CBDT Notifies Multiple Authorities for Income Tax Exemptions under Section 10 of the Income-tax Act, 1961

The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT), Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance, has issued a series of notifications all dated 27th March, 2026, namely Notification Nos. 33/2026, 34/2026, 35/2026, 36/2026, 37/2026 and 38/2026, granting income tax exemptions to various statutory authorities and bodies under the provisions of Section 10 of the Income-tax Act, 1961.

[1] Notification No. 33/2026 – Uttarakhand Avas and Nagar Vikas Pradhikaran

Through Notification No. 33/2026 [S.O. 1622(E)] dated 27.03.2026, the Central Government has notified the Uttarakhand Avas and Nagar Vikas Pradhikaran as an authority under clause (46A) of Section 10 of the Income-tax Act. The notification shall be effective from the Assessment Year 2025–26, subject to the condition that the authority continues to function under the Uttarakhand Urban and Country Planning and Development (Amendment) Act, 2013 with specified objectives.

[2] Notification No. 34/2026 – Improvement Trust, Sangrur

Vide Notification No. 34/2026 [S.O. 1623(E)] dated 27.03.2026, the Improvement Trust, Sangrur, constituted under the Punjab Town Improvement Act, 1922, has been notified for the purposes of clause (46A) of Section 10. The exemption shall apply from Assessment Year 2025–26, subject to fulfillment of prescribed conditions regarding its constitution and objectives.

[3] Notification No. 35/2026 – Goa Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education

Through Notification No. 35/2026 [S.O. 1625(E)] dated 27.03.2026, CBDT has notified the Goa Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education under clause (46) of Section 10. The exemption covers specified income such as grants from Central and State Governments, fees and receipts under the governing Act, and interest on deposits and investments. The notification is applicable for Assessment Years 2024–25 to 2028–29 (Financial Years 2023–24 to 2027–28), subject to conditions including non-engagement in commercial activities and filing of income tax returns.

[4] Notification No. 36/2026 – Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board

As per Notification No. 36/2026 [S.O. 1624(E)] dated 27.03.2026, the Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board, constituted under the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, has been notified under clause (46A) of Section 10. The notification shall be effective from Assessment Year 2027–28, subject to the condition that the Board continues to operate with specified objectives under the relevant law.

[5] Notification No. 37/2026 – District Legal Services Authority, Panipat

Further, Notification No. 37/2026 [S.O. 1626(E)] dated 27.03.2026 notifies the District Legal Services Authority, Panipat under clause (46) of Section 10 in respect of specified income, including grants from judicial and governmental authorities, court-directed receipts, application fees, and interest income. The exemption is applicable for Assessment Years 2023–24 to 2025–26 and 2026–27 to 2027–28, subject to conditions such as non-commercial activity and compliance with return filing requirements.

[6] Notification No. 38/2026 – Odisha PVTG Empowerment and Livelihoods Improvement Programme (OPELIP)

Notification No. 38/2026 [S.O. 1627(E)] dated 27.03.2026 grants income-tax exemption under clause (46) of Section 10 to the Odisha PVTG Empowerment and Livelihoods Improvement Programme (OPELIP) in respect of specified income, including government grants, interest on fixed deposits and savings accounts (refundable to the Government of Odisha), and non-refundable tender fees. The exemption is subject to conditions that the entity shall not engage in any commercial activity, the nature of its income must remain unchanged during the relevant financial years, and it must file income tax returns in accordance with Section 139(4C)(g) of the Income-tax Act, 1961. Failure to comply with these conditions may result in withdrawal of the exemption and initiation of penal action. The exemption is applicable for Assessment Years 2025–26 to 2027–28, and it is clarified that no person is adversely affected due to the retrospective application of this notification.

Ensuring Tax Certainty and Support to Public Authorities

These notifications are aimed at providing tax certainty and relief to statutory authorities and public institutions, enabling them to effectively carry out their functions without tax-related constraints. The exemptions are subject to strict compliance with prescribed conditions, ensuring transparency and accountability in operations.

The Notifications can be accessed at: https://a2ztaxcorp.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/CBDT-NN-33-to-38.pdf