The weekend’s business news is led by GST procedure changes, fresh competition approvals for big corporate deals and government decisions on state funds, imports and trade. With exchanges shut, attention has moved to regulation and company announcements that will matter when trading resumes on Monday.
In Simple Words
New GST procedures start today, and regulators have cleared several acquisitions and mergers. The government has also released extra money to states and extended duty-free cotton imports, giving businesses plenty to weigh before the new trading week.
New GST rules take effect from November 1
India has brought in a set of GST procedural reforms meant to ease compliance, especially for smaller sellers on online marketplaces. They include simpler registration, faster processing of eligible refunds and revised treatment of discounts given after a sale. E-commerce sellers, distributors and businesses with frequent tax adjustments will feel the change most.
| Key provision | Effective date |
|---|---|
| GST procedural reforms | November 1, 2026 |
| Post-supply discount amendment | November 1, 2026 |
CCI clears Adani Energy Solutions deal for IntelliSmart
Adani Energy Solutions has received Competition Commission approval for its proposed acquisition of equity in IntelliSmart Infrastructure. It is a key regulatory step in a deal tied to electricity infrastructure and smart-metering services.
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Sapphire Foods–Devyani International merger gets CCI approval
The Competition Commission has approved the merger of Sapphire Foods India into Devyani International, along with related transactions. Both run restaurant chains, so the combination is a significant move in organised food service. Other completion requirements still apply.
Aditya Birla Renewables cleared to buy Solenergi Power
Aditya Birla Renewables has received competition approval to acquire the entire issued share capital of Solenergi Power. The clearance lets the companies proceed with the remaining steps for the change in ownership.
| Transaction | Proposed acquisition |
|---|---|
| Aditya Birla Renewables–Solenergi Power | 100% share capital |
Centre releases an extra ₹1.09 lakh crore to states
The Centre released an additional ₹1,09,019 crore in tax devolution to states on Saturday, ahead of the festive season. It is the second additional instalment this financial year and comes on top of the regular monthly transfer, to help states with infrastructure and welfare spending.
| Detail | Amount |
|---|---|
| Additional tax devolution | ₹1,09,019 crore |
| Uttar Pradesh | ₹19,208 crore |
| Bihar | ₹10,845 crore |
| Maharashtra | ₹7,022 crore |
Duty-free cotton imports extended to December 31
The customs duty exemption on cotton imports, due to lapse on October 31, now runs until December 31. It gives spinning mills, garment makers and other textile businesses two more months of duty-free access to overseas supply, and could help smaller manufacturers hit by costly domestic cotton.
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| Revised position | Date |
|---|---|
| Previous expiry | October 31, 2026 |
| New expiry | December 31, 2026 |
| Extension | 2 months |
Export duties on petrol, diesel and ATF revised
The government has scrapped the export duty on petrol and raised the levies on diesel and aviation turbine fuel. The new rates were notified on Saturday and apply for the next fortnight. They affect fuel exports only, not domestic excise duties, and refiners will need to factor them into overseas sales.
| Product | Previous duty | New duty |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol exports | ₹2.50/litre | Nil |
| Diesel exports | ₹8.50/litre | ₹11.50/litre |
| ATF exports | ₹10.50/litre | ₹11.00/litre |
India to meet liquor companies on Scotch tariff dispute
The government will meet Indian and international liquor companies on Monday over a disagreement on tariff concessions under the India-UK trade agreement. The row is about whether bulk Scotch imports qualify for the lower duty, and importers who blend and bottle in India will be watching closely.
| Trade agreement detail | Figure |
|---|---|
| Earlier tariff on covered Scotch imports | 150% |
| Reduced tariff on eligible imports | 75% |
| Bulk share of Scotch imports by volume | About 80% |
Panel formed to improve the RELIEF export scheme
The Centre has set up a panel to improve uptake of the RELIEF scheme, which supports exporters facing logistics problems. It is part of the wider Export Promotion Mission, and the review aims to make the support easier to access.
| Programme | Amount |
|---|---|
| Export Promotion Mission | ₹25,060 crore |
Ratnadeep Retail gets SEBI go-ahead for IPO
Ratnadeep Retail, which runs grocery and value-fashion stores, has cleared SEBI to proceed with its IPO. The launch date and final terms will be decided separately, but the approval adds another consumer business to the IPO pipeline.
What matters when trading resumes
The weekend leaves investors with a list of policy and company announcements to weigh on Monday, November 2. GST changes and the cotton exemption affect business costs and compliance directly, while the competition clearances move several deals closer to completion. The petroleum export duties and the India-UK trade talks stay on the radar. The key distinction is between an approval, a policy change and the financial effect that follows later.
Disclaimer: This article is published for general information and educational purposes only. It does not constitute investment advice, a recommendation to buy or sell securities, or a guarantee of future market performance. Readers should conduct independent research and consult a qualified financial adviser before making investment decisions.
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