INTRODUCTION On a contemporary scale, India’s financial ecosystem has greatly evolved, accompanied by swift technological upgrades. One of the most important innovations influencing mass market participation is the Unified Payments Interface (hereinafter referred to as “UPI“). If in the distant past, digital payment was often restricted to the primary account holder, nowadays, UPI has gone…
Health Data and the DPDP Act: A Practical Guide
- November 20, 2025
The Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023, and its accompanying Rules have fundamentally altered the compliance landscape for India’s healthcare sector. For hospitals, diagnostic centers, and telemedicine platforms processing patient data, the stakes have never been higher. With penalties reaching up to ₹250 crore for serious contraventions and regulatory enforcement now operational, the time for…
Privacy as a “Non-Price Factor” – Decoding the NCLAT’s Findings in the WhatsApp Case
- November 19, 2025
INTRODUCTION The price, output, and quality are three primary parameters that competition law has traditionally focused on. The advent of zero price digital services, however, has changed this classical framework. Consumers in the digital economy do not use money to obtain anything, but rather their personal data, which serves as the business model for online…
DPDP Rules Notified – Immediate Actions
- November 19, 2025
The Digital Personal Data Protection Rules, 2025 were notified in the Gazette on 13 November 2025 (G.S.R. 846(E)). Some provisions are already in force, while the core compliance obligations kick in over the next 12–18 months: Rules 1, 2 and 17–21 apply from publication; Rule 4 (Consent Managers’ registration) starts one year after publication; Rules…
Employer-Employee Relationship in Cooperative Society Engagements
- November 18, 2025
The Hon’ble Supreme Court, in the case of General Manager, U.P. Cooperative Bank Limited. vs. Achchey Lal & Anr., Civil Appeal Numbers 2974 of 2016, decided on 11.09.2025, clarified the legal principles governing the determination of an employer-employee relationship where workers are engaged through an intermediary, in this case, a registered employees’ cooperative society running…
Procedural Fairness in GST Cancellation: Authorities Must Issue Clear and Reasoned SCNs
- November 18, 2025
INTRODUCTION The Goods and Services Tax (hereinafter referred to as “GST”) cancellation of registration has been noted to be one of the most contested matters in the GST regime. Businesses often dispute cancellation orders on the basis of flawed Show Cause Notices (hereinafter referred to as “SCN”), absence of factual specifics, mechanical argument and breach…
Defamation Risks in Termination Letters: Balancing Contractual Rights and Employee Reputation
- November 17, 2025
The Delhi High Court, in the case of Abhijit Mishra v. Wipro Limited, Civil Suit (OS) Number 31 of 2021, decided on 14.07.2025, addressed the extent to which employers can exercise their contractual termination rights without violating an employee’s right to reputation. The Court held that while the Defendant was entitled to terminate the employment…
The Privacy Singularity- A Three Pillar Implementation Blueprint
- November 15, 2025
13 November 2025 will be remembered as the day India crossed into a new digital era, a Privacy Singularity. For the first time, the rights of the Indian citizen are codified, actionable, and backed by statutory duties on every Data Fiduciary and Processor. This is bigger than compliance. It is a redistribution of digital power….
Regulatory Obligations Governing Personal Data Use in FinTech Platforms
- November 14, 2025
Introduction FinTech apps make money movement feel effortless, but the moment you sign up they start collecting a lot of personal and financial details. This can include your phone number, bank information, ID proofs, transaction history and even how you use your device. All of this sits behind the smooth buttons and screens you tap…
Rectification under Section 161 as a Precondition to Show Cause Notice Adjudication
- November 11, 2025
The High Court of Orissa in the case of Aruni Stone Crusher v. Superintendent, Central GST and Central Excise (2025) 35 Centax 284 (Ori.), decided on 25.09.2025, examined whether a rectification application filed under Section 161 of the Goods and Services Tax (hereinafter referred to as “GST”) Act, 2017 must be considered before continuing with…
The Apprenticeship (Amendment) Rules, 2025 – Strengthening Compliance, Equity, and Employability
- November 10, 2025
INTRODUCTION The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (hereinafter referred to as the “Ministry“) issued a notification on September 3, 2025. This notification amends the Apprenticeship Rules, 1992 (hereinafter referred to as the “Apprenticeship Rules“) through the Apprenticeship (Amendment) Rules, 2025 (hereinafter referred to as the “Amendment Rules“). This reform represents a significant policy intervention…
Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board Limited v. HCL Infotech Limited Court – Himachal Pradesh High Court Citation – OMP (M) No. 55 of 2024 in CARBC No.13 of 2025 Date – 10.10.2025 The Hon’ble Himachal Pradesh High Court has held that bureaucratic delays and internal movement of files cannot be ground for condoning delay in…
Inclusive Digital Compliance: SEBIs New Accessibility Norms After The Supreme Court’s KYC Verdict
- November 7, 2025
Introduction Over the past years, the financial technology (hereinafter referred to as “FinTech”) industry in India recorded an unprecedented growth due to regulatory developments, a swift digitalization process, and the increasing access to financial services. However, this change has not been fairly shared. The inaccessibility of digital platforms still poses a barrier to the access…
MMTC Limited v. Anglo American Metallurgical Coal Pvt. Limited Court – Supreme Court Citation – Civil Appeal no. 13321 of 2025 Date – 03.11.2025 The Hon’ble Supreme Court has held that the the execution of an Arbitral Award can be objected to only if decree is void or without jurisdiction. The Court held, “97. We…
Balancing Trade, Public Health and Data Privacy: Madras HC On Tamil Nadu’s Online Gaming Law
- November 5, 2025
Introduction One of the rapidly expanding sectors of the digital economy, the online real-money gaming (hereinafter referred to as “RMG”) industry in India has been a matter of a severe legal reckoning in the state of Tamil Nadu. In a landmark case in Play Games 24×7 Private Limited and Ors. v. State of Tamil Nadu…
Limitation Not Applicable To Wrongly Collected GST
- November 4, 2025
The High Court of Judicature at Andhra Pradesh in the case of Nspira Management Services Pvt. Ltd. v. Assistant/Deputy Commissioner of Central Tax, Writ Petition Number 18287 & 14905 of 2024, decided on 26.09.2025 under Section 54 of the Central Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017 (hereinafter referred to as “CGST”) held that the limitation…
INTRODUCTION The Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972 (hereinafter referred to as the “Gratuity Act”) stands as a significant legislative measure in India aimed at providing financial security to employees as a gesture of gratitude for their long and continuous service with an organization. Gratuity is a statutory benefit, typically granted to employees who have completed…
SEBI’s Derivatives Rejig for Indices: Deconcentrating the Market, Diversifying the Risk
- October 31, 2025
Introduction India’s derivatives market has become one of the most active globally, but much of its activity has revolved around a few heavyweight indices. To correct this imbalance, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (“SEBI“) issued a circular on October 30, 2025, introducing new eligibility norms for derivatives on non-benchmark indices such as Bank…
Arbitrator not disqualified for interpretation of similar clause in previous Arbitration
- October 30, 2025
Steel Authority of India Limited v. British Marine PLC Court – Delhi High Court Citation – O.M.P. (COMM) 20/2023 and I.A. 1116/2023 Date – 13.10.2025 The Hon’ble Delhi High Court has held that interpretation of similar clause in an earlier Arbitration does not render Arbitrator’s current appointment invalid. The Court held, “54. Applying the aforementioned…
Shadow AI vs. Proactive AI: The Invisible Data Privacy Crisis Hiding in Your Organization
- October 29, 2025
Most of your employees are using unauthorized AI tools right now. Are you the 67% of organizations with zero visibility? Your Organisation The global AI narrative is fractured. On one side, boards celebrate approved innovation. On the other, an unmanaged crisis of Shadow AI, is silently exposing proprietary data and attracting fierce regulatory scrutiny. The…
Introduction In today’s digital economy, cross-border data transfers are a key part of global trade. For Indian businesses, this is a day-to-day operational reality, but it is also a trigger for multifaceted challenges because of the range of disparate and often conflicting data protection laws in different countries. The disequilibrium of legal regulations is not…
Customs Must Issue Reasoned Orders on Exemption Claims Even When Filed Under Protest
- October 28, 2025
The High Court of Bombay in the case of Canon India Pvt. Ltd. v. Union of India, Writ Petition No. 9937 of 2025, decided on 09.09.2025, examined the obligation of Customs authorities to issue reasoned orders on exemption claims even when importers file Bills of Entry “under protest”. The Court held that a reasoned order…
Certified Agreement unnecessary if undisputed Agreement is on record
- October 28, 2025
Techtix Engineers v. Megastone Logipark Pvt. Ltd. & Ors. Court – Gujarat High Court Citation – R/Special Civil Application No. 6878 of 2023 Date – 07.10.2025 The Hon’ble Gujarat High Court has held that the certified copy of the arbitration agreement is not necessary if an undisputed agreement copy is on record. The Court held,…
The High Court of Karnataka, in the case of Employees’ State Insurance Corporation v. M/s Bhima & Brothers Jewellers, Miscellaneous First Appeal No. 6576 of 2015, decided on 02.07.2025, examined the scope of “wages” under Section 2(22) of the Employees’ State Insurance Act, 1948 (hereinafter referred to as “ESI Act”) and clarified whether components such…
RBI’s Offline Digital Rupee: Understanding India’s CBDC Revolution
- October 17, 2025
Introduction India’s digital payment system has changed the way people move money. The success of the Unified Payments Interface (“UPI”) shows how easy it has become to send and receive money instantly. It has made digital transactions fast, secure, and available to millions. Yet what happens when the internet fails is a big question. In…
Introduction India’s new era of digital accountability has begun with the introduction of Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 (hereinafter referred to as “DPDPA“) which is expected to be implemented in the near future. The legislation establishes a comprehensive framework on the collection, use, storage, and transfer of an individual’s personal data. For some organizations,…
The Hon’ble Delhi High Court in Harbhajan Singh Thukral v. Government of NCT of Delhi, Department of Trade and Taxes, W.P. (C) No. 3967 of 2025, decided on 20.08.2025, held that where the refund amount lying in a taxpayer’s electronic cash ledger is erroneously adjusted against a liability that has been subsequently cancelled, the taxpayer…
The Hon’ble Supreme Court in M/s Godwin Construction Pvt. Ltd. v. Commissioner, Meerut Division & Anr, Civil Appeal No. 7661 of 2014, decided on 08.10.2025, reaffirmed the well-established principle that the classification of an instrument for the purposes of stamp duty depends upon its substance and legal effect rather than upon its nomenclature or title….
INTRODUCTION In October 2025, the Ministry of Labour & Employment, Government of India, unveiled the draft National Labour and Employment Policy, popularly known as Shram Shakti Niti 2025. This landmark policy represents a transformative milestone in India’s labour governance framework, aiming to shift from a predominantly regulatory and enforcement model to a facilitative, inclusive, and…
Arbitrator mandate can only be extended by the High Court
- October 13, 2025
Best Eastern Business House Pvt Ltd. v. Mina Pradhan Court – Calcutta High Court Citation – AP-COM – 296 of 2025 Date – 23.09.2025 The Hon’ble Calcutta High Court has held that the mandate of an Arbitrator under Section 29A(4) can only be extended by the High Court and not by the Principal Civil Court…
