BUSINESS
Rs 1.6 lakh crore unreleased, Centre sets March 31 deadline for pending 15th finance commission claims
If states are not able to claim the funds within the award period, it automatically results in savings for the government
BUSINESS
CBDT launches data-driven nudge campaign for AY26, flags bogus political donations
The initiative, which is advisory in nature, requires identified taxpayers to file revised income-tax returns (ITRs) by December 31, 2025.
BUSINESS
Tailwinds for aviation sector: Budget 2026 likely to offer incentives to small aircraft makers
The scheme has received in-principle approval from the finance ministry, as operational details are worked out
BUSINESS
Budget 2026 likely to give Drone Shakti a boost through incentive based manufacturing scheme
Sources say proposal includes capex- and output-linked subsidies, separate from existing drone PLI scheme
BUSINESS
Budget 2026: Centre may overhaul export-certification to cut port delays, rope in private players
The proposal seeks to open up export quality and compliance certification to private players to reduce clearance timelines at ports from about 10 days to three
BUSINESS
Net direct tax collections till December 17 at Rs 17.04 lakh crore, up 8% YoY
As compared to the corresponding period of last fiscal year, the net direct tax collections were up 8 percent on year. This growth is lower than the projection made in the Budget.
BUSINESS
VB-G RAM–G Bill signals shift in rural jobs funding, experts raise questions on states’ capacity
Unlike MGNREGA’s Centre-heavy financing, the proposed VB-G RAM–G framework introduces a 60:40 funding model, shifting greater fiscal responsibility for rural employment to states.
BUSINESS
Budget 2026 likely to overhaul SEZ norms to boost local sourcing
A Rajiv Gauba-led committee has recommended easier domestic market access for SEZs, with suggestions to reduce duty distortions to enable smoother sourcing and sales
BUSINESS
FM assures of ample fertiliser stocks in rabi season, says urea buffer raised by 20 lakh tonnes
The government has sought Parliament’s approval for Rs 18,525 crore towards fertiliser and related subsidies in the first batch of Supplementary Demands for Grants for FY26
BUDGET
High borrowing, crowding out private investment fears may limit capex push in upcoming Union Budget
Budget 2026-27 may peg central capex (capital expenditure) at 3.2 percent of the GDP for FY27, slightly higher than 3.1 percent pegged for the current financial year. "Capex cannot keep rising indefinitely when the government is already running a persistent revenue deficit," one official said
BUSINESS
India raises MSP for copra sharply for 2026 season to boost coconut farmer incomes
The MSP for 2026 season is an increase of Rs 445 per quintal for milling copra and Rs 400 per quintal for ball copra over the previous season.
BUSINESS
HAL’s gas turbine engine project hit by delayed test-bed approvals, says Parliament panel
The Committee cited delays arising from the 'failure to secure critical components on time, due to procurement bottlenecks and delayed approvals for test-bed construction' as well as land clearance issues.
BUSINESS
Parliament panel demands urgent IFCI revival blueprint, links future govt help to measurable progress
It warned that reliance on recurring capital infusion without structural reforms risked creating 'recurring dependency on government funding', adding that this could undermine IFCI’s ability to recover autonomously.
BUSINESS
Lack of developed corporate bond market will become bottleneck to India’s growth: NITI Aayog V-C
New NITI Aayog report sets out a three-phase reform roadmap as India’s equity market continues to outpace corporate debt seven-fold.
BUSINESS
Budget FY27: Gold import duty unlikely to be changed amid stable CAD outlook
The government has tightened checks on 'mis-declared' gold and platinum imports. The basic customs duty on the yellow metal has been cut from 15% to 6% in July 2024
BUSINESS
Govt hopes monthly GST collections to cross pre-rate cut levels by April 2026
According to two senior officials, monthly growth figure of GST collections may remain subdued till February, and March may see a major uptick in economic activity as is the case every year. This would take the collections growth (reflected in April number) to rise above 9% during the month.
BUSINESS
Budget 2026-27: Govt sets the stage for a frenzied Q4 push in disinvestment
State-owned entities such as Rail Vikas Nigam Ltd, Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Ltd, Neyveli Lignite Corporation, and Fertilisers and Chemicals Travancore Ltd remain on the watchlist for OFS — for which approvals are already in place.
BUSINESS
Govt to likely offload 1–2% LIC stake via offer for sale route in Q4FY26
Centre evaluating timing as retail outflows and volatility dim appetite for a larger tranche
BUSINESS
IndiGo’s delayed preparation for new FDTL norms triggers mass flight cancellations
The phased FDTL norms were introduced to prevent pilot fatigue and improve flight safety.
BUSINESS
Vivo may also face I-T probe as SFIO flags profit diversion, findings to be shared with CBDT
The development comes as SFIO prepares to file its chargesheet against Vivo in a suspected diversion of more than Rs 2,000 crore
BUSINESS
Experts flag ambiguity risks in classification and capacity-based cess under tobacco, pan masala duty framework
Revised excise schedules and Health Security se National Security Cess Bill, 2025 could raise classification, valuation, and compliance challenges, say experts
BUSINESS
Cigarettes ‘must not become affordable’, says FM as Centre restores excise duty after GST cess sunset
Move aims to prevent fall in tax burden as GST law caps peak rate at 40 percent
COMPANIES
SFIO set to charge Chinese handset maker Vivo in fund diversion case this month
According to officials, the wider probe into Vivo, Oppo and Xiaomi has uncovered suspected fraud of over Rs 6,000 crore, signalling major compliance issues at the three Chinese smartphone brands.
BUSINESS
Nirmala Sitharaman flags digitalisation tax challenges, pitches for global effort
Tax transparency must be seen as more than a compliance measure, the finance minister has said, describing it as 'foundation of sustainable development and fiscal resilience'
