Babus, mantris & buzz: Two dates –what will happen?

Two dates –what will happen?

In political circles people consider two dates in September significant. September 11 birthday of RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat and September 17 birthday of PM Narendra Modi. Both are attaining the age of 75. Will there be something significant? Indication is nothing is going to happen.

Who could be the INDIA bloc candidate?

INDIA bloc leaders are yet to announce a candidate for the post of the Vice President. Sources said the bloc could name a candidate either from the RJD or NCP(SP) group.

BUREAUCRACY

Appointment of Chief Secretaries now CMs prerogative?

It seems Modi Government has changed the policy of sending Chief Secretaries to the BJP ruled Governments. Recently in Bihar and UP the GoI did not grant permission of extension and gave free hand to Chief Minister in appointment of their favourite Chief Secretaries.

Vikas will be youngest MD in PSUs

Vikas, CGM, ONGC, selected for the post of Managing Director, Bharat Petro Resources Limited (BPRL), will be the youngest MD in the Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs). Vikas, who is 48-years-old, obtained degrees from IIM, Ahmedabad, University of Texas Austin and IIT ISM, Dhanbad.

Will a South Coast Zone be created in Railways?

Speculation around reorganization includes splitting South Central Railway and creating a South Coast Zone, with notifications expected in late August/early September 2025, and operations starting December/January. The operationalization of the South Coast Railway (SCoR) Zone was declared by the Centre six-and-a-half years ago, but has not been decided yet.

Promotions in PSBs streamlined

Promotions in PSBs have been streamlined under the new policy, with over 1,000 officers upgraded from Scale III to IV in SBI and PNB in Q2 2025. This includes upgradations for digital banking specialists, reflecting a 15% increase in promotions compared to 2024.

Now two vacancies of Judges in SC

After the retirement of Justice Sudhanshu Dhulia there are now vacancies of Judges in the Supreme Court of India.

New MD of Central Bank next month ?

Tenure of M V Rao MD and CEO of the Central bank of India is over on July 31. New appointment is expected next month.

Tenure of Pradeep Gaur as CMD, RVNL ending this month

The tenure of Pradeep Gaur as Chairman & Managing Director, Rail Vikas Nigam Limited on August 31, 2025.

Promotion in Railways outlined

In Railways, Promotions to Group ‘B’ posts through 70% Selection CBT were outlined for the 2025-2026 vacancy cycle, with Centralized CBT by NAIR for vacancies up to June 30, 2027.

GST Reform likely to be implemented before Deepawali

The central government is set to overhaul the Goods and Services Tax (GST) regime by Diwali this year, introducing a simplified two-rate structure of 5% and 18% along with a special 40% tax on select luxury and sin goods, highly placed sources said. Currently, GST rates are spread across multiple slabs — nil or zero per cent on essential food items, 5% on daily-use goods, 12% on standard products, 18% on electronics and services, and 28% on luxury and sin goods. Under the proposed framework, the 12% slab will be eliminated, with 99% of items in that bracket moving to the 5% category. Likewise, nearly 90% of goods and services taxed at 28% will shift to the 18% rate. The special 40% rate will apply to only seven items, including tobacco, with the total tax incidence on tobacco products remaining at the current 88% through additional cesses and levies. Since its rollout on July 1, 2017, the current GST system has seen the highest revenue — about 65% — coming from the 18% slab. The 28% top bracket has contributed around 11% of collections, while the 12% slab has accounted for just 5% and the 5% rate for 7% of total GST revenues.

Another round of IAS transfers soon in Telengana

There is speculation that the Telangana government is planning another round of IAS transfers in late 2025 to align with its focus on urban development and smart city projects in Hyderabad. Officers with expertise in municipal administration and technology-driven governance are rumoured to be in line for key postings.

Karnataka Government is for merit and loyalty in IPS

The reinstatement of senior IPS officers like B. Dayananda has sparked discussions about political pressures influencing bureaucratic decisions. Whispers suggest that the Karnataka government is balancing merit and loyalty in its appointments, particularly in Bengaluru’s police administration.

Modernization in Indian Air Force

Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh is driving the IAF’s modernization to achieve a 42-squadron strength by 2035, with 450 fighter jets planned for deployment along China and Pakistan borders. Vice Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Narmadeshwar Tiwari is focusing on operational integration and technology adoption.

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