The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (Amendment) Act, 2026 has received Presidential assent, introducing major reforms to speed up insolvency resolution.

A key change is the creditor-initiated insolvency resolution process (CIIRP), allowing financial creditors to start proceedings outside courts with majority approval. The amendment aims to reduce delays and ease the burden on tribunals.

It also introduces stricter timelines, including faster approval of resolution plans and defined limits for liquidation.

Overall, the reforms seek to make the insolvency process quicker, more efficient, and creditor-friendly while improving ease of doing business in India.

The Telangana Legislative Assembly has officially passed the Telangana Advocates Protection Bill, 2026, aimed at ensuring the professional safety and security of the legal community.

Following resolutions from the Bar Council of Telangana and extensive consultations with High Court bar associations, the new law addresses the rising instances of violence against practitioners.

Key features of the legislation include provisions for police protection, safeguards against false cases, and the establishment of a dedicated grievance redressal mechanism.

State Minister Sridhar Babu Duddilla emphasized that this move would bolster the confidence of advocates and protect them from professional hazards.

The Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Amendment Act, 2026 has received Presidential assent, officially enforcing a restrictive legal framework for gender recognition.

The Act narrows the definition of "transgender person," excluding self-identification as a standalone basis and requiring certification from a state-mandated medical board.

This shift from the NALSA (2014) principles has drawn sharp criticism from human rights groups and a Supreme Court-appointed committee. The law introduces stricter penalties, including life imprisonment for forced identity or exploitation.

Critics and the Rajasthan High Court warn it transforms an "inviolable aspect of personhood" into a State-mediated entitlement, potentially undermining the fundamental right to dignity and autonomy.

The Union government has introduced the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2026, in the Lok Sabha, proposing to amend 784 provisions across 79 Central laws.

The Bill seeks to decriminalize 717 minor offences, replacing criminal prosecution and potential imprisonment with monetary penalties and administrative enforcement.

This shift targets several colonial-era statutes, including the Cattle Trespass Act, 1871, and the Works of Defence Act, 1903, moving them toward an adjudication-based framework.

By removing the fear of imprisonment for non-violent violations, the government aims to bridge the trust deficit, reduce judicial burden, and foster a more robust business ecosystem while streamlining compliance in municipal and transport sectors.

The Central Armed Police Forces (General Administration) Bill, 2026 has been introduced in Parliament to regulate recruitment and service conditions of officers in CAPFs.

The Bill gives the Central government the power to make service rules through notifications, even if they override existing laws or court judgments. This includes decisions related to recruitment, promotions, and deputation of officers.

The move comes after earlier court rulings on CAPF cadre structure and deputation policies.

The Bill aims to create a uniform legal framework for administration of CAPFs and gives significant control to the Centre over personnel-related matters.a

The Union Government has introduced the Corporate Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026, which seeks to amend the Companies Act, 2013, and the LLP Act, 2008.

The Bill proposes decriminalizing minor offences by replacing prison terms with monetary penalties and raising the CSR applicability threshold from a net profit of Rs 5 crore to Rs 10 crore.

The Bill also enables hybrid AGMs and allows the conversion of specified trusts into LLPs to promote ease of doing business.

Following objections from the Opposition regarding excessive delegation of powers to the Centre and regulators like NFRA, the Bill has been referred to a 31-member Joint Parliamentary Committee.

The Lok Sabha has passed the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Amendment Bill, 2026, by voice vote following an Opposition walkout.

The Bill removes the right to self-determined gender identity, introduced by the 2014 NALSA judgment, and mandates a medical board examination instead.

Social Justice Minister Virendra Kumar stated the move prevents "forced" gender presentation and protects the community from those misusing self-identification for benefits. Conversely, Opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, termed the Bill "regressive" and an attack on constitutional dignity.

While the NDA hailed the "scientific approach" to identity, rights groups condemned the legislation as a significant blow to transgender autonomy and privacy.

The Government of Kerala notified the Kerala Advocates' Welfare Fund (Amendment) Act, 2026, which came into force on March 9, amending provisions of the Kerala Advocates' Welfare Fund Act, 1980.

The amendment changes the composition of the Welfare Fund Trustee Committee by increasing government-nominated members from one to two and providing that the Secretary of the Committee will be appointed by the government instead of the Bar Council.

It also expands the investment options for the Welfare Fund, allowing funds to be invested in government bonds, pension schemes, and insurance schemes for advocates, with prior government approval.

Senior Advocate Dr. Menaka Guruswamy has been elected to the Rajya Sabha on a ticket from the All India Trinamool Congress, becoming India’s first openly LGBTQ Member of Parliament.

A prominent constitutional lawyer and Senior Advocate at the Supreme Court of India, Guruswamy played a key role in the landmark case that led to the decriminalisation of homosexuality under Section 377.

Her election marks a historic milestone for LGBTQ representation in Indian politics. Along with her, other TMC candidates including Babul Supriyo, Rajeev Kumar and Koel Mallick were also elected to the Upper House.

The Supreme Court permitted the withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment for 32-year-old Harish Rana, who has remained in a permanent vegetative state for over 12 years. 

A bench of Justice JB Pardiwala and Justice KV Viswanathan applied the 2018 Common Cause guidelines, marking the first time the Court has judicially authorized passive euthanasia.

The bench ruled that Clinically Administered Nutrition (CAN) constitutes medical treatment that can be withheld if there is no hope of recovery.

Following unanimous recommendations from primary and secondary medical boards, the Court directed AIIMS Delhi to admit Rana to its palliative care center to ensure the process is carried out with dignity.

[Harish Rana v. UOI]

Justice Sushrut Arvind Dharmadhikari has been appointed as the Chief Justice of the Madras High Court following a notification by the Union Government based on the recommendation of the Supreme Court Collegium.

He took oath on 6th March 2026, with the oath administered by Tamil Nadu Governor R. N. Ravi. Prior to this elevation, Justice Dharmadhikari was serving as a judge of the Kerala High Court, and his parent High Court is the Madhya Pradesh High Court.

He began his legal career in 1992 and was appointed as an additional judge of the Madhya Pradesh High Court in 2016 before becoming a permanent judge in 2018.

He succeeds Chief Justice M. M. Shrivastava, who recently retired.

The All India Trinamool Congress has nominated Senior Advocate Dr. Menaka Guruswamy as its candidate for the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections.

If elected, she will become the first openly LGBTQ member of the community to serve in Parliament.

Alongside Guruswamy, the party has also announced the candidature of Rajeev Kumar, Babul Supriyo and Koel Mallick.

A noted constitutional expert, Guruswamy has represented the State of West Bengal and the party in several significant matters, including the SIR and IPAC-ED raid cases.

The Supreme Court Collegium has introduced a new policy enabling judges who are in line to become Chief Justices of High Courts to be transferred approximately two months before the anticipated vacancy arises.

The objective is to allow the incoming Chief Justice to familiarise themselves with the court’s administrative structure and functioning, ensuring a smooth transition without disruption to judicial work.

As per the policy, the judge will initially serve as a puisne judge in the transferee High Court and assume charge as Chief Justice once the incumbent retires.

Pursuant to this approach, the Collegium has recommended the transfer of Justice Lisa Gill from the Punjab and Haryana High Court to the Andhra Pradesh High Court.