FDI automatic approval for IT sector excluding B2C e commerce, prior joint venture and technology transfer bar now waived. FDI proposals in the Information Technology sector (excluding B2C e commerce) qualify for the automatic route; the prior bar in Clause 1(1) of Press Note 18 disqualifying applicants with earlier joint ventures or technology transfer/trademark agreements in the same or allied fields is waived for IT sector proposals, enabling immediate automatic approval for FDI and technology collaboration.