Treelife Resources

Introduction ESG used to be something listed enterprises stuck into their annual reports. In 2026, that’s no longer true. ESG compliance in India is now relevant across the board for large listed companies navigating SEBI’s BRSR Core requirements, for growth-stage startups managing their first institutional round, and for foreign companies…

Under the Companies Act, 2013 in India, directors hold significant responsibilities and can be held personally liable for any acts of negligence, fraud, or breach of duty. Liabilities of directors may arise in cases involving misstatements in prospectuses, failure to exercise due diligence, or non-compliance with statutory provisions. Civil and…

A contract of indemnity is the foundational risk-transfer tool in Indian commercial law. Under Section 124 of the Indian Contract Act, 1872, one party promises to save the other from loss caused by the promisor’s own conduct or the conduct of any third person. Every well-negotiated SHA, M&A agreement, insurance…

You registered your AIF. Your scheme is live. Your first capital call is done. Now SEBI’s quarterly deadline is in three weeks and your compliance calendar is a blank spreadsheet. This is the most common scenario the compliance team at Treelife encounter with newly registered fund managers. The regulatory clock…

India’s GST framework crossed a critical enforcement threshold on 1st January 2026. The portal now auto-enforces late fees, permanently blocks overdue returns, validates ledger conditions before allowing filings, and flags mismatches using AI-powered cross-referencing across returns, e-invoices, e-way bills, and income tax data. Non-compliance no longer just attracts penalties. It…

A contract of indemnity is the foundational risk-transfer tool in Indian commercial law. Under Section 124 of the Indian Contract Act, 1872, one party promises to save the other from loss caused by the promisor’s own conduct or the conduct of any third person. Every well-negotiated SHA, M&A agreement, insurance…

Understanding trademark classification in India is essential before filing any trademark application. The NICE Classification system divides all goods and services into 45 distinct classes: Classes 1 to 34 cover goods and Classes 35 to 45 cover services. Selecting the correct class determines the scope of your protection and your…

The co-founder agreement is the easy part. The hard part is making sure the AOA, the shareholders’ agreement, and the cap table can actually deliver the outcome the agreement promises, particularly when a co-founder leaves. A co-founder equity structure India founders often inherit from templates or peer advice tends to…

You have raised a couple of rounds. You have been running on a founder salary for three years and the cap table is finally working in your favour. The question that nobody in your investor meeting asks out loud: can I take some chips off the table? Yes, you can….

Summary: An Indian company or individual can set up a foreign subsidiary under the Overseas Direct Investment (ODI) rules, subject to FEMA compliance. The automatic route allows investment up to 400% of the Indian entity’s net worth without RBI approval, under Rule 19 of the Foreign Exchange Management (Overseas Investment)…

India’s Cabinet approved an amendment to Press Note 3 (PN3) of 2020 in March 2026, and it is generating significant attention across the investment and startup community. Headlines have rushed to label it a sweeping FDI liberalisation. The reality is considerably more targeted. This report breaks down exactly what changed,…

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) recently announced a major overhaul to the regulatory framework for Angel Funds under the Alternative Investment Funds (AIF) Regulations, 2012. This new framework, introduced in 2025, aims to enhance transparency, improve operational clarity, and encourage investor participation. In this article, we’ll explore…

In a significant move to invigorate India’s startup ecosystem, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), during its board meeting on June 19, 2025, approved substantial changes to the Angel Fund Framework. These revisions are designed to unlock more capital for early-stage companies while simultaneously ensuring enhanced investor suitability…

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has officially unveiled revised certification requirements for key investment personnel of Alternative Investment Fund (AIF) managers. This crucial update, detailed in SEBI circular F. No. SEBI/LAD-NRO/GN/2025/249 dated June 25, 2025, aims to enhance professional standards and ensure a higher level of expertise…

In a significant stride towards enhancing the appeal and accessibility of India’s International Financial Services Centre (IFSC) at GIFT City, the International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA) has approved a groundbreaking “Platform Play” model for Fund Management Entities (FMEs). This pivotal decision was made during the 24th IFSCA Authority Meeting…