Online applications for allocation of Tariff Rate Quota under the India-United Kingdom Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement for calendar year 2026 may be submitted up to 9 August 2026. The extension follows representations from trade and industry. All other terms and conditions governing Tariff Rate Quota allocation remain unchanged.

Recipients of deemed export supplies may avail input tax credit while claiming refund, subject to undertakings that the supplier has not claimed refund and that the claim is limited to eligible invoices and input tax credit reflected in the valid return. Refund relief for zero-rated supplies wrongly reported in Table 3.1(a) of FORM GSTR-3B applies through 31 March 2021, within the aggregate tax declared in Tables 3.1(a), 3.1(b), and 3.1(c). The capped value of export goods must also be used in Adjusted Total Turnover under the unutilised input tax credit refund formula.

Customs facilitation measures issued under Section 143AA of the Customs Act, 1962, to address maritime-route disruptions arising from the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, are extended until 30 June 2026. The existing facilities, terms and conditions under the specified Customs circulars remain unchanged. Implementation difficulties may be reported through the designated official email channel.

The Monetary Policy Committee retained the policy repo rate and continued the neutral monetary policy stance, citing the need to assess evolving growth-inflation conditions. Domestic activity was assessed as resilient, supported by consumption, investment, credit, manufacturing, services and exports, although global uncertainty, energy prices, supply-chain pressures, geopolitical developments and monsoon conditions remain risks. CPI inflation increased mainly because of food and fuel pressures, while underlying inflation remained moderate. The Committee considered that price pressures were not yet generalised and reaffirmed its commitment to align inflation with the target.

GST registration functions under the Rajasthan Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017 are assigned to specified State Tax officers. Joint Commissioners, Deputy Commissioners and Assistant Commissioners in regular Circles or Wards are authorised for registration-related functions within their territorial jurisdictions. Joint Commissioners and Deputy Commissioners in regular Circles handle registration functions for casual taxable persons and non-resident taxable persons undertaking supplies. Specified functions remain subject to applicable pecuniary limits, and the relevant Additional Commissioner (Administration) may reallocate work where an assigned officer is unavailable.

The Closing Auction Session in the equity cash segment introduced an auction-based mechanism for determining closing prices of eligible shares with futures and options contracts, intended to make price discovery more transparent and robust. The Reserve Bank of India retained its neutral stance and left the benchmark policy rate unchanged, pending greater clarity on the inflationary effects of higher energy costs. Future policy decisions were stated to be data dependent.

Anti-dumping duty on Phthalic Anhydride is continued for imports originating in or exported from China and Korea following findings of continuing dumping and likely injury to domestic industry if the duty ceases. The duty applies to specified origin-export combinations and all producers, at separate rates for Chinese and Korean goods. It remains effective for five years unless earlier revoked, superseded or amended, is payable in Indian currency, and uses the notified exchange rate applicable on presentation of the bill of entry.

Input Tax Credit under Section 16(2)(c) of the CGST Act is available only where the supplier has actually paid the tax to the Government. The condition applies irrespective of the recipient's knowledge or bona fides, while credit may be re-availed under the statutory mechanism after subsequent tax payment. This differs from the Kittel principle, which denies VAT credit only upon proof that the purchaser knew or ought to have known of fraud. The principle may remain persuasive in fraud and collusion allegations, but does not override the supplier-payment condition.

Export status for intermediary or commission services is determined by the law applicable when the service is supplied, not solely by a later invoice or foreign-exchange payment. A service completed before 30.03.2026 ordinarily remains subject to the pre-amendment intermediary place-of-supply rule, under which the place of supply was the Indian supplier's location. Delayed invoicing cannot ordinarily change that result, particularly where time of supply relates to the earlier service date. Post-amendment treatment may be arguable only for segregable later supplies, continuous services, or commission entitlement crystallising after the effective date, supported by contemporaneous records.

Input tax credit under GST is presented as dependent on the supplier remitting the tax relating to the purchaser's transaction to the Government. Purchasers are advised to adopt contractual payment arrangements that enable timely supplier tax payment and to release the GST component only upon documentary proof of full remittance. Sellers should similarly collect sufficient funds, pay GST promptly, and furnish proof to customers. Larger businesses should implement compliance systems linking GST payments to confirmation of corresponding input tax credit availability.

Extended limitation for unpaid or short-paid service tax requires proof of fraud, wilful misstatement, suppression of facts, or contravention with intent to evade tax. Mere non-payment or an interpretational dispute over taxability or exemption is insufficient. Registration, return filing, payment of tax on other services, and disclosure of income in books may rebut allegations of suppression, particularly where audit identifies the issue from available records. A disputed small-scale exemption claim does not automatically establish evasion. Penalty based on the same culpable conduct is weakened if extended limitation is not justified.

Departmental appeals from DGGI matters decided by a Common Adjudicating Authority require separate appeals for each taxpayer, filed by the respective jurisdictional Commissioner before the GSTAT Bench having territorial jurisdiction over that taxpayer. GSTAT has commenced or reorganised specified Benches, revised case classifications, released part-heard matters for reassignment, and required classification based on pleadings and legal issues. Proposed e-way bill enhancements, including final-recipient GSTIN capture and voluntary closure, are on hold until further notice; existing functionality continues unchanged.

Goods Transport Agency classification depends on the substance of the transport arrangement and whether a consignment-note-like document is issued, not on the transporter's status or the document's title. Records such as pay slips, freight slips, or route slips may qualify if they evidence goods movement and contain material particulars including vehicle details, goods description or quantity, origin, destination, and transporter acknowledgment. Individual truck owners are not automatically included or excluded. Under GST, the same enquiry applies, subject to the exclusion for specified electronic commerce operators connected with local delivery services.

International trade compliance requires advance review of tariff classification, customs valuation, licensing, Rules of Origin, documentation and exemption conditions. Classification should be supported by technical specifications and written analysis, while customs value may include payments and costs beyond invoice price where legally connected to the imported goods. Preferential claims require independent origin verification and retained records. Importers and exporters should use pre-shipment documentation checks, monitor export obligations and policy changes, assess intellectual-property and geopolitical risks, and maintain internal compliance controls because legal responsibility remains with the trader.

Customs dispute prevention depends on accurate tariff classification, commercially informed valuation, complete and consistent documentation, independent verification of Rules of Origin, and strict fulfilment of exemption conditions. Classification should be supported by technical and functional material, while valuation should consider all agreements and payments linked to imported goods. Businesses should maintain procedural controls for declarations, deadlines, authorisations, notices, and digital audit trails. Written compliance policies, periodic audits, employee training, centralised records, legal review of complex transactions, and cross-functional oversight help identify and correct weaknesses before assessment or post-clearance scrutiny.

A service recipient may reject services only on objective legal grounds, particularly a material breach, significant deficiency, essential non-performance, fundamental delay, statutory or professional non-compliance, or fraud or misrepresentation affecting consent. Minor or curable defects, substantial acceptance and benefit, unsupported dissatisfaction, or contractual restrictions may make rejection unavailable and favour rectification, re-performance, price reduction, compensation or damages. Service-level agreements may prescribe performance standards and acceptance procedures, with remedies governed by their contractual terms.

Customs and GST classification requires accurate product or service identification and application of the statutory hierarchy of tariff headings, Section Notes, Chapter Notes, and the General Rules for Interpretation. Classification of goods is supported by HSN Explanatory Notes, technical evidence, commercial understanding, and relevant legal principles, while GST service classification turns on the actual activity, principal supply, and composite or mixed supply rules. Businesses should document their analysis, monitor tariff and notification changes, and seek expert advice or advance rulings in doubtful cases, as incorrect classification may affect tax liability, exemptions, refunds, incentives, and compliance exposure.

Revocation of cancelled registration may be applied for in FORM GST REG-21 within 30 days of service of the cancellation order. Where the application is delayed but remains within the extended period, the registered person must request extension by letter or email through the proper officer, stating grounds. The jurisdictional extension authority may allow it upon sufficient cause and recorded written reasons, and may grant a personal hearing before rejecting a request. The proper officer then processes the revocation application according to law.

Consolidated monthly accounts up to June 2026 report total receipts of Rs.10,49,243 crore, comprising net tax revenue, non-tax revenue and non-debt capital receipts. Tax devolution transfers to State Governments total Rs.2,63,336 crore. Total expenditure is Rs.13,57,076 crore, including revenue expenditure of Rs.10,16,818 crore and capital expenditure of Rs.3,40,258 crore. Revenue expenditure includes interest payments and major subsidies.

Illicit manufacture and trafficking of Alprazolam and Diazepam, psychotropic substances regulated under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985, were detected at a clandestine facility. Searches recovered finished and intermediary substances, together with raw materials and reaction mixtures used in manufacture, and the goods were seized under the Act. The manufacturer and an intended buyer were apprehended, with material indicating a proposed transaction for further illicit trafficking. Preliminary investigation indicated prior involvement in illegal drug production and trafficking.