<h1>India Approves Companies Amendment Ordinance 2018: Eases Business, Shifts Offences, Reduces Penalties, Boosts Corporate Governance.</h1> The President of India has approved the Companies Amendment (Ordinance), 2018, following the Union Cabinet's recommendation. This Ordinance aims to enhance Ease of Doing Business and improve corporate compliance. Key changes include shifting 16 types of corporate offences from special courts to in-house adjudication, reducing penalties for small and one-person companies, and implementing a transparent, technology-driven adjudication system. It also seeks to declog the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) by expanding the jurisdiction of Regional Directors and granting the Central Government powers over certain corporate alterations. Enhanced corporate governance measures target shell companies, public deposit disclosures, and director disqualifications.