National

Following allegations of deaths and FIRs against ground-level officials, the Supreme Court issued a series of orders to relieve the burden of Booth Level Officers (BLOs) working in the Election Commission's ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise in various states. A bench consisting of Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi remarked that employees deputed by state governments and SECs (State Election Commissions) "are obligated to perform such duties," and that state governments should intercede whenever BLOs suffer difficulties. The CJI-led Bench recommended that state governments contribute additional staff to the ECI, allowing for a corresponding reduction in working hours. The top court was hearing an application filed by Tamilaga Vettri Kazh...

The plan to encourage the production of sintered rare earth permanent magnets in the nation with an investment of Rs 7,280 crore was authorized by the Union Cabinet, which is led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. According to a Cabinet statement, this first-of-its-kind project is to build 6,000 metric tons of integrated rare earth permanent magnet (REPM) manufacturing capacity in India annually, boosting self-reliance and establishing India as a major participant in the global market. India's usage of REPMs is predicted to treble by 2030 from 2025 due to the country's fast increasing demand from consumer electronics, electric vehicles, renewable energy, and industrial applications. Currently, imports are the main source of these magnets for India. According to the release, India will bu...

According to a survey, the last holiday season saw a significant increase in consumer demand and factory output due to the rationalization of the GST rate. In the upcoming quarters, maintaining this increase would depend on both industry-specific dynamics and broader economic conditions. Manufacturing recovered as businesses stocked up ahead of festivals, according to credit rating agency ICRA, with consumer durables exhibiting a notable sequential and year-over-year increase. "While the GST rationalisation may support demand for regular use or small-ticket items after the festive season, the sustenance of the buoyancy in demand for big-ticket items remains to be seen," it stated. The research further stated that "a good part of the GST rate cut benefit is going to be neutralised by th...

A new era in the nation's judiciary began with the swearing in of Justice Surya Kant as the 53rd Chief Justice of India (CJI). Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Droupadi Murmu were among the distinguished dignitaries present at the event. Justice Kant will serve as the head of the judiciary for just over a year before retiring on February 9, 2027. After many years of outstanding service and significant contributions to the legal system, he was elevated. Since his nomination to the Supreme Court of India on May 24, 2019, Justice Kant has contributed significantly to a number of significant rulings and constitutional issues that have been heard by the court. His brother judges and the Bar have generally accepted his background, legal ability, and administrative skills. Justice S...

UNICEF India Representative Cynthia McCaffrey states that while India's child-focused policies are significantly improving well-being and reducing poverty, more robust and ongoing social sector investment is necessary to ensure long-term gains for the nation's 460 million children. More than 400 million children in low- and middle-income countries suffer from deprivations in at least two critical areas—health, nutrition, education, clean water, sanitation, and housing—according to UNICEF's most recent report, State of the World's Children 2025, which was released in honor of World Children's Day. The report noted that despite global progress, millions of children still lack access to basic services, fueling inequality and limiting opportunities across generations. The paper states that...

Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said that Indian public sector oil companies have, for the first time, completed a structured year-long deal to import liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) from the United States in an effort to bolster the nation's energy security. One of the biggest and fastest-growing LPG markets in the world has formally opened up to long-term sourcing from the United States, Mr. Puri said in a social media post, calling the development a "historic first." For the duration of the contract year 2026, Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL), Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL), and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) will import 2.2 million tonnes of LPG annually (MTPA). The supplies will come from the U.S. Gulf Coast and account f...

According to a release, thousands of people eagerly awaited the historic visit of world humanitarian and spiritual master Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, who arrived in the Valley after seven years with a calming message of peace, communal harmony, and a vision of a stress-free, violence-free, and drug-free Kashmir. Gurudev was greeted by Shantmanu, Additional Chief Secretary for Jammu & Kashmir. Over 20,000 students from 50 colleges and four universities came to Bakshi Stadium for a special EduYouth Meet in Gurudev's presence, pledging together to create a Drug-Free Kashmir. This event was organized by the Department of Higher Education, Government of J&K, as drug abuse emerged as one of the most pressing issues facing Kashmir's youth. "We will see that Kashmir is free from drug...

South Asia is in disarray, from Kathmandu to Karachi. While students in Bangladesh launched a revolution last year that ended former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's 15-year administration, "Gen Z" protests about inequality and political elitism have erupted in Nepal. President Mahinda Rajapaksa of Sri Lanka was forced to leave after the country's economy collapsed in 2022, while Pakistan is still engulfed in political unrest and another IMF bailout. However, despite all, India is notable for its stability, according to a report published in The Economist. The research emphasizes how India's economy has been remarkably resilient in the face of US President Donald Trump's severe trade tariffs over Russian oil purchases and a brief military confrontation with Pakistan. India appears to be ...

According to an SBI Research analysis, India's total consumer demand for gold rose to 802.8 tonnes in 2024, or 26% of the world's total, placing it second only to China with 815.4 tonnes. The World Gold Council estimates that imports will account for about 86% of India's overall supply of gold in 2024, with domestic supply making up only a small portion of this total. Imports of gold rose by about 31% in FY24 and 27% in FY25. But in 2025, demand for gold has decreased due to rising prices. According to a research by Dr. Soumya Kanti Ghosh, Group Chief Economic Advisor at SBI, consumer demand for gold fell by almost 16% year over year in Q3 2025 due to decreased demand for jewelry. Gold imports decreased by 9% to $26.5 billion during the April–September period in FY26 from $29 billion d...