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Gifting equity shares and mutual funds is a growing trend in India for wealth transfer. Tax implications vary based on the relationship between the giver and receiver, with exemptions for immediate relatives. Proper documentation is essential to avoid tax liabilities, and recent SEBI regulations have simplified the gifting process for mutual funds. Kumarmanglam Vijay, Partner and Head of Practice – Direct Tax, JSA Advocates & Solicitors told Times Now that the gifting of equity shares and mutual fund units involves three distinct tax moments, at the donor’s end, a genuine gift triggers no tax. “At the recipient’s end, the law exempts gifts from relatives (as defined), on occasion of marriage, under a will or by inheritance, from specified institutions or other specified categories. Outside these categories, if the aggregate fair market value of such assets received in a year exceeds Rs 50,000, the entire fair market value becomes taxable. When the recipient eventually sells, capital gains tax shall apply.”  Read more

Fixed deposits (FDs) have long served as a cornerstone of Indian household savings. Frequently, these accounts are established by grandparents’ years in advance and may be overlooked by the family following their passing. “For instance, in the case of Hindus (covered under the Hindu Succession Act), Class 1 legal heirs inherit simultaneously and equally. Children of pre-deceased sons or daughters of an individual are considered Class 1 legal heirs. This means that such grandchildren have simultaneous and equal rights, as any other sons or daughters or other Class 1 legal heirs of the deceased grandparent,” said Varun Sriram, Partner, JSA Advocates & Solicitors, according to Moneycontrol.  Read more

India lacks specific laws for autonomous AI agents, leading to regulatory gaps as these technologies expand. Current frameworks rely on contracts and broad principles, but experts call for dedicated regulations to address unique risks, especially in agent-to-agent interactions. Existing laws are insufficient, and a dedicated AI statute is anticipated in the future.  “Without a dedicated AI statute, companies primarily rely on tort law and contractual obligations to manage deployment risks,” said Probir Roy Chowdhury, partner at JSA Advocates and Solicitors.  Read more

InvIT fundraising in India could exceed ₹25,000 crore in 2026, driven by IPOs and strong investor demand for stable, yield-generating assets amid market volatility. These instruments offer ~9–9.5% returns, attracting institutions and HNIs, though risks from cash flows, interest rates, and asset quality remain key concerns. Arka Mookerjee, Partner at law firm JSA added that from an investor’s perspective, it is prudent to balance their portfolio with InvITs in this volatile market. “The issuances from NHAI and NHIT, which are always oversubscribed, demonstrate the faith investors have on the asset class. From a returns perspective, equity has been volatile and debt is not providing outsized returns. This makes investors look towards InvITs to optimise returns and have stability,” he said.  Read more

India faces regulatory challenges due to the absence of a dedicated legal framework for autonomous AI agents. Current laws inadequately address the unique risks posed by these systems, especially regarding liability and accountability. Experts emphasize the urgency for specific regulations, although a dedicated AI statute remains distant. “Without a dedicated AI statute, companies primarily rely on tort law and contractual obligations to manage deployment risks,” said Probir Roy Chowdhury, partner at JSA Advocates and Solicitors. Since Indian law does not recognise AI agents as legal persons, liability for their actions generally falls on the developer or operator, he said, unless contracts explicitly shift that burden. Courts are also likely to apply product liability standards under the Consumer Protection Act to penalise developers if an error stems from a lack of mandatory safety guardrails, Roy Chowdhury added. Read more

Indian corporates reduced overseas bond issuances in FY26, favoring local funding due to geopolitical risks, currency volatility, and attractive domestic borrowing conditions. The rupee’s significant depreciation and RBI’s relaxed ECB norms influenced this shift. Offshore borrowing remains selective, with companies exploring alternative markets amid global uncertainties. “Offshore borrowing has come down largely due to geopolitical uncertainty and volatility,” said Utsav Johri, partner, JSA Advocates & Solicitors. “While the recent relaxations in ECB guidelines make the market look promising and could drive a pickup later in the year once conditions stabilise, issuers are currently holding back. Hedging costs are elevated and expose borrowers to currency risk, and with ample liquidity available in the domestic market, companies are not keen to tap offshore markets at this stage.” Read more

Tata Sons is under pressure to list due to its NBFC-UL classification, despite seeking deregistration. The RBI has not responded to its deregistration request, and new guidelines complicate the process. Experts question the feasibility of deregistration, given the stricter regulatory environment and Tata Sons’ significant asset base. Pratish Kumar, Partner at JSA Advocates & Solicitors, said that although the regulatory route to deregistration remains available, its viability is far from assured. “Regulatory permissibility and regulatory acceptance are not the same. While the pathway exists, whether it is feasible or strategically sustainable is a separate question,” he said. Read more

India’s OSH Code, 2020, standardizes leave rules, allowing up to 30 days of carry-forward leave and encashment options. Implementation awaits state-specific rule finalization, replacing diverse state laws. Benefits exclude managerial roles and high earners. If an employer denies a worker’s leave request, the leave can be carried forward without any limit and later encashed, ensuring workers are not deprived of earned leave benefits, said Minu Dwivedi, Partner at JSA Advocates & Solicitors. Read more

Bengaluru’s legal market is rapidly evolving alongside its tech-driven economy, with strong demand for expertise in venture capital, technology, and startups. It highlights a shift toward specialised and agile law firms, increased innovation, and a competitive environment where firms are adapting to complex, high-growth sectors. Vivek Chandy, joint managing partner at JSA in Bengaluru, also says that the growth of global capability centres (GCCs) has been “a significant defining factor”. “Catering to the complex needs of these GCCs has opened up several co-dependent practice areas in Bengaluru, making the market here highly active in structured real estate, labour and employment, and specialised corporate compliance,” he says. Read more

The government proposes amendments to simplify company incorporation, removing mandatory office verification and addressing deceased subscriber liabilities. The changes aim to reduce procedural hurdles, align with other regulatory frameworks, and encourage investor participation. A new rule requires legal representatives to cover unpaid subscriptions, though it may pose practical challenges. According to Manvinder Singh, Partner at JSA Advocates & Solicitors, this could particularly benefit companies operating from co-working spaces or located in Special Economic Zones (SEZs), where documentation requirements have often been ambiguous. However, Singh cautioned that clearer guidance or standardisation may still be required to ensure uniform implementation across jurisdictions. Read more

The OSH Code introduces standardized leave policies, allowing workers to carry forward and encash excess leave. Implementation awaits state-specific rule finalization. The code benefits workers but excludes higher-earning managerial roles. Denied leave can be carried forward and encashed, enhancing employee rights. Under the OSH Code, earned leaves applied for by workers but not granted by the employer can be carried forward without any limit. Such leaves exceeding 30 days can be encashed by workers on demand annually at the end of the calendar year, according to Minu Dwivedi, Partner, JSA Advocates & Solicitors. Currently, under State-specific laws, employees can encash leaves at the end of their employment. However, in certain states like Telangana, non-exempt employees are entitled to encash earned leave during the subsistence of their employment. “Now, under the OSH Code, all employees qualifying as ‘workers’ are entitled to encash, on demand, accumulated annual leave in excess of 30 days at the end of the calendar year,” Dwivedi said. Read more

India’s GCCs, managing extensive compliance obligations, are integrating regulatory processes into their core strategies. This shift is driving expansion into Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities, with compliance seen as a strategic advantage. Automation and digital tools are crucial in navigating India’s complex regulatory landscape, influencing location and operational strategies. “This makes the entire compliance process burdensome and time consuming, and something that requires continuous attention. The most significant impact is on the speed and execution. Multiple approvals, filings, reporting requirements and regulatory touchpoints tend to slow down implementation and reduce agility, which is critical for businesses today,” said Kartik Jain, Partner at law firm JSA Advocates & Solicitors. Read more