25.

RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

Recently adopted accounting standards

In March 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2016-09, Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting (“ASU 2016-09”). The effective date of ASU 2016-09 is for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016. The Company adopted the amendments in ASU 2016-09 during the first quarter of 2017. This standard simplifies or clarifies several aspects of the accounting for equity-based payment awards, including the income tax consequences, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities, and classification in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. Certain changes under the ASU are required to be applied retrospectively, while other changes are required to be applied prospectively. There were no material impacts to the Company’s results of operations or liquidity as a result of adopting ASU 2016-09. The adoption of this ASU resulted in the following:

During the three months ended March 31, 2017, the Company has accounted on a prospective basis in the income statement for the income tax expense or benefit for the tax effects of differences recognized on or after the effective date of the equity-based payment awards between the deduction for an award for tax purposes and the cumulative compensation costs of that award recognized for financial reporting purposes. The Company has also presented on a prospective basis the excess tax benefits (deficiencies) as operating cash flows in its cash flow statement. Prior period cash flow statements have not been adjusted retrospectively to take into account the transition method.

The Company recognizes share-based payment forfeitures as they occur. Prior to adoption of this ASU, forfeitures were estimated in order to arrive at current period expense. There are no cumulative effect adjustments to accumulated deficit on the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of January 1, 2017 as a result of the adoption of these amendments.

Recently issued accounting standards

ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers – Issued May 2014, was scheduled to be effective for Syntel beginning January 1, 2017, however on July 9, 2015, the FASB approved the proposal to defer the effective date of the ASU for public companies to January 1, 2018 with an option to elect to adopt the ASU as of the original effective date. The new standard is intended to substantially enhance the quality and consistency of how revenue is reported while also improving the comparability of the financial statements of companies using U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and those using International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). The core principle of ASU 2014-09 is that a company should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The new guidance also addresses the accounting for some costs to obtain or fulfill a customer contract and provides a set of disclosure requirements intended to give financial statement users comprehensive information about the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenues and cash flows arising from customer contracts.

On March 17, 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-08, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Principal versus Agent Considerations (Reporting Revenue Gross versus Net), that clarifies how to apply revenue recognition guidance related to whether an entity is a principal or an agent. In April 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-10, Identifying Performance Obligations and Licensing, and ASU 2016-12 Narrow Scope Improvements and Practical Expedients, which amended ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contract from Customers (Topic 606). These amendments of this ASU provide additional clarification on criterion within Topic 606 as well as additional guidance for transition to the new revenue recognition criteria. These amendments will provide additional guidance on the application of and transition to the new revenue recognition standards.

We have established a cross-functional coordinated implementation team to implement the standard update related to the recognition of revenue from contracts with customers. In addition to establishing a cross-functional coordinated implementation team, we have engaged a third party expert to assist in the assessment of the impacts of the new standard. We are currently evaluating the existing revenue contracts to determine revenue recognition under the new standard. Additionally, we are in the process of identifying and implementing changes to our processes to meet the standard’s updated reporting and disclosure requirements, as well as evaluating the internal control changes, if any, during the implementation and continued application of the new standard. The Company will adopt modified retrospective transition method.

In January 2016, the FASB issued an update (ASU 2016-01) to the standard on financial instruments. The update significantly revises an entity’s accounting related to (1) the classification and measurement of investments in equity securities and (2) the presentation of certain fair value changes for financial liabilities measured at fair value. It also amends certain disclosure requirements. The update is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning on or after January 1, 2018. Upon adoption, entities will be required to make a cumulative-effect adjustment to the statement of financial position as of the beginning of the first reporting period in which the guidance is effective. However, the specific guidance on equity securities without readily determinable fair value will apply prospectively to all equity investments that exist as of the date of adoption. Early adoption of certain sections of this update is permitted. The requirements of this ASU and its impact on the Company are currently being evaluated.

In February 2016, the FASB issued an update (ASU 2016-02) to the standard on Leases to increase transparency and comparability among organizations by recognizing lease assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet and disclosing key information about leasing arrangements. The ASU is effective for public business entities issuing financial statements for the annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within those annual periods. The requirements of this ASU and its impact on the Company are currently being evaluated.

In June 2016, the FASB issued an update on Financial Instruments—Credit Losses (ASU 2016-13) Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments which (i) significantly changes the impairment model for most financial assets that are measured at amortized cost and certain other instruments from an incurred loss model to an expected loss model; and (ii) provides for recording credit losses on available-for-sale (AFS) debt securities through an allowance account. The update also requires certain incremental disclosures. The amendments in this update are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The requirements of this ASU and its impact on the Company are currently being evaluated.

In August 2016, the FASB issued an update on Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230)- Clarification of certain cash receipts and cash payments (ASU 2016-15) which requires the Company to present and classify certain cash receipts and cash payments in the statement of cash flows under Topic 230, Statement of Cash Flows, and other Topics. This update addresses eight specific cash flow issues with the objective of reducing the existing diversity in practice. The amendments in this update are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those fiscal years. The requirements of this ASU and its impact on the Company are currently being evaluated.

In October 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-16, “Income Taxes (Topic 740): Intra-Entity Transfers of Assets Other Than Inventory”. This update requires the income tax consequences of intra-entity transfers of assets other than inventory to be recognized when the intra-entity transfer occurs rather than deferring recognition of income tax consequences until the transfer was made with an outside party. ASU 2016-16 is effective for annual reporting periods, and interim periods therein, beginning after December 15, 2017. Early application is permitted as of the beginning of the interim or annual reporting period. A modified retrospective approach should be applied. The Company does not expect that the adoption of this guidance will have a significant impact on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.

In November 2016, the FASB issued an update on Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230)—Restricted Cash (ASU 2016-18). The amendments in this update require that a statement of cash flows explain the change during the period in the total of cash, cash equivalents, and amounts generally described as restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents. Therefore, amounts generally described as restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents should be included with cash and cash equivalents when reconciling the beginning-of-period and end-of-period total amounts shown on the statement of cash flows. The amendments in this update do not provide a definition of restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents. The amendments in this update are effective for public business entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those fiscal years. The requirements of this ASU and its impact on the Company are currently being evaluated.

In January 2017, the FASB issued an update (ASU 2017-04) to the standard on Intangibles—Goodwill and Other (Topic 350). To simplify the subsequent measurement of goodwill, the FASB eliminated Step 2 from the goodwill impairment test. In computing the implied fair value of goodwill under Step 2, an entity had to perform procedures to determine the fair value at the impairment testing date of its assets and liabilities (including unrecognized assets and liabilities) following the procedure that would be required in determining the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a business combination. The amendments in this Update modify the concept of impairment from the condition that exists when the carrying amount of goodwill exceeds its implied fair value to the condition that exists when the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value. An entity no longer will determine goodwill impairment by calculating the implied fair value of goodwill by assigning the fair value of a reporting unit to all of its assets and liabilities as if that reporting unit had been acquired in a business combination. Because these amendments eliminate Step 2 from the goodwill impairment test, they should reduce the cost and complexity of evaluating goodwill for impairment. A public business entity that is a U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filer should adopt the amendments in this update for its annual or any interim goodwill impairment tests in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019. The requirements of this ASU are not expected to have material impact on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.

In March 2017, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2017-07, Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost (“ASU 2017-07”). The update requires employers to present the service cost component of the net periodic benefit cost in the same income statement line item as other employee compensation costs arising from services rendered during the period. The other components of net benefit cost, including interest cost, expected return on plan assets, amortization of prior service cost/credit and actuarial gain/loss, and settlement and curtailment effects, are to be presented outside of any subtotal of operating income. Employers will have to disclose the line(s) used to present the other components of net periodic benefit cost, if the components are not presented separately in the income statement. ASU 2017-07 is effective for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2017, and early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adoption on its financial statements and related disclosures.

In May 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-09, Compensation—Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Scope of Modification Accounting guidance which provide clarity and reduce both (i) diversity in practice; and (ii) cost and complexity when accounting for a change in the terms or conditions of a share-based payment award. The amendments in this guidance should be applied prospectively in annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those periods, with early adoption permitted. The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In August 2017, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) ASU 2017-12, Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities, which amends and simplifies existing guidance in order to allow companies to more accurately present the economic effects of risk management activities in the financial statements. The standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those years. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the standard on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.