Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will chair the 55th GST Council meeting in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, on Saturday, December 21. This meeting will focus on several important discussions related to the Goods and Services Tax (GST) in India. The agenda includes deliberations on taxability issues concerning food delivery platforms such as Swiggy and Zomato, and potential changes to GST rates on products like health insurance premiums, life insurance, wristwatches, shoes, and apparel. The cou

India introduced the Goods and Services Tax (GST) in 2017 to simplify the tax structure and reduce the tax burden. Recent data shows that the gross GST collection for October 2024 rose by 9% to ₹1.87 lakh crore, a record second-highest figure. However, a recent proposal by the Group of Ministers (GoM) on GST Rates Rationalisation suggests a new 35% GST slab on products like aerated drinks and tobacco, which has raised concerns. The proposal aims to target 'sin' products such as thos

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has called an urgent meeting of its Apex Council to appoint former Chief Election Commissioner Achal Kumar Jyoti as the electoral officer for upcoming elections to fill the positions of secretary and treasurer. These posts were vacated by Jay Shah and Ashish Shelar, who assumed new roles in December. According to the BCCI constitution, the Board must call a Special General Meeting and appoint an electoral officer at least four weeks before the

 On Wednesday, Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting, L Murugan, informed the Lok Sabha that the government had blocked 18 OTT platforms this year for publishing obscene, vulgar, and in some cases, pornographic content. This action is in line with the IT Rules of 2021, which impose specific due diligence obligations on intermediaries to ensure they take reasonable steps to prevent the spread of such content. The IT Rules also set out a Code of Ethics for publishers

The future of the 2025 Champions Trophy is in jeopardy as tensions between India and Pakistan complicate the tournament's organization. India’s Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has made it clear that the Indian team will not travel to Pakistan without government approval, which remains pending. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had initially rejected the idea of a hybrid hosting model that would allow India to play in Dubai, but recently showed some flexibility, reportedl

A panel of state ministers has recommended changes to the Goods and Services Tax (GST) structure, specifically targeting sin goods, including tobacco products, aerated beverages, and luxury cars. These goods are currently taxed at the highest 28% GST rate, along with an additional cess. The proposal, which is part of a rate rationalisation report, is set to be presented before the GST Council in its upcoming meeting later this month. The Group of Ministers (GoM), led by Bihar Deputy Chief Min

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI)'s decision to cancel the warm-up match against India A ahead of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy has drawn criticism, especially given the inconsistent form displayed by several Indian cricketers in recent months. In response, the Indi

Melania Trump will not be attending the traditional White House meeting on Wednesday with first lady Jill Biden, sources said. Traditionally, when the outgoing President hosts the incoming President-elect in the Oval Office, the first lady hosts her successor for tea in the residence. Michelle Obama hosted Melania Trump for tea in the Yellow Room after the 2016 election. However, Melania Trump did not meet with Jill Biden after the contentious 2020 race as Donald Trump repeatedly claimed he w

In a significant development ahead of the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has officially informed the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) that the Indian cricket team will not travel to Pakistan for the tournament. Citing security concerns, the BCCI has requested that all of India's matches be moved to Dubai instead, as confirmed by an anonymous BCCI official to the Indian Express. This stance has been consistent, and the BCCI has made it clea

Gautam Gambhir is under significant pressure just three months into his tenure as head coach of the Indian cricket team, following an unprecedented series of defeats against Sri Lanka and New Zealand. Appointed to the position amid considerable fanfare, Gambhir was even granted a rare seat at the selection committee meeting for the tour of Australia. However, his initial performance review suggests a rocky start, raising concerns about his future influence on team matters if results do not im

As the deadline for IPL 2025 player retentions approaches, Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) has shared a creative puzzle for their fans, featuring nine potential player names. This fun engagement comes as franchises prepare for the mega auction, with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) setting a retention deadline of October 31. The players included in RCB's puzzle are cricketing stars Virat Kohli, Mohammed Siraj, Rajat Patidar, Faf du Plessis, Cameron Green, Glenn

India's exit from the Women's T20 World Cup 2024 has sparked significant debate around the future of the team and its leadership. Skipper Harmanpreet Kaur has come under fire after the team's disappointing performances against New Zealand and Australia, leading to questions about her captaincy. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is reportedly planning to convene a meeting with head coach Amol Muzumdar and the selection committee to discuss the team's fu

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has officially appointed Jasprit Bumrah as the vice-captain of the Indian Test team ahead of the series against New Zealand, while Rohit Sharma retains his role as captain. Bumrah, recognized as one of India's most vital players, has been integrated into the leadership group, even though he has limited captaincy experience. In a press conference before the first Test, Rohit Sharma spoke highly of Bumrah’s tactical understand

With the IPL 2025 auction looming, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has yet to announce the retention and release guidelines for franchises. Despite this uncertainty, reports are surfacing about the preferences of various teams. It’s expected that franchises will be limited to retaining no more than 6 players, including those with Right To Match options, leading to speculation about several high-profile players potentially being released. Rohit Sharma,

A panel of state ministers, established by the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council, is set to convene in Goa on September 24 and 25. This six-member group, led by Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary, will review the implications of rate rationalization on at least 100 items. The discussions aim to analyze potential changes in GST slabs and rates, particularly focusing on essential goods. During the two-day meeting, the panel will explore various

US President Joe Biden recently commended Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his historic visit to Ukraine and his commitment to peace amid the ongoing conflict with Russia. During their meeting in Wilmington, North Carolina, Biden expressed strong support for India's bid for permanent membership in the UN Security Council, emphasizing the importance of India's voice in global governance. Both leaders highlighted the progress made in the India-US pa

Introduction and Background: In Kolkata, junior doctors are continuing their protest over the horrific rape-murder of a fellow doctor. Their protest has brought significant attention to their demands for greater transparency in the investigation and meetings with state officials. Recently, these doctors received a "fifth and final" invitation from Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to discuss their concerns. This meeting is crucial given the recent develop

Rescue of Indian Nationals: Forty-five Indian citizens who were illegally inducted into the Russian army and forced to fight in the Ukraine conflict have been rescued and discharged from military service, according to the Indian Ministry of External Affairs. The rescue operation was part of ongoing efforts to address the plight of Indian nationals who had been misled into joining the Russian military. The Ministry also reported that fifty more Indi