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India’s carbon market is gaining momentum, with the Carbon Registry of India and other institutions fostering a voluntary carbon market. Companies are investing in carbon credits for credibility and long-term responsibility. India is shifting from a supply-side role to leading the carbon market, focusing on transparency and traceability. “Global registries will continue to play a role, but India needs trusted domestic platforms as well,” says Vishnu Sudarsan, senior partner at law firm JSA. “Platforms like CRI provide visibility and credibility within the Indian ecosystem, which is critical as the market matures, supported by robust, dual-layer governance structures that reinforce transparency and accountability,” Sudarsan adds. Read more

Whistleblower complaints rose in India’s private banks in FY25, with Axis and ICICI Banks seeing notable increases. HDFC Bank reported a decrease. Despite regulatory requirements, challenges in execution and protection persist, prompting a push for stronger governance and credible complaint-handling mechanisms. Rupinder Malik, Partner, JSA Advocates and Solicitors, said the challenge lies in execution with issues around how complaints are triaged at the initial stage and whether matters are escalated appropriately. “There is a stronger regulatory and governance push now towards making these mechanisms more credible and trusted especially through clearer anti-retaliation safeguards, audit trails, and periodic reviews of how complaints are actually handled on the ground,” Malik added. Read more

The article discusses the challenges of regulating rapidly advancing AI technology, as seen in contracts between Anthropic, OpenAI, and the US Department of War. It highlights the tension between innovation and regulation, emphasizing the need for a balanced, democratic process involving various stakeholders to ensure ethical use of technology. “Why would you want regulation to run neck-and-neck with technology development? Do you not want the creation of a new regulation to involve involved debates, have a slow, iterative drafting process, and be based on consensus? I am happy with the pace of misalignment, and unless a technology is established and adopted, it is premature to regulate it and stunt its development,” Sajai Singh, partner at JSA Advocates and Solicitors tells Forbes India. Read more

The Corporate Laws (Amendment) Bill aims to improve business operations by decriminalising compliance lapses, simplifying mergers, and easing requirements for small companies. It introduces civil penalties, facilitates IFSC operations, and offers buyback flexibility. Experts call for further simplification to achieve true ease of doing business. “Buybacks are likely to have some flexibility with the bill proposing that a certain class of companies may be permitted to buy back a specified percentage, to be detailed in the rules. Currently, buybacks are restricted to 25 percent.  Additionally, for certain prescribed companies, two buybacks may be permitted in a year with a gap of six months, compared to the currently applicable 12-month window between two buybacks,” said Raj Ramachandran, Partner, JSA Advocates & Solicitors. Read more

The article discusses India’s potential in a changing global landscape, highlighting opportunities in infrastructure and manufacturing. While capital is available, effective utilization and innovation remain challenges. India’s domestic market and supply capabilities offer significant advantages, but strategic positioning and innovation are crucial for leveraging these opportunities. Anish Mashruwala, partner, JSA Advocates & Solicitors connected this to both technology and mindset. “We are resilient as a race… AI is going to change… it’s just how we use it.” But he also highlighted a deeper structural constraint: “We are very cost-conscious… we want the best quality at the cheapest price… and that is very hard to deliver when we are competing at a global scale… because of this, innovation has often taken a back seat.” Read more

The news article discusses the “tech regulation paradox,” highlighting how governments often lag behind rapidly evolving frontier technologies like AI to avoid overregulation that could stifle innovation. Using the tensions between AI companies and the US Department of Defense, it shows how AI is increasingly used in surveillance and warfare. The piece argues that while innovation drives progress, delayed or inadequate regulation raises ethical, security, and accountability concerns, requiring a careful balance between technological advancement and responsible governance. Why would you want regulation to run neck-and-neck with technology development? Do you not want the creation of a new regulation to involve involved debates, have a slow, iterative drafting process, and be based on consensus? I am happy with the pace of misalignment, and unless a technology is established and

adopted, it is premature to regulate it and stunt its development,” Sajai Singh, partner at JSA Advocates and Solicitors tells Forbes India. Read more

India has relaxed FDI rules, allowing limited Chinese investments to boost capital inflow while protecting strategic sectors. Macau is diversifying its economy with a new government guidance fund, following Hong Kong and China’s model to support tech and strategic industries. “The 60‑day timeline for processing investment proposals will help eliminate lengthy waits, bring greater certainty for investors, and clarify the path forward for proposed investments in India,” said Trisheet Chatterjee, Senior Partner at J. Sagar Associates. “While some minor investments from entities in countries sharing a land border with India were made earlier without government approval, this amendment provides clarity on permissible stakes and establishes the 10% threshold as a safe investment limit,” he added. Read more

Recent amendments to India’s Income Tax Rules require banks to report more detailed account information, aligning with global standards. The changes expand the definition of financial assets to include crypto-assets and enhance transparency for joint accounts and controlling persons, indirectly affecting individuals by increasing disclosure and tax oversight. Kumarmanglam Vijay, Partner and head of practice, direct tax, JSA told ET Wealth Online: The new reporting obligations for banks and reporting financial institutions (RFIs) under Rule 114G of the Income Tax Rules, 1962 specifically target accounts other than US reportable accounts. Vijay from JSA points out that for high-net-worth individuals (HNIs), these amendments could lead to piercing the veil on offshore trusts and family offices. Read more

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has issued revised directions governing how banks declare dividends and remit profits, tightening prudential conditions and linking payouts more closely to capital strength and asset quality. According to Sandeep Mehta, partner at JSA Advocates & Solicitors, the move could help Indian companies enter joint ventures and collaborations with investors from neighbouring countries, particularly China, to expand manufacturing capacity and integrate more deeply into global supply chains, while ensuring that majority ownership and control remain with resident Indian entities. He added that corresponding amendments to India’s foreign exchange regulations are still awaited to operationalise the policy changes. Read more

The West Asia conflict has disrupted trade through the Strait of Hormuz, prompting Indian companies to seek legal advice on force majeure clauses. The energy sector is particularly affected, with legal queries focusing on the applicability of these clauses and procedural requirements. Legal experts warn that sustaining such claims is difficult, especially if alternative solutions are available. Venkatesh Raman Prasad, partner at JSA Advocates & Solicitors, said if LNG can still be delivered through alternative routes or logistical arrangements, even if it becomes more expensive, companies may struggle to rely on the clause. However, if a contract lacks a force majeure clause, companies may rely on Section 56 of the Indian Contract Act, which provides that a contract is discharged if an unforeseen event renders performance impossible. Courts, however, apply this rule strictly and do not allow it if the contract has only become more expensive or difficult to perform. Read more

The Supreme Court of India recently slammed state RERAs for favouring builders over homebuyers, urging abolition; industry experts respond. M. Arun Kumar,  Partner, JSA Advocates & Solicitors said, “The Supreme Court’s concerns highlight implementation gaps, not structural flaws; RERA was introduced to ensure transparency, financial discipline and accountability”. Read more

The Indian government’s new IT Rules, 2021, mandate social media platforms to label AI-generated content and require users to self-declare such uploads, aiming to combat misinformation and deepfakes. The takedown window for flagged content has been shortened to 2-3 hours, raising concerns about operational strain and free speech impacts. Experts praise the transparency goal but highlight challenges in detection accuracy, watermarking, and creative freedom. India joins a global trend toward AI content regulation, with enforcement proving critical to success. Read more