Shubhi, Author at SCC Times

From New Laws to Regulatory Reforms: August 2026’s Key Legislative and Legal Developments

Key developments during the month of August included new legislation, judicial accountability measures, regulatory reforms and significant updates affecting businesses, professionals and other stakeholders.

Foreign Legislation Legislation Updates

Malaysia adopts new Cross-Border Insolvency Framework

Malaysia has operationalised its first cross-border insolvency law from 28 August 2026, enabling recognition of foreign insolvency proceedings and cooperation between Malaysian and foreign courts.

Legislation Updates Notifications

Centre Establishes Mediation Council of India Under Mediation Act, 2023

Government has established the Mediation Council of India, headquartered in Delhi, to play a central role in implementing the Mediation Act, 2023 and regulating the mediation ecosystem.

Legislation Updates Notifications

EPF Inspection Charge Rate reduced to 0.18%; Minimum Inspection Charge remains unchanged

Labour Ministry as revised the inspection charge rate payable under the Employees’ Provident Fund Scheme, 1952, reducing it from 0.35% to 0.18% of wages.

Legislation Updates Notifications

A New Framework for Tribunals: Tribunals Reforms Act, 2026 comes into force

Government has appointed 25 August 2026 as the date on which all provisions of the Tribunals Reforms Act, 2026 come into force, operationalising the new framework for tribunals across the country.

Legislation Updates Notifications

Centre notifies Bonus eligibility and Calculation rules under Code on Wages, 2019

Employees earning up to ₹21,000 per month will be eligible for bonus, while bonus for eligible employees earning above ₹7,000 per month will be calculated on ₹7,000 or the applicable minimum wage, whichever is higher, instead of their actual salary.

Draft Maharashtra Private Coaching Centers Act 2026

Legislation Updates Rules & Regulations

No Coaching for under-13s, no classes beyond 5 hours: Maharashtra proposes tough Rules for Coaching Centres

Maharashtra Government has released a draft law to regulate private coaching centres, proposing mandatory registration, fee and infrastructure norms, student welfare measures and penalties; suggestions can be submitted by 4 September 2026.

Legislation Updates Notifications

Court by Court, category by category: Inside the Centre’s fresh guidelines on becoming Panel Counsel for the Union of India

Centre has revamped the empanelment framework for advocates representing the Union of India, making AIBE qualification and a Certificate of Practice mandatory. The guidelines also prescribe court-wise minimum experience requirements for empanelment.

Legislation Updates Notifications

Govt revises Offence Compounding Rules under Code on Wages, 2019

Labour Ministry has clarified that offences under the Code on Wages, 2019 carrying imprisonment cannot be compounded, restricting the facility to less serious violations.

Cabinet Decisions Legislation Updates

Jammu & Kashmir High Court’s Third Bench to Come Up in Ladakh

High Court of Jammu and Kashmir is set to have its third bench in Ladakh, making access to justice easier for people living in the Union Territory.

Legal RoundUp Legislation Roundup

19 Sittings, 11 New Laws, 2 Bills referred to Committee: A complete recap of Parliament’s Monsoon Session 2026

Read a comprehensive overview of Parliament’s Monsoon Session 2026, highlighting Acts passed, major reform measures and Bills remaining pending during Monsoon Session 2026.

Legislation Updates Notifications

Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2026 restricts State levies on Mineral Rights and Mineral-Bearing Lands

MMDR Amendment Act, 2026 restricts State levies on mineral rights and mineral-bearing lands, while protecting taxes and cesses already collected from refund claims.

Legislation Updates Notifications

394 Entities, 36 Professionals: CBDT launches Nationwide Verification of Suspicious Foreign Remittances

Income Tax Department has launched a nationwide verification exercise covering 394 entities and 36 professionals after identifying suspicious foreign remittances linked to shell entities, non-filers and alleged bogus transactions.

AIBE XIX Enrolment Certificate Extension

Legislation Updates Notifications

Not automatic, not for everyone: BCI’s One-Year Window for AIBE XIX enrolment, Explained

BCI has allowed certain candidates who cleared AIBE XIX to submit their enrolment certificates within one year from the declaration of results, subject to specified conditions and documentary proof.

Micro Small and Medium Enterprises Development (Amendment) Act

Legislation Updates Notifications

TReDS Now Mandatory: What the MSMED Amendment Act, 2026 actually changes for MSME Payments

With mandatory TReDS settlement, time-bound dispute resolution and enhanced recovery powers, the MSMED Amendment Act, 2026 significantly strengthens protections for MSMEs.

Hot Off The Press News

NTA’s Reset: Over 50 Staff removed as Education Ministry orders Full Security Audit

Ministry of Education has announced sweeping reforms at the NTA, including the removal of over 50 staff members, recruitment for key leadership positions and a comprehensive review of examination security systems.

Legislation Updates Notifications

UGC clears One-Year PG Programmes in Open and Distance Learning and Online Mode under NEP 2020

Under NEP 2020, UGC-recognised institutions offering two-year PG programmes in ODL or online mode may now extend one-year postgraduate options to eligible Honours graduates.

Legislation Updates Notifications

UGC-NET Re-Exam for English, Commerce, Sociology on September 9-10: What Went Wrong, and What Happens Next

NTA has announced the re-conduct of the UGC-NET June 2026 papers for English, Commerce and Sociology on 9 and 10 September after a committee identified multiple errors and repeated questions in the papers; no additional examination fee will be charged to affected candidates.

Foreign Legislation Legislation Updates

Birth Tourism Under Scrutiny: US Tightens Visa Rules Through Executive Order

US has issued an executive order directing federal agencies to curb birth tourism, defining it as entry into the country on a non-immigrant visa for the purpose of giving birth on American soil and obtaining immigration-related benefits.

BCI Closes Proceedings Against NALSAR Graduates

Legislation Updates Notifications

From Ban to Closure in Hours: BCI Clears NALSAR’s 2026 Graduates for Enrolment

Hours after directing State Bar Councils not to enrol NALSAR’s 2026 graduates and subsequently modifying that direction to permit enrolment pending an inquiry, BCI ultimately closed the proceedings altogether, stating that the 2026 batch had no role in any disturbance or movement.