<h1>Stock indices inch higher after GST slabs cut to 5% and 18% from Sept 22; gains trimmed by profit-taking</h1> Stock indices modestly rose after a government tax council approved a GST overhaul limiting slabs to 5% and 18% effective Sept 22, but gains were pared due to profit-taking in major blue-chip firms. The benchmark indices opened sharply higher on the tax-rationalisation news but ended marginally up, with mid- and small-caps down and sectoral divergence-consumer-oriented sectors gained while utilities, power, oil & gas, and IT lagged. Institutional flows showed net foreign selling offset by domestic buying. Commentary flagged ongoing global macro risks, tariff threats, and volatile investor sentiment as constraints on sustained upside.