A step-by-step guide to checking your income tax refund status on the e-filing portal - what you need, the four statuses you may see, the five reasons a refund fails, how bank account validation works and the official helpline numbers.
EPFO members can see their provident fund balance through Passbook Lite on the member portal, the passbook portal, the UMANG app, a missed call or an SMS. Here is what each method needs and how UAN activation works now.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said on October 13, 2026 that the government is open to hearing suggestions on long-term capital gains tax during Budget consultations. She announced no change in the tax.
The 0.4% merchant discount rate on select UPI payments above Rs 2,000 will not start on October 15, 2026. NPCI said on October 13 that it will apply after Diwali, on a date to be notified separately.
IMF raises India's growth forecast to 7% in October 2026 outlook - world growth seen slowing to 3.1%
The IMF's World Economic Outlook, released in Bangkok on 13 October 2026, projects India's economy to grow 7% in 2026 and 7% in 2027, the 2026 figure being 0.6 percentage points higher than its July forecast. World growth is projected to slow from 3.5% in 2025 to 3.1% in 2026.
The Ministry of Steel has put out the draft National Steel Policy Vision 2047. It aims for 604 million tonnes of crude steel capacity and 302 kg of steel use per person by 2047, with lower emissions. Suggestions can be submitted online till 30 October 2026.
Retail inflation based on the Consumer Price Index rose to 5.54% in September 2026 from 4.83% in August, the statistics ministry said on 12 October. Food inflation climbed to 7.74%, with onion prices up 108.09% over last year.
India Post and Blue Dart sign parcel agreement - Blue Dart to deliver through 1.64 lakh post offices
The Department of Posts and Blue Dart Express Limited signed an agreement for India Post Parcel services in New Delhi on 9 October 2026. Blue Dart will use the postal network for last-mile parcel delivery, including in rural and remote areas.
SEBI notifies Settlement Regulations 2026 - new formula, fast-track route for cases up to Rs 10 lakh
SEBI has notified the Settlement of Administrative and Civil Proceedings Regulations, 2026, replacing its 2018 rules. The settlement amount now follows a formula tied to the minimum penalty, and small cases get a faster route.
The Reserve Bank of India said on October 9, 2026 that banks must hold at least 99% of their required cash reserve every day, up from 90%, from the fortnight beginning October 16. The CRR rate itself is not changed.
Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said on 10 October 2026 that the India-US interim trade framework announced in February is being looked at again because circumstances have changed. Talks with Mexico start next week, and UK and Canadian trade ministers are due in India.
Besides process reforms, the 57th GST Council meeting on October 8, 2026 proposed 5% GST without input credit on delivery through e-commerce apps, a 5% option for electric cabs, simpler registration for small online sellers and a late fee waiver.
The GST Council, at its 57th meeting in New Delhi on October 8, 2026, recommended removing arrest powers under GST, raising the prosecution threshold to Rs 5 crore, cutting penalties and automating refunds. The changes need law amendments.
RBI tightens rupee derivative rules and opens a dollar window for IOC, HPCL and BPCL from October 12
The Reserve Bank of India on October 10, 2026 issued two circulars tightening rupee foreign exchange derivative rules and said it will sell dollars directly to IOC, HPCL and BPCL from October 12 until further notice.
RBI rules give every individual one free full credit report, with credit score, every calendar year from each of the four credit bureaus. Here is how to get it, what affects your score, and how to get a mistake corrected within 30 days.
UPI processed 24.07 billion transactions worth Rs 29.37 lakh crore in September 2026, NPCI data shows, slightly below August's record. From October 15, 2026, merchants will pay a 0.4% charge on UPI payments above Rs 2,000; customers will not be charged.
RBI's new Foreign Exchange Management (Export and Import of Goods and Services) Regulations, 2026 came into force on October 1. Exporters now get 9 months, not 15, to bring back export proceeds, and banks get wider powers.
The Ministry of Power has notified CAFE-III norms for new passenger vehicles from April 1, 2027 to March 31, 2032. The fleet fuel-consumption target falls from 3.996 to 3.3273 litres per 100 km, with extra credit for EVs, hybrids, ethanol and CNG.
