Bribery and corruption under the Prevention of Corruption Act in a tax refund processing case
A senior Income Tax department employee was prosecuted in a bribery matter for allegedly demanding money to process a TDS refund arising from acquisition-related compensation. The case was tried as a corruption prosecution under the Prevention of Corruption Act, with the anti-corruption agency brought in after the complainant approached it. Trial evidence included examination of ten witnesses.

China's first-quarter GDP growth reflects stronger supply, improved demand and resilience despite external geopolitical and trade pressures.
China's economy recorded five per cent growth in the first quarter, with GDP reaching 33.4 trillion yuan and growth accelerating from the previous quarter despite external fallout from the US-Israel war and wider geopolitical and trade uncertainties. The National Bureau of Statistics described the opening of the 15th Five-Year Plan period as a strong start, noting improved production and supply, firmer market demand, generally stable employment, moderately higher prices and continued progress in high-quality development.

AML/CFT cooperation expands as FIU-India and pension regulator deepen information sharing, training, risk monitoring, and compliance oversight.
Financial Intelligence Unit-India and the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority entered into a Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen coordination for combating money laundering and financial crimes through enhanced information sharing, joint outreach and training, and closer supervisory cooperation. The arrangement is directed towards improving AML/CFT capabilities among entities regulated by the pension regulator and aligning cooperation with applicable international standards, including exchange of information through Egmont Principles with foreign FIUs. It also provides for quarterly meetings, nodal officers, assessment of ML/TF risks, red flag indicators, and monitoring of compliance with PMLA, the PML Rules, and PFRDA guidelines.

Money laundering coordination through FIU-IND and SEBI MoU strengthens intelligence sharing, AML/CFT training, and compliance monitoring.
Financial Intelligence Unit-India and the Securities and Exchange Board of India entered into a Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen coordination in the prevention of money laundering and financial crimes. The arrangement provides for sharing of relevant intelligence and information, reporting procedures under the PML Rules, exchange with foreign FIUs, outreach and training on AML/CFT capabilities, periodic meetings, risk assessment, red flag indicators, and supervision of compliance with obligations under the PMLA, PML Rules, and SEBI guidelines.

Digital insurance servicing expands as LIC launches customer and intermediary apps for paperless policy management and sales support.
LIC launched the MyLIC customer app and Super Sales Saathi intermediary app as part of its digital transformation initiative. MyLIC consolidates policy servicing, claims support, payments, documentation, and customer engagement, while also enabling portfolio management, premium payment, policy updates, online revival of lapsed policies, paperless loans, online purchase of policies, and paperless e-KYC. Super Sales Saathi provides digital sales tools, policy status tracking, automated follow-ups, customer communication, AI-driven nudges, sales kits, and performance dashboards.

Naval blockade enforcement against Iranian ports creates maritime uncertainty, inspection risks, and exceptions for humanitarian shipments.
US naval blockade of Iranian coastal areas and ports has been fully implemented, extending beyond the Strait of Hormuz into the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea. It applies to vessels entering or leaving Iranian ports and coastal areas, while non-Iran-bound vessels retain freedom of navigation. Humanitarian shipments including food and medical supplies essential for civilian survival are permitted subject to inspection, and neutral ships may pass but remain liable to inspection. The blockade has created uncertainty because enforcement may occur after vessels clear the strait, and AIS manipulation further complicates maritime monitoring.

Centre of Excellence advances artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and digital skills through new training and innovation initiatives.
A state-of-the-art Centre of Excellence was inaugurated at Maharana Pratap Institute of Technology in Eastern Uttar Pradesh with support from TCS Foundation. The centre is intended to serve technological and educational needs in the region and is positioned as a platform for youth, farmers and women across Eastern Uttar Pradesh and adjoining areas. It will focus on artificial intelligence, machine learning, data science, cybersecurity, space technology and 3D printing.

Forgery of identity and immigration documents alleged in illegal stay case involving fake Aadhaar and border-entry violations.
Forgery of identity and immigration documents alleged in the context of illegal stay in India. A Bangladesh-origin woman was apprehended during a verification drive after police found that she was allegedly residing in India using a fake Aadhaar card and other forged or suspect identity documents, including a Bangladesh identity card and a photocopy of a citizenship certificate. Investigators stated that she had entered India illegally with the assistance of an acquaintance and had prepared forged documents to conceal her identity.

Money laundering probe over alleged bank loan fraud and shell companies leads to arrests of former Reliance Group executives.
Enforcement Directorate action under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act in an alleged bank loan fraud investigation involving former senior executives of Anil Ambani-led Reliance Group companies. The case concerns alleged diversion of bank funds through Reliance Home Finance Ltd. and Reliance Commercial Finance Ltd. using shell or dummy entities, with the money laundering probe stated to stem from FIRs lodged by the Central Bureau of Investigation.

Anti-conversion concerns and harassment allegations spur calls for nationwide protests and stricter laws.
Calls were made for nationwide protests over allegations of sexual harassment and forced religious conversion at a company office in Nashik. The allegations involved eight female employees, while a Special Investigation Team was said to have been constituted to examine the complaints. The company stated that it has a zero-tolerance policy toward harassment or coercion and that employees allegedly involved had been suspended. Broader demands were also raised for stringent anti-conversion laws at state and national levels.

Electronics import dependence deepens as imports rise sharply and exports remain far below import levels.
Electronics imports crossed the USD 100 billion mark in 2025-26, rising to USD 116.17 billion from USD 98.65 billion in the preceding fiscal year. Electronics exports also increased to USD 48.0 billion, supported by smartphone shipments, but remained well below imports. The trade pattern was noted as indicating continued dependence on imported semiconductors, components and electronic equipment despite the manufacturing push.

Trade uncertainty and Middle East disruption weigh on exports as imports fall and the trade deficit narrows.
Goods exports declined in March because of trade uncertainty and geopolitical tensions, with shipments to West Asia and the Middle East contracting sharply. Imports also fell, led by lower crude oil and gold shipments, narrowing the trade deficit to a nine-month low. For the full fiscal year, exports reached an all-time high, imports rose, and the trade deficit widened. Services exports stayed robust, while China emerged as India's largest trading partner.

China becomes India's largest trading partner as bilateral trade expands and the trade deficit widens sharply.
China emerged as India's largest trading partner in 2025-26, displacing the US after four consecutive years of US leadership. Bilateral trade with China rose to USD 151.1 billion, driven by higher exports and imports, and India's trade deficit with China widened to USD 112.16 billion. Trade with the US remained significant, but export growth was modest and imports increased more sharply, reducing India's trade surplus.

Trade disruption and export slowdown in India deepened as West Asia conflict affected shipping and import flows.
India's merchandise exports declined sharply in March amid the West Asia crisis, while imports also fell, leading to a narrower trade deficit. The fall in outbound shipments was linked to disruption in international shipping routes, higher freight and insurance costs, and reduced trade with the Middle East, particularly in goods such as gems and jewellery, rice, engineering goods, petroleum products and electronic items. Lower crude oil and gold imports also contributed to the reduced deficit.

Modern tax administration under the Income Tax Act, 2025 stresses transparency, fairness, compliance, and taxpayer trust.
The Income Tax Act, 2025, effective from April 1, 2026, is described as a significant step towards a modern, simple and transparent tax system. Taxation is presented as a bridge of trust between the State and citizens, requiring a system that is effective, just, sensitive and balanced, avoids unnecessary burdens, and respects honest taxpayers. The role of tax officers is to ensure correct, transparent and effective implementation.

Money laundering cognisance in a Haryana land deal case proceeds on ED chargesheet and limited inquiry at this stage.
A Delhi court took cognisance of an ED chargesheet in a money laundering case linked to a Haryana land transaction and found sufficient material to proceed against the named accused. It held that the cognisance stage is limited to the complaint and annexed documents, that there is no legal bar to proceeding before the predicate-offence charge-sheet is filed, and that one accused could not be summoned for lack of material.

Telecom-linked financial frauds meet coordinated data sharing as regulators deepen intelligence exchange to flag suspicious mobile numbers and protect investors.
The Department of Telecommunications and the Securities and Exchange Board of India entered into a Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen coordination against telecom-linked financial frauds, securities market scams and investment-related cyber abuse. The arrangement establishes a structured framework for data sharing and intelligence exchange between telecom and market-regulatory systems, with the objective of identifying suspicious mobile numbers, fraudulent connections and telecom resources used in impersonation, cyber fraud or money mule activity. The MoU also contemplates standard operating procedures for coordinated response and institutional sharing of red-flag indicators.

Trade pact recalibration drives India-US negotiations as tariff changes and Section 301 probes reshape the talks.
India and the United States are resuming chief-negotiator level talks on the proposed bilateral trade pact to finalise the legal agreement and adjust it to changes in the US tariff environment. The interim understanding reached in February now requires recalibration because the tariff architecture has changed, and the discussions will also cover recent Section 301 investigations and India's response to them.

India's trade estimates show stronger services exports, modest merchandise growth, and a wider overall trade deficit for FY 2025-26.
India's total exports of merchandise and services for FY 2025-26 are estimated to have grown, with merchandise exports showing only marginal expansion while services exports recorded stronger growth. Total imports also increased, leaving a wider overall trade deficit for the year compared with FY 2024-25. Merchandise trade data shows modest export growth alongside a sharper rise in imports, while services trade remained a major support area with an improved surplus.

E-governance and trade access platform launched to improve accessibility, multilingual support, and integrated service delivery.
The Ministry of Commerce and Industry launched an integrated website and bilingual mobile application for the Department of Commerce to improve trade-related information access and service delivery for exporters, importers and other stakeholders. The platform is stated to comply with the Digital Brand Identity Manual 3.0 and the Guidelines for Indian Government Websites, and to advance e-governance through transparency, efficiency and ease of doing business. It also includes multilingual support, accessibility features, real-time updates, government portal integration, and grievance redressal connectivity.