Money laundering probe under PMLA drives summons, alleged fraudulent payments, loan transactions, and disclosure concerns.
Enforcement Directorate action under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act continued in relation to allegations that a Kerala-based mining company and a private consultancy company were involved in the generation of alleged proceeds of crime through purported payments for consultancy services and related loan transactions. The investigation concerns summons issued for questioning and recording of statements, along with searches at connected premises.

Money laundering probe targets alleged CMRL transactions, consultancy payments, and related financial irregularities under the PMLA.
Enforcement Directorate summoned Veena T and officials of Cochin Minerals and Rutile Ltd. for questioning in a money laundering investigation under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act. The inquiry concerns alleged irregularities in CMRL's financial dealings with Exalogic Solutions Private Limited, including alleged fraudulent consultancy payments, loans, and the generation of proceeds of crime from those transactions. The case arose from an SFIO complaint and includes allegations of inflated cash expenses and illegal payments uncovered in earlier tax proceedings.

Digital public procurement on GeM expands transparency, inclusivity and access for enterprises, startups and small businesses.
Government e Marketplace (GeM) functions as a digital public procurement platform that replaces manual, fragmented purchasing with a technology-driven system. It uses online onboarding, transparent bidding, digital contract management and end-to-end procurement processes to improve transparency, reduce human interface and widen participation by enterprises across geographies. Inclusivity is a central feature, with strong growth in participation by micro and small enterprises, women-owned enterprises, startups and SC/ST enterprises, alongside procurement support for public service delivery and healthcare supplies.

Seafood export value addition and traceability drive India's push for stronger market access, infrastructure and sustainability.
Seafood export policy focused on strengthening value addition, sustainability, traceability, infrastructure and market access across the fisheries value chain. Discussions examined processing, branding, quality enhancement, certification, logistics, cold chain development, diversification of export markets and a Production Linked Incentive framework for the seafood sector. Deliberations also covered export-oriented fisheries infrastructure, compliance with international standards, support for startups and MSMEs, and opportunities in deep-sea resources and other emerging fisheries segments.

GI-tagged agricultural exports gain momentum as Tezpur Litchi from Assam reaches Dubai through APEDA facilitation.
APEDA facilitated the first export consignment of GI-tagged Tezpur Litchi from Assam to Dubai, creating a new export channel for a regional horticultural product. The GI status strengthened product identity, improved international buyer appeal, and supported premium agricultural exports from Assam. The initiative was linked to better grower returns, new marketing opportunities, export-oriented value chains, and broader integration of farmers into global markets through quality assurance, certification support, capacity building, and market linkage efforts.

Corporate law reform panel invites stakeholder views on amendments to companies and LLP governance rules.
The Joint Committee on the Corporate Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026 has invited views and suggestions on its specific clauses from stakeholders and experts. The Bill proposes comprehensive amendments to the Companies Act, 2013 and the Limited Liability Partnership Act, 2008, aiming to improve the ease of doing business, decriminalise minor procedural defaults, and modernise corporate governance. Suggestions may be sent in English or Hindi to the Lok Sabha Secretariat or by e-mail within the stated deadline.

Examination fraud alerts intensify as police warn NEET-UG aspirants against fake paper leak claims and suspicious calls.
Police advisory cautions NEET-UG aspirants and parents against rumours, misinformation, and fraud calls falsely offering question papers or answer sheets ahead of the retest. The notice warns that anti-social elements and cyber fraudsters may try to undermine examination integrity through social media and deceptive communications, and asks the public to immediately report suspicious offers or requests to the Economic Offence Unit. Persons involved may face legal action and criminal proceedings.

Export growth and import momentum remained strong despite Iran war disruption, supported by autos and technology shipments.
China's customs data showed a sharp rise in exports and imports in May, with exports increasing 19.4% year-on-year and imports rising 27.4%. The export performance was stronger than in April and remained resilient despite disruption linked to the Iran war. The reported strength was supported by shipments of autos and technology, including artificial intelligence-related products such as semiconductors.

Innovation-led healthcare drives India's pharmaceutical growth strategy, with global partnerships and affordable medicines at the core.
India's pharmaceutical sector is presented as a partner in innovation-led healthcare while continuing to supply affordable medicines globally. Global companies are invited to deepen collaboration through manufacturing, technology, clinical trials, supply chains and market access, with the industry described as capable of significant expansion over the next five years. The sector's strengths are identified as trust, innovation and partnerships, supported by global manufacturing standards, rising patent filings, and government programmes for research and development. India also emphasises durable cooperation for equitable healthcare access and long-term pharmaceutical supply resilience.

Credit availability and financial inclusion drive discussed to widen formal lending, scheme coverage, and capital investment support.
Credit availability, financial inclusion and implementation of Central schemes were discussed with a view to expanding formal credit, ensuring wider coverage under flagship financial inclusion and social security schemes, and supporting capital infrastructure through the Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment scheme.

Stamp duty and registration reform focuses on clearer rules for restructuring, LLP, RERA transactions, and digital verification.
Simplification of legal provisions governing corporate restructuring, LLP, RERA-related transactions and stamp duty matters is directed to align the legal framework with changing economic and business requirements. The reform agenda includes review of stamp and registration procedures for mergers, demergers, amalgamation, acquisitions, changes in shareholding, housing cooperative societies and sale agreements, together with a clear and practical stamp duty structure based on best practices from other states. Modernisation measures include digital verification, paperless registration, digitisation of records, AI-based systems, geo-tagging and a standardised property valuation system.

Current account balance improved on services exports, remittances and stronger capital inflows in the latest balance of payments data.
Current account balance improved in the January-March quarter of 2025-26, supported by stronger services exports and higher remittance inflows. Merchandise trade remained in deficit, but net services receipts and personal transfer receipts increased, while primary income outgo declined. The balance of payments also reflected stronger FDI inflows, a net FPI inflow in the quarter, and higher non-resident deposit inflows, alongside an increase in foreign exchange reserves on a BoP basis.

Precious metals weaken as West Asia tensions, rising crude prices, and interest rate expectations pressure gold and silver.
Gold and silver prices declined in domestic and overseas markets amid fresh West Asia tensions, as rising crude oil prices and inflation concerns weighed on precious metals. Analysts said stronger dollar sentiment, robust US jobs data, and expectations of tighter monetary policy further pressured bullion, while silver extended its losing streak and Brent crude briefly surged before easing.

Industrial park development scheme uses a competitive digital portal for transparent project selection, monitoring, and infrastructure planning.
BHAVYA is a Government industrial park development scheme launched through a dedicated portal to operationalise a competitive, challenge-based framework for selecting and implementing investment-ready industrial parks across States and Union Territories. The scheme contemplates development of 100 industrial parks over six years, with State Governments providing land and the Government of India supporting infrastructure through the National Industrial Corridor Development Corporation under a 51:49 partnership model. NICDC will implement and monitor the scheme through the BHAVYA Portal as a single digital interface for project submission, appraisal, evaluation and real-time monitoring.

Market access for aquaculture and animal-origin exports continues as India meets updated European Union requirements.
European Union amended Regulation (EU) 2021/405 to add requirements for exports of aquaculture products, eggs, honey and animal casings from September 2026 in response to antimicrobial resistance concerns. India has been included as an authorised country to continue exporting these products beyond September 2026, following coordinated engagement by the Department of Commerce, the Export Inspection Council and other stakeholders and strengthened inspection, testing and certification controls aligned with European Union requirements.

Gold loan eligibility and repayment flexibility widen access through minimal KYC, gold-based valuation, and simple online application.
Gold loan eligibility is broad and based on pledged gold collateral rather than income proof or extensive credit documentation. Indian citizens aged 21 to 80 may apply, using gold jewellery or ornaments of 18 to 22 karat purity, or gold coins up to 24 karats. Documentation is minimal and limited to one valid KYC document. Interest depends on loan amount, tenure, and gold purity, repayment is flexible, and foreclosure is permitted without additional charge.

Money laundering probe gains access to SFIO records in CMRL-Exalogic investigation over alleged proceeds of crime.
The Enforcement Directorate sought access to documents collected by the Serious Fraud Investigation Office in a money laundering investigation connected with Cochin Minerals and Rutile Ltd and Exalogic Solutions Private Limited. The court permitted the ED to obtain copies of 134 SFIO documents after hearing the ED, the SFIO and CMRL, notwithstanding CMRL's objection that the records should not be handed over without hearing the company.

Rupee bulk deposit pricing and interest rate disclosure rules are proposed for banks under draft RBI amendment directions.
Greater flexibility for banks in pricing Rupee bulk deposits and uniformity in disclosure of interest rates on deposits are proposed through draft amendment directions issued for commercial banks, small finance banks, regional rural banks, payment banks, local area banks and urban co-operative banks. Comments and feedback on the draft amendment directions may be submitted by regulated entities and members of the public or other stakeholders up to the specified deadline through the online regulatory consultation platform or by email using the prescribed subject line for the relevant draft direction.

GIFT City financial framework attracts NRIs with tax exemptions, foreign currency transactions, and simplified compliance.
GIFT City is described as India's first International Financial Services Centre, operating within a special regulatory framework that permits foreign currency financial activity and functions like an offshore financial hub. The article states that NRIs and other participants are attracted by tax exemptions, simplified compliance, a dedicated regulatory structure, and direct foreign currency transactions without mandatory conversion to rupees.

Banking fraud investigation plea seeks court-monitored probe into alleged diversion of funds and suspicious transactions.
A public interest litigation filed in the Supreme Court alleges banking fraud involving asset reconstruction companies, public sector banks and a Noida-based infrastructure firm, and seeks a court-monitored investigation into the transactions identified in a forensic audit report. The plea asks for a judicial commission or expert committee comprising officers of the RBI, SEBI, SFIO, ED and CBI to examine the alleged corporate and banking fraud facilitated by the asset reconstruction companies. As an alternative, it seeks directions to the ED, SFIO and CBI to investigate suspicious transactions mentioned in an Ernst & Young forensic audit report.