<h1>Equity tax deduction scheme expands first-time retail investor participation while imposing holding and compliance conditions.</h1> The Rajiv Gandhi Equity Savings Scheme (RGESS) offers a targeted income tax deduction to first-time retail investors meeting PAN-based and income eligibility, with a capped qualifying investment and percentage deduction. Eligible instruments include specified listed equities, qualifying IPOs and ETFs/mutual funds with RGESS-eligible underlying securities. Investments may be made in instalments; an initial lock-in is followed by conditional trading subject to portfolio-value maintenance, prior-day valuation rules and a minimum annual holding period. Non-compliance triggers withdrawal of the tax benefit and the Scheme's provisions are incorporated as Section 80CCG.