Businesses applying for Goods and Services Tax (GST) registration do not need to submit an Udyam certificate, the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) has clarified, directing tax officers to follow prescribed documentation requirements and avoid seeking unwarranted additional documents. In circular dated October 26, CBIC issued guidelines for handling GST registration applications,…
Air India and SBI Card have partnered to develop a co-branded credit card on the Visa network, targeting members of the airline’s Maharaja Club loyalty programme. The card is expected to offer travel and lifestyle benefits, with customers able to earn rewards on everyday spending and travel-related transactions. The companies have not disclosed the launch…
Indian nationals travelling to the UAE for tourism or visits have been advised to buy adequate medical insurance before departure, after Indian missions reported cases of travellers facing large hospital bills following unexpected medical emergencies. In an advisory issued on October 27, the Consulate General of India in Dubai asked visitors to ensure their policies…
A major medical expense can put pressure on household finances, particularly when health insurance does not cover the entire treatment cost. Families may need to decide whether to use emergency savings, break a fixed deposit (FD), redeem investments or borrow to meet the shortfall. The scale of out-of-pocket spending makes this an important household finance…
NPCI Bharat BillPay Limited (NBBL) has onboarded NABARD Financial Services Limited (NABFINS) on Bharat Connect under the Loan Repayment category, enabling borrowers to pay equated monthly instalments (EMIs) and overdue instalments through digital and assisted payment channels. In a statement on October 28, NBBL said the integration would provide NABFINS borrowers access to more than…
Monthly systematic investment plan (SIP) contributions to mutual funds touched an all-time high of ₹32,490 crore in September 2026, rising 11% year-on-year. However, the average monthly SIP size declined to ₹2,984 from ₹3,018 a year earlier, according to Franklin Templeton India Mutual Fund. The number of SIP accounts rose 11.9% year-on-year to 10.89 crore in…
The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) has issued eight GST circulars clarifying registration procedures, tax demand proceedings, input tax credit (ITC) and export payments, among other issues. Dated October 26, the circulars follow decisions taken at the 57th GST Council meeting and aim to reduce procedural hurdles and inconsistencies in the implementation…
Deductors and tax collectors have several tax deduction at source (TDS) and tax collection at source (TCS) compliance deadlines to track in October and November 2026, including quarterly statements for July-September and challan-cum-statements for specified transactions. The deadlines fall in the first full tax year under the Income-tax Act, 2025, which has introduced revised form…
The Maharashtra Cabinet on October 27 approved an advance payment of ₹5,000 each to nearly 1.5 crore farmers whose crops have suffered more than 33% damage in 304 drought-hit talukas, with the state government aiming to credit the money to their bank accounts before Diwali, PTI reported. The assistance will be transferred through Direct Benefit…
The International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA) has prescribed financial requirements for existing payment system operators (PSOs) and entities planning to start payment system operations in International Financial Services Centres (IFSCs). Under a circular issued on October 27, the regulator has specified the minimum net worth that certain categories of operators must maintain. Other categories,…
