Summary: This article introduces India’s first national geothermal energy policy, marking a strategic leap in diversifying renewable energy sources. The policy adds immense value by unlocking geothermal’s potential for power, heating, cooling, and industrial use, with support from global standards, fiscal incentives, and oil-gas sector synergies.
Continue Reading Turning Up The Heat: India’s First National Geothermal Energy Policy Unveiled
Summary: India’s new Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025 promotes e-sports and online social gaming, while prohibiting skill-based online money gaming. Now, with the accompanying draft rules, a new regulatory framework is in play with its own set of benefits and challenges. This [blog post] provides an overview of the new rules of the game, followed by insights on the new act and draft rules.
Continue Reading Online Gaming Gets Played, But Ready to Play Ball
Summary: This blog explains a key judgement from the Karnataka High Court that clarifies stamp duty on court-directed sale deeds should be calculated on the original agreement price, not the current market value. This protects buyers from unfairly higher stamp duty due to litigation delays and provides much needed certainty and fairness for all parties involved in property transactions under specific performance decrees.
Continue Reading Court-ordered sales: Original deal value to decide stamp duty
Summary: Building upon our previous exploration of the Karnataka High Court’s landmark decision, this blog examines how Indian courts continue to refine the doctrine of dual ownership.
Continue Reading Building vs. Land– Part 2: Dual Ownership Through Orissa High Court’s Lens
On September 16, 2025, the Government of India published the Draft Civil Drone (Promotion and Regulation) Bill, 2025 (‘Drone Bill’)[1] inviting suggestions from stakeholders and the general public. Through this Drone Bill, the Government seeks to revamp the existing regulation for Unmanned Aircraft Systems (‘UAS / Drones’) that are presently governed under the Drone Rules, 2021 and related amendments (‘2021 Rules’).[2] The new Drone Bill marks a paradigm shift for the civil UAS regulatory framework from delegated legislation to a separate standalone statute. Once enacted, it will replace the existing 2021 Rules.
Continue Reading Draft Civil Drone (Promotion and Regulation) Bill, 2025: Regulation curtailing Industry Growth?
Summary: The Ministry of Corporate Affairs has mandated that all private companies (other than small companies) must dematerialise their securities effective July 1, 2025. While the reform is a progressive step towards enhancing transparency, efficiency and investor protection, its implementation has highlighted several procedural and regulatory challenges. Addressing these gaps through regulatory clarity, harmonisation of processes, and simplified documentation, specifically for cross-border investors, will be essential for making the dematerialisation regime more practical and business-friendly, rather than a mere compliance requirement.
Continue Reading Paper To Electronic: The Demat Transition For Private Companies
Summary: This article deals with the relaxation granted by the Department of Consumer Affairs on September 18, 2025 to businesses dealing with pre-packaged commodities affected by recent GST rate changes. The advisory allows businesses to voluntarily affix revised MRP stickers on unsold packages manufactured before September 22, 2025, without obscuring the original MRP. This affixation of revised stickers is purely optional and addresses compliance burdens created when GST rate changes affect MRP declarations. Additionally, the compliance requirements have been simplified by waiving newspaper advertisement mandates and requiring only circulars to dealers and retailers with copies to the regulatory authority.
Continue Reading From Burden to Benefit: Relief for Businesses Dealing in Pre-Packaged Commodities
Summary: SEBI has recently approved various rule changes for intermediaries such as stock-brokers, REITs/ InvITs, IAs, RAs, FPIs, and angel funds, with a view to ease entry norms and compliance obligations, provide flexibility and to attract more retail and foreign investments. This paper summarises the key changes and their implications for intermediaries.
Continue Reading FIG Paper No. 50: Recent SEBI Changes – Implications for Intermediaries
This blog discusses how the Supreme Court in its recent judgment of Mansi Brar Fernandez vs. Subha Sharma[1] (“Mansi Brar”), has reinforced theprinciple laid down in the case of Pioneer Urban Land and Infrastructure Ltd v. Union of India,[2] (“Pioneer Urban”) of distinguishing a speculative investor from a genuine homebuyer. It also highlights the Court’s key directives and suggestions aimed at reforming real estate insolvency framework.
Continue Reading The Mansi Brar Judgment – Reaffirming the Pioneer Principle and a push towards crucial reforms in real estate insolvency
Summary: The RBI’s MSME restructuring framework encourages early intervention and collaborative revival, while the SARFAESI Act enables swift creditor enforcement. Courts have clarified that MSMEs must proactively invoke restructuring protections before SARFAESI proceedings begin. The dual frameworks highlight the need for timely borrower action and balanced lender discretion to ensure rehabilitation is not sidelined by enforcement.
Continue Reading Dual Frameworks, Dual Obligations: MSME Restructuring under RBI Framework versus Enforcement under SARFAESI Act