{"id":400872,"date":"2026-11-09T14:00:55","date_gmt":"2026-11-09T08:30:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/?p=400872"},"modified":"2026-11-09T11:37:18","modified_gmt":"2026-11-09T06:07:18","slug":"legislation-roundup-october-2026-key-legal-and-regulatory-developments","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2026\/11\/09\/legislation-roundup-october-2026-key-legal-and-regulatory-developments\/","title":{"rendered":"October 2026 Legislation Roundup: From RBI’s Repo Rate Hike to SEBI’s New Settlement Framework"},"content":{"rendered":"
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As we wrap up October 2026, it is important to take stock of the key legal, regulatory, judicial and economic developments that shaped the month. The Legislation Roundup October 2026 highlights significant updates, including the RBI’s repo rate hike to 5.50% and shift to a calibrated tightening stance, the retention of the 7.1% interest rate under the Special Deposit Scheme, the Cabinet-approved 3% increase in Dearness Allowance and Dearness Relief, and SEBI’s notification of the Settlement of Administrative and Civil Proceedings Regulations, 2026, which introduces a new framework for resolving regulatory proceedings under securities laws.<\/p>\n

The month also witnessed important developments in the Digital Personal Data Protection regime, GST, social security and pension laws, financial market regulation, transport and shipping governance, road safety measures, healthcare standards and food safety regulation, alongside notable judicial and administrative updates from the Supreme Court and various State Governments.<\/p>\n

The following are the significant legislative, regulatory and judicial developments from October 2026.<\/p>\n

TOP STORIES<\/p>\n

Special Deposit Scheme interest rate retained at 7.1% for October-December 2026<\/p>\n

On 5 October 2026, the Ministry of Finance notified the interest rate applicable to deposits made under the Special Deposit Scheme for Non-Government Provident, Superannuation and Gratuity Funds.<\/p>\n

Read More<\/a><\/p>\n

RBI hikes repo rate to 5.50%; shifts policy stance to ‘calibrated tightening’<\/p>\n

On 7 October 2026, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) released the Monetary Policy Statement<\/span> following the 63rd meeting of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) held from 5 to 7 October 2026 under the chairmanship of RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra.<\/p>\n

The decision follows the Committee’s assessment of evolving domestic and global macroeconomic and financial conditions.<\/p>\n

Read More<\/a><\/p>\n

SUPREME COURT<\/p>\n

Supreme Court Bar Association announces new medical facility near D- Block for Bar Members<\/p>\n

The Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA), through its circular dated 9 October 2026, with subject being “Establishment of State-of-the-Art Medical Facilities for the Members of the Bar”, has announced that the Supreme Court has agreed to establish a new state-of-the-art medical facility near D-Block within the Court premises, with upgraded infrastructure and additional medical services for the benefit of members of the Bar.<\/p>\n

Read More<\/a><\/p>\n

Supreme Court’s new sequencing of matters in cause list: fresh and early-hearing matters in Part A, after-notice in Part B<\/p>\n

On 9 October 2026, the Supreme Court of India has agreed to a revised system for sequencing of matters in the daily cause list. Under the revised Supreme Court sequencing of matters in the daily cause list, matters will be organised into Part A, comprising fresh and early-hearing matters, and Part B, comprising after-notice matters.<\/p>\n

The revised arrangement is the result of SCBA’s earlier communications dated 12 August 2025, 15 February 2026, 25 August 2026, and 7 September 2026, concerning the sequencing of matters.<\/p>\n

Read More<\/a><\/p>\n

CABINET DECISIONS<\/p>\n

Cabinet approves 3% hike in Dearness Allowance and Dearness Relief from 1 July 2026<\/p>\n

On 28 October 2026, the Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi, approved the release of an additional instalment of Dearness Allowance (DA) to Central Government employees and Dearness Relief (DR) to Central Government pensioners, enhancing the rate by 3% from 60% to 63% of Basic Pay\/Pension<\/span>.<\/p>\n

Read More<\/a><\/p>\n

OTHER IMPORTANT NOTIFICATIONS<\/p>\n

Bar Council of India (BCI)<\/p>\n

AIBE-XXII syllabus: BCI announces subject-wise weightage<\/p>\n

On 13 October 2026, the Bar Council of India (BCI) Trust published the syllabus for the All India Bar Examination (AIBE)-XXII.<\/p>\n

The syllabus prescribes 100 questions across 19 legal subjects and sets out the subject-wise distribution and weightage of questions, with Constitutional Law, the Code of Civil Procedure (CPC) and Criminal Procedure carrying the highest allocation of 10 questions each.<\/p>\n

Read More<\/a><\/p>\n

Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI)<\/p>\n

SEBI amends SEBI (LODR) Regulations, 2015; mandatory listing requirement rationalised for non-convertible debt securities<\/p>\n

On 12 October 2026, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) notified the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) (Third Amendment) Regulations, 2026<\/span>. The amendment revises Regulation 62-A of the SEBI (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015, relating to the listing of non-convertible debt securities (NCDs).<\/p>\n

Read More<\/a><\/p>\n

SEBI amends SEBI (Infrastructure Investment Trusts) Regulations, 2014; permits Depository Receipts and revises unitholder approval thresholds<\/p>\n

On 12 October 2026, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) notified the SEBI (Infrastructure Investment Trusts) (Second Amendment) Regulations, 2026<\/span>, further amending the SEBI (Infrastructure Investment Trusts) Regulations, 2014.<\/p>\n

Read More<\/a><\/p>\n

SEBI launches investor awareness campaign under Project Jagrook<\/p>\n

On 1 October 2026, the Securities and Exchange Board of India<\/span> (SEBI) issued a circular directing stockbrokers to display specified investor awareness messages<\/span> on their websites<\/a> and trading applications under Project Jagrook<\/span>, SEBI’s nationwide investor-awareness initiative. The circular supplements SEBI’s earlier directions on mandatory risk disclosures issued in May 2023.<\/p>\n

SEBI notifies Administrative and Civil Proceedings Settlement Regulations, 2026<\/p>\n

On 6 October 2026, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) notified the SEBI (Settlement of Administrative and Civil Proceedings) Regulations, 2026<\/span>, to provide a framework for settling administrative and civil proceedings under securities laws. The Regulations lay down the procedure and conditions for settlement and related matters, replacing the existing settlement framework with a consolidated set of provisions governing such proceedings.<\/p>\n

Reserve Bank of India (RBI)<\/p>\n

RBI amends Operational Risk Capital framework for Commercial Banks: revised provisions to take effect from 1 April 2027<\/p>\n

On 23 October 2026, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) issued the Reserve Bank of India (Commercial Banks — Forthcoming Instructions) Second Amendment Directions, 2026<\/span>, amending Chapter IV of the Reserve Bank of India (Commercial Banks — Forthcoming Instructions) Directions, 2025, relating to Minimum Capital Requirements for Operational Risk.<\/p>\n

Read More<\/a><\/p>\n

Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI)<\/p>\n

What could change in insurance distribution? IRDAI proposes major reforms; comments till 25 October<\/p>\n

On 23 September 2026, the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) issued a public consultation paper titled “Recalibrating Economics of Insurance Distribution<\/span>”, proposing wide-ranging reforms to insurance distribution architecture, commissions, expenses, market conduct, transparency and digital infrastructure.<\/p>\n

Read More<\/a><\/p>\n

Ministry of Finance<\/p>\n

GST reverse charge extended to used cooking oil, plastic, tyre and e-waste scrap from 1 November 2026<\/p>\n

On 27 October 2026, the Central Government, on the recommendations of the GST Council, has provided that GST on the following goods shall be payable by the recipient under the reverse charge mechanism where they are supplied by an unregistered person to a registered person:<\/p>\n