What’s happening now: The GST Council, chaired by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, has begun a two-day meeting (Sept 3–4) to consider the biggest overhaul of GST since 2017. At the heart of the plan is rate rationalisation—moving from the current 4 slabs (5%, 12%, 18%, 28%) to two main slabs: 5% and 18%, with a […]
India’s federal and state finance ministers are convening from September 3–4 to discuss a sweeping overhaul of the GST system. The focus: potential tax reductions on more than 400 items and proposed hikes on high-end goods—moves that could reshape consumption patterns and indirect tax revenues. Given GST’s far-reaching impact on prices, trade, and inflation, any
Though India’s GDP growth clocked in at a healthy 7.8%, a recent analysis urges caution: the momentum seems fuelled more by government spending than sustainable private demand. Nominal GDP figures are only modestly above real growth, hinting at suppressed inflation and lacklustre consumer activity. The report flags weak urban demand amid expectations of lower GST
The Indian rupee plunged to an all-time low against the US dollar on 1 September, shaken by mounting trade tensions and tariffs imposed by the U.S. This depreciation reflects heightened concerns around export headwinds and global policy uncertainty. A weaker rupee can increase input costs for import-dependent sectors and push inflation higher, while benefitting exporters
In a borrower-friendly move, both Punjab National Bank (PNB) and Bank of India (BoI) have reduced their MCLR (Marginal Cost of Funds–based Lending Rates) for September 2025. PNB lowered its MCLR by up to 15 basis points, and BoI trimmed rates between 5 to 15 basis points across various tenures (excluding overnight). These changes took
Detailed Explanation: Cheque Clearance Time in India (Effective October 2025) 1. Current Process (Before October 2025) 2. Major Reform Rolls Out from October 4, 2025 Phase 1 (Oct 4, 2025 – Jan 2, 2026): Phase 2 (From Jan 3, 2026): 3. Benefits of the New System (‘Forget the waiting time—October onward…’)
Fixed Deposits (FDs) continue to be one of the safest and most popular investment options in India. While large commercial banks generally offer FD interest rates ranging between 5% to 6.5%, Small Finance Banks (SFBs) have emerged as an attractive alternative, providing higher returns of up to 7.77%. If you’re looking for stable growth with
India’s Finance Ministry has emphasized the need to sustain an 8% annual growth rate for the coming decade to buffer against geopolitical challenges and meet its 2047 development goals. Currently, the FY2025–26 growth projection sits at 6.3%–6.8%, down from 9.2% in FY2023–24.To bridge this gap, the strategy includes boosting the investment-to-GDP ratio from 31% to
India-specific game plan for September 2025 (IST). I’ve pulled the key deadlines and policy changes that actually affect money in/out, plus what to do and what to watch out for. 1) ITR Filing — Extended last date: 15 Sep 2025 2) Advance Tax — 2nd instalment due 15 Sep 2025 3) UPS (Unified Pension Scheme)
The global trade community is holding its breath as former U.S. President Donald Trump’s controversial tariffs face a final legal test at the U.S. Supreme Court. A recent appeals court ruling declared that most of these tariffs were imposed illegally, setting the stage for a landmark decision that could reshape international trade and impact economies
