How-To Guide

Manufacturing pharmaceutical products in India requires a drug manufacturing license issued under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act 1940 and the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules 1945. This license ensures that drugs produced in the country meet prescribed standards of quality, safety, and efficacy. Whether you are setting up a new pharmaceutical manufacturing unit or expanding existing operations, obtaining the correct license is a mandatory legal requirement. This article explains the st

A Caste Validity Certificate is an essential document for individuals belonging to Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), De-notified Tribes (Vimukta Jatis), Nomadic Tribes, Other Backward Classes (OBC), and Special Backward Categories in Maharashtra. Issued by the Caste Scrutiny Committee after a thorough verification process, this certificate is required for availing benefits under government reservation policies in education, employment, and other public services. T

Probate is the legal process by which a court certifies the validity of a will and confirms the authority of the executor named in it to administer the estate of the deceased. In India, the probate process is governed by the Indian Succession Act 1925. While the Repealing and Amending Act 2025 omitted Section 213, which previously made probate mandatory in certain jurisdictions, obtaining probate remains advisable in many situations to conclusively establish the will's validi

An Essentiality Certificate (EC) is a critical document required for importing certain categories of goods into India at concessional or nil customs duty rates. The certificate serves as proof that the goods being imported are essential for a specific project, industrial operation, or government-approved purpose. This guide explains the concept of the Essentiality Certificate, the authorities responsible for issuing it, the categories of goods covered, the application procedu

Converting agricultural land to non-agricultural (NA) use is a common requirement for landowners who wish to develop their property for residential, commercial, or industrial purposes. In India, this process is governed by state-level revenue laws, and the procedure, fees, and documentation requirements vary from state to state. This guide explains the general framework for applying for land use conversion, with specific reference to key state laws such as the Maharashtra Lan

A partnership firm is one of the simplest forms of business organization in India, where two or more individuals agree to share the profits and losses of a business. While the Indian Partnership Act 1932 does not mandate registration, it is strongly advisable due to the significant legal consequences of operating an unregistered firm. This guide walks you through the complete procedure for registering a partnership firm, from drafting the partnership deed to filing with the R

In a civil suit, the defendant is not limited to merely defending against the plaintiff's claim. Under Order 8 Rule 6A of the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908, the defendant may set up a counter-claim against the plaintiff, effectively raising an independent cross-action within the same suit. This provision, introduced by the CPC (Amendment) Act of 1976 following the recommendations of the 27th Law Commission Report, allows the defendant to claim relief against the plaintiff wit

When a defendant fails to appear before a civil court on the date fixed for hearing, the court may proceed to hear the case in the defendant's absence and pass a decree known as an ex parte decree. The Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 provides a specific remedy for the aggrieved defendant: an application under Order 9 Rule 13 CPC to set aside the ex parte decree. This guide explains the grounds, limitation period, procedure, and practical aspects of filing such an application. W

When a person dies leaving a Will, the executor or beneficiary named in the Will may apply to a competent court for a grant of probate under the Indian Succession Act, 1925. The court, before granting probate, issues a public citation inviting any person who wishes to oppose the grant to file objections. Filing objections to a probate petition is a critical step for legal heirs, family members, or interested parties who believe that the Will is invalid, forged, or obtained th

Indian courts generally require parties to appear in person on each date of hearing. However, both criminal and civil law provide mechanisms through which a party may seek exemption from personal appearance, allowing an advocate to appear on their behalf. In criminal proceedings, Section 228 and Section 355 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023 govern this process. In civil proceedings, the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 permits appearance through a recognised

The Customs, Excise and Service Tax Appellate Tribunal (CESTAT) is the specialised appellate body that hears second appeals arising from orders passed under the Customs Act, 1962, the Central Excise Act, 1944, and the service tax provisions of the Finance Act, 1994. Filing an appeal before CESTAT requires careful compliance with prescribed forms, limitation periods, and mandatory pre-deposit requirements. This guide explains the complete process for filing an appeal before CE

The Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) launched the Companies Compliance Facilitation Scheme, 2026 (CCFS-2026) on 15 April 2026, giving companies a structured window to clear overdue annual filings at drastically reduced additional fees. On 8 July 2026, the MCA extended the scheme deadline to 31 August 2026, following capacity enhancement and restoration activities at the MCA data centre after a fire incident on 5 June 2026. Under the scheme, companies can file pending annua

On 29 May 2026, Justice Sachin Datta of the Delhi High Court delivered a 144-page ruling in Laksh Vir Singh Yadav v. Union of India, holding that the right to be forgotten is a facet of the fundamental right to privacy under Article 21 of the Constitution. The Court directed Google and all other search engine operators to de-index name-based search results linked to judicial records in specified categories and directed Indian Kanoon to restrict name-based search functionality

An aggrieved party has the statutory right to challenge an order of the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) by filing an appeal before the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT). Two separate provisions govern these appeals: Section 421 of the Companies Act, 2013 covers appeals arising from company law matters, while Section 61 of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC), 2016 covers appeals arising from insolvency proceedings. This guide explains the step-by-step p

A Section 8 company, formed under Section 8 of the Companies Act, 2013, is a non-profit entity established to promote charitable objects such as education, art, science, sports, social welfare, or environmental protection. Unlike a trust or society, a Section 8 company is registered with the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) and governed by the same statutory framework as private and public limited companies, with additional restrictions on profit distribution. This guide e