Sea Cargo Manifest compliance extended as stakeholders must continue filing complete electronic declarations during transition.
Implementation of the Sea Cargo Manifest and Transhipment Regulations, 2018 is being advanced for importers, exporters, shipping lines, custodians, Customs Brokers, Terminal Operators, SEZ units and ICD/CFS stakeholders. SCMTR messages for cargo movement between gateway ports and foreign ports have been implemented, and Stuffing messages are operational, though uniformity in filing remains incomplete. Certain messages remain under development and require testing across ICDs, CFSs, SEZs and gateway ports. During the extended transitional period, stakeholders must file complete and correct declarations electronically in the prescribed format.

Significant Indices framework sets AUM thresholds, registration duties, and grievance redressal rules for index providers.
SEBI has specified the criteria for identifying Significant Indices under the Index Provider framework. A listed-security benchmark or index is significant where the daily average cumulative mutual fund AUM tracking or benchmarking it exceeds Rs.20,000 crore for each of the past six months, and an index remains significant unless it falls below the threshold for three continuous years. Index Providers offering listed Significant Indices must seek SEBI registration within six months, subject to limited RBI benchmark exclusions, and separate legal entity requirements apply where index provider activity is carried on departmentally. Grievance redressal applies only to Significant Indices provided by SEBI-registered Index Providers.

AI-driven vulnerability detection demands stronger cyber resilience, coordinated monitoring, and controlled mitigation across regulated entities.
Emerging AI-driven vulnerability detection tools may increase cybersecurity risk by enabling rapid identification and possible exploitation of vulnerabilities, while also raising concerns relating to data confidentiality, application integrity and reliability of outputs. A coordinated vulnerability management approach is therefore required, with information sharing and monitoring across regulated entities to prevent cascading impact. The advisory directs regulated entities to strengthen cyber resilience through immediate patching or virtual patching, regular vulnerability assessment and security audits, structured change management, stronger API security, enhanced SOC monitoring, periodic risk assessment, system hardening, updated asset inventory and consultation for longer-term AI usage and autonomous mitigation.

Ad-hoc norms validity extended for advance authorisations, with repeat application allowed during the validity period.
Validity of ad-hoc norms ratified by the Norms Committee for Advance Authorisations under paragraph 4.07 is extended to 31.03.2028 for norms ratified on or after 01.04.2015. Other Advance Authorisation applicants may use such ratified norms on a repeat basis during the validity period, except for items listed in Appendix 4P and cases where non-applicability to other applications is expressly stated.

Customs validity extension for maritime disruption keeps specified facilities in force until mid-May.
Extension of the validity of facilities granted under circulars issued under Section 143AA of the Customs Act, 1962 in view of continuing disruption in maritime routes caused by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. The extended facilities covered by the specified circulars continue to remain in force up to 15 May 2026, while all other terms, conditions, and operational requirements remain unchanged.

Standard Input Output Norms notified for chemical and allied products to streamline Advance Authorisation processing and uniform approvals.
Four new Standard Input Output Norms (SIONs) are notified under the Chemical and Allied Product group for export products identified as SION Nos. A-3698, A-3699, A-3700 and A-3701. The notified entries specify the export product, the corresponding import item and the quantity allowed for each norm, including Cefuroxime Sterile Sodium with Cefuroxime Acid, NAS-5 with Tobias Acid, Tobramycin 300 mg/5 ml Nebuliser Solution with Tobramycin, and Schaeffers Acid with Beta Naphthol.

Fast-track processing of AIF placement memoranda streamlines scheme launch, disclosure compliance, and responsibility of merchant bankers and managers.
A fast-track mechanism is introduced for processing placement memoranda of non-LVF AIF schemes. AIFs may launch schemes after 30 days of filing with SEBI, or from registration in the case of a first scheme, subject to compliance with any SEBI comments before launch and a first close within 12 months. Merchant Bankers and Managers remain responsible for disclosure accuracy, supporting filings, prescribed disclaimer language, and compliance with SEBI requirements.

Wheat export authorization modalities prescribe online filing, eligibility thresholds, allocation criteria, review, and mandatory reporting obligations.
Applications for export authorization for wheat are to be filed online through the DGFT portal within the notified window by active IEC holders. Allocation is to be recommended by the Special Exim Facilitation Committee on the basis of prescribed eligibility criteria, export turnover, minimum application quantities, export history, confirmed export orders or contracts, and chartered accountant certification with valid UDIN. The authorizations are valid for six months, non-transferable, subject to review after three months, and may be re-allocated if quantities remain unutilized. Monthly progress reporting is mandatory, and non-compliance may attract action under the Foreign Trade law framework.

Past risk and return verification framework expands with PaRRVA recognition, transitional disclosure limits, and revised oversight committee composition.
Operationalisation of Past Risk and Return Verification Agency is carried out by recognising Care Ratings Limited as PaRRVA, with National Stock Exchange India Limited as the Data Centre. Investment Advisers and Research Analysts who wish to communicate certified past performance data must enroll with PaRRVA by 3 August 2026, and may use such pre-PaRRVA data only up to 3 May 2028. The oversight committee composition is revised, with a minimum of five members and a majority of independent members over PaRRVA and Data Centre representatives.

RoDTEP and RoSCTL benefit computation clarified for short realisation, FOB deductions, and ECGC compensation treatment.
Clarification is issued on the computation of remission or rebate under RoDTEP and RoSCTL where export proceeds are short realised. Benefit may be allowed on the full Free on Board value without deducting agency commission and bank charges, provided such deductions, separately or together, remain within the overall limit of 12.5% of the FOB value. If the charges exceed that limit, the excess is to be deducted for granting the benefit.

Debenture trustee compliance timeline extended for separating non-SEBI-regulated activities into separate business units.
SEBI extended by six months the compliance timeline for debenture trustees to transfer activities not regulated by SEBI to separate business units under the amended Debenture Trustees framework. The amendment and the related circular are to be implemented by October 27, 2026, while all other provisions of the earlier circular remain unchanged.

Official email ID change for EDI communications requires all customs correspondence to be sent to the new address immediately.
Official communications of the EDI, Jawaharlal Nehru Customs House are to be addressed to the revised email ID [email protected] with immediate effect. All correspondence, including Office Orders, Show Cause Notices, Orders-in-Original and other official communications, must be sent to the new address, and the earlier email ID is no longer in use.

Drawback on SEZ-to-DTA goods re-exported after duty payment is clarified as available under customs law.
Clarification is issued on drawback for duty-paid goods cleared from a Special Economic Zone into the Domestic Tariff Area and thereafter re-exported. Goods moving from an SEZ into the DTA may be construed as imported goods for customs purposes, and for drawback under Section 74 of the Customs Act, the goods must be duty paid, easily identifiable, and previously imported into India. Accordingly, goods cleared into the DTA from an SEZ on payment of applicable duties and re-exported thereafter are to be treated as imported goods for drawback disbursement.

Single Judicial Member Benches authorised for uncontested insolvency and company law matters, with contested rights reserved for Division Benches.
Single Judicial Member Benches are authorised to hear specified procedural, uncontested, and urgent matters under the Companies Act, 2013 and the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016, including early hearing applications, completion of pleadings, condonation of delay, extension of CIRP or liquidation period where unopposed, extension of interim relief, substitution of IRP, RP or liquidator, substitution of parties or legal representatives, taking on record progress reports, taking on record constitution or reconstitution of the committee of creditors, and procedural directions to the Registry. Contested matters affecting substantive rights are excluded, and any party may request hearing before a Division Bench.

Foreign exchange derivative reporting expands to INR-linked related party trades, with phased coverage, exclusions, and two-day reporting limits.
Authorised Dealer Category-I banks must report INR-linked OTC foreign exchange derivative contracts undertaken globally by their related parties to the Trade Repository of Clearing Corporation of India Ltd., subject to exclusions for back-to-back transactions, certain trades with other AD Category-I banks in India, and contracts below USD 1 million or equivalent. The bank must progressively achieve specified reporting coverage for related parties and report all INR-linked derivative contracts of the parent from July 1, 2027. Reporting must include relevant transaction details and be made preferably on the transaction date, but within two working days.

Customs arrears recovery requires timely transfer of eligible cases to the Revenue Recovery Unit with complete supporting records.
Timely transfer of clearly recoverable customs arrears to the Revenue Recovery Unit is to be ensured under Section 142 of the Customs Act, 1962 and the prescribed recovery procedure. Cases are to be identified for RRU transfer only after expiry of the appeal period, where no appeal, stay, or other proceeding remains pending before any appellate authority or court, and the updated Tax Arrear Report particulars are to accompany the proposal. Forwarding must include complete e-Office records and the specified supporting documents, including the Order-in-Original and the certificate confirming non-pendency of stay.

Export cargo examination clusters updated with revised CFS and warehouse listings, replacing the earlier arrangement for processing and administration.
Export Cargo examination and processing were streamlined by superseding the earlier CFS cluster arrangement and reclassifying the listed CFS and warehouse facilities into three export clusters, X1, X2 and X3, on account of changes in nomenclature and location. The notice sets out the updated warehouse/CFS codes, names and addresses for each cluster for use in export examination planning and administration. The revised cluster arrangement operates as a standing order for officers and staff of JNCH.

Bonded trucking permission for export cargo is granted subject to Customs transshipment rules and cargo-handling regulations.
Permission is granted to M/s Airlift Services Pvt. Ltd. to operate bonded trucking services for export cargo between the Air Cargo Complex, Mumbai and other Customs-notified ACCs, ICDs, CFSs and AFSs within India, where transshipment is desired by the consignee, authorised by the airline and approved by Customs. The permission is subject to the Customs Act, 1962, relevant transshipment and cargo-handling regulations, applicable circulars and public notices, and any other instructions or notifications issued from time to time.

Transhipment custodian permission renewed for Air India cargo movement, with bond compliance and cargo accountability conditions.
Renewal of permission extends M/s. Air India Ltd.'s appointment as custodian/carrier for transhipment of import and export cargo between Air Cargo Complex, Mumbai and specified gateway airports within India. The company has executed transhipment bonds for export and import cargo, with acknowledgements required within prescribed time limits, and remains responsible for any shortage or pilferage, including payment of duty, cess, levies, interest and penalty where applicable. Outsourcing of transhipment activities is not permitted without prior approval.

Net settlement of funds for FPI outright cash market trades eases liquidity pressure while preserving gross securities settlement.
Permits net settlement of funds for outright transactions undertaken by Foreign Portfolio Investors in the cash market, while retaining gross settlement for securities delivery and the existing settlement framework with custodians and clearing corporations. Only securities with an exclusive outright buy or exclusive outright sell in a settlement cycle are eligible for netting. Securities involving both purchase and sale in the same cycle remain on gross basis. Securities Transaction Tax and stamp duty continue on delivery basis, and implementation standards are to be framed by custodians and the designated forum after stakeholder consultation.