GIFT City RNM Newsletter Update January 2026
05 DEC 2025: IFSCA, Taiwan’s FSC Sign MoU to Deepen Financial Regulatory Cooperation
The International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA) and Taiwan’s Financial Supervisory Commission Taiwan (FSC) have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen regulatory cooperation in areas of mutual interest. The MoU was virtually exchanged and operationalized on December 3, 2025, on the sidelines of the 18th India–Taiwan Economic Consultations.
The agreement provides a framework for sharing information on financial market development, regulatory and business practices, and supervisory approaches. It also aims to enhance cooperation on ensuring high standards of market integrity, fitness and properness of regulated entities, and enforcement of laws governing financial products, services, and institutions.
In addition, the MoU facilitates collaboration on financial technology and regulatory technology, reflecting a shared focus on innovation-led supervision. The development marks a step forward in deepening India–Taiwan engagement in the financial services sector.
16 DEC 2025: IFSCA, IIT Gandhinagar Partner to Build Innovation-Led GIFT IFSC Ecosystem
The International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar (IIT Gandhinagar) to strengthen regulatory–academic collaboration aimed at developing a future-ready GIFT International Financial Services Centre (GIFT IFSC).
The MoU, signed by Shri K. Rajaraman, Chairperson, IFSCA, and Shri Rajat Moona, Director, IIT Gandhinagar, establishes a structured framework for cooperation across knowledge exchange, capacity building, talent development, entrepreneurship support, and policy-oriented research.
The collaboration will focus on emerging domains such as FinTech and regulatory innovation, artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML), blockchain and distributed ledger technologies, quantum technologies, and other frontier areas relevant to financial services. It also includes joint academic and executive education initiatives—such as specialized courses, workshops, and certification programs in FinTech regulation, RegTech, SupTech, and financial policy.
In addition, the MoU envisages joint hackathons, innovation challenges, and startup-focused initiatives, along with internship opportunities for IIT Gandhinagar students at IFSCA and faculty participation in IFSCA working groups. The partnership aligns with India’s broader vision of innovation-led growth under Viksit Bharat @2047 and reinforces GIFT IFSC’s positioning as a global financial hub.
23 DEC 2025: IFSCA Authority Clears Sweeping Regulatory Reforms to Boost Ease of Doing Business at GIFT IFSC
The International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA), at its 26th Authority meeting held on December 22, 2025, approved a series of regulatory amendments aimed at enhancing ease of doing business, deepening market participation, and strengthening GIFT IFSC’s position as a global financial hub.
Key approvals included amendments to the IFSCA (Fund Management) Regulations, 2025, easing eligibility norms for key managerial personnel, expanding recognition of relevant work experience, and introducing greater flexibility in the validity and extension of private placement memoranda for venture capital and restricted schemes. Fund managers were also granted a 24-month transition window to appoint IFSC-based custodians.
The Authority approved the draft IFSCA (Global In-House Centres) Regulations, 2025, providing a comprehensive framework for Global In-House Centres (GICs) operating from GIFT IFSC. The revised regulations recognise multiple operating models, permit limited servicing of India-based group entities, relax employee transfer caps, and widen the role of third-party service providers. The framework aims to consolidate cross-border financial services, generate high-value employment, and onshore India-centric financial activities to GIFT IFSC.
Further, amendments to the Book-keeping, Accounting, Taxation and Financial Crime Compliance (BATF) Regulations removed mandatory office space requirements, lowering entry barriers for professional service providers. Changes to the Capital Market Intermediaries Regulations reduced experience thresholds, broadened eligibility qualifications, clarified liquid net worth norms, introduced umbrella registration, and revised custodian net worth requirements.
The Authority also approved amendments to the Registration of Business Regulations, expanding the definition of Lloyd’s Service Company to allow wider participation by Lloyd’s members, strengthening the insurance ecosystem at GIFT IFSC.
The approved changes are expected to be notified shortly and align with IFSCA’s broader objective of positioning GIFT IFSC as a globally competitive financial centre under India’s Viksit Bharat @2047 vision.