Author name: Mohd Talha Faruqui

5 Smart Ways to Connect Multiple Data Sources in Power BI (Data Analyst Test Guide)Background: Power BI tests used in analytics placements rarely give you one clean file. Candidates usually get a few sources, say a sales Excel sheet, a customer CSV and a product list from a database, and are asked to turn them into one working dashboard in an hour or so. The interviewer is not only watching the final chart. They are watching how you load, clean, combine and model the data. That is why knowing how to handle powerbi data sources is one of the quickest ways to separate a prepared candidate from an average one.There is a mistake that almost every beginner makes in these tests. They load all the files, drag a few fields onto a chart, and then wonder why the totals look wrong. The charts were never the problem. The data underneath was. Mismatched data types, duplicate keys and missing relationships quietly corrupt everything built on top of them.A good habit is to treat the first twenty minutes of any test as data work, not visual work. This guide covers five methods that help you do exactly that, and each one is a question you can realistically expect in a data visualization interview for analytics placements.1. Pick the Right Connector Before You Load AnythingPower BI can connect to Excel workbooks, CSV and text files, SQL Server, web pages, SharePoint folders and many other sources. On the Home tab, click Get Data and choose the connector that fits each file. It sounds obvious, but the choice matters. A folder connector, for example, can read twelve monthly files in one go, while loading them one by one wastes time you do not have.When the preview window opens, click Transform Data instead of Load. This small habit gives you a chance to look at what you actually received before it enters your model. In a timed test, that one extra click can save you a lot of debugging later.2. Clean Every Source in Power QueryPower Query is where most of the real work happens. Before building a single visual, remove blank rows, promote the first row to headers, fix data types, rename unclear columns and trim extra spaces. Two sources can look identical and still behave differently. Customer ID might be stored as text in one file and as a whole number in the other, and Power BI will refuse to match them without telling you why.Treat every query like a small checklist: headers correct, types correct, no stray blanks, clear names. Every step you apply is recorded in the Applied Steps pane, so the process repeats automatically when the data changes. If an interviewer asks how you cleaned your data, you can simply walk through those steps in order.3. Know When to Append and When to MergeThese two options get confused constantly. Append queries stack tables on top of each other, so they suit files with the same columns, like January, February and March sales. Merge queries join tables side by side using a matching column, which is very close to a SQL join. You can also pick the join type, such as left outer or inner.A simple rule helps: more rows of the same thing means append, more details about the same rows means merge. Before merging, check that the key column has the same data type in both tables and no hidden spaces. Many failed merges in tests come down to a single trailing space. Also remember that merging on a column with duplicate values can multiply your rows, and your totals will inflate without any warning.Here is a quick example. Suppose you receive sales files for three months and a separate file with product prices. The three sales files get appended into one table, because they share the same columns. The price list is then merged in using the product code, so every sale row can show its price. Doing it in this order keeps the logic easy to explain out loud.4. Build a Clean Model with RelationshipsAfter the data is loaded, open Model view and connect your tables. The aim is a star schema, with one central fact table such as Sales and dimension tables like Customers, Products and Dates around it (see Fig. 1). This layout keeps the model simple, fast and easy to explain. Relationships should usually be one-to-many with a single filter direction, flowing from the dimension table to the fact table.Fig. 1. Star schema in Power BI Model view.Avoid many-to-many relationships and two-way filters unless you can justify them. They can produce confusing or wrong totals, and the report will not show an error. Add a proper Date table too, since time intelligence functions depend on it. If an interviewer asks why your model looks the way it does, saying it follows a star schema is a strong and honest answer.5. Refresh, Test and Validate Your ReportBefore you submit, check that the report survives a refresh. Compare your totals with the original files, test every slicer, and make sure no visual shows blank values where data should appear. A report that looks good but cannot be refreshed is not really finished. Interviewers often ask what happens when a source file is replaced, and the answer is that Power Query reruns the saved steps on the new data.Spend the last few minutes of a test on checks rather than formatting. Verify one or two numbers by hand, confirm that your measures use the correct fields, and give each page a clear title. Small, careful checks tell the reviewer that you understand the data, not just the tool.A Simple 60-Minute Plan for a Timed TestHaving a rough schedule in your head stops you from spending forty minutes on a single messy file. The split below is only a guide, so adjust it to the size of your task.First 10 minutes: read the task carefully and connect to every sourceNext 15 minutes: clean each query in Power Query

5 Proven Steps to Build an Investment Banking Pitch Book That Gets You NoticedOriginal illustration created for this articleBackground: If you ask an investment banking analyst what their week looks like, there’s a good chance “pitch books” comes up within the first minute. A pitch book is basically a PowerPoint deck a bank puts together to win a client’s business [1]. Nobody reads it for fun. It exists to convince a company that this bank, and not the one down the street, should handle its deal. And the people who actually build most of these decks? Junior analysts, usually late in the evening [2].So why should a college student care? Because if you’re aiming for finance placements, pitch books will almost certainly come up in your interviews. Plenty of freshers can recite the definition. Far fewer can say who works on a pitch book, what goes into it, or where an analyst fits in. That’s the gap you can close early, and you don’t need a banking internship to do it. What helps is some patience and a willingness to practise on your own.1. Know Who Really Builds ItA pitch book is a team effort. Usually a managing director, the person who knows the client, sits down with a director or VP and sketches the outline. The VP then wireframes the structure, and the associate and analyst get on with the numbers and the slides [1].Notice where the analyst sits in that chain. You’re not the one deciding the story. Your job is to make sure the story is accurate, tidy and ready on time. That’s a big reason reliability matters more than flashy ideas at this level.If an interviewer asks about teamwork, this is a useful way in. Think of a college project where you looked after the data or the final formatting while someone else shaped the main idea. It shows you already understand how work gets split.2. Learn the Usual StructureMost pitch books follow a similar flow. They begin with the bank itself: its platform, recent deals and the team. The middle part gives background on the client’s industry and situation. The last part is the actual recommendation [3].Try to remember the why behind this order, not just the order. The bank earns trust first, then sets the context, then makes its ask. A buy-side deal or a debt or equity financing will change what goes inside, but the logic stays much the same [3].When you practise, label every slide with the section it belongs to. If you can’t explain why a slide sits where it does, the structure hasn’t really clicked yet, and an interviewer will notice.3. Check Every Number TwiceThis is where analysts build their reputation. Each figure on a slide has to match the model behind it, and one wrong number can sink an otherwise good pitch. Senior bankers tend to spot it fast.So start the habit now. Pick up a standard textbook like Rosenbaum and Pearl for the valuation basics [4], then check your own work the way a reviewer would, line by line, source by source.Here’s a small trick that works. Keep a running list of every mistake you catch in your practice slides. After a few weeks you’ll see the same slips repeating, maybe units, maybe rounding, maybe labels that don’t match. Fix those first.4. Don’t Underestimate FormattingIt sounds boring, I know. But formatting is one of the easiest IB skills for a recruiter to test. Matching fonts, aligned boxes and clean charts tell people you pay attention, and since pitch books live in PowerPoint [1], [2], this is everyday work.Try this. Rebuild a single company profile slide from scratch with one font, one colour palette and a title that states the takeaway rather than just the topic. Then do it again until the clean version stops feeling like effort.Save the finished slides in a small portfolio folder. Showing two or three tidy slides in an interview says a lot more than telling someone you’re good at PowerPoint.5. Decide What Goes in the AppendixNot everything deserves a spot in the main pitch. The appendix is for backup material the team expects questions on, like modelling assumptions and supporting detail [1].Deciding what moves to the back is a judgment call, and it’s a good one to practise. It keeps the main slides short, which matters when senior bankers present the deck in person at the client’s office [1].With your own mini pitch, try moving every detailed table to a backup section. Keep only the one chart that supports your main message in the body.A Simple Weekly Practice PlanReading about pitch books will only take you so far. A short routine keeps you learning actively and gives you something real to talk about.Spend the first two days reading one public pitch book example and noting how each section leads into the next. Use the next two days to rebuild three of its slides in PowerPoint from scratch. Give one day to checking every figure and label. Then finish by explaining the whole deck out loud in two minutes, as if a senior banker had just asked you to.ConclusionBuilding a good pitch book isn’t a gift some people are born with. It’s a skill, and you get better at it by understanding the process, learning the structure, checking your numbers and keeping your slides clean. A candidate who can explain all that calmly in an interview already sounds like an analyst.You don’t have to wait for a banking internship to begin. Pick one listed company, read its annual report and build a five-slide mini pitch. It really does start with a single slide.References[1] Corporate Finance Institute, “Investment Banking Pitch Book,” Corporate Finance Institute. [Online]. Available: https://corporatefinanceinstitute.com/resources/valuation/investment-banking-pitch-book/. [Accessed: Oct. 7, 2026].[2] Hong Kong Securities and Investment Institute, “Investment Banking – Part 1,” HKSI. [Online]. Available: https://www.hksi.org/en/development/activities/1009154-investment-banking-part-1/. [Accessed: Oct. 7, 2026].[3] Mergers & Inquisitions, “Investment Banking Pitch Books: Design, Examples & Templates.” [Online]. Available: https://mergersandinquisitions.com/investment-banking-pitch-books/. [Accessed: Oct. 7, 2026].[4] J. Rosenbaum and J. Pearl, Investment

15 Powerful Go-to-Market Moves Every Aspiring ProductManager Should KnowGo-to-Market Planfrom idea to launch day1CustomerWho is it for?2MessageWhy does it matter?3LaunchWho delivers it?4MeasureIs it working?feedback goes back into the planBackground:One question turns up again and again in product management interviews: “How would you launch thisproduct?” A definition won’t get you through it. A go-to-market strategy, usually shortened to GTM, is the planfor who a product is meant for, what gets said to them and how it actually reaches them [1]. Botch it, and aproduct that works perfectly well can still fail [2].Plenty of students think this is marketing’s problem. It isn’t, or at least not only. Product managers have a realpart in how a launch goes [2]. That matters if you’re in the middle of campus hiring prep, because interviewerslike candidates who can think past the build. And you don’t need a startup to practise. A notebook and an appyou already use will do.1. Start With the CustomerA launch starts with a boring-sounding question. Who is this for? The GTM plan spells out the ideal customers,the messaging and the positioning [2]. If that answer is fuzzy, everything after it gets fuzzy too.Product managers often do the market research behind this, trying to work out what customers need and want[1]. So before you write a single line about features, ask yourself what you’d want to learn from ten real users.Try it on something familiar. Take a food delivery app or a music app, anything on your phone. Who was it builtfor? Do you actually fit? You may find you’re not the target user for some of them.2. Say One Thing ClearlyNext comes the message. Every product has a core value proposition, the one thing that separates it from therest of the market [2]. Pick that one thing.Short is better. Nobody scrolling past an ad will wait for a three-line explanation.A good test: write the pitch for a college student, then rewrite it for a shopkeeper. The product hasn’t changed,but the words will.3. Talk to Sales and Marketing Before Launch DayLaunches involve more people than you’d think. GTM work usually brings together product, marketing, salesand customer support, so everyone is telling the same story [3].Salespeople spend their days with customers, which makes them useful to a PM. Agree on messaging,positioning and pricing with them early [2]. Leaving it late is a common slip.In an interview, don’t just say you’d collaborate. Say what you’d ask each team. “What do customers push backon?” is a better answer than “I’d align stakeholders.” 24. Test the Idea EarlyFeatures usually get built in stages. Gather feedback at every stage, because it shapes both the build and thelaunch, and it gives you room to adjust before going live [2].Remember too that the first users aren’t like everyone else. Geoffrey Moore called the gap between earlyadopters and the mainstream a chasm [4]. A good PM plans for crossing it.Say you’re launching a budgeting app for students. Who tries it first? What would convince their friends?Rough answers are fine, as long as you’ve thought about it.5. Keep Watching After LaunchLaunch day isn’t the finish line. Teams set KPIs to see whether the plan is working, and they collect customerfeedback afterwards to improve it [3].Discovery inside the product often gets forgotten while everyone rushes to ship, and adoption can drop afterthe first burst of interest [2]. Think about it early.Choose two or three numbers to track, say sign-ups, first-week usage and returning users. Then be ready tosay why those and not others.A Simple Weekly Practice PlanReading only goes so far. A short weekly routine helps more.Spend two days studying a recent launch: who it targeted, how it was positioned, how people heard about it.Spend two more writing a one-page launch plan for a product you make up. Give a day to testing it on a friend.Can they say your message back to you? Then, at the end of the week, answer “How would you launch this?”out loud in two minutes.ConclusionGTM thinking isn’t reserved for marketers or founders. A PM builds it piece by piece: know the customer,sharpen the message, work with other teams, test early, measure honestly. If you can walk through that calmlyin an interview, you already sound like someone who’s done the job.Next time you open a new app, wonder how it found you. Then try planning a launch of your own. One product,one question. That’s enough to start.References[2] P. Bhatia, “Do product managers have a role to play in a product’s GTM strategy?” Substack. [Online]. Available:https://priyabhatia.substack.com/p/do-product-managers-have-a-role-to. [Accessed: Oct. 11, 2026].[3] Vaco, “Product Manager, Post Number 407518,” job listing. [Online]. Available:https://jobs.vaco.com/job/14174/product_manager/en. [Accessed: Oct. 11, 2026].[4] G. A. Moore, Crossing the Chasm, 3rd ed. New York, NY, USA: HarperBusiness, 2014.

Ⅰ. Introduction India depends on domestic and international Logistics to move raw materials and finished products on their potential destination. Exporters use ships, ports, roads and railways, airline to send goods to different markets. When freight charges increase, companies may have to spend more money to move the same quantity of goods and that export charger will also be increase. It also impacts the saving plan of the investors. Recent trade disruptions have increased this concern. The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) has noted that geopolitical problems have caused vessel diversions, longer routes, higher insurance costs and additional freight charges for exporters. Import export shipping industry major ports. Ⅱ. Reasons for Rising Freight Cost Freight costs can rise because of several reasons behind them as given below: These all are the main reason to delay the delivery of import- export product to their potential destination. Investor may also expend more amount to deliver the product on time without any delay. For example, disruptions around important shipping routes can force vessels to take longer routes. This increases fuel use, travel time and other operating costs. Recent reports also show that Indian exporters have faced higher freight rates and shipping delays. Its also impact the market condition when product is not available on time.   Ⅲ. Impact On Indian Company The first impact of a higher Freight Cost is on company expenses. If transportation becomes expensive, the company may get the lower profit margins or increase its selling price to reach their accepted profit. Export-oriented sectors such as textiles company, engineering goods, pharmaceuticals and agricultural products can be affected because transportation is an important part of their total cost. Recent reporting has highlighted pressure on exporters’ margins from higher freight rates, delays and container shortages.  Small businesses and MSMEs may face greater pressure because they usually have fewer resources to handle the sudden change in cost of import and export duties. The government has introduced measures such as freight and logistics support for exporters to reduce some of this pressure. It makes easier to them to handle the sudden challenges. Ⅳ. Effect On Investors Rising freight costs can also matter to investors. If a company’s transportation expenses increase rapidly, its profit has to be decrease. This can affect future earnings, saving, and investment also investor lose confidence to invest in other. However, the effect is not the same for every company.  Large businesses which have strong pricing power, effective supply chains and better contracts are able to handle higher freight costs more easily. Investors should therefore look at a company’s logistics expenses, profit margins, debt, export dependence and ability to pass higher costs to customers before making an investment decision. Ⅴ. Important Of Better Logistics Companies can reduce the effect of rising freight costs through better Logistics planning. They can use multiple suppliers to deliver the product, alternative ports which avoid the delay, better inventory planning and digital tracking systems which give the acquired knowledge about shipping the product on correct time without any trouble. India’s trade data also shows the importance of maintaining strong export activity. Government trade data recorded merchandise exports of about US$40.38 billion in June 2026.  Better logistics can help companies reduce delays, control costs and maintain customer relationships with company and retained the customer for long time. Ⅵ. Conclusion  Rising freight costs are not only a transportation issue. They can affect company expenses, profits, prices and investment decisions. Indian companies need flexible supply chains and better logistics planning to manage these risks of transporting the product.            Investors know about freight costs can provide useful information to the company’s financial health and position. In my view, companies who control whole logistics costs and adapt quick change environment of trade disruptions may be able to deal with any scenario and have a stronger position in the future. References

GST registration is an important requirement for businesses that fall under the Goods and Services Tax framework in India. For a new business owner, the registration process may seem confusing at first because it involves several details, documents, OTP verification, and online forms. The good news is that the entire process can be completed online through the official GST portal if you have the required information and documents ready. This guide explains the GST Registration Online Step-by-Step process in simple terms. Whether you are a small business owner, freelancer, trader, or service provider, understanding the online GST application process can help you complete your application more confidently. What Is GST Registration? GST registration is the process through which a business or eligible taxpayer gets registered under India’s Goods and Services Tax system. Once the registration process is successfully completed, the taxpayer receives a unique GST Identification Number, commonly known as GSTIN. The registration process is carried out through the official GST portal. Applicants generally need details such as PAN, business information, contact details, information about the business premises, and details of the people associated with the business.     SOURCE: OPENAI 7 Steps for GST Registration Online 1. Visit the GST Portal The first step is to visit the official GST portal and open the registration section. From the homepage, go to Services → Registration → New Registration. The registration application is divided into two major parts. Part A collects basic information about the applicant, while Part B contains detailed information about the business and its activities. 2. Complete Part A of the Application In Part A, select New Registration and choose the appropriate taxpayer type. You will need to select your State or Union Territory and district. The legal name of the business should be entered according to the PAN records. The applicant also needs to provide the relevant PAN, email address, and mobile number. After submitting these details, OTPs are sent for verification. Once the OTP verification is completed, the GST portal generates a Temporary Reference Number (TRN). Keep this number safe because it is required to continue the application. 3. Log in Using Your TRN After receiving the TRN, return to the GST registration page and select the option to continue using a Temporary Reference Number. Enter the TRN, email address, and captcha shown on the screen. Another OTP verification is then required before you can access the saved application. The GST portal keeps the application in draft form while you complete the remaining information. Applicants should avoid leaving the application unfinished for too long because the saved application associated with the TRN has a limited validity period. 4. Fill in Your Business Details Part B contains several sections where detailed information about the business has to be provided. These sections can include business details, promoter or partner information, authorized signatory details, principal place of business, additional places of business, goods and services, state-specific information, Aadhaar authentication, and verification. Take your time while entering these details. Names, PAN information, addresses, and other important details should match the relevant official documents to reduce the chances of errors during verification. 5. Upload the Required Documents The documents required can vary depending on the type and structure of the business. One of the important requirements is proof of the principal place of business. Depending on the situation, documents such as a property tax receipt, municipal khata copy, electricity bill, rent or lease agreement, or other acceptable proof may be required. If the premises are rented, documentation supporting the rental arrangement and ownership of the premises may also be required. Details relating to the authorized signatory and other stakeholders may also need supporting documents. Before uploading anything, make sure the documents are clear and readable and meet the portal’s file requirements. 6. Complete Aadhaar Authentication and Verification Depending on the application and applicable requirements, Aadhaar authentication may be completed through an OTP-based process or biometric authentication. For OTP-based authentication, an authentication link and OTP are used to verify the applicable individuals. In cases where biometric authentication is required, the relevant applicant may need to visit a designated GST Suvidha Kendra for the required authentication and document verification. After completing the applicable authentication requirements, the application can move forward for processing. 7. Submit the Application and Track Its Status Once all the required sections have been completed, review the application carefully before submitting it. The application can be submitted using the applicable electronic verification or signature method. After successful submission, an Application Reference Number (ARN) is generated. This number is useful for checking the progress of the registration application. Applicants can track their application through the GST portal by going to Services → Registration → Track Application Status. If the application is approved, the GST registration details and GSTIN become available to the taxpayer. The taxpayer can then complete the first-time login process and access the GST portal using the credentials created during registration. Common Mistakes to Avoid During Online GST Apply A few simple checks can make the registration process smoother. First, make sure the PAN and legal business name are entered correctly. Secondly, check that the registered email address and mobile number are active because OTPs and important notifications are sent there. Another common issue is uploading unclear or incorrect documents. Before submitting the application, check that the address proof and other supporting documents are readable and correspond to the information entered in the form. It is also useful to save the TRN and ARN safely. Losing these details can make it more difficult to continue or track the application. Understanding the GST Portal Procedure The GST portal procedure may look lengthy because the application covers many aspects of a business. However, the process becomes easier when it is completed in stages: first create the application, then generate the TRN, fill in the detailed information, upload the documents, complete authentication, and finally submit and track the application. Keeping all documents and business information ready before starting can save time

Look, if you’re starting any kind of business in India today, you will hear this one word everywhere — GST. Don’t get scared. It’s basically a tax registration number you may need to run your business legally. And the good part? You can apply for it from your laptop at home. Source- Meta ai  So, What Exactly Is a GST Number? A GST number, officially called GSTIN (Goods and Services Tax Identification Number), is a unique 15-digit identification number given to a registered taxpayer. Once you have it, you are officially registered under the GST system. Depending on your business, you may need it to issue proper GST invoices, sell through certain e-commerce platforms, and handle your tax compliance. Do YOU Need GST Registration? You may need GST registration if: If you’re not sure whether you need GST registration, it’s better to check the latest rules or ask a CA rather than guessing. Keep These Documents Ready Before You Start Trust me, keep this folder ready on your desktop before beginning your new GST application: Having these documents ready can make the process much smoother. How to Apply for GST Registration: Step-by-Step 1. Go to the GST Registration Portal Visit the official GST registration portal at gst.gov.in. Go to Services → Registration → New Registration. Make sure you’re using the official government website rather than a third-party website. 2. Enter Your Basic Details The portal will ask for details such as your: You’ll receive OTPs to verify your mobile number and email address. 3. You Will Get a TRN After completing the initial stage, you’ll receive a Temporary Reference Number (TRN). Think of it as a token number for your application. Save it somewhere safe — you’ll need it to return to your application. 4. Fill Out the Main Application Carefully Now comes the main part. Log in using your TRN and complete the application with details such as: This is where people often make mistakes. Take your time while filling out the form. Make sure your PAN and other details are accurate, and upload documents that are clear and readable. 5. Complete Aadhaar Authentication Depending on your application and the applicable verification process, you may be asked to complete Aadhaar authentication. Follow the instructions shown on the portal and complete the OTP-based verification if required. 6. Submit the Application Once you’ve checked everything, submit the application using the verification method applicable to you. After successful submission, you’ll receive an ARN (Application Reference Number). Think of your ARN as your application tracking number. Keep it safe. How Many Days Will GST Registration Take? The processing time can vary depending on your application and whether the tax authorities need additional information or clarification. If everything is in order, the process can move ahead smoothly. If something needs clarification, you’ll receive a request from the department. You can also check your application status through the GST portal using your ARN. Small Mistakes That Can Delay Your Application I’ve seen people make these mistakes again and again: So, before clicking that final Submit button, take a few minutes to double-check everything. Do I Have to Pay for GST Registration? There is no government fee for applying for GST registration through the official GST portal. However, if you hire a CA, tax consultant, or another professional to handle the application for you, they may charge a separate professional fee. Got Your GSTIN? What Next? Getting your GSTIN is only the beginning. After registration, your business may have ongoing GST responsibilities, such as: Depending on your business and registration type, your filing requirements may differ. Final Thoughts GST registration might look complicated when you’re seeing the process for the first time, but it becomes much easier once you break it down into simple steps. Keep your documents ready, use the official GST registration portal, enter your information carefully, and save your TRN and ARN. And remember — GST rules and thresholds can change. Before submitting a new GST application, check the latest information on the official GST portal or speak to a qualified tax professional if you’re unsure about your situation. This guide is meant to explain the process in simple language and should not be treated as legal or tax advice. References [1] Goods and Services Tax Network (GSTN), “Goods and Services Tax,” Government of India. [Online]. Available: https://www.gst.gov.in/ [2] Goods and Services Tax Council, “Goods and Services Tax (GST),” Government of India. [Online]. Available: https://gstcouncil.gov.in/ [3] Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC), “Goods and Services Tax,” Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance, Government of India. [Online]. Available: https://cbic-gst.gov.in/ [4] Government of India, “The Central Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017,” India Code. [Online]. Available: https://www.indiacode.nic.in/

Goods and Services Tax is one of the primary indirect tax reforms that have been introduced in India to unify the system. For businesses, consumers, and students, it is essential to understand what GST is in India since it plays an essential role in regulating purchase and sale activities at the national level. This reform was implemented on July 1, 2017, and it replaced a set of indirect taxes by one tax system, which unifies the central excise duty, service tax, and several state taxes like VAT and others.  SOURCE-CHATGPT What Is GST? GST is a destination-based indirect tax on the supply of goods and services. Collected by businesses from consumers and other businesses, goods and services tax is subsequently paid to the government by businesses. Unlike direct taxes, which are levied directly on individuals and businesses, GST is an indirect form of taxation. Simply stated, “goods and services tax explained” refers to a levy imposed at each stage of the supply chain, with businesses and manufacturers able to claim back the GST paid on goods and services purchased. As such, this tax aims to prevent the cascading effects of taxation or “tax on tax” during the supply chain. How Does GST Work in India? GST is a credit-based tax system. When a manufacturer buys materials, GST is charged to them. When the same manufacturer sells the finished product, they collect GST from the buyer. The manufacturer can claim back the eligible GST they have paid on the materials and only pay the difference to the government. Suppose a company collects 18000 rupees as GST on its sales and 10000 rupees as eligible GST on its purchases. The company’s total GST liability would be 8000 rupees. GST is split into several components based on the type and location of any transaction. Understanding GST Rates One of the significant features of GST is that various goods and services may be subject to different tax rates. By way of example, the applicable GST rates depend upon the categorisation of goods or services. The GST rate structure may involve nil-rated supplies and various other standard rate categories. Due to the possibility of changes in the tax rate structure through government notifications and the decisions of the GST Council, it is necessary for businesses and consumers to check the applicable GST rate for a given product or service and not rely on generalizations. Why Was GST Introduced? GST Introduction and Its Impact on Businesses Essay (Article) GST was introduced to ease the indirect tax system and to form a common unified market in India. It subsumes various indirect taxes and provides a digital platform for tax registration, return filing, tax payment, and compliance. Businesses have to register and comply with GST norms based on turnover, nature of supply, and other criteria. Also, consumers bear this tax in the prices of most of the goods and services they buy. Conclusion Understanding what GST India is would be of immense importance to the taxpayer, the businesspeople, and those making purchases on a regular basis. GST, or goods and service tax, is imposed on the supply of goods and services, and a credit is given to eligible people on the taxes they have paid. An in-depth description of goods and service tax examples and rates would shed light on the workings of the indirect tax system in India. Note that the government may make changes to the tax rates and rules from time to time, and therefore it is necessary to consult the latest information on the official GST website.  REFERENCE  [1] Goods and Services Tax Council, “Goods and Services Tax (GST),” Government of India. GST Council [2] Government of India, “Goods and Services Tax,” Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance. Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance [3] Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs, “Goods and Services Tax,” Ministry of Finance, Government of India. CBIC GST [4] Government of India, The Central Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017, Ministry of Law and Justice, 2017. India Code