The Parliament was told on Monday that the government continues to place a high priority on financial inclusion, with its flagship insurance and health protection programs being extended to include all societal segments, including Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and Other Backward Classes (OBCs).

In a written response to the Lok Sabha, Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary stated that the Financial Inclusion Saturation Campaign, which aims to increase membership under low-cost insurance plans, has now reached 2.7 lakh gram panchayats and urban local bodies (ULBs).

The minister claims that in order to facilitate access, the government has also developed a Jansuraksha webpage that has comprehensive details about the Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY) and the Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY).

In an effort to further develop the insurance industry, the Finance Ministry pointed out that the Union Budget 2025 announced a rise in Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in Indian insurance companies from 74% to 100%.

For example, PMJJBY offers Rs 2 lakh in life insurance coverage for people between the ages of 18 and 50 at an annual premium of Rs 436; PMSBY offers Rs 2 lakh in accidental insurance coverage for death or total permanent disability and Rs 1 lakh for partial permanent disability for people between the ages of 18 and 70 at a cost of just Rs 20 annually; and Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY) offers Rs 5 lakh in health coverage per family annually for secondary and tertiary care hospitalization.

With subsidized premium rates of 2% for Kharif, 1.5% for Rabi, and 5% for commercial/horticultural crops, the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) protects farmers against crop losses.

The government is depending on a robust network of 16 lakh banking correspondents (BCs) to serve as the last-mile link in providing these services in order to increase outreach.

According to the minister, banks have also been assigned explicit enrollment goals, and their progress is routinely assessed.

According to the minister, the goal of these coordinated efforts is to guarantee that all eligible citizens—especially those from disadvantaged groups—are included in the safety net of reasonably priced social security.

At a glamorous final in Jaipur on August 18, 2025, Manika Vishwakarma of Rajasthan was named Miss Universe India 2025.

On November 21, 2025, the 23-year-old beauty queen, who previously took home the title of Miss Universe Rajasthan 2024, will represent India in the 74th Miss Universe competition in Thailand.

Manika is the successor to Miss Universe India 2024 Rhea Singha, who handed her the tiara in a stunning ceremony. Her victory has given India a fresh spokesperson to represent the country on the international front in November.

Tanya Sharma from Uttar Pradesh finished as the first runner-up, followed by Mehak Dhingra from Haryana as the second runner-up and Amishi Kaushik as the third runner-up in the fiercely contested event.

Born in Sri Ganganagar, Manika is a skilled painter and trained classical dancer. She is currently a final-year student of political science and economics in Delhi. Prominent establishments like the JJ School of Arts and the Lalit Kala Akademi have acknowledged her work.

She has an equal passion for promoting social change. Manika founded the project Neuronova, which aims to change the way that neurodivergence is portrayed.

She uses this platform to promote greater understanding and acceptance of disorders like ADHD, highlighting them as special assets that enhance human uniqueness rather than as impairments.

In her pivotal last round, Manika was required to defend her decision between giving women’s education top priority and giving destitute families quick financial assistance.

“Two sides of the coin,” Manika said. For many generations, women have been denied access to education, which has resulted in poverty. Women’s education is what I would pick if I had to choose. Because the future of our nation and the globe is shaped by the education of one woman, which elevates a whole generation. Even though both situations are important, we must take long-term action.

Based on statistics issued by the Ministry of Statistics on Monday, the employment indicator in India, the labor force participation rate (LFPR), increased to 54.9% in July among individuals aged 15 and over from 54.2% in June.

Another measure of employment, the worker participation rate (WPR), among those aged 15 and over, rose from 53.3% in rural regions in June 2025 to 54.4% in rural areas in July of this year.

According to the data, WPR for people of the same age group in urban areas increased slightly from 46.8% in June 2025 to 47.0% in July 2025. This confirms the LFPR data showing a rise in employment.

As of July 2025, the WPR for rural females aged 15 and older was 35.5%, while the urban female WPR was 23.5%. Over the course of the month, the national female WPR for the same age group was 31.6%.

In July 2025, the unemployment rate for individuals aged 15 and over fell from 5.6% in June 2025 to 5.2%.The LFPR for individuals of the same age in rural and urban areas was 56.9% and 50.7%, respectively. The LFPR in CWS for males aged 15 and older who lived in rural areas was 78.1%, while the LFPR for males in urban areas of the same age was 75.1%.

According to the data, the LFPR fell from 35.2% recorded in June 2025 to 36.9% in July 2025 among rural women in the same age group. In order to produce high-frequency labor force statistics with broader coverage, the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) sampling methodology was revised starting in January 2025.

Under the Current Weekly Status (CWS), the new PLFS seeks to produce important employment and unemployment indicators each month for both rural and urban areas globally, including the Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR), Worker Population Ratio (WPR), and Unemployment Rate (UR).

In order to generate quarterly estimates of labor market indicators for both rural and urban India under the CWS framework, it also seeks to expand the Quarterly PLFS results to rural areas. Additionally, it offers yearly projections for important employment and unemployment metrics in both usual status and Current Weekly Status (CWS) for both urban and rural regions.

During the April–June quarter of 2025, the unemployment rate (UR) for both men and women aged 15 and over was 5.4%. In comparison to the urban areas’ UR of 6.8% during the April–June 2025 quarter, the overall rural UR was lower at 4.8%.

The majority of workers in rural areas were employed in the agriculture sector (44.6 percent of men and 70.9% of women), whereas the greatest source of employment in urban areas was the tertiary sector (60.6 percent of men and 64.9% of women).

During this quarter, the country employed 56.4 crore people (those aged 15 and over), with 39.7 crore of them being men and 16.7 crore being women, on average, according to ministry data.

The next generation GST reform, which is being prepared to lower the prices of products and services to assist the poor and middle class, will give the country’s residents a double bonus this Diwali, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced on Sunday.

“For us, reform means the expansion of good governance, and continuous focus is being placed on reforms,” the prime minister stated during his speech at the opening of two significant highway projects in Delhi.

“A next-generation GST reform is being contemplated as part of this endeavor. The GST overhaul will give citizens a double benefit this Diwali“, PM Modi remarked.

He stated that all states have been given access to the entire framework and hoped that they would all support this Indian government endeavor.

In order to “make this Diwali even more special,” the prime minister encouraged that the procedure be completed quickly.

The Prime Minister added that the administration intends to further simplify the GST and update tax rates, emphasizing that every household will profit from this reform, particularly the middle class and impoverished. These reforms will benefit dealers, businesspeople, and entrepreneurs of all sizes.

According to official sources, the Finance Ministry submitted its proposal to the GST Council on Friday to implement two GST rates going forward: 5% and 18% on all commodities.

The present four slabs in the goods and services tax (GST) regime would be replaced by the proposed two-slab regime, which will eliminate the 12 and 28 percent slabs.

The lower GST rate of 5% will apply to the following commodities: insurance, handicrafts, health-related items, and necessities used by the average person. The remaining items, such as manufactured goods like TVs and refrigerators, will fall under the 18% slab.

Nonetheless, sin and luxury items like tobacco, cigarettes, sugary drinks, and pan masala will remain subject to a separate 40% GST tax category.

According to the government, the rationalization of the GST will significantly increase consumer spending and promote economic expansion.

To accept the idea, the GST Council—which consists of state finance ministers—is anticipated to convene in September.

Following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s declaration in his Independence Day speech from the Red Fort that the next generation of GST reforms would be presented by Diwali and offer “substantial” tax relief to the general public and small enterprises, the proposal was made.

The rationalization of tax rates to benefit all societal segments, particularly the average person, women, students, middle class, and farmers, is one of the main areas designated for next-generation changes.

One of the recommendations is to lower taxes on both aspirational and everyday goods. This would increase affordability, increase consumption, and make aspirational and necessary products more widely available.

In order to reduce the accumulation of input tax credits, inverted duty structures are being corrected to bring input and output tax rates into alignment. This would encourage the addition of domestic value.

Rajinikanth, a Tamil movie star, thanked everyone who met him on Friday for celebrating his 50 remarkable years in the business.

On his X timeline, Rajinikanth posted a statement he had made in Tamil. “Happy 79th Independence Day to all of you,” he wrote in it. To my friend Annamalai, Madam Sasikala, Dhinakaran, Madam Premalatha, Leader of the Opposition Edappadi K Palaniswami, BJP leader Nainar Nagendiran, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin, Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin, and other political friends who congratulated me on my half-century career in film.”

The actor also thanked all of his pals in the film industry, including Ilaiyaraaja, Mammootty, Mohanlal, and Kamal Haasan. More significantly, he said, “I also express my heartfelt thanks to my fans, who are the Gods who make me live.”

“I am incredibly happy to congratulate our Superstar @rajinikanth sir on reaching the milestone of 50 glorious years in the film industry,” commented actor, producer, and Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin. I had the chance to see a preview of his eagerly anticipated film #Coolie, which comes out tomorrow. I had a great time watching this powerful mass performer, and I have no doubt that it will win over audiences everywhere.

“My heartfelt wishes for a roaring success to @rajinikanth sir, @sunpictures, Sathyaraj sir, @Dir_Lokesh, #AamirKhan sir, @iamnagarjuna sir, @nimmaupendra sir, @anirudhofficial, #SoubinShahir, @shrutihaasan and the entire team behind this movie.”

As you may remember, Superstar Rajinikanth was greeted by a number of individuals from various film sectors and genres on his historic milestone of reaching the 50th anniversary of his illustrious career.

“My dear friend @rajinikanth celebrates 50 glorious years in cinema today, marking half a century of cinematic brilliance,” actor, producer, director, and MP Kamal Haasan posted on his X timeline, one of the notable people who hailed the superstar. In honor of this golden jubilee, I wish #Coolie a resounding worldwide success and celebrate our Super Star with love and devotion.

“Powered by @Dir_Lokesh, supported by Kalanithi Maran @sunpictures, the industry’s cornerstone, enhanced by the creative @anirudhofficial, and realized by my longtime friends #Sathyaraj, @iamnagarjuna, #AamirKhan, @nimmaupendra, and #SoubinShahir.” I would especially like to wish my sweet daughter @shrutihaasan continued success.

“#Coolie will always be a special film in my journey, and the reason this film shaped up the way it did with everyone pouring their hearts and love into it is because of you, #Thalaivar @rajinikanth sir,” wrote renowned director Lokesh Kanakaraj, who also expressed gratitude for directing Rajinikanth’s recently released film “Coolie.” I want to sincerely thank you for always inspiring us all and congratulate you on reaching the milestone of 50 wonderful years of making us love you, grow with you, and learn from you! #Thalaivaa, you are loved.

“Fifty years, Appa,” tweeted producer Soundarya Rajinikanth, who is also Superstar Rajinikanth’s younger daughter. You’ve done more than just appear in movies. It has been reshaped, exalted, reinvented, and carried to previously uncharted territories by you. You have become the industry’s lifeblood, inspiring generations and setting standards. I adore you more than words can express, and I’m a proud daughter.I’ll watch Coolie’s final ten-minute flashback repeatedly and continue to applaud each time. Appa, you are the greatest. The only one. Nirandharam Thalaivar.”

Around 11% of India’s international trade is with ASEAN, making it a significant trading partner, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry stated on Friday.

In 2024–2025, bilateral commerce between India and the 10 ASEAN members was an astounding USD 123 billion, highlighting the close economic ties and enormous potential for future cooperation.

From August 10 to 14, Vanijya Bhawan in New Delhi hosted the 10th Meeting of the ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement (AITIGA) Joint Committee and associated sessions.

The talks, which were centered on revising and modernizing the AITIGA, included representatives from all ten ASEAN nations: Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.

The goal of the meeting was to improve the agreement’s efficacy, accessibility, and suitability for facilitating commerce in a changing global economy.

The Joint Committee investigated methods to simplify processes, eliminate obstacles, and harmonize regulations, building on the momentum from eight rounds of negotiations that had already been finished.

Senior authorities and trade specialists from all around the region came together for the high-level meeting, which was held in a hybrid style.

Seven of the eight AITIGA Sub-Committees met in addition to the main sessions to delve deeper into specialized topics such as market access, sanitary and phytosanitary measures, rules of origin, technical standards, legal frameworks, trade remedies, and customs procedures.

The Ministry claims that these focused discussions made it possible to work intensively on complicated topics, guaranteeing that any changes to AITIGA will take into account both the member countries’ unified vision and technical rigor.

The week-long discussions established the foundation for more transparent, predictable, and advantageous trade while reinforcing the strategic significance of ASEAN-India economic ties.

According to the ministry, the discussion will resume when the Joint Committee convenes once more on October 6-7, 2025, at the ASEAN Secretariat in Jakarta, Indonesia, in a session hosted by Malaysia.

Mastura Ahmad Mustafa, Deputy Secretary General (Trade) in Malaysia’s Ministry of Investment, Trade & Industry, and Nitin Kumar Yadav, Additional Secretary in India’s Department of Commerce, co-chaired the sessions.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi thanked a number of international leaders who sent him and the Indian people greetings on the 79th Independence Day, which was celebrated on Friday.

PM Modi emphasized that New Delhi appreciates “strategic partnership” with Paris and thanked French President Emmanuel Macron for his well wishes on India’s Independence Day.

“I appreciate your kind words on India’s Independence Day, my friend President Macron. PM Modi said on X, “We cherish our strategic cooperation and are dedicated to strengthening it for the good of our people.

“Congratulations to the Indian people on your 79th Independence Day!” Macron wrote in a post on X. In February, I had the pleasure of hosting my friend Prime Minister Narendra Modi to France. I am looking forward to strengthening our strategic cooperation through 2047 and beyond.

PM Modi spoke to Male as New Delhi’s “valued neighbor” and “close partner” in their shared objective of peace, progress, and prosperity for the people of both countries while expressing gratitude to Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu.

“Thank you, President Muizzu, for your kind words. In a post on X, PM Modi stated, “The Maldives is a valued neighbor and close partner in our shared vision of peace, progress, and prosperity for our people and the region.”

PM Modi conveyed his appreciation to Bhutanese PM Tshering Tobgay for his Independence Day greetings and his hope that the two countries’ friendship will only deepen.

“I thank Prime Minister Tobgay for the kind wishes on India’s Independence Day,” PM Modi wrote in a statement posted on X. In the years to come, may the ties of friendship between our countries only get stronger.

In response to Tobgay’s wishes on India’s Independence Day, he made the statement. “Warm greetings to India on its 79th Independence Day, celebrating our friendship and wishing peace, prosperity, and progress,” Tobgay wrote in a post on X.

PM Modi referred to Mauritius as India’s “strategic and trusted partner” in the joint pursuit of development, prosperity, and a bright future for the people of both countries and thanked his Mauritius Prime Minister, Dr. Navin Ramgoolam, for his well wishes.

“Thank you so much for your kind words on our Independence Day, Prime Minister Dr. Navin Ramgoolam. In our joint quest for development, wealth, and a promising future for our peoples, Mauritius will always be a strategic and reliable partner,” PM Modi wrote on X.

At the Red Fort, the 79th Independence Day unfolds like a living tableau, with each moment brimming with grandeur, significance, and history.

On August 15, 2025, the fort rises through the gentle morning mist as day breaks over Delhi, its ancient crimson walls glimmering in the first light.

Marigold garlands sway in the wind, tricolor banners hang from its ramparts, and the faint cadence of ceremonial drums and the buzz of expectation fill the air.

A massive, living tapestry of national pride is created below as a crowd of more than a million people spread out over the wide fields, their flags rippling in unison and their faces stained with saffron, white, and green.

Amid the distant drumming and the aroma of new flowers, the air hummed with expectancy. The Prime Minister Modi arrived in a sleek black convoy, with motorcycles in exact formation on either side of the vehicles and blue sirens cutting through the morning mist.

White uniforms gleamed against the timeless brickwork of the fort as uniformed guards sprang to attention in immaculate ranks.

“Inspired by Lord Krishna’s Sudarshan Chakra, we launch missions of strength, not helplessness,” he said in his speech, evoking strong dreams of an independent India.

The appeal for reform and unity—”This is our chance to forge new history“—and the establishment of a next-generation task force to streamline lives and increase capacity brought the speech to a climax.

Voices blended into a single, resonant chorus as the national anthem grew, uniting the aspirations of 1.4 billion people in a common pulse.

As the crowd gradually dispersed, balloons in shades of saffron, white, and green floated upward, leaving behind a feeling that this Independence Day was more than just an occasion; rather, it was a striking representation of resiliency, reform, and renewal—an image that will live on in the country’s memory with strands of bravery, ingenuity, and unwavering spirit.

The silhouette of the fort loomed as a reminder of previous hardships that had been replaced with hopes for rebirth.

With wings of peace slicing across the foggy horizon, pigeons rose in a symbolic flutter.

In anticipation of the 79th Independence Day celebrations, Tiranga Rallies were held Tuesday in Delhi, Jammu and Kashmir, Sikkim, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, and various other regions of the nation.

To promote a sense of patriotism and a relationship between students and the police, the Delhi Traffic Police organized a Tiranga Rally in the nation’s capital with schoolchildren. The spirit of independence was reflected in the participants’ excitement as they marched while holding the tricolor.

Deputy Commissioner Mohd Alyas Khan started off a Tiranga rally in Ramban at 8 a.m. The march was attended by around 1,000 individuals, including members of the 84 Battalion of the CRPF, the District Police, the district administration, students, non-governmental organizations, and local citizens.

‘Jai Hind’, ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’, and ‘Vande Mataram’ were among the chants chanted by the crowd as it weaved through the town.

The 84 Bn CRPF Commandant, N. Ranbir Singh, told reporters, “After a great deal of effort and sacrifice by our ancestors, India gained its independence.” As soldiers, we have a special place in our hearts for the Tiranga, and we are willing to sacrifice our lives to keep it flying high.

He expressed his gratitude to the attendees for their tremendous unity and passion.

Similarly, the 172 Battalion of the CRPF organized a Tiranga Yatra from its Kalyanpur headquarters in Jharkhand’s Garhwa. Before heading back to the CRPF camp, motorcycles flying the national flag circled the whole district headquarters, traveling through Majhiaon Turn, Ghanta Ghar, and China Road. ‘Jai Hind’ and ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’ were among the slogans that ran through the town. The primary goal of the Yatra is to instill a sense of patriotism in the populace.

Governor Om Prakash Mathur, Chief Minister Prem Singh, cabinet officials, lawmakers, schoolchildren, and civilians also graced the Har Ghar Tiranga demonstration in Gangtok. The one-kilometer march, which began at MG Marg and ended at Manan Kendra, included displays by local artists and the National Cadet Corps, as well as patriotic music and cultural acts.

Amid protests from the opposition, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented a revised version of the Income Tax Bill, 2025, in the Lok Sabha on Monday. It included the majority of the suggestions put up by the Parliamentary Select Committee, which was led by BJP politician Baijayant Panda.

According to FM Sitharaman, who tabled the bill in the Lok Sabha, recommendations have been received and must be taken into consideration in order to accurately express the legislative content.

She said that the previous Bill was withdrawn to prevent misunderstandings. “There are corrections in the nature of drafting, alignment of phrases, consequential changes, and cross-referencing,” she stated.

She noted that the updated Bill would bring the law into compliance with current provisions and enhance justice and clarity.

The goal of the updated draft is to give lawmakers a single, comprehensive version that incorporates all recommended modifications.

The Parliamentary Select Committee’s 285 recommendations are incorporated into the revised Income Tax Bill 2025. The new law seeks to rectify past inadequacies and streamline tax procedures, which could change the nation’s income tax environment.

The government formally withdrew the Income Tax Bill, 2025, which was tabled in the Lok Sabha on February 13 to replace the current Income Tax Act, 1961, last week.

When the new law is passed, it would streamline India’s decades-old tax system, eliminate legal ambiguity, and assist individual taxpayers and MSMEs in avoiding needless litigation, according to Panda, who chaired the Parliamentary Select Committee tasked with studying the proposal.

The current Income Tax Act of 1961 is nearly five lakh words long and has undergone over 4,000 modifications. It’s gotten too complicated. Panda claims that the new measure streamlines that by almost 50%, making it more simpler for regular taxpayers to read and comprehend. The parliamentary panel pointed out several drafting mistakes and recommended changes to clear up any confusion.

To the benefit of all taxpayers, slabs and rates have been altered throughout the updated Bill. The government claims that the new structure increases household consumption, savings, and investment by significantly lowering middle-class taxes and giving them more money.