THE HEADLINES ::
- Union IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw says, Government to develop more than 500 data labs under IndiaAI Mission to make India global leader in AI.
- Ministry of Consumer Affairs eases packaging rules to ensure consumer benefits as revised GST rates to be effective from Monday.
- DGCA approves resumption of helicopter operations for Char Dham Yatra after the monsoon break.
- India joins hands with United Nations’ FAO to build world class Blue Ports infrastructure.
- US vetoes UN Security Council resolution calling for ‘immediate and unconditional’ ceasefire in Gaza.
- In Asia Cup T20 cricket, India to take on Oman in final Group A match at Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi this evening.
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Union Minister for Electronics and Information and Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw has said Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) rules are finalized and set for publication in coming days. The minister said this while launching the logo and key activities for the India AI Impact Summit 2026. He informed that more than 3,000 consultations were held over a very long period to come up with this entire framework. Mr. Vaishnaw stated that India has 38 thousand GPUs right now and more GPUs will be available in the near future. The Minister informed that the expansion of more than 500 Data and AI Labs will pave the way for inclusive growth, democratized technology, and global leadership in AI and electronics. The Minister further highlighted that AI mission has made good progress in the country and the mission is taking good shape to provide AI facilities to various sectors of the country.
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Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has outlined the goals of the new era GST reforms during an event organized by the Next Generation GST Reforms Committee at the National Library in Kolkata yesterday. She stated that the Goods and Services Tax (GST) reforms aim to simplify and modernize the country’s tax and revenue system.
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Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution has issued an advisory in view of the revised GST rates which will be effective from monday. As per the advisory, manufacturers, packers and importers may voluntarily affix additional revised price stickers on unsold packages manufactured before 22nd September provided that the original MRP printed on the package is not obscured.
The Ministry has clarified that the Rules do not mandate such re-stickering and it is purely optional for companies who wish to declare revised prices. The advisory also permits use of old packaging material or wrappers printed before the GST revision, up to March 2026 or until such stock is exhausted. It added that Companies can correct the MRP on such packaging by stamping, stickering, or online printing at any suitable place on the package.
In addition, the Government has advised the manufacturers, packers and importers to take proactive steps to inform dealers, retailers and consumers about the revised GST rates. They have been encouraged to use all possible communication channels, including electronic, print and social media, to ensure consumer awareness.
According to the ministry, this step strikes a balance between ease of doing business and consumer protection, ensuring that industries are not overburdened with compliance while consumers receive the intended benefit of GST reduction. WITH ANAND KUMAR, ISHANI, AKASHVANI NEWS, DELHI.
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In a landmark move towards simplifying the tax structure and easing the financial burden on citizens, Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his Independence Day address this year announced the next generation GST reforms. Today we will take a look at the potential impact of these reforms on the automobile industry.
In a big relief for the common man, the GST Council has announced a major cut in tax rates on two-wheelers and small cars. Under the next generation GST reforms the government has reduced the GST rates on two wheelers from 28 percent to 18 percent upto 350cc. The reduction in GST will bring relief to lower middle class families, young professionals and gig workers who depend on affordable transport for their livelihood and daily needs. Meanwhile the GST on small cars has also been slashed down to 18 percent which previously was the part of 28 percent slab. This move is expected to make cars more affordable for middle class families thereby boosting the auto sector. By lowering the GST the move will also support job creation in manufacturing, sales, services and financing which will reinforce the nation’s growth momentum. The new tax rates will come into effect from Monday. Shivang, Akashvani News, Delhi.
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Guided by the mantra of Seva and Sushasan, that is, Public Service and Good Governance, the Government, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has been working tirelessly to bring transformation and progress. Today, in this Special Series – ‘Seva Parv’, we bring to you how the Modi government has strengthened women empowerment across the country..
Over the last 11 years, the Government of India has adopted a comprehensive, lifecycle-based policy framework to empower women across social, economic, political, and legal domains.
“Nari Shakti” is now a national mission, empowering every woman, urban or rural, young or elderly-to live with dignity, safety, and self-reliance. From constitutional safeguards and landmark laws against violence and discrimination, to transformative schemes, the focus has shifted from women’s development to women-led development.
Launching the Bima Sakhi scheme in Haryana in December last year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had said….
The Beti Bachao Beti Padhao scheme has yielded the desired result as the Sex ratio at Birth at National level has improved from 918 in 2014-15 to 930 in 2023-24. The Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (SSY), launched in January 2015 stands as a ray of hope and empowerment for millions of young girls across India.
The government is also implementing Lakhpati Didi initiative is to empower and enable Self-Help Groups (SHG) Women to earn a minimum income of one lakh rupees per annum on a sustainable basis. Shabnam Quadir, a resident of Jammu and Kashmir narrated as to how she changed her life by joining Self Help Group.
Thus, from grassroots governance to defence forces and aviation, women are now leading across sectors, driving inclusive and sustainable national growth.
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Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has granted approval of recommencement of helicopter operations for the Char Dham Yatra 2025 after the monsoon break. In a statement, the Ministry of Civil Aviation said that the strategic initiatives for enhancing the safety of Char Dham operations have been implemented after a rigorous scrutiny. Civil Aviation Minister Rammohan Naidu held multiple review meetings along with chief minister of Uttarakhand Pushkar Singh Dhami, at Dehradun and Delhi to ensure close coordination among the DGCA, Airport Authority of India and State Government.
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India joined hands with United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization, FAO to build world-class Blue Ports. Department of Fisheries under Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying has signed a Technical Cooperation Programme agreement with FAO to strengthen Blue Port infrastructure in India.
Three pilot harbours namely Vanakbara in Diu, Karaikal in Puducherry and Jakhau in Gujarat have been approved with a total investment of 369.8 crore rupees. Addressing the participants, Secretary, Department of Fisheries, Dr Abhilaksh Likhi. He said that fishing ports should be seen as gateways to economic activity, ecological sustainability, and social inclusion. He outlined the government’s plan to build fisheries systems that are healthy, viable, and inclusive to support national food and nutritional security. He pointed to the role of technologies such as 5G, artificial intelligence, automation and digital platforms in improving port operations. He also referred to government schemes such as the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana and Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund that are being used to modernise the sector. Ports is designed to improve the technical capacity of fishing ports in India. Payal Sharma, Akashvani News, Delhi.
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The United States once again vetoed a United Nations Security Council resolution, that demanded an ‘immediate, unconditional and permanent’ ceasefire in Gaza and the release of hostages. All fourteen other members of the UN, called Israel to lift all restrictions on aid, delivering to 2.1 million Palestinians and also described the situation in Gaza as catastrophic. It was the sixth US veto since the war between Israel and Hamas began nearly two years ago.
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And Now News from the World of Sports.. In Asia Cup 2025, India will face Oman in their final Group A match today at Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi.
With four points from two games, India already sealed Super 4 qualification, while Oman have been eliminated. India is dominant in the group stage, opening with a high-scoring win against the UAE and also defeated Pakistan by seven wickets in its last match. The match will start at 8PM, led by captain Suryakumar Yadav at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium. Yesterday, Sri Lanka stormed into the Super Four stage defeating Afghanistan by six wickets. With this win, Sri Lanka topped Group B while Bangladesh too advanced to the next stage with two wins from three games.
Moving on to Badminton, India’s ace shuttler PV Sindhu stormed into the women’s singles quarterfinals of China Masters in Shenzhen. Two-time Olympic medallist Sindhu defeated Pornpawee Chochuwong of Thailand. She will now face An Se Young of South Korea. Meanwhile, India’s star Men’s Doubles duo of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty also reached the quarterfinals. kaumudee, Akashvani News, Delhi.
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Although the monsoon in Himachal Pradesh is in its final phase, rainfall is still continuing. In the past 24 hours, widespread rain has been recorded in most parts of the state, including the capital Shimla.
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Heavy rain lashed several parts of Hyderabad on the second consecutive day, yesterday, leaving several residential colonies under severe waterlogging. Bahadurpura recorded the highest rainfall of 91 milimetres till this morning while areas including Domalguda, Musheerabad, Ashoknagar, Bagh Lingampally and Himayathnagar faced severe waterlogging.
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TODAY’S NEWSPAPERS HEADLINE,
- Reacting to the the Pakistan, Saudi Arabia mutual defence pact, India has said that it will study implications of the deal and take all steps to protect the country’s interests and security, reports Hindustan Times.
- The Asian Age terms the revocation of sanctions waiver by the US on Chabahar port in Iran as a “major strategic blow to India”.
- Financial Express quotes Chief Economic Advisor Mr. Nageswaran as saying that US may cut tariff on India to 10 to 15%, and a deal may be reached in 8 to 10 weeks.
- The Hindu carries a photograph on its front page, captioned “Trail of destruction” showing rescue operation in Chamoli district, which was battered by torrential rain yesterday.
- Kin of 4 victims in Air India flight 171 crash on June 12 have filed a lawsuit in the US against Boeing and Honeywell, alleging negligence, reports The Indian Express.
- And finally, seven natural heritage sites from across India have been included in UNESCO’s Tentative List of World Heritage Sites, writes The Statesman.
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THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN,
- Union IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw says, Government to develop more than 500 data labs under IndiaAI Mission to make India global leader in AI.
- Ministry of Consumer Affairs eases packaging rules to ensure consumer benefits as revised GST rates to be effective from Monday.
- DGCA approves resumption of helicopter operations for Char Dham Yatra after the monsoon break.
- India joins hands with United Nations’ FAO to build world class Blue Ports infrastructure.
- US vetoes UN Security Council resolution calling for ‘immediate and unconditional’ ceasefire in Gaza.
- In Asia Cup T20 cricket, India to take on Oman in final Group A match at Abu Dhabi this evening.
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