GST Council Approves Two-Slab Structure

In its 56th meeting, the GST Council approved a two-slab GST structure of 5% and 18%, along with a special 40% tax rate for sin and luxury goods.

What is the GST Council?

• It is a constitutional body, established under Article 279A of the 101st Constitutional Amendment Act, 2016.
• It recommends GST rates, exemptions, laws, and principles of levy.

Members:

• Union Finance Minister → Chairperson
• Union Minister of State for Finance/Revenue
• Finance/Taxation Ministers of all States/UTs
• In special cases, if President’s Rule is imposed, a representative nominated by the Governor.

Quorum (Minimum Presence):

• At least 50% of the total members must be present.

Voting Procedure:

• Consensus is preferred, but if voting is required:
  • Union Government → 1/3 weightage
  • All States/UTs → 2/3 weightage
  • A decision passes only if at least 75% of the weighted votes are in favor.

Functions:

• Recommend GST rates, exemptions, and threshold limits.
• Resolve issues related to the inverted duty structure.
• Suggest model GST laws and amendments.
• Decide special rates during natural disasters.
• Ensure harmonisation of GST between Centre and States.

What is the Two-Slab GST Structure?

• GST has been rationalised into two main slabs: 5% and 18%, with a special 40% rate for sin/luxury goods.

Objectives:

• To simplify the GST structure for ease of business and compliance.
• To reduce the cost burden on consumers.
• To ensure equity: lower tax on essential goods and higher tax on luxury/sin goods.
• To improve revenue growth and curb tax evasion.

Majorana Particles

Scientists are exploring Majorana particles to build stable quantum computers, since their unique properties could solve the persistent problem of qubit decoherence.
Recently, condensed-matter experiments in superconducting nanowires have shown signals consistent with Majorana modes.

What are Majorana Particles?

• A hypothetical particle that is its own antiparticle.
• Unlike electrons or protons, which annihilate with their antimatter counterparts, Majorana particles are perfectly symmetric.

Discovered by:

• Proposed in 1937 by Italian physicist Ettore Majorana.
• Initially suggested in theoretical particle physics; later explored in condensed matter systems as quasiparticles.

Characteristics

• Self-mirror nature: A Majorana particle is its own antiparticle. Unlike the distinction between an electron (matter) and a positron (antimatter), there is no difference here.
• No self-annihilation: If two Majorana particles meet, they do not destroy each other, unlike normal matter–antimatter pairs.
• Electrically neutral: They carry no electric charge, which makes them difficult to detect directly.
• Appear in special materials: In labs, they appear as quasiparticles inside superconductors at extremely low temperatures, not as free particles in nature.
• Exist in pairs: They generally exist as two separate halves. Together they form one quantum state, but each half is stored far apart, giving them natural error resistance.
• Exotic quantum behavior: They belong to a rare category called non-Abelian anyons. When they are swapped or “braided,” the overall quantum state changes in a unique and predictable way.
• Hard to confirm: The signals suggesting their presence can often be mimicked by other effects, so scientists remain cautious before confirming them.

Applications

• Quantum Computing: Foundation of topological qubits, naturally robust against decoherence and noise.
• Particle Physics: Search for fundamental Majorana fermions, e.g., whether neutrinos are Majorana particles.
• Condensed Matter Physics: Advances in superconductors, nanowires, and quantum materials.

Cabinet Approves Critical Mineral Recycling

The Union Cabinet has approved a ₹1,500 crore scheme under the National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM) to promote recycling of e-waste, lithium-ion batteries, and catalytic converters for the recovery of critical minerals.

What is the Scheme?

• A ₹1,500 crore government incentive scheme aimed at promoting recovery of critical minerals through recycling of e-waste and battery waste.
• It will act as a short-term solution until mining and exploration projects begin to yield results.

Launched under: National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM)
Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Mines

Objectives

• To strengthen India’s supply chain resilience for critical minerals.
• To create a domestic recycling ecosystem for securing raw materials required for clean energy, electric vehicles (EVs), and electronics industries.

Features

• Duration: Six years (2025-26 to 2030-31).
• Eligible feedstock: e-waste, lithium-ion battery scrap, and catalytic converters from end-of-life vehicles.
• Beneficiaries: Both large recyclers and startups; one-third of the financial outlay reserved for small/new recyclers.

Incentives:

• 20% capital subsidy on plant, machinery, and utilities.
• Operating expense (OPEX) subsidy linked to incremental sales over the base year.
• Subsidy disbursal in two phases: 40% (2nd year) + 60% (5th year).

Caps:

• Large units – ₹50 crore (₹10 crore for OPEX).
• Small units – ₹25 crore (₹5 crore for OPEX).
• Support for new units as well as expansion, modernization, and diversification of existing ones.

Significance

• Creation of 270 kilo tons annual recycling capacity.
• Yield of around 40 kilo tons of critical minerals annually.
• Attract investment worth about ₹8,000 crore.
• Generate around 70,000 jobs (direct + indirect).