Effective 13 May 2026, India lifted bullion import duty to ~15% (BCD 5%→10% plus AIDC). IBJA data shows gold offtake collapsed to 7.5 tonnes in the fortnight to 27 May versus 25 tonnes a year earlier. The move follows FY26 gold-silver imports hitting $84bn (10.8% of merchandise imports) and an $28.4bn trade deficit, squeezing jewellers heading into the wedding tail.

Business Today · Latest · 6/1/2026, 7:26:25 AM

The government has temporarily exempted all customs duties and AIDC cess on cotton imports for a five-month window, aiming to cut input costs for textile and apparel manufacturers, particularly SMEs, while securing steady raw material supply through the peak production season.

NDTV Profit · 5/30/2026, 2:35:09 PM

Government in advanced consultation to remove the 11% customs duty on raw cotton, with FY26 demand pegged at 337 lakh bales against 292.15 lakh bales of supply. Move would relieve spinning mills and apparel exporters battling rising input costs.

The Hindu BusinessLine · 5/24/2026, 5:39:43 AM