The Delhi High Court found that cosmetics brand ACNE SCAR likely infringed Mankind’s registered trademark ACNESTAR and granted an injunction preventing further use of the contested mark. The ruling underscores the court’s willingness to protect established trademarks and may force ACNE SCAR to rebrand its products.

India’s Ladakh seabuckthorn, a high‑altitude berry from the Nubra Valley, has been awarded a Geographical Indication (GI) tag, confirming its unique origin and qualities. The fruit, found at 12,000 feet, contains ten times more vitamin C than lemons, positioning it as a lucrative super‑food for both domestic and export markets.

Union Minister Piyush Goyal highlighted Ladakh's sea buckthorn, a golden berry native to the region, after it received a Geographical Indication (GI) tag in 2023. The fruit, valued for its nutritional and medicinal properties, is being promoted as a natural heritage treasure to boost local economies and sustainable agriculture in the high-altitude areas of India.

India’s patent opposition system now distinguishes between pre‑grant and post‑grant filings, each with its own procedural steps, allowable grounds, timelines, and fee structures. Understanding these differences helps applicants protect their inventions effectively and plan strategic challenges.

Minister Piyush Goyal announced that Ladakh’s sea buckthorn has been granted a Geographical Indication (GI) tag, recognizing it as a unique natural treasure of India. The berry is noted for its exceptional vitamin content, high antioxidant levels and overall nutritional richness, positioning it as a valuable asset for local farmers and the health‑conscious market.

India reports a series of key updates: Ladakh’s sea‑buckthorn secures a GI tag and is hailed as a “golden treasure” by minister Piyush Goyal; new rules refine pre‑ and post‑grant patent opposition procedures; the Delhi High Court blocks ACNESTAR infringement; the Semiconductor Integrated Circuits Layout‑Design Act bolsters chip design protection; the India‑New Zealand FTA promises duty‑free engineering exports; the UDAN scheme records 1.49 crore passengers with a 4 crore target; and a Udaipur team wins a patent for oral‑cancer drug delivery technology.

Latest MCA data shows a sharp rise in Limited Liability Partnerships (LLPs) and One Person Companies (OPCs) across India, as small firms favor limited liability while avoiding the heavy compliance of private limited entities. The trend highlights a shift toward simpler, cost‑effective structures for emerging businesses.

Rashi Peripherals Ltd filed a request to the National Stock Exchange (NSE) to waive a recently imposed fine, with the application signed by Company Secretary Arvind Bajoria. NSE rejected the waiver, stating the company failed to meet the required compliance criteria, leaving the fine in place and signaling stricter regulatory enforcement for listed entities.

The National Stock Exchange of India has imposed a ₹1.67 lakh penalty on Rashi Peripherals after rejecting the company's request for a waiver. The fine stems from compliance lapses tied to its recent acquisition of a controlling stake in VDA Infosolutions Private Limited, prompting the regulator to enforce strict penalties.

The National Stock Exchange rejected a waiver for Rashi Peripherals, imposing a ₹1.67 lakh penalty, while other companies like IRCON and Shah Metacorp secured fine waivers. MCA data reveals a surge in LLP and OPC registrations, and ABB India announced Suneel Kumar as its new CFO. Additionally, SEBI approved Indian Overseas Bank’s ESPS route for MPS compliance.

India’s Allahabad High Court set aside a lower appellate order that had upheld the cancellation of a firm’s GST registration, ruling that the decision cannot stand without hearing the taxpayer’s objections to newly introduced evidence, emphasizing procedural fairness.

HSBC reports that after a year of GST cuts boosting India's FMCG sector, growth is now waning as El Nino weather stress and rising commodity prices threaten margins. The bank still names Marico and TCPL as top picks despite the headwinds.

The Allahabad High Court set aside an appellate order that cancelled a GST registration, stating the appellate authority cannot reject an appeal without first addressing the taxpayer's specific grounds. The ruling emphasizes procedural fairness and requires authorities to consider each ground raised before denying relief. The decision may affect future GST cancellation cases, urging tribunals to follow due process and provide detailed reasons when dismissing appeals.

India's high courts have invalidated GST cancellation orders that ignored taxpayer objections, reinforcing due‑process rights. Meanwhile HSBC warns that GST‑driven growth in the Indian FMCG sector is cooling amid El Niño and commodity pressures. The Maldives government is moving to repeal GST on foreign tour operators, while Pakistan proposes cutting auto‑tariff rates to 15% and lowering GST. The 57th GST Council introduced reforms for automated registration, faster refunds and ITC reconciliation, signaling broader modernization efforts.

The Reserve Bank of India has lifted the caps on non‑option derivative contracts for commercial banks, as outlined in the Second Amendment Directions of 2026. Removing these limits gives banks greater flexibility in managing derivative exposures and aligns Indian practices with global norms.

A woman asserted that a flat owned partly by a company and jointly with her husband qualifies for a Rs 14.70 lakh exemption under Section 54F, but the income‑tax department issued a notice alleging she holds numerous properties and imposed a penalty for alleged sales worth Rs 24.62 crore, rejecting her claim.

Artificial intelligence is reshaping audit work, speeding data analysis and spotting anomalies, but it still cannot replace professional judgment, ethical oversight, or nuanced risk assessment that chartered accountants must provide. The article outlines where AI adds value, where it falls short, and the core responsibilities that remain essential for CAs in 2026.

The latest Indian fiscal landscape sees AI tools reshaping audit practices while still requiring human oversight, a high‑value property tax exemption claim being rejected, and the government revamping exporter refund schemes. Taxpayers receive guidance on checking PAN misuse, RBI lifts derivative contract caps for banks, and CBDT introduces Form 173A and new disclosure rules for government securities. Additionally, AIFs in GIFT City face unexpected tax notices despite exemptions.