Corporate & Compliance Digest July 06, 2026

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 & Employment Law

1.1.        MoRD notifies rules for digital payment of wages and unemployment allowance under VB–GRAMG

The Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) has notified the Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin): VB–GRAMG, Manner of Payment of Wages and Unemployment Allowance Rules, 2026. The rules mandate that all wage and unemployment allowance payments under the scheme be made through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) directly into beneficiaries’ bank or post office accounts and prohibit cash payments, except in extraordinary circumstances approved by the Central Government. The rules further require all payments to be processed electronically through the designated Management Information System (MIS) or other approved digital platforms, with payments routed through the Aadhaar Payment Bridge System (APBS) or alternative authentication mechanisms. State Governments and Union Territory administrations are required to ensure proper recording of all payments, with the framework aimed at enhancing efficiency, transparency, and accountability in benefit disbursement.

1.2.        MoLE notifies Employees’ Pension Scheme, 2026

The Ministry of Labour and Employment (“MoLE”) has notified the Employees’ Pension Scheme, 2026 under the Code on Social Security, 2020, replacing the Employees’ Pension Scheme, 1995 and the Employees’ Family Pension Scheme, 1971. The scheme applies to establishments covered under Chapter-III of the Code and prescribes a revised framework for pension fund management, membership, contributions, eligibility, and pension benefits. Under EPS 2026, employers will continue to contribute 8.33 per cent (Eight Point Three-Three Per cent) of wages (subject to the notified wage ceiling) towards the pension fund, while the Central Government will contribute 1.16 per cent (One Point One Six Percent). The scheme provides superannuation and early pensions for members with at least 10 years of eligible service, retains the pension calculation formula based on pensionable salary and pensionable service, and continues the minimum monthly pension of INR 1,000 (Indian Rupees One Thousand only). Early pension remains available from the age of 50 years, with a reduction of 4 per cent (Four Per cent) for each year of advance withdrawal.

1.3.        Gujarat Government notifies VB–GRAMG Scheme, 2026 for 125-day rural employment guarantee

The Government of Gujarat (GoG) has notified the Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Scheme, Gujarat, 2026, effective from July 1, 2026, to implement the Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act, 2025. The scheme guarantees a minimum of 125 days of wage employment in a financial year to rural households whose adult members volunteer for unskilled manual work and provides for unemployment allowance where employment is not offered within 15 days of application. The VB–GRAMG Scheme introduces a technology-driven framework for rural development through Viksit Gram Panchayat Plans (VGPPs), convergence with other government schemes, geospatial planning tools, biometric authentication, real-time monitoring, social audits, and proactive public disclosure requirements. It further mandates wage payments through bank or post office accounts, provides compensation for delayed wage payments at the rate of 0.05 per cent (Zero Point Zero Five Percent) per day, and restricts scheme-related works during notified peak agricultural seasons to balance labour availability for farming activities.

1.4.     MoLE notifies Employees’ Provident Fund Scheme, 2026 under the Code on Social Security

MoLE has notified the Employees’ Provident Fund Scheme, 2026 under the Code on Social Security, 2020, replacing the Employees’ Provident Fund Scheme, 1952. The scheme applies to establishments covered under Chapter-III of the Code and introduces an updated framework governing provident fund membership, contributions, exemptions, compliance, fund administration and electronic record-keeping. Under the EPF Scheme 2026, both employers and employees are generally required to contribute 12 per cent (Twelve Per cent) of wages to the provident fund, with a reduced contribution rate of 10 per cent (Ten Per cent) for specified categories of establishments. The scheme also permits voluntary contributions above the statutory threshold, extends coverage to International Workers, and mandates electronic filing, record maintenance and payment processes through designated digital platforms.

2.            Securities & Capital Markets

2.1.     CDSL mandates submission of Final Digital Accessibility Audit Reports by July 31, 2026

Central Depository Services (India) Limited (“CDSL”) has directed Depository Participants (“DPs”) to submit the final accessibility audit report for all digital platforms, including websites, mobile applications and portals, by July 31, 2026, through the Audit-Web Portal. The requirement stems from the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) digital accessibility framework issued under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, which mandates accessibility audits by International Association of Accessibility Professionals (IAAP) certified auditors and remediation of identified gaps.

2.2.        CDSL launches online portal for DP modification applications

CDSL has launched an online portal, effective July 1, 2026, for mandatory submission of applications relating to changes in the particulars of DPs. The portal covers requests relating to change of name, registered address, appointment or resignation of directors, and changes in shareholding pattern without change in control. CDSL has clarified that physical or offline submissions for these modifications will no longer be accepted, except that original DP registration certificates must be submitted for name change requests.

2.3.        CDSL discontinues monthly Stamp Duty Utilisation Report and introduced daily SDUR framework

CDSL has discontinued the monthly Stamp Duty Utilisation Report (“SDUR”) with effect from July 2026, following the introduction of a daily SDUR for DPs. The daily SDUR is made available in the DP billing folder and contains details of stamp duty debited on transactions executed on the previous business day, enabling more timely monitoring and reconciliation of stamp duty deductions.

3.              Information Technology & Data Protection

3.1.        CERT-In issued advisory on critical vulnerabilities in Apple products

CERT-In has issued a critical security advisory highlighting multiple vulnerabilities affecting Apple iOS versions prior to 26.5.2, Apple iPadOS versions prior to 26.5.2, Apple macOS Tahoe versions prior to 26.5.2, and Apple Safari versions prior to 26.5.2. The vulnerabilities may allow attackers to disclose sensitive information, gain elevated privileges, bypass security controls, execute arbitrary code, conduct cross-origin data exfiltration, and trigger denial-of-service (“DoS”) conditions.

3.2.        CERT-In issued advisory on high-severity vulnerabilities in Google Chrome

CERT-In has issued a high-severity vulnerability note regarding multiple security flaws in Google Chrome for Desktop affecting versions prior to 149.0.7827.196/197 for Windows and Mac, and 149.0.7827.196 for Linux. According to CERT-In, the vulnerabilities could be exploited by remote attackers to execute arbitrary code, trigger DoS conditions, bypass security restrictions and disclose sensitive information on affected systems.

3.3.        CERT-In issued advisory on critical vulnerability in Oracle E-Business Suite

CERT-In has issued a critical vulnerability note concerning Oracle E-Business Suite (Oracle EBS) versions 12.2.3 to 12.2.15. The vulnerability, identified as CVE-2026-46817, affects the Oracle Payments component and could allow an unauthenticated attacker with network access via HTTP to compromise affected systems due to a security flaw in the File Transmission component.

4.              Taxation (Direct & Indirect)

4.1.        GSTN revises timeline for amendment of Aggregate Annual Turnover for FY 2025–26

The Goods and Services Tax Network (GSTN) has revised the timeline for amendment of Aggregate Annual Turnover (“AATO”) for Financial Year (FY) 2025–26 in view of system enhancements that will enable automatic updation of AATO as subsequent returns are filed. Under the revised framework, taxpayers may submit AATO amendment applications on the GST portal from July 1, 2026 to July 31, 2026, while jurisdictional tax officers will review amended details between August 1, 2026 and August 15, 2026.

5.              Regulatory Enforcement

Authority	Name of the Company	Amount of Penalty	Contravention
SEBI	Citrus Check Inns Limited	INR 1,10,00,000 (Indian Rupees One Crore Ten Lakhs only)	For fraudulently mobilising funds through an unregistered Collective Investment Scheme.I

Disclaimer

The note is prepared for knowledge dissemination and does not constitute legal, financial or commercial advice. AK & Partners or its associates are not responsible for any action taken based on its contents.

For further queries or details, you may contact:

Mr Anuroop Omkar

Founding Partner, AK & Partners

info@akandpartners.in