Announcements & other updates
The Ministry of Finance announced on 23 October 2026 that the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) seized approximately 25,000 kg of watermelon seeds originating from Pakistan. The seeds, valued at about Rs. 2.02 crore, were routed through Dubai and falsely declared as UAE-origin to bypass India's import ban on Pakistani goods and restrictions on watermelon seeds.
- Who it affects
- importers; importers and exporters
- When · Where
- From 2 May 2025: ban on goods from Pakistan (+5 more) · Across India
Source details
- Issued by
- Ministry of Finance
- Published on
- Press Information Bureau, pib.gov.in (Press releases)
- File hosted on
- www.pib.gov.in, the government's file server for pib.gov.in
- Dated
- 23 October 2026
- The link opens
- The original press release on the government website, in a new tab, unchanged.
- Our check
- Drafted from the release text and checked by software. Not yet reviewed by a person.
Announcements & other updates
The Ministry of Finance announced on 23 October 2026 that Union Minister Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman chaired the 30th meeting of the Financial Stability and Development Council (FSDC). The Council discussed measures to protect the financial sector from cyber threats, promote Fintech innovation, and manage risks from global economic uncertainties and AI.
- Who it affects
- Indian financial sector
- When · Where
- On 23 October 2026: 30th Meeting of the Financial Stability and Development Council (FSDC) · Across India
Source details
- Issued by
- Ministry of Finance
- Published on
- Press Information Bureau, pib.gov.in (Press releases)
- File hosted on
- www.pib.gov.in, the government's file server for pib.gov.in
- Dated
- 23 October 2026
- The link opens
- The original press release on the government website, in a new tab, unchanged.
- Our check
- Drafted from the release text and checked by software. Not yet reviewed by a person.
Announcements & other updates
The Ministry of Finance announced on 23 October 2026 that the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) held a trade interaction meeting in Mumbai. The event, attended by about 150 representatives from Maharashtra's trade associations and taxpayers, focused on recommendations from the 57th GST Council meeting.
- Who it affects
- taxpayers
- When · Where
- On 8 October 2026: 57th GST Council meeting (+1 more) · Across Maharashtra
Source details
- Issued by
- Ministry of Finance
- Published on
- Press Information Bureau, pib.gov.in (Press releases)
- File hosted on
- www.pib.gov.in, the government's file server for pib.gov.in
- Dated
- 23 October 2026
- The link opens
- The original press release on the government website, in a new tab, unchanged.
- Our check
- Drafted from the release text and checked by software. Not yet reviewed by a person.
Announcements & other updates
The Ministry of Finance announced on 22 October 2026 that the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), Nagpur, has launched a nationwide Saturation Campaign. The initiative aims to help people complete re-KYC and C-KYC formalities, access social security schemes, and learn about digital frauds to ensure banking services continue smoothly.
- Who it affects
- bank account holders
- When · Where
- From 21 October 2026: nationwide Saturation Campaign (+2 more) · nationwide
Source details
- Issued by
- Ministry of Finance
- Published on
- Press Information Bureau, pib.gov.in (Press releases)
- File hosted on
- www.pib.gov.in, the government's file server for pib.gov.in
- Dated
- 22 October 2026
- The link opens
- The original press release on the government website, in a new tab, unchanged.
- Our check
- Drafted from the release text and checked by software. Not yet reviewed by a person.
Announcements & other updates
The Ministry of Finance announced on 21 October 2026 that India and New Zealand have signed a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) to electronically exchange origin data for trade in goods. This agreement, signed on 19 October 2026, aims to make cross-border trade more efficient and secure by using digitalisation to reduce information gaps.
- Who it affects
- eligible businesses
- When · Where
- From 20 October 2026: India-New Zealand FTA (+1 more) · India and New Zealand
Source details
- Issued by
- Ministry of Finance
- Published on
- Press Information Bureau, pib.gov.in (Press releases)
- File hosted on
- www.pib.gov.in, the government's file server for pib.gov.in
- Dated
- 21 October 2026
- The link opens
- The original press release on the government website, in a new tab, unchanged.
- Our check
- Drafted from the release text and checked by software. Not yet reviewed by a person.
Announcements & other updates
The Ministry of Finance announced on 19 October 2026 that the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) seized approximately 7.1 kg of amphetamine and 3.1 kg of cocaine across three operations. The seizures occurred at airports in Bengaluru and New Delhi, and near Nagpur, where narcotics were found concealed in passenger baggage and a backpack.
- Who it affects
- passengers
- When · Where
- On 14 October 2026: interception of passenger at Kempegowda International Airport (+1 more) · Bengaluru, Nagpur, and New Delhi
Source details
- Issued by
- Ministry of Finance
- Published on
- Press Information Bureau, pib.gov.in (Press releases)
- File hosted on
- www.pib.gov.in, the government's file server for pib.gov.in
- Dated
- 19 October 2026
- The link opens
- The original press release on the government website, in a new tab, unchanged.
- Our check
- Drafted from the release text and checked by software. Not yet reviewed by a person.
Announcements & other updates
The Ministry of Finance announced on 19 October 2026 that the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) dismantled a gold smuggling syndicate operating in Gujarat. The operation exposed dealings involving 13.017 kg of foreign-origin gold valued at approximately Rs. 19.41 crore, brought in through Ahmedabad and Surat airports.
- Who it affects
- persons
- When · Where
- On 16 October 2026: start of coordinated searches · Gujarat
Source details
- Issued by
- Ministry of Finance
- Published on
- Press Information Bureau, pib.gov.in (Press releases)
- File hosted on
- www.pib.gov.in, the government's file server for pib.gov.in
- Dated
- 19 October 2026
- The link opens
- The original press release on the government website, in a new tab, unchanged.
- Our check
- Drafted from the release text and checked by software. Not yet reviewed by a person.
Announcements & other updates
The Ministry of Finance announced on 18 October 2026 that the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) seized 137 kg of crystal methamphetamine in Nagapattinam district, Tamil Nadu. The operation, conducted between 16 and 17 October 2026, dismantled a network attempting to smuggle the drugs to Sri Lanka via mid-sea transfer.
- Who it affects
- persons involved in drug trafficking
- When · Where
- On 16 October 2026: surveillance and enforcement operation · Tamil Nadu
Source details
- Issued by
- Ministry of Finance
- Published on
- Press Information Bureau, pib.gov.in (Press releases)
- File hosted on
- www.pib.gov.in, the government's file server for pib.gov.in
- Dated
- 18 October 2026
- The link opens
- The original press release on the government website, in a new tab, unchanged.
- Our check
- Drafted from the release text and checked by software. Not yet reviewed by a person.
Announcements & other updates
The Ministry of Finance stated on 17 October 2026 that the Central Government is legally permitted to dilute or divest its stake in IDBI Bank. This clarification follows reports regarding 2003 legislative debates; the Ministry noted that an amendment to restrict stake dilution was rejected and not included in the final IDBI (Repeal) Act, 2003.
- Who it affects
- Central Government
- When · Where
- On 17 December 2018: Delhi High Court decision in All India IDBI Officers’ Association v. Union of India & Others · Across India
Source details
- Issued by
- Ministry of Finance
- Published on
- Press Information Bureau, pib.gov.in (Press releases)
- File hosted on
- www.pib.gov.in, the government's file server for pib.gov.in
- Dated
- 17 October 2026
- The link opens
- The original press release on the government website, in a new tab, unchanged.
- Our check
- Drafted from the release text and checked by software. Not yet reviewed by a person.