CMI Talks: India Newsletter October 2025

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Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (“MEITY”) releases Draft Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Rules, 2025.

The MEITY has released the Draft Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Rules, 2025 (“Draft Rules”) on 02.10.2025. The Draft Rules have been issued under Section 19 of the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025 (“the Act”). The Draft Rules are divided into eight parts, establishing a comprehensive framework for the regulation and promotion of online gaming in India.

Key Takeaways:

  1. The Draft Rules establish the Online Gaming Authority as a statutory body with powers similar to a civil court to conduct inquiries and summon individuals. It may function as a digital office and will consist of a Chairperson and five ex officio members from key ministries.
  2. It will issue a Certificate of Registration, valid for up to five years unless suspended or cancelled, with decisions on applications to be made within 90 (ninety) days.
  3. Aggrieved parties can appeal the Authority’s decisions to the Appellate Authority (Secretary, MEITY) within 30 (thirty) days.
  4. Under Section 12 of the Act, the Online Gaming Authority may impose penalties for non-compliance either suo motu or based on complaints. Penalties may include fines, suspension or cancellation of registration, or prohibition of the game
  5. The Draft Rules prescribe a three-tier grievance redressal mechanism. First, complaints are addressed through the internal grievance mechanism of the registered service provider. If unresolved, appeals can be made to the Grievance Appellate Committee and finally, to the Online Gaming Authority, whose decision will be final.
  6. They will come into force from the date notified by the Central Government in the Official Gazette.

Securities and Exchange Board of India (“SEBI”) revises the Block Deal Framework to enhance market efficiency and transparency.

The SEBI vide Circular No. SEBI/HO/MRD/POD-III/CIR/P/2025/134 dated 08.10.2025 has reviewed and revised the Block Deal Framework for stock exchanges.

Key Takeaways:

  1. The revised framework establishes two separate trading windows, namely, the Morning Block Deal Window (08:45 am to 09:00 am) and the Afternoon Block Deal Window (02:05 pm to 02:20 pm).
  2. The reference price for execution of morning block deals shall be the previous day closing price of the stock whereas for afternoon block deals the reference price shall be the volume weighted average market price (VWAP) calculated from trades executed between 01:45 PM to 02:00 PM in the cash segment.
  3. The orders must be placed within +3% of the applicable reference price in respective windows, subject to surveillance measures and price bands.
  4. The minimum order size for execution of trades in the block deal windows shall be INR 25 crores.
  5. All trades executed in block deal windows must result in delivery and cannot be squared off or reversed.
  6. The provisions of the circular shall be applicable from the 60th day of issuance of the circular.

Department of Telecommunications (“DoT”) Introduces Amendments to the Telecom Cyber Security Rules, 2025

The DoT has published the “Telecommunications (Telecom Cyber Security) Amendment Rules, 2025” (“Amendment Rules, 2025”), on 22.10.2025 using powers granted under Section 56 of the Telecommunications Act, 2023.

Key Takeaways:

  1. The Amendment Rules, 2025 insert new definitions including Telecommunication Identifier User Entity (“TIUE”) and Mobile Number Validation Platform (“MNV platform”) to capture non-licensee entities handling telecom identifiers.
  2. A centralised MNV platform is mandated, whereby authorised entities and licensees must validate whether a telecommunication identifier (e.g., a mobile number) corresponds with the user’s credentials in the licensee’s or authorised entity’s database.
  3. The rules require manufacturers or importers of telecommunication equipment to ensure each device has a unique and unused International Mobile Equipment Identity (“IMEI”) number. The government will maintain a database of IMEIs that are tampered with or restricted.
  4. The central government is empowered to order temporary suspension of identifiers and take preventive action in public interest – including via telecom entities or TIUEs – without prior notice.
  5. They shall come into force on the date of their publication in the Official Gazette

Government Strengthens Verification Infrastructure through Amendments to the Legal Metrology Government Approved Test Centres (“GATC”) Rules, 2025

The Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution has issued amendments to the Legal Metrology GATC Rules, 2013 marking a milestone in expanding India’s verification infrastructure for weights and measures, ensuring transparency, accuracy and fairness in trade.

Key Takeaways:

  1. The amendments cover 18 categories of weighing and measuring instruments under the GATC framework, including water meters, energy meters, gas meters, moisture meters, speed meters for vehicles, breath analysers, and clinical/thermometric instruments.
  2. The reforms invite private laboratories and industry-owned facilities to participate as approved test centres alongside government-run GATCs, boosting capacity and accessibility.
  3. The rules introduce clearer jurisdictional provisions for GATCs (within districts and across states), streamline the recognition process (application format, staff qualifications, technical criteria), and provide digital payment options for fees.
  4. A new “Fifth Schedule” harmonises verification fees across various instrument types, making the fee structure more transparent and standardised.
  5. The reforms support India’s ambition to act as an International Organization of Legal Metrology (OIML) Certification Authority, enabling domestic manufacturers to obtain internationally accepted certificates without relying on foreign labs—thereby reducing cost and time
  6. By expanding the verification network and strengthening enforcement, the government aims to improve consumer protection (ensuring accurate measurements in transactions) and support “Atmanirbhar Bharat” through local capacity building.