DGFT has moved 99.9%-purity silver grains and powder to the restricted import list, mandating prior approval. The curbs follow a 15% duty hike and target record FY26 silver imports of $12B (up 157% YoY), squeezing jewellery retailers and bullion dealers reliant on duty-free routing.

Times of India · Business · 6/2/2026, 3:00:36 PM

GST collections rose 3.2% YoY to ₹1.94 lakh crore in May, with taxable goods supply up 26.9% and services 22.2%. The broad-based print points to sustained consumption momentum across consumer goods, electronics and retail-linked categories heading into the festive build-up.

The Hindu BusinessLine · 6/1/2026, 6:36:55 AM

Government of India suspends 10.5% cotton import duty from 1 June for five months, easing raw material costs for spinning and apparel hubs in Tiruppur, Ludhiana, Surat and Coimbatore. Move backstops $35.7 bn FY26 textile export target against a 3.7 mn bale domestic shortfall.

Mint · Industry · 6/1/2026, 5:33:32 AM

Effective duty on gold and silver raised to ~15% from May 13, 2026, with BCD doubled from 5% to 10%. Jewellers report demand collapsing to 7.5 tonnes from 25 tonnes. Move targets $84B FY26 bullion imports (10.8% of merchandise), after gold imports surged 81.7% YoY and silver 157.2% YoY in April.

Business Today · Latest · 5/31/2026, 2:54:48 AM

Government suspends 11% cotton import duty from June 1 to October 31, a five-month window aimed at cooling raw material costs for textile and apparel manufacturers, particularly MSMEs and exporters squeezed by elevated domestic cotton prices.

Times of India · Business · 5/30/2026, 9:28:31 PM

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 exempts cotton imports from 5% basic customs duty and cess for five months starting 1 June, targeting relief for apparel SMEs amid tight domestic supply. FY26 cotton imports already up 54.6% YoY at $1.86bn; garment exports at $15.81bn of $35.7bn total textile shipments.

Mint · Industry · 5/30/2026, 1:43:30 PM

India scraps all customs duties on cotton imports from June 1 to October 30, 2026, aiming to shore up raw material supplies and cut costs across the textile and apparel value chain. SME manufacturers and downstream apparel brands stand to gain most from cheaper fibre access.

Times of India · Business · 5/30/2026, 12:45:52 PM

India scraps the 11% customs duty on cotton imports from June 1 to October 31, 2026, easing raw material pressure for textile manufacturers, exporters, and apparel SMEs. Farmer interests are shielded via a higher MSP of ₹8,267/quintal (medium-staple) and ₹8,667/quintal (long-staple), with a ₹557/quintal hike. Sector employs 45 million.

The Hindu BusinessLine · 5/30/2026, 11:48:02 AM

The Indian government is reviewing a fresh or extended Production-Linked Incentive scheme for mobile phone manufacturing as the original 2020 PLI window expires. The move aims to lock in India's smartphone hub status and push global majors like Apple and Samsung to deepen local component production over the coming months.

Moneycontrol · Results · 5/29/2026, 3:16:07 PM

Labour ministry is rolling out social security schemes for India's gig and platform workers, engaging fund managers under the Code on Social Security notified May 8. Platforms must update worker data on e-Shram by June 22, hitting food delivery, ride-hailing and quick commerce cost structures as the gig pool scales from 1 crore to 2.5 crore by 2030.

The Hindu BusinessLine · 5/29/2026, 10:54:43 AM

Government is mandating aggregators integrate worker data with e-Shram ahead of a social security scheme covering accident insurance, health, maternity and pension. Targets 1 crore workers initially, scaling to 2.5 crore by decade-end—adding compliance load and cost pressure for quick-commerce and food delivery platforms.

Business Today · Latest · 5/29/2026, 9:23:56 AM

The government is examining a move to standardise packaging for cooking oil sold to consumers, aiming to bring greater uniformity and transparency across edible oil brands. The shift could reshape pack sizes, labelling and shelf presentation for a category dominated by national and regional FMCG players.

Moneycontrol · 5/26/2026, 3:05:00 AM

The Scotch Whisky Association is urging quick implementation of the India-UK CETA, which would immediately cut import duties from 150% to 75% and to 40% over a decade. The deal could unlock significant shelf expansion across India's liquor retail channel, with the UK industry citing 2.2 billion pounds in trade and 6,900 jobs at stake.

ET Small Business · 5/19/2026, 6:18:48 PM

New Delhi is considering raising import duties on edible oils to support domestic farmers and curb FX outflows. India runs ~60% import dependence on palm, soy and sunflower oils, and palm has already risen 12%. A reversal of last year's cut from 20% to 10% would lift input costs for FMCG, QSR chains and grocery private labels.

NDTV Profit · 5/19/2026, 1:32:12 AM

Government considers raising duties on palm, soybean and sunflower oil imports to shield farmers and curb forex outflows. With 60% import dependence and palm prices already up 12%, the move would lift COGS for packaged foods makers and grocery retailers, pressuring margins or forcing shelf-price hikes.

Business Today · Latest · 5/18/2026, 12:49:57 PM

Centre's Code on Social Security mandates Swiggy, Zomato, Flipkart, Uber and Ola contribute 1-2% of annual turnover (capped at 5% of payouts) to a gig welfare fund targeting 2.35 crore workers by 2029-30. Eligibility gaps and cost pass-through risks loom.

Forbes India · 5/18/2026, 12:10:56 PM

New Delhi is exploring an Oman transit route to bypass Strait of Hormuz risk on $11.8 billion in food exports to West Asia. The move could reshape supply chains for Indian agri-exporters and consumer goods firms with Gulf-facing trade.

BL · Consumer & Economy · 5/17/2026, 4:56:07 PM

Government restricts silver imports across all forms with immediate effect, channelling supply solely through nominated agencies. Domestic premiums set to rise as 80% import-reliant market faces tighter availability; jewellers and bullion retailers face margin pressure even as global spot silver remains largely unmoved.

Mint · Markets · 5/17/2026, 10:04:17 AM

DGFT moves silver imports for domestic use to restricted category, requiring government approval. Customs duty on gold and silver raised to 15% from 6%, platinum to 15.4%. Duty-free gold imports capped at 100 kg. Jewellery export units exempt. Hits Tanishq, Kalyan, Malabar Gold sourcing as silver imports surged 150% to $12.05 bn in FY26.

Indian Express · Business · 5/16/2026, 11:58:22 PM

Silver imports for domestic use now need prior DGFT approval, following customs duty hikes to 15% from 6%. Jewellery exporters, EOUs and SEZ units are exempt. Tanishq, Kalyan and Malabar face tighter sourcing as silver imports surged 149% to $12.05B in FY26 and April alone jumped 157% to $411M.

Financial Express · BrandWagon · 5/16/2026, 10:58:25 PM

DGFT shifted 99%+ purity silver bars from 'free' to 'restricted' category, mandating import licences. Move follows duty hike from 6% to 15% and targets a 42% volume surge routed via UAE CEPA's 7% concessional rate. Tanishq, Kalyan, Malabar exposed as $12.1bn silver import channel narrows.

Times of India · Business · 5/16/2026, 10:07:06 PM

New import restrictions on silver bars, layered atop a steep duty hike, will tighten bullion supply chains and pressure silver-heavy jewellery retailers including Tanishq, Kalyan, and Malabar. Sourcing costs and inventory planning face near-term disruption ahead of festive demand.

BL · Consumer & Economy · 5/16/2026, 4:03:08 PM

Back-to-back regulatory moves squeeze sourcing for jewellery retailers including Tanishq, Kalyan Jewellers and Malabar Gold. Expect near-term margin pressure and price resets across gold and silver retail chains as inventory costs rise and import workflows tighten.

NDTV Profit · 5/16/2026, 3:48:08 PM

DGFT moves silver to licence regime following gold customs duty hike from 6% to 15% and platinum to 15.4%. Tied to $38B forex drop and PM's austerity push. Tanishq, Kalyan, Malabar face higher input costs and inventory friction heading into wedding season.

Indian Express · Business · 5/16/2026, 3:45:19 PM

Government tightens silver bullion inflows via authorisation regime, layered atop a sharp import duty increase. Aimed at trade deficit and rupee defence, the move squeezes sourcing for jewellery and silverware retailers — Tanishq, Kalyan, Malabar — that rely on imported bars, with margin pressure likely ahead of wedding-season demand.

BL · Consumer & Economy · 5/16/2026, 3:40:59 PM

DGFT tightens bullion inflows: silver imports restricted, gold imports under AA scheme capped at 100kg with mandatory inspections, 50% export obligation and fortnightly reporting. Squeezes sourcing for Tanishq, Kalyan, Malabar as FY26 gold imports hit $71.98bn across 721 tonnes.

Times of India · Business · 5/16/2026, 2:20:39 PM

Government doubled basic customs duty on gold to 10% and raised AIDC to 5%, lifting effective duty to 18.45% from 9.18%. Jewellery exporters face working-capital strain as Advance Authorisation licences are capped at 100 kg, while UAE CEPA's 200-tonne TRQ at 1% concession gains relative edge.

Financial Express · BrandWagon · 5/15/2026, 8:14:09 PM

New customs reference values land at $1,508 per 10g for gold and $2,810 per kg for silver, alongside revised palm oil rates. The move flows directly into landed costs for Tanishq, Kalyan, Malabar and palm-oil-dependent FMCG chains, with pass-through likely in shelf and sticker prices within weeks.

NDTV Profit · 5/15/2026, 5:19:14 PM

Commerce Secretary downplays concerns over India-UAE CEPA, noting less than one tonne of gold entered via the tariff quota. UAE inflows have offset declines from Switzerland. April 2026 gold imports rose to $5.63 billion from $3.1 billion a year earlier, driven by higher prices rather than volume increases.

NDTV Profit · 5/15/2026, 1:04:46 PM