NEWS:GST reforms to benefit poor middle class traders and entrepreneurs says PM Modi targeting implementation by Diwali
GS-3 economy
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced upcoming GST reforms aimed at benefiting the poor, middle class, traders, and entrepreneurs.
- The new GST structure will feature 18% and 5% rates, simplifying tax categories and compliance.
- The Centre anticipates that reduced tax rates will be offset by increased economic buoyancy and improved compliance.
- The government aims to implement the new tax structure by Deepavali (October 20), pending approval from the GST Council.
GST (Goods and Services Tax) is a comprehensive indirect tax that was introduced in India on 1st July 2017. It replaced a large number of central and state taxes like VAT, excise duty, service tax, octroi, etc., and created a “One Nation, One Tax, One Market” system.
Key Features of GST:
- Destination-based tax – levied at the place of consumption, not origin.
- Dual GST Model – levied by both Centre and States:
- CGST – Central Goods & Services Tax (collected by Centre)
- SGST – State Goods & Services Tax (collected by States)
- IGST – Integrated Goods & Services Tax (on interstate supplies, collected by Centre and shared with States)
- Comprehensive coverage – applies to goods and services (except alcohol, petroleum, electricity for now).
- Input Tax Credit (ITC) – taxes paid on inputs can be credited against output liability, avoiding cascading (tax on tax).
- GST Council – apex decision-making body, chaired by Union Finance Minister, with state finance ministers as members.
🔹 Benefits of GST:
- Simplifies tax structure (replaces multiple indirect taxes).
- Reduces cascading effect of taxation.
- Creates a common national market.
- Increases tax compliance via IT-driven system.
- Helps boost GDP in long term by improving ease of doing business.
NEWS:Trump-Putin summit in Alaska narrows Ukraine war gaps hinting at arms control pact and diplomatic path to conflict resolution
GS-2 international relation
- A summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin was held in Anchorage, Alaska.
- The summit aimed to address the Ukraine war and improve Russo-American relations.
- Ukraine and its European partners want an immediate ceasefire, while Russia wants a comprehensive peace agreement.
- President Trump suggested it is up to President Zelenskyy to strike a deal with Russia.
- Location: Northwesternmost state of the U.S., separated from the rest of the U.S. by Canada.
- Borders:
- East – Canada (Yukon & British Columbia)
- North – Arctic Ocean
- West – Bering Strait (close to Russia, only ~80 km away at narrowest point)
- South – Pacific Ocean
- Capital: Juneau
- Largest City: Anchorage
- Area: Largest U.S. state (approx. 1.7 million sq km).
- Climate: Arctic, sub-Arctic, maritime in some regions.
🔹 Economic Importance
- Rich in oil, natural gas, fisheries, and minerals.
- Trans-Alaska Pipeline System (TAPS) transports oil from Prudhoe Bay (Arctic) to Valdez (south coast).
- Strategic for energy security and resource extraction.
🔹 Strategic Significance
- Military Importance
- Location makes it a frontline for U.S.–Russia relations, especially during the Cold War and now due to Arctic geopolitics.
- Hosts major U.S. military bases.
- Arctic Region
- Part of the Arctic Council (important for climate change, navigation, resources).
- Melting ice opens new shipping routes (Northern Sea Route).
- Increasing geopolitical competition among U.S., Russia, and China.
NEWS:Supreme Court directs ECI to disclose names of 65 lakh excluded Bihar voters addressing transparency concerns in electoral roll revision
GS-2 polity and governance
- The Supreme Court directed the Election Commission of India (ECI) to publish the names of 65 lakh voters excluded from Bihar’s draft electoral roll following the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise.
- The court’s order mandates the ECI to disclose the reasons for exclusion against each name, addressing concerns about transparency and fairness.
- Data analysis revealed a higher exclusion rate for women (32 lakh) compared to men (25 lakh), despite demographic indicators suggesting otherwise.
- The court has urged the ECI to include Aadhaar as a valid identity document for filing objections, which the ECI has now accepted.
the Election Commission of India (ECI) framework, Special Intensive Revision refers to a comprehensive, door-to-door and record-based revision of the electoral rolls to ensure they are accurate, up to date, and inclusive. It’s one of the key exercises conducted under the Representation of the People Act, 1950 and related Election Commission guidelines.
Special Intensive Revision (SIR) – Key Points
1. Purpose
- Correct errors in the electoral roll (names, addresses, age, gender, etc.).
- Add names of eligible voters not already enrolled.
- Remove names of deceased or ineligible persons.
- Ensure inclusivity, especially for marginalised and remote populations.
2. When It’s Conducted
- Ordered by the ECI in cases where electoral rolls are suspected to be outdated or inaccurate.
- Usually done outside the normal annual revision cycle (which typically happens with a 1 January qualifying date).
- Often used before major elections if large changes in population or migration are anticipated.
3. Process
- House-to-house verification by Booth Level Officers (BLOs).
- Checking against official records (birth/death registers, migration data, etc.).
- Public display of draft rolls for objections and claims.
- Disposal of claims/objections through designated Electoral Registration Officers (EROs).
- Publication of final revised rolls.
4. Legal Basis
- Conducted under Section 21 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950.
- Rules prescribed in the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960.
- Instructions issued by ECI in its Handbook for Electoral Registration.
NEWS:Ethanol blending faces scrutiny over environmental impact consumer concerns and trade implications despite government’s push for energy independence and farmer benefits
GS-3 environment and ecology
- India achieved 20% ethanol blending in petrol (E20) by 2025, ahead of schedule.
- ₹1.40 lakh crore in foreign exchange saved since 2014-15 due to ethanol blending.
- Two in three petrol vehicle owners oppose the E20 mandate, citing mileage drop and maintenance costs.
- Sugarcane-based ethanol supply increased from 40 crore litres in FY14 to nearly 670 crore litres in FY24.
- 7.6% of vehicle sales in 2024 were electric, far short of the 30% target by 2030.
Ethanol Blending
- Ethanol Blending Programme (EBP) involves mixing ethanol (ethyl alcohol, usually from sugarcane, maize, rice, damaged food grains, etc.) with petrol.
- Objective: Reduce dependence on imported crude oil, cut pollution, and support farmers.
- Implemented by the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas (MoPNG), with oil marketing companies (OMCs) blending ethanol into petrol.
Benefits of Ethanol Blending
- Economic:
- Saves foreign exchange (reduces oil imports).
- Boosts income of farmers (sugarcane, maize, surplus grains used).
- Environmental:
- Lower carbon monoxide & particulate emissions compared to petrol.
- Helps India meet Paris Agreement commitments.
- Strategic:
- Enhances energy security.
- Diversifies fuel sources.
NEWS:Northeast Frontier Railway pioneers eco-friendly shift, introducing biodegradable linen bags developed by IIT-Guwahati across 25 trains.
GS-3 science and technology
- Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) is the first railway zone in India to use compostable bio-plastic on trains.
- A pilot project launched on Independence Day introduced biodegradable bags for distributing linen.
- The ISO 17088-compliant bioplastic was developed at IIT Guwahati.
- 40,000 bioplastic bags will be distributed across 25 trains from terminals in seven states.
Bioplastics
- Bioplastics are plastics derived partly or wholly from renewable biological sources (like corn starch, sugarcane, potato, cassava, algae) instead of fossil fuels.
- Some bioplastics are also biodegradable (can decompose naturally by microorganisms), though not all bioplastics are biodegradable.
🔹 Types of Bioplastics
- Bio-based, non-biodegradable
- e.g. Bio-PET, Bio-PE → chemically identical to conventional plastics but made from renewable feedstock.
- Bio-based, biodegradable
- e.g. PLA (Polylactic Acid), PHA (Polyhydroxyalkanoates).
- Fossil-based, biodegradable
- e.g. PBAT, PBS → petroleum-derived but engineered to biodegrade.
MAINS MOCK QUESTION
“Goods and Services Tax (GST) has been hailed as a game-changer for India’s indirect tax system, yet it continues to face implementation challenges.”
