Future Legal Compliance & Registration Framework

Entity: UPA Expo (Unknown Planted Aquarium – Exotic’s)
Effective Date: 16 October 2025, 2:16 PM IST
Valid Until: Next official update or completion of registration (whichever earlier)

This Policy defines the legal compliance roadmap and registration intent of UPA Expo (Unknown Planted Aquarium – Exotic’s).
As of the effective date, UPA Expo operates as a non-commercial hobbyist-led initiative based in Nashik District and Division, Maharashtra, India, dedicated to aquarist education, research awareness, and sustainable practices.

The long-term objective is to transition into a registered and fully compliant business entity – “UPA Expo Pvt. Ltd.” – by or before January 2027, creating a professional framework for ethical aquatics and environmental education.

• UPA Expo currently functions as an unregistered personal venture under the direction of the Creator Head.
   
• All activities (videos, posts, educational content) are executed within the legal boundary of “personal hobbyist educational work.”
   
• However, income sources permitted under the Information Technology Act 2000 and YouTube Partner Program policies are recognized as legally valid when proper tax disclosures are made.
   

Registration will follow the Companies Act 2013 under a Private Limited structure with the legal name UPA Expo Pvt. Ltd., based in Nashik, Maharashtra.

Stages of transition:

1. Internal audit and documentation (Q2–Q3 2026)
    
2. Digital signature & director identification (DSC + DIN)
    
3. Name reservation under MCA SPICe+
    
4. PAN/TAN & incorporation certification
    
5. Additional registrations: GST (>₹20 L turnover), MSME, DGFT (IEC for exports), Animal Welfare/Fisheries permissions, and domain-specific environmental clearances if applicable.
    

UPA Expo operates under the jurisdiction of:

• Nashik District Court, Maharashtra
   
• The Companies Act 2013
   
• IT Act 2000 (Section 79 – Intermediary Liability)
   
• Copyright Act 1957 & Trade Marks Act 1999
   
• Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1960 (AWBI)
   
• Environment (Protection) Act 1986
   
• Digital Personal Data Protection Act 2023 and global GDPR alignment
   

In global operation via YouTube/Instagram/website, UPA Expo abides by:

• YouTube Partner Program & Google Terms of Service
   
• Meta Business and Content Policies
   
• WIPO Intellectual Property Treaties
   
• Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)
   
• UNESCO SDG 14 (Life Below Water)
   

Upon registration, UPA Expo will appoint a compliance committee including:

• Creator Head / Creative Director (Chief Compliance Officer)
   
• Finance & Legal Advisor
   
• Animal Welfare and Sustainability Officer
   
• Data Protection Officer
   
• Audit Consultant
   

Quarterly audit reports (financial, operational, environmental) will continue under Transparency Policy No. 4.

UPA Expo recognizes the necessity of limited income generation for sustainability before formal registration.
Henceforth, the following are permitted under pre-registration, provided they comply fully with UPA Expo’s ethical, animal-welfare, and transparency policies:

1. Sponsorships and Brand Deals:
    
   • Only from ethical, environment-friendly, and legally compliant entities.
      
   • All collaborations must align with the Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) Code of Ethics.
      
   • Paid promotions must carry a visible “Sponsored/Ad” disclosure tag under the Consumer Protection Act 2019 – Guidelines for Influencer Advertising.
      

1. Affiliate Programs and Product Reviews:
    
   • Permitted with clear disclosure of affiliate relationships.
      
   • Products must adhere to Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), FDA India, or relevant certification for aquarium/fishkeeping equipment.
      

1. YouTube Monetization & AdSense:
    
   • Allowed under Section 194 O of the Income Tax Act 1961 with GST registration when required.
      
   • Tax obligations (TDS / GST filing) will be maintained transparently via quarterly self-audit.
      

1. Local Sales of Fish or Aquatic Plants:
    
   • Limited to hobby-scale non-commercial transactions.
      
   • Must comply with Fisheries Department (Maharashtra) and AWBI Guidelines 2023 prohibiting sale of endangered species.
      
   • Each sale will be logged for ethical and bioload monitoring.
      

All pre-registration revenues are categorized as “Transitional Income” and shall be formally declared in the first company audit post-incorporation.
These activities remain lawful under Section 2(13) of the Companies Act 2013, provided no misrepresentation or public trading occurs.

Between 12 October 2025 and 12 October 2026, UPA Expo will publish quarterly self-audits covering:

1. Profit and Loss Statement
    
2. Operational and Maintenance Logs
    
3. Fish Health and Feeding Reports
    
4. Breeding and Conservation Records
    
5. Sponsorship & Affiliate Earnings Summary
    

• Non-disclosure of sponsored content: fine ₹10,000 – ₹50,000 per offence (ASCI + CPA 2019).
   
• Fraudulent accounting post-registration: penalties under Sections 447 & 448 of Companies Act 2013 [imprisonment 6 months – 10 years + fine].
   
• Animal-welfare violations: Section 11 of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1960 [fine ₹10,000 – ₹25,000 and seizure of animals].
   
• Environmental non-compliance: Section 15 of Environment Protection Act 1986 [imprisonment up to 5 years + fine up to ₹1 Lakh].
   

• Effective From: 12 October 2025, 2:16 PM IST
   
• Review Cycle: Quarterly audit reports (5 per year)
   
• Next Major Review: 12 October 2026
   

UPA Expo stands as a model for responsible aquarist practice in India—merging ethics, creativity, and legality.
While presently a hobbyist venture, all accepted commercial opportunities during pre-registration will strictly uphold transparency, sustainability, and accountability under Indian law.

“Nature’s Incredible Creatures.”
— Issued by UPA Expo, from Creator Head and Team
Last Updated: 16 October 2025, 2:16 PM (Indian Standard Time – IST)