Business
Customs duty on gold, silver, platinum tops Rs 10,460 crore since duty hike
New Delhi : The government has collected Rs 10,463 crore in customs duty from imports of gold, silver and platinum between May 13 and August 2 following the increase in import duties on the precious metals, Parliament was informed on Monday.
In a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha, Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary said customs duty collections during the period stood at Rs 10,040 crore on gold, Rs 328 crore on silver and Rs 95 crore on platinum.
The combined customs duty collection from the three precious metals thus amounted to Rs 10,463 crore during the period.
With effect from May 13, the government had increased the import duty on gold and silver to 15 per cent from 6 per cent, while the duty on platinum was raised to 15.4 per cent from 6.4 per cent.
Moreover, consequential changes were also made to duties on related items, including gold and silver dore, coins and findings.
Chaudhary said the government had taken the decision to curb discretionary imports and prioritise foreign exchange for essential imports such as crude oil, fertilisers, industrial raw materials and capital goods.
The duty hike came against the backdrop of rising global uncertainties, including the conflict in West Asia and the effective blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, which had pushed up prices of crude oil as well as food and fertiliser imports.
The minister also informed the House that enforcement agencies seized 161 kg of smuggled gold and arrested 116 persons between May 13 and June 30.
India is the world’s second-largest consumer of gold after China with imports largely driven by demand from the jewellery sector.
Gold imports account for a significant outflow of foreign exchange and are closely monitored by policymakers from a balance-of-payments perspective.
Business
After Meta, Google to report child sexual abuse content directly to Indian authorities

New Delhi, Sep 22: After Meta, US tech giant Google will report content flagged as child sexual abuse material (CSAM) directly to the Indian authorities, contrary to the long‑standing global practice of routing such reports through a US non‑profit organisation.
Meta announced a similar change last week after Indian officials pressed major tech firms in recent weeks to speed up reporting, citing concerns that the existing system delays reports considerably.
Google “invests significantly to detect, deter, remove, and report child sexual abuse material,” a company spokesperson said, describing the change as part of the company’s “ongoing discussions with the government of India.”
Meta and Alphabet’s Google used to send tips to the US‑based National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) which then relayed them to local law enforcement, according to reports.
Such a practice could cause dangerous delays in cases where children may be at immediate risk as reports pass through an intermediary before reaching domestic police who can act on the ground.
The US nonprofit that erstwhile used to receive such reports first hand runs CyberTipline portal that recorded nearly 21.3 million reports from around the world of suspected child sexual exploitation in 2025.
India remains the largest market by user count for both Meta’s Facebook and Google’s YouTube. Meta’s shift in policy comes after weeks of friction with New Delhi, including an apology last month by CEO Mark Zuckerberg over the spread of child sexual abuse material on the company’s platforms.
Technology and law enforcement officials in the United States, the European Union and elsewhere have urged platforms to bolster detection and reporting. However, most countries continue to route reports through the US nonprofit as the primary international clearing house.
The Central government, in July, directed Google to take down multiple Firebase web development accounts that were impersonating the websites and mobile apps of major public- and private-sector banks and other financial institutions.
Business
Sensex, Nifty open marginally higher over crude price correction

Mumbai, Sep 22: The Indian equity markets inched up slightly on Tuesday morning, tracking positive global cues and correction in global crude prices.
As of 9.20 am, Sensex added 64 points, or 0.10 per cent, to reach 74,914 and Nifty gained 34 points, or 0.15 per cent, to reach 23,449.
Main broad-cap indices outperformed gains of the benchmark indices, as the Nifty Midcap 100 added 0.33 per cent, and the Nifty Smallcap 100 advanced 0.4 per cent.
Sectoral indices on NSE traded in green except Nifty IT down 1.09 per cent and FMCG down 0.01 per cent. Nifty realty was the top gainer, up 1 per cent, followed by chemicals, up 0.64 per cent.
“With precious metals stabilising and fixed income returns becoming attractive, investors can now opt for a multi-asset strategy,” an analyst said.
WTI crude trading in the $92–$93-a-barrel range and a stronger rupee provided additional comfort on the broader macroeconomic front.
Global risk sentiment has improved, with US equities posting strong gains and Asian markets largely positive, while softer crude prices have eased some pressure on oil-importing economies.
In the previous session, Nifty surged 0.29 per cent and closed at 23,414. Immediate support is placed at 23,250–23,300, while resistance is seen at 23,550–23,600.
In the previous session, Bank Nifty closed at 56,470, up 0.20 per cent. Immediate support is placed at 56,000–56,300, while resistance is seen at 56,800–57,000, said analysts.
In Asian markets, China’s Shanghai index gained 0.22 per cent, and Shenzhen added 0.62 per cent, Japan’s Nikkei added 1.38 per cent, and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index added 0.41 per cent. South Korea’s Kospi added 1.89 per cent.
The US markets ended in green overnight as Nasdaq gained 2.26 per cent. The S&P 500 added 1.49 per cent, and the Dow Jones added 0.71 per cent.
On September 21, foreign institutional investors (FIIs) net sold equities worth Rs 576 crore, while domestic institutional investors (DIIs) bought equities worth Rs 2,800 crore.
Business
FM Sitharaman meets JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon in Mumbai

Mumbai, Sep 21: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Monday met Jamie Dimon, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of JPMorgan Chase & Co., during the 11th edition of the JPMorgan India Investor Conference in Mumbai.
According to the Finance Ministry, Dimon interacted with the finance minister on the sidelines of the conference, which brought together investors, policymakers and corporate leaders to discuss India’s economic outlook and investment opportunities.
FM Sitharaman also addressed participants at the event and took part in a fireside chat with Sajjid Chinoy, Head of Asia Economics at JPMorgan.
“Jamie Dimon, Chairman and CEO of JPMorgan Chase & Co., interacts with FM Sitharaman during the J.P. Morgan India Investor Conference in Mumbai, Maharashtra,” the finance minister posted on social media platform X.
” FM Sitharaman addressed the gathering and participated in a fireside chat with Sajjid Chinoy, Head of Asia Economics at JPMorgan, during the 11th edition of the J.P. Morgan India Investor Conference in Mumbai, Maharashtra,” the finance minister added.
The meeting comes as JPMorgan said in a recent report that a combination of tax reforms and regulatory measures had enhanced the attractiveness of equities for domestic investors, helping sustain robust inflows despite relatively muted market returns over the past two years.
The brokerage noted that changes in the taxation framework for long-term capital gains, debt mutual funds and certain insurance products have improved the relative appeal of equities.
It said these measures, alongside rising participation through systematic investment plans (SIPs), are supporting a continued shift of household savings toward financial assets.
According to JPMorgan, domestic investors have increasingly emerged as a stabilising force for Indian markets, offsetting bouts of volatility triggered by foreign portfolio investor outflows and global uncertainties.
The report highlighted that retail participation has remained resilient even during periods of modest benchmark returns, signalling a structural change in investment behaviour.
-
Crime4 years agoClass 10 student jumps to death in Jaipur
-
Maharashtra2 years agoMumbai Local Train Update: Central Railway’s New Timetable Comes Into Effect; Check Full List Of Revised Timings & Stations
-
Maharashtra2 years agoMumbai To Go Toll-Free Tonight! Maharashtra Govt Announces Complete Toll Waiver For Light Motor Vehicles At All 5 Entry Points Of City
-
Maharashtra2 years agoFalse photo of Imtiaz Jaleel’s rally, exposing the fooling conspiracy
-
National News2 years agoMinistry of Railways rolls out Special Drive 4.0 with focus on digitisation, cleanliness, inclusiveness and grievance redressal
-
Maharashtra2 years agoMaharashtra Elections 2024: Mumbai Metro & BEST Services Extended Till Midnight On Voting Day
-
National News2 years agoJ&K: 4 Jawans Killed, 28 Injured After Bus Carrying BSF Personnel For Poll Duty Falls Into Gorge In Budgam; Terrifying Visuals Surface
-
Crime2 years agoBaba Siddique Murder: Mumbai Police Unable To Get Lawrence Bishnoi Custody Due To Home Ministry Order, Says Report
