KNOWLEDGE BASE

FDI REFORM — 10% LBC OWNERSHIP

India approved 29 FDI proposals worth ₹4,895.65 crore, allowing firms with up to 10% LBC ownership to invest through the automatic route, balancing Ease of Doing Business with national security concerns.

News: Centre approved 29 FDI proposals worth ₹4,895.65 crore under a revised framework allowing firms with up to 10% ownership by an entity from a Land Border Country (LBC) to invest through the automatic route.

About

  • FDI framework revised under Press Note 3 of 2020.
  • Originally required prior government approval for FDI from countries sharing a land border with India.
  • New relaxation allows up to 10% LBC ownership through the automatic route.
  • Aims to balance investment facilitation with national security concerns.

Key Figures

  • 29 FDI proposals approved.
  • Total proposed investment: ₹4,895.65 crore.
  • Investments proposed from jurisdictions including Mauritius, USA, South Korea, Japan, Singapore, Luxembourg and Cayman Islands.

Sectors Covered

  • Information Technology (IT)
  • Artificial Intelligence (AI)
  • Information & Communication
  • Manufacturing
  • Pharmaceuticals
  • Transport
  • Data Centres

Automatic vs Government Route

  • Automatic Route: No prior government approval required, subject to FDI rules and sectoral conditions.
  • Government Route: Prior approval of the competent government authority is required.

Significance

  • Provides greater certainty and faster investment processing.
  • Improves Ease of Doing Business.
  • Encourages investment in emerging technology and strategic sectors.
  • Maintains safeguards against excessive influence from Land Border Countries, particularly China.
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