Business News & Live Regulatory Updates
Latest MCA circulars, GST notifications, Tax Audit deadlines, and state industrial updates curated daily by practicing CAs, CSs, and corporate consultants.
57th GST Council Meeting 8 October 2026: Key Decisions and Business Impact
The 57th GST Council Meeting held on 8 October 2026 recommended landmark changes across Indian taxation: ending arrest powers under Section 69, raising prosecution limits to ₹5 crore, automating refunds, relaxing blocked ITC, and simplifying returns.
GST Arrest Powers Proposed to End: ₹5 Crore Prosecution Threshold Explained
The 57th GST Council recommended abolishing arrest powers under Section 69 and elevating the criminal prosecution monetary limit to ₹5 crore, marking a decisive shift towards commercial civil dispute resolution.
GST Refund Reforms 2026: Automated Processing and Impact on Business Cash Flow
The 57th GST Council proposed automated refund sanctioning of excess cash ledger balances and 90% provisional clearance for zero-rated exports and inverted duty claims within 10 days, unlocking vital liquidity for businesses.
GST ITC Changes 2026: Insurance, Catering, Capital Goods and Blocked Credits
The 57th GST Council recommended significant relaxations under Section 17(5) to unlock blocked input tax credits on employee insurance, catering, and infrastructure, alongside staggered refunds on capital goods.
GST Registration and Cancellation Reforms 2026: New Business Benefits Explained
The 57th GST Council approved user-friendly Form GST REG-01 upgrades, automatic acceptance of registration amendments, and automated voluntary cancellations to remove startup onboarding delays.
GSTR-1, GSTR-3B and GSTR-2B Reconciliation Changes Proposed for April 2027
The 57th GST Council recommended an integrated return reconciliation architecture effective April 2027, featuring enhanced Invoice Management System (IMS) tools, credit reversal ledgers, and automated liability correction.
GST Notice Threshold ₹10,000 and Penalty Reforms: Council Decisions Explained
The 57th GST Council introduced a ₹10,000 minimum tax notice threshold, reduced the maximum general penalty to ₹10,000, and created a 5% reduced penalty incentive to resolve minor tax disputes.
GST Relief for MSMEs 2026: Proposed Annual Return and Quarterly Payment Scheme
The 57th GST Council approved in principle an optional Annual Return Quarterly Payment (ARQP) scheme for B2C MSMEs with turnover up to ₹5 crore, alongside targeted late-fee relief under Section 39(1).
GST Registration for E-Commerce Sellers: Proposed Interstate Warehouse Rule
The 57th GST Council recommended Rule 14B, enabling small online sellers to obtain GST registration in other states by declaring an e-commerce fulfillment warehouse as their Principal Place of Business.
GST Export of Services Reforms 2026: New Proposals for IT Firms and Exporters
The 57th GST Council recommended removing the establishment restriction on cross-border transactions and rationalizing place of supply rules, benefiting IT exporters and SEZ units.
GST E-Way Bill Reforms 2026: New Transport Checks and Industry GST Changes
The 57th GST Council recommended strict curbs on arbitrary roadside vehicle detentions in transit states, alongside targeted GST rate adjustments for e-commerce deliveries, EVs, and metal scrap.
GST Collections Reach ₹2.04 Lakh Crore in September 2026: What Businesses Should Know
India's gross Goods and Services Tax (GST) collections reached ₹2.04 lakh crore in September 2026, marking a 14.7% year-on-year surge. Discover the key takeaways for Kerala businesses, import-related revenue momentum, and essential monthly reconciliation requirements.
Kerala Government Backs Women Entrepreneurs and Social Startups at Trivandrum Conclave
The Kerala Government announced comprehensive financial incentives, seed grants, and strategic incubation backing for women-led enterprises and social impact startups at a high-level conclave held in Thiruvananthapuram.
Kerala Space Park Project at Technocity, Trivandrum Set to Resume Construction
Construction work on the ambitious Kerala Space Park (K-Space) at Technopark Phase IV (Technocity), Pallipuram is resuming following state government intervention that resolved surrounding road-connectivity concerns.
Bio Connect 4.0 in Trivandrum to Showcase Kerala's Life Sciences Investment Opportunities
Kerala is preparing to host Bio Connect 4.0 at Hyatt Regency Trivandrum, bringing together global pharmaceutical leaders, biotechnology innovators, and investors to spotlight opportunities at Bio 360 Life Sciences Park.
Technopark Phase III Expansion: New 2 Lakh Sq. Ft. IT Building Planned in Trivandrum
Technopark Phase III in Thiruvananthapuram is set to expand its built-up workspace with a proposed 2 lakh sq. ft. prefabricated IT building, addressing rising office demand from growing tech enterprises.
₹10,000 Crore SME Growth Fund Approved: Opportunities for Eligible Businesses in Kerala
The Union Cabinet has officially cleared a ₹10,000 crore SME Growth Fund designed to provide growth-stage equity investments to small and medium enterprises. Learn how businesses in Kerala can prepare their books to access equity capital.
RBI Repo Rate Rises to 5.50% in October 2026: Impact on Business Loans and Kerala MSMEs
The Reserve Bank of India increased the policy repo rate by 25 basis points to 5.50% in its October 2026 Monetary Policy review. Understand the cost-of-borrowing impact on MSME term loans, working capital limits, and cash flow strategies.
Technopark Trivandrum Invites Bids for GCC Launchpad to Support International Business Expansion
Technopark Thiruvananthapuram has invited competitive bids from experienced ecosystem partners to establish and operate a dedicated GCC Launchpad, enabling Kerala IT startups to expand into Gulf markets.
Kerala Announces Tech Brand and IT Parks Affiliation Scheme at Technopark, Trivandrum
The Kerala State Government announced the unveiling of the unified Kerala Tech Brand and launched the IT Parks Affiliation Scheme at Technopark Phase I, integrating private IT parks and coworking spaces into a cohesive statewide ecosystem.
NH 66 Flyovers Proposed Near Technopark Phase III and Lords Hospital Junction in Trivandrum
Detailed Project Reports for two proposed elevated flyovers along NH 66 at Attipra (near Technopark Phase III) and Lords Hospital Junction are currently under central review, signaling major commercial and logistics improvements in Trivandrum.
Kochi Corporation Plans SPV for Ro-Ro Ferry Services: Corporate Restructuring Update
The Kochi Municipal Corporation has announced strategic plans to establish a dedicated Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) to operate and maintain the Fort Kochi–Vypeen Ro-Ro ferry service, signaling a transition toward independent corporate governance.
Kochi Water Metro Expansion 2026: Nettoor Terminal to Improve Kakkanad and Infopark Connectivity
Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL) has revised its Water Metro master plan, designating Nettoor as a major multi-modal transit hub that will streamline connectivity to the Kakkanad–Infopark technology corridor.
Kochi Hosts Hac'KP 2026 AI and Cybersecurity Hackathon Ahead of c0c0n Conference
Kerala Police has launched the prestigious Hac'KP 2026 hackathon in Kochi, gathering cybersecurity researchers, ethical hackers, and AI developers to tackle digital forensics and cyber defense ahead of the c0c0n conference.
Kerala High Court Ruling on Kochi Queens Walkway Commercial Kiosks: Business Development Update
A Division Bench of the Kerala High Court has set aside an earlier restriction on establishing commercial kiosks along Queens Walkway, Marine Drive, clearing legal hurdles for regulated commercial and tourism kiosks.
Ernakulam Launches Relove Campaign in Kochi to Promote Reuse and Sustainable Consumption
The Ernakulam district administration has rolled out the Relove campaign in Kochi, establishing community swap shops and reuse centers with Kudumbashree support to promote waste reduction and circular economy enterprises.
Tax Audit Report Due Date Extended to 21 October 2026 and ITR to 21 November 2026 for AY 2026-27
The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has formally extended the statutory due date for filing Tax Audit Reports under Section 44AB for Assessment Year 2026-27 to 21 October 2026. The corresponding Income Tax Return (ITR) deadline for audit-covered corporate and non-corporate entities has been extended to 21 November 2026.
GSTN Introduces emSigner Version 3.3 for New Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) USB Tokens
The Goods and Services Tax Network (GSTN) has officially deployed emSigner version 3.3 to support new generation Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) USB tokens issued on or after 21 September 2026. Taxpayers experiencing portal signing errors or using newly renewed crypto tokens should verify their local utility.
IP India Sets 30 September 2026 as Final Deadline for Mandatory e-KYC Compliance
The Office of the Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trade Marks (CGPDTM) has issued a final warning that mandatory digital e-KYC for intellectual property practitioners, applicants, and system users must be completed on or before 30 September 2026.
Intellectual Property India Officially Launches Online Geographical Indications (GI) e-Filing Portal
Intellectual Property India has launched a dedicated digital Geographical Indications (GI) e-Filing Portal, modernizing protection for indigenous crafts, agricultural specialities, and heritage goods across Kerala and India.
September 30 Annual General Meeting (AGM) Deadline: Essential ROC Filing Timelines for Companies
For Indian companies following the standard financial year ending 31 March 2026, 30 September 2026 marks the mandatory statutory deadline for holding the Annual General Meeting (AGM). Learn subsequent Form AOC-4 and MGT-7 ROC filing timelines.
MCA Director KYC: DIR-3 KYC Is No Longer an Automatic Annual September Filing for Every Director
The Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) has amended director KYC provisions under the Companies (Appointment and Qualification of Directors) Rules. Directors should review the revised triennial and event-based cycle rather than assuming a mandatory annual 30 September filing.
IP India Transitions Design First Examination Reports (FER) to Mandatory Electronic Communication
The Patent and Design Office under CGPDTM published a public notice on 7 September 2026 transitioning the transmission of First Examination Reports (FER) for industrial designs strictly to electronic mode via email and the e-filing portal.
IP India Issues Public Advisory Against Unauthorised Use of Government Logos and Insignia by Private Portals
The Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trade Marks published a strict public warning on 7 September 2026 cautioning businesses against private agencies and fraudulent portals misusing official government emblems and charging disguised fees.
IP India Announces Special Disposal Drive for Pending Trademark Opposition Matters
The Trade Marks Registry under CGPDTM has announced a Special Disposal Drive for pending trademark opposition and rectification proceedings, enabling faster resolution where parties have settled, withdrawn, or agreed to coexistence.
Revised Draft Manual of Trade Marks Office Practice & Procedure: Key Changes for Brand Owners
The Trade Marks Office published a comprehensive Revised Draft Manual of Practice & Procedure, modernizing examination guidelines, classification practices across 45 Nice classes, and digital hearing rules.
Trade Mark and Patent Agent Examination 2027: Online Registration Closes 30 September 2026
Online registration for the prestigious Trade Marks Agent Examination 2027 and Patent Agent Examination 2027 closes on 30 September 2026 at 11:59 PM. The official notification confirms that no extensions will be granted.
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