Year: 2025

ifsca fund management regulations

Regulatory Updates: IFSCA (Fund Management) Regulations, 2025

Insights | April 7, 2025 | Practice Area: ,

The International Financial Services Centres Authority (“IFSCA”) has introduced the IFSCA (Fund Management) Regulations, 2025 (“FM Regulations 2025”) to further streamline fund management activities in GIFT-IFSC. The FM Regulations 2025 introduce investor-friendly measures, reduced entry barriers, and increased operational flexibility, while also strengthening investor protection. These regulations aim to foster a business-friendly environment, align with global standards, and reinforce GIFT-IFSC’s position as a global financial hub.

Master Direction on Foreign Investment in India

Updated Master Direction on Foreign Investment in India: Clarifications to the Regulatory Framework

Insights | April 3, 2025 | Practice Area: , ,

The Reserve Bank of India recently issued an updated Master Direction on Foreign Investment in India (“Master Direction”) on January 20, 2025 to clarify various aspects in the regulatory framework for inbound investments. The Master Direction provides significant regulatory clarifications on foreign investments in India, particularly in relation to downstream investments, cross-border share swaps, share issuances to non-resident shareholders pursuant to a scheme of merger or amalgamation, and the issue of equity-based employee benefits to directors and employees resident outside India. This note highlights the key clarifications and changes to the regulatory framework brought about by the Master Direction that are intended to provide greater certainty and enhance the ease of doing business for overseas investors in India.

executive compensation

Evaluating the Regulatory Framework Governing Executive Compensation in Listed Companies

Insights | April 2, 2025 | Practice Area: , ,

Executive compensation in listed Indian companies is determined through a three-stage process involving the Nomination and Remuneration Committee (“NRC”), the Board of Directors, and shareholders. The NRC identifies candidates, formulates a remuneration policy, and submits recommendations to the Board. The Board then reviews and approves these recommendations before presenting them to shareholders for a final vote. While shareholders theoretically have the ultimate authority, ambiguities in India’s regulatory framework may weaken its effectiveness. This note examines key issues in executive compensation governance, analyzing relevant regulations and proposing solutions to enhance the framework.

Singapore International Arbitration Centre

Protective Preliminary Orders under the SIAC Rules 2025: Key Strategic Considerations for India-related Disputes

Insights | April 1, 2025 | Practice Area:

The Singapore International Arbitration Centre (“SIAC”) has introduced a critical update to its emergency arbitration mechanism this year. Under the SIAC Rules 2025, parties can now apply to an emergency arbitrator for a provisional ex parte order to prevent a counterparty from frustrating the emergency relief requested. With Indian parties topping the charts in the usage of SIAC emergency arbitration, our note explores the key strategic implications of this development for India-related disputes.

reciprocal tariffs

Reciprocal Tariffs: What Can India Expect?

Insights | March 31, 2025 | Practice Area: ,

The recent announcement of reciprocal tariffs by the U.S. government, aimed at addressing trade imbalances and reinforcing domestic economic security, marks a significant shift in global trade policy. As India remains a key trading partner of the U.S., these tariffs are expected to reshape bilateral trade dynamics and may pose challenges for Indian exporters.
With the U.S. being India’s biggest export market, sectors such as engineering goods, pharmaceuticals, and electronics may face potential disruptions. To mitigate the impact and safeguard economic interests, the Indian government has undertaken strategic measures, including tariff reductions and negotiations for a Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA).
This note examines the implications of the U.S. reciprocal tariff regime for India, assesses the government’s response, and outlines potential strategies to navigate the evolving trade landscape.

clean energy

Clean Energy: Issue 1 of 2025

Quarterly Roundups | March 20, 2025 | Practice Area: , ,

Issue 1 of 2025 of our Quarterly Roundup Series on Clean Energy covers the period between October 2024 and January 2025. This Issue tracks key regulatory developments in the covered period involving solar and wind generation, green hydrogen/ammonia production, EVs, tariff, and connectivity, and includes miscellaneous updates and key announcements from the Union Budget of February 2025.

public private partnerships in india

Public Private Partnership in Redevelopment Efforts

Insights | March 19, 2025 | Practice Area:

Public-Private Partnerships (“PPPs”) play a crucial role in India’s urban redevelopment by leveraging government support and private sector efficiency. Maharashtra, especially Mumbai, leads with initiatives like the Slum Rehabilitation Scheme (“SRS”), while CIDCO in Navi Mumbai streamlines approvals for faster execution. Despite challenges like resident consent and financing, PPPs drive sustainable development through strategic risk-sharing, community engagement, and efficient project management. This note explores how PPPs play a vital role in India’s urban redevelopment, particularly in Mumbai, while examining the current challenges and opportunities in PPP-driven redevelopment.

nuclear energy in india

The Legal Framework for Nuclear Energy in India: The Way Ahead

Insights | March 17, 2025 | Practice Area: , , , , ,

Despite significant progress made by India with respect to renewable energy, its nuclear power capacity remains relatively small. Recognizing the necessity of nuclear energy deployment to achieve net-zero targets, including the advantages that such deployment offers over renewable sources of power, the Indian government has renewed its focus on the nuclear sector in the budget announced on February 1, 2025, including through permitting private and foreign investment in the sector.
However, India’s plans to promote private/foreign investment in the nuclear sector require certain changes to the existing legal regime, including with respect to civil nuclear liability. In that regard, the government appears keen to introduce necessary legislative amendments soon. This note aims to discuss current challenges and potential modifications with respect to such laws.

RERA

RERA: Issue 1 of 2025

Quarterly Roundups | March 10, 2025 | Practice Area:

This Quarterly Roundup pertains to cases related to Real Estate Regulation Act, 2016 (“Act/RERA”) for the period between October and December 2024. Issue 1 sets out a compilation of selected judgements, orders and circulars for the covered period, highlighting recent legal developments influenced by the continuous changes in the real estate sector. These decisions reflect the perspective of the Real Estate Regulatory Authorities, essential for the interpretation of the Act and shaping the legal framework. This compilation of judgments and orders serves as an essential guide to understanding the implications of RERA’s evolving framework.