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This podcast covers SEBI's Young Professional Program, RBI's amended MSME lending rules, India-Nepal legal cooperation, India-Malaysia strategic agreements, and the ASEAN-India Plan of Action, highlighting regulatory updates and international partnerships shaping India's economic and legal landscape.
Regulatory news, updates, and insights for India presented by the Carver Agents team
Welcome to Carver's India Regulatory Updates for February 15, 2026.
The Securities and Exchange Board of India, or SEBI, has introduced a Young Professional Program across multiple master circulars, including those for Issue of Capital and Disclosure Requirements, Investment Advisers, and Registrars to an Issue and Share Transfer Agents. This initiative engages 91 young professionals in diverse fields such as Securities Market Operations, Law, Research, Information Technology, and Rajbhasha. The program aims to bring fresh expertise and innovation to regulatory functions, with clearly defined eligibility criteria and terms of engagement.
In banking sector news, the Reserve Bank of India has amended its directions on lending to Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises. Banks are now prohibited from accepting collateral for loans up to 20 lakh rupees to MSE units, with the option to raise this limit to 25 lakh rupees based on internal policies. This move is expected to ease credit access for small businesses and promote growth in the sector.
Turning to international cooperation, India and Nepal are set to sign a mutual legal assistance agreement. This pact will facilitate structured collaboration on criminal investigations, evidence sharing, and prosecution-related matters, strengthening legal ties and cross-border law enforcement.
India and Malaysia have renewed their commitment to deepen defense, trade, and energy cooperation. Eleven new agreements were exchanged to enhance collaboration in areas including trade facilitation, digital economy, agriculture, and energy. These efforts underscore the strategic partnership and aim to boost bilateral trade and investment flows.
On the regional front, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and India have adopted a new Plan of Action for 2026 to 2030. This plan prioritizes cooperation across political-security, economic, and socio-cultural pillars, with special focus on trade, investment, maritime cooperation, and people-to-people exchanges.
The Asian Development Bank has approved an additional 182 million US dollars loan to scale up flood and erosion management along the Brahmaputra River in Assam. This financing supplements an ongoing 200 million dollar project, extending risk management measures to four more high-priority river reaches, aiming to protect vulnerable communities and infrastructure.
In economic data, India's retail inflation stood at 2.75 percent in January. Notably, the Consumer Price Index has been updated with a new base year of 2024, expanding item coverage from 299 to 358 weighted items. The revised CPI now follows the Classification of Individual Consumption According to Purpose 2018 framework and includes new items such as digital services, reflecting changing consumption patterns.
A recent study on Foreign Direct Investment in South Asia highlights a long-run equilibrium relationship between FDI and factors like market size, labor force growth, infrastructure quality, and trade openness. Understanding these determinants is crucial for policymakers aiming to attract sustainable investment flows.
In the realm of technology and innovation, initiatives focusing on artificial intelligence emphasize the transformative potential of AI when developed ethically and tailored to the needs of the Global South. Events like the AI Impact Summit and UN-led frameworks promote equitable AI use, while the upcoming Edge AI Grand Finale sets clear participation rules to ensure data privacy and responsible innovation.
The World Entrepreneurs and Investment Forum recently adopted the Manama Declaration, placing women at the center of economic transformation. It calls for empowering women in business and innovation ecosystems, particularly in emerging sectors such as green, blue, and orange economies.
Finally, the Seafood Expo Bharat 2026 has been announced, providing a platform for market access expansion and technology exchange within the seafood industry. The event will facilitate networking among stakeholders and promote sustainable growth in this sector.
Thank you for listening to Carver's updates. For more details, visit us at carveragents.ai.