The Employees' Provident Fund Organisation will hold its 240th Central Board of Trustees meeting on November 19, 2026 in New Delhi. Agenda items include a possible rise in the minimum Employees’ Pension Scheme contribution from Rs 1,000, aiming to enhance retirement benefits for workers across India.

The Supreme Court clarified that the Maternity Benefit Act, 1961 is not limited to regular women employees. The ruling means all female workers, including contractual and temporary staff, are entitled to statutory maternity leave and related benefits. The judgment, issued in the weekly legal review for 2‑8 November 2026, underscores the Act’s universal application and signals broader labor rights for women across India.

Supervisory employees in the IT sector earning more than ₹18,000 monthly are now subject to the Labour Codes' working‑hour and overtime provisions. The government may raise the salary threshold, and firms must track extra hours, pay overtime at prescribed rates, and ensure compliance to avoid penalties, impacting payroll and project timelines across the industry.

An interview with legal expert A.J. Jawad highlights a paradigm shift in Indian dispute resolution, moving away from fault‑finding toward collaborative problem‑solving. The piece examines how alternative dispute mechanisms, such as mediation, are being re‑engineered to address systemic bottlenecks, improve efficiency, and align with evolving corporate and labor regulations, including recent maternity leave reforms.

The Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) announced a reduced penalty rate of 0.25% per month for employers who miss PF deposit deadlines under the VISHWAS 2026 scheme. The one‑time settlement window stays open until 28 December 2026, while standard interest and contribution obligations continue to apply, giving firms a chance to regularise without heavy fines.

The Employees' Provident Fund Organisation has introduced a lower penalty rate of 0.25% per month for delayed PF deposits under the VISHWAS 2026 scheme, with a filing deadline of 28 December 2026. A 240th EPFO board meeting is slated for 19 November 2026 in New Delhi. New labour‑code guidance sets overtime limits for IT supervisors earning above ₹18,000, while courts expand maternity benefit eligibility beyond regular women. Experts also call for a shift in Indian dispute resolution toward problem‑solving rather than fault‑finding.

LWS Knitwear received a second extension from Malaysia’s Registrar of Companies (ROC) to hold its FY26 annual general meeting, pushing the deadline past the original September 30, 2026 date. The ROC urged the firm to tighten future filing compliance to prevent further delays.

LWS Knitwear, a Malaysian apparel company, received a second extension from the Registrar of Companies to hold its FY26 Annual General Meeting, pushing the deadline beyond the original September 30, 2026 date. The ROC urged the firm to align future statutory compliance, granting extra time to complete FY26 financials and resolve shareholder issues.

India's Naksh Precious Metals has officially appointed K A R M & Co as its new statutory auditor, complying with the Companies (Auditor) Rules, 2015. The decision highlights the firm’s confidence in India’s expanding economy and meets mandatory corporate governance standards, reinforcing transparency for shareholders and regulators alike.

Heavy rain intensified in Hamilton during the third One Day International between India and New Zealand, threatening to wash out the match. India leads the five‑match series 2‑0, and officials are monitoring conditions to decide if play can continue or be abandoned.

Rain interrupted the third ODI between India and New Zealand in Hamilton, delaying the start and forcing both sides to adjust strategies. Play resumed later with India's batting line‑up and New Zealand's bowlers regrouping under altered conditions.

Taxpayers with audit cases must file their Income Tax Returns for Assessment Year 2026-27 by September 30, 2026, as the statutory deadline approaches. Missing the date can trigger penalties and interest, and may affect future assessments and compliance standing.

India’s audit return filing deadline for AY 2026‑27 approaches, while the third ODI between India and New Zealand faces rain interruptions in Hamilton. Canada announced revised refugee application rules to streamline processing. Two Indian companies, Naksh Precious Metals and Benara Bearings, have appointed new statutory auditors. Additionally, J&K Bank opened recruitment for over 1,300 positions. Key dates, impacts and links are outlined below.

Despite a sharp slowdown in overall Indian startup financing during October, direct‑to‑consumer companies showed notable resilience, securing roughly one‑third of all deals and raising about $200 million in new capital, highlighting the sector's strong consumer demand even in a weak funding environment.

On National Entrepreneurship Day, the Startup India Seed Fund Scheme reported that as of October 2026 it has guaranteed 532 loans totaling ₹1,662.71 crore, supporting startups that collectively employ 41,637 people. The initiative aims to boost early‑stage ventures across the country.

Shortgun Games, a developer known for its mobile titles, has secured a strategic investment from Indian film star Mahesh Babu. The funding aims to accelerate the studio’s expansion in Germany and India, leveraging the actor’s brand to boost market reach and attract new talent.

Maharashtra officials map an industrial growth plan, focusing on priority sectors while tackling infrastructure limits, skill shortages, and red tape. Reforms promise faster approvals, tax breaks, and enhanced SME insurance to lure investors.

A wave of activity shapes India’s business scene: Maharashtra outlines its industrial growth roadmap, multiple startups secure seed and strategic funding, the government reports over 500 loans totalling ₹1,662.71 crore for new ventures, D2C brands dominate October deals, family disputes trigger calls for stricter corporate rules, deep‑tech firms benefit from policy support, and defence‑oriented startups like Zuppa gain traction.

India's Supreme Court has clarified its March 2026 arbitration ruling, stating it does not reopen concluded OBC creamy‑layer selections but applies to the UPSC CSE 2025 service. The judgment outlines a three‑fold contractual framework defining excepted matters in arbitration agreements.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has asked Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to intervene and help set up safe grain export corridors through the Black Sea, seeking India's mediation to ease the humanitarian crisis caused by blocked shipments and to restore vital food supplies to global markets.