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UPI transaction volume surges almost 13,000-fold in a decade to over 24,162 crore: Govt

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New Delhi, Aug 24: The annual transaction volume of Unified Payments Interface (UPI) has surged almost 13,000-fold from 1.78 crore transactions in FY 2016-17 to more than 24,162 crore transactions in FY 2025-26, the Ministry of Finance said on Monday.

UPI, launched on August 25, 2016 by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) under the regulatory oversight of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), has emerged as the backbone of India’s digital payments ecosystem and a key driver of financial inclusion.

According to the ministry, the value of UPI transactions has also expanded sharply, rising from Rs 0.07 lakh crore in FY 2016-17 to approximately Rs 314 lakh crore in FY 2025-26, representing a more than 4,000-fold increase over the decade.

The platform has become a major pillar of India’s Digital Public Infrastructure, offering an interoperable and real-time payments system that enables seamless person-to-person and person-to-merchant transactions.

The ministry said UPI’s scale, reliability and interoperability have received global recognition, with the International Monetary Fund acknowledging it as the world’s largest real-time payment system by transaction volume. As of 2025, UPI accounted for nearly 49 per cent of global real-time payment transaction volume.

The growth momentum has accelerated further in 2026. Monthly UPI transaction volume crossed the 2,300 crore mark for the first time in May, when 2,320 crore transactions were recorded. The platform subsequently touched a record 2,366 crore transactions in July, the highest monthly volume in its decade-long journey.

Institutional participation has also expanded significantly. The number of banks live on UPI increased from 44 in FY 2016-17 to 703 by FY 2025-26, covering public sector banks, private banks, small finance banks, payment banks and cooperative banks.

The ministry said UPI has witnessed particularly strong adoption in merchant payments. Person-to-merchant transactions accounted for 63 per cent of total transaction volume, while person-to-person transactions contributed 71 per cent of the overall transaction value.

The data also highlights the widespread use of UPI for small-value everyday payments. Around 86 per cent of P2M transactions in FY2026 were below Rs 500, while 59 per cent of P2P transactions were also below Rs 500.

Business

Income Tax Dept nudges taxpayers owning undeclared properties in UAE

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The Income Tax Department has recently nudged select taxpayers who have invested in residential and commercial properties in the UAE to avail of the Foreign Assets of Small Taxpayers – Disclosure Scheme, 2026 (FAST-DS), offering a one-time opportunity to declare these overseas assets which have been undisclosed so far, according to Finance Ministry sources.

The scheme provides a time-bound window to regularise eligible disclosures by paying 30 per cent tax on the fair market value and an equal amount of penalty in addition to tax. A crucial feature of the scheme is that it is fully online, trust-based, and self-declaratory.

A valid declaration brings immunity from further assessment, penalty and prosecution under the Black Money (Undisclosed Foreign Income and Assets) and Imposition of Tax Act, 2015 (Black Money Act). The scheme further provides an opportunity to taxpayers to report unaccounted assets and income on payment of a Rs 1 lakh fee to avoid a penalty of Rs 10 lakh each year prescribed in the Black Money Act.

Till now, approximately 1,100 taxpayers have filed applications under the scheme, which is open till December 31, 2026, sources said.

The Central government has launched the Foreign Assets of Small Taxpayers – Disclosure Scheme, 2026 (FAST-DS), offering a one-time opportunity to disclose foreign assets and income that have been undisclosed so far.

To facilitate taxpayers, the Department has created a facility in the e-filing portal where a taxpayer can see information with respect to assets reported on their PANs by the foreign jurisdictions under Automatic Exchange of Information (AEOI), popularly known as CRS/FATCA. Taxpayers can log in to the e-filing portal and download this information for the three-year period 2022-2024.

Sources informed that the information received under AEOI from the signatories of CRS/FATCA frameworks has only been displayed in the e-filing portal. Department receives information under other multilateral frameworks which has not been displayed in the portal due to various risk factors or non-disclosure commitments. Further, the Income Tax Department collects information from other sources as well. The Department decided, in a high-level meeting on October 23, that such information may also be shared with relevant taxpayers, wherever possible, to enable them to take advantage of the scheme.

The Income Tax Department has also planned outreach programmes to create awareness among taxpayers, corporates as employers, educational institutes, professional bodies and industry associations. The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT), which is the apex body that heads the Income Tax Department, has also made a Committee in each region under the Principal Chief Commissioner to help taxpayers resolve their queries and concerns.

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Tesla India posts Rs 247 crore revenue in first fiscal of vehicle sales

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The Indian unit of Elon Musk-backed electric vehicle (EV) maker Tesla — Tesla India Motors and Energy — has reported revenue of Rs 247.31 crore and a net profit of Rs 5.16 crore for FY26.

According to regulatory filing, revenue from operations surged nearly 12-fold from Rs 20.83 crore in FY25.

The carmaker’s net profit increased from Rs 55.49 lakh as the company expanded its presence in the Indian market following the launch of its first showroom in Mumbai in 2025. However, FY26 was the first year in which vehicle sales contributed to Tesla India’s reported revenue.

In the previous financial year, the company’s turnover had come entirely from services-related operations.

Vehicle sales generated Rs 214.69 crore during FY26, accounting for nearly 87 per cent of total revenue, while services contributed Rs 32.40 crore.

The performance came despite a relatively small sales base as the company recorded 346 vehicle registrations in India between September 2025 and March 2026.

Meanwhile, registrations accelerated to 650 units during April-September FY27, surpassing the entire previous year’s tally within the first six months of the fiscal year.

Average monthly registrations rose from around 49 units during the initial launch phase to about 108 units.

Apart from that, the company strengthened its balance sheet through fresh capital infusion.

Filings showed Tesla injected about Rs 86 crore into its Indian subsidiary during FY26.

In addition, cash expenditure on property, plant and equipment and capital work-in-progress climbed to Rs 62.54 crore in FY26 which was higher than Rs 1.16 crore in the previous year.

Earlier in October, CEO Musk showcased a new version of its Roadster sports car — a prototype that briefly lifted off the ground during a demonstration at a SpaceX facility in Texas.

He highlighted that the vehicle navigated an elevated curved track before becoming airborne for a short distance and landing safely, drawing comparisons to the concept of a flying car.

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Business

Shriram Finance shares fall over 6 pc, hit 11-month low on growth cut

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Shares of non-banking financial company Shriram Finance on Monday traded more than 6 per cent lower, hitting an 11-month low and emerged as the top Nifty loser.

The NBFC stock declined as much as 6.55 per cent to 810.20, recording an intraday low on the BSE in morning trade.

It was trading at Rs 829.20, a decrease of 4.36 per cent by 10:57 am.

The selling pressure in the stock came after the NBFC firm cut its loan growth forecast and flagged higher credit costs, overshadowing better-than-expected Q2 profit.

Moreover, the company cut its assets under management (AUM) growth guidance for FY27 to 15-17 per cent from 18 per cent, citing weak monsoon and geopolitical uncertainty and pressure on borrowers in drought-hit regions.

Meanwhile, analysts flagged asset quality concerns with reducing share price targets.

Analysts at global brokerage Jefferies said credit costs could stay elevated for one to two more quarters due to stress in Maharashtra, Karnataka and Telangana.

According to domestic brokerage Motilal Oswal, higher slippages and write-offs reflected drought-like conditions in several states, though overall asset quality remained broadly stable.

“SHFL delivered a mixed quarter, with PPoP beating estimates on higher NIM and lower opex, while earnings were in line due to higher credit costs. AUM growth at 17 per cent YoY was stronger than estimated,” it said.

Similarly, JM Financial said rising early delinquencies and rural stress remain key concerns. The brokerage also stated, “Deteriorating asset quality indicators amid drought-like conditions remain a concern.” However, the stock has corrected 14 per cent over the past month. Recent equity infusion and rating upgrades to AAA should cushion margins.

On the aforesaid exchange, the NBFC stock has recorded a 52-week high of Rs 1,153.65 and a 52-week low of Rs 710.40.

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