Listen to this post
Tobacco Control Laws in India: Ambit of restrictions on consumption, advertisements and packaging of cigarettes

Introduction

The consumption of tobacco products continues to be a major public health issue in India, with smoking-related diseases causing numerous deaths annually. According to estimates cited in the World Health Organization’s (“WHO”) ‘Economic Costs of Diseases and Deaths Attributable to Tobacco Use in India’ study, “the economic burden of diseases and premature deaths attributable to smoking and smokeless tobacco use by persons over 35 years of age in India is over 1% of India’s GDP”. Further, the expenditure incurred to treat tobacco related illnesses and diseases accounts for 5.3% of the total private and public health spending in India in a year[1].

Continue Reading Tobacco Control Laws in India: Ambit of restrictions on consumption, advertisements and packaging of cigarettes
Listen to this post
Draft Guidelines for Examination of Computer Related Inventions 2025

Introduction

  • Computer Related Inventions (“CRIs”) comprise of inventions involving the use of computers, computer networks or other programmable apparatus and techniques related thereto and include inventions having one or more features that are realised wholly or partially by means of a computer hardware/ software. To foster uniformity and consistency in examining applications with respect to CRIs, the Office of the Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trade Marks released “Guidelines for Examination of Computer Related Inventions (“CRIs”), 2017” (“2017 Guidelines”), which dealt with the various provisions to be considered by the patent office while dealing with patent applications related to CRIs.
Continue Reading Draft Guidelines for Examination of Computer Related Inventions 2025
Listen to this post
Designer Babies in India: Ethical Dilemma and Legal Roadblocks

Introduction

Imagine walking into a fertility clinic and choosing every detail of your future baby, including eye colour, height, intelligence, athletic ability, and even resistance to genetic diseases. Advancements in reproductive technology are pushing the boundaries of what is possible. In the United States, the demand for sperm and egg selection is soaring, with individuals spending thousands of dollars to “curate” their ideal baby. However, it is important to note that experts in the United States currently do not support the practice of creating designer babies through gene editing.

Continue Reading Designer Babies in India: Ethical Dilemma and Legal Roadblocks
Listen to this post

Background

India Inc’s initial public offering (“IPO”) landscape has witnessed significant growth in recent years, with numerous companies entering the capital markets to fund their growth and offer exits to existing investors. An IPO in India requires navigating a complex regulatory framework, complying with various provisions, and addressing stakeholders’ interests, including employees with stock options. In our post[1], we had assessed companies’ eligibility to undertake an IPO in situations where any individual holds rights entitling them to acquire equity shares of the company, or where there are any outstanding convertible securities that can be converted into the company’s equity shares.

Continue Reading Amendment to make companies with outstanding Stock Appreciation Rights IPO eligible: A few steps closer, but not there yet
Listen to this post
Strengthening Compliance: SEBI’s Recent Enforcement Strategies Against Insider Trading

Insider trading remains one of the most closely monitored violations in India’s capital markets. Historically, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (“SEBI”) has relied on enforcement actions such as monetary penalties, trading bans, and prosecution to deter insider trading. However, there has been a notable shift in the recent years towards preventive regulation through administrative warnings, increased use of technology-driven surveillance and stricter disclosure norms, thus transitioning from reactive measures to preventive regulation.

Continue Reading Strengthening Compliance: SEBI’s Recent Enforcement Strategies Against Insider Trading
Listen to this post
FIG Paper (No. 42 – Series 1) – Regulatory Trends in NBFC Sector

Background

Of India’s overall credit market, non-banking financial companies (“NBFCs”) command a 22% share[1], primarily catering to underserved sectors and providing retail loans, particularly to small businesses and households. As NBFCs have become systemically important for the economy, they have been subject to increased regulatory oversight by the Reserve Bank of India (“RBI”), evidenced by the introduction of scale-based regulations, which prescribe differential regulatory norms basis size and scale of the NBFC. This FIG paper explores the recent regulatory trends in this sector.

Continue Reading FIG Paper (No. 42 – Series 1) – Regulatory Trends in NBFC Sector
Listen to this post
Semiconductor Revolution: Setting up Semiconductor fabs in India

Semiconductors play a crucial role in modern technology, from enabling cell phones, to electric vehicles, to defence equipment and medical devices. The rising need for Internet of Things (IoT), AI integration, data and wireless communication has sparked increased demand for semiconductors worldwide, the market for which is expected to exceed $1 trillion by 2030 globally. India is taking strategic steps to become a major player in the semiconductor sector and has introduced ambitious schemes and incentive programmes to draw investment into semiconductor manufacturing in India. This article briefly discusses India’s semiconductor policy landscape and explores key considerations in setting up of semiconductor fabs in India.

Continue Reading Semiconductor Revolution: Setting up Semiconductor fabs in India
Listen to this post
A Legal Analysis of Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. v. Maj. (Retd.) Sukesh Behl & Anr.: Patent Enforcement and Infringement Liability

Introduction

The case of Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. v. Maj. (Retd.) Sukesh Behl & Anr. is a landmark judgment in Indian patent law, particularly concerning Standard Essential Patents (SEPs) and intellectual property enforcement. This judgment resolves three interconnected suits filed by the Plaintiff Philips relating to the infringement of Indian Patent No. 218255, which pertains to a “Method of Converting Information Words to a Modulated Signal”.

Continue Reading A Legal Analysis of Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. v. Maj. (Retd.) Sukesh Behl & Anr.: Patent Enforcement and Infringement Liability
Listen to this post
Environmental Consent Process Made More Streamlined

Introduction

The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (“MoEFCC”) issued two key guidelines on industrial consent under environmental laws — the Control of Air Pollution (Grant, Refusal or Cancellation of Consent) Guidelines, 2025, under the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981, and the Control of Water Pollution (Grant, Refusal or Cancellation of Consent) Guidelines, 2025, under the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, on January 29 and 30, 2025. These guidelines establish a structured framework for granting, refusing, and cancelling consents for industries. By streamlining approvals, enforcing stricter compliance, and enhancing regulatory oversight, they promote transparency, accountability, and ease of doing business.

Continue Reading Environmental Consent Process Made More Streamlined
Listen to this post
CRISPR, The New Gold Standard?Understanding The Rise Of Genetic Engineering In India – Part 2

In Part 1 of the CRISPR blogpost series, we outlined the science behind CRISPR technology and also illustrated its current and potential uses in India. As previously discussed, CRISPR technology, being a genetic engineering method, poses some serious concerns. These concerns are largely ethical, social, and safety related. Hence, it is pertinent to understand the regulatory regime for CRISPR in India. In this blog post, we have outlined the regulatory regime for genetic engineering in India, with special focus on CRISPR technology.

Continue Reading CRISPR, The New Gold Standard?Understanding The Rise Of Genetic Engineering In India – Part 2