File photograph: GST Council. · Ministry of Finance of India / Wikimedia CommonsGODL-India
What happened
At its 2026 meeting, the GST Council raised the prosecution threshold to ₹5 crore and eliminated tax officers' powers of arrest. The Council also finalized new regulations for small e-commerce sellers and initiatives to streamline tax registration, confirming that no tax rate adjustments were made.
Why it matters
The policy shift provides significant legal relief for businesses by narrowing the criteria for criminal prosecution and reducing the threat of arrest, potentially lowering the compliance burden and legal risk exposure for firms operating within the GST framework.
Bigger picture
These regulatory changes signal an institutional shift toward a less punitive enforcement environment. By easing friction for small e-commerce sellers, the Council is prioritizing administrative simplification over aggressive enforcement tactics.
Watch next
Monitor the formal notification and implementation timeline for the new e-commerce seller regulations and tax registration protocols.
The White House has reportedly barred Microsoft from a government-backed visa program previously used by the firm to hire foreign workers. According to the BBC, this restriction specifically targets Microsoft’s ability to utilize this established channel for bringing international talent into the United States.
Why it matters
The loss of this pathway disrupts a primary recruitment channel for Microsoft. The company will likely need to re-evaluate its global talent sourcing strategy to replace the specialized personnel typically acquired through this government framework.
Bigger picture
The move signals increased regulatory scrutiny of how large technology firms utilize immigration and labor supply chains, reflecting broader government efforts to exert greater control over the recruitment of international, high-skilled labor.
Watch next
Monitor for any formal legal challenge or public response from Microsoft regarding the status of its access to the program.
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