Overview

• The Sensex rose 0.84% to 81,273.75 and the Nifty added 1% to 24,876.95 after intraday highs of 81,765.77 and 25,022, respectively.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s next‑generation GST plan has been circulated in draft form to states for feedback, with a review slated for Aug 20–21 and a Diwali rollout goal pending agreement.
• Media reports point to a simplified two‑slab structure centered on 5% and 18% that would scrap the 12% and 28% rates, with a special rate retained for select luxury or sin goods.
• Autos and consumer‑facing shares led gains as Nifty Auto climbed around 4%, with Maruti Suzuki and Hero MotoCorp logging near 9% intraday moves, while IT and stocks such as L&T and ITC lagged.
• S&P Global’s sovereign upgrade to BBB with a stable outlook supported sentiment, and calmer readings after the Trump–Putin Alaska talks helped, though an upcoming US tariff decision and unsettled FII flows remain risks.