India's BSE Sensex closed about 0.8% firmer at 81,273.75 on Monday, reaching a level last seen on June 30, and marking its third consecutive session of gains. Auto and consumer durables outperformed on the sectoral front, buoyed by GST reform announcements. India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his Independence Day speech on August 15, said the government will bring in next-generation GST reforms to rationalize rates meaningfully by Diwali 2025. The next-generation GST proposal aims to cut the current four-slab structure to just two slabs—5% and 18%—while eliminating the highest 28% rate along with the 12% bracket. These reforms could provide significant benefits to sectors such as automobiles and cement. About 19 out of 30 stocks posted gains, led by Maruti Suzuki India, Bajaj Finance, UltraTech Cement, M&M, and Bajaj FinServ. On the other hand, ITC, Eternal, Tech Mahindra, L&T, NTPC, Sun Pharma and Infosys lagged behind.