Provisions for Amnesty have been introduced as a transitional measure in the Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) Scheme 2026, notified on 29.06.2026. Such provisions are a one-time opportunity for regularisation of exemption status of Provident Fund (PF) Trusts that are recognized under the Income Tax Act, 1961 (43 of 1961), but do not have a formal exemption order granted under section 17 of the Employees’ Provident Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions (EPF&MP) Act, 1952 or section 143 of the Code on Social Security (CoSS), 2020.

The operational guidelines for Amnesty, including manner of application, procedural requirements, etc. were provided for in the detailed circular issued on 11.07.2026. The Amnesty provisions are valid for a period of six months from the date of notification i.e. up to 28.12.2026. Besides retrospective regularization of exempt status, other key benefits that will accrue to PF Trusts include waiver of certain requirements like minimum employee headcount, corpus size and 3-year compliance rule that are under the CoSS, 2020. Post regularization on retrospective basis, an establishment may choose to comply either as an exempt or an unexempt establishment.

The Employees’ Provident Fund Organization (EPFO) is making all-out efforts to ensure that prospective applicants are properly made aware of the Amnesty provisions, and through its field offices are properly guided in the entire process. As part of the outreach drive, engagement with various stakeholders is currently on. EPFO has reached out to professional bodies like the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI), whose members (CAs) undertake statutory or Income Tax audit of several establishments including in many cases where such establishments have formed PF Trust Funds and are in a good position to identify PF Trusts that can potentially avail the Amnesty scheme. ICAI has been requested to circulate the Amnesty provisions among its members so as to elicit good response from PF Trusts to the Scheme. Besides the above, EPFO field offices like Zonal Office UP and Zonal Office Kolkata have conducted seminars/ workshops with stakeholders.

Additionally, EPFO has reached out to the Income tax department seeking details of PF Trusts recognized under the Income Tax Act, requesting for undertaking corresponding check of an establishment’s status of coverage and exemption under the EPF&MP Act, 1952 or CoSS, 2020 before granting recognition under the IT Act, or withdrawing of existing recognition of PF Trusts which do not have formal exemption order from EPFO.

PF Trusts of establishments may apply for Amnesty scheme as per details outlined in the EPFO circular dated 11.07.2026 (available on EPFO website: https://www.epfo.gov.in).

The Ministry of Labour & Employment had initiated the nationwide Ideation Hackathon, “Digital Shram Sankalp: Reimagining India’s Labour Ecosystem with AI”, on 5 August 2026, inviting innovative and technology driven ideas to strengthen India’s digital labour ecosystem. In view of the encouraging response and to provide further opportunity to interested participants, the last date for submission of entries has now been extended up to 18 September 2026. Hosted on the Innovate India platform of MyGov, the Hackathon invites innovative, implementable and scalable ideas for strengthening the Ministry’s key digital platforms, namely eShram, National Career Service (NCS) and Shram Suvidha Portal 2.0.

Participants may propose solutions using emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, Data Analytics, Digital Public Infrastructure and interoperable digital systems. The solutions are expected to enhance employment services, worker welfare, ease of compliance, platform accessibility, user experience, data quality, system integration and citizen centric service delivery. The Hackathon features 12 problem statements covering different aspects of the Ministry’s digital labour ecosystem. It has received an encouraging response so far, with around 1,000 users submitting 1,368 ideas across the problem statements.

The Hackathon provides students, start-ups, innovators, entrepreneurs, institutions, researchers and technology professionals with an opportunity to apply their expertise to national scale digital platforms serving workers, jobseekers, employers and establishments across the country.

The top five ideas under each problem statement will receive cash prizes, while all eligible participants will be awarded a Digital Certificate of Participation by the Ministry of Labour & Employment. Winning participants may also be invited to present their proposals before senior officers of the Ministry. Promising ideas may be considered for pilot implementation and further development, with due recognition and credit.

The extended timeline provides participants with additional time to refine and submit their ideas. Registered users who have not yet submitted their entries, as well as other eligible individuals, are encouraged to utilise this opportunity and submit their ideas by 18^th September 2026 at: https://innovateindia.mygov.in/digital-shram-sankalp.

In continuation with the initiatives taken by the Government from time to time to promote Ease of Doing Business for the exporting community, the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) has enabled automated issuance of Free Sale and Commerce Certificates (FSC) on the DGFT portal. These Certificates are issued to exporters, under Foreign Trade Policy, for items which are not covered under the Drugs & Cosmetics Act, 1940. At present, such certificates are issued by Regional Authorities (RAs) of DGFT after scrutiny and verification.

Eligible applications will now be considered for automatic issuance in accordance with the prevailing framework, without being routed for manual scrutiny. The automated mechanism is expected to reduce processing time for a significant category of FSC applications and lower the compliance burden associated with the earlier manual process.

Applications requiring verification, or those not meeting the automated processing parameters, may continue to be routed to the concerned RA for manual processing.

Certain auto-approved applications may also be subsequently flagged to the concerned RA for review under the system’s risk management parameters.

The measure is expected to reduce avoidable manual intervention, improve the predictability of processing and facilitate faster issuance of FSCs for eligible exporters, while retaining appropriate verification and oversight for applications requiring scrutiny. By strengthening automated, rule-based processing and applying risk-based review, the initiative is expected to make the issuance of Free Sale and Commerce Certificates more efficient, transparent and predictable for exporters and administering authorities.

The Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) has extended the validity of the Companies Compliance Facilitation Scheme, 2026 (CCFS-2026) up to 15 September 2026, providing additional time to companies for completing their pending statutory filings.

The extension has been announced through General Circular No. 04/2026 dated 31 August 2026, issued by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs. The decision has been taken in view of representations received from various stakeholders seeking further continuation of the compliance facilitation window.

The Companies Compliance Facilitation Scheme, 2026 (CCFS-2026) was originally introduced by the Ministry through General Circular No. 01/2026 dated 24 February 2026 with the objective of providing companies an opportunity, inter alia, to complete their pending statutory filings. The Scheme was initially operational up to 15 July 2026.

Subsequently, the Ministry extended the last date of the Scheme up to 31 August 2026 through General Circular No. 03/2026 dated 8 July 2026. Following further representations from stakeholders, the competent authority has now decided to extend the validity of CCFS-2026 for another period, up to 15 September 2026.

The Ministry has clarified that all other terms and conditions of the Companies Compliance Facilitation Scheme, 2026 will remain unchanged. Accordingly, eligible companies may utilise the extended period in accordance with the existing provisions and conditions of the Scheme.

The latest extension is expected to provide additional facilitation to companies that are in the process of completing pending statutory filings and enable them to make use of the compliance opportunity available under CCFS-2026 before the revised deadline of 15 September 2026.

The circular has been issued with the approval of the competent authority.

The Monthly Accounts of the Union Government of India upto the month of July, 2026 has been consolidated and reports published. The highlights are given below: –

The Government of India has received ₹13,06,709 crore (35.8% of corresponding BE 2026-27 of Total Receipts) upto July, 2026 comprising ₹8,44,560 crore Tax Revenue (Net to Centre), ₹4,23,013 crore of Non-Tax Revenue and ₹39,136 crore of Non-Debt Capital Receipts. ₹3,72,354 crore has been transferred to State Governments as Devolution of Share of Taxes by Government of India during this period which is ₹56,190 crore lower than the previous year.

Total Expenditure incurred by Government of India is ₹17,61,853 crore (32.9% of corresponding BE 2026-27), out of which ₹13,11,218 crore is on Revenue Account and ₹4,50,635 crore is on Capital Account. Out of the Total Revenue Expenditure, ₹4,26,566 crore is on account of Interest Payments and ₹1,53,513 crore is on account of Major Subsidies.

The 8th Meeting of the India-Brazil Trade Monitoring Mechanism (TMM) was held in Brasília, Brazil. The meeting was co-chaired by Commerce Secretary, Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Shri Rajesh Agrawal, and Secretary of Foreign Trade, Ministry of Development, Industry, Commerce and Services (MDIC), Ms. Tatiana Lacerda Prazeres. The meeting, building on the strong political momentum led by Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and President Luiz Inácio Lula De Silva, reflected on the strong institutional framework underpinning the India-Brazil Strategic Partnership and the shared commitment of both sides to deepen strategic and economic ties.

Commerce Secretary also met Minister of Development, Industry, Commerce and Services, Government of Brazil, Mr. Marcio Elias Rosa, to discuss further deepening bilateral trade and investment ties and enhancing economic cooperation in priority sectors. Bilateral trade between India and Brazil has shown consistent growth, reaching USD 15.07 billion in 2025–26. Recognising the complementarities between the two economies, both sides reaffirmed their shared objective of expanding bilateral trade to USD 30 billion by 2030 through a more diversified, balanced and sustainable partnership, particularly in pharmaceuticals, chemicals, engineering goods and machinery.

During the meetings, both sides reviewed progress on the India–MERCOSUR Terms of Reference. The India–MERCOSUR Preferential Trade Agreement offers considerable scope for expansion and modernisation. With India-MERCOSUR bilateral trade reaching USD 20.84 billion in 2025, both sides committed to early finalisation of the Terms of Reference.

Significant progress was also made in facilitating market access for Indian pharmaceutical products. The CDSCO–ANVISA MoU signed in February 2026 provides an important institutional foundation for deeper cooperation in health and pharmaceuticals. India emphasised the need for supporting more predictable regulatory pathways and facilitating greater market access. India can contribute to the availability of affordable, quality medicines and strengthen efforts towards more accessible healthcare.

On agriculture, the discussions advanced work on priority phytosanitary requests on key products of interest, while laying out a clear agenda to take forward the technical processes towards reciprocal market access concessions in a time-bound manner. The discussions also noted the encouraging progress on mutual recognition of Electronic Certificates of Origin and on Cooperation in MSMEs, Entrepreneurship and Crafts, terming them significant steps towards greater trade facilitation and easing barriers to trade for business-to-business engagement.

Both sides reaffirmed close coordination on multilateral issues, including under BRICS, the G20 and the WTO, in support of an open, inclusive and development-oriented multilateral system. India appreciated Brazil’s engagement in advancing the Strategy for BRICS Economic Partnership 2030 and the GVC Action Plan 2026–2030. Brazil congratulated India on its work during its BRICS Presidency, particularly initiatives such as the BRICS Startup Knowledge Hub and BRICS Business Incubator.

As a part of the bilateral engagement, an India-Brazil High Level Business Reception was also organised in Brasilia with participation from leading business representatives and industry stakeholders from both countries. Commerce Secretary led the Indian business delegation comprising over 25 Indian businesses, including representatives from Kirloskar Group, UPL, Aditya Birla Group, amongst others. The Business Reception served as an important platform for exploring new avenues of collaboration in sectors such as critical minerals, renewable energy, agri-business, infrastructure, pharmaceuticals, digital services, logistics and advanced manufacturing. Both sides also welcomed the establishment of ApexBrasil office in New Delhi which will strengthen business-to-business linkages and greater flow of Brazilian investment in India. India and Brazil have a long-standing relationship characterised by mutual trust, democratic values, and growing economic engagement. The visit further boosted the momentum in bilateral ties and reaffirmed the shared commitment of both countries towards building a stronger and future-oriented economic partnership

Launched by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi as one of his very first programmes on 28th August 2014, the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) has completed 12 years. These 12 years of PMJDY have witnessed a transformation in India’s financial landscape, and the scheme has become a torchbearer for financial inclusion worldwide. As the world’s largest financial inclusion initiative, PMJDY continues to redefine access to banking for all Indians.

Expanding Financial Inclusion:

The Ministry of Finance remains committed to supporting marginalised and economically disadvantaged sectors through robust financial inclusion schemes and outreach. PMJDY ensures that every unbanked adult has access to a basic bank account—with no minimum balance requirement and no maintenance charges.

Each account comes with a free RuPay debit card, offering an accident insurance cover of ₹2 lakh, encouraging digital transactions and financial security. Account holders are also eligible for an overdraft facility of up to ₹10,000, providing a safety net during emergencies.

PMJDY accounts have also played a pivotal role in extending life and accident insurance to millions of workers in the unorganised sector, through Jan Suraksha schemes, viz. PM Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana and PM Suraksha Bima Yojana.

On the occasion, Union Minister of State for Finance, Shri Pankaj Chaudhary, said, “On 28th August 2014, the Hon’ble Prime Minister inaugurated the National Mission on Financial Inclusion, popularly known as Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY). Today, I am happy that Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) is celebrating its 12th anniversary. We should not see PMJDY just in the light of the opening of more than 59 crore accounts, garnering a deposit balance of ₹3.17 lakh crore, or the issuance of 41.29 crore free-of-cost RuPay cards, but in its transformation of the banking and financial landscape of the country, where the delivery of financial services to the last person in society—the poorest of the poor—has been made possible without delay or the involvement of middlemen.”

Under PMJDY, 78% of the accounts have been opened in rural or semi-urban areas, and approximately 56% of accounts are owned by women, depicting the priority of the scheme, which was to bring the underprivileged living in far-flung areas of the country into the formal financial sector.

PMJDY has empowered millions, particularly the marginalized sections, to access banking and financial services to improve their socio-economic conditions. Account ownership has enabled the common man to have insurance and pension coverage. Through relentless saturation drives across every state and district, we have moved towards near-universal coverage of bank accounts and steadily widened the reach of insurance and pension schemes to those who need them most.

On the occasion of the 12th anniversary, I appreciate the efforts of bankers and business correspondents deployed throughout the country in taking the PMJDY scheme to the common man and making it a grand success.”

The JAM Trinity: A Game-Changer:

The Jan-Dhan–Aadhaar–Mobile (JAM) trinity, with PMJDY at its core, has proven to be a diversion-proof mechanism for the direct delivery of financial assistance. Through JAM, the government has successfully transferred welfare benefits directly into the bank accounts of the underprivileged, eliminating intermediaries and delays.

Milestones and Achievements:

a. PMJDY Accounts: 59.09 crore (As on 19th August ’26)

As on 19th August ’26, the total number of PMJDY accounts stands at 59.09 crore; 55.7% (32.92 crore) of Jan Dhan account holders are women, and 77.8% (45.95 crore) of Jan Dhan accounts are in rural and semi-urban areas.

b. Deposits under PMJDY Accounts – ₹3.17 lakh crore (As on 19th August ’26)

Total deposit balances under PMJDY accounts stand at ₹3,16,514 crore. Deposits have increased about 12.8 times, while the number of accounts has increased 2.3 times in the last 12 years (Aug ’26/Aug ’15).

c. Average Deposit per PMJDY Account – ₹5,356 (As on 19th August ’26)

The average deposit per account is ₹5,356 as on 19.08.2026. The average deposit per account has increased 3.4 times in the last 12 years (Aug ’26/Aug ’15). The increase in the average deposit is another indication of the increased usage of accounts and the inculcation of saving habits among account holders.

d. RuPay Cards Issued to PMJDY Account Holders: 41.29 crore (As on 19th August ’26)

41.29 crore RuPay cards have been issued to PMJDY account holders. The number and usage of RuPay cards have increased over time.

PMJDY’s success is driven by its mission-mode approach, regulatory backing, public-private partnerships, and the integration of digital public infrastructure like Aadhaar for biometric verification. It continues to be the first step towards financial inclusion, with further progress being achieved by enabling savings and credit access for those previously excluded from formal finance. With visible saving patterns, account holders are now eligible for loans, including MUDRA loans, empowering individuals to grow their incomes and build financial resilience.

As PMJDY enters its 13th year, it continues to be a beacon of inclusive growth, digital innovation, and economic empowerment. Its enduring success reflects India’s commitment to ensuring that no citizen is left behind in the journey towards financial well-being.

The Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) organized a conclave of the Heads of Regional Rural Banks on expanding the SIDBI-RRB MSME Co-Lending arrangement on 25th August 2026 in New Delhi. The Conclave chaired by Shri Sanjay Lohiya, Secretary, Department of Financial Services was attended by Shri Manoj Mittal, CMD, SIDBI; senior officials from DFS, SIDBI and NABARD; and Chairmen of all 28 Regional Rural Banks.

During the Conclave, Secretary, DFS, emphasized the importance of scaling up MSME lending in rural and semi-urban areas. The proposed arrangement synergizes the strengths of SIDBI, which understands the credit needs of MSMEs, and RRBs, which have an excellent reach across the smaller towns and villages of the country. RRBs will also be able to achieve their goal of diversifying their loan portfolios by focusing on MSME lending, and rule engine-based underwriting is also expected to help them maintain good asset quality.

Additional Secretary, DFS, while addressing the conclave, indicated the importance of MSME cluster data for a focused approach to reaching out to a large number of MSMEs. RRBs should contribute towards making the country a next-generation manufacturing hub and also take an active part in Rozgar Melas conducted by state governments to disseminate financial awareness among MSMEs. Joint Secretary, DFS, suggested that RRBs make MSME lending through this Co-Lending arrangement an important target for branches. CMD, SIDBI, also urged the RRBs to come forward and make the arrangement a success.

The Co-Lending Origination Platform developed by SIDBI is an end-to-end digital platform providing a faster and paperless credit journey, resulting in the quick sanction and disbursement of loans. Loan applicants will be informed of their in-principle sanctions within a very short turnaround time once all the details are provided through the application portal. The digital documentation and disbursement process also ensure that customers receive loan disbursements directly into their accounts without the need to visit branches at any stage of the process. With encouraging outcomes from the pilot implementation at three RRBs, the proposed expansion of this Co-Lending programme to more RRBs is expected to significantly address the credit needs of borrowers, especially in the Micro and Small segments, in rural and semi-urban areas.

The Provisional Estimates of Service Producer Price Indices for Q1 of FY 2026-27 and Final Estimates for Q4 of FY 2025-26 are as below: –

S. No.	Service PPI	Q4: 2025-26 (F)	Q1: 2026-27 (P)
1.	Securities Transaction Service Price Index	91.7	89.9
2.(a)	Banking Service Price Index	100.5	100.9
2.(b)	Banking Service Contribution Index	131.5	134.8
3.	Management of Pension Funds Service Price Index	103.8	113.3
4.	Insurance Service Price Index	102.9	102.9
5.	Telecom Service Price Index	112.2	112.2
6.	Railway Service Price Index	103.3	103.4
6.(a)	Railway Freight Service Price Index	103.2	103.3
6.(b)	Railway Passenger Service Price Index	103.5	103.5
7.	Air (Passenger) Service Price Index	106.9	126.4

(P)-Provisional, (F)-Final

Note: Weights have not been assigned to aforementioned services as these services do not cover the entire service sector. However, sub-service level weights under each service, have been computed using the data of FY 2022-23 for arriving at the PPI of respective Services.

2. The Service Producer Price Indices (Base Year 2022-23) and the Year-on-Year (YoY) inflation rate of the seven services for last four quarters are given at Annexure.
3. Quarterly Service PPIs from Q1 of FY 2023-24 to Q1 of FY 2026-27 are available at (https://eaindustry.nic.in/download_data_2223.asp)

Service PPIs for seven services for Q2 of FY 2026-27 will be released on Wednesday, 25^th November 2026.

Annexure

Service PPIs (Base Year 2022-23) for last four Quarters

S. No.	Service PPI	Q2: 2025-26 (F)	Q3: 2025-26 (F)	Q4: 2025-26 (F)	Q1: 2026-27 (P)
1.	Securities Transaction Service Price Index	92.4	89.2	91.7	89.9
2.(a)	Banking Service Price Index	103.6	102.2	100.5	100.9
2.(b)	Banking Service Contribution Index	129.7	132.0	131.5	134.8
3.	Management of Pension Funds Service Price Index	108.4	106.3	103.8	113.3
4.	Insurance Service Price Index	102.7	102.0	102.9	102.9
5.	Telecom Service Price Index	111.6	112.2	112.2	112.2
6.	Railway Service Price Index	101.3	102.6	103.3	103.4
6.(a)	Railway Freight Service Price Index	101.3	103.2	103.2	103.3
6.(b)	Railway Passenger Service Price Index	101.3	101.3	103.5	103.5
7.	Air (Passenger) Service Price Index	94.3	107.3	106.9	126.4

(P)-Provisional, (F)-Final

Year-on-Year Inflation Rate for last four Quarters for Service PPIs (Base Year 2022-23)

S. No.	Service PPI	Q2: 2025-26 (F)	Q3: 2025-26 (F)	Q4: 2025-26 (F)	Q1: 2026-27 (P)
1.	Securities Transaction Service Price Index	-5.81	-4.80	0.55	-1.32
2.(a)	Banking Service Price Index	-2.81	-4.31	-4.10	-3.35
2.(b)	Banking Service Contribution Index	2.13	2.56	3.30	6.90
3.	Management of Pension Funds Service Price Index	1.59	-0.56	-0.76	5.20
4.	Insurance Service Price Index	0.10	-3.04	0.68	0.98
5.	Telecom Service Price Index	0.45	0.99	0.99	0.72
6.	Railway Service Price Index	-0.20	0.49	1.18	1.27
6.(a)	Railway Freight Service Price Index	-0.88	0.00	0.00	0.10
6.(b)	Railway Passenger Service Price Index	1.30	1.30	3.50	3.50
7.	Air (Passenger) Service Price Index	–	–	–	31.94

In a major breakthrough against drug trafficking, officers of the Central Bureau of Narcotics (CBN) MP and UP Units successfully executed ‘Operation Black Hawk’, seizing total 18.64 kg crude heroin in back-to-back operations near Lucknow (U.P.). Three key members of an inter-state trafficking network have been arrested. The contraband originated from North-Eastern State and were being trafficked for consumption in Uttar Pradesh.

Developing first precise inputs from the CBN MP Unit regarding drug movement from the North-East region to Lucknow, joint teams from CBN MP and UP units established a strategic cordon along the Sultanpur–Lucknow Highway on the intervening night of August 20–21, 2026.

Following continuous tracking from at different Toll Plazas, the strike team intercepted an Assam-registered Hyundai Creta at near Lucknow on August 21. The vehicle was found empty and the occupants claimed innocence. Operational officers grew suspicious when the vehicle’s occupants on questioning disclosed to have refueled four times within a span of just 500 km. A physical tapping test of the fuel tank confirmed a hollow acoustic anomaly. At the CBN Office in Lucknow, technical assistance was utilized to dismantle the fuel tank, exposing a specially fabricated compartment holding 25 waterproof packages containing 16.46 kg of crude heroin. Both suspects were arrested.

In another (second) actionable intelligence developed by the CBN UP Unit indicated a heavy truck transporting contraband along the Siliguri–Lucknow corridor. CBN teams tracked the vehicle across multiple toll plazas before intercepting it near Barabanki. A systematic physical search revealed 2.16 kg crude heroin concealed inside a specially constructed secret chamber within the vehicle’s body frame. One suspect was arrested.

All three suspects have been booked under stringent provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985. Both transport vehicles and the entire contraband consignment have been confiscated. Comprehensive follow-up financial and logistical investigations are currently underway to trace upstream suppliers in the North-East and dismantle connected downstream distribution channels.

Key seizures at a glance

• Total Seized Drugs: 18.64 kg (16.48 kg from a Car and 2.16 kg from a heavy commercial vehicle)
• Vehicles Impounded: one Assam-registered Hyundai Creta, one Heavy Commercial Truck.
• Total Arrests: 3 Suspects (arrested under the NDPS Act, 1985)
• Concealment Methods: Fabricated fuel tank cavity and secret body chambers in Truck.

The Government has notified the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (Adjudication of Penalties) Rules, 2026, providing a detailed procedural framework for adjudication of penalties and disposal of appeals under the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority Act, 1985.

The Rules have been notified by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry through G.S.R. 741(E) dated 19 August 2026 and have come into force from the date of their publication in the Official Gazette.

The Rules have been framed in exercise of the powers conferred by clauses (ma) and (mb) of sub-section (2) of Section 32, read with Section 25A of the APEDA Act, 1985.

Adjudicating Officer to conduct inquiry into alleged contraventions

Under the new Rules, an Adjudicating Officer, appointed by the Chairman under Section 25A of the APEDA Act, will conduct proceedings relating to adjudication of penalties in respect of specified contraventions.

Upon receipt of a complaint regarding an alleged contravention, the Adjudicating Officer will issue a show-cause notice in Form-I, requiring the concerned person to explain why an inquiry should not be initiated.

The period provided for submitting a response to the show-cause notice cannot be less than seven days from the date of service of the notice. The notice is also required to clearly indicate the nature of the alleged contravention.

Opportunity of hearing and submission of evidence

After considering the response submitted by the concerned person, the Adjudicating Officer may proceed with an inquiry where considered necessary.

The person against whom proceedings are initiated may appear personally or through a duly authorised representative and will be given an opportunity to submit documents and evidence relevant to the inquiry.

Where necessary, the hearing may be adjourned to another date, subject to the conditions prescribed under the Rules. Such adjournment is to be not later than 15 days from the first date of hearing and up to a maximum of three dates.

The Rules further provide that, while taking evidence, the Adjudicating Officer will not be bound by the provisions of the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023.

Inquiry may proceed in absence in specified circumstances

Where a person fails, neglects or refuses to appear before the Adjudicating Officer despite being required to do so, the officer may proceed with the inquiry in the person’s absence after recording reasons.

After considering the available evidence, if the Adjudicating Officer is satisfied that a contravention has been committed, a penalty may be imposed through a written order under the provisions of the APEDA Act.

Every such order must specify the relevant provision of the Act that has been contravened and record the reasons for imposition of the penalty.

A copy of the order and other proceedings is required to be provided free of cost to the person against whom the inquiry was conducted.

Adjudication proceedings to be completed within six months

The Rules prescribe a defined timeline for adjudication proceedings. The Adjudicating Officer is required to complete the proceedings within six months from the date of issuance of notice to the person concerned.

The Rules also prescribe multiple modes for service of notices and orders, including delivery to the person or authorised representative, electronic mode, or speed post with registration and proof of delivery.

Where service cannot be effected through the prescribed methods, the notice or order may be affixed on a conspicuous part of the premises in accordance with the Rules.

Right of appeal against Adjudicating Officer’s order

The Rules provide an appellate mechanism for persons aggrieved by an order of the Adjudicating Officer.

An aggrieved person may file an appeal in Form-II before the Appellate Authority within 30 days from the date of receipt of the adjudication order.

The Appellate Authority may, however, admit an appeal after expiry of the 30-day period if satisfied that the appellant was prevented by sufficient cause from filing the appeal within the prescribed time.

The appeal must be accompanied by a copy of the adjudication order, a clear statement of the facts being challenged, grounds of appeal and the relevant provisions of the Act.

Defects in appeal may be rectified within 15 days

Where an appeal is found to be defective upon scrutiny, the Appellate Authority will inform the appellant of the deficiencies and provide 15 days for rectification.

If the appellant fails to correct the deficiencies within the prescribed period, the Appellate Authority may decline to register the appeal by recording reasons in writing and communicate the decision to the appellant within the stipulated period.

Appellate Authority to dispose of appeals within 60 days

Upon admission of an appeal, a copy will be served on the concerned party along with a notice requiring submission of a reply within a period not exceeding 30 days.

The Appellate Authority may call for records relating to the proceedings from the concerned Adjudicating Officer and, after providing the parties an opportunity of being heard, pass such orders as it considers reasonable.

The Rules stipulate that the Appellate Authority shall dispose of an appeal within 60 days from the date of its filing.

Provision for extension of prescribed timelines

The Adjudicating Officer or the Appellate Authority may extend a period specified under the Rules where there is a reasonable cause for delay or failure to act, subject to reasons being recorded in writing.

Every order passed under the Rules is required to be signed and dated and communicated to all concerned parties.

Further, all sums realised by way of penalties under the Rules will be credited to the Consolidated Fund of India.

Standardised Forms prescribed for show-cause notice and appeal

The Rules also prescribe standard formats to ensure procedural consistency.

Form-I has been prescribed for issuance of a show-cause notice in respect of alleged contraventions of the APEDA Act, while Form-II has been prescribed for filing an appeal against the order of the Adjudicating Officer.

The notification establishes a structured and time-bound framework for adjudication of penalties and appeals under the APEDA Act, including clear provisions relating to notice, opportunity of hearing, evidence, passing of reasoned orders and appellate review.

G.S.R. 752(E).— In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-sections (1) and (5) of section 9A of the Customs Tariff Act, 1975 (51 of 1975) read with rules 18 and 23 of the Customs Tariff (Identification, Assessment and Collection of Anti-dumping Duty on Dumped Articles and for Determination of Injury) Rules, 1995, the Central Government hereby makes the following further amendment in the notification of the Government of India, in the Ministry of Finance (Department of Revenue) No. 47/2021-Customs (ADD), dated the 26th August, 2021, published in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part II, Section 3, Sub-section (i), vide number G.S.R. 590(E), dated the 26th August,
2021, namely:-

In the said notification, in paragraph 3, for the figures, letters and word “25th November, 2026”, the figures, letters and word “25th February, 2027” shall be substituted.

Note: The principal notification No. 47/2021-Customs (ADD), dated the 26th August, 2021, was published in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part II, Section 3, Sub-section (i), vide number G.S.R. 590(E), dated the 26th August, 2021 and was last amended vide notification No. 09/2026-Customs (ADD), dated the 22nd May, 2026, published in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part II, Section 3, Sub-section (i), vide number G.S.R. 387(E), dated the 22nd May, 2026.

G.S.R. 755(E).— In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (1) of section 25 of the Customs Act, 1962 (52 of 1962), the Central Government, on being satisfied that it is necessary in the public interest so to do, hereby exempts the goods of the description specified in column (3) of the Table below, falling under the tariff heading of the First Schedule to the Customs Tariff Act, 1975 (51 of 1975) (hereinafter referred to as the ‘Customs Tariff Act’), as specified in the corresponding entry in column (2) of the said Table, in such quantity of total imports of such goods, as specified in column (4) below (herein after referred to as the ‘Tariff Rate Quota (TRQ) quantity’), when imported into India, from the whole of the customs duty leviable thereon under the First Schedule to the Customs Tariff Act, subject to the condition specified in the Annexure to this notification, namely: –

TABLE

Sl. No.	Tariff Heading	Description of goods	Tariff Rate Quota (TRQ) quantity
(1)	(2)	(3)	(4)
1.	1701	Raw Sugar	10,00,000 MT

ANNEXURE

Condition

(a) The TRQ is allotted to the importer by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade, in accordance with the relevant procedure as specified in the Hand Book of Procedures, 2023; (b) The TRQ authorization shall contain name and address of the importer, Importer-Exporter Code (IEC), Customs notification number, tariff heading as applicable, quantity and validity period of certificate; (c) The TRQ authorization shall be issued electronically by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade and transmitted to Indian Customs EDI System (ICES); and (d) Imports made against the TRQ shall be allowed only upon debiting electronically in the ICES system.

2.        This notification shall come into force with immediate effect, and shall remain in force upto and inclusive of the 31^st day of October, 2026.

Union Minister of State for Finance Shri Pankaj Chaudhary participated virtually in the 21^st Award Ceremony of Security Printing and Minting Corporation of India Limited (SPMCIL) at its Corporate Office in New Delhi today.

Smt. Anu P. Mathai, Additional Secretary and Member of the Board of SPMCIL; Shri Amit Singla, Joint Secretary, from the Department of Economic Affairs (DEA), Ministry of Finance; and Shri Vijay Ranjan Singh, Chairman and Managing Director, SPMCIL, also participated along with senior officials of the DEA and the SPMCIL.

The awards ceremony celebrated the SPMCIL’s proud tradition of recognising excellence, innovation, and dedication among its officers and employees.

In his video address, Shri Chaudhary commended SPMCIL’s vital contribution to strengthening India’s financial and sovereign infrastructure. He highlighted the Corporation’s role in producing secure currency, coinage, passports, and other sovereign products of national importance, and congratulated the awardees for their outstanding performance and commitment to excellence.

In her address on the occasion, Smt. Mathai underlined the importance of SPMCIL’s nine production units — four mints, two currency presses, two security presses, and one paper mill — as the backbone of India’s financial and sovereign framework. She emphasised that the dedication, integrity, and innovation of employees remain the pillars of SPMCIL’s success, and expressed confidence in the Corporation’s continued growth under the guidance of the Ministry of Finance.

In his address at the awards ceremony, Shri Amit Singla acknowledged SPMCIL’s operational achievements and reiterated the Ministry’s support in enhancing efficiency and governance standards. He also noted that since its incorporation in 2006, SPMCIL has completed two decades of vital national service, consistently delivering secure products that reinforce India’s financial and sovereign infrastructure.

Earlier in his welcome address, Shri Vijay Ranjan Singh highlighted the Corporation’s mandate as a Schedule ‘A’ CPSE under the Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance. He emphasised SPMCIL’s modernisation initiatives, strengthened compliance, and transparency measures, which have enabled the Corporation to meet the sovereign requirements of the nation with professionalism and integrity. He further noted that the commitment and innovation of employees across all units have been central to achieving significant milestones in productivity, quality, and corporate governance.

In addition to individual recognitions, SPMCIL units were awarded for best performance in diverse areas such as productivity, environment and safety, energy conservation, knowledge and development, vigilance, and official language implementation. The prestigious CMD Cup was awarded to Security Paper Mill, Narmadapuram, for its exemplary performance.

The event concluded with a Vote of Thanks, expressing gratitude to the Chief Guest, dignitaries, awardees, employees, and media representatives for their participation and support.

The 21^st SPMCIL Award Ceremony reaffirmed the Corporation’s commitment to excellence, professionalism, and service to the nation, while recognising the invaluable contributions of its employees and units in advancing India’s financial and sovereign strength.

The list of awardees, including individual employees and units of SPMCIL for their extraordinary performance, is below.

The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry, signed Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with PhonePe and Shell India Pvt. Ltd. on 19 August 2026 to strengthen support for DPIIT-recognised startups and promote innovation across key sectors of the economy.

The partnerships are aimed at enhancing access to technology, digital infrastructure, mentorship, market opportunities and industry networks, while fostering a robust, inclusive and self-reliant startup ecosystem in the country.

Under its collaboration with DPIIT, PhonePe will provide DPIIT-recognised startups with a range of benefits, including transaction credits through its Payment Gateway, access to the Indus AppStore, dedicated onboarding and support services, and opportunities for enhanced brand visibility. PhonePe will also conduct regular masterclasses and webinars on topics such as fintech, sales, go-to-market strategies and business scaling, enabling startups to strengthen their capabilities and accelerate growth.

The MoU with Shell India will focus on supporting startups operating in the energy and climate-tech sectors. Through this partnership, Shell India will provide mentorship, strategic guidance, investor and incubator connect, and opportunities to participate in the Shell E4 Smart Energy Track. The initiative is expected to help startups access growth opportunities, scale innovative solutions and contribute to India’s clean energy transition.

In addition, the collaboration with Shell India will promote knowledge-sharing and ecosystem development through the preparation of sectoral success stories, white papers, policy briefs, industry landscape reports and case studies highlighting emerging innovations and best practices in the energy and climate-tech startup ecosystem.

Together, these partnerships are expected to strengthen access to digital infrastructure, industry knowledge, mentorship, market linkages and investment opportunities for startups, enabling them to scale sustainably, drive innovation and contribute to India’s economic growth and technological advancement.

Continuing its sustained crackdown on transnational trafficking of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has foiled a major attempt to illegally export a significant quantity of Methamphetamine from India to Saudi Arabia.

In an intelligence-led operation conducted by DRI during 16–17.08.2026, around 56 kg Methamphetamine in powdery form was recovered from an export consignment at the Nava Sheva Port. The contraband drug had been ingeniously mixed with maize in one of the 351 bags contained in this consignment. The recovered Methamphetamine and was seized, under the provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985.

Swift investigation led to the identification of the exporter and the transporter/freight forwarder involved in the operation. Investigation revealed that the transporter/freight forwarder was coordinating with an overseas buyer for transportation and customs clearance of the export consignment. Based on their respective roles in the attempted trafficking, both persons were arrested under the provisions of the NDPS Act, 1985.                                                                              

The method of concealment — mixing a large quantity of Methamphetamine inextricably with maize and disguising the consignment as an ordinary agricultural commodity — represents a distinctive modus operandi intended to evade routine examination and detection during export.

Methamphetamine is a highly potent synthetic psychostimulant with a high potential for abuse and dependence. Illicit use can cause severe physical and psychological effects, including increased heart rate and blood pressure, agitation, paranoia, psychosis and other serious health complications; prolonged or repeated use can result in drug dependence and significant impairment of health and functioning.

In a major operation, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) busted a syndicate of wildlife traffickers and seized 54 intricately carved ivory artefacts today.

Acting on a specific intelligence regarding the illicit trade of ivory artefacts, officers of the DRI, planned a meticulous operation at Lucknow and intercepted four persons of a syndicate involved in illicit trade of wildlife items that led to recovery of 54 exquisitely crafted artefacts made of ivory.

The recovered artefacts include animal figurines of bull, elephants, dog; human figurines of warrior, mother holding her child, and other items such as scissors, comb, agarbatti stand, sindoor dani etc.  The recovered artefacts made from ivory are exquisite, finely detailed and of potentially substantial commercial and antique value. The seized artefacts made from ivory and four members of syndicate were handed over to UP Forest Department for further investigation.

The Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, inter alia, prohibits trade and commerce in elephant ivory and articles manufactured therefrom, in furtherance of India’s international obligations under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).

In month of July (Release link: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2284262&reg=1&lang=1), in two distinct operations had seized 11 kg elephant ivory tusks in Sujangarh, Rajasthan and two intricately designed ivory idols of deities in Howrah Kolkata.

In month of May (Release link: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2266027&reg=48&lang=2), DRI had busted one syndicate in Mysuru, Karnataka and had seized 4 kg of elephant tusks.

These series of operations underscores the increasing threat of illegal wildlife trafficking and highlights DRI’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding India’s biodiversity and dismantling such criminal networks in accordance with national laws and international obligations under CITES.