August 15 was the date of India's Independence, so why did transfer of power happen at the stroke of midnight August 14-15?
It is very unfortunate that China has decided to proceed with the controversial mega hydropower plants(despite the apparent opposition of many scientists in China). Why is Delhi silent about the development? asks Claude Arpi.
NPCI International and Uzbekistan's NIPC have partnered to enable UPI payments across Uzbekistan, allowing Indian tourists, business travellers, and students to make instant merchant payments using the UZQR code. This agreement, approved by RBI and CBU, integrates UPI with Uzbekistan's national payment system, HUMO, facilitating direct P2M payments from Indian bank accounts and reducing reliance on foreign exchange or international cards.
Despite large inflows of foreign funds mobilised through the Reserve Bank of India's (RBI's) concessional swap schemes, the rupee has seen little impact because the dollars have largely been absorbed into the central bank's reserves instead of being released into the spot market, according to market participants.
India's 19-year-old Grandmaster Pranesh M clinched the Group A title at the prestigious Kanizsa Open 2026, defeating Germany's Vadim Petrovskiy in the final round.
The Indian senior men's football team will play an international friendly against Panama at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru on September 26. This match against a FIFA World Cup-playing nation will be a significant test for the Blue Tigers, marking their return to Bengaluru after their SAFF Championship 2023 victory.
Google has informed the Delhi High Court that it has withheld a "defamatory" YouTube video by social media influencer Dhruv Rathee in India. The video, which allegedly hurt religious sentiments by insulting Hindu deities, was withheld following an order from the Centre's Grievance Appellate Committee. The petitioner, Amita Sachdeva, seeks global blocking, but Google states the issue of global injunction is pending before a division bench.
The Centre on Monday told the Supreme Court that authorities in Muscat are examining claims that the family of Indian merchant navy captain Ashish Kumar received ransom calls following his disappearance after a drone or missile attack on a vessel in the Strait of Hormuz.
In view of the flood situation in Nepal, the ninistry of external affairs has set up a round-the-clock control room here to assist people.
The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) is closely monitoring the India-Nepal border regions in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh for any adverse impact from the devastating flash floods in Nepal. While no significant impact has been reported yet, 20 NDRF teams are deployed in the Indian states for potential relief operations. India has also sent humanitarian aid to Nepal and has additional NDRF teams on standby for deployment if requested.
Microsoft has announced the activation of its latest data centre in Hyderabad, significantly expanding its Cloud infrastructure in India and enabling organisations to leverage AI-era services with enhanced local choice and security.
A Niti Aayog report reveals that an estimated 8.7 crore Indian youth aged 15 to 29 are not engaged in education, employment, or training (NEET), underscoring the critical need for subsidised training programmes focused on self-employment and emerging sectors.
The Mahindra All India Talent Scholarship (MAITS) 2026, an initiative of the K.C. Mahindra Education Trust, aims to support students from economically disadvantaged families who wish to pursue job-oriented diploma courses at recognised Government Polytechnics in India.
The Supreme Court has declined to issue orders prohibiting a protest march called by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) for September 5. The court stated its expectation that all parties would act peacefully and lawfully, directing the petitioner to a High Powered Enquiry Committee. The CJP's march aims to protest the Centre's alleged failure to honour promises made regarding examination irregularities and police violence during previous agitations.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah announced he would meet US Ambassador Sergio Gor to discuss the regional situation but firmly stated he would not raise internal issues with the US representative. Abdullah emphasised that solutions to J&K's problems lie with the central government, not with foreign entities, maintaining his stance against complaining about India to foreign diplomats.
Union Minister Bandi Sanjay Kumar announced India's ambitious plan to rank among the top 10 sporting nations by 2036 and top five by 2047. He highlighted the central government's commitment to sports development through initiatives like Khelo India, increased budget allocation, and a special fund for sports equipment and technology, emphasising sports as a tool for nation-building and youth empowerment.
Union Minister Bandi Sanjay Kumar announced India's ambitious plan to rank among the top 10 sporting nations by 2036 and top five by 2047. He highlighted the central government's commitment to sports development through initiatives like Khelo India, increased budget allocation, and a special fund for sports equipment and technology, emphasising sports as a tool for nation-building and youth empowerment.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has issued a 'Wanted' notice for Indian national Major Singh, alleging his involvement in a transnational criminal organisation engaged in racketeering and unlicensed firearms dealing, linked to the 'Jaggu Bhagwanpuria Organised Crime Group' which originated in Punjab, India.
The Bombay High Court has identified a worrying trend of foreign nationals infiltrating India, fraudulently acquiring documents like Aadhaar and PAN cards to claim Indian citizenship. The court highlighted serious gaps in inter-agency coordination and document verification, noting that some individuals have engaged in anti-national activities. It urged the Centre to amend the Aadhaar Act to facilitate tracing and deportation, and to establish procedures for dealing with human trafficking and border infiltration. The ruling came during a case involving an Afghan national who overstayed his visa and obtained fake documents to secure an Indian passport.
India have never looked so vulnerable in Test cricket in recent times. They need a complete reset of their approach to Test cricket, and perhaps a new coach with fresh ideas could revitalise Shubman Gill and his boys.
Police have arrested Manik Uddin Laskar and Bhagabati Majhi, the prime suspects in the murder of a 38-year-old woman whose dismembered body was found in a suitcase on the Tamil Nadu Express in Agra. The couple was apprehended in Manipur after a multi-state search, following an investigation that traced their movements from Chennai and uncovered further gruesome details at their rented home.
After a subdued start, the southwest monsoon has gathered pace since the beginning of July, narrowing the cumulative rainfall deficit from nearly 30 per cent on June 30 to around 15 per cent as of July 8.
Underlining that students are the "architects of India's future," President Droupadi Murmu on Friday said the government is taking comprehensive steps to reform public examinations to completely curb paper leaks and unfair means, making the system transparent, secure, and trustworthy.
India's fresh investment plans in Q1FY27 surged 71 per cent to 14.77 trillion, primarily driven by four large nuclear power projects worth 6.5 trillion, according to investment monitoring firm Projects Today. Excluding these nuclear projects, fresh investment plans actually declined 4.27 per cent quarter-on-quarter.
'The number of airport bundles that may be awarded to a single bidder would be capped.'
Pakistan summoned US Charge d'Affaires Natalie Baker to lodge a "strong demarche" following remarks by US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor, who stated that Jammu and Kashmir is an important part of India. Pakistan's Foreign Office condemned Gor's characterisation, asserting that Jammu and Kashmir is an internationally recognised disputed territory and that the US ambassador's statement contradicted the US's long-standing position and commitment to international law.
Hangors are effectively 'dead-on-arrival' with Pakistanis saddled with deadweights that displace around 3,000 tons. Last time it was near Vishakhapatnam. This time, barnacles will clog the Hangors in Karachi port itself, points out Dr Abhishek Puri.
Over 900 workers and employees are missing from various hydropower project sites in Nepal following massive flash floods triggered by an ice and rock collapse near the Nepal-Tibet border. Rescue teams, assisted by experts from India and China, are intensifying efforts to locate and extract hundreds believed to be trapped inside tunnels, with 279 already rescued amidst ongoing challenges.
India's foreign exchange reserves increased by USD 6.118 billion, reaching USD 682.354 billion for the week ending July 24, according to the Reserve Bank of India.
'They want to sabotage the caste census and bury Muslim backward classes, Hindu backward classes, Sikh backward classes and Buddhist backward classes.'
Reserve Bank Deputy Governor S C Murmu has highlighted the "cash paradox" where currency in circulation continues to grow despite a significant increase in digital payments. This trend complicates the RBI's forecasting and planning for currency production and distribution, prompting the central bank to seek solutions and explore ways to extend banknote life and reduce the carbon footprint of the cash cycle.
Indian refiners are diverting 350,000 tonnes of sugar, originally slated for export, to the domestic market to ease a supply crunch and stabilise prices ahead of the festive season.
India finished fourth at the 2026 Commonwealth Games with 39 medals, overcoming the absence of traditional medal-winning sports. The contingent's success was driven by a record-breaking boxing campaign, a historic performance in judo, and strong contributions from para athletes, showcasing the country's expanding sporting depth.
The death toll from flash floods in central Nepal has surged to 734, with nearly 2,500 people still missing. India has intensified its rescue and relief efforts, sending additional aid, technical teams, and forensic experts, while also working to locate and rescue over 275 missing Indian nationals.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi will get a golden chance to improve upon his none too impressive first class numbers when East Zone take on the severely inexperienced North East Zone in the quarter-final of the Duleep Trophy.
Court-appointed administrator Justice Gita Mittal has proposed extensive constitutional amendments for the All India Tennis Association (AITA). These reforms aim to align AITA with the National Sports Governance Act, 2025, by significantly increasing athlete representation in decision-making bodies, downsizing the Executive Committee, and establishing independent ethics and dispute resolution committees. The changes, which include inducting Sportspersons of Outstanding Merit into key committees and reducing state association representation, await approval at an upcoming Extraordinary General Meeting.
The Supreme Court has agreed to constitute a special bench to address the Centre's plea regarding the applicability of its March 11 judgment on OBC creamy-layer criteria to candidates of the Civil Services Examination (CSE) 2025. The Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) seeks to proceed with service allocation for 958 recommended candidates based on the creamy-layer determination applied before the verdict, citing potential unequal treatment and disruption to training schedules.
India's foreign exchange reserves saw one of their largest weekly expansions, surging by USD 14.136 billion to reach USD 707.002 billion during the week ended August 7, according to the Reserve Bank of India.
The water levels in the Bhotekoshi River rose again on Sunday, days after a devastating flash flood struck Nepal, authorities warned, urging residents and rescue personnel in flood-hit districts to remain alert.
The National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC), in collaboration with Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Cultus Education, has launched a nationwide initiative to provide cloud and AI skilling to 1.5 lakh learners. This programme aims to equip youth, especially from Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, with essential technology skills and job-ready training, contributing to India's goal of becoming a global innovation hub.
