LEGAL NEWS

Supreme Court Upholds GST Levy and State Bans on Online Real-Money Gaming

• On 6 June 2026, the Supreme Court of India delivered two landmark judgments affecting India's online real-money gaming industry.

• A Bench comprising J. B. Pardiwala and R. Mahadevan upheld the retrospective 28% GST levy on online gaming platforms involving money stakes.

• The Court ruled that GST is payable on the entire amount staked by players, not merely on the platform's commission or service fee.

• It held that the 2023 GST amendments were clarificatory in nature, allowing retrospective application of tax demands.

• The Court also upheld the validity of State laws enacted by Tamil Nadu and Karnataka restricting or banning real-money online gaming.

• It observed that once money is staked on an uncertain outcome, the distinction between games of skill and games of chance becomes irrelevant for GST purposes.

• The judgment reaffirmed that betting and gambling are “res extra commercium” (outside legitimate commerce), and therefore do not enjoy full constitutional protection as business activities.

• The Court further stated that States may regulate or prohibit such activities under Entry 34 (Betting and Gambling) and Entry 1 (Public Order) of the State List, citing concerns such as addiction, social harm, and the spread of digital gambling through smartphones and online payment systems.

IMPORTANT DAYS

World Food Safety Day 2026

• World Food Safety Day was observed globally on 7 June 2026 to promote awareness and action on food safety.

• The 2026 theme was “From burden to solutions – safe food everywhere.”

• The campaign highlighted the need to convert scientific data on foodborne diseases into practical and cost-effective solutions.

• The observance is jointly led by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

• The 2026 campaign emphasized that safe food is a shared responsibility involving governments, businesses, farmers, and consumers.

• According to WHO estimates, unsafe food causes about 866 million illnesses and 1.52 million deaths annually worldwide.

• The day encourages stronger food safety systems, better surveillance, and science-based policymaking to reduce foodborne diseases.

• World Food Safety Day is observed every year on 7 June and was proclaimed by the UN General Assembly in 2018.

INTERNATIONAL DAYS

India Targets USD 30 Billion Seafood Exports by 2031

• India has set a target of USD 30 billion in seafood exports by 2031, up from about USD 8.5 billion currently.

• The target was announced during a national seafood export workshop in Visakhapatnam in June 2026.

• In 2025–26, India exported 19.72 lakh metric tonnes of marine products worth USD 8.45 billion.

• Shrimp remains the largest contributor to India’s seafood exports.

• The strategy aims to leverage nine recently concluded Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) to expand global market access.

• A strong focus has been placed on quality standards, value-added products, certification, and branding.

• The National Traceability Framework, launched in 2025, enables digital tracking of seafood across the supply chain.

• Andhra Pradesh contributes 66% of India’s shrimp exports and leads the country in aquaculture production.

Sriram Krishnan to Exit White House AI Adviser Role

• Sriram Krishnan will leave his position as Senior White House Policy Adviser on Artificial Intelligence at the end of June 2026.

• He served for about 18 months after joining the administration in early 2025.

• His role focused on AI policy, executive orders, and federal AI strategy.

• Krishnan contributed to the American AI Action Plan and the National AI Policy Framework.

• He helped secure AI model-access agreements with Google, Microsoft, and xAI for government security assessments.

• These agreements allowed early testing and safety evaluation of advanced AI models.

• He also represented U.S. interests in international AI discussions and summits.

• After leaving office, Krishnan plans to remain an external adviser and establish an independent technology policy institution.

India–U.S. Hold 29th Army-to-Army Staff Talks

• India and the United States held the 29th Army-to-Army Staff Talks in Hawaii on 6 June 2026.

• The talks focused on military cooperation, professional exchanges, and interoperability.

• Army-to-Army Staff Talks serve as a key platform for discussing training, exercises, logistics, and operational coordination.

• Rajiv Ghai co-chaired the Indian delegation.

• Joel Vowell led the U.S. side.

• The discussions were held in Hawaii, an important hub for U.S. military operations in the Indo-Pacific.

• India and the U.S. regularly engage through joint exercises, staff talks, and senior military meetings.

• The dialogue reaffirmed both countries’ commitment to security and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.

APPOINTMENTS

Han Seong-sook Nominated as South Korea’s Prime Minister

• Han Seong-sook was nominated as South Korea’s next Prime Minister on 7 June 2026.

• Her appointment requires approval from the 300-member National Assembly.

• She currently serves as Minister for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises and Startups.

• Han Seong-sook previously served as CEO of Naver.

• The Prime Minister is appointed by the President and confirmed by the National Assembly.

• If approved, she will become the first female Prime Minister in nearly 20 years.

• She would be only the second woman to hold the office after Han Myeong-sook (2006–07).

• The nomination follows the ruling party’s victory in local elections held on 3 June 2026.

SUMMIT AND CONFERENCE

8th India–Indonesia Joint Commission Meeting Held in New Delhi

• The 8th India–Indonesia Joint Commission Meeting was held in New Delhi on 7 June 2026.

• The meeting was co-chaired by S. Jaishankar and Sugiono.

• India and Indonesia celebrated 75 years of diplomatic relations in 2025.

• Bilateral ties were elevated to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2018.

• The Joint Commission Meeting is a key mechanism for reviewing cooperation in various sectors.

• Discussions covered defence, trade, health, education, pharmaceuticals, and creative industries.

• The meeting was held after a four-year gap in the ministerial dialogue process.

• India and Indonesia also cooperate on counter-terrorism and regional security issues.