Pre-packaged and labelled definition revised to limit retail goods and require Legal Metrology declarations, affecting schedule coverage.
Amendment inserts a Schedule entry for Gene Therapy and substitutes Explanation clause (ii) to define pre-packaged and labelled commodities as retail goods of not more than 25 kg or 25 litres that are 'pre-packed' under the Legal Metrology Act, 2009 and whose package or label must bear the declarations required by that Act; the notification is deemed effective from an earlier specified date.

Tax classification: Fortified Rice Kernel added to lower and standard GST schedules under Punjab law.
Fortified Rice Kernel (FRK) is inserted as a distinct commodity under tariff heading 1904 and included among items in the intermediate-rate schedule; the Explanation to Schedule VII is substituted to define "pre-packaged and labelled" as commodities for retail sale in packages not exceeding 25 kg or 25 litres, adopting the Legal Metrology Act, 2009 definition and its labeling declaration requirements, with the amendment deemed effective from 16 January 2025.

GST amendment substitutes definition of 'specified premises' to align with central notification, effective 1 April 2025.
Substitutes Explanation item (c) in the cited Punjab GST notification to define "specified premises" as the meaning given in clause (xxxvi) of paragraph 4 of Notification No. 11/2017 Central Tax (Rate) dated 28.06.2017; issued under sub section (5) of section 9 of the Punjab GST Act and effective from 1 April 2025.

Insurance services exemption: Motor Vehicle Accident Fund contributions treated as exempt under SGST amendments, and insurer definition inserted.
The notification amends a GST schedule by substituting "transmission and distribution" with "transmission or distribution", inserting entry 36B to exempt insurance services provided by the Motor Vehicle Accident Fund funded by insurers' contributions from third party motor insurance premiums (nil tax), adding training partners approved by the National Skill Development Corporation to an entry, omitting item (w) with a future effective date, and inserting a definition that "insurer" has the meaning in the Insurance Act; the amendment is deemed effective from the stated earlier date.

GST amendment expands covered supplies to include food inputs associated with fortified rice premix for welfare schemes.
Under section 9 of the Punjab Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017, the Government amends Notification No. S.O. 158/P.A.5/2017/S.9/2018 by inserting in the table, after the clause covering Fortified Rice Kernel (Premix) supply for ICDS or similar approved schemes, a new clause "(c) food inputs for (a) above," thereby expressly extending the listed supplies to include ancillary food inputs; the amendment is deemed effective from 16 January 2025.

Commencement of amended GST rules appointed; select amendment rules set to commence on designated dates.
Departmental notification appoints commencement dates for provisions of the Goods and Services Tax (Amendment) Rules, 2024: Rules 2, 24, 27 and 32 commence on the eleventh day of February, 2025; Rules 8, 37 and clause (ii) of rule 38 commence on the first day of April, 2025, under the statutory power to appoint commencement dates.

GST amendment commencement dates set for specified rules, effective 11 February and 1 April 2025.
Designates commencement dates for specified provisions of the Arunachal Pradesh Goods and Services Tax (Amendment) Rules, 2024: Rules 2, 24, 27 and 32 commence on 11 February 2025, and Rules 8, 37 and clause (ii) of Rule 38 commence on 1 April 2025, thereby phasing activation of the amendment provisions by state notification.

Staged commencement of GST amendment rules brings specified Sikkim tax provisions into force on different dates.
Brings into force specified provisions of the Sikkim Goods and Services Tax (Amendment) Rules, 2024 under the Sikkim Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017. Rules 2, 24, 27 and 32 are brought into force from 11 February 2025, while Rules 8, 37 and clause (ii) of Rule 38 are brought into force from 1 April 2025. The notification operates as a staged commencement of the identified amendment rules.

Commencement of CGST Amendment Rules: specified amendment provisions brought into force on appointed dates by notification.
The Central Government appoints commencement dates for specified provisions of the Central Goods and Services Tax (Amendment) Rules, 2024: Rules 2, 24, 27 and 32 to commence on the eleventh day of February, 2025; and Rules 8, 37 and clause (ii) of rule 38 to commence on the first day of April, 2025, by official notification under the CGST Act.

Late fee waiver for delayed GSTR-9C filing if reconciliation statement furnished by the specified compliance deadline.
The Government waives the amount of late fee under section 47 that exceeds the late fee payable up to the date of furnishing FORM GSTR-9 for financial years 2017-18 through 2022-23, for registered persons required to file reconciliation statement in FORM GSTR-9C who failed to furnish it with FORM GSTR-9 but furnish FORM GSTR-9C on or before 31 March 2025; no refund of late fee already paid for delayed furnishing of FORM GSTR-9C is permitted.

Investor Charter compliance requirement mandates intermediaries to adhere to the Board specified investor charter and related obligations.
Mandates that specified categories of regulated market participants ensure compliance with an Investor Charter as specified by the Board. The Amendment inserts a provision into the cited regulatory frameworks-including stock brokers, merchant bankers, registrars, debenture trustees, bankers to an issue, asset management companies, custodians, KYC registration agencies, alternative investment funds, investment advisers, research analysts, REITs and InvITs managers, depository participants, designated DPs for FPIs, portfolio managers, and vault managers-requiring each entity to ensure compliance with the Investor Charter specified by the Board from time to time, effective on publication in the Official Gazette.

Export policy change for raw human hair: prohibition replaces restricted status, allowed only if FOB value meets specified threshold.
The export classification for raw human hair is amended from Restricted to Prohibited, with an operative exception that exports are treated as Free when the FOB value equals or exceeds the prescribed US Dollar threshold per kilogram; the amendment takes immediate effect under the Foreign Trade Policy provisions.

Scientific Research approval enables Bhaikaka University to qualify for tax benefits under section 35 of the Income-tax Act.
Approval designates Bhaikaka University, Anand, Gujarat, as recognised for Scientific Research in the category of "University, college or other institution" for the purposes of clause (ii) of sub-section (1) of section 35 of the Income-tax Act, 1961, issued under rules 5C and 5E of the Income-tax Rules, 1962, with retrospective effect from the date of Gazette publication, thereby making the institution eligible for the tax treatment tied to such recognition.

Amalgamation of Special Economic Zones: single Multi Sector SEZ notified in Chenglepet Tamil Nadu; previous notifications superseded.
Central Government notifies the amalgamation of three sector specific SEZs into one Multi Sector Special Economic Zone developed by M/s. Mahindra World City Developers Limited at Chenglepet Taluk, Kancheepuram, consolidating a total notified area of 246.333 hectares. The notification, issued under the second proviso to sub section (1) of section 4 of the SEZ Act and rule 8 of the SEZ Rules, supersedes prior notifications and lists the survey numbers and parcel areas comprising the notified zone after the Board of Approval's recommendation and satisfaction of conditions under section 3(8) of the Act.

Regulation of securities contracts narrows permitted derivatives to government, gold-related and money-market securities, excluding non-permitted trades.
The amendment substitutes sub clause (1) to specify that contracts for sale or purchase of Government Securities, gold related securities and money market securities are covered, except for spot delivery contracts, contracts traded on a recognised stock exchange permitted by its rules and bye laws, and any other contracts specifically permitted by the Reserve Bank of India; the amendment takes effect upon publication in the Official Gazette.

Vintage motor vehicle import policy: classified vintage cars free for import by actual users subject to motor vehicle rules.
Vehicles meeting the Explanation to sub rule (1) of rule 81A of Chapter IIIA of the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989 are classified as vintage motor vehicles and are free for import by Actual Users; Policy Condition no. 1(I) and 1(II) of Chapter 87 of ITC (HS) 2022 do not apply, while vehicles plying on public roads remain subject to the Motor Vehicles Act and imported vehicles must comply with Chapter IIIA conditions as amended.

Temporary identification number: persons not liable to GST registration but required to make payment may receive temporary ID.
The amendment inserts rule 16A allowing the proper officer to grant a temporary identification number to persons not liable to GST registration but required to make payment, to be issued by order in Part B of FORM GST REG-12; FORM GST REG-12 is substituted to provide structured orders for temporary registration (Part A) and temporary identification number (Part B), including prescribed particulars, officer signature, and transmission to jurisdictional authorities.

Late fee waiver for delayed reconciliation filings where GSTR-9C is subsequently furnished, with limited relief and no refunds.
The State Government waives the amount of late fee for certain past financial years that is in excess of the late fee payable up to the date of furnishing FORM GSTR-9, for registered persons who failed to furnish FORM GSTR-9C with the annual return but who subsequently furnish FORM GSTR-9C on or before the prescribed cut-off date; no refund is available for late fee already paid.

Annual statement filing requirement mandates detailed Form 49C reporting by non-resident liaison offices under amended rules.
Amendment mandates submission of an Annual Statement by non-resident persons having liaison offices in India using a revised Form No. 49C under rule 114DA, to be filed within eight months from the end of the financial year. The form requires detailed identification and contact particulars for the non-resident and its offices, PAN and foreign tax identification, RBI Annual Activity Certificate date and certifying chartered accountant details, officer-in-charge entries, compensation paid outside India to employees, liaison office-wise registration, activity and employee data, India-specific receipts/expenses, transaction details with Indian parties, group entity information, and an authorised verification declaration.

Infrastructure Debt Fund rules: tightened eligibility, investment limits, bond issuance conditions and minimum tenor for external borrowings.
Rule 2F is amended to require an Infrastructure Debt Fund to be set up as an NBFC under RBI rules, invest only in post commencement infrastructure projects with at least one year of satisfactory commercial operation or toll operate transfer projects as direct lender, and to mobilise funds via rupee or foreign currency bonds (subject to RBI and foreign exchange regulations), zero coupon bonds under rule 8B, or external commercial borrowings. ECBs must meet prescribed tenor and sourcing restrictions. The Fund is prohibited from investing in projects where a specified shareholder or associated enterprise has a substantial interest; "specified shareholder" is defined by a threshold of voting power.