Trade authority seeks stakeholder comments on proposed uniform ANF for export authorisation of controlled SCOMET items - 30 days
A trade authority requests stakeholder comments on proposed amendments to the application form (ANF) used to obtain authorisation for export of controlled SCOMET items, proposing a single uniform format under the relevant handbook provision; the consultation is issued pursuant to a foreign trade policy requirement for stakeholder input. Industry, exporters, associations and experts are invited to submit suggestions within 30 days to the designated email address, and the notice is issued with competent authority approval.

Third party portal remains open until 15 November 2025 for Customs Act applications under Sections 58 and 65
Existing online application facility hosted on a third-party portal will remain operational until 15 November 2025 for receipt of applications under sections 58 and 65 of the Customs Act, 1962. Applications submitted via this portal should be processed by the respective jurisdictional Principal Commissioners/Commissioners in accordance with applicable law and instructions. The central customs authority is finalizing a CBIC-hosted digital submission module; its deployment timeline and instructions will be issued separately. Field formations must promptly notify local trade and industry associations.

New circular implements Section 18A allowing electronic revision of cleared entries with duty/interest payment, no penalty, Rs.1,000 fee
The circular implements Section 18A's framework allowing importers/exporters or authorised persons to file electronic applications to revise cleared entries, including revised-entry-with-refund claims, with payment of additional duty and interest (no penalty) and generation of ARN/Revised Entry Reference; applications follow a self-assessment routed via RMS and may be verified by the proper officer who can requisition documents, reassess duty with a speaking order, or grant refunds per Section 27; revisions are barred where audits, searches, seizures, investigations, or prior reassessments under Sections 17, 18 or 84 exist; a Rs.1,000 filing fee applies and a prescribed self-declaration is required.

Regulator requires non-benchmark index derivatives meet eligibility: =14 constituents, top weight =20%, top3 =45%, phased rebalances
The regulator mandates prudential eligibility criteria for derivatives on non-benchmark indices: minimum 14 constituents, top constituent weight =20%, combined top three =45%, and a descending weight structure. Stock exchanges must adjust constituents/weights to comply; two specified indices may be adjusted in a single tranche, while another must be rebalanced in four monthly tranches with iterative weight reductions and redistribution of excess weight to other constituents. Deadlines: the phased index by March 31, 2026, and the other two by December 31, 2025. Exchanges and clearing corporations must update systems, rules and notify market participants.

Regulator delays mandatory QSB system implementation for optional T+0 rolling settlement, new timeline and guidance to follow
The regulator extends the deadline for qualified stock brokers (QSBs) to implement systems and processes enabling optional T+0 rolling settlement in equity cash markets, postponing the previously set November 1, 2025 timeline due to readiness challenges; further guidance on the revised timeline will follow. All other provisions of the December 10, 2024 circular remain unchanged. Market infrastructure institutions are directed to implement necessary systems, amend byelaws/rules where required, and notify market participants. The circular is issued under the regulator's statutory powers to protect investors and regulate the securities market.

Regulator limits pre-launch certified past performance to one-on-one client requests, mandates PaRRVA enrollment within three months
Regulator permits registered investment advisers and research analysts to provide certified past performance for periods before the launch of the Past Risk and Return Verification Agency (PaRRVA) only on specific client request, on a one-to-one basis, and not via public media or websites; such data must be certified by a member of ICAI/ICMAI, accompanied by a prescribed disclaimer, and issuers must enroll with PaRRVA within three months of its operationalisation or cease such communications thereafter. Post-operational period performance must use PaRRVA-verified metrics, and after two years only PaRRVA-verified metrics may be displayed. Templates will be issued within one month; contraventions attract enforcement, including summary proceedings under intermediary regulations.

Regulator allows advisers to charge AUA-based second-opinion fees up to 2.5% p.a., with annual disclosure and consent
Regulator permits registered investment advisers to charge AUA-based fees for providing a second opinion on client assets held under pre-existing distribution arrangements, subject to a cap of 2.5% per annum of the asset value. Advisers must obtain and renew client disclosure and consent annually, explicitly informing clients that distributor charges for those assets will still apply. The amendment revises the Master Circular clause that previously excluded such assets from AUA fees and takes immediate effect under the regulator's statutory powers to protect investors and regulate the market.

Trade authority cancels provisional India-UAE CEPA gold TRQ allocations for 2025-26; applicants must apply online for fee refunds
The trade authority cancelled provisional TRQ allocations for gold imports under the India-UAE CEPA for 2025-26 and permits applicants to seek refunds of application fees; applications will be auto-marked "closed" on the portal, after which applicants must apply for refunds via the authority's e-Miscellaneous Payment Service, providing the closed application file number and a validated bank account in the IEC holder's name, and using existing portal credentials or DSC/e-sign; a help document is available online and a separate notice will announce the new TRQ application procedure.

Source from India expands microsite eligibility from 1 November 2025 to IECs with USD100,000 export realisation verified by DGFT eBRC
With effect from 1 November 2025, the ePlatform's "Source from India" registration is expanded: any valid IEC (not in DEL) that has at least USD 100,000 export realisation in one of the preceding three financial years, as confirmed by the DGFT eBRC database, becomes eligible to create a microsite in addition to existing Status Holders. Users whose Trade Connect accounts are linked to eligible IECs will automatically see the microsite creation option; a step-by-step guide is annexed. Indian missions have been briefed to use the service for buyer sourcing and export councils/industry bodies are requested to publicize the change.

TRQ for gold (HS 7108) requires BIS hallmarking and GST registration; gold dore excluded; allocations via competitive online bidding
Amendments require importers seeking TRQ for gold (HS 7108) under the India-UAE CEPA to hold BIS hallmarking registration and GST registration; imports of gold dore remain excluded from TRQ. TRQ allocations will be made via a competitive online bidding/tender process. Eligible applicants must apply online through the DGFT Import Management System during announced windows. Annual Trade Notices will specify submission periods and bidding modalities. These changes revise Annexure-IV of Appendix-2A and revise prior public notice procedures to enhance transparency and manage TRQ allocations.

Tax authority extends ITR filing to 10 December 2025 (s.119); audit report now due 10 November 2025 (s.44AB)
The tax authority, exercising powers under section 119 of the Income-tax Act, 1961, has extended the due date for filing Income Tax Returns for the previous year 2024-25 (AY 2025-26) for assessees covered by clause (a) of Explanation 2 to subsection (1) of section 139 from 31 October 2025 to 10 December 2025; consequently, the specified date for furnishing the audit report for the same previous year under clause (ii) of the Explanation to section 44AB is extended to 10 November 2025.

Amendment to Appendix 2B lists agencies authorised to issue Preferential Certificates of Origin under India-EFTA TEPA by product and jurisdiction
The central foreign trade authority amended Appendix 2B of the Foreign Trade Policy to list agencies authorised to issue Preferential Certificates of Origin under the India-EFTA TEPA, assigning scope by product and jurisdiction. Authorised issuers include the central trade authority and regional offices, export inspection bodies, sectoral export promotion and commodity boards (agriculture, marine, silk, coir, handicraft, spices, textiles, tobacco), and designated SEZ/Zonal Development Commissioner offices for units in SEZs/EOUs. The notice formalises these agencies' authority to issue CoOs for the agreement.

Trade authority adds India-EFTA TEPA to Handbook of Procedures 2023 and allows exporter self-declaration for Certificates of Origin
The trade authority amended Handbook of Procedures 2023 by adding the India-EFTA Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement to the list of FTAs and by inserting a new provision allowing exporters to obtain Certificates of Origin under India-EFTA TEPA based on exporter self-declaration, in addition to Certificates issued by authorized agencies, thereby broadening compliance options for exporters seeking origin documentation under the agreement.

Government pilots unified digital platform for paperless testing, certification and QR-verified reports for importers and exporters
A government trade authority will pilot a unified digital platform for testing and certification of import/export commodities to enable paperless submission, tracking, electronic issuance and verification of test reports; pilot onboarding of testing agencies begins 4 Nov 2025 and applicant submissions from 11 Nov 2025. Existing processes may continue in parallel. Exporters/importers may use existing portal credentials; applications require product/sample details, digital signature (DSC or Aadhaar e-Sign), and online fee payment. Select commodity board labs will be onboarded initially; reports include QR code verification. Helpdesk, guides and outreach will support rollout.

Central Tax officers designated for Sections 74A, 75(2), 122 and Rule 142(1A) with hierarchical monetary limits and procedures
The circular assigns designated Central Tax officers as proper officers for Sections 74A, 75(2), 122 of the CGST Act and Rule 142(1A), specifies hierarchical monetary limits for issuing show-cause notices and passing orders (separate and combined limits for Central and Integrated Tax) by Superintendent, Deputy/Assistant Commissioner, and Additional/Joint Commissioner, and clarifies determination of proper officer where notices cover multiple periods or combined tax/penalty amounts, corrigendum procedure when statements exceed limits, treatment of audit commissionerate cases, and that where an appellate body disallows a Section 74 notice the original adjudicating officer will determine tax under Section 73; recipients are asked to publicize and report implementation difficulties.

No additional fees for CRA-4 XBRL filings made by 31.12.2025; late filings liable under Rule 6(6)
Filing of CRA-4 (Cost Audit Report in XBRL) for the financial year ended 31.03.2025 filed up to 31.12.2025 will not attract additional fees in view of stakeholder requests and deployment of a new form on the MCA V3 portal. Filings made after 31.12.2025 will be liable for all applicable fees, including additional fees, computed from the original due date under Rule 6(6) of the Companies (Cost Records and Audit) Rules, 2014. The relaxation is issued with approval of the competent authority.

Import limits on silver jewellery under 24.09.2025 notification exempt EOUs, SEZs, Advance Authorisation and DFIA imports
A trade authority clarifies that import restrictions on silver jewellery under Notification dated 24.09.2025 do not apply to imports by 100% Export Oriented Units and units in Special Economic Zones, nor to imports under Advance Authorisation or Duty-Free Import Authorisation schemes, per the Foreign Trade Policy and SEZ Rules; such imported goods must not be sold in the Domestic Tariff Area. Customs and trade administrations are instructed to implement this position, and deviations will attract penalties under applicable laws.

Regulator allows PMS portfolio transfers with prior approval, strict procedures, timelines, full-business rule, transferee assumes liabilities
Regulator permits transfer of portfolio management services (PMS) subject to prior approval and specified procedures: intra-group transfers may move select investment approaches or entire PMS (entire transfers require surrender of the transferor's registration within 45 working days); transfers between unrelated registered managers require a joint application, mandate full-business transfer (no partial transfers), transferee to assume all obligations and submit an undertaking, and completion within two months; until completion the transferor must not onboard new clients and must surrender registration upon finalization; required board resolutions, agreements, client communications and fit-and-proper declarations must accompany filings; effective immediately.

Amendment to Para 4.84(b): export obligations require fulfillment within 120 days; 180 days for gold, platinum, silver, jewellery; no extensions.
Amendment to Para 4.84(b) of the Handbook of Procedures 2023 clarifies that export obligations under authorisations must be met within 120 days of import of each consignment, with a 180-day period for findings and mountings made of gold, platinum or silver and for jewellery exports; no further extensions are permitted. Advance authorisation holders may import gold as replenishment only after completing the requisite exports. The change is intended to align Para 4.84(b) of the Handbook with the corresponding provision in the Foreign Trade Policy.

Directorate reinstates and amends Standard Input Output Norms C676 for export of hot-dipped galvanized tension, gate and truss rods
Directorate reinstates and amends Standard Input Output Norms C676 for export of hot-dipped galvanized tension bars/gate rods/truss rods/drop rods, effective immediately. Permissible inputs include re-rollable usable scrap/billet cuttings, MS billets/blooms, non-alloy steel wire rods and zinc (purity 99.99%). Wastage/consumption allowances are specified as 1.10 kg/kg, 1.05 kg/kg and 1.03 kg/kg on net weight of the ungalvanized base product for different categories, with 0.03 kg/kg designated as the steel content in the export product; other export control formalities under the Foreign Trade Policy remain applicable.