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Core Purpose

This notification amends the Special Economic Zones Rules, 2006, to mandate the Administrator (IFSCA) to issue Letters of Approval in a newly inserted Form GA for units establishing in International Financial Services Centres.

Detailed Summary

The Ministry of Commerce and Industry (Department of Commerce) issued notification G.S.R. 114(E) on 3rd February, 2026, exercising powers conferred by section 55 of the Special Economic Zones Act, 2005 (28 of 2005). These new rules, titled the Special Economic Zones Rules, 2026, amend the Special Economic Zones Rules, 2006, and will come into force upon their publication in the Official Gazette. The amendment inserts a new sub-rule (1A) after sub-rule (1) in rule 19 of the principal rules, stipulating that the Administrator (IFSCA) shall issue a Letter of Approval in Form GA for setting up a Unit in an International Financial Services Centre. Concurrently, a new Form GA, titled 'LETTER OF APPROVAL', is inserted after Form G in the principal rules, referencing rule 19(1A). This form is issued by the Office of Administrator (IFSCA) of the International Financial Services Centres Authority, located at Gujarat International Finance Tec-City, Gujarat - 382 355. The approval facilitates units in the Gujarat International Finance Tec-Multi-Services-Special Economic Zone, Gandhinagar, to undertake authorized operations, primarily the export of financial services, for five years from commencement. The approval is subject to conditions including executing a Bond-cum-Legal Undertaking, fulfilling pollution control requirements, and compliance with the Special Economic Zones Act, 2005, and Special Economic Zone Rules, 2006. The Letter of Approval itself is valid for one year from its issue date for project implementation and five years from the date of business commencement. Acceptance of terms must be confirmed to the Administrator (IFSCA) within forty-five days. The Special Economic Zone Rules, 2006, were initially published vide G.S.R. 54(E), dated 10th February, 2006, and last amended vide G.S.R. 364(E), dated 3rd June, 2025.

Full Text

REGD. No. D. L.-33004/99 The Gazette of India CG-DL-E-16022026-270161 EXTRAORDINARY PART II-Section 3-Sub-section (i) PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY No. 108] NEW DELHI, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2026/MAGHA 17, 1947 MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (Department of Commerce) NOTIFICATION New Delhi, the 3rd February, 2026 G.S.R. 114(E). — In exercise of the powers conferred by section 55 of the Special Economic Zones Act, 2005 (28 of 2005), the Central Government hereby makes the following rules further to amend the Special Economic Zones Rules, 2006, namely: - 1. Short title and commencement. - (1) These rules may be called the Special Economic Zones Rules, 2026. (2) They shall come into force on the date of their publication in the Official Gazette. 2. In the Special Economic Zones Rules, 2006 (hereinafter referred to as the principal rules), in rule 19, after sub-rule (1), the following sub-rule shall be inserted, namely: - "(1A) The Administrator (IFSCA) shall issue a Letter of Approval in Form GA, for setting up of the Unit in an International Financial Services Centre". (3) In the principal rules, after Form G, the following form shall be inserted, namely: - LETTER OF APPROVAL – "FORM GA" [See rule 19(1A)] OFFICE OF ADMINISTRATOR (IFSCA) INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL SERVICES CENTRES AUTHORITY 2nd & 3rd Floor, Savvy Pragya, Gujarat International Finance Tec-City, Gujarat - 382 355 Government of India PH: +91-79-6180-9800 Fax:Email: ifsca-admin@ifsca.gov.in Website: https://www.ifsca.gov.in/ Dated the: SEZ Name GIFT-Multi Services -Special Economic Zone (SEZ) SEZ Address GIFT-Multi Services -Special Economic Zone (SEZ). Gujarat International Finance Tec- City. Gujarat 382355 Reference Your application No.- Dated the Letter of Approval No. Letter of Approval Valid up to : Letter of Approval Issue Date Letter of Approval Valid From Special Economic Zone Unit Name Registered Address Special Economic Zone Unit Address Subject: Your proposal for setting up of new International Financial Services Centre unit in the Gujarat International Finance Tec-Multi-Services-Special Economic Zone, Gandhinagar Dear Sir/Madam With reference to the above-mentioned application, the Administrator (IFSCA), Gujarat International Finance Tec Multi-Services-Special Economic Zone, is pleased to extend to you all the facilities and entitlements admissible to a unit in a Special Economic Zone, subject to the provisions of the Special Economic Zones Act, 2005 and the Special Economic Zone Rules, 2006 and orders made thereunder, subject to obtaining all mandatory/statutory approvals/permissions from all concerned Regulatory Authority(s) and for the establishment of a unit at in the State of for undertaking authorized operations, namely:- Authorised Operations 1. This approval is subject to following terms and conditions: (i) You shall undertake export of financial services as per provisions of the Special Economic Zones Act, 2005 and the Special Economic Zone Rules, 2006 made thereunder for a period of five years from the date of commencement of authorised operations. For this purpose, you shall execute the Bond-cum-Legal Undertaking as prescribed under the Special Economic Zone Rules, 2006. (ii) You shall fulfill the pollution control requirements, as may be prescribed by the Pollution Control authorities. (iii) You may import or procure from the Domestic Tariff Area all the items required for your authorised operations under this approval, except those prohibited under the ITC (HS) Classifications of Export and Import items. (iv) You may supply or provide services in the Domestic Tariff Area and as per stipulated norms, including those specified in the SEZ Act, 2005 and the Special Economic Zone Rules, 2006 and orders made thereunder. (v) This Letter of Approval is valid for a period of one year from its date of issue. You shall implement the project and commence services within one-year period or within such period as may be extended. (vi) Date of commencement of business/operations/services shall be intimated to the Administrator (IFSCA). (vii) This Letter of Approval shall be valid for a period of five years from the date of commencement of business or operation. (viii) The approval is based on the details furnished by you in your project proposal/application. (ix) You shall abide by the provisions of Special Economic Zones Act, 2005 and the Special Economic Zone Rules, 2006 and orders made thereunder. You shall also comply with all mandatory/statutory requirements of any Act, Rules, and Regulations. (x) You have the option to renew the approval or exit in terms of the provisions of the Special Economic Zones Act, 2005, and the Special Economic Zone Rules, 2006 and orders made thereunder. (xi) You shall confirm acceptance of the above or LOA terms and conditions to the Administrator (IFSCA) within forty-five days of issue of this Letter of Approval. (xii) This approval will come into effect only after all approvals from International Financial Services Centre Authority or Regulatory authorities are received by the unit and communicated to the office of the Administrator (IFSCA). (xiii) If you fail to comply with the conditions stipulated above and specified in this Letter Of Approval, this Letter of Approval shall be cancelled as per the provisions of the Special Economic Zones Act, 2005, and the Special Economic Zone Rules, 2006 and orders made thereunder. (xiv) All future correspondence including for amendments/changes in terms and conditions of the Letter of Approval or for extension of its validity shall be addressed to the Administrator (International Financial Services Centre). (xv) Letter of Approval Conditions (if any) +--------+-------------------------------+--------------+ | S. No. | Letter of Approval Conditions | Added Date | +========+===============================+==============+ | | | | +--------+-------------------------------+--------------+ Administrator (International Financial Services Centre) Gujarat International Finance Tec Multi-Services SEZ Copy forwarded to: - 1) The Development Commissioner (Gujarat International Finance Tec-SEZ) 2) The Specified Officer 3) The Developer (M/S. GIFT Company LTD) 4) The Co-Developer (M/S. [F. No. K-43014/3/2024-SEZ] VIMAL ANAND, Jt. Secy. Note: The Special Economic Zone Rules, 2006 were published in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part-II, Section 3, Sub-section (i), vide number G.S.R. 54(E), dated the 10th February, 2006 and lastly amended vide number G.S.R. 364(E), dated the 3rd June, 2025.

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