Business

Goa Leads Nationwide GST Reform with Two-Slab Structure Backed by PM Modi & CM Pramod Sawant


Written by Intern Queeny George M.H, Team Allycaral

The Government of Goa has taken center stage in implementing nationwide GST reforms, with the new two-slab GST structure (5% and 18%) going into effect on September 22, 2025.

The reforms, supported by Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant and endorsed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, mark a significant milestone in India’s journey toward Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Viksit Bharat.

Key Highlights of the Reform

  • Two-slab structure: Goods & services now taxed at either 5% or 18%.
  • Consumer benefit: Surprise inspections to ensure reduced rates reach buyers.
  • Support for MSMEs: Simplified compliance and reduced tax burden.
  • Boost to local manufacturing & exports: Designed to promote Swadeshi and global competitiveness.

Addressing the nation on the eve of Navratri, PM Modi said the reforms will accelerate India’s growth story:

“Swadeshi will render strength to the country’s prosperity in a similar way it powered India’s freedom movement.”

CM Pramod Sawant, a member of the GST Council, called it the beginning of a GST Bachat Utsav:

“Goa is fully committed to modernising infrastructure, simplifying processes and empowering our entrepreneurs so that Swadeshi products shine proudly in India and across the globe.”

The Bigger Picture

The reform is part of India’s broader policy framework that includes GST simplification, the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC), Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan, and the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes. Together, these initiatives are powering India’s journey from Make in India to Make for the World.

With Goa at the forefront, the reforms are expected to set an example for other states, reinforcing India’s position as a rising global economic powerhouse.

National

SEMICON India 2025 Concludes with Global Recognition, Reinforces India’s Ascent inthe Semiconductor Industry


SEMICON India 2025 concluded on September 4th, 2025, at Yashobhoomi, Dwarka, New Delhi, marking a pivotal chapter in India’s rise as a semiconductor leader. Spanning three days from September 2nd to 4th, the event brought together over 350 exhibiting companies and delegates from 48 countries. With more than 35,000 registrations, 30,000 footfalls, and 25,000 online viewers, the conference showcased the unprecedented scale of global interest in India’s growing semiconductor ecosystem.

This year’s edition, jointly organized by the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and SEMI, the global semiconductor association, became a defining platform for high-level dialogue, strategic partnerships, and technology showcases. The event featured four international pavilions, six country roundtables, and a workforce development pavilion, along with sessions covering chip design, fabrication, display technologies, packaging, research, state-level policy initiatives, and supply chain development.

Inaugurated by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the conference reflected India’s deep commitment to becoming a self-reliant and globally competitive hub for semiconductors. The Prime Minister not only visited the exhibition floors but also held a closed-door roundtable with top global semiconductor CEOs and CXOs to engage on India’s emerging role in the chip supply chain. In his address, he affirmed, “The day is not far when India’s smallest chip will drive the world’s biggest change,” signaling India’s readiness to transform from a market to a maker of advanced technology.

Throughout the three days, participants engaged in panel discussions, startup showcases, and knowledge exchanges. On the opening day, the Union Minister announced 13 MoUs aimed at building indigenous capabilities across chip design, camera modules, packaging, and talent development. The closing ceremony, led by ISM CEO Shri Amitesh Kumar Sinha and SEMI President Shri Ajit Manocha, featured seven more announcements solidifying India’s semiconductor roadmap.

More than just a technology event, SEMICON India 2025 embodied the spirit of “Design and Make in India,” a forward-looking vision backed by strong policy, global partnerships, and local innovation. As global supply chains diversify and the need for resilient semiconductor ecosystems becomes paramount, India is emerging not only as a strategic partner but as a driver of the digital future.

From Bengaluru to Gandhinagar to Greater Noida and now New Delhi, each edition of SEMICON India has progressively elevated India’s global position. With this year’s success, India sends a strong message: it is no longer catching up—it is shaping the next generation of chip innovation. Backed by reform-driven governance and the long-term vision of the India Semiconductor Mission, the country is poised to lead in the foundational technologies that power tomorrow’s world.

National

Kolhapuri Chappals: Timeless Craft Gets Global Backing


India | July 2025 — The humble Kolhapuri chappal, a centuries-old symbol of craftsmanship from Maharashtra, is stepping onto the global stage — thanks to renewed government efforts aimed at supporting traditional artisans, protecting intellectual property, and promoting cultural exports.

GI Tag Recognition

In 2019, the Kolhapuri chappal was granted a Geographical Indication (GI) tag, formally recognizing its regional origin and cultural significance. This move safeguarded the chappal’s unique design, hand-stitching techniques, and traditional leather tanning methods from mass-market imitation.

Government Support: From Heritage to Exports

The Government of India is now reinforcing this protection with a multifaceted support strategy, including:

  • Design protection and legal aid to prevent imitation or misuse of the GI mark
  • Training and skill development programs for artisans
  • Infrastructure and leather processing hubs near Kolhapur and Belgaum
  • Export incentives and participation in global expos through the Indian Footwear Development Program (IFDP)

These efforts are aimed not just at preserving heritage, but also at improving livelihoods, especially for rural artisan families who rely on this trade.

Artisan Voices

Many artisans in Kolhapur have expressed optimism about the renewed attention. “We’ve been making these chappals for generations. It feels good to see the government helping us with better tools, branding, and markets,” said Ramesh Kumbhar, a third-generation leather craftsman.

Global Demand Rising

Kolhapuri chappals have already made their way into fashion circles in Europe, the US, and Japan, thanks to their eco-friendly production and distinctive aesthetic. The GI tag has only amplified their appeal.

Sustainability + Style

Made using vegetable-tanned leather, without synthetic additives, Kolhapuris are part of India’s sustainable fashion narrative. Each pair is handcrafted, often taking hours to produce, making it a slow fashion icon in a fast-paced world.


The Road Ahead

With continued government backing, global demand, and cultural pride fueling momentum, the Kolhapuri chappal is no longer just a relic of the past — it’s a fashion-forward future built on tradition.

📖 Read more stories on India’s vibrant heritage at allycaral.com

National

India’s 6th-Gen Unmanned Fighter Jet Design is Ready, Says Tejas Chief Designer


New Delhi, July 25, 2025 — In a landmark revelation that sets the tone for India’s future in aerial warfare, the chief designer of the LCA Tejas has confirmed that the country’s 6th-generation unmanned fighter jet design is complete.

This next-gen fighter, which will be fully autonomous, marks a major shift in India’s strategic air capabilities, ushering in a new era of AI-driven, stealth-enabled, unmanned combat aircraft (UCAVs).

“We’ve completed the conceptual and design phase. The sixth-generation unmanned fighter will combine deep stealth, intelligent mission autonomy, and next-level situational awareness,” the chief designer told Allycaral during a closed-door defence technology summit in Bengaluru.

Key Features of India’s 6th-Gen UCAV:

  • Stealth Technology: Advanced low-observable materials and design for radar evasion.
  • Artificial Intelligence: Real-time decision-making and threat neutralization.
  • Swarm Capability: Can operate in coordination with other unmanned and manned aircraft.
  • Hypersonic Compatibility: Possibility of integrating hypersonic propulsion systems.
  • Indigenous Innovation: Built under the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India.

India Joins the Elite Club

Only a handful of countries — including the US, China, and Russia — are actively pursuing sixth-generation fighter technologies. With this announcement, India becomes part of a very elite global race, and the unmanned nature of its project puts it in a distinctive niche.

Timeline & Development Partners

While the aircraft is still years from production and deployment, HAL (Hindustan Aeronautics Limited), DRDO, and private aerospace firms are expected to collaborate on building prototypes by 2027.

This development comes at a time when the Indian Air Force is aggressively modernising its fleet and investing in cutting-edge aerospace programs to counter evolving regional threats.

Automobiles

VinFast’s Tamil Nadu Plant to Start Production by July-End, Boosting India’s EV Ambitions


CHENNAI | July 2025 – Global EV major VinFast is ready to make a splash in India’s fast-growing electric vehicle market with the announcement that its $2 billion (₹16,000 crore) factory in Tamil Nadu will begin production by the end of this month.

This marks VinFast’s first major production base in India, and one of the largest foreign direct investments in Tamil Nadu’s automotive sector. The state government had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with VinFast earlier this year, offering incentives to support clean mobility infrastructure and employment generation.

🔧 What Will Be Produced?

The plant is expected to initially focus on:

  • Electric SUVs for Indian and global markets
  • Battery assembly units
  • Future R&D and vehicle testing

VinFast’s India operations are part of its global strategy to expand beyond Southeast Asia and the U.S., tapping into India’s massive EV potential and a growing population of eco-conscious buyers.

📈 What This Means for India:

  • Employment Boost: The facility is projected to generate thousands of direct and indirect jobs in Tamil Nadu.
  • Technology Transfer: With VinFast’s advanced EV tech and production capabilities, India’s local EV ecosystem is expected to get a serious upgrade.
  • Green Goals: Aligns with India’s commitment to shift 30% of vehicle sales to electric by 2030.

🚀 The Road Ahead

VinFast is not just here to manufacture—it also plans to launch showrooms, service centers, and charging stations in key Indian cities in the coming months. This could turn the tide in favor of affordable, high-quality electric vehicles for Indian consumers.

With Tesla also showing renewed interest in the Indian market, 2025 might just be the most exciting year yet for India’s EV revolution.