All news

August 2026

• 21Aug

  Company LawCCI penalises Agro Input Dealers Association and Agro Input Welfare Association for cartelisation; orders competition compliance training

  CCI penalty on agro input bodies

  By an order dated 21 August 2026 under section 27 of the Competition Act, 2002 (Case No. 06 of 2023), CCI has imposed monetary penalties on Agro Input Dealers Association (AIDA), Agro Input Welfare Association (AIWA) and four individuals, directed them to cease and desist, and ordered a competition compliance training programme.

• 21Aug

  Startup & MSME₹62,500 crore Mobile Phone Manufacturing Scheme notified for FY 2026-27 to FY 2030-31: incentives of 2.25%–5% for manufacturers, 5% plus 3% for Indian brands

  MPMS: ₹62,500 crore, 5 yearsNew facility

  The Ministry of Electronics and IT has notified the Mobile Phone Manufacturing Scheme with an outlay of ₹62,500 crore for FY 2026-27 to FY 2030-31. Target Segment 1 gives manufacturers an incentive of 2.25% to 5%; Target Segment 2 gives Indian brands 5% plus 3% for Indian design and R&D. Up to 1.5% more is available for domestic sourcing of key components.

• 21Aug

  SEBISEBI proposes Fixed Income Channel Partners to distribute bonds through online bond platforms; charges to clients capped at 2.5%. Comment window closed on 11 September 2026

  Bond distributors (FICP): draftComments invited

  A SEBI consultation paper issued on 21 August 2026 proposes a new class of Fixed Income Channel Partners (FICPs), enlisted with stock exchanges and appointed by Online Bond Platform Providers, to distribute fixed income securities on the lines of mutual fund distributors. FICPs could not handle client funds or charge clients, and AT1-type unsecured perpetual bonds would be out of bounds. Comments were due by 11 September 2026; the window has closed.

• 21Aug

  Foreign TradeOne Star Export House status on two years’ performance out of three; Diamond Imprest para drops Compensation Cess reference — DGFT Notifications 33/2026-27 and 32/2026-27

  Two out of three yearsRelief

  Two amendments to the Foreign Trade Policy 2023 dated 21 August 2026. Para 1.25(d) now lets an applicant (other than Gems & Jewellery) get One Star Export House status with export performance in any two of the three preceding financial years. Para 4.63 on Diamond Imprest Authorisation no longer refers to Compensation Cess, which stands discontinued from 1 February 2026.

• 21Aug

  Foreign TradeExport Obligation extension approved by PRC or EPCG Committee will now be issued by the system — no second application to the RA

  No second applicationNew facility

  Trade Notice 21/2026-27 introduces an automated facility for Advance Authorisation and EPCG cases: once the Committee approves, the exporter pays the fee on the DGFT portal and the extension letter is generated automatically.

• 21Aug

  FEMA & RBI29 FDI investments worth ₹4,895.65 crore reported under the revised land-border-country rule

  ₹4,895.65 croreRelief

  Since Press Note 2 of 2026, investors with non-controlling land-bordering-country ownership of up to 10% can use the automatic route after reporting to the Government.

• 21Aug

  GSTDGGI finds 27 undeclared pouch-packing machines in UP pan masala unit; evasion of about ₹185 crore

  ₹185 crore

  Searches at six premises in Chitrakoot and Banda led to seizure of 15.5 lakh pouches. Since the capacity-based levy began on 1 February 2026, DGGI has booked 27 cases with evasion of ₹668 crore.

• 20Aug

  SEBI87.7% of individual traders in equity derivatives lost money in FY26; net losses about ₹91,685 crore: SEBI studies

  87.7% of F&O traders lost money

  Two SEBI studies on individual traders in the equity derivatives segment show active traders fell about 20% to 78.6 lakh in FY26, while 87.7% of them still incurred losses. Aggregate net losses were about ₹91,685 crore and the average loss per trader about ₹1.17 lakh. Around 92% of the losses arose from options trading.

• 20Aug

  SEBIKYC Registration Agencies may share information with IFSCA-regulated entities: SEBI specifies IFSCA under regulation 16A of the KRA Regulations

  KRA access for IFSCA entitiesNew facility

  SEBI has specified the International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA) under regulation 16A(1) of the KRA Regulations, 2011. Entities regulated by IFSCA may now access the systems of SEBI-registered KYC Registration Agencies to do KYC of their clients. They must follow the KRA Regulations, SEBI’s KYC Master Circular and, for FPI clients, the data security guidelines in the FPI Master Circular.

• 20Aug

  Foreign TradeExport proceeds can be realised in any foreign currency or in Indian Rupees; rupee realisations get FTP benefits — Paras 2.52 and 2.53 amended by DGFT Notification 30/2026-27

  Rupee exports get FTP benefitsRule change

  DGFT has rewritten Paras 2.52 and 2.53 of the Foreign Trade Policy 2023. Export contracts and invoices (other than with ACU member countries) may be denominated in foreign currency or Indian Rupees, and proceeds realised in either. Exports realised in rupees through rupee accounts of non-residents qualify for export benefits and export obligation, at par with foreign currency.

• 20Aug

  CustomsStrait of Hormuz closure: bulk cargo bound for foreign ports may be stored and transhipped at Indian ports till 31 October 2026

  Till 31 October 2026Relief

  Circular 36/2026-Customs continues the facilitation for international transhipment through Indian ports and lets Commissioners permit, case by case, temporary unloading and storage of liquid, break and dry bulk cargo diverted to India.

• 19Aug

  Trademark & IPPatent Office puts out draft Manual of Patent Office Practice and Procedure, version 4.0: a 22-chapter guide that is not law

  Draft Patent Manual v4.0Comments invited

  The Office of the CGPDTM has published a Draft Manual of Patent Office Practice and Procedure, version 4.0, 2026. It codifies procedure from filing to grant, opposition, renewal and compulsory licensing. The preface says it does not constitute rule making and does not have the force of law. It is a draft, not a final manual.

• 18Aug

  Income TaxIncome Tax Department verifies suspicious foreign remittances; 36 professionals who issued Form 15CB covered

  394 entitiesAction needed

  A nationwide verification launched on 18 August 2026 covers about 394 entities and 36 professionals. CBDT has asked Accountants to exercise due care before certifying remittances in Form 15CB / Form 146.

• 18Aug

  Company LawCCI raises the time to offer commitments from 45 to 60 and the overall limit from 130 to 180: Commitment Amendment Regulations, 2026

  45 days → 60 daysRule change

  The Competition Commission of India has amended its Commitment Regulations, 2024. The figure in regulation 3(3) for filing a commitment application goes from 45 to 60, the Commission’s first look from 7 to 15, and the overall limit from 130 to 180. A defective application is now returned and may be refiled within 10 working days, with the fee adjusted.

• 18Aug

  Foreign TradeImport of clear float glass (4 mm–12 mm) moved to “Restricted”; free only at CIF ₹34,000 per MT and above — DGFT Notification 29/2026-27

  MIP ₹34,000 per MTRule change

  DGFT has revised the import policy of clear float glass (4 mm–12 mm) under ITC (HS) codes 70051090 and 70052990 from “Free” to “Restricted”. Import stays “Free” where the CIF value is ₹34,000 or more per MT. The minimum import price condition does not apply to Advance Authorisation holders, EOUs and SEZ units, and runs for one year.

• 17Aug

  SEBISEBI cautions investors against “live trading strategies” on social media; live market data cannot be shared, educators must use prices with a 30-day lag

  Live trading tips: SEBI caution

  SEBI has cautioned investors about persons offering “live trading strategies / real-time strategies” on social media platforms. It has advised investors not to trust such claims, not to base investment decisions on live trading sessions and to deal only with SEBI registered intermediaries. Live market data may not be shared except for orderly market functioning or regulatory requirements.

• 16Aug

  CustomsDRI uncovers misuse of SAFTA in areca nut imports; duty loss put above ₹2,500 crore

  ₹2,500 crore

  South-East Asian areca nuts were declared as Bangladesh origin to claim full duty exemption under SAFTA. Nine persons are arrested and a Customs Broker’s licence is suspended.

• 15Aug

  Income TaxForeign assets disclosure scheme: CBDT FAQs explain who can declare, the 30% tax plus equal amount, the ₹1 lakh fee and payment through Challan ITNS 289

  30% tax + equal amountClarified

  CBDT’s FAQs on the Foreign Assets of Small Taxpayers Disclosure Scheme, 2026 explain that even a person who is now non-resident can declare, that undisclosed foreign assets and income up to ₹1 crore cost 30% tax plus an equal amount, and that foreign assets up to ₹5 crore already taxed but not reported cost a flat ₹1 lakh. Payment is through Challan No. ITNS 289.

• 14Aug

  Income TaxForeign Assets of Small Taxpayers Disclosure Scheme: rules and forms notified; last date is 31 December 2026

  31 December 2026New facility

  The Scheme’s rules, notified on 14 August 2026 and in force from 16 August, fix 31 March 2026 as the valuation date, set out how each foreign asset is valued, and prescribe Forms 1 to 4 for the declaration, the order, the payment and the final certificate.

• 14Aug

  InsolvencyIBBI discussion paper of 14 August 2026 proposed guidance for insolvency professionals on fraudulent or malicious initiation of CIRP under section 65; comments closed 24 August

  Draft — comments closed 24 AugComments invited

  IBBI’s discussion paper dated 14 August 2026 placed a draft circular for comments: nine illustrative indicators that should alert an insolvency professional to fraudulent or malicious initiation of CIRP, and an application to the Adjudicating Authority under section 60(5) read with section 65 where the professional forms that opinion. It was a proposal; the comment period ended on 24 August 2026.