Overview

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi convened senior ministers, top bureaucrats and economists on August 18 to chart next‑generation reforms and finalize a 100‑day roadmap.
• Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal said his ministry has begun the 'agenda of transformation,' with officials drafting options that may include further FDI liberalisation, extra startup tax relief and streamlined e‑commerce export rules.
• The government reaffirmed a Diwali rollout for next‑generation GST changes aimed at lowering taxes on daily essentials and easing compliance for MSMEs and consumers.
• Deliberations covered the hit from US tariffs on Indian exports—25% already in effect with a possible rise to 50% later in August—prompting plans to bolster domestic demand and protect jobs.
• A new Task Force will align economic laws and procedures with 21st‑century needs, cut compliance costs for startups and MSMEs, and ministries have been asked to flag bottlenecks for quick action.