Executive Summary India’s clean‑energy manufacturing landscape is entering a defining moment. The Union Budget 2026–27 signals a strategic shift toward building world‑class capabilities in EV battery production and solar panel manufacturing, two industries that will shape the country’s energy security and global competitiveness over the next decade. With a blend of customs duty reforms, significant capital investments, and targeted industrial schemes, the government is la

Executive Summary India's data centre and cloud infrastructure sector is experiencing unprecedented growth, driven by explosive data generation, digital transformation across industries, and fiscal incentives introduced in the Union Budget 2026. India generates approximately 20% of global data yet hosts only 5.5% of global data center capacity, creating a significant demand-supply gap and compelling investment opportunity. The 21-year tax holiday, in effect until 2047,

We are delighted to share this month's AKP Dispute Resolution Monthly Digest. Please feel free to write to us with your feedback at info@akandpartners.in. 1. Arbitration and Conciliation 1.1. Commercial & Contractual Disputes 1.1.1 Supreme Court holds arbitral award passed after expiry of mandate is not rendered void where court subsequently extends time The Supreme Court recently examined the effect of an arbitral award rendered after expiry of the arbitral tribunal

We are delighted to share this week's AKP Corporate & Compliance Weekly Digest. Please feel free to write to us with your feedback at info@akandpartners.in. 1. Labour Law 1.1. Government notifies Industrial Relations Code (Amendment) Act, 2026 The Government of India has notified the Industrial Relations Code (Amendment) Act, 2026, following Presidential assent on February 16, 2026. The amendment, deemed effective from November 21, 2025, revises provi

We are delighted to share this week's AKP Banking & Finance Weekly Digest. Please feel free to write to us with your feedback at info@akandpartners.in. 1. Regulatory Updates 1.1. India Reserve Bank of India (RBI) 1.1.1. RBI releases Draft Directions on Reporting Instructions for Authorised Dealer Category – I Banks The Reserve Bank of India (“ RBI ”) has issued draft Directions on Reporting Instructions for Authorised Dealer Category – I Banks

Executive Summary India's pharmaceutical sector continues to demonstrate robust growth momentum, with the market reaching USD 50.41 billion in 2024 and growing at approximately 10% annually. As the world's third-largest pharmaceutical market by volume and 11th largest value, India supplies approximately 20% of global generic medicine demand. The Union Budget 2026-27 introduces transformational measures aimed at positioning India as a global biologics and biosimilars hub t

Executive Summary India's care economy sector stands at a transformative juncture, driven by rapid demographic aging and Budget 2026-27's landmark policy interventions. The geriatric care market, though fragmented and volatile, demonstrates significant long-term potential, with projections indicating substantial growth through 2033. The Union Budget 2026-27 introduces three critical initiatives aimed at formalising and scaling the care ecosystem: Divyang Sahara Yojana, Al

Introduction Arbitration has long been the preferred dispute resolution mechanism for Indian businesses, promising speed, confidentiality, and commercial pragmatism. Yet, the Supreme Court’s 2026 decision in Bhadra International v. Airports Authority of India marks a decisive shift: how an arbitrator is appointed is no longer a procedural footnote it is a governance issue with existential consequences for arbitral awards. In an era where CXOs are increasingly accountable

Executive Summary The Budget 2026-2027 proposes significant relief to victims of motor vehicle accidents and their legal heirs by introducing a complete tax exemption on interest awarded by the Motor Accident Claims Tribunal (MACT) under the Motor Vehicles, 1988. This measure eliminates both the tax liability on such interest income and the requirement for Tax Deduction at Source (TDS), providing substantial financial and administrative relief to victims who are often not r

Employment and Workplace Use of AI The use of Artificial Intelligence (“ AI ”) has evolved from a costly experimental technology into an essential, cost-effective operational mainstay for organisations across industries, including in India. It now drives tasks like resume screening, interview scheduling, performance reviews, job satisfaction analysis, attrition forecasting, and even redundancy determinations. Given India's intricate employment law framework spanning centr