Reserve Bank of India (Know Your Customer (KYC)) (2nd Amendment) Directions, 2025

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) had issued the KYC Master Directions, 2016 to ensure uniformity in customer identification and monitoring in line with the PMLA, 2002. With evolving financial services, increased use of technology, and a need to strengthen customer inclusion safeguards, RBI has reviewed the framework and issued this 2nd Amendment to KYC Directions, 2025.

EPFO Simplifies Death Claims – Guardianship Certificate Not Required

EPFO had been facing delays in processing death claims where surviving minor children of deceased members were legal beneficiaries. Many regional offices were insisting on production of Guardianship Certificates from courts before releasing funds, which caused hardship and prolonged settlement timelines for families

Seeding/Correcting Aadhaar in Universal Account Number (UAN)

The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) had introduced Aadhaar seeding with UAN in 2014 to enable direct service delivery and reduce processing time for member benefits. In January 2025, a simplified process allowed members to update their profiles directly if Aadhaar was verified with UIDAI, minimising employer or EPFO involvement.

 Merchant Shipping Act, 2025

An Act to consolidate and amend the law relating to merchant shipping to ensure compliance with India’s obligations under maritime treaties and international instruments to which India is a party

Extension of Public Utility Service Status to Iron & Steel Industry

The Central Government had earlier, through Notification S.O. 815(E) dated February 14, 2025, declared the services of industries engaged in Iron and Steel (item 7 of the First Schedule) as a Public Utility Service (PUS) for six months, effective from February 17, 2025. This was done to ensure industrial peace and uninterrupted operations in this critical sector.

Schedule A Demo