Corporate & Compliance Digest July 13, 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. AP Government notifies Code on Social Security Rules, 2026

The Government of Andhra Pradesh (GoAP) has notified the Code on Social Security (Andhra Pradesh) Rules, 2026 under the Code on Social Security, 2020, bringing into effect a comprehensive framework for implementation of social security provisions across the State. The Rules introduce a unified electronic registration mechanism for establishments, prescribe compliance, reporting and record-keeping requirements, and establish governance structures for the Andhra Pradesh Unorganised Workers Social Security Board and the Andhra Pradesh Building and Other Construction Workers’ Welfare Board.

1.2. EPFO launches Employees’ Enrolment Campaign, 2026 to expand social security coverage

The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (“EPFO”) has introduced the Employees’ Enrolment Campaign, 2026, pursuant to Notifications G.S.R. 525(E), G.S.R. 526(E) and G.S.R. 527(E) dated June 29, 2026, to encourage employers to enrol eligible employees who were not previously covered under provident fund schemes. The campaign is available until October 31, 2026 and covers employees who joined establishments between April 1, 2009 and March 31, 2026, but were not enrolled despite being eligible. Under the campaign, participating employers are permitted to regularise past non-compliances through a simplified declaration process. Where employee contributions were not deducted from wages, employers are generally required to remit only the employer’s contribution along with applicable interest and administrative charges, while damages for eligible declarations are restricted to a nominal amount.  

1.3. EPFO launches VISHWAS, 2026 for amicable settlement of provident fund damages disputes

EPFO has operationalised VISHWAS, 2026, a six-month dispute resolution scheme effective from June 29, 2026, to facilitate amicable settlement of disputes relating to damages levied under the Employees’ Provident Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952 and the Code on Social Security, 2020. The scheme covers pending litigation, finalised but unpaid orders, and pre-adjudication cases relating to damages for delayed provident fund remittances.   

2. Securities & Capital Markets

2.1. BSE revises surveillance measures for select securities under ST-ASM framework

BSE Limited (“BSE”) has notified the inclusion of certain securities under Stage I and Stage II of the Short-Term Additional Surveillance Measure (“ST-ASM”) framework following a periodic surveillance review. Securities placed under Stage I will be subject to a margin requirement of 50 Per cent (Fifty Per cent) or the existing margin, whichever is higher, while securities classified under Stage II will attract a margin requirement of 100 Per cent (One Hundred Per cent) or the existing margin, whichever is higher. The revised margin requirements will apply from July 14, 2026 to both existing and new positions. BSE clarified that the ST-ASM framework is a market surveillance tool designed to address unusual price movements and trading activity and should not be construed as an adverse action against the concerned companies. The surveillance measures will operate alongside existing regulatory and surveillance frameworks, with appropriate price bands being restored once a security exits the ST-ASM framework, subject to other applicable surveillance measures.

2.2. CDSL communicated revised norms for utilisation of Investor Protection Fund income

Central Depository Services (India) Limited (“CDSL”) has informed Depository Participants (DPs) about the revised framework governing the utilisation of interest or income earned from the Investor Protection Fund (“IPF”) maintained by depositories. Under the revised norms, depositories are required to transfer at least 95 Per cent (Ninety-Five Per cent) of the annual interest or income generated from IPF investments back to the IPF corpus, replacing the earlier requirement of transferring 100 Per cent (One Hundred Per cent) of such income to the corpus. CDSL further communicated that depositories may utilise up to 5 Per cent (Five Per cent) of the annual interest or income earned from IPF investments towards expenses relating to dedicated IPF Trust personnel and administrative, statutory and audit-related costs. Any unutilised amount must be credited back to the IPF, while expenses exceeding the prescribed limit must be borne by the depository. The revised framework aims to promote greater consistency in IPF administration across market infrastructure institutions and will be effective from September 1, 2026.

2.3. NSE Clearing revised position limits for GOLD-IAM and PSUBANK under SLBS

NSE Clearing Limited (NSE Clearing) has revised the Market Wide Position Limit (MWPL), participant limits and institutional and non-institutional client limits for GOLD-IAM and PSUBANK under the Securities Lending and Borrowing Scheme (SLBS), with effect from July 13, 2026. The revision follows changes to the position limits applicable to these securities for July 2026.

2.4. NSDL introduced UDiFF Catalogue V3.0.1.2 with enhanced reporting and compliance requirements

National Securities Depository Limited (NSDL) has announced enhancements to the Unified Distinctive Identification Format (UDiFF) Catalogue V3.0.1.2, effective from July 31, 2026, requiring Participants to update their systems and processes. Key changes include the introduction of a dedicated DARPAN ID field for Non-Profit Organisations (NPOs), in line with Financial Intelligence Unit-India (FIU-India) requirements, and the addition of new Special Purpose Flag values for specific account categories. Participants opening new demat accounts for NPOs will be required to obtain and retain the DARPAN ID of such entities.   

3.  Information Technology & Data Protection

3.1. CERT-In issues critical vulnerability alert for Google Chrome desktop users

The Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (“CERT-In”) has issued a critical vulnerability note highlighting multiple security vulnerabilities in Google Chrome versions prior to 150.0.7871.114/.115 for Windows and Mac, and prior to 150.0.7871.114 for Linux. The vulnerabilities could allow a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code, bypass security controls, disclose sensitive information and cause denial-of-service (“DoS”) conditions on affected systems.

 3.2.  CERT-In issues high-risk vulnerability alert for Wireshark users

CERT-In has issued a high-severity vulnerability note regarding multiple vulnerabilities affecting Wireshark versions 4.6.0 to 4.6.6 and 4.4.0 to 4.4.16. The identified flaws could enable attackers to obtain sensitive information or trigger a DoS condition, potentially resulting in service disruption and exposure of critical data.

3.3. CERT-In issues high-risk vulnerability alert for PAN-OS and Palo Alto Networks products

 CERT-In has issued a high-severity vulnerability note warning of multiple vulnerabilities affecting PAN-OS and several Palo Alto Networks products, including Prisma Access Agent, Cortex XDR Broker Virtual Machine (“VM”), Prisma Browser and User-ID Terminal Server Agent. The vulnerabilities impact multiple PAN-OS versions and could enable attackers to bypass authentication and security controls, execute arbitrary commands, access sensitive information, escalate privileges and compromise affected systems.

4. Taxation (Direct & Indirect)

4.1. CBDT exempts tax deduction at source on ship lease rentals paid to IFSC units

The Central Board of Direct Taxes (“CBDT”) has notified that no tax deduction at source (TDS) shall be required on lease rent or supplemental lease rent paid by a lessee to a unit located in an International Financial Services Centre (“IFSC”) engaged in the business of ship leasing, provided the IFSC unit has opted for the deduction available under Section 147 of the Income-tax Act, 2025. To avail the benefit, the IFSC unit must furnish a prescribed statement-cum-declaration in Form No. 1(N) specifying the period of the chosen 20 consecutive tax years for claiming the deduction.

4.2. CBDT authorises inclusion of AEOI data in Form 26AS

CBDT has authorised the Director General of Income-tax (Systems) to upload information received under the Automatic Exchange of Information (AEOI) framework into the Annual Information Statement (AIS) in Form 26AS. The information relates to financial data exchanged under agreements entered into pursuant to Sections 90 and 90A of the Income-tax Act, 1961 and will cover calendar years 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025.

5. Corporate Law & MCA

5.1. MCA extends Companies Compliance Facilitation Scheme, 2026 till August 31, 2026

The Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) has extended the validity of the Companies Compliance Facilitation Scheme, 2026 (CCFS-2026) from July 15, 2026 to August 31, 2026. The scheme was introduced to provide companies with an opportunity to complete pending statutory filings and regularise compliance requirements without disruption. The extension has been granted in view of capacity enhancement and restoration activities being undertaken at the data centre following the fire incident reported on June 5, 2026. By extending the scheme, MCA aims to ensure that companies have adequate time to complete pending filings and meet their statutory compliance obligations.

6. Regulatory Enforcement MCA

Authority	Name of the Company	Amount of Penalty	Contravention
SEBI	Mediaone Global Entertainment Limited	INR 26,00,000/- (Indian Rupees Twenty-Six Lakhs only)	Violation of SEBI regulations, and Non-payment of dues
SEBI	Economy Sales Private Limited	INR 10,28,000/- (Indian Rupees Ten Lakhs Twenty-Eight Thousand only)	Failure to pay the penalty imposed by the Adjudicating Officer
SEBI	Rupee Services Private Limited	INR 5,00,000/- (Indian Rupees Five Lakhs)	Engaging in transactions involving illiquid stock options on BSE,

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