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Showing posts from 2026

RBI Notifies New FEMA Rules for Export and Import of Goods and Services (2026)

 The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has notified the Foreign Exchange Management (Export and Import of Goods and Services) Regulations, 2026 , marking a significant update to India’s foreign trade regulatory framework. These regulations replace the earlier 2015 rules and are scheduled to come into force from 1 October 2026 . The new framework aims to simplify procedures, improve compliance, strengthen monitoring of foreign exchange flows, and align regulations with the evolving needs of global trade.  Background and Objective The regulations have been issued under the powers granted by the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA), 1999. Their primary objective is to ensure timely realisation and repatriation of export proceeds, proper settlement of import payments, and transparent reporting of all cross-border trade transactions. By consolidating rules for both exports and imports of goods and services, RBI has introduced a more integrated and structured approach to foreign exchang...

Silver Prices Are Up, Profits Are Down: A Wake-Up Call for Jewellers

  Why Your Silver Section Needs Immediate Pricing Attention The silver jewellery segment has long been considered a high-volume, steady-return category for jewellers. However, in today’s rapidly changing market, rising silver prices, increasing manufacturing costs, and unavoidable wastage are silently eroding margins. Many businesses continue to price silver products using traditional flat per-gram margins, unaware of how significantly this approach impacts profitability as silver rates increase. It is time for jewellers to reassess their silver pricing strategy and adopt a more sustainable model that protects returns on capital employed. Understanding the Margin Erosion Problem Let us examine a simple comparison to understand how fixed per-gram margins fail when silver prices rise. Scenario 1: Lower Silver Price Environment Silver Rate: ₹1,00,000 Capital Deployed: ₹1,05,000 Realisation After Sale: ₹1,15,000 Margin: ₹10 per gram Margin Percentage: 8.7% ...

Indian Precious Metals Market Update – Silver Volatility and Platinum Jewellery Outlook for 2026

  Indian Precious Metals Market at a Turning Point The Indian precious metals market entered 2026 on a highly volatile note, with sharp movements in silver prices, sustained strength in gold, and a steady outlook for platinum jewellery demand. January 2026 proved to be a critical month, highlighting both the opportunities and risks faced by investors, traders, and the jewellery industry. This article explores recent developments in silver, gold, and platinum in India, based on the latest India Focus Monthly report. Silver Market: From Record Highs to Sudden Correction Silver prices in India witnessed an extraordinary rally toward the end of 2025 and early January 2026, reaching an all-time high of around ₹4,20,000 per kg on 29 January . However, this rally was short-lived. Within just three trading sessions, prices corrected sharply by over 45% , falling to nearly ₹2,50,000 per kg . This dramatic decline was triggered by a combination of global and domestic factors. A broad s...

Different DLT Operators in India: A Brief Guide for Bulk SMS Compliance

  Complete Guide to DLT Operators in India for Bulk SMS Registration In India, sending Bulk SMS — whether for marketing , transactional alerts , or OTP delivery — now requires compliance with new regulations introduced by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) . Under these guidelines, Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) registration has become mandatory for all businesses and organizations that want to continue sending SMS to their clients and customers. DLT platforms help reduce spam, prevent fraud, and maintain transparency in the bulk messaging ecosystem by securely storing sender identities, templates, and consent records on a shared system. What Is DLT Registration? Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) is a blockchain-based platform that keeps a digital record of all SMS-related information like sender IDs, content templates, opt-ins, and more. All telecom operators in India have integrated their own DLT portals where businesses must register to send bulk SMS lega...

India International Bullion Summit (IIBS): A Landmark Gathering of 400+ Leaders from the Bullion and Jewellery Industry

 A Power-Packed Gathering of India’s Bullion and Jewellery Industry: Highlights from the IIBS Delegate Participation The recently released Delegate List for IIBS (India International Bullion Summit) reflects the sheer scale, diversity, and influence of participants from across the bullion, jewellery, refining, banking, logistics, fintech, and commodity trading ecosystem. With 400+ registered delegates , the event stands out as one of the most comprehensive industry gatherings in recent times. The participation underscores the growing importance of structured dialogue, policy engagement, and collaboration within India’s precious metals market. Strong Representation Across the Bullion Value Chain The delegate list showcases participation from every major segment of the bullion and jewellery ecosystem , including: Gold and silver bullion traders Jewellery manufacturers and retailers Refiners and recyclers Importers and exporters Banks, NBFCs, and commodity finance...

Gold plunges by 20%, and Silver by 45%: What next?

 Gold and Silver See Sharp Correction Amid Extreme Volatility: What Lies Ahead for Bullion Markets? The global bullion market has witnessed extraordinary volatility, with gold and silver prices experiencing one of their sharpest short-term corrections in recent years. After touching historic highs, gold plunged nearly 20% while silver corrected by around 45% within just three days , erasing a large portion of their year-to-date gains. Such sudden price movements have caught investors by surprise and raised critical questions about the sustainability of the ongoing bull run in precious metals. This article breaks down the key drivers behind the sharp correction, the disconnect between paper and physical markets, and what investors can expect going forward. Record Highs Followed by a Sudden Fall Over the past year, gold and silver delivered a powerful rally, with gold crossing $4,600 (around ₹1,40,000) and silver moving past $83 (around ₹2,60,000) . The rally accelerated in Ja...

Extension of Tax Deduction Period for IFSC Units and Rationalized 15% Tax Rate from FY 2026–27

 Extension of Deduction Period for IFSC Units and Rationalization of Tax Rate: A Major Boost for Global Financial Services India’s ambition to become a global financial hub has taken a significant step forward with the proposed amendments relating to units operating in the International Financial Services Centres (IFSCs). The latest provisions focus on extending the tax deduction period and rationalizing the tax rate after the expiry of deductions, making IFSCs far more competitive on the global stage. These changes are especially relevant for businesses, offshore banking units (OBUs), and international investors planning long-term operations in India. This article explains the existing provisions, the proposed amendments, and their overall impact on IFSC units. Background: Existing Tax Benefits for IFSC Units Under Section 147 of the Income-tax provisions , units set up in an IFSC, including Offshore Banking Units (OBUs), are currently eligible for a 100% tax deduction on cer...

New Custom Duty on Gold and Silver Effective from 31 January 2026

  New Custom Duty on Gold and Silver Effective from 31 January 2026 The Government of India has announced revised custom duty rates on precious metals , effective 31 January 2026 . This update directly impacts the bullion market, jewellers, traders, investors, and industries that rely on gold and silver imports. The change reflects ongoing efforts to regulate imports, stabilize domestic markets, and manage foreign exchange outflows. Updated Custom Duty Rates (From 31.01.2026) As per the latest notification, the new custom duty values are: Gold: ₹ 9,52,128 Silver: ₹ 20,957.76 These revised rates will apply to all eligible imports from the effective date and will influence landed costs, pricing strategies, and market sentiment. Impact on the Gold Market Gold continues to be a cornerstone of Indian culture, investment portfolios, and the jewellery industry. The revised custom duty on gold is expected to: Increase landed cost of imported gold , especially for bullio...

Physical Silver Market Update: Supply Is Tightening Fast

 Physical Silver Market Update: Supply Is Tightening Fast The global physical silver market is entering a period of acute stress, and the warning signs are no longer subtle. Major refiners are pulling back, delivery timelines are stretching, and premiums across the supply chain are exploding. What was once a quiet tightening has now become a visible supply squeeze—one that investors, manufacturers, and bullion buyers can no longer ignore. Refiners Are Hitting the Brakes Some of the world’s most important silver refiners are already feeling the pressure: Perth Mint and Metalor have reportedly stopped accepting new silver orders altogether. Argor-Heraeus and Nadir are facing severe production backlogs , with deliveries pushed out into April–May timeframes. When refiners of this size and reputation slow or halt new orders, it’s a clear signal that available raw material is constrained and production capacity is stretched thin. This isn’t a localized issue—it reflects a broader im...

India Opens Second Round of Gold TRQ Allocation Under India-UAE CEPA: A Major Opportunity for Trade and Industry

 India Opens Second Round of Gold TRQ Allocation Under India-UAE CEPA: A Major Opportunity for Trade and Industry The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), Government of India, has issued a significant Public Notice (No. 45/2025-26) on January 23, 2026, announcing the second round of allocation for Tariff Rate Quota (TRQ) for gold imports under tariff head 7108 through the India-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) for the financial year 2025-26. What's New in This Announcement? This development comes as a follow-up to the earlier Public Notice no. 31/2025-26 and Trade Notice no. 16/2025-26 dated October 29, 2025, which established that gold TRQ allocation would be conducted through a competitive bidding/tender process. The current notice invites fresh bids and tenders for the second round, offering a substantial allocation opportunity for eligible participants. Key Highlights at a Glance Total Allocation Quantity: The second round offers an allocati...

Advance remittance of Gold and Silver stopped from 1/10/2026.

 RBI Bans Advance Remittance for Gold and Silver Imports from October 2026 A Major Policy Shift for Precious Metals Trade In a significant regulatory development, the Reserve Bank of India has prohibited advance remittance for imports of gold and silver, effective October 1, 2026. This measure, introduced under the new Foreign Exchange Management (Export and Import of Goods and Services) Regulations, 2026, marks a departure from previous practices and will have far-reaching implications for India's precious metals industry. What Does the Ban Mean? Under Regulation 11 of the new FEMA framework, the RBI has explicitly stated: "No advance remittance shall be permitted by an Authorised Dealer for the import of gold or silver." This means that from October 1, 2026: Importers cannot send payment to overseas suppliers before receiving the gold or silver shipment All gold and silver imports must follow delivery-first, payment-later arrangements Authorized dealers (banks)...

Foreign Exchange Management (Export and Import of Goods and Services) Regulations, 2026

 RBI Introduces New FEMA Regulations for Export and Import: What Businesses Need to Know Key Changes Coming October 2026 The Reserve Bank of India has issued comprehensive new regulations governing foreign exchange management for export and import of goods and services, set to take effect from October 1, 2026. These regulations supersede the 2015 framework and introduce several significant changes that will impact exporters, importers, and authorized dealers. Extended Timeline for Export Realization One of the most notable changes is the extension of the realization period for export proceeds. The new regulations provide: For Foreign Currency Transactions: Exporters now have 15 months (up from the previous timeline) to realize export proceeds from the date of shipment for goods or invoice date for services Project exports follow contract payment terms with greater flexibility For Indian Rupee Settlements: An extended period of 18 months is allowed for exports invoiced o...