Author: Akancha Mishra

The Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council, chaired by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, began its 56th meeting in New Delhi this week, focusing on sweeping reforms aimed at simplifying India’s indirect tax system. The two-day session, held on September 3-4, discussed moving away from the current four-tier GST framework to a more streamlined two-tier structure. At present, goods and services are taxed under four slabs of 5%, 12%, 18%, and 28%. The Council is now considering retaining just two primary slabs—5% for essentials and 18% for non-essentials—while introducing a special 40% rate for so-called “sin goods.” These include items like…

India reached a major milestone in its pursuit of semiconductor independence with the unveiling of the Vikram-32 chip at Semicon India 2025. Electronics and IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw presented the nation’s first indigenously developed 32-bit processor to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, marking a proud step forward in India’s technological capabilities. The Vikram-32 was created by the Indian Space Research Organisation’s Semiconductor Laboratory (SCL) in Mohali, Punjab. Specifically designed to endure the demanding environment of space launches, it represents India’s first fully homegrown microprocessor engineered for satellite and rocket applications. The initial batch, labeled Vikram 3201, was successfully tested during the…

India and the Philippines have taken a major step toward strengthening ties in the fields of space and electronics with the signing of a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The agreement, finalized between the Satcom Industry Association-India (SIA-India) and the Electronic Industry Association of the Philippines Inc (EIAPI), focuses on boosting collaboration in satellite communication, Internet of Things (IoT) devices, embedded systems, and advanced space electronics. The partnership seeks to create a strong platform for joint research, co-development, and innovation. By enabling industry-to-industry cooperation, both nations are aiming to expand manufacturing capabilities, develop critical technologies, and enhance supply chain integration…

A discreet letter sent by Chinese President Xi Jinping to Indian President Droupadi Murmu in March has emerged as a turning point in India-China relations, according to a Bloomberg report. The note, later passed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, signaled Beijing’s cautious willingness to improve ties after years of strained relations. An Indian official described the communication as an effort to “test the waters on improving ties,” with the message carefully calibrated to avoid overcommitment. The outreach coincided with rising trade friction between Washington and both Beijing and New Delhi, putting pressure on Asian powers to explore common ground. By…

Former Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Raghuram Rajan has urged New Delhi to rethink its heavy dependence on Russian oil supplies, warning that the country risks serious economic setbacks after Washington imposed unprecedented tariffs on Indian imports. Speaking in an interview with India Today on Wednesday, Rajan described the latest measures as a “wake-up call” for policymakers. “These tariffs are deeply troubling. We must consider who truly benefits and who bears the cost. Refiners may gain from cheaper Russian crude, but exporters and manufacturers are now paying a steep price,” he remarked. The 50% import duties, enforced by the…

Manika Vishwakarma of Rajasthan has been crowned Miss Universe India 2025, a title that now sets her on course to represent India at the 74th Miss Universe pageant in Thailand later this year. The glittering finale of the national competition took place on August 18 in Jaipur, Rajasthan, where Manika emerged victorious. In her emotional winning moment, she credited her success to her mentors, teachers, parents, and friends, emphasizing that their constant support helped her reach this milestone. “This journey has been remarkable. I am deeply grateful to everyone who stood by me. My dream is to make India shine…

Standing atop Delhi’s historic Red Fort, Prime Minister Narendra Modi startled his own officials when he announced a sharp cut in consumption taxes. Government insiders revealed that bureaucrats had been steadily working on an overhaul of India’s goods and services tax (GST), but the plan was months away from finalization. State finance ministers, responsible for handling most of the revenue shortfall from the tax cut, say they had little warning before Modi’s public declaration. The sudden move comes as India faces tariffs of up to 50% on its exports to the United States starting this week. Concerned about the potential…

Former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley has urged Washington to treat India as a “prized free and democratic partner,” warning that jeopardizing decades of progress in bilateral relations would be a “strategic disaster.” Writing in Newsweek, Haley stressed that India is the only democratic power in Asia capable of counterbalancing China’s growing influence. She argued that unlike Beijing, New Delhi’s rise does not threaten the global order. “Scuttling 25 years of momentum with the only country that can serve as a counterweight to Chinese dominance in Asia would be a strategic disaster,” Haley wrote, noting that a…

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin are likely to hold a high-level meeting in New Delhi before the year ends, according to a Russian embassy official cited by Reuters. While an exact date has not been finalized, the announcement follows External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar’s visit to Moscow to strengthen bilateral ties amid criticism from the United States and the European Union over India’s close engagement with Russia. The two leaders recently spoke by phone shortly after Putin met US President Donald Trump in Alaska on August 15. The Russian embassy also condemned Washington’s penalties on…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently interacted with astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, who served as the pilot on the Axiom-4 mission to the International Space Station (ISS). Their conversation offered an intriguing glimpse into the human experience of space travel and the adjustments required upon returning to Earth. The Prime Minister began by voicing his curiosity about the physical strain astronauts face after completing a prolonged journey in space. He asked Shukla what specific changes the body experiences during the return to Earth, noting that he was particularly interested in the challenges of readjustment. In response, Shukla described how astronauts…