Society News for the month of February 2026

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1. Suburban Study Circle Meeting on Application of Excel in Professional Practice held on Friday, 16th January 2026 @ SHBA & Co LLP.

•  Suburban Study Circle organised a hands-on technical session on “Application of Excel in Professional Practice” on Friday, 16th January 2026 and lead by CA Yashesh Jakhelia & CA Vivek Gupta.
•  The session focused on Excel 365 dynamic array functionalities with specific applications in GST reconciliation and data analysis.
•  Key Excel functions such as XLOOKUP, FILTER, UNIQUE, SORT and GROUPBY were demonstrated through live, practice-oriented illustrations.
•  Participants were guided on practical structuring of data for reconciliation, validation and reporting requirements.
•  The session emphasised improving efficiency, accuracy and turnaround time in professional assignments using Excel tools.
•  The program was conducted as an interactive, laptop-based workshop enabling participants to practice alongside demonstrations.
• Members actively participated and appreciated the practical relevance of the session for day-to-day professional work.
•  The session witnessed participation from members as well as a few CA trainees, who benefited from the practical orientation of the program.

2. BCAS Cricket Tournament 2026 (2nd Edition) held on Sunday, 11th January 2026 @ Gallant Sports Club (TurfStation – Juhu).

•  The Second Edition of the BCAS Turf Cricket Tournament was successfully conducted on 11th January 2026 at TurfStation, JVPD, Andheri (West), featuring 12 Men’s Teams and 2 Women’s Teams. The event showcased competitive cricket in a vibrant atmosphere of sportsmanship and camaraderie, with the participation of 140 players.
•  The tournament was exclusively open to Chartered Accountants and witnessed an enthusiastic response with overwhelming registrations.
•  In the Men’s category, the tournament followed a four-group league format (three teams per group), culminating in Quarterfinals (8 teams), Semi-Finals (4 teams), and the Final, ensuring a structured and competitive progression.
•  The event witnessed participation from both returning firms from the previous edition and first-time participating firms, reflecting the growing acceptance of the tournament as a platform for professional engagement and networking.
•  The matches were marked by notable individual performances, engaging live commentary, and enthusiastic spectator support, contributing to an energetic and engaging sporting environment.
•  After a series of closely contested matches, Fiscal Fireballs emerged as the Men’s Champions, while NPV Chak De Girls secured the Women’s Title, following several thrilling encounters throughout the day.
•  The tournament successfully reinforced its objective of informal networking and community engagement among CA firms, and left a strong impression on participants, setting a solid foundation for future editions of the event.3. Women’s Study Circle meeting – SAKHI CIRCLE! held on Friday, 9th January 2026 @ Virtual.

The Women’s Study Circle organised a session on “The Power of First & Lasting Impressions – Your Soft Skills Advantage,” focusing on the role of communication and presence in professional interactions. In this session, CA Renu Shah, highlighted how first impressions influence engagement, credibility, and long-term perception. It was explained that impressions are often formed through subtle behavioural cues such as posture, tone, pace of speaking, and clarity of thought, rather than credentials alone.

Common communication behaviours that can dilute impact—such as over-explaining, excessive fillers, lack of eye contact, and digital distractions—were discussed through practical examples. The session introduced structured communication frameworks, including WHY–WHAT–HOW and Present–Past–Future, to help professionals articulate their thoughts with clarity and confidence.

Participants were also introduced to the “Remember Me” formula, emphasising posture, structured thinking, power words, and the effective use of pauses. Practical power phrases for professionals were shared to enhance clarity and impact in everyday interactions. The session reinforced that conscious communication and small behavioural shifts can significantly strengthen professional presence and leave lasting impressions.

4. AI and Technology ki Pathshala: A Technology Orientation Program for CA Students” held on Saturday, 20th December 2025 and Sunday, 21st December 2025@ Virtual.

The Human Resource Development Committee of BCAS organised a two-day technology orientation program titled “AI and Technology Ki Pathshala” for CA students.

Day 1 commenced with an inspiring keynote address by CA Rahul Bajaj on understanding technology and its impact on the CA profession. This was followed by an insightful session by CA Rahul Dharne, who demonstrated the practical use of AI tools such as GPTs and automation to simplify work and draft professional reports more efficiently, and also shared AI techniques for exam preparation.

The Day 1 program concluded with a session by CA Shyam Agrawal, who demonstrated tools for enhancing productivity using MS Office 365, Zoho, and Google applications.

Day 2 began with a session by CA Rahul Gabhawala, who explained how advanced Excel formulas and macros can automate tax reconciliations and improve accuracy in professional work. This was followed by a session by CA Chinmay Pathak, who introduced participants to the basics of vibe coding, website development, tools for sending multiple emails to clients, and techniques for identifying plagiarism.

Overall, the students gained a practical understanding of how technology can be effectively used in both professional and academic work. More than 100 students from across India benefited from this two-day technology orientation program.

Scan to watch online at BCAS Academy

5. DIRECT TAX RETREAT 1.0 held on Thursday 18th December 2025 to Sunday 21st December 2025 @ Taj Vivanta, Dwarka, New Delhi

The Direct Tax Committee of BCAS successfully organised Direct Tax Retreat 1.0 from 18th to 21st December 2025 at Taj Vivanta, Dwarka, New Delhi. Envisioned as a residential retreat rather than a routine conference, the program was designed to create a space where learning could happen through discussion, debate, reflection and shared experience. Over four days, tax professionals from across the country came together for meaningful engagement on contemporary direct tax issues in an environment that encouraged participation and open dialogue.

The Retreat began with an inspiring Inaugural Session by Mr Raman Chopra, Former Joint Secretary (Tax Policy), who addressed the gathering on “Where Policy Meets Practice: Creating an Efficient Tax Eco-System for the Next Decade.” Drawing from his extensive experience in policy-making, he shared valuable insights into how tax laws are conceptualised, the intent behind legislative changes, and the practical challenges faced during implementation. His address helped participants better understand the broader policy framework within which tax professionals operate and set a thoughtful tone for the technical discussions that followed.

The first technical session on Day 1 featured a Panel Discussion on “Reconstitution of Firms – Sections 45(4) and 9B: Contrasting Perspectives.” CA Bhadresh Doshi and Adv. Dharan Gandhi presented differing viewpoints on interpretation, recent judicial developments and practical structuring concerns, while CA Pinakin Desai ably chaired the session. The discussion was intense, lively and informative, offering practical takeaways for professionals dealing with partnership restructurings and related tax implications.

Day 2 commenced with Group Discussions on Assorted Case Studies, a format that encouraged delegates to actively engage with complex factual situations and share their practical experiences. The group discussion model allowed participants to appreciate multiple viewpoints and sharpen their analytical approach through peer learning.

A standout feature of Direct Tax Retreat 1.0 was the guided visit to the New Parliament of India. For many delegates, this was a deeply enriching and memorable experience. Walking through the corridors of the institution where tax laws are debated and enacted offered a unique perspective on the legislative process. The visit helped connect the technical discussions in the conference hall with the constitutional and institutional framework of taxation, reminding participants of the larger system within which tax laws evolve.

The day concluded with Replies by the Paper Writer, CA Yogesh Thar, who addressed the key issues raised during the group discussions. His responses provided clarity on practical concerns and helped participants consolidate their learning from the day.

On Day 3, the Retreat continued with Group Discussions on Deeming Fictions and Valuation Changes, topics that often present significant challenges in practice. This was followed by a presentation by CA Rahul Bajaj on “Tax & Tech – The New Frontier,” which highlighted the increasing role of technology in tax administration, compliance, and advisory work. The session offered valuable insights into how professionals must adapt to a rapidly changing digital environment.

The afternoon featured concise and focused Tax Capsules, covering Tax Insurance by CA Upamanyu Manjrekar and Rewarding Employees – Local & Global by CA Mahesh Nayak. These short sessions delivered high-impact learning and were well appreciated for their practical relevance. The day’s technical sessions concluded with Replies by the Paper Writer, CA Pradip Kapasi, on “Navigating Deeming Fictions & Vexatious Valuations,” where he addressed key interpretational and litigation-related concerns.

Adding a refreshing balance to the intensive technical sessions, the Saturday evening Bingo game provided delegates an opportunity to unwind and interact informally. The specially curated game created an atmosphere of camaraderie and laughter, strengthening connections among participants and reinforcing the idea that learning is most effective when combined with meaningful human interaction.

The final day of the Retreat featured a much-anticipated Brain Trust Session and Open Mic, with Senior Advocate Shri S. Ganesh and Shri G. S. Pannu, Former President of the ITAT. The session allowed delegates to ask questions, benefiting from insights drawn from decades of experience at both the Bar and the Bench. The candid and practical nature of the discussion made this session particularly engaging and valuable.

The Retreat concluded with a Valedictory Session, during which appreciation was expressed to all those who contributed to the success of the program, including the speakers, paper writers, group leaders, mentors, organisers, hospitality team and the BCAS team whose collective efforts ensured a seamless and enriching experience for all participants.

Overall, Direct Tax Retreat 1.0 was widely appreciated for its depth of content, interactive formats and emphasis on participative learning. By successfully combining rigorous technical discussions with institutional exposure, informal interaction, and community building, the Retreat set a new benchmark in professional tax education and laid a strong foundation for future editions.

6. Webinar on Mastering Compliance with India’s DPDP Act, 2023 held on Monday, 15th December 2025 @ Virtual.

In this session, Mr Shrikrishna Dikshit provided a practical overview of the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act, 2023 and the intent behind its key provisions. It covered the implications of the draft rules and how organisations should interpret them for operational compliance. The roles and responsibilities of Data Fiduciaries and Data Processors were explained with emphasis on accountability and governance. Key aspects such as consent management, cross-border data transfers, and grievance redressal mechanisms were discussed.

The session also highlighted risks arising from third-party vendors and the importance of managing vendor ecosystems effectively. Sector-specific insights were shared for BFSI, healthcare, e-commerce, and manufacturing sectors. Overall, the session enabled participants to understand compliance expectations and practical steps for strengthening data protection frameworks under the DPDP Act.

Scan to watch online at BCAS Academy

7. Webinar on BHARAT CONNECT FOR BUSINESS (BCB) held on Saturday, 13th December 2025 @ Virtual

The Technology Initiatives Committee of the Bombay Chartered Accountants’ Society successfully hosted a webinar on “Bharat Connect for Business (BCB)” on 13 December 2025, which witnessed enthusiastic participation from members across age groups and practice profiles.

The webinar focused on the evolving landscape of connected accounting for MSMEs, highlighting how Bharat Connect for Business aims to seamlessly integrate invoices, payments, and reconciliations across accounting platforms. The session provided valuable insights into how automation and interoperability between systems can significantly enhance efficiency, accuracy, and turnaround time for businesses and their advisors.

Eminent speakers Mr Rupesh Thakkar (Tally Solutions), Mr Vignesh RV (Zoho), and Mr Vipul Arun (NPCI Bharat BillPay Limited) shared practical perspectives on the concept, functionalities, and real-world impact of BCB. A key highlight of the webinar was a live demonstration of transaction flow between Zoho and Tally, which was particularly well appreciated by the participants for its practical relevance.

The session concluded with an engaging Q&A, reflecting keen interest among members in adopting connected and automated solutions in their professional practice. Overall, the webinar was well-received and reinforced BCAS’s continued commitment to keeping its members abreast of emerging technological developments impacting the profession.

Scan to watch online at BCAS Academy

II. REPRESENTATIONS

1. Representation on Section 12A Registration Renewal Requirements

BCAS submitted a representation on January 7, 2026, to the Revenue Secretary, Chairman of CBDT, and the Principal Chief Commissioner of Income Tax (Exemptions), highlighting issues faced by public charitable trusts in the renewal of registration under Section 12A. The Society opposed the insistence on an express irrevocable clause in trust deeds for Form 10AB, citing judicial precedents and state trust laws which establish irrevocability in law even without such clauses. BCAS requested the issuance of suitable clarifications to avoid unnecessary amendments to trust deeds.

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2. Representation on GSTR-9 and GSTR-9C Filing Challenges

BCAS submitted a representation on December 29, 2025, to the Hon’ble Finance Minister, CBIC Chairperson, and GST Council Secretariat seeking extension of the due date for filing Forms GSTR-9 and GSTR-9C for FY 2024-25. The Society highlighted difficulties arising from enhanced ITC reporting requirements, revised GSTR-9 auto-population, delayed availability of audited financials due to extended tax audit timelines, and overlap with adjudication deadlines under the CGST Act. BCAS requested suitable relaxation to enable accurate compliance.

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Readers can read the full representation by scanning the QR code or visiting our website www.bcasonline.org

III. BCAS IN NEWS & MEDIA

•  BCAS has been featured in several news and media platforms, showing our active involvement, professional contributions, and commitment to the field. This reflects the growing recognition of BCAS in the public and professional space.

Link: https://bcasonline.org/bcas-in-news/

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