
Pulse of the Public
Imaginary ImageThe Ministry of Commerce and Industry has introduced a de minimis exemption from Registration-cum-Membership Certificate requirements for export shipments valued up to ₹3 lakh. The move aims to cut compliance costs for MSMEs and small exporters using postal and courier channels.
The National Payments Corporation of India has notified a 0.4% Merchant Discount Rate on UPI merchant transactions exceeding ₹2,000, starting October 15, 2026. Person-to-person transfers and transactions with small merchants will remain entirely fee-free.
Credit rating agency Moody's Ratings has upgraded India's real GDP growth forecast for FY 2026-27 to 7% from 6%, citing strong domestic demand and resilience to global geopolitical shocks.
India and the South American trade bloc MERCOSUR have launched formal negotiations to expand their Preferential Trade Agreement and signed a protocol to accept electronic Certificates of Origin for paperless trade.