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
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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
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- Press Information Bureau, pib.gov.in (Press releases)
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- www.pib.gov.in, the government's file server for pib.gov.in
- Dated
- 23 October 2026
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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
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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
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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
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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)
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- www.pib.gov.in, the government's file server for pib.gov.in
- Dated
- 19 October 2026
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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)
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- www.pib.gov.in, the government's file server for pib.gov.in
- Dated
- 19 October 2026
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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)
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- www.pib.gov.in, the government's file server for pib.gov.in
- Dated
- 18 October 2026
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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)
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- www.pib.gov.in, the government's file server for pib.gov.in
- Dated
- 17 October 2026
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Announcements & other updates
The Ministry of Finance announced on 15 October 2026 that the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) and the Central Bureau of Narcotics (CBN) destroyed illicit cannabis cultivation in a wildlife sanctuary in District Dhule, Maharashtra. On 14 October 2026, a joint team located and destroyed crops across five stretches of land totaling 2.87 hectares (7.08 acres) using a rotavator.
- Who it affects
- illicit cannabis cultivation
- When · Where
- On 14 October 2026: joint team of DRI and CBN reached the wildlife sanctuary to destroy cannabis · wildlife sanctuary near village Jamniapani, Shirpur, District Dhule, 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
- 15 October 2026
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Announcements & other updates
The Ministry of Finance announced on 14 October 2026 that M/s 10955230 Canada Inc. has been approved as the strategic buyer for IDBI Bank Ltd. The transaction involves the sale of a 60.72% stake, consisting of 30.48% from the Government of India and 30.24% from the Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC), for Rs 52,878.0806181 crore. The Government and LIC will retain residual stakes of 15% and 19% respectively and will become public shareholders.
- Who it affects
- IDBI Bank Ltd
- When · Where
- Not stated in the document · 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
- 14 October 2026
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Announcements & other updates
The Ministry of Finance announced on 14 October 2026 that the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved M/s 10955230 Canada Inc. as the strategic buyer for a 60.72% stake in IDBI Bank Ltd. The acquisition, valued at Rs 52,878.0806181 crore, includes a 30.48% share from the Government of India and 30.24% from LIC. The buyer must now present credentials to the Reserve Bank of India and provide a regulatory compliance roadmap.
- Who it affects
- Strategic Buyer
- When · Where
- On 14 October 2026: CCEA meeting to approve Strategic Buyer (+1 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
- 14 October 2026
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Announcements & other updates
The Ministry of Finance announced on 14 October 2026 that the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) uncovered a network smuggling Pakistan-origin rock salt into India. Through "Operation Deep Manifest," the DRI detected 295 containers of salt with an estimated market value of Rs 30 crore, which were routed through Sri Lanka and used fake UAE-based documents to hide their origin.
- Who it affects
- all importers
- When · Where
- From 2 May 2025: import prohibition on Pakistani goods (+3 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
- 14 October 2026
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Announcements & other updates
The Ministry of Finance announced on 13 October 2026 that the National Land Monetization Corporation (NLMC) sold 150 land plots belonging to Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited (RINL) in Visakhapatnam. The first phase of the e-auction generated ₹366.33 crore, with the highest price exceeding ₹1.80 lakh per square yard.
- Who it affects
- prospective buyers
- When · Where
- By 27 October 2026: registration for the second phase of e-auction (+1 more) · Visakhapatnam
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
- 13 October 2026
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Announcements & other updates
The Ministry of Finance announced on 11 October 2026 that the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) seized 5,832.90 grams of 24-carat foreign-origin gold. The gold, valued at approximately Rs 8.98 crore, was found in a hidden cavity under the front passenger seat of a car intercepted at Visakhapatnam between 8 and 9 October 2026.
- Who it affects
- 2 passengers
- When · Where
- On 8 October 2026: interception of car at Visakhapatnam (+1 more) · Visakhapatnam
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
- 11 October 2026
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Announcements & other updates
The Ministry of Finance announced on 11 October 2026 that the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) seized approximately 7.8 kg of foreign-origin gold valued at over Rs. 11.50 crore. The operations, conducted on 8 and 9 October 2026, targeted a smuggling syndicate using road and rail networks to move gold from the Bangladesh border toward Kolkata.
- Who it affects
- smugglers
- When · Where
- On 8 October 2026: intelligence-led operations to seize gold · eastern region
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
- 11 October 2026
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Announcements & other updates
The Ministry of Finance announced on 9 October 2026 that the Department of Revenue and its subordinate offices are participating in Special Campaign 6.0. This initiative, led by the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances, aims to institutionalise Swachhata (cleanliness) and ensure the effective disposal of pending references.
- Who it affects
- government departments
- When · Where
- From 2 October 2026: Special Campaign 6.0 (+2 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
- 9 October 2026
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