excluded. The agreement covers government procurement, stronger intellectual-property enforcement while preserving compulsory licensing, temporary social-security contribution relief for transferred employees, and rules of origin requiring specified production, processing or value addition for preferential tariffs.
Wholesale inflation rises as mineral, food, fuel and non-food prices intensify, complicating RBI's inflation-management mandate. Wholesale Price Index inflation increased to 9.87 per cent in June 2026, driven by mineral oils, food articles, basic metals, and chemicals. Fuel and power inflation remained elevated, while food and non-food article prices also rose. Retail inflation increased to 4.38 per cent. The Reserve Bank of India primarily considers CPI inflation for monetary policy and is mandated to maintain headline inflation at 4 per cent, with a tolerance range of 2 per cent on either side. Its inflation projection was raised due to higher input costs and the transmission of global energy prices to retail fuel prices.
NCLT vacancies and infrastructure gaps remain under review as delays in insolvency resolution plans raise IBC efficiency concerns Delays in appointing judicial and technical members to the National Company Law Tribunal, inadequate infrastructure, and concerns over its disposal rate are being considered in suo motu proceedings. The hearing was deferred after the appointment process was reported to be underway. The proceedings followed concerns regarding persistent delays in approving insolvency resolution plans under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, including applications pending before the NCLT for periods ranging from weeks to several years.
Synthetic drug trafficking enforcement exposes clandestine Mephedrone laboratories, leading to arrests and seizure of manufacturing equipment under narcotics law Interstate synthetic drug trafficking enforcement under the NDPS Act, 1985 led to the dismantling of a sophisticated Mephedrone manufacturing laboratory and the arrest of two alleged chief conspirators during coordinated operations. Officers seized digital machinery, laboratory equipment, heavy glassware, precursor chemicals and safety gear used in illicit MD production. Sustained intelligence and interstate investigation identified a second facility financed and coordinated by a co-conspirator. Simultaneous searches resulted in the second arrest and seizure of the clandestine laboratory's equipment and chemicals, which were taken into possession under the NDPS Act, 1985. Further investigation remains in progress.
Wildlife trafficking enforcement targets ivory, endangered species, and transnational smuggling through coordinated operations and CITES-based protections Intelligence-led operations targeted organised wildlife trafficking involving endangered and protected fauna, ivory, and other wildlife products. More than 440 protected or endangered animals, approximately 15 kg of ivory articles and elephant ivory, and products including pangolin scales, leopard pelt, seahorse-based articles, and Red Sanders were seized, while 33 persons were arrested or apprehended. Elephant ivory recoveries were referred to the Forest Department for action under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. The Indian elephant is protected under Schedule I, trade in elephants and derivatives is prohibited, commercial ivory trade is restricted under CITES obligations, and ivory imports and exports are prohibited under the Foreign Trade Policy.
Reseller cover bids and coordinated supplies sales treated as cartelisation, with penalties and cease-and-desist directions imposed The Competition Commission of India addressed cartelisation in the sale and supply of toner, cartridges and other consumables used with print hardware products. Sixteen Tier-2 resellers were identified as having sought and submitted support or cover bids, contrary to Sections 3(3)(d) read with Section 3(1) of the Competition Act, 2002. HP India was identified as playing a central role in the arrangement. Monetary penalties were imposed on HP India, the resellers and relevant officials under Section 48, together with directions to cease and desist from the anti-competitive conduct.
Bid-price coordination and tender-participation manipulation in personal system products attract competition-law penalties and cease-and-desist directions. HP India and five resellers were found to have engaged in cartelisation in the sale and supply of personal system products. The conduct included dictating bid prices and manipulating reseller participation in GeM tenders by withholding authorisation. The conduct was treated as contravening Sections 3(3)(d) read with Section 3(1) of the Competition Act, 2002. The resellers were found to have acted in collusion with HP India, while officials were treated as liable under Section 48. Penalties and cease-and-desist directions were imposed under the Act.
Export Growth Driven by AI Demand as Technology Products, Semiconductors, and Electric Vehicles Lift China's June Trade Performance China's exports increased sharply in June, driven by strong external demand associated with the expansion of artificial intelligence. Exports of electric vehicles, semiconductors, and related technology products expanded significantly, while imports also recorded substantial year-on-year growth. Strong export manufacturing helped offset weakness in domestic demand.
Cryptocurrency investment fraud allegations trigger PMLA provisional attachment of bank deposits, flats, and commercial shops linked to diverted funds. The Enforcement Directorate reported a money-laundering investigation into an alleged cryptocurrency fraud involving ATC Coin. It alleged that investors were induced to contribute funds through assurances of high and assured returns, and that the collections were deposited with Jewria Services Club India before being diverted through accounts of the accused and associated entities. Under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, bank deposits and Mumbai properties comprising residential flats and commercial shops were provisionally attached.
Preferential market access anchors India-US trade negotiations as tariff investigations and bilateral commitments remain under discussion India and the United States are progressing negotiations on a framework deal and a bilateral trade agreement focused on preferential market access and comparative tariff advantages. India is engaging with the USTR on Section 301 investigations concerning forced labour and excess industrial capacity. The forced-labour investigation has proposed an additional tariff on imports from India, but the measure remains unfinalised. India has urged resolution through bilateral negotiations rather than unilateral measures. The excess-capacity investigation remains pending, and the eventual trade agreement is expected to address relevant aspects of the bilateral trade relationship, including tariff treatment, market access, and investigation-related issues.
Export-control sanctions prohibit routing electronic components to Iran through intermediaries, with conspiracy liability turning on knowledge and assistance. US export-control sanctions prohibit the unlawful export of electronic components to Iran through intermediaries or front companies. The reported prosecution concerned allegations that an employee conspired with an Iranian business associate to obtain components for a Tehran-based company whose technology had potential military applications. Prosecutors relied on documents, text messages, photographs, and communications said to show knowledge and assistance, while the defence disputed procurement, the Swiss company's characterization as a front, and proof that components reached Iran. Evidence concerning a specific drone attack was limited to general evidence about the Iranian company and potential military applications.
Mandatory securities compliance governs mutual fund redemptions, investor consent, disclosures, due diligence, and trustee responsibilities Compliance with securities regulations is presented as mandatory regardless of whether investors ultimately incur losses or receive benefits. Close-ended mutual fund schemes must be redeemed at maturity unless formally rolled over with informed written investor consent and prior disclosure to SEBI. The reported issues also include inadequate due diligence regarding issuers' financial condition, excessive reliance on pledged collateral, delayed disclosures to investors and SEBI, and the trustee company's failure to independently assess regulatory compliance and unitholder interests.
Rupee weakness reflects geopolitical risk, crude prices, capital outflows, rising inflation, and widening trade pressures on India The Indian rupee weakened against the US dollar amid heightened US-Iran tensions, elevated crude oil prices, a stronger dollar and foreign capital outflows. Pressure on the domestic currency was linked to concerns over India's import bill and risk aversion in global markets, while domestic market recovery and some moderation in crude prices limited the decline. Retail inflation rose above the central bank's four per cent target, and the merchandise trade deficit widened as imports, particularly crude-related imports, increased despite stronger exports.
Predicate-offence acquittal removes the foundation for money-laundering proceedings arising from alleged coal-block allocation irregularities Money-laundering proceedings under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act depend on the existence of a scheduled offence and identifiable proceeds of crime. Although money laundering is an independent offence, its prosecution cannot survive when the predicate offence forming its foundation has ended in acquittal. The basis for treating property or transactions as proceeds of crime is then removed, making continuation of proceedings for money laundering and company-related liability under the PMLA legally unsustainable. Proceedings may be reopened if the acquittal is later set aside or materially varied.
PMLA bail requires satisfaction of twin statutory conditions amid allegations of impersonation, cheating, and suspected money laundering The reported bail proceedings concerned the twin conditions under Section 45 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act: reasonable grounds to believe that the accused was not guilty and assurance that he would not commit an offence while on bail. The prosecution also raised concerns regarding possible evidence tampering, witness intimidation, and repetition of similar conduct. The accused relied on a serious heart ailment and constitutional protection against punitive pre-trial detention, while the reported order noted his medical stability in custody and that the investigation complaint had not yet been filed.
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.
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