Pre-packaged insolvency resolution process expands restructuring route for MSME corporate debtors through notified operational regulations.
The notification implements a pre-packaged insolvency resolution process for MSME corporate debtors by prescribing eligibility and appointment terms for resolution professionals, eligibility of valuers and other professionals, selection of authorised representatives, requirements for public announcement and claims, the information memorandum, creditor meetings, invitation and evaluation of resolution plans including competition between base and best plans, vesting of management in the resolution professional, and procedures for termination, together with mandatory forms and modalities for stakeholders.

Online dispute resolution adoption: handbook outlines models and an actionable pathway for businesses to implement digital ADR.
The handbook promotes Online Dispute Resolution (ODR) for businesses, describing ODR as a digital mechanism for resolving disputes outside courts-particularly small and medium-value cases-by combining digital platforms with alternate dispute resolution methods such as negotiation, mediation, and arbitration, and providing models and an actionable pathway for business adoption.

Copyright rule amendments strengthen electronic administration and require transparency measures for copyright societies and royalty distribution.
The Copyright (Amendment) Rules modernise administration by making electronic communication primary, replacing Gazette publication with a copyrights journal, and aligning procedures with the Finance Act merger of the Copyright Board into the Appellate Board. They require copyright societies to publish an Annual Transparency Report, mandate electronic and traceable royalty payments and processes for undistributed royalties, relax source-code filing requirements for software registrations, and extend the government response period for society registration applications to allow fuller examination.

Pre-Packaged insolvency for MSMEs introduces streamlined resolution under amended Code to preserve businesses and jobs
The Ordinance introduces a Pre-Packaged insolvency resolution process for MSMEs as an alternative, expedited framework to ensure quicker, cost effective and value maximising resolution while preserving business continuity and employment. It adds a new chapter (IIIA) and sections including 11A, 67A and 77A and amends multiple Code provisions to implement Insolvency Law Committee recommendations and reduce burden on Adjudicating Authorities, lower process costs, protect operational creditor rights and maintain commercial relationships.

Production Linked Incentive scheme for white goods to incentivize local manufacturing and componentisation, boosting investments and exports.
Approval of a Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for air conditioners and LED lights provides five year, graduated incentives on incremental domestic sales, segments component categories to target under manufactured parts, excludes mere assembly, and requires pre qualification with thresholds for cumulative incremental investment and incremental sales. The pan India scheme permits brownfield and greenfield entrants, disallows duplicate PLI benefits for the same products, mandates applicable domestic and international quality standards, and aims to develop a component ecosystem, foster technology upgradation, and boost exports and employment.

Combination approval enables acquisition and transfer of mutual fund schemes, trusteeship and management to the acquiring asset manager.
Approval is granted for a proposed combination in which Sundaram Asset Management Company Limited will acquire 100% of the equity of Principal Asset Management Private Limited, Principal Trustee Company Private Limited and Principal Retirement Advisors Private Limited, with the schemes of Principal Mutual Fund transferred to Sundaram Mutual Fund and trusteeship and management of those schemes transferred to Sundaram Trustee Company Limited and SAMC respectively.

Foreign direct investment rises as policy reforms and facilitation attract increased equity inflows and sectoral diversification.
Government measures on FDI policy reforms, investment facilitation and ease of doing business have been associated with increased FDI inflows: India attracted US$ 72.12 billion in FDI during April-January 2020-21 (15% higher than the same period in 2019-20) and FDI equity inflows grew by 28% year on year. Computer Software & Hardware was the top sector (45.81% of equity inflow) and investor origins were led by Singapore, the U.S.A. and the UAE overall, with Japan, Singapore and the U.S.A. prominent in January.

Stand-Up India scheme expands access to bank loans for women and SC/ST entrepreneurs to start greenfield enterprises.
Stand-Up India Scheme expands access to bank finance for women and Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe entrepreneurs to set up greenfield enterprises in manufacturing, services, trading and allied agricultural activities. Loans are channeled via bank branches, the Stand-Up India Portal, and Lead District Managers; non-individual enterprises must have 51% shareholding and control by eligible categories. Borrowers must be adults, not in default, and the scheme targets at least one SC/ST and one woman borrower per scheduled commercial bank branch, with the scheme extended for a further operational horizon and significant cumulative sanctions reported.

Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme expansion adds a targeted guarantee window for hospitality and travel firms and extends disbursement timelines.
ECLGS 3.0 creates a targeted credit guarantee window for Hospitality, Travel & Tourism, Leisure and Sporting enterprises that met pre-pandemic credit and overdue eligibility, permitting participating lenders to extend additional credit based on pre-pandemic outstanding balances. Loans under this window include an extended tenor with a moratorium component. The validity and disbursement timelines for ECLGS 1.0 and 2.0 have been extended, and revised operational guidelines will be issued by the designated guarantee trustee to govern implementation and participation.

Single IEM streamlines filing of investment intentions and commencement reports, enabling paperless approvals and state notifications.
DPIIT now requires a Single IEM per company to record all locations and sectors, enabling filing of IEM Part A (investment intentions) and IEM Part B (commencement reports), facilitating amendments to prior filings and avoiding duplication; approvals and notifications are issued in a paperless manner by email and SMS with simultaneous transmission to state governments via the G2B portal for submission and issuance of the IEM certificate under the statutory IEM framework.

Trade relationship strengthened through renewed cooperation and revitalized Trade Policy Forum, with pending legacy issues to be resolved by dialogue.
India and the United States agreed to strengthen their bilateral trade and investment relationship, consolidate economic partnership based on openness, transparency and fair trade, and pursue expanded cooperation while resolving outstanding legacy issues through sustained dialogue. They committed to reinforce the Trade Policy Forum as the institutional mechanism for engagement and to convene its next ministerial-level meeting within the stated year, using the Forum and ministerial consultations as principal channels for negotiation and follow-up on pending trade and investment concerns.

TRIPS waiver seeks to remove intellectual property barriers to scale up COVID-19 medical production and ensure equitable access
The proposal seeks a waiver of specified TRIPS Agreement provisions to ensure intellectual property rights do not obstruct rapid scaling of manufacturing for COVID-19 vaccines, therapeutics and related goods, enabling equitable, timely and affordable access; it has been co-sponsored by numerous members and received civil society and international health support, as reported to the legislature.

Quality control mandates and procurement preference strengthen domestic manufacturing while expanding startup support and MSME eligibility.
Regulatory and policy measures reinforce product quality and domestic manufacturing by enforcing Quality Control Orders, BIS Standard mark licensing, production linked incentives, and a public procurement preference to favour domestic producers; administrative structures and IPR strengthening support implementation. Complementary start up measures include self certification compliance, portal and hub support, patent facilitation, procurement relaxation, funding and credit guarantees, tax exemptions, and expanded MSME definition with export turnover excluded from category limits to widen eligibility.

Ease of Doing Business reforms enable states to obtain additional borrowing permission upon verified completion of prescribed reform measures.
States completing the Ease of Doing Business reforms qualify for additional borrowing linked to GSDP after departmental verification; required measures include first assessment of the District Level Business Reform Action Plan, elimination of renewal requirements for business registrations/approvals/licenses, and implementation of a computerized centralized random inspection system with inspector rotation, prior notice and timely electronic reporting, following which central departments recommend and the Department of Expenditure grants permission for market borrowings.

Ethics for insolvency professionals: new handbook sets an ethical and regulatory framework for professional conduct.
The Handbook establishes an Ethical Framework and regulatory guidance for Insolvency Professionals, presenting a practical ready-reckoner to assist IPs and stakeholders in adopting an ethical code of conduct. It details Code of Ethics topics including conflict of interest, independence, impartiality, objectivity and timelines, and promotes proactive compliance, care and diligence in discharge of professional duties within the insolvency regime.

Competition approval for acquisition of control in electricity distribution enables Tata Power's purchase from Gridco following regulatory bid.
The Competition Commission of India approved the acquisition of a majority stake in North Eastern Electricity Supply Company of Odisha by The Tata Power Company Limited from Grid Corporation of Odisha, relating to transfer of control in an electricity distribution and retail supply business effected pursuant to a competitive bidding process initiated by the state electricity regulator; a detailed CCI order will follow.

Recognition of Offices as competent ISA/IPEA under the PCT enables mutual Patent Prosecution Highway operation and examiner cooperation.
The Ministries agreed that each Office will act mutually as competent International Search Authority and International Preliminary Examining Authority under a pilot Patent Prosecution Highway program, with expert meetings and annual reviews to ensure smooth operation and continued information exchange among patent examiners.

Cloud skilling expanded: AIM and AWS partner to deliver cloud education for students and accelerator support for EdTech startups.
Atal Innovation Mission and Amazon Web Services signed a Statement of Intent to deliver cloud skilling via AWS Educate across Atal Tinkering Labs and to extend AWS EdStart accelerator benefits-including promotional credits, mentorship and technical training-to EdTech startups in Atal Incubation and Community Innovation Centers, alongside joint workshops and national challenges to develop cloud-based solutions.

Circular economy transition: committees to prepare action plans across multiple focus areas to manage waste and improve resource efficiency.
The government is advancing a regulatory and policy programme to transition from a linear economy to a circular economy, using existing waste management rules and recycling policies. Interministerial committees-comprising line ministries, planning and environmental agencies, experts and industry-will prepare comprehensive action plans and implementation modalities for designated end of life products and recyclable materials to enable reuse, recycling and improved material flows across sectors.

Bid rigging found in public procurement, corroborated by digital evidence, leading to regulatory penalties and cease directives.
Agreement to rig tender bids for the Picofall-cum-Sewing Machine procurement violated Section 3(1) read with Section 3(3)(d) of the Competition Act, 2002; near-identical bid prices together with evidence such as a single IP address, coordination in other tenders, call data records, and mobile location supported a finding of consensus among three suppliers, prompting recorded monetary penalties and cease-and-desist directions in Case No. 90 of 2016 dated 17.03.2021.