India's International
Financial Services
Centre — Advised.
IFSCA entity registration, Section 80LA concessional-tax structuring, GST and FEMA framework, AIF and portfolio-manager set-up, aircraft and ship leasing vehicles — one institutional-grade advisory desk for GIFT City IFSC.
Gadhia Associate
IFSC Advisory
Setting up in
India's only IFSC.
Entity structuring, 80LA optimisation and IFSCA compliance under one roof.
15%
Concessional Corp Tax
100%
80LA Tax Holiday (10y)
800+
Registered IFSC entities
$70B+
Cumulative banking-unit transactions
27+
Fund managers on GIFT City AIF regime
1 of 1
India's only aircraft & ship leasing hub
Public IFSCA and GIFT SEZ data as at 2026. Numbers rounded for readability.
The Financial Advantages, In Plain Language
India's only International Financial Services Centre carries a genuinely different tax and regulatory framework from the rest of the country. Here is what actually changes when you operate from inside.
Concessional Corporate Tax
New IFSC units get a 100% tax holiday on distributed income for 10 out of the first 15 years under Section 80LA, plus a concessional 15% corporate tax rate where applicable.
GST-Free Exports
Services supplied from an IFSC unit to a person outside India, or from one IFSC unit to another, are exempt from GST — competitively priced against Singapore, Dubai and Hong Kong.
USD as Functional Currency
Transactions inside IFSC are in freely convertible foreign currency (typically USD), with a clean FEMA framework that allows non-residents to invest and repatriate without INR conversion friction.
Unified IFSCA Regulator
One regulator — the International Financial Services Centres Authority — covers banking, capital markets, insurance and pensions inside IFSC, replacing the four-regulator matrix that applies elsewhere.
End-to-End IFSC Advisory, Under One Desk
From choosing the right entity vehicle to running the annual IFSCA compliance calendar — every layer of a GIFT City set-up handled with senior attention.
IFSC Entity Setup & IFSCA Registration
Choosing the right vehicle (branch, subsidiary, LLP, unincorporated body), preparing the IFSCA application, and coordinating with SEZ, GIFT SEZ Authority and regulators until the operating licence is issued.
Section 80LA — 15% Concessional Tax
Structuring your operations so the 100 percent tax holiday on distributed income (for 10 out of first 15 years under Section 80LA) is fully captured, together with the 15% concessional corporate tax where applicable.
GST Exemption & FEMA Framework
GST exemption on services supplied from IFSC to non-residents, IGST implications on domestic tariff area transactions, and the FEMA relaxations that make USD-denominated business viable inside the IFSC.
Fund & AIF Structuring
AIF Category I, II and III set-up inside IFSC, portfolio-manager licensing, family-office structures, and the reporting cadence expected by IFSCA — with tax-neutral treatment for non-resident investors.
Aircraft & Ship Leasing Vehicles
Setting up aircraft and ship leasing companies inside IFSC — the only Indian jurisdiction where these operate — with tax-neutral treatment for the leasing income and clear ownership frameworks.
IFSC Banking Unit & Insurance Office
Advisory and compliance support for IFSC Banking Units (IBUs), reinsurance offices, insurance intermediary offices, and capital-market intermediaries operating under the IFSCA framework.
GIFT City vs Singapore vs Dubai (DIFC)
A quick comparison of the three financial hubs Indian founders and family offices actually evaluate.
| Parameter | GIFT City IFSC | Singapore | Dubai DIFC |
|---|---|---|---|
| Corporate tax rate | 15% concessional (Sec 80LA) | 17% (partial exemptions) | 9% (from June 2023) |
| Tax holiday | 100% for 10 of first 15 years | Grants case-by-case | None (0% zone ended) |
| GST / VAT on exports | Exempt on services to non-residents | 0% GST on exports | 0% VAT on exports |
| Regulator | IFSCA (single unified) | MAS | DFSA |
| Currency | USD (freely convertible) | SGD / USD | USD / AED |
| Physical set-up cost | Low (SEZ office rents) | High | High |
| Ease for Indian founders | Home jurisdiction, no visa | Employment pass required | Residency required |
Rates and framework as at 2026. Case-specific benefits depend on the exact entity type and business activity.
Every Regulated Vertical Inside GIFT City IFSC
IFSC Banking Units
Insurance & Reinsurance
AIFs & PMS
Fund Management
Aircraft Leasing
Ship Leasing
Fintech & TechFin
Bullion & Commodities
Four Clear Stages, No Surprises
Discovery Call
We map your business, the IFSC vehicle that fits, and the licences you will need before committing to a structure.
Structure & Filing
Draft the IFSCA application, incorporate the entity through GIFT SEZ, obtain LOA / LOI and complete the operating licence process.
Tax & FEMA Set-Up
Optimise Section 80LA, register for GST where required, and set up the FEMA-compliant USD banking and reporting workflow.
Ongoing Compliance
Quarterly IFSCA returns, annual audit, Section 80LA disclosures and continuous monitoring of IFSCA circulars — retained advisory.
GIFT City IFSC — Practical Answers
What is GIFT City IFSC and who is it for?+
What tax benefit does Section 80LA give an IFSC unit?+
Are services from a GIFT City IFSC unit exempt from GST?+
What business activities are permitted inside GIFT City IFSC?+
Can an NRI or foreign company set up a unit in GIFT City IFSC?+
How long does IFSC entity registration take?+
Do you also handle ongoing compliance for existing GIFT City units?+
A Private Consultation With Our IFSC Desk
Bring your vehicle idea, your investor structure, or the licence you're considering. We'll map the runway, the tax stack and the compliance calendar so you know exactly what a GIFT City set-up will look like — before you commit.