Sansa Law Desk

The Secretarial Audit Report, filed on Form MR-3, is one of the most important governance documents a company must prepare. Yet many companies misunderstand its scope, applicability, and legal consequences. Filing an accurate, comprehensive MR-3 protects the company and its directors from regulators and investors. What Is Secretarial Audit Secretarial Audit is a comprehensive review of a company's compliance with applicable laws, rules, regulations, and guidelines. Unlike f

In January 2026, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) issued significant amendments to the Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements (LODR) Regulations, 2015. These changes, effective immediately, reduce compliance burdens for certain debt-listed entities while introducing stricter investor protection measures. Understanding these changes is essential for listed companies, especially those with debt instruments. What Are HVDLE and Why They Matter HVDLE st

Understanding how capital gains tax applies to your investments and property sales is essential for tax planning. In 2026, India's capital gains tax regime has stabilized with specific rules for long-term gains, indexation relief, and the Cost Inflation Index (CII). Knowing when you pay 12.5%, when you can claim indexation, and how the CII affects your tax bill will help you optimize your investment strategies. LTCG Tax Rates and Holding Periods Long-term capital gains (LTC

Every private limited company registered under the Companies Act 2013 must file annual compliance documents with the Registrar of Companies (ROC). Missing these deadlines triggers penalties, late fees, and if ignored can lead to strike-off proceedings and director disqualification. Understanding these obligations is critical. Key Annual Filing Requirements Two primary forms must be filed annually: Form MGT-7 (Annual Return) and Form AOC-4 (Financial Statements). For small c

In a landmark ruling affirmed multiple times, India's Supreme Court has recognized that the right to privacy and the right to reputation are both fundamental rights protected under Article 21 of the Constitution. However, these rights must be balanced against the fundamental right to freedom of speech and expression under Article 19. Understanding this balance is essential in an age of online speech, social media, and mass communication. Privacy as a Constitutional Right In

A contract is only enforceable if all parties entered it with genuine, free consent. When one party uses dominance or a position of trust to pressure another into agreement, the contract may be voidable, meaning the victim can withdraw from it. This doctrine of undue influence, defined in Section 16 of the Indian Contract Act 1872, protects vulnerable parties from exploitation. Defining Undue Influence Section 16 of the Contract Act states that a person is deemed to exert u

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has issued new guidelines to accelerate cross-border inward payments, a development that directly benefits Indian exporters, service providers, and individuals receiving international remittances. Understanding these guidelines is important for compliance and operational planning. What Changed in the RBI Guidelines The RBI's guidelines, effective from April 2026, impose stricter timelines on banks for processing incoming international payment

From April 1, 2026, e-invoicing under GST becomes mandatory for a broad class of businesses. The compliance deadline is fast approaching, and businesses failing to prepare face operational disruption and penalties. Understanding the scope, deadlines, and exemptions is essential. What Is GST e-Invoicing GST e-invoicing is the electronic generation, signing, and reporting of invoices through the Invoice Registration Portal (IRP) operated by the GST network. Instead of manuall

On April 1, 2026, India's income tax system undergoes its largest legislative overhaul in decades. After 65 years, the Income Tax Act 1961 is being repealed and replaced by the new Income Tax Act 2025. For individuals, businesses, and tax professionals, understanding these changes is critical to ensure compliance. Why the Change Happened The Income Tax Act 1961, with its 819 sections and 47 chapters, had become outdated, repetitive, and difficult to navigate. Over six decad

When an inventor develops an innovation during employment, who owns the patent, the company or the individual? A landmark 2026 Delhi High Court ruling has brought much-needed clarity to this question, resolving conflicting judicial opinions on the validity of employment agreements as proof of ownership rights in patent applications. Understanding Patent Ownership Rights Under India's Patents Act, 1970, the right to file a patent application belongs to the true and first inv

The Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Amendment Bill, 2026 received presidential assent in March 2026, amending the 2019 Act. The amendments introduce a dedicated Transgender Persons Welfare Board to issue identity certificates, streamline certification to 60 days, and add new criminal offences related to discrimination and violence against transgender persons. While civil rights advocates welcome the new offences and faster certification, implementation gaps remain

In March 2026, the Supreme Court delivered a landmark ruling in Harish Rana v. Union of India, permitting withdrawal of life-sustaining medical treatment for a patient in Persistent Vegetative State with no reasonable recovery expectation. The patient, unconscious for 13 years and entirely dependent on artificial life support, was permitted to be taken off ventilation with family and physician consent. The Court held that such withdrawal does not constitute unlawful killing o

The Supreme Court ruled in Dhan Jee Pandey v. State of Bihar (April 2026) that state regulatory supervision does not render cooperative societies state actors within Article 12 of the Constitution, thereby limiting constitutional rights protections available to members. However, the Court upheld validity of bylaw provisions prescribing election eligibility conditions, provided they are rational and non-discriminatory. This judgment clarifies the boundary between state action

The Supreme Court delivered landmark judgments in March 2026, Pooja Pal (Army) and Yogendra Kumar Singh (Navy), holding that Annual Confidential Reports written under institutional exclusion cannot fairly determine Permanent Commission suitability. The Court ruled that women officers excluded from command postings or career-progression roles cannot have their ACRs fairly assessed using criteria applied to similarly situated male officers. This recognizes that career developme

The Repealing and Amending Act, 2025 introduced landmark reforms to India's succession law, effective January 1, 2026. The most significant change is abolition of mandatory probate for wills in most states, ending a colonial-era requirement that burdened executors and delayed estate distribution for 150 years. Simultaneously, the Supreme Court clarified that mutation is purely administrative and does not constitute title transfer. Together, these reforms modernize inheritance