UP RERA To Hear Complaints In Unregistered Projects After Amending General Regulations, 2019

The Uttar Pradesh Real Estate Regulatory Authority (UP RERA) has amended its General Regulations, 2019, enabling the Authority to hear complaints filed by allottees in unregistered projects and prescribing limits on fees charged by promoters for the transfer of allotments. The amendment, notified on March 24, 2026, has come into force upon its publication on the official website of the Authority The amendment modifies Regulation 24 and Regulation 47 of the Uttar Pradesh Real Estate Regulatory...

GSTAT Rajkot Bench Starts Functioning

The GST Appellate Tribunal's Rajkot bench has begun functioning, with authorities issuing a trade notice on March 18 to inform businesses and tax professionals that the long-awaited forum is now operational in Gujarat. The tribunal is working from its office at the RK Iconic building on 150 Feet Ring Road in Rajkot. Officials said appeals can be filed through the GSTAT online portal, which was rolled out last year, and a toll-free helpline has also been provided to help users facing difficulty...

Aam Aadmi Party MP Raghav Chadha Introduces Asset Tokenisation Bill In Parliament

Aam Aadmi Party MP Raghav Chadha has introduced a Private Member's Bill in Parliament titled the Asset Tokenisation (Regulation) Bill, 2026, aiming to establish a legal framework for regulating tokenised real-world assets in India.A token is a digital item representing ownership or value and exists on a shared online system, such as a blockchain. Tokens may represent various assets or rights, including currencies, voting power, or other entitlements. A token's value can be monetary, social,...

Central Bank Digital Currencies Not 'Relevant Crypto-Assets' For CRS Reporting: CBDT

The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has amended the Income Tax Rules, 1962, to clarify that Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) will not fall within the definition of “relevant crypto-assets” for Common Reporting Standard (CRS) framework.The amendment forms part of the Income-tax (Amendment) Rules, 2026 notified on March 5, 2026 and the changes introduce new definitions and reporting provisions relating to crypto-assets, electronic money products and digital currencies under the Common...

Finance Ministry Allows CIBIL To Use Aadhaar Authentication For User Identity Verification

The Ministry of Finance on Wednesday notified that TransUnion CIBIL Limited may use Aadhaar authentication to establish the identity of users during registration and login on the CIBIL platform for accessing credit information reports, subject to the user's consent and on a voluntary basis. The notification states that TransUnion CIBIL Limited “may be allowed to perform authentication and be permitted the use of Aadhaar number during authentication for establishing identity of Aadhaar number...

GSTN Activates Withdrawal Facility For Small Taxpayers To Opt Out Of Simplified Registration Option

As of 21 February 2026, the Goods and Services Tax Network (GSTN) has activated the facility to file Form GST REG-32 for taxpayers who wish to opt out of registration under Rule 14A of the Central Goods and Services Tax (CGST) Rules.To mitigate compliance burdens, as part of the 'Next Generation GST Reforms', a Simplified GST Registration Scheme for Small and Low-Risk Businesses under Rule 14A was introduced in 2025.Rule 14A provides a simplified registration option for small and low-risk...

CBDT Issues Draft Income Tax Rules And Forms For New Act With 34% Fewer Rules [Read Draft Rules Here]

The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has released the draft Income Tax Rules, 2026 along with the draft forms, in connection with the Income Tax Act, 2025, which is scheduled to come into force from April 1, 2026. The draft rules and forms have been placed in the public domain to invite comments and suggestions from stakeholders and the general public.As per the CBDT, the draft Income Tax Rules, 2026 will remain open for public feedback for a period of 15 days, up to February 22,...

Deep Tech Startups To Retain Status For 20 years Under New DPIIT Notification

On 4 February, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, through the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), issued a notification extending enhanced tax incentives and revising the startup recognition criteria for “Deep Tech Startups” (DTSs) DTSs are entities engaged in developing advanced scientific or engineering solutions involving high research and development intensity, significant intellectual property creation, long gestation periods, and elevated technical or...

DGFT Imposes Import Curbs On Umbrellas With CIF Value Below ₹100

On 5 February 2026, the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, issued a notification amending the import policy for umbrellas from “Free” to “Restricted”. The change applies to umbrellas classified under Chapter 66 of Schedule I (Import Policy) of India's Import Trade Classification (Harmonised System), 2022. However, imports of umbrellas will continue to be treated as “Free” where the CIF value is Rs. 100 or more per piece. CIF value...

Baggage Rules 2026 Allow Returning Indians To Bring Jewellery Upto 40 Gram Duty-Free

The Central Government has notified the Baggage Regulations, 2026, giving a limited category of international passengers a special duty-free allowance for jewellery. Under the Regulations , Indian residents and tourists of Indian origin who have lived abroad for more than one year can bring jewellery over and above their personal effects into India without paying customs duty, within specified limits. The allowance is upto 20gms for male passengers a 40gm for female passengers. Jewellery...

DGFT Allows Limited Export Of 5 Lakh Metric Tonnes Of Wheat Flour, Products

The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) has allowed exports of up to 5 lakh metric tonnes (LMT) of wheat flour and related wheat products while retaining the overall prohibition on such exports. The easing was notified through an amendment to the export policy for items classified under HS Code 1101, which covers wheat or meslin flour (atta), maida, semolina (ravi/sirgi), wholemeal atta, and resultant atta. Under the amended policy, exports of these wheat products will continue to be...

GSTN Issues Advisory On RSP-Based Valuation For Tobacco Products

Ahead of the rollout of the Retail Sale Price (RSP)–based valuation mechanism from 1 February 2026, the Goods and Services Tax Network (GSTN) has issued an advisory for taxpayers.The advisory provides guidance on reporting taxable value and tax liability under the RSP-based valuation in e-invoices, e-way bills, GSTR-1, GSTR-1A, and the Invoice Furnishing Facility (IFF).As part of the RSP-based system, GST on notified tobacco products has been computed at 40% and the taxable value will now be...