News highlights: Centre proposes 5% and 18% rates under revamped GST regime, say sources

Catch all the new developments here as India celebrates its 79th Independence Day

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Centre has proposed 5 per cent and 18 per cent rates under revamped GST regime; special 40 per cent rate on luxury, sin goods, sources told news agency PTI.

One person was killed and nine others were injured following a suspected cylinder blast in Bengaluru's Wilson garden. Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah visited the site of the incident. After inspecting the site, CM said that the initial suspicion for the incident was a cylinder blast. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday delivered a powerful call for a “Samriddh Bharat”, urging India to become aatmanirbhar across sectors ranging from fighter jet engines to electric vehicles and artificial intelligence, stressing the need to counter rising global economic selfishness. In his Independence Day address, lasting 103 minutes, PM Modi made several key announcements: the formation of a task force for next-generation reforms, GST reforms aimed at a “double Diwali” with tax relief on goods, a national deep-water exploration mission to boost energy self-reliance, and an indigenous Sudarshan Chakra defence system planned for completion by 2035. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday lauded the success of the home-grown Unified Payments Interface (UPI), noting that it now accounts for half of all real-time transactions worldwide. Addressing the nation from the Red Fort on the 79th Independence Day, PM Modi described UPI as “a wonder to the world” and a testament to India’s capability for self-reliance. “Fifty per cent of total real-time transactions are carried out through UPI alone,” he said. Launched in 2016, UPI has recorded exponential growth in both transaction volume and value, transforming India’s digital payments landscape. Prime Minister Narendra Modi wished the nation on its 79th Independence Day, urging citizens to work harder to fulfil the dreams of freedom fighters and build a developed India. “Wishing everyone a very happy Independence Day. May this day inspire us to keep working even harder to realise the dreams of our freedom fighters and build a Viksit Bharat. Jai Hind!” he posted on X.

PM Modi announces 'Mission Sudarshan Chakra'

Speaking on Independence Day from the Red Fort, PM Narendra Modi outlined India’s plan for comprehensive national security over the next decade. Citing Lord Shri Krishna’s Sudarshan Chakra from the Mahabharata, he announced the ‘Mission Sudarshan Chakra’ to provide 100 per cent protection to strategic and civilian locations, including hospitals, temples, and critical installations.

The mission aims to develop advanced, homegrown defence technologies to neutralise threats with precision and swiftness. R&D will be conducted domestically, ensuring that the systems are designed “by the people of our nation, for the people of our nation.” PM Modi emphasised that the focus will be on targeted, precise, and effective action to safeguard citizens, describing the initiative as the ‘Rashtriya Suraksha Kawach’.

ALSO READ: India will no longer tolerate nuclear blackmail: PM Modi in I-Day speech

India completes 78 years of independence

India is celebrating its 79th Independence Day today, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi set to lead the national celebrations from the Red Fort in Delhi. Flying Officer Rashika Sharma will assist the Prime Minister in hoisting the National Flag, synchronised with a 21-gun salute by the 1721 Field Battery (Ceremonial). Around 25,000 people are expected to attend the Red Fort celebrations. Hours before India’s 79th Independence Day, the Red Fort readies for PM Narendra Modi’s 12th address and flag hoisting under the Naya Bharat theme. The event will honour Operation Sindoor, feature a tricolour petal shower from IAF helicopters, and conclude with NCC cadets and ‘My Bharat’ volunteers forming the Naya Bharat logo during the National Anthem.

Security stepped up for I-Day

Security has been stepped up nationwide ahead of Independence Day celebrations, with intensified patrolling, vehicle and individual checks, and enhanced surveillance measures. ALSO READ: 79th Independence Day: When and where to watch the parade, PM Modi's speech

In Delhi, police have strengthened security at border points and strategic locations as part of a multi-layered plan involving the Delhi Police, paramilitary forces, National Security Guard (NSG), Special Protection Group (SPG), Military Intelligence, and other agencies. Over 20,000 personnel have been deployed across the capital.

Advanced artificial intelligence systems — including facial recognition, anti-intrusion cameras, people-count cameras, automatic number plate recognition (ANPR), and abandoned object detection — have been installed. The ANPR system will flag suspicious vehicles, while the facial recognition database contains details of 300,000 suspects.

Anti-drone systems are active, snipers are stationed on rooftops, and more than 800 CCTV cameras are monitoring sensitive zones. Two special control rooms — inside and outside the Red Fort — are tracking live feeds from 426 cameras.

Security has also been reinforced in other major parts of the country.

11:21 PM

J&K cloudburst: Victims cremated, NDREF deploys sniffer dogs for rescue

Most of the 34 cloudburst victims, identified and handed to families, were cremated across Jammu division on Friday, officials said. Thursday’s massive cloudburst in Chasoti, the last motorable village to Machail Mata temple in Kishtwar, Jammu and Kashmir, claimed 60 lives and left 76 missing.

10:53 PM

Himachal monsoon: Death toll rises to 257 as rain disrupts roads and power

Persistent rains in Himachal Pradesh have disrupted utilities and severed links in multiple districts, the state disaster authority said. By 5 pm, 406 roads including two national highways were blocked, 457 power transformers shut, and 222 water supply schemes stalled. The monsoon toll has climbed to 257, with 133 deaths from landslides, flash floods, and house collapses, and 124 from road accidents.

10:14 PM

Indian naval ships dock in Colombo to participate in bilateral naval drill

Indian naval ships INS Rana and INS Jyoti reached Colombo on Friday to take part in the 12th edition of a bilateral exercise with the Sri Lankan Navy, aimed at boosting interoperability and maritime cooperation, officials said. The exercise, scheduled from August 14 to 18, involves INS Rana, a guided missile destroyer, and INS Jyoti, a fleet tanker, a Navy spokesperson added.

8:45 PM

Congress urges public to use 'vote chori se azadi' display pic on social media handles

Rahul Gandhi's fight is to protect people's mandate, expose the EC-BJP "conspiracy of vote chori" and to save democracy, the Congress said on Friday as it urged people to put up a display picture on their social media handles to show support for its campaign against the alleged poll irregularities.

7:44 PM

Uddhav and Raj will contest civic elections together, says Sanjay Raut

Raj Thackeray-led Maharashtra Navnirman Sena will contest the upcoming civic elections in Mumbai and elsewhere together, said Sanjay Raut Shiv Sena (UBT) MP. "The Thackeray brothers (Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray) will contest the municipal corporation elections in Mumbai, Thane, Nashik and Kalyan-Dombivali together and win. The strength of Raj and Uddhav Thackeray is the strength of the unity of the Marathi-speakers. No power cannot break the iron fist of 'Marathi manus' now," Raut told reporters here.

6:40 PM

JK cloudburst: Air Force ready to undertake relief, rescue operations

The Indian Air Force is ready to undertake relief and rescue operations in the aftermath of the deadly cloudburst in Jammu and Kashmir's Kishtwar district, with two Mi-17 helicopters and one Advanced Light Helicopter on standby at Jammu and Udhampur, sources told PTI.

6:21 PM

Spain, Portugal, Greece battle wildfires as heatwave expected to last for days

On Friday, firefighters in Spain, Portugal, and Greece continued battling wildfires despite it being a public holiday in all three nations, as relentless heat and dry weather hampered containment efforts. Spain faced 14 major blazes, with temperatures forecast to rise over the weekend. “Today will once again be a very tough day, with an extreme risk of new fires,” Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez wrote on X.

5:44 PM

GST overhaul: Around 99% of items in current 12% tax slab to move to 5% bracket, say govt sources

Around 99 per cent of items in current 12 per cent GST tax slab to move to 5 per cent bracket in revamped GST regime, sources told news agency PTI.

5:42 PM

Revamped GST: About 90% of taxable items in 28% bracket to shift to 18% slab in, say govt sources

About 90 per cent of taxable items in 28 per cent bracket to shift to 18 per cent slab in revamped GST regime, sources told news agency PTI.

5:40 PM

Govt expects GST revamp to give consumption a big boost: Sources

Govt expects Goods and Services Tax revamp to give consumption a big boost, which will offset revenue loss due to rate rationalisation, sources told news agency PTI.

5:36 PM

Centre proposes 5% and 18% rates under revamped GST regime: Sources

Centre has proposed 5 per cent and 18 per cent rates under revamped GST regime; special 40 per cent rate on luxury, sin goods, sources told news agency PTI.

5:24 PM

Macron speaks to Zelenskyy, calls for further meeting after Alaska summit

French President Emmanuel Macron spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on Friday, with both leaders agreeing to meet again following the Alaska summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, the Elysee said.

5:13 PM

J&K CM Abdullah to visit cloudburst-hit Chositi village

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah will visit Chositi village in Kishtwar district on Saturday to review the devastation caused by recent natural calamity. The remote mountain village was hit by a massive cloudburst on Thursday, triggering flash floods that claimed at least 60 lives, including two CISF personnel, and left many others trapped.

4:43 PM

Israeli PM Netanyahu conveys best wishes on India's 79th Independence Day

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday extended warm greetings to India on the occasion of its 79th Independence Day. In a series of posts on X shared on the Israeli Prime Minister's account, Netanyahu said, "Congratulations to my dear friend @PMOIndia @narendramodi and the people of India on your Independence Day."

4:34 PM

We are actively driving nationwide campaigns on PMJDY: PNB CEO on I-day

On the ocassion of 79th Independence Day, Ashok Chandra, MD and CEO, Pubjab National Bank, said, "We take pride in PNB’s 131-year rich legacy, founded by the great freedom fighter Shri Lala Lajpat Rai. As India advances towards becoming a developed economy by 2047, PNB is committed to inclusive and sustainable development through financial inclusion, infrastructure financing, renewable energy investments, and robust banking services. We are actively driving nationwide campaigns on PMJDY, social security schemes, re-KYC, and digital literacy."

First Published: Aug 15 2025 | 6:43 AM IST