Foreign contribution compliance becomes fully digital as the revamped FCRA portal streamlines verification, monitoring and online filing processes.
A revamped online FCRA portal digitises registration, renewal, annual returns and other foreign contribution compliance processes, while incorporating the new amendment rules and enabling real-time monitoring through integrated database verification. A separate e-OCI Card provides a fully digital OCI process, online document submission and passport-detail updates without requiring a new booklet for older cardholders.

IPO subscription and expansion strategy drive research analysts' Subscribe view for Aastha Spintex amid textile sector growth.
Aastha Spintex Limited has opened a fresh public issue for subscription, with the proposed listing of its shares subject to completion of the issue process and regulatory approvals. The issue proceeds are stated to be earmarked mainly for acquisition of Falcon Yarns, working capital needs, and general corporate purposes. SEBI-registered research analysts have covered the issue and assigned a Subscribe view for investors with a medium- to long-term horizon, citing expansion plans, improving financial performance, operational efficiencies, and exposure to the textile sector.

Merger scheme approval for REC into PFC subject to shareholder, creditor, regulatory approvals and government control conditions.
Board approval was given to a Scheme of Merger of REC into PFC under the Companies Act, 2013, subject to approvals from shareholders, creditors, and regulatory and governmental authorities. The Scheme is also conditional on the merged entity continuing as a Government Company and on the Government of India retaining majority voting rights and control. The valuation-based share exchange ratio provides for 88 equity shares of PFC for every 100 equity shares of REC.

Forgery and cheating in farmland sale exposed after identity mismatch and failed fingerprint verification during registration.
Forgery and cheating were alleged in a farmland sale where a person purportedly posed as the recorded owner using a forged Aadhaar card and false identity particulars. Fingerprint verification did not match UIDAI records during registration, but the process was completed with a thumb impression in ink and cheques were handed over. The buyer later discovered the mismatch, contacted the genuine owner, and learnt that the transaction was fraudulent.

Citizenship proof rules face calls for reform as passport and Aadhaar are urged to become conclusive identity documents.
A public debate on citizenship documentation has prompted calls for a legislative overhaul of the legal framework governing proof of Indian citizenship. The stated position is that both an Indian passport and Aadhaar should be treated as valid and conclusive proof of citizenship unless expressly cancelled or withdrawn by the State. The discussion also notes the existing legal distinction that a passport is a travel document and not conclusive proof of citizenship, while Aadhaar is issued on the basis of local residence rather than nationality.

Citizenship proof in India depends on legal records, not any single identity card or passport alone.
Citizenship in India is not established by any single universal identity card, and legal proof depends on the documents and records relevant to the manner in which citizenship is claimed. Passport, Aadhaar, voter identity card and PAN card do not operate as standalone proof of citizenship. A passport is treated as a travel document, Aadhaar as proof of residence and identity, PAN as a tax identifier, and voter enrolment as electoral registration rather than conclusive citizenship proof.

Franchising-led salon expansion drives Marie Claire Paris's India growth with premium beauty and wellness services.
Marie Claire Paris expanded its India presence by launching its first salon in Mumbai through B2C Network LLP, its exclusive franchisor in India. The brand plans to strengthen its footprint across premium retail destinations, malls and high-street locations nationwide through franchising. The salon offers hair care, skin rejuvenation, nail services, bridal and wedding makeovers, grooming solutions and personalized consultations, supported by trained professionals and international service standards.

Corporate law reform seeks to decriminalise minor procedural defaults, rationalise penalties, and streamline compliance for companies and LLPs.
The Corporate Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026 proposes amendments to the Limited Liability Partnership Act, 2008 and the Companies Act to support ease of doing business, modernise corporate governance, and improve the compliance framework for companies and LLPs. The proposed changes are directed at decriminalising minor procedural defaults, rationalising penalties, and shifting several minor lapses from criminal liability to monetary penalties, while streamlining regulatory processes and reducing litigation.

Competition Commission approval for acquisition of voting interest in Astemo reflects corporate combination oversight and sector presence in India.
Competition Commission of India approval was granted for the acquisition of a 21% voting interest in Astemo, Ltd. by Honda Motor Co., Ltd. from Hitachi, Ltd. The proposed combination concerns Honda, a Japanese joint stock corporation and flagship company of the Honda Group, and Astemo, Ltd., a Japanese company jointly controlled by Honda, Hitachi, and JICC-01 Investment Business Limited Partnership. Both parties have business presence in India through automobile and two-wheeler manufacturing, automotive components, power products, and related research and development.

Investor education and protection drive unclaimed asset recovery through awareness, streamlined claims, and coordinated financial inclusion efforts.
Investor education and protection initiatives were advanced through a panel discussion on "Aapki Poonji Aapka Adhikaar - Learning and Way Forward" and the launch of the book "Claiming the Unclaimed: Unlocking the Potential of Idle Financial Assets in India." The discussion focused on strengthening investor rights, improving awareness about unclaimed assets, streamlining claim processes, and promoting coordinated efforts among regulators, financial institutions, investor protection agencies, policymakers, and experts to support financial inclusion. IEPFA's agenda emphasised simplification of claim settlement, expansion of digital platforms, and wider investor awareness campaigns to help investors and their families reclaim rightful assets.

NEET paper-leak controversy drives a sustained sit-in protest demanding accountability and education system reforms.
A sit-in protest at Jantar Mantar continued for the third consecutive day over alleged NEET examination irregularities and the paper-leak controversy, with demonstrators demanding accountability and the resignation of the Education Minister. Protesters said students were being penalised for minor delays or for circumstances arising from the cancelled examination, while those allegedly involved in the leak had not been held to account. The agitation was maintained amid police deployment, and candles were lit in memory of students said to have died by suicide following the controversy.

Accountability in the NEET paper leak controversy drives continued sit-in protest and demands for examination reforms.
Demand for accountability in the NEET examination controversy continued at Jantar Mantar as the CJP held a sit-in protest over alleged paper leak, examination irregularities and the cancellation of the test. Protesters, including some NEET aspirants who took the re-examination, said they were mentally distressed by having to prepare and sit for the exam again after the earlier cancellation. The protest centred on criticism of the government's handling of late-arriving students, alleged inaction over the paper leak, and calls for the resignation of the Education Minister and reforms in the examination system.

Economic security and financial crime prevention gain focus through multidisciplinary training, regulatory coordination, and policy engagement.
Financial and economic crime policy discussions emphasised the growing sophistication of financial frauds, money laundering, illicit financial flows and cyber-enabled financial crime, together with the need for technology-driven, collaborative and multidisciplinary responses. The interaction also highlighted the importance of strengthening institutional capability, enhancing regulatory coordination, promoting evidence-based policymaking and building resilience in the financial system to safeguard economic interests. The founding batch of the Master's in Financial and Economic Crimes programme visited the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister as part of a Campus Immersion Programme and engaged with policymakers on economic security and emerging threats to India's financial ecosystem.

Examination irregularities protest at Jantar Mantar grows as organisers press for accountability, solidarity and ministerial resignation.
A protest at Jantar Mantar continued over alleged examination irregularities and the NEET paper leak, with organisers seeking wider participation, including support from farmer unions, and pressing for accountability from the Union Education Minister. The demonstration remained under police deployment and surveillance, while participants alleged restrictions on water, food, lighting and washroom access at the site. The protest agenda centred on demands for the minister's resignation, dialogue with the Centre and compensation for families of students affected by the examination controversy.

NCLT asset takeover follows declaration of illegal entity, with property vested and encroachment warned against.
NCLT has taken over the assets and properties of the Sirajul Uloom Welfare Foundation after it was declared an illegal entity, with all properties vested in the National Company Law Tribunal, Chandigarh. The order warns that interference with, encroachment upon, or trespass over the properties would violate the tribunal's directions and attract action under the relevant legal provisions.

Share buyback framework returns through stock exchanges with tighter execution limits and simpler market access rules.
Sebi approved the reintroduction of share buybacks through stock exchanges, allowing companies to repurchase their own shares through regular trading mechanisms without a dedicated buyback window, with the execution period capped at 66 working days. The board also eased mutual fund borrowing norms, simplified securities transmission procedures, approved a green-channel mechanism for AIFs, strengthened governance and disclosure requirements for Sebi members and employees, and cleared amendments to frameworks for SDIs and municipal debt securities.

Free AI certification platform offers QR-verified credentials through Claude AI, making AI skill recognition faster and more accessible.
Aimanthan is a free AI certification platform that gives Indian learners a QR-verified certificate in minutes at zero cost, using Claude AI to generate unique questions, evaluate answers contextually, and issue a score, grade and level based on demonstrated knowledge. Each certificate carries a unique certificate number and QR verification code for live authentication, and the platform also offers AI-powered courses, an AI tutor, college partnership programmes and alignment with Skill India, Digital India and the IndiaAI Mission.

Open market share buybacks through exchanges gain a faster route, alongside eased fund borrowing and quicker AIF fundraising.
Reintroduction of open market share buybacks through stock exchanges provides companies with an additional mechanism for undertaking buybacks and is intended to ensure equitable opportunity and tax treatment for public shareholders. The measure is accompanied by a faster execution timeline for such buybacks. Relaxation of intra-day borrowing norms for mutual funds eases borrowing constraints, while a green-channel mechanism for alternative investment funds permits fundraising to begin within 10 working days of filing placement memorandums.

Initial public offer structure for Jio Platforms set as a fresh issue with price discovery through book building.
A proposed initial public offer of Jio Platforms is to be made by way of a fresh issue of up to 27 crore equity shares of face value of Rs 10 each. The Draft Red Herring Prospectus has been approved and is to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Board of India, BSE and the National Stock Exchange. The issue price will be determined through the book building process in accordance with SEBI regulations, subject to the required regulatory approvals.

Public offer classification of OFCD issuances and employee liability remain under challenge before the Supreme Court.
Securities law issues concerning the issuance of optionally fully convertible debentures (OFCDs) by Sahara India Commercial Corporation Ltd. are under challenge, with SEBI contesting a part of the Securities Appellate Tribunal's relief granted to four managers and the company secretary. The tribunal had treated the OFCD issuances as a public offer within SEBI's regulatory jurisdiction, while also distinguishing the position of employees from that of the directors who had authorised the prospectus and remained responsible as principals for acts done through their agent. SEBI has now challenged this limited relief before the Supreme Court.