SEBI Introduces GARUDA Framework to Fast-Track AIF Launches

5 August 2026National

SEBI launched the GARUDA (Green channel AIF Rollout Upon Document Acknowledgement) mechanism to simplify and speed up the launch of Alternative Investment Fund (AIF) schemes through a streamlined green-channel filing that acts on document acknowledgement. Separately, SEBI extended the compliance deadline for regulated entities to complete the digital accessibility audit of their platforms to 31 October 2026, ensuring equal access for persons with disabilities.

Static GK

SEBI Chairman: Tuhin Kanta Pandey | SEBI statutory since: 1992 (SEBI Act, 1992) | HQ: Mumbai | Regulates: securities market | AIF = Alternative Investment Fund

⚡ Quick Revision

SEBI rolled out the GARUDA green-channel framework to fast-track AIF scheme launches (2026).

ShareWhatsApp Telegram

More Economy Current Affairs

L&T Bags Ultra-Mega Offshore EPCIC Contract Worth Over Rs 15,000 Crore from ADNOC

L&T Energy Hydrocarbon Offshore, part of Larsen and Toubro (L&T), secured an ultra-mega order valued at over Rs 15,000 crore (about US$1.75 billion) from ADNOC Offshore (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company) on August 4, 2026. The scope covers EPCIC - engineering, procurement, construction, installation and commissioning - of offshore facilities plus upgrades to existing infrastructure, with much of the fabrication to be done at L&T's Indian yards.

GK ByteL&T Chairman and MD: S.N. Subrahmanyan | L&T founded: 1938 | HQ: Mumbai | ADNOC HQ: Abu Dhabi, UAE | L&T 'ultra-mega' order = above Rs 15,000 crore

📅 5 Aug 2026EconomyRead complete →

RBI Holds Repo Rate at 5.25% for a Fourth Straight Meeting, Retains Neutral Stance

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Monetary Policy Committee (MPC), chaired by Governor Sanjay Malhotra, concluded its three-day meeting (August 3-5, 2026) and kept the repo rate unchanged at 5.25% for the fourth consecutive policy review, retaining a neutral stance. The SDF stays at 5.00% and the MSF and Bank Rate at 5.50%. The extended pause follows a cumulative 125 basis points of cuts delivered through 2025. The MPC retained FY27 real GDP growth at about 6.6%. Retail CPI inflation rose to 4.38% in June 2026, breaching the 4% medium-term target for the first time in 17 months, mainly on food prices, while core inflation stayed within comfort.

📅 5 Aug 2026EconomyRead complete →

Government Launches LIC Offer for Sale to Divest Up to 6.5% Stake at Rs 382 Floor

The Government of India opened an Offer for Sale (OFS) in Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) for non-retail investors on August 4, 2026 and for retail investors and employees on August 5. It seeks to divest up to 6.5% - a base 2.5% plus a 4% green-shoe (oversubscription) option - at a floor price of Rs 382 per share (about a 10-11% discount to the previous close). A full sale could raise nearly Rs 31,000 crore and cut the government's holding from 96.5% to 90%, moving LIC toward SEBI's 10% minimum public shareholding (MPS) norm ahead of the 16 May 2027 deadline.

📅 5 Aug 2026EconomyRead complete →

India-Maldives Favara-UPI Cross-Border Payment Corridor Goes Live

The Favara-UPI cross-border payment corridor between the Maldives and India became operational on 30 July 2026, connecting the Maldives Instant Payment System Favara with India's Unified Payments Interface (UPI). Customers of participating Maldivian banks can now transfer funds in real time to UPI-enabled Indian bank accounts, supporting faster remittances and digital financial cooperation. Favara is the Maldives' real-time payment system launched in 2023 by the Maldives Monetary Authority (MMA). The integration makes the Maldives the 10th country where UPI is live, after UAE, Singapore, Bhutan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Mauritius, France, Cambodia and Seychelles. UPI's global rollout is managed by NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL).

GK ByteUPI operated by NPCI; global arm NIPL | Maldives' payment system: Favara | UPI now live in 10 countries

📅 2 Aug 2026EconomyRead complete →

See all Banking & Economy →All Current Affairs