CCI approves acquisition of 100% shareholding of Royal Challengers Sports Pvt Ltd. by a consortium comprising Big Banyan Holdings, Bolt IPL Holdings, ...
CCI approves proposed combination involving acquisition of shareholding of seven SPVs by Anantam Highways Trust (InvIT) and issuance of the units of I...
CCI approves the proposed combination involving acquisition of certain shareholding in Nippon Life India AIF Management Limited by DWS Group GmbH & Co...
Aadhaar update drive for students continues as education department says benefits and admissions will not be Students in Maharashtra with non-updated Aadhaar records are being covered under an ongoing school-level registration and authentication drive, and the education department has stated that no student is to be deprived of government scheme benefits or educational opportunities because of pending Aadhaar updates. The minister said that around 5.5 lakh students up to 18 years of age had pending Aadhaar updates as of May 2026, but denied that this was affecting school admissions, scholarships, DBT access, examination forms or bank account linking.
Competition approval for consortium acquisition of Royal Challengers Sports and its cricket franchise operations The Competition Commission of India approved the acquisition of 100% shareholding of Royal Challengers Sports Private Limited by a consortium comprising Big Banyan Holdings, Bolt IPL Holdings, Times Internet, Times Cricket, ICQ Opportunities, Asia Investment Topco II and other investors. The combination involved collective acquisition by the identified acquirers, including newly incorporated investment and sports-related vehicles, and the target's business consists of owning and operating the Royal Challengers Bengaluru franchise and related professional cricket teams.
Competition Commission approval for share acquisition in Krazybee Services and Finnovation Tech Solutions by Mars Equity Dragon Fund VCC. The Competition Commission of India approved the acquisition of certain shares in Krazybee Services Limited and Finnovation Tech Solutions Private Limited by Mars Equity Dragon Fund VCC. The proposed combination concerns Krazybee, a non-deposit taking non-banking financial institution and middle layer Investment and Credit Company, and Finnovation, the technology company that operates the KreditBee app and provides loan sourcing and payment-service access, including Unified Payments Interface facilities.
Competition approval for infrastructure investment trust acquisition and unit issuance in highway project vehicles. Competition approval was granted for a proposed combination involving the acquisition of shareholding in seven special purpose vehicles by Anantam Highways Trust, an infrastructure investment trust, together with the issuance of units of the trust to Build India Infrastructure Fund, Dilip Buildcon Limited and DBL Infraventures Private Limited. The transaction covered the SPVs connected with highway and expressway projects, and the parties were described by reference to their roles in infrastructure investment, engineering and construction, and related project development activities.
Competition law approval for acquisition of shareholding in an alternative asset management company by a global asset manager. Competition law approval was granted for a proposed combination involving the acquisition of certain shareholding in Nippon Life India AIF Management Limited by DWS Group GmbH & Co. KGaA. The target is engaged in alternative asset management and acts as an investment manager and/or sponsor to SEBI-registered alternative investment funds, and is also registered as a co-investment portfolio manager.
Tax revenue growth and AI-driven enforcement strengthen revenue mobilisation, with net GST and IGST settlements rising sharply. State tax revenue recorded strong year-on-year growth in June 2026, with total collections rising to nearly Rs 5,000 crore and net GST increasing to Rs 3,144 crore. Commercial taxes for the first quarter of FY27 also increased substantially compared with the corresponding period of the previous year, led by growth in net GST and VAT on petroleum products. The revenue performance was attributed to improved tax compliance, stronger enforcement, enhanced revenue monitoring and broader economic activity.
E-commerce customs duty and steel import quotas mark the EU's push to curb unfair competition and protect industry. The European Union introduced new trade measures to address the surge in low-value e-commerce imports and protect domestic industry from unfair competition. The package removes the de minimis customs duty exemption for parcels valued below 150 euros and imposes a new 3 euro customs duty on small packages, while also introducing new steel import rules with tariff-free quotas, a 50 per cent out-of-quota duty, and enhanced traceability requirements for the melt and pour stage of production.
GST compliance and tax administration drive Punjab's higher revenue collections, faster refunds, and stronger anti-evasion enforcement. Punjab's GST revenue showed a substantial rise in the April-June quarter of FY 2026-27, with gross GST and SGST collections reflecting improved compliance, sustained economic activity and stronger tax administration. Timely GST refunds were issued to genuine businesses, while action against tax evasion included penalty recoveries, proceedings against bogus taxpayers for fake invoicing and fraudulent registrations, recovery of long-pending VAT dues through property auction proceedings, and an increase in VAT/CST collections.
Taxpayer facilitation and voluntary compliance marked GST Pakhwada outreach, grievance redressal, and stakeholder engagement initiatives. Taxpayer facilitation and participative governance were emphasised through GST Pakhwada 2026 outreach activities undertaken by the CGST Delhi South Commissionerate to engage taxpayers and tax professionals, promote awareness, address concerns and strengthen voluntary compliance. An open dialogue and grievance-redressal session provided a forum for taxpayers to raise issues and suggestions, which were addressed by officers as part of a consultative compliance model. Certificates of commendation were issued to officers in recognition of exemplary service and contribution to a transparent and citizen-centric tax administration.
Foreign-origin gold smuggling intercepted in West Bengal, with concealed bars seized and seven persons arrested. Cross-border smuggling of foreign-origin gold along the Indo-Bangladesh border in West Bengal was intercepted in an intelligence-led operation by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence. Seven persons travelling on separate motorcycles were searched, resulting in recovery of foreign-marked and defaced gold bars concealed in specially tailored cloth belts worn around their waists to avoid detection. The recovered gold was seized under the Customs Act, 1962, and all seven persons involved in the smuggling operation were arrested.
Cross-border gold smuggling and illicit currency routing exposed through coordinated DRI operations linking carriers, cargo consignments, and a melting unit. Cross-border gold smuggling was detected through coordinated DRI operations involving multiple carriers, train routes and a Delhi-based illicit melting facility. Foreign-origin gold concealed on persons and in a customised waist belt was recovered, and the persons involved were arrested. A separate Chennai operation unearthed the illicit movement of foreign currency through domestic air cargo consignments, with the currency being used to finance organised smuggling of gold and silver into India.
India-France strategic economic partnership deepens through bilateral dialogue, investment promotion, technology collaboration and innovation-focused engagements. Official visit to France focuses on strengthening the India-France strategic economic partnership through bilateral engagements directed at economic cooperation, investment promotion, technology collaboration and innovation. The Finance Minister is scheduled to co-chair the India-France Economic and Financial Dialogue and discuss broader areas of bilateral cooperation across sectors. The visit also includes meetings with global CEOs and business leaders, a panel discussion on expanding the middle class, visits to the ITER fusion project and Campus Cyber, discussions on investment, clean energy and technology cooperation, and a community event with the Indian diaspora.
Subject committee scrutiny of finance bills sparks assembly boycott over liquor tax policy changes. Opposition members in the Kerala Assembly objected to the government moving the Finance Bill directly before the House without first referring it to the Subject Committee. The dispute concerned proposed changes to liquor-related tax policy, including amendments to the Kerala GST framework and a substantial reduction in taxes on certain liquor products. The Chief Minister said all legal and procedural requirements had been followed and that there was no legal basis for the objection, after which the Speaker rejected the point of order and the Opposition boycotted the proceedings.
GST rationalisation for paperboard packaging sought to ease inverted duty structure and support MSMEs. A trade chamber has sought GST rationalisation for paper and paperboard used in manufacturing corrugated cartons, boxes and cases, proposing a reduction from 18 per cent to 5 per cent. The request is based on the inverted duty structure created when raw materials attract 5 per cent GST while the finished product attracts 18 per cent GST, leading to embedded tax costs. The chamber says the measure would support competitiveness, MSME liquidity, employment generation and exports.
Beneficiary verification under free electricity scheme draws criticism over PAN and caste certificate requirements for eligibility checks. Door-to-door verification was begun for beneficiaries under the Gruha Jyothi scheme, with electricity staff collecting records through a mobile application and declaration form. Beneficiaries were asked to keep Aadhaar card for verification only, passport-size photograph, voter ID card, PAN card, tenancy or rental agreement where applicable, ration card, and caste certificate ready. The exercise was said to check misuse, while opposition criticism focused on the request for PAN cards and caste certificates.
GST collections surge on strong import revenue and domestic supplies, with refunds rising alongside business liquidity support. GST collections rose sharply in June, with gross revenue increasing 14 per cent to about Rs 1.95 lakh crore, driven by higher receipts from imports and domestic supplies. Domestic transaction collections grew 6.5 per cent to about Rs 1.35 lakh crore, while import-related revenue surged 34.6 per cent to Rs 60,038 crore. After refunds of Rs 32,436 crore, net GST collection rose 11.2 per cent to over Rs 1.62 lakh crore.
Kisan Credit Card misuse and banking credential fraud alleged in loan manipulation case, with chargesheet filed after investigation. Alleged manipulation of Kisan Credit Card accounts and unauthorised debit transactions was reported against a daily wage employee of J-K Bank, with investigators stating that banking credentials were misused to siphon funds and enhance credit limits without authorisation. A chargesheet was filed against the accused for allegedly obtaining an amount through unauthorised transactions, manipulation of KCC loan limits, and misuse of banking credentials.
UPI expansion and cross-border digital payments advance as services go live in Greece alongside India-Greece business cooperation. UPI services were launched live in Greece through the Eurobank-NIPL partnership, extending India's digital payment ecosystem to a new international market. Eligible customers may transfer money instantly, securely, and seamlessly, with transaction costs reduced significantly compared with conventional money transfer methods. The accompanying India-Greece business engagements focused on strengthening trade, investment, and commercial cooperation across sectors including infrastructure, digital innovation, defence, food processing, and agriculture.
Windfall tax on petroleum exports revised, with lower diesel and ATF levies and a higher petrol export duty. Windfall gains tax on petroleum exports was revised for the fortnight beginning July 1, with the levy on diesel exports reduced and the levy on ATF exports reduced, while the duty on petrol exports was increased. The revised special additional excise duty applies to exports only, and there is no change in the existing duty rates on petrol and diesel cleared for domestic consumption. The exemption earlier available for exports of petrol, diesel and ATF by Public Sector Oil Companies to Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka was extended to similar exports to Mauritius and Maldives.
Banking system resilience remains strong as NPAs fall, while funding costs and AI cyber threats intensify. Indian financial system remains resilient, supported by strong bank and non-bank balance sheets, with gross non-performing assets at a multi-decadal low of 1.8 per cent as of March 2026. The report flags funding challenges from a shift away from low-cost deposits to higher-cost liabilities, rising external risks from geopolitical tensions and commodity price pressures, and AI-enabled cyberattacks as the most important near-term bank cyber threat.
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.
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