by CA V. Viswanathan
FCA, ACS, CFE, Registered Valuer (S&FA) | Since 2012
Due diligence in Indian M&A and fundraising contexts spans four primary dimensions: financial DD (quality of earnings, working capital, contingent liabilities), tax DD (direct, indirect, transfer pricing exposures), legal DD (corporate, contracts, IP, compliance), and regulatory DD (sectoral licenses, FEMA, PMLA).
Buy-side DD scope is shaped by deal structure (asset vs share purchase), industry risk profile, and target maturity. Sell-side DD (vendor due diligence) prepares the target with clean documentation across the same dimensions, accelerating the buy-side cycle.
Standard DD checklist: 100+ items spanning incorporation, cap table, FC-GPR, board minutes, financial statements, GST returns, ITRs, contracts, IP assignments, employment agreements, regulatory licenses, and litigation pendency. Each requires both document review and reconciliation against statutory filings.
This checklist tool generates a customised DD scope based on target sector, deal size, and structure. For full DD execution including report writing, indemnity package design, and SPA negotiation support, consult CA V. Viswanathan at +91 99622 60333.