Finance News
GST Council suggests tax exemption on storage of seeds meant for sowing
The GST Council has proposed exempting storage and warehousing services for seeds meant for sowing, along with coffee-curing services provided by coffee curers to cultivators
 "GST Council suggests tax exemption on storage of seeds meant for sowing")
GST Council meet: Export definition tweak to ease IT firms' concerns
The GST Council's changes to export definitions and refund rules are expected to benefit IT firms, consulting companies and GCCs by reducing tax disputes and working capital costs
 "GST Council meet: Export definition tweak to ease IT firms' concerns")
Micro lenders must map climate risk in underwriting, says report
Bharat Microfinance Report 2026 flags rising climate risks to rural credit as NABARD warns of potential rabi crop stress following a deficient monsoon and urges better underwriting
 "Micro lenders must map climate risk in underwriting, says report")
GST Council allows small online sellers to use warehouses in other states
Small online sellers can now use e-commerce platform warehouses to register in other states, while the GST Council has clarified tax treatment for platforms and retained existing rates
 "GST Council allows small online sellers to use warehouses in other states")
Transporters welcome GST Council move to curb repeated checks on highways
Transport industry bodies say the GST Council's decision to limit highway inspections to intelligence-based checks will reduce unnecessary stoppages, delays and penalties
 "Transporters welcome GST Council move to curb repeated checks on highways")
State-owned banks raise repo-linked lending rates by 25 bps after RBI move
Several banks, including BoB, PNB and Indian Bank, raise repo-linked lending rates by 25 bps after the RBI's policy rate increase, making loans costlier for borrowers
 "State-owned banks raise repo-linked lending rates by 25 bps after RBI move")
GST is always useful for a state like West Bengal, says Swapan Dasgupta
West Bengal Finance Minister Swapan Dasgupta calls the 57th GST Council meeting "very, very positive", highlighting ease of doing business and improved compliance.
 "GST is always useful for a state like West Bengal, says Swapan Dasgupta")
GST Council ends GST officers' arrest powers; ₹10,000 limit for notices
The council has removed the power to arrest under GST. It also raised the threshold for prosecution from ₹1 crore to ₹5 crore
 "GST Council ends GST officers' arrest powers; ₹10,000 limit for notices")
Deposit rates unlikely to rise for upto 3 months: SBI chairman Setty
Setty said the shift to tightening of rates by the central bank will help banks expand their net interest margins (NIMs) for up to three quarters
 "Deposit rates unlikely to rise for upto 3 months: SBI chairman Setty")
RBI rate cycle: How much did borrowers and savers actually benefit?
The RBI's previous rate cycle shows that changes in the repo rate did not translate equally into loan and deposit rates, with the impact varying across borrowers and Depositors
 "RBI rate cycle: How much did borrowers and savers actually benefit?")
Rupee rises 10 paise to 96.65 against US dollar during early trade
The rupee remains under pressure from a strong dollar, Brent crude near $102 a barrel and foreign fund outflows, while a sharp fall in forex reserves has added to investor concerns
 "Rupee rises 10 paise to 96.65 against US dollar during early trade")
RBI MPC meet: 'Pressure on current account is a temporary problem'
The FCNR(B) deposit flows of $135 billion was made possible by the strong macroeconomic fundamentals of India, says Malhotra
 "RBI MPC meet: 'Pressure on current account is a temporary problem'")
Govt bond yields near three-year high after RBI's hawkish policy shift
The benchmark 10-year government bond yield rises to 7.24 per cent as the RBI shifts to withdrawal of accommodation, with foreign outflows and oil prices adding pressure
 "Govt bond yields near three-year high after RBI's hawkish policy shift")
Festival breather: UPI merchant fee may be deferred till January 1
UPI MDR may be deferred to January 1, while the exemption for small merchants could be expanded to businesses with annual turnover of up to ₹40 lakh
 "Festival breather: UPI merchant fee may be deferred till January 1")
EMIs set to rise as RBI begins rate-hike cycle with 25 bps increase
RBI changes the policy stance to "calibrated tightening" from neutral
 "EMIs set to rise as RBI begins rate-hike cycle with 25 bps increase")
India's rural economy decoupling from monsoon shocks, says RBI report
Rural incomes are becoming less dependent on monsoons as allied activities, irrigation and diversification cushion the impact of rainfall shortfalls.
 "India's rural economy decoupling from monsoon shocks, says RBI report")
Rupee settles at 2nd weakest close of 96.78 as RBI fails to lift sentiment
The rupee records its second-weakest close as external pressures and weak dollar inflows weigh; RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra says the currency may be undervalued
 "Rupee settles at 2nd weakest close of 96.78 as RBI fails to lift sentiment")
Benefit to economy is goal, not cost of RBI operations: Governor Malhotra
RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra says profit or surplus is incidental to the central bank's operations, stressing overall economic benefits amid questions over swap costs.
 "Benefit to economy is goal, not cost of RBI operations: Governor Malhotra")
Personal service transactions need no reporting under new forex rules
RBI to issue FAQ document to clarify reporting needs
 "Personal service transactions need no reporting under new forex rules")
Bank deposits, demat investments in single account statement soon
Demat account holders will get a consolidated view of investments and bank deposits from January 1, while RBI also plans interoperability among account aggregators