The obligations Indian SMEs and startups commonly track — with each one's frequency, the law behind it, and an indicative penalty for missing it. Applicability depends on your entity type, turnover, headcount, sector and state — educational, not legal advice.
Lawful consent, a clear privacy notice, a grievance officer, and a process for data-principal rights (access, …
DPDP penalties run into crores for serious breaches — build readiness ea…
A website/app privacy policy that accurately reflects what personal data you collect, why, and how it is handl…
Register for GST once turnover crosses the threshold, or earlier for inter-state supply / e-commerce.
File outward-supply (GSTR-1) and summary (GSTR-3B) returns on the monthly/quarterly schedule for your scheme.
Late fee ₹50/day (₹20/day nil) + 18% p.a. interest on tax due.
Annual consolidated GST return (and reconciliation where applicable).
Late fee ₹200/day (capped); higher for larger turnover.
Deduct tax at source where required, deposit it, file quarterly TDS returns, and issue Form 16/16A.
₹200/day late-filing fee (s.234E) + interest; possible s.271H penalty.
File the business/individual income-tax return and pay advance tax instalments through the year.
Late fee ₹1,000–₹5,000 (s.234F) + interest; prosecution risk on large de…
Private companies/LLPs file annual financial statements and annual return with the Registrar of Companies.
Late fee can run ₹100/day per form (no statutory cap), with director-dis…
Hold the minimum number of board meetings, record minutes, and maintain statutory registers.
Each director with a DIN completes the annual KYC filing.
₹5,000 reactivation fee; DIN deactivated until filed.
Register the establishment under your state's Shops & Establishments Act (renewals vary by state).
Register and file monthly ECR contributions once you cross the employee threshold (generally 20+).
Delayed EPF deposits can attract damages up to 25% p.a. plus interest.
Register and remit ESI contributions where applicable (generally 10+ employees, state-dependent).
Delayed ESI contributions can attract interest (12% p.a.) plus damages.
Register for and pay state professional tax for the business and employees, where the state levies it.
State penalties + interest for late deduction/deposit.
Issue written terms of employment to every employee — covered roles, pay, leave, notice and confidentiality.
Listed entities disclose material events on time and make the periodic filings required under the Listing Obli…
Per-day fines and trading/freeze actions for disclosure lapses.
Maintain a code of conduct, a structured digital database and trading-window controls for unpublished price-se…
Insider-trading violations can attract penalties up to ₹25 crore or 3× t…
Report foreign investment via Form FC-GPR within 30 days of allotment, and file the annual FLA return for fore…
Late FC-GPR / FLA attracts a Late Submission Fee; contraventions can be …
Report overseas direct investment and external commercial borrowings to the RBI through your AD bank.
Compounding penalties for unreported overseas investment / ECB.