Sansa Law Desk

The Uttar Pradesh Real Estate Regulatory Authority issued its 10th amendment on March 25, 2026, fundamentally expanding jurisdiction over unregistered real estate projects. Historically, homebuyers in unregistered projects could not file complaints with RERA; they were forced to pursue remedies through civil courts, taking 5-10 years. The amendment allows buyers to lodge complaints, which RERA will hear and determine whether the project qualifies for exemption. This addresses

The Consumer Protection Act, 2019 received significant amendments in 2025, introducing mandatory case resolution timelines and legal definitions for dark patterns, deceptive design practices used by online platforms. Effective immediately, consumer courts must resolve cases within 90 days of filing, fundamentally accelerating dispute resolution for millions of Indian consumers. The Central Consumer Protection Authority has issued detailed guidelines identifying and penalizing

Indian trademark law has expanded dramatically in 2026 to protect non-traditional marks, moving beyond the traditional text and logo-based trademarks that dominated the early 20th century. The Trademark Rules, 2025 amendments now explicitly recognize sound marks (musical jingles and sonic branding), motion marks (animated logos and movement patterns), color combination marks (signature color schemes), and scent marks (distinctive fragrances). This modernization aligns India w

India's patent law has undergone a significant transformation in 2026, moving away from criminal penalties toward civil and administrative enforcement mechanisms. Historically, patent violations could result in imprisonment for terms ranging from six months to five years, deterring even marginal breaches. The reformed approach introduces proportionate civil penalties assessed by specialized administrative adjudication officers, with streamlined appeal procedures. This shift a

The Income Tax Act, 2025 marks the most significant overhaul of India's income tax system since 1961. Effective April 1, 2026, this new legislation replaces the Income Tax Act, 1961, reorganizing 65 years of accumulated provisions into 23 streamlined chapters. While the core tax principles and rates remain largely unchanged, the structural transformation reshapes how businesses, employees, and individual taxpayers interact with India's tax system. This guide explains the key

The Supreme Court has quashed dowry criminal proceedings in cases where dowry allegations lack contemporaneous documentation or specific instances over extended periods before complaint filing. The judgment establishes that the Dowry Prohibition Act requires credible contemporaneous evidence of the prohibited practice, and vague historical allegations unsupported by specific facts do not justify criminal prosecution. Evidentiary Standards for Dowry Allegations The Supreme Co

The Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020, now fully operational as part of India's four unified Labour Codes, reduces maximum daily working hours from 9 to 8 hours and establishes new protections for workers in night shifts, including mandatory transportation and enhanced workplace facilities. These provisions reshape employer obligations in every Indian workplace from January 2026. Reduction of Daily Working Hours to 8 Hours The Code reduces the max

The Telangana Legislative Assembly passed the Telangana Advocates Protection Bill, 2026, aimed at protecting lawyers from rising instances of violence, intimidation, and false cases. The Bill criminalizes assault on advocates, provides enhanced penalty provisions, and establishes a grievance mechanism for reporting threats and misconduct against legal professionals. Provisions Criminalizing Violence Against Lawyers The Bill creates specific criminal offences targeting violen

India's four unified Labour Codes, which consolidate 29 separate labour laws, now fully operational as of January 2026, include groundbreaking provisions for gig and platform workers. The Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020 recognizes approximately 15 million gig workers and requires platform aggregators to contribute 1 to 2 percent of annual turnover toward a dedicated social security fund. Definition of Gig and Platform Workers The Labour Codes de

India's GST e-invoicing requirement becomes mandatory from April 1, 2026 for businesses with aggregate annual turnover exceeding Rs 5 crore. The e-invoice system creates an automated, real-time link between the Goods and Services Tax Network and billing software, reducing paperwork and creating an audit trail. Non-compliance can result in denial of input tax credit and penalties. Who Must Implement E-Invoicing E-invoicing applies to GST-registered persons with aggregate annu

Real Estate Regulatory Authority reforms in 2026, collectively termed RERA 2.0, introduce mandatory third-party escrow audits and 60-day digital dispute resolution mechanisms. These amendments aim to strengthen buyer protection by ensuring builder funds remain in escrow accounts and are audited independently, while expediting dispute resolution through digital platforms. Third-Party Escrow Audit Requirements RERA 2.0 mandates that all builder escrow accounts be subject to re

The Corporate Laws Amendment Bill, 2026, referred to a Joint Parliamentary Committee in March 2026, significantly raises the thresholds defining small companies under the Companies Act, 2013. The paid-up share capital limit increases from Rs 50 lakh to Rs 20 crore, and turnover limit rises from Rs 2 crore to Rs 200 crore. These changes reduce regulatory burden on a broad category of companies and reshape corporate governance obligations. New Small Company Thresholds and Impa

India's Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 introduced the concept of Significant Data Fiduciaries (SDFs), requiring them to implement enhanced compliance measures by November 13, 2025. The government will identify SDFs based on the volume and sensitivity of personal data processed, and these entities face significantly stricter obligations than ordinary data fiduciaries, including appointing independent auditors and conducting Data Protection Impact Assessments. Defi

The Supreme Court of India has held that prolonged pre-trial incarceration under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) violates the right to speedy trial under Article 21 of the Constitution. The Court established that bail can be granted in cases where the trial shows no realistic prospect of early commencement. This judgment significantly strengthens procedural protections for accused persons in money laundering cases, countering a pattern of indefinite detention.

In March 2026, the Supreme Court of India delivered landmark judgments in two cases, Pooja Pal (2026 INSC 281) and Yogendra Kumar Singh (2026 INSC 282), both establishing a critical precedent for women officers in the armed forces seeking permanent commission. The Court held that Annual Confidential Reports written under conditions of institutional exclusion cannot fairly determine suitability for Permanent Commission. This ruling affects thousands of serving women officers a