SC Upholds 28% GST on Online Gaming & State Ban Laws, Validates Entry 34 of List II

SC Upholds NCLAT Order Setting Aside CCI's ₹301.6 Cr Penalty on Grasim

The Supreme Court upheld the NCLAT order setting aside CCI's ₹301.6 crore penalty on Grasim Industries for alleged abuse of dominance in the viscose staple fibre market. The Court affirmed that CCI violated natural justice by not providing a hearing after differing from the Director General's findings.

MMDR Amendment 2026: Section 9D Restricts State Taxes on Mineral-Bearing Land, Federal Row

The Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2026 introduces Section 9D, which restricts states from imposing taxes, cesses, or levies on mineral rights and mineral-bearing land without central approval. This centralizing move has sparked a federal controversy, as mineral-rich states like Odisha and Chhattisgarh argue it undermines their fiscal autonomy and ignores the 2024 Supreme Court judgment that recognized their taxation power over minerals.

PM CARES Fund: Donations Fall to ₹479.96 Cr, Balance Hits Record ₹8,452 Cr; No Questions in Lok Sabha

PM CARES Fund, a public charitable trust set up in 2020 for COVID-19 relief, saw donations plunge to ₹479.96 crore in FY2024-25 while its closing balance hit a record ₹8,452.06 crore. Spending fell to a five-year low of ₹87.85 lakh. The PMO has informed Lok Sabha that questions on PM CARES, PMNRF, and NDF are not admissible under parliamentary rules as they are funded by voluntary contributions, not from the Consolidated Fund of India.

₹1,700 Cr Donations to 6 RUPPs: Need for De-Registration Powers to EC

An investigation revealed that six Registered Unrecognised Political Parties (RUPPs) in Gujarat received ₹1,700 crore in donations in 2023-24, exceeding the combined donations of all national parties except the BJP. This highlights regulatory gaps that allow RUPPs to be used as conduits for tax evasion and money laundering. The article examines the need for the Election Commission to have de-registration powers and suggests a vote threshold for tax exemptions to curb misuse.

Parliament Passes Mines and Minerals Amendment Act 2026 Overriding SC Ruling, Extinguishes Rs 2 Lakh Cr Dues

The Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2026 restricts states from imposing specified levies on mineral rights and extinguishes ~Rs 2 lakh crore in unpaid dues. Mineral-rich states like Odisha and Jharkhand oppose it as a blow to federal fiscal autonomy, potentially losing thousands of crores annually. This reverses the financial impact of a landmark 2024 Supreme Court ruling that had empowered states to tax mineral-bearing lands.

Lok Sabha Passes Tribunals Reforms Bill 2026; India's Russian Oil Imports Hit All-Time High of 48%

Today's top news covers the Lok Sabha's passage of the Tribunals Reforms Bill 2026 without debate, India's all-time high Russian oil imports at 48% in June 2026, multiple Supreme Court orders on Cauvery, Manipur, and Abhishek Banerjee, and a police lathi-charge on student protesters in Jharkhand. Key for Prelims: data points, bill names, SC orders.

Parliament Passes MMDR Amendment 2026 Restricting States' Levy Powers on Mineral Rights

Parliament has passed the Mines and Minerals (Amendment) Bill, 2026, limiting states' power to impose taxes on mineral rights, overriding a Supreme Court judgment that upheld such state powers. This move aims to boost investment certainty but has sparked concerns over fiscal federalism and state revenues, especially for mineral-rich states like Odisha, Jharkhand, and Chhattisgarh.

MMDR Amendment Act 2026 Centralizes Mineral Taxation, Bypasses SC 2024 Ruling on States' Rights

The MMDR Amendment Act, 2026, passed by Parliament, gives the Union government complete control over mineral and mineral land taxation, overriding the 2024 Supreme Court ruling that affirmed states' fiscal rights. This move erodes fiscal federalism and could cut 10-20% of revenues for mining-dependent states, sparking constitutional concerns.