GST Rate Revisions 2025 and Their Impact on LMPC Declarations
The GST Council’s 56th meeting on 3 September 2025 introduced one of the most significant rounds of rate revisions since the tax’s inception. Essentials like milk, paneer, nuts, chocolates, and biscuits saw GST rates drop sharply, while aerated drinks, caffeinated beverages, and tobacco products moved up to a steep 40 percent slab. The reform narrative was straightforward: relief for the average household, higher tax for goods deemed socially harmful, and a rationalisation of industrial inputs.
FSSAI Targets Misleading “100%” Claims: A Wake-Up Call for Food Brands
Ever wondered whether that “100% natural” label on your food really tells the whole story? Consumers often see phrases like “100% pure” or “all-natural” on product packaging, and it’s not always clear what these claims genuinely mean. To help ensure truthful commercial representation, encourage fair competition, and improve consumer protection, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has issued an important advisory dated May 28, 2025.
Digitization of Transport Data and Securing Personal Information
The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (hereinafter referred to as ‘MoRTH’) has introduced a comprehensive data sharing policy for National Transport Repository (hereinafter referred to as ‘NTR’), marking a significant milestone in India’s approach to balancing data accessibility with privacy protection. The ‘Policy for Data Sharing from the National Transport Repository [1] (hereinafter referred to as ‘the Policy’) governs the sharing of transport related data from critical databases including Vahan, Sarathi, e-Challan, eDAR, and FASTag systems, which collectively hold records of over thirty nine crore vehicles and twenty two crore driving licenses.
The Free Al Framework – Regulating Ai in Financial Sector
On August 13, 2025, the Committee for developing the Framework for Responsible and Ethical Enablement of Artificial Intelligence in the Financial Sector (hereinafter referred to as the ‘Committee’ or ‘FREE-AI Committee’) constituted by the Reserve Bank of India (hereinafter referred to as ‘RBI’) submitted its report on adopting of Artificial Intelligence (hereinafter referred to as ‘Al’) and Machine Learning (hereinafter referred to as ‘ML’) in the financial sector. The Committee outlined 26 recommendations for Al adoption in the financial sector under 6 main pillars i.e. Infrastructure Policy Capacity Governance Protection and Assurance.
Registered Wills Carry Weight: Supreme Court Puts the Onus on the Challenger
In India, matters of inheritance and property often lead to serious family disputes. A Will, which is meant to clearly show a person’s last wishes, can sometimes become the centre of conflict especially when emotions, family ties, and property are involved. In such cases, the legal system plays an important role in protecting the true intention of the person who made the Will, while also being fair to the family members who may have a claim. Over the years, Indian courts have developed careful ways to decide whether a Will is valid particularly when the Will is registered but someone still questions it or finds it suspicious. The Supreme Court, in the case of Metpalli Lasum Bai Since Dead And Ors vs Metpalli Muthaiah (D) By Lrs, has added another significant chapter to the evolving jurisprudence on succession law, reaffirming key principles regarding the evidentiary value of registered Wills and clarifying that the burden of proof lies on the party challenging its validity.
Cert-In Ensures Data Privacy in Cyber Security Audits
On July 25, 2025, CERT-In issued the ‘Comprehensive Cyber Security Audit Policy Guidelines Version 1.0’ (hereinafter referred to as ‘CCSAP Guidelines’). Th CCSAP guidelines provide cyber security auditing organizations (hereinafter referred to as ‘Auditors’) with a structured framework to conduct cyber security audits and hel the organizations being audited (hereinafter referred to as ‘Auditees’) in preparing for such cyber security audits. Auditees can refer to these CCSAP Guidelines to ensur that their cyber security measures align with industry standards and regulations. The CCSAP Guidelines are binding on all CERT-In empaneled Auditor organizations an Auditee entities.
Supreme Court’s Crackdown on Misleading Medical Advertisements: a Call for Stricter Regulations
In an era defined by rapid digital dissemination of information, advertising profoundly influences consumer decisions. While responsible advertising serves as a vital conduit for public awareness, the proliferation of misleading medical advertisements presents a grave threat, potentially leading to significant financial losses, the shattering of false hopes, and, most critically, severe health hazards. Recognizing the profound public interest at stake, the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India has initiated a robust drive to combat deceptive medical advertisements and enforce stringent compliance with existing legal frameworks.Over recent months, the Apex court has issued a series of directives, signalling a resolute commitment to foster a more transparent and accountable advertising ecosystem within the healthcare sector.
India’s Online Gaming Bill 2025: Regulation, Prohibition, and the Future of Digital Play
In the wake of digitization and technology, India’s online gaming sector has paved its way surpassing other digital sectors by contributing to the economy, employment generation and promotion of innovation. With the online gaming sector emerging as a powerhouse, penetrating its way beyond the metropolitan areas i.e., Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, the lack of a coherent and enabling legal framework has hindered the sector’s structured development and the promotion of responsible gaming practices. Despite having an unstructured regulatory legal framework, the Indian online gaming sector consists of the second largest gaming community comprising of 442 million gamers with a projection to experience 20% of growth by FY2025, reaching INR 231 billion and has been reported to raise USD 2.8 billion from domestic and global investors over the last five (5) years. With stakes involved so high and the gaming industry unfolding at the speed of flash, the unchecked expansion of online…
CSR Versus ESG: Two Sides of Corporate Responsibility – What Sets Them Apart?
In the contemporary business environment, where sustainability and ethical conduct are no longer peripheral concerns but central pillars of corporate strategy, two interconnected yet distinct concepts frequently dominate discussions: Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG). While often referenced interchangeably, a nuanced understanding of their fundamental differences encompassing their purpose, target audience, and practical implementationis paramount. For businesses striving to genuinely embed responsible practices, for investors seeking impactful and sustainable opportunities, and for policymakers crafting effective regulatory frameworks, discerning between CSR and ESG is not merely academic, it is strategically essential.
SEBI’s BRSR Mandate: How ESG Disclosure Became a Legal Obligation for Indian Corporates
Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) parameters have swiftly emerged as critical non-financial indicators that influence corporate performance, investor decisions, and stakeholder trust. Globally, businesses are being held accountable not just for their profits but also for their environmental footprint, social impact, and governance frameworks. India, too, has joined this global movement with a regulatory push ushered in by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) through the introduction of the Business Responsibility and Sustainability Reporting (BRSR) framework. What began as voluntary reporting on social responsibility has now transformed into a structured, enforceable ESG disclosure regime. The BRSR mandate marks a significant evolution in the way Indian companies are expected to operate -with transparency, accountability, and sustainability at the core.