Setting Up a Holding Company in GIFT IFSC: Regulatory, Tax, FEMA and Global Expansion Framework As Indian business groups expand internationally, they increasingly need an efficient platform to hold overseas subsidiaries, undertake acquisitions, raise foreign capital and manage group liquidity. GIFT International Financial Services Centre is emerging as an Indian…

Direct Listing Thresholds Compared: How GIFT IFSC Measures Against NYSE, Nasdaq, LSE and TSE A company’s financial performance is only one part of its readiness for listing. For a stock exchange to support orderly trading, the issuer must also have sufficient public shareholding, shareholder dispersion, market depth and freely tradable…

Regulatory Architecture for Direct Listing in GIFT IFSC: Companies Act, FEMA, IFSCA and Stock Exchange Framework Explained Direct listing in GIFT IFSC is not governed by a single law or regulation. It operates through an interconnected framework comprising the Companies Act, foreign-exchange regulations, the Direct Listing Scheme, IFSCA regulations, securities-contract…

Direct Listing Without Public Offer in GIFT City: A New Listing Route for Unlisted Companies India’s capital-market ecosystem is gradually expanding beyond the conventional initial public offering model. Several established, promoter-funded and venture-backed companies may not require immediate capital but may still seek liquidity for existing shareholders, transparent price discovery,…

Expert Committee Report on REITs and InvITs in GIFT IFSC: Key Recommendations, Regulatory Changes and Opportunities The International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA) has released the Report of the Expert Committee on the Development of Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) and Infrastructure Investment Trusts (InvITs) in GIFT IFSC, outlining a…

CBDT Grants TDS Exemption to Specified IFSC Units: Eligibility, Covered Payments and Compliance Requirements The Central Board of Direct Taxes (“CBDT”), through CBDT Notification No. 80/2026 dated 10 July 2026, has introduced a significant tax compliance relief for specified entities operating in an International Financial Services Centre (“IFSC”). The notification…

IFSCA’s Proposed KRA Integration Framework for IFSC Regulated Entities: Compliance Impact, Timelines and Action Points The International Financial Services Centres Authority has issued a consultation paper proposing a circular on the integration of Regulated Entities in IFSC with KYC Registration Agencies registered with IFSCA. The objective is to reduce duplication…

Variable Capital Companies (VCCs) in GIFT IFSC: Understanding India’s Proposed Fund Vehicle Framework India’s International Financial Services Centre (IFSC) at GIFT City has witnessed significant growth in the fund management ecosystem over the last few years. With increasing participation from fund managers, private equity funds, venture capital funds, family offices,…

IFSCA Prescribes Annual Compliance Audit Reporting Framework for CMIs: What Capital Market Intermediaries Need to Know The IFSCA (Capital Market Intermediaries) Regulations, 2025 establish the Annual Compliance Audit requirement for Capital Market Intermediaries (CMIs) operating in GIFT IFSC. Building on this requirement, IFSCA issued a circular dated 5 June 2026…