'We have a very demanding electorate which expects us to do something. So we will have to do something which is a bit out of the ordinary while at the same time keeping in mind the risk factors.'
The Centre has appointed two directors and a joint director to the National Testing Agency (NTA) amidst ongoing reforms and scrutiny over issues like the NEET paper leak. These appointments are part of a broader overhaul of the NTA's examination system.
The government is introducing a 0.4% Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) on UPI person-to-merchant payments above Rs 2,000, effective October 15. This move ends the zero-MDR regime, aiming to fund UPI infrastructure and sustainability, as the previous government subsidy was insufficient to cover operational costs. Payments between individuals and most everyday merchant transactions will remain free.
'Taxpayers should not ignore any of these notices. Verifying the facts and responding promptly can help resolve issues early and avoid unnecessary litigation.'
Moody's Ratings has sharply increased India's GDP growth forecast for fiscal 2026-27 to 7 per cent, making it the fastest among G20 economies, driven by economic resilience despite the Middle East conflict. However, the agency flagged significant inflation risks stemming from elevated oil prices and potential El Nino disruptions.
President Donald Trump has announced a promise to issue a USD 5,000 dividend to every adult US citizen if Republicans secure victory in both the House and the Senate in the upcoming midterm elections, citing the nation's economic success under his administration.
Left parties have strongly condemned the government's decision to impose charges on UPI payments exceeding Rs 2,000, with CPI General Secretary D Raja alleging the move was made under "US pressure" to favour foreign payment companies. Both CPI and All India Forward Bloc demand the withdrawal of this "anti-people decision," arguing it burdens consumers and merchants while undermining UPI's role as a public digital infrastructure. They highlight concerns that the charges weaken India's digital sovereignty and serve commercial interests of foreign corporations like Visa and Mastercard.
JSW Group and China's SAIC Motor are in discussions for the next round of capital support for JSW MG Motor India, aiming to expand manufacturing capacity beyond 220,000 units annually to an ambitious one million vehicles and broaden its new-energy vehicle (NEV) portfolio.
Bharti Airtel is strategically shifting its focus towards data centres, cloud services, and financial services as key drivers for its next phase of growth, leveraging significant past investments in digital infrastructure, as outlined by Chairman Sunil Mittal in the company's Annual Report for 2025-26.
It is important to understand that the rupee's appreciation, driven by the 2013 special swap scheme, reduced India's import costs for petroleum, oil, and gold, points out Dr Ashwani Mahajan, National Co-Convenor, Swadeshi Jagaran Manch.
The Income Tax Department has initiated a nationwide verification drive targeting suspicious foreign remittances made by entities with minimal business activity, including those in border districts, and is scrutinising the chartered accountants who issued the mandatory tax determination certificates.
The income-tax department has launched a significant verification drive targeting 394 entities and 36 professionals over suspected irregularities in substantial foreign remittances made over the past three years, aiming to uncover potential tax evasion and fraudulent transactions.
rediffGURU Vipul Bhavsar answers readers' personal income tax queries
From the financial year 2025-2026, the government has introduced a new column in the tax return form for presumptive taxpayers, requiring them to disclose their year-end investments. This requirement was not present last year.
The Lok Sabha has passed a Bill to amend the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007, authorising the government to permit banks and service providers to levy charges on UPI and other electronic payment modes. This move aims to create a sustainable revenue model for the digital payments ecosystem, shifting from the current exemption of UPI transactions from such charges.
Indian passenger vehicle manufacturers are significantly increasing production and stocking dealerships in anticipation of strong festival season demand, with new launches planned and supply bottlenecks being addressed. However, the industry faces potential moderation in growth during the second half of FY27 due to a high base from last year's post-GST surge, commodity inflation, and elevated inventory levels.
Do not share OTPs, PINs, authentication codes, card numbers, card verification values (CVVs), KYC details, security answers, Internet-banking passwords or Aadhaar-based authentication credentials through SMS, e-mail or phone calls.
India's Goods and Services Tax (GST) collections saw a significant 14 per cent increase in June, reaching approximately Rs 1.95 lakh crore. This surge was primarily driven by a substantial 34.6 per cent growth in tax mop-up from imports, alongside a 6.5 per cent rise in domestic supplies, reflecting the country's economic resilience despite global uncertainties.
'Every period of excessive optimism eventually gives way to a correction, while periods of extreme pessimism often create the best investment opportunities.'
Economists highlight that resolving domestic policy bottlenecks, particularly through land reforms and improving the ease of doing business, will be critical for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'next-generation reforms' and India's economic transformation towards its 'Viksit Bharat' vision for 2047.
'Improved law and order and transparent governance have helped change UP's investment image.'
A viral video showing a woman tourist complaining to security personnel at a Ladakh checkpoint has ignited widespread criticism from military veterans. The woman's tirade, allegedly over vehicular movement restrictions, has been condemned as disrespectful to soldiers and ignorant of the region's security sensitivities.
The National Stock Exchange of India Ltd (NSE) has received regulatory approval from SEBI for its long-awaited Rs 30,000-crore initial public offering (IPO), positioning it to potentially become the country's largest-ever public issue.
Indian crypto exchanges and companies have expressed strong support for the Central Board of Direct Taxes' (CBDT) new Crypto Asset Reporting Framework (CARF), which mandates reporting and due-diligence obligations for crypto service providers on all transactions starting 2026.
GSTN has put on hold its planned enhancements to the e-way bill system, providing businesses with crucial time to adapt to the proposed changes amid widespread industry concerns.
Fitch Ratings has affirmed India's sovereign credit rating at 'BBB-' with a stable outlook, acknowledging robust growth prospects and strong external finances. However, the agency highlighted concerns over elevated government debt, lagging structural metrics, and potential fiscal spending pressures due to rising youth unemployment.
Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M) Ltd reported a significant 34 per cent year-on-year increase in Profit After Tax (PAT) to Rs 5,455 crore for the June quarter, driven by strong performance in its Auto and Farm segments despite challenging macro-economic conditions.
Recent changes to tax exemptions and allowances, including increased education, hostel, and HRA limits, have made the old tax regime more competitive against the new regime, prompting salaried employees to re-evaluate their choice for the current financial year.
A World Bank report highlights how Artificial Intelligence-powered weather forecasts have enabled small farmers in Telangana, India, to save up to USD 560 by adapting their farming practices to specific risks. The report, "The Promise of Artificial Intelligence," advocates for developing countries to rapidly adopt small, low-cost AI tools to enhance productivity, improve government services, and avoid missing out on the AI revolution.
Gujarat ATS intercepts a large silver consignment worth 5 crore at Rajkot Airport, suspecting tax evasion.
The Lok Sabha introduced four significant bills on Monday, including amendments to mines and minerals regulations, the establishment of a National Tribunals Commission, and the renaming of Kerala to Keralam, all while facing continuous protests from opposition members demanding a discussion on the July 20 police crackdown on students.
Salaried taxpayers should not use these forms blindly to file their income-tax returns.
The Delhi government has notified detailed guidelines for the Delhi Lakshmi Yojana, outlining strict provisions for beneficiaries found ineligible, including discontinuation of financial assistance, recovery of disbursed funds, and potential fraud charges. The scheme provides Rs 2,500 monthly to eligible women, with specific rules for fund disbursement via RD/FD accounts and CBDC wallets, along with clear eligibility and exclusion criteria.
Thousands of students clashed with Bihar Police in Patna while attempting to march to the chief minister's residence, protesting against the Bihar Public Service Commission's (BPSC) examination system and alleged irregularities.
Tax treatment depends on the activity and manner of earning income.
The Indian government has informed the Lok Sabha that the income-tax return (ITR) e-filing portal is functioning in a 'largely stable and efficient manner' despite a significant increase in traffic during the peak filing season. However, it acknowledged transient technical issues and disclosed that contractual penalties have been imposed on Infosys for project delays and service-level agreement failures.
Maruti Suzuki India (MSIL) reported a mixed Q1 FY27, with record quarterly sales driving strong revenue growth, but operating performance was below expectations due to higher commodity and other costs impacting margins. Brokerages anticipate sustained sales growth for the company in the current fiscal year, supported by new launches, robust demand, and significant capacity expansion.
Voltas has announced a joint venture with Atomberg Innovation to manufacture high-efficiency room air conditioner (RAC) compressors, aiming to strengthen localisation and supply-chain resilience. Despite significant volume growth in RACs, the company's margins remain a key concern for analysts.
Rental yield can indicate whether a property is undervalued, overvalued or fairly valued.
TVS Motor Company reported a significant 56.8 per cent year-on-year increase in net profit to 1,036 crore in Q1FY27, driven by record sales volumes, an improved product mix, and robust demand in both domestic and international markets, with management anticipating continued double-digit industry growth.
