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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.

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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.

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SEBI’s Mutual Funds Lite Framework: A Regulatory Inflection Point For Passive Funds In India

Introduction

The capital markets regulator, Securities and Exchange Board of India (“SEBI”), released a consultation paper in July 2024 (“Consultation Paper”), seeking public comments on the much awaited liberalised mutual funds (“MF”) framework, designed specifically to govern and streamline operations for passive funds like index funds and exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”) (the “MF Lite Framework”.)[1]

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Role of State Governments in India’s Data Protection Regime

Introduction

The Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (“MeitY”) published a draft of the Digital Personal Data Protection Rules, 2025 (“Draft Rules”), on January 3, 2025. These were formulated under the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 (“DPDP Act” or “Act”), which was passed by Parliament, and received presidential assent on August 11, 2023. The DPDP Act aims to regulate the processing of personal data, and contains requirements for collection, processing and sharing of personal data.

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Key Highlights of Gujarat GCC Policy (2025-30)

Introduction

India, with its dynamic and skilled youth, has progressively emerged as a global hub for Global Capability Centres (GCCs) established by multinational corporations. GCCs offer numerous strategic advantages, including driving digital transformation, fostering innovation, advancing analytics and technological solutions, promoting research and development, creating employment opportunities, enhancing operational efficiency, and strengthening business resilience. Recognising these benefits, Indian companies are also increasingly adopting the GCC model to fuel their growth. Consequently, several Indian states are crafting policies to attract both domestic and multinational corporations to set up GCCs.

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RPT Disclosure Standards: Regulator’s Ongoing Quest for Balance

Context

The law on related party transactions (“RPTs”) has been evolving since its inclusion in the Companies Act, 2013 (“the Act”), and the introduction of stricter regulations for listed companies by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (“SEBI” or “Regulator”) in the Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements Regulations, 2015 (“LODR”). Yet, India Inc. continues to falter in its battle for good governance because of abusive RPTs, inadequate disclosures, and diversion of funds of listed companies to closely held promoter entities through innovative structures and shell entities – exacerbated because promoters own or control 75 per cent of listed entities in India.

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CRISPR, The New Gold Standard? Understanding The Rise Of Genetic Enigineering In India – Part 1

Introduction

Advancements in science and technology have made gene-editing and the creation of genetically modified organisms (“GMOs”) a reality. It is now possible to alter and modify the genetic makeup of living organisms, leading to breakthroughs in agriculture and medicine. Such technologies and practices are being widely adopted across the world, including India, where gene editing is being explored primarily in agriculture to develop climate-resistant crops such as BT Cotton, BT Brinjal, GM-Mustard, etc. The global genome editing market, valued at $3.41 billion in 2024, is projected to reach $4.25 billion in 2025 and $13.36 billion by 2035, representing a CAGR of 12.1% during the forecast period[1].

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Pro-rata and Pari-Passu Rights: Regulating the Differential Rights for AIF Investors

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (“SEBI”) through its circular dated December 13, 2024 (“Circular”), along with Implementation Standards issued by the Standard Setting Forum for AIFs (“SFA”), introduced guidelines to ensure fair and equitable treatment of investors in alternative investment funds (“AIFs”), making pro-rata and pari passu rights an essential feature of AIF structures.

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Background

Section 58(2) of the Companies Act, 2013 (“Act”), read along with its proviso, lays down that while the shares of a public company are freely transferable, any contract or arrangement entered into between two or more persons for the transfer of securities shall be enforceable as a contract.

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SEBI’s New KPI Standards for IPOs: Key Takeaways

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (“SEBI”) issued a circular announcing the adoption of the Industry Standards on KPI Disclosures in the Draft Offer Document and Offer Document (“KPI Standards”) on February 28, 2025, which shall be applicable to all IPO draft offer documents/offer documents filed on or after April 1, 2025.

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