Domestic bullion prices declined for a third consecutive session as a stronger US dollar and sustained profit-booking after a recent rally weakened gold and silver. Gold fell sharply in the national capital and silver also declined in domestic trading, with the three-day movement reflecting ongoing price volatility in the bullion market. International spot gold remained marginally lower while investors awaited policy-related remarks concerning inflation and elevated yields.

Direct Benefit Transfer has transferred welfare benefits directly to beneficiaries, largely through Jan Dhan accounts, reducing intermediaries and supporting transparent delivery. The Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana provides unbanked adults basic accounts without minimum-balance or maintenance-charge requirements, along with RuPay debit cards, accident insurance coverage, and emergency overdraft access. Banking outlets, digital-payment infrastructure, and Bank Mitras extend formal financial services to women, rural and semi-urban communities, strengthening financial inclusion and participation in the formal economy.

Income-tax treatment of receipts from a business that acquires vacant sites, constructs residential houses, and sells them to customers is in issue. The query considers whether the activity may be covered by presumptive taxation under section 44AD or should fall under the capital gains framework. The business is GST-registered and has disclosed turnover from the residential property sales in its GST returns.

Sustainability of a GST demand under section 74 is questioned where a works contractor undertaking Government civil works received delayed payment in financial year 2025-26 for work executed in financial year 2018-19. GST was paid at 12%, while the department has sought tax at 18%. The issue concerns whether the higher rate demand is sustainable considering the period of execution, delayed billing and payment, and the rate already applied to the works-contract transaction.

India's foreign exchange reserves increased by USD 12.422 billion to an all-time high of USD 729.328 billion for the week ended 21 August. Foreign currency assets and gold reserves recorded the principal increases, while special drawing rights and the reserve position with the IMF also rose. Foreign currency asset valuation reflects movements in non-US currencies held in the reserves. FCNR(B) and concessional swap arrangements were introduced to attract additional foreign-exchange inflows.

Jio Platforms Ltd. has obtained Sebi's final observations for its proposed initial public offering. This key regulatory stage enables further preparations for the public issue, subject to applicable regulatory requirements. The proposed offering comprises up to 27 crore fresh equity shares and is expected to account for approximately 2.9 per cent of the company's post-issue equity base.

Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana enables unbanked adults to open basic bank accounts without minimum-balance or maintenance-charge requirements. Accounts include a free RuPay debit card with accident insurance coverage and eligibility for an overdraft facility during emergencies. The scheme promotes digital transactions, financial security and participation in the formal economy, while extending banking access to rural and semi-urban communities and increasing women's financial inclusion.

Bajaj Finance personal loans offer eligible customers collateral-free borrowing with flexible repayment tenures of 12 to 108 months, subject to eligibility, applicable terms, verification and documentation. A longer tenure may reduce monthly EMIs by spreading repayment over more months, but can increase total interest payable. Borrowers should compare the interest rate, tenure, EMI, processing charges and other costs, while considering their income, existing commitments and repayment capacity. Loan Utsav 2026 provides limited-period rewards for eligible customers whose loans are successfully disbursed during the campaign period, subject to applicable terms.

Arrests under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act form part of an investigation into alleged digital arrest cyber fraud and laundering of fraud proceeds. Funds were reportedly routed through numerous bank accounts, withdrawn in cash, and converted into foreign currency through licensed money changers. The financial trail is linked to commodity trading, travel and foreign-exchange entities allegedly connected with cyber-fraud complaints and first information reports. The inquiry also identified alleged shell or dummy companies using proxy directors to conceal control and facilitate fund movement.

Foreign exchange market conditions supported a six-paise appreciation of the rupee against the US dollar at the close of trading. Lower global crude oil prices and Reserve Bank of India intervention to limit significant rupee depreciation contributed to the movement. A marginal strengthening of the US dollar and foreign institutional investor equity outflows continued to exert pressure, while FCNR(B) scheme inflows supported the currency.

Cyber fraudsters allegedly impersonated public officials and threatened a senior citizen with implication in money laundering, terror funding and cybercrime. Using WhatsApp video calls and purported official notices, they allegedly induced the victim to transfer funds to multiple bank accounts and a cryptocurrency wallet on the pretext of proving innocence. The victim reportedly liquidated fixed deposits and mutual fund investments before identifying the deception and reporting it through the cybercrime helpline. A cyber police case was registered for further investigation.

Foreign institutional investor outflows and disruptions in global crude oil supplies placed downward pressure on the rupee against the US dollar. A weaker dollar index and lower Brent crude prices moderated the decline. Market commentary anticipated a narrow trading range, with expected Reserve Bank of India protection at the upper end and oil importer, month-end, and importer demand supporting the lower end. Participants also monitored the US Federal Reserve Chair's Jackson Hole speech.

Severe flash floods in Nepal and along the Nepal-Tibet border prompted cross-border rescue coordination for missing and stranded persons, warnings of continued downstream flood risk, and international relief support. Preventive public-safety measures included temporary suspension of an Indo-Nepal bus service. Separate developments included disruption of public services during an employee strike, investigation of an aircraft crash, market measures affecting sugar and onion prices, and proposed trade engagement for greater market access for basmati rice and processed food exports.

SEBI must consider and decide, within two weeks, representations alleging fraud by an Indian logistics company and its subsidiary. The allegations concern systematic over-invoicing of freight charges and forged documentation, with a parallel criminal investigation based on an FIR registered by the Delhi Police Economic Offences Wing. No determination has been made on the merits of the allegations or the complainant's standing to approach SEBI. The allegations and criminal proceedings were disclosed in IPO offer documents.

Personal insolvency resolution under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code involved approval of a repayment plan providing for payment of Rs 6.25 crore to creditors and Rs 25 lakh towards process costs against admitted creditor claims of about Rs 22,006.57 crore. Objections by dissenting creditors were rejected because they held less than 20 per cent of voting share, while the plan received 80.81 per cent support. Valuation indicated that the personal estate was worth less than the amount offered, and the tribunal declined to replace creditor commercial wisdom or assess settlement adequacy.

India's sovereign credit rating retained a BBB stable outlook, supported by strong growth, an external balance sheet, stable institutions, policy predictability, and infrastructure investment. Public investment and consumer demand are expected to sustain growth and assist fiscal consolidation. Constraints include weak fiscal performance, elevated government debt and interest burdens, and low per-capita income. Long-term rating support depends on financing infrastructure investment without materially widening the current-account deficit and on reducing the fiscal deficit through stable fiscal and monetary policies.

Sugar price-control measures combine duty-free raw sugar imports, stockholding limits for dealers and bulk consumers, and an export prohibition to address elevated retail prices and curb hoarding. Domestic supply remains constrained by reduced sugarcane output, prior exports and diversion of sugar to ethanol. Net production is estimated below projected domestic demand, while closing stocks are expected to remain limited. Import access, inventory restrictions and export controls therefore operate as market-stabilisation mechanisms.

IGST on Raw Sugar imported under the Advance Authorisation Scheme and converted to the Tariff Rate Quota Scheme must be paid through reassessment of the bill of entry at the port of import. The out-of-charge order is cancelled, tax is paid through an electronic challan in the Customs EDI System, and a notional out-of-charge order enables transmission of payment details to the GSTN portal. Interest is waived, the procedure is available once per bill of entry, and input tax credit remains subject to statutory conditions.

All provisions of the Tribunals Reforms Act, 2026 came into force on 25 August 2026. The notification activates the Act in its entirety from that date, making its reforms and statutory framework operational.

Cyber incident reporting by regulated entities must be made through SEBI's Cyber Incident Reporting Portal, aligned with the Financial Stability Board's Format for Incident Reporting Exchange (FIRE). The aligned portal requires structured reporting using common information fields, standard definitions and consistent incident classifications, supporting harmonised reporting. It permits reporting across the incident lifecycle, including initial notification, intermediate updates and final closure, recognising that complete information may not be available initially. Regulated entities must establish systems to implement the portal-based reporting requirement and make any necessary amendments to their bye-laws, rules or regulations. The requirement operates alongside applicable cybersecurity and cyber-resilience reporting obligations.