National News
GST Council Announces Cuts Tax Slabs to Two
- The GST Council has simplified India’s tax structure by reducing the four tax slabs to two — 5% and 18% — to boost consumer spending and ease the burden on the middle class.
- The 12% and 28% slabs were scrapped, with many items shifting to lower rates, making products like consumer durables, staples, medicines, footwear, and renewable energy equipment cheaper.
- The changes will take effect from September 22, 2025, excluding sin goods like pan masala, tobacco, and cigarettes, which retain higher rates. Some products like sugary drinks and coal will see a tax increase.
Govt Approves ₹1,500 Cr Scheme for Mineral Recycling
- The Union Cabinet has approved a Rs.1,500 crore Incentive Scheme under the National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM) to boost critical mineral recycling from e-waste, lithium-ion battery (LIB) scrap, and other secondary sources.
- Spanning FY 2025-26 to FY 2030-31, the scheme offers 20% Capex subsidy and Opex incentives on incremental sales, with caps of Rs.50 crore for large and Rs.25 crore for small entities.
- It aims to build 270 kiloton recycling capacity, yield 40 kiloton critical minerals annually, attract Rs.8,000 crore investment, and generate 70,000 jobs, supporting both new and existing recyclers, including start-ups.
UPSC to Set Up Centre of Excellence As Best Practices
Chhattisgarh’s Power Capacity Rises to 30,000 MW
- Chhattisgarh’s power generation capacity has skyrocketed from 1,400 MW in 2000 to 30,000 MW in 25 years, as announced by Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai.
- With nearly Rs 3 lakh crore in investment commitments secured through new MoUs, the state plans to add another 30,000 MW, ensuring 24/7 uninterrupted power supply locally and to neighboring states.
- The recent inauguration of a 1,320 MW plant by PM Narendra Modi underscores this growth.
- A new joint headquarters for state-run power companies in Nava Raipur Atal Nagar will boost efficiency and coordination.
Meghalaya Launches Autumn Calendar 2025
- Meghalaya’s Department of Tourism has launched its Autumn Calendar 2025, featuring a vibrant lineup of world-class festivals, global artists, and daily music across the state.
- Highlights include the Chief Minister’s Meghalaya Grassroots Music Project, international kayaking and motorsport events, and the Cherry Blossom Festival with global headliners.
- This diverse calendar aims to boost the local economy and showcase Meghalaya’s rich cultural heritage, positioning the state as a growing global hub for culture, music, and tourism.
Maharashtra Approves Longer Working Hours in Private Sector
- The Maharashtra Cabinet has approved amendments to labour laws allowing an increase in daily working hours for private sector employees from 9 to 10 hours, and up to 12 hours in industries, aiming to attract investment, generate employment, and ensure workers’ rights.
- The amendments will be made to the Factories Act, 1948 and the Maharashtra Shops and Establishments Act, 2017, aligning the state with labour reforms in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, and Tripura.
International News
WHO Warning For Suicide Causes 1 in 100 Deaths
- Suicide accounts for over 1 in every 100 deaths globally, with 7.27 lakh suicides reported in 2021, prompting the WHO to call for urgent action, especially to protect young people, where it remains a leading cause of death.
- The WHO’s World Mental Health Today report found suicide was the second leading cause of death among girls (15–29) and third among boys in the same age group.
- Despite a 35% global decline in suicide rates since 2000, the world is on track for only a 12% reduction by 2030, far short of the one-third target.
India-Japan Joint Credit Mechanism for Climate Action
- India and Japan have signed a landmark Joint Credit Mechanism (JCM) under Article 6.2 of the Paris Agreement to strengthen carbon trading, drive green investments, and promote sustainable innovation.
- Signed by India’s Ministry of Environment and the Government of Japan, the JCM enhances bilateral climate cooperation amid rising US tariffs on Indian exports and China’s rare earth restrictions.
- It aligns with broader India-Japan deals worth ¥10 trillion (Rs 6 trillion) in AI, defence, semiconductors, and critical minerals.
Economy News
India’s Services Sector PMI Hits 15-Year High
- India’s services sector surged to a 15-year high in August 2025, with the HSBC India Services PMI rising to 62.9, driven by strong domestic and international demand, according to S&P Global data.
- This growth also triggered the fastest rise in prices in over a decade, as companies passed on rising input costs to customers.
- Output price inflation hit its highest level since July 2012, while export orders saw their strongest growth in 14 months.
- Despite this, employment growth remained modest. Business confidence rose to a three-month high on the back of planned advertising and favorable demand forecasts.
India-EFTA Trade Pact to Begin October 1
- India’s free trade agreement (FTA) with the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) — comprising Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein — will come into effect on October 1, 2025, and marks a first-of-its-kind deal with legally binding sustainability clauses.
- Signed on March 10, 2024, the Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA) includes commitments on trade, environmental protection, labour rights, and human rights.
FDI in India Rises 15% in Q1 FY26
- FDI in India rose 15% to USD 18.62 billion in April-June FY26, driven by a tripling of inflows from the US to USD 5.61 billion despite tariff challenges. The total FDI, including equity and reinvested earnings, reached USD 25.2 billion.
- Top investing countries include the US, Singapore, Mauritius, and Cyprus.
- Key sectors attracting investment are computer software, services, automobiles, and renewable energy. Karnataka and Maharashtra led the inflows among states.
- The government’s investor-friendly reforms and 100% FDI automatic route in many sectors have boosted confidence.
Appointments News
SC Collegium Recommends 26 Judges for Allahabad HC
- The Supreme Court Collegium has recommended 26 new appointments to the Allahabad High Court, comprising 14 judicial officers and 12 advocates, including senior women lawyers Garima Parshad and Swarupama Chaturvedi.
- This move, one of the largest recent recommendations for a single High Court, aims to address the 76 vacancies in the Allahabad HC, which has a sanctioned strength of 160 judges but is currently operating with only 84 judges.
- The proposals were finalized in the September 1 meeting and published on the court’s website.
Ranks and Reports News
IIT-Madras Tops NIRF Rankings 2025 for Seventh Consecutive Year
- The NIRF Rankings 2025, released by the Ministry of Education, crowned IIT-Madras as India’s top institution for the 7th year in a row, followed by IISc Bengaluru and IIT-Mumbai.
- The 10th edition recognized excellence across 17 categories including engineering, management, law, medicine, research, and sustainable development, with IIT-Madras also leading in innovation and the new SDG category, reflecting India’s growing strength in higher education.
Science & Technology News
IIT Jodhpur’s Landmark AI Push for Indian Languages and Heritage
- IIT Jodhpur is pioneering AI innovation for Indian languages, cultural heritage, and future skills through its Vision, Language and Learning Group (VL2G), led by Prof. Anand Mishra.
- Under the Bhashini initiative, the team has developed scene text recognition tools for 13 Indian languages, enabling multilingual navigation, real-time translations, and increased accessibility.
- In partnership with IGNCA and TIH-iHUB Drishti, they are restoring ancient manuscripts using deep learning, preserving India’s linguistic and cultural heritage.
Sports News
World Boxing Championships Kick Off in Liverpool
- The World Boxing Championships begin tomorrow in Liverpool, UK, under the new governing body World Boxing, featuring both men’s and women’s events together for the first time.
- India enters with strong contenders like Nikhat Zareen (51kg), Lovlina Borgohain (75kg), and Pooja Rani, forming the core of the women’s team.
- The men’s squad, led by Sumit Kundu, includes experienced names like Sachin Siwach and promising debutants such as Jadumani Singh, Hitesh Gulia, and Abhinash Jamwal, aiming to make their mark.
Current Affairs Today | 4 Sep Current Affairs 2025 | Daily Current Affairs By Ashish Gautam