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| Government Policy and Engagement Monthly Mailer |
| July 2025 |
Volume 7, Issue 7 |
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| SEBI’s June 2025 Amendments: Easing Capital Pathways for Startups |
| India’s thriving startup ecosystem has long required more regulatory flexibility around capital raising and equity-linked benefits. In a welcome move, the SEBI approved a series of reforms during its 210th board meeting on 18 June 2025. |
| The key changes include exempting equity shares arising from the conversion of fully paid Compulsorily Convertible Securities (CCS) from the one-year holding period for Offer for Sale—allowing faster IPO transitions. Additionally, ESOPs granted at least one year prior to filing a DRHP can now be retained or exercised by promoters, recognising the role of equity incentives in talent retention. |
| The reforms also widen the scope for Minimum Promoter Contribution by enabling contributions from converted CCS held by AIFs, banks, and specific institutional investors. Separately, SEBI amended the Alternative Investment Funds (AIF) Regulations to permit Category I and II AIFs to set up Co-Investment Schemes—broadening access to unlisted securities for accredited investors without needing separate PMS registration. Together, these changes are expected to streamline fundraising and enable deeper investor participation. (Read More) |
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| MeitY | Feedback on STQC Data Centre Certification Scheme |
| As India’s data centre capacity expands rapidly, Nasscom submitted preliminary feedback on 23 June 2025 to the MeitY regarding the Draft STQC Certification Scheme. We noted that leading data centres already comply with global benchmarks such as ISO/IEC 27001, 20000-1, and TIA-942. |
| Our recommendation: keep the scheme voluntary, align it with the best international practices, and focus on areas not covered by existing certifications. We also called for stakeholder consultations before any finalisation. (Read more) |
| Karnataka | Urging Policy Framework for Bike Taxis |
| In light of the Karnataka High Court’s prohibition on bike taxi operations in Bengaluru from 15 June 2025, Nasscom urged the Karnataka Government to extend the deadline as an interim relief and launch a consultative policy process towards development regulatory framework. We emphasised the critical role of bike taxis in enabling affordable urban mobility and supporting gig livelihoods. Citing progressive approaches in Delhi, Telangana, and Rajasthan, we recommend adopting a balanced, inclusive regulatory model. (Read More) |
| Delhi | Representation on Aggregator and Delivery Scheme |
| On 12 June 2025, Nasscom submitted detailed feedback to Delhi’s Transport Minister Dr. Pankaj Kumar Singh, on implementation hurdles under the Aggregator and Delivery Scheme 2023. Our submission flagged challenges around EV supply constraints, high fleet conversion costs, recent CAQM directives and ambiguities around out-of-state vehicles. We called for phased enforcement, inclusion of CNG vehicles in mandates, and limiting EV mandates to new fleet additions. A structured dialogue mechanism has been proposed to ensure a practical transition. (Read More) |
| Maharashtra | Early Notification of Bike Taxi Rules |
| On 30 June 2025, Nasscom while welcoming the Maharashtra Government’s approval of the state’s Bike Taxi Policy urged early notification of the final rules to ensure clarity for operators and avoid disruption. The policy holds the potential to create jobs, improve first/last-mile connectivity, and empower underserved groups including women, youth, and informal workers. |
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| Maharashtra | Industry Dialogue 2025 |
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On 25 June 2025, the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation hosted Industry Dialogue 2025, bringing together policymakers, industry leaders, and enablers. During the dialogue Hon'ble Chief Minister of Maharashtra Shri Devendra Fadnavis hailed the state as leader in national GDP contribution, exports, startup, MSMEs, Data Centers and highlighted the 'entrepreneurial ecosystem' of state. CM praised the dialogue as the convergence of ideas, thoughts and actions. During the inaugural plenary, Nasscom President Rajesh Nambiar highlighted Maharashtra's proactive governance, industrial base, and ecosystem potential across emerging technologies and GCCs. The event saw two significant outcomes:
- The signing of a 5-year MoU between Nasscom and the Government of Maharashtra for hosting the NTLF in the State, and
- A partnership between Nasscom Foundation and MSSIDC for the World Bank-supported RAMP Project. This is aimed at promoting entrepreneurship and digital-financial inclusion across MSMEs.
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| Andhra Pradesh | Strengthening the State’s Tech Ecosystem |
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| On 25 June 2025, Chief Minister Shri N. Chandrababu Naidu held a high-level dialogue with Nasscom and its Engineering R&D Council. The delegation included Ms. Sangeeta Gupta (Sr. Vice President, Nasscom), Mr. Srikanth Srinivasan (Head, Memberships) and Mr. Siva Prasad Polimetla (Head ER&D). Discussions focused on building a DeepTech innovation pipeline, launching pilot programmes, and scaling up skilling and entrepreneurship in the state. Nasscom reaffirmed its commitment to co-creating a future-ready tech ecosystem driven by collaboration and investment. |
| Uttar Pradesh | Roundtable on Growth and Investment |
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| On 19 June 2025, Nasscom hosted a strategic roundtable at its office in Noida with the Shri Anurag Yadav, Principal Secretary, IT & Electronics, Government of UP, Dr. Praveen Kumar Dwivedi, Additional Director and Officer In Charge of STPI-Lucknow/Prayagraj/Kanpur and industry leaders. Nasscom Chairperson Sindhu Gangadharan emphasised the need to strengthen emerging hubs and local talent pipelines. The dialogue covered expansion strategies, regulatory bottlenecks, and ways to co-create an enabling environment. |
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| Webinar | ITAD and Global Data Erasure Standards |
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| On 24 July 2025, Nasscom and SERI co-hosted the second webinar in a series on IT Asset Disposal (ITAD) and data erasure practices. Our earlier webinar in this series provided insights on e-Waste Management Rules, 2022. Key topics covered in the latest webinar by Dr. Sandip Chatterjee, Senior Adviser at SERI, included legal frameworks, risks of data breaches, and best practices for secure and compliant data sanitisation. (Read More) |
| Telangana | OneNasscom Deep Dive |
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| On 26 June 2025, over 80 stakeholders from 60+ firms joined a regional session hosted by the Nasscom Telangana team. Participants explored OneNasscom initiatives across policy advocacy, responsible AI, skilling programmes like FSP and NAPS, and international market access. The session reinforced Nasscom’s role as an ecosystem enabler beyond traditional membership support. |
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| REGULATORY CONSULTATIONS |
| DPIIT | Industry Inputs on Trade Secrets Legislation |
| DPIIT has initiated stakeholder discussions on a potential standalone Trade Secrets law, following the Law Commission’s March 2024 report on “Trade Secrets and Economic Espionage” (released in three parts) which explored legal models across jurisdictions like the U.S., U.K., EU, Japan, and China. Nasscom has invited member inputs on use-cases, legal gaps, and the role of dedicated legislation in protecting proprietary knowledge. Submissions are due by 15 July 2025. Contact dhananjay@nasscom.in. (Read More) |
| CGPDTM | Public Consultation on CRI Guidelines |
| On 26 June 2025, the Indian Patent Office released the second version of the Draft Guidelines for Examination of Computer-Related Inventions (CRI). The new draft and annexure include examples of allowable and non-allowable inventions. We have requested the office of CGPDTM to conduct a webinar in partnership with industry to discuss the Draft CRI Guidelines to better understand the proposed CRI Guidelines, potentially leading towards improved awareness and uptake. Contact dhananjay@nasscom.in. (Read More) |
| MoWCD | Upcoming Webinar on SheBox |
| In collaboration with the Ministry of Women and Child Development, Nasscom will host a webinar to increase awareness around the SheBox portal —a digital platform for reporting workplace sexual harassment. Further details will be shared shortly. Contact: sudipto@nasscom.in. |
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| Consumer Affairs | Working Group on Dark Patterns |
| To strengthen online consumer protections, DoCA formed a Joint Working Group (JWG) on 5 June 2025, to study and mitigate dark patterns on digital platforms. The JWG includes regulators, line ministries, and civil society experts. It will review the 2023 guidelines, recommend safeguards, and drive awareness campaigns. (Read More) |
| Uttarakhand | Digital Talent MoU Signed |
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| On 4 June 2025, Nasscom signed a tripartite MoU with SETU Aayog and state education departments to make Uttarakhand a digital talent hub. The MoUs were signed in the presence of the Honourable Chief Minister, Shri Pushkar Singh Dhami, by Dr. Abhilasha Gaur, CEO of IT-ITeS SSC Nasscom, Shri Raj Shekhar Joshi, Vice Chairman, SETU Aayog and Dr. Ranjit Sinha, Secretary, Higher Education. |
| The partnership envisions building a digital ecosystem driven by co-branded, industry-aligned content, structured capacity building, and robust monitoring by a State-Level Steering Committee coordinated by SETU Aayog. The initiative will skill 1.5 lakh learners across institutions via the FutureSkills Prime platform, with features like Skills Passports and model mentor colleges rolled out state-wide. |
| AI |
Artificial Intelligence |
| AIF |
Alternate Investment Fund |
| BPM |
Business Process Management |
| CAQM |
The Commission for Air Quality Management |
| CCS |
Compulsorily Convertible Securities |
| CGPDTM |
Controller General for Patents, Designs, and Trademarks |
| CRI |
Computer-Related Inventions |
| DC |
Data Centre |
| DFS |
Department of Financial Services |
| DoCA |
Department of Consumer Affairs |
| DoT |
Department of Telecommunications |
| DPIIT |
Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade |
| DRHP |
Draft Red Herring Prospectus |
| ESOP |
Employee Stock Ownership Plan |
| EV |
Electric Vehicles |
| FSP |
Future Skills Prime |
| GCC |
Global Capability Centre |
| I&B |
Information & Broadcasting |
| IRDAI |
Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India |
| IT |
Information Technology |
| JWG |
Joint Working Group |
| MeitY |
Ministry of Electronic and Information Technology |
| MoWCD |
Ministry of Women and Child Development |
| MSSIDC |
Maharashtra Small Scale Industries Development Corporation Limited |
| NAPS |
National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme |
| PMS |
Portfolio Management System |
| RAMP |
Raising and Accelerating MSME Performance |
| SEBI |
Securities and Exchange Board of India |
| SERI |
Sustainable Electronics Recycling Internationa |
| SETU |
State Institute for Empowering and Transforming Uttarakhand |
| SME |
Small and Medium Enterprises |
| STQC |
Standardisation Testing and Quality Certification |
| UP |
Uttar Pradesh |
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| www.nasscom.in |
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