National

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...

The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) received congratulations from Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the successful launch of CMS-03, the country's heaviest communication satellite. PM Modi praised India's space scientists in an X post, stating that the nation's "space sector has become synonymous with excellence and innovation." "We are still proud of our space industry! Congratulations to ISRO for CMS-03, India's heaviest communication satellite, successfully launching. It is admirable that our space industry has come to represent quality and innovation thanks to the efforts of our space experts. Their accomplishments have empowered countless lives and advanced national growth," the prime minister wrote. Union Minister Jitendra Singh praised the LVM3 launch vehicle's successfu...

According to reports, Air India is asking its owners, Tata Sons and Singapore Airlines, for Rs 10,000 crore ($1.14 billion) in financial assistance as it battles a number of problems, including the June fatal crash in Ahmedabad and airspace restrictions brought on by India-Pakistan military clashes in May. According to a Bloomberg story that cited sources, Air India has requested financial assistance to enhance its systems and services as well as to establish internal engineering and maintenance divisions. Regarding the report, Air India had not yet responded. Singapore Airlines owns the remaining shares in the airline, while the Tata Group owns 74.9%. Pakistan's airspace restrictions are anticipated to cost Air India Rs 4,000 crore in damages. Campbell Wilson, the managing director an...

On October 24, a terrible fire destroyed a bus in the Kurnool region of Andhra Pradesh, leaving at least 20 people dead and numerous others injured. Between 3:00 and 3:10 in the morning, the private bus carrying 41 people caught fire at Chinnatekur in Kallur mandal when it was en route from Hyderabad to Bengaluru, according to officials. Eleven bodies have been found and identified, according to Kurnool District Collector A Siri, while the other nine have not yet been found. " The bus has two drivers and forty-one passengers in total. A bicycle became lodged beneath the bus. After the crash, petrol poured off the bike and caught fire. Of the 41 members, we have traced 21 passengers; they are safe. 21 members are receiving treated for minor wounds. Regarding the other nine bodies, we need ...

Jammu & Kashmir Following their display at Elista, the capital of the Kalmykia Republic, Lt. Governor Manoj Sinha traveled to Russia to return the sacred relics of Lord Buddha to India. India's Deputy Chief of Mission Nikhilesh Giri, Deputy Chairman Dzhambinov Ochir Vladimirovich, and First Deputy Chairman of the Government of Kalmykia Tserenov Erdni Nikolayevich welcomed Sinha, who is leading the Indian delegation. The artifacts will return to India on October 19 with the delegation. Since October 11, the Holy Relics have been housed at the Geden Sheddup Choikorling Monastery, Elista's principal Buddhist monastery and the so-called "Golden Abode of Shakyamuni Buddha." Sinha said earlier in the day that he would be leading the delegation tasked with returning the sacred relics of L...

Devastating landslides and flash floods caused by unrelenting torrential rainfall in North Bengal's Mirik and Darjeeling hills killed at least 20 people, including multiple children, and injured many more. Hundreds of tourists were left stranded amid extensive destruction after the disaster, which was caused by more than 300 mm of rain in 12 hours, washed away residences and damaged important road connections. Casualties were recorded from a number of areas, including Sarsaly, Jasbirgaon, Mirik Basti, Dhar Gaon (Mechi), Nagrakata, and the area around Mirik Lake, according to reports from the district government and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF). The worst-hit locality, Mirik, had 11 fatalities, according to the NDRF, while seven injured people were pulled from the wreckag...

The Supreme Court has urged that sex education be implemented earlier rather than just for Class IX students. In order to help teenagers comprehend the hormonal and physical changes associated with puberty, a bench of Justices Sanjay Kumar and Alok Aradhe emphasized that sex education should be taught in higher secondary schools. "Children should receive sex education at a younger age rather than in Class IX." The bench stated that authorities must take corrective action to ensure that minors are aware of the changes that occur after puberty and the safety precautions that must be taken. The comments were made after a 15-year-old boy was granted bail under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses (POCSO) Act on charges of rape, criminal intimidation, and aggravated penetrative s...

Aadhaar-based face authentication in UPI to enable Aadhaar-linked biometric authentication for setting or resetting UPI PIN, UPI with on-device biometric authentication for a smooth, safe, and user-friendly alternative to PIN-based UPI authentication, and the addition of a new mode for cash withdrawal through micro-ATMs using UPI at UPI cash points are just a few of the new offerings the government announced. At the Global Fintech Festival (GFF) 2025, Shri M. Nagaraju, IAS, Secretary, Department of Financial Services, Ministry of Finance, announced the introduction of three new digital feature offerings. These new offerings include Aadhaar-based Face Authentication in UPI, which enables Aadhaar-linked biometric authentication for setting or resetting UPI PINs; UPI with On-Device Biomet...

According to RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra, India has managed to emerge as a unique source of stability in a globe that is racked by geopolitical shocks and trade friction. According to Malhotra, who spoke at the fourth Kautilya Economic Conclave here, policy continuity, institutional resilience, and reform momentum have allowed India to stay out of serious financial crises and maintain its position as one of the largest economies with the fastest rate of growth. By February 2026, inflation is expected to return to the RBI's safe zone of 4%. In handling the aftermath of the US tariff crisis and other global economic worries, the RBI Governor emphasized the differences between India and the developed nations. With low inflation, robust foreign exchange reserves, a small current account d...

On the anniversary of Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya's birth, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) announced the beginning of a 90-day nationwide campaign to promote Swadeshi and Aatmanirbhar Bharat. The campaign will run from December 25, the anniversary of the birth of former Prime Minister and Bharat Ratna Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Arun Singh, a Rajya Sabha MP and the National General Secretary of the BJP, told reporters at the party's New Delhi headquarters that Prime Minister Narendra Modi called for the campaign, which will center on turning "Vocal for Local" into a movement led by the people. BJP members nationwide will spread the word about "Swadeshi" to every household between September 25 and December 25. There will be 500 Sankalp Rath Yatras, 1,000 Swadeshi Melas, and around 20,000 Aatmani...