Next-generation GST reforms to reduce taxes on essentials and ease compliance for MSMEs and local vendors.
Next-generation GST reforms will reduce taxes on essential goods and ease compliance for MSMEs, local vendors and consumers, supported by a dedicated Reform Task Force to cut red-tapism and modernise governance. A central employment scheme will deliver monthly support to newly employed youth, while a high-powered Demography Mission targets illegal migration as a national-security and rights-protection concern. Strategic industrial and energy missions include domestic semiconductor development, indigenous jet-engine efforts, a major nuclear capacity expansion, and a Deepwater Exploration Mission with expanded renewable and hydrogen initiatives.

Two-slab GST rate structure proposed to simplify taxation, with special rates for select goods enabling rate rationalisation.
The finance ministry proposes a two-slab GST rate structure-standard and merit-with limited special rates for select goods, aiming to replace the current four-tier framework to simplify taxation on common-man and aspirational items. The proposal ties rate rationalisation to fiscal space arising from the end of the compensation cess and envisages consideration by the GST Council following GoM recommendations, combining structural reforms, rate alignment and measures to improve taxpayer ease.

GST rate rationalisation announced to reduce taxes and prune slabs, easing costs for consumers and aiding MSMEs.
GST rate rationalisation and structural reforms are to be implemented by Diwali to deliver substantial tax relief on everyday items and to provide targeted benefits to MSMEs. A Group of Ministers of state finance ministers is considering rate rationalisation and pruning of tax slabs as the mechanism to simplify the indirect tax framework and reduce tax burdens on common-use goods.

Track-and-trace mechanism for tobacco and arecanut to prevent GST leakage and curb ITC misuse through supply-chain monitoring.
Introduction of a track-and-trace mechanism in the tobacco and arecanut value chains to detect undeclared sales volumes and plug GST leakage by tracking all ingredients from primary product to final product, alongside measures to curb misuse of input tax credit and a parallel package to decriminalise and rationalise selected offences to enhance trust-based governance.

Prevention of money laundering probe examines celebrity endorsements linked to alleged illegal online betting apps and communications.
A federal probe under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act examined a celebrity's connections to an alleged illegal online betting app, probing endorsements, fees and communications, within a wider enforcement campaign that included questioning intermediaries, multi-state searches, blocking orders for platforms, and regulatory actions under the Information Technology Act and the IGST Act, while noting that betting and gambling remain a state subject with states bearing primary enforcement responsibility.

Money laundering probe under PMLA examines celebrity endorsements and links to illegal online betting platforms.
Enforcement authorities recorded a statement from a former sportsperson under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act in an investigation of alleged illegal online betting apps, probing endorsements, fees received and communications with the platform, amid parallel actions including questioning of digital intermediaries and multi-state searches; regulatory measures note that online money gaming suppliers fall under the Integrated Goods and Services Tax Act and intermediaries can be directed to block platforms under the Information Technology Act, while States retain primary enforcement responsibility under the Seventh Schedule.

GST on scrap and e-waste undermines formal recycling and revenue, prompting calls for reduced rates and EPR-linked rebates
High GST rates (currently 18%) on metal scrap, plastics, e-waste and industrial by-products make formal recycling commercially unviable, drive transactions into the informal cash economy, distort markets, and cause substantial fiscal leakage. The study recommends staged reductions in GST rates to 12% and ultimately 5%, social protection and financial inclusion for informal workers, and linking GST benefits to verified Extended Producer Responsibility compliance to incentivise formalisation and recover revenue.

Money Bills returned to the lower house after Upper House debate amid protests over a separate administrative exercise.
The Rajya Sabha returned the Manipur Appropriation Bill, 2025, authorising appropriation from the Consolidated Fund for 2025-26 services, and the Manipur Goods and Services Tax (Amendment) Bill, 2025, which would replace the 2025 Ordinance to implement GST Council decisions. Both measures were treated as Money Bills, debated briefly amid opposition protests over an unrelated revision exercise, and were returned to the Lok Sabha by voice vote.

Additional borrowing request: state seeks permission to increase fiscal borrowing and restore deducted funds for capital and festival spending.
Kerala requests central approval to raise additional borrowing of Rs 7,877.57 crore and restoration of Rs 4,288.16 crore deducted from its borrowing limit, citing pressures from festival related and other expenditures. The state asks that Rs 6,000 crore be permitted over and above the Net Borrowing Ceiling without conditions and Rs 1,877.57 crore be allowed via Open Market Borrowing for GSDP variation. It seeks restoration of amounts deducted for non contribution to the Guarantee Redemption Fund and for IGST Advance Apportionment adjustments, and requests that 25% state contribution to national highway land acquisition be treated as additional capital expenditure.

GST evasion: arrest and remand where collected tax was diverted, treated as cognizable non-bailable offence.
Three related manpower and facility-management service companies under-reported outward supplies and diverted GST collected from clients instead of discharging liabilities; a common director admitted involvement. The matter has been treated as a penal offence under the CGST framework, the individual was arrested and remanded to judicial custody, and the investigation continues to trace funds and other beneficiaries.

State GST levy on extra neutral alcohol enables tax on ENA used in alcoholic liquor manufacture.
The Amendment Bill replaces the ordinance to implement GST Council decisions and to allow the State to levy state tax on un-denatured extra neutral alcohol or rectified spirit when used for the manufacture of alcoholic liquor for human consumption, thereby altering the tax treatment of ENA and protecting state revenue by granting explicit taxing authority.

GST invoice fraud triggers PMLA searches and arrests across multiple states in probe into alleged fake Input Tax Credit networks.
Investigation targets alleged GST invoice fraud through generation of fake Input Tax Credit using shell entities and unauthorised financial channels; coordinated multi-state searches and seizures have been conducted under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act based on evidence indicating laundering of proceeds of crime, following an arrest and chargesheet against a suspected key mastermind.

GST collection growth signals higher monthly and cumulative state tax receipts, indicating strengthening business activity and consumption.
West Bengal recorded a year-on-year increase in gross Goods and Services Tax collections for July, with provisional figures showing higher monthly receipts than the same month in the prior year. The state's cumulative GST revenue through July also shows positive growth, and officials cite these provisional figures as indicative of strengthening business activity and consumption.

Fraudulent Input Tax Credit disrupted after enforcement action leads to arrest and probe into bogus supply chain.
Fraudulent availment and circulation of Input Tax Credit was uncovered in a trader's supply chain involving bogus invoices and misuse of credits from cancelled and suspended GST registrations; the firm's declared place of business was non functional on inspection. Enforcement under the CGST Act 2017 included a statutory search and the proprietor's arrest for offences connected to fraudulent ITC claims, with authorities using data analytics and supply chain mapping to trace and disrupt the network.

Fraudulent Input Tax Credit leads to arrests under CGST offence provisions; investigation into shell firm invoice racket continues.
Allegations concern the fraudulent availing and passing of Input Tax Credit through fictitious suppliers and forged registrations, with the recipient firm found non operational. Two directors were arrested under CGST procedural provisions for offences under the criminal clauses of the CGST regime related to false invoices and tax evasion, produced before the magistrate and remanded to judicial custody. Investigation continues to identify other beneficiaries and operators of the fake invoice racket.

State GST share dynamics: gross monthly GST growth can diverge from post settlement SGST due to IGST apportionment and credits.
Gross GST collections rose year on year in July for several eastern states, with West Bengal showing growth in gross monthly receipts while its cumulative post settlement SGST for April-July declined marginally; the distinction between gross collections, pre settlement SGST and post settlement SGST reflects IGST apportionment effects and input tax credit variations, and provisional figures remain subject to reconciliation under central settlement procedures.

GST revenue collections for July 2025: gross receipts, refunds, and computed net GST revenue with state allocations.
The release reports component-wise gross GST receipts (CGST, SGST, IGST, CESS) for July 2025 and year-to-date, separate domestic and import revenues, and domestic and export/import refunds. Net revenues are computed by subtracting refunds to yield Net Domestic Revenue, Net Customs Revenue and total Net GST Revenue, with month-on-month and year-to-date growth comparisons. State/UT-level collection growth and pre/post-settlement SGST allocations are provided. All numbers are provisional and subject to finalisation.

Goods and Services Tax receipts rise while accelerated refund disbursals reduce net inflows but support business liquidity.
Increase in gross Goods and Services Tax receipts reflected a rise in domestic and import-derived tax revenue and a substantial surge in GST refunds, with higher refunds reducing net inflows while supporting taxpayer working capital and indicating sustained consumption and revenue resilience.

Tax policy and investor confidence: calls to end perceived tax terrorism and reform GST to revive investment.
Allegations attribute falling net FDI and sluggish private investment to aggressive tax administration labelled as tax terrorism, preferential policies for select businesses, and stagnant wages, urging income support, comprehensive GST reform, and trade-protection measures against alleged dumping to restore investor confidence and protect domestic manufacturing.

GST evasion alleged as raid uncovers fake IT service invoices and documents; probe continues, seizure of equipment and firearm.
Allegations of GST evasion by a software developer involve issuance of false certificates and fake invoices for IT services; investigators searched the residence, examined financial transactions, and seized computers, equipment and documents. A cheating complaint for GST fraud has been registered and the probe is ongoing. An unlicensed firearm and cartridges were also seized, leading to a separate criminal registration for illegal possession.