Centre cuts edible oil duties; EPF wage cap ₹25k; ECI law sent to Const Bench
National updates (Sep 24–25): Edible oil duty cuts, EPF wage ceiling at ₹25,000, and Supreme Court refers ECI appointments law to a Constitution Bench.
⭐ Key Points
- Centre cut BCD on edible oils from Sep 24; crude sunflower now at 0%.
- Crude palm/soy BCD at 5%; refined palm/soy at 27.5%.
- India imports 50%+ of edible oils; duty policy influences inflation.
- SC sent challenge to the ECI appointments law to a Constitution Bench.
- 2023 law’s panel: PM, LoP, PM-nominated Cabinet Minister; CJI excluded.
- EPF wage ceiling raised to ₹25,000; effective 17 Sep 2026.
- EPF–EPS–EDLI coverage widens; employers must ensure compliance.
- For exams: Article 324, duty rates, and the 2014 EPF hike are key.
1) Edible oil import duties reduced
What happened
From 24 September 2026, the Centre lowered Basic Customs Duty (BCD) on edible oils: crude sunflower oil to 0% (from 10%); crude palm and crude soybean oil to 5% (from 10%); refined palm/soy to 27.5% (from 32.5%); refined sunflower to 22.5% (from 32.5%). The change was notified on 23 September 2026 (No. 31/2026-Customs) to ease prices ahead of the festive season. 🔗 pib.gov.in
Background
India imports over half of its edible oil needs, exposing retail prices to global swings; the Economic Survey 2023–24 notes the policy use of duty tweaks to stabilise consumer prices. 🔗 indiabudget.gov.in
Why it matters for exams
- Nodal entities: Ministry of Finance (Dept of Revenue/CBIC) issues customs notifications. 🔗 gazettetracker.com
- Key rates to remember: crude sunflower 0%; crude palm/soy 5%; refined palm/soy 27.5%; refined sunflower 22.5%. 🔗 business-standard.com
- Effective date: 24 September 2026; festive demand context. 🔗 indianexpress.com
2) ECI appointments law challenge sent to Constitution Bench
What happened
On 23 September 2026, a Supreme Court Bench (Justices Dipankar Datta and S.C. Sharma) delivered a split verdict and directed that the challenge to the 2023 Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners Act be placed before the CJI for constitution of a larger (Constitution) Bench. 🔗 livelaw.in
Background
The 2023 Act provides a Selection Committee of the PM, the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, and a Union Cabinet Minister nominated by the PM—without the CJI. It followed the interim arrangement in Anoop Baranwal (2023), which had directed PM–LoP–CJI until Parliament enacted a law. 🔗 indianexpress.com
Why it matters for exams
- Key provisions: Article 324 (ECI); Constitution Bench under Article 145. 🔗 webapi.sci.gov.in
- Core issue: Whether excluding a neutral selector (e.g., CJI) undermines independence and public confidence in ECI appointments. 🔗 scobserver.in
- Status: Awaiting hearing by a five-judge Constitution Bench. 🔗 scobserver.in
3) EPF statutory wage ceiling raised to ₹25,000
What happened
The statutory wage ceiling for mandatory EPF coverage has been increased from ₹15,000 to ₹25,000 per month, effective 17 September 2026. On 23 September, EPFO regional offices briefed employers and the media on compliance and benefits across EPF, EPS and EDLI. 🔗 pib.gov.in
Background
The Union Cabinet approved the hike on 16 September 2026; a Gazette notification followed on 17 September 2026. The previous enhancement was in September 2014 (₹6,500 to ₹15,000). Regional offices issued clarifications on 23 September. 🔗 pib.gov.in
Why it matters for exams
- Scope: New employees earning up to ₹25,000/month now fall under mandatory EPF coverage (subject to other conditions). 🔗 pib.gov.in
- Authority: Ministry of Labour & Employment; implemented by EPFO. Effective date: 17 September 2026. 🔗 pib.gov.in
- Static GK: Last wage-cap revision—September 2014; EPFO operates schemes EPF, EPS, EDLI. 🔗 pib.gov.in
Important Facts for Exams
| Edible oil duty changes (effective date) | 24 September 2026 |
|---|---|
| Crude sunflower oil BCD | Cut from 10% to 0% |
| Crude palm/soy BCD | Cut from 10% to 5% |
| Refined palm/soy BCD | Cut from 32.5% to 27.5% |
| Refined sunflower BCD | Cut from 32.5% to 22.5% |
| EPF wage ceiling (new/effective) | ₹25,000 per month / 17 September 2026 |
| Previous EPF revision | September 2014: ₹6,500 to ₹15,000 |
| EC selection panel under 2023 Act | PM, LoP, PM-nominated Cabinet Minister (no CJI) |
Practice Questions (MCQ)
👆 Tap an option — you'll instantly see if it's right or wrong.
Q1 Which oil’s BCD was reduced to zero?
Q2 What is the new statutory EPF wage ceiling?
Q3 The ECI appointments law challenge was referred to which forum?
Q4 When was the previous EPF wage-cap revision?
Q5 Who is NOT on the selection panel under the 2023 Act?
Sources
