Stay informed with the latest developments in Indian startup law, taxation, trademark, and compliance — curated by the Lawizer team.
Company Law
The Ministry of Corporate Affairs reported over 8.02 million form submissions last fiscal year as digital filing adoption surges. MCA has tightened cross-verification between GST and Income Tax records, meaning mismatches can now trigger automatic penalties.
Trademark & IP
In the MakeMyTrip vs. Booking.com dispute, the Division Bench reversed an earlier ruling and held that using a competitor's trademark as a Google Ads keyword does not constitute trademark infringement — a major development for digital marketing strategy.
Startups
India's startup ecosystem has grown to over 1.57 lakh DPIIT-recognised startups. Compliance obligations are becoming increasingly automated, with MCA and GST portals applying strict liability with minimal human discretion for errors.
Company Law
MCA's 2025 amendments introduce relaxed compliance thresholds for small companies and startups. At the same time, penalty structures for repeated non-compliance have been tightened, with a preference for fast monetary penalties.
GST
Startups crossing the ₹40 lakh (goods) or ₹20 lakh (services) threshold face a penalty of 10% of tax payable or ₹10,000, whichever is higher, for non-registration. Wilful evasion can attract a 100% penalty.
Trademark & IP
AI-driven search tools are expected to improve trademark examination accuracy, while blockchain-based records could enable tamper-proof ownership tracking. India is also aligning with the Madrid Convention for smoother cross-border registration.
Startups
India's LegalTech sector — now comprising 960 companies and 86 funded startups — recorded a 781% YoY funding surge in 2025. The sector is valued at ₹8,500+ crore and projected to reach ₹20,700+ crore by 2030 at a CAGR of 16.2%.
Company Law
The Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 introduces data fiduciary obligations, data principal rights including the right to erasure, and significant penalties for non-compliance — fundamentally changing how Indian businesses handle customer data.
Income Tax
Tax experts note Budget 2026 aligns with India's long-term structural growth goals, with targeted relief for MSMEs and startup-friendly provisions. Founders should review revised ITR filing deadlines and updated presumptive taxation thresholds.
Want legal updates delivered to your inbox?
