India: Government, Public Sector

The exponential growth of India’s start-up ecosystem has coincided with the proliferation of offshore special purpose vehicles (“Offshore SPVs”) incorporated in jurisdictions such as the Cayman Islands, Mauritius, Delaware, and Singapore. These entities, often characterised by minimal regulatory oversight, flexible corporate governance norms, and tax-neutral regimes, are increasingly being deployed to channel foreign capital into high-growth Indian ventures.

India's quick commerce (“Q-commerce”) sector has surged with unprecedented speed, transforming the way consumers access goods and redefining the expectations of last-mile delivery. Platforms such as Blinkit, Swiggy Instamart, and Zepto now promise delivery in a matter of minutes, turning instant gratification from a convenience into a near-necessity. Yet, behind this whirlwind of rapid growth lies a labyrinth of regulatory and legal challenges that can threaten even the most successful players.

The August 2026 edition of Fox & Mandal's newsletter examines Draft Foreign Exchange Management (Foreign Investment) Rules, 2026; intraday borrowing by mutual funds; Draft SHANTI Rules, 2026; strengthened borrower protection framework; FDI relaxation in export-oriented inventory-based e-commerce; tax exemptions for foreign investors; interest rate for HAM projects; and other changes in India's corporate, capital markets, infrastructure, and banking sectors.

In a landmark judgment delivered on 31.10.2025, the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India has fortified the bedrock principle of attorney-client privilege while delineating clear boundaries for investigative agencies seeking to summon advocates.

The Delhi High Court, in Uma Bharti & Anr. v. The Government of NCT of Delhi & Ors. [W.P.(CRL) 2429/2026], directed local police to protect a live-in couple whose relationship was opposed by the woman’s father and brother. The order, passed by Hon’ble Mr. Justice Saurabh Banerjee on 13.08.2026, reaffirms that a consenting adult’s choice to reside with a partner of their choosing remains constitutionally protected, irrespective of familial or societal disapproval.

The enactment of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (“BNSS”) in 2023 signals a paradigm shift in India’s criminal procedural framework, aimed to enhance the efficiency, integrity, and responsiveness of the criminal justice system. Effective from 1 July 2024, the BNSS replaces the previously governing Code of Criminal Procedure (“CrPC”) of 1973. This new legislation introduces a range of reforms, including the integration of technology in trial processes, the provision for trial in absentia, zero FIR, and e-FIR, all aimed at streamlining the criminal justice procedures.

India's Ministry of Home Affairs has introduced mandatory security clearance guidelines for renewable energy projects in sensitive border areas, requiring developers to navigate complex approval processes...

GPS spoofing poses a sophisticated threat to Indian civil aviation, manipulating navigation systems through fake satellite signals that can mislead aircraft off course. As incidents increase near...

The Delhi High Court's landmark ruling in Telegram FZ LLC v. Union of India addresses whether Section 69A of the IT Act permits the government to block an entire platform rather than specific content. Following the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak scandal, where fraudulent channels circulated fake exam papers affecting millions of aspirants, the court upheld the Centre's power to impose a platform-wide ban on Telegram, sparking intense debate about the boundaries between examination integrity and digital censorship.

India's Competition Commission imposed penalties totaling approximately INR 138.98 crore on HP India Sales Private Limited for bid-rigging in Government e-Marketplace tenders. The landmark rulings clarify when original equipment manufacturers and their resellers become horizontal competitors, and establish that first-in leniency applications do not automatically guarantee full immunity from penalties.

An analysis of India’s competition-law whistleblower and lesser-penalty regime, examining the CCI’s treatment of self-reporting, the 2026 HP India orders, leniency conditions, corporate compliance and lessons from international cartel cases.

The growth of state activities, including infrastructure construction, healthcare, education, and public welfare, has immensely expanded the powers entrusted to administrative governments. But this exercise of power has also resulted in its abuse and misuse, which has taken the form of maladministration and corruption.