Credit Guarantee Scheme for Startups (CGSS)
The broad objective of CGSS is to finance eligible startups, by enabling collateral free debt funding to startups through avenues such as working capital, term loans, and venture debt.
To further catalyse entrepreneurship by providing enhanced credit support to innovators and encourage financial institutions in the ecosystem to provide early-stage debt funds to startups Modified Scheme to Boost Startup Credit and Innovation with Enhanced Guarantee Cover.
The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade
Ministry of Commerce and Industry has notified the expansion of the CGSS which increases the ceiling on guarantee cover per borrower under the Scheme from Rs. 10 crore to Rs. 20 crore.
https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2127843
Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT)
Salient Objective of the Scheme:
https://www.ncgtc.in/en/product-details/CGSS/Credit-Guarantee-Scheme-for-Start-ups-(CGSS)
National MSME Awards : The Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, Govt of India has invited applications from eligible MSMEs for the National MSME Awards 2024. through the online portal (https://dashboard.msme.gov.in/na/Ent_NA_Admin/Ent_index.aspx) .
The portal is open for submissions from 14.04.2025 to 13.05.2025.
The National Awards are given in various Categories covering Manufacturing, Services, Special Category of Enterprises (Women,SC/ST, Divyang), Technologically efficient manufacturing enterprises and Export oriented enterprises.
The eligible MSMEs will submit online applications in the relevant category of awards through portal (https://dashboard.msme.gov.in/na/Ent_NA_Admin/Ent_index.aspx) on or before 13th May 2025.
Kindly provide wide publicity among your members so that a greater number of eligible MSMEs are informed and encouraged to apply for the National Awards, thereby enabling deserving enterprises to receive due recognition in their respective categories.
NITI Aayog has released the report on ‘Enhancing MSMEs Competitiveness in India’, prepared by NITI Aayog in collaboration with the Institute for Competitiveness (IFC) on May 2, 2025.
The report presents a detailed blueprint for unlocking the immense potential of India’s Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) through systemic reforms in financing, skilling, innovation and market access.
The report delves into the key challenges affecting the competitiveness of MSMEs in India. Using firm-level data and the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS), it provides recommendations to foster sustainable integration and enhance their incorporation into global value chains. It focuses on four important sectors – textiles manufacturing and apparel, chemical products, automotive and food processing while highlighting the sector-specific challenges and opportunities that need to be addressed to unlock the potential of MSMEs in India. The report examines current national and state policies, highlighting gaps in implementation and limited awareness among MSMEs.
To download full report , click here – https://www.niti.gov.in/sites/default/files/2025-05/Enhancing_Competitiveness_of_MSMEs_in_India.pdf
Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR) has been gaining ground in the recent past in view of the backlog of cases in the courts and other judiciary forums. ADR, if properly understood, could result in less painful resolution to disputes resulting in considerable savings in time and money. The following are articles published in Chartered Secretary – December 2024 issue, the official publication of the Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI). The information has been sourced from the official website of the ICSI which is free-to-download. The information is being furnished to the members of the Chamber as a service. Members are encouraged to visit the website of ICSI and its publication “Chartered Secretary” a monthly magazine.
Mediation Act and Rules: Understanding Finer Nuances
https://www.icsi.edu/media/webmodules/CSJ/December-2024/15.pdf
Author: CS (Dr.) V. Balachandran, FCS Formerly, Sr. Professor and Dean, Faculty of Management, Alagappa University, Karaikudi, Tamil Nadu, drvbchand@gmail.com
Non Adversarial Settlement of Commercial Disputes: Move towards Judicial Autonomy to Corporates
https://www.icsi.edu/media/webmodules/CSJ/December-2024/16.pdf
Author: CS (Prof.) Subrata Kumar Ray, FCS Adjunct Professor of Law and Management, Maulana Abul Kalam University of Technology, West Bengal subrataoffice@rediffmail.com
AI & Digitization in Arbitration
https://www.icsi.edu/media/webmodules/CSJ/December-2024/17.pdf
Author: CS Raman Narasimhan, FCS Risk & Compliance Advisor nramans@gmail.com
Mediation and Arbitration: Securing the Future for Company Secretaries Professionals
https://www.icsi.edu/media/webmodules/CSJ/December-2024/18.pdf
Author: CS Soniya Sethi, ACS Compliance Officer and Operation Manager Solis Commodities DMCC Dubai, UAE soniyasethi8@gmail.com
Transforming Alternate Dispute Resolution: Role of AI and Digitisation in Shaping Future of Conflict Resolution
https://www.icsi.edu/media/webmodules/CSJ/December-2024/19.pdf
Joint Authors: CS Praveen Kumar, ACS Director, MY Organic Bharat Research Centre Mumbai praveenshivs@gmail.com , Sakshi Dubey Legal & Compliance Officer, MY Organic Bharat Mumbai cssakshi9@gmail.com
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology has released the draft rules for the Digital Personal Data Protection Act.
The rules have been much awaited since the act was passed in the Parliament in August 2023.
Sharing the following documents released by MeiTY
Draft Digital Personal Data Protection Rules,2025
https://www.meity.gov.in/writereaddata/files/259889.pdf
Explanatory note to Digital Personal Data Protection Rules, 2025
https://www.meity.gov.in/writereaddata/files/Explanatory-Note-DPDP-Rules-2025.pdf
Notice_Consultation – Draft Digital Personal Data Protection Rules,2025
Suggestions and objections regarding the draft rules can be submitted through the MyGov portal until February 18, 2025.
Notification Link : https://moef.gov.in/storage/
G.S.R. 234(E).- Draft target setting notification under the compliance mechanism of Carbon Credit Trading Scheme for inviting public comments. Notification is enclosed.
Sectors covered under the notification with GEI Targets:
– Sector : Aluminium : Subsectors – Smelters, Refinery
– Sector: Cement : Subsectors – Portland Pozzolana Cement, Ordinary Portland Cement, Composite, Clinkerization, White Cement, Grinding,
– Sector – Chlor-Alkali
– Sector: Pulp & Paper: Subsectors – Integrated Plant, RCF Based Plant, Agro Based Plant, Specialty Paper Plant
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Green Steel Taxonomy
India unveiled World’s first Green Steel Taxonomy – The taxonomy aims to redefine the production of steel in India by focusing on reducing carbon emissions and fostering innovation in sustainable practices. The Green Steel Taxonomy provides a structured framework for defining, producing, and rating steel based on its environmental impact. It introduces a star-rating system to categorize green steel based on emission intensity.
Link to the Green Taxonomy Framework : https://egazette.gov.in/WriteReadData/2024/259382.pdf
Information on government Standards, Certifications and Regulations helps in making informed decisions on exports to various markets across the globe.
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI)
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has issued a new order recently making it mandatory for food business operators (FBOs) to link their Permanent Account Number (PAN) to their FSSAI licenses and registrations. An order stipulating this compliance was issued on November 13, 2024.
Click the Link to FSSAI Notification : https://www.fssai.gov.in
FSSAI classifies packaged drinking water as ‘High Risk Food Category’- Food products that come under the ‘High Risk’ category are subjected to mandatory risk-based inspections.
Link to FSSAI Notification : https://fssai.gov.in/upload/advisories/
ISO
The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) has launched the ISO ESG Implementation Principles, providing guidance to enhance the integration, performance, measurement, and reporting of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices.
Free Download Document Link to Download – https://www.iso.org/obp/ui/en/#iso:std:iso:iwa:48:ed-1:v1:en
MNRE notifies Revised Quality Control Order for Solar Photovoltaic Products
The Union Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has officially notified the Solar Systems, Devices, and Components Goods Order, 2025, which supersedes the previous Solar Photovoltaics, Systems, Devices, and Components Goods (Requirements for Compulsory Registration) Order, 2017.
This revised order was published in the Gazette of India on January 27, 2025, and will take effect 180 days from this date.
For more information , refer the notification issued by MNRE
https://mnre.gov.in/en/notice/notification-for-solar-systems-devices-and-components-goods-order-2025/
It encompasses regulations for Solar PV modules, inverters used in Solar PV applications, and storage batteries.