Paytm's parent company, One 97 Communications Ltd, has seen its domestic ownership increase to 51.6% in Q1 FY27, solidifying its status as an Indian-Owned and Controlled Company. This rise is driven by increased investments from mutual funds and insurance companies, reflecting growing investor confidence following Paytm's first full-year profit in FY26 and improved operating performance.
Paytm's parent company, One 97 Communications Ltd, has seen its domestic ownership increase to 51.6% in Q1 FY27, solidifying its status as an Indian-Owned and Controlled Company. This rise is driven by increased investments from mutual funds and insurance companies, reflecting growing investor confidence following Paytm's first full-year profit in FY26 and improved operating performance.
The National Inter-State Championships saw two new national records being set. Anushka Yadav broke the hammer throw record with a 67.02m effort, while Dev Meena set a new pole vault record by clearing 5.47m.
A World Bank report highlights how Artificial Intelligence-powered weather forecasts have enabled small farmers in Telangana, India, to save up to USD 560 by adapting their farming practices to specific risks. The report, "The Promise of Artificial Intelligence," advocates for developing countries to rapidly adopt small, low-cost AI tools to enhance productivity, improve government services, and avoid missing out on the AI revolution.
Indian Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa drew with tournament leader Wesley So in the fifth round of the Sinquefield Cup, maintaining his joint second position with 3 points. This result keeps him on track for a podium finish and a strong chance to qualify for the Grand Chess Tour finale.
Sanya Vats is the only Indian player to qualify for the semifinals of the HCL Squash PSA Challenger Tour in Chennai, defeating compatriot Unnati Tripathi in the quarterfinals. She is set to face top seed Rouqaia Othman of Egypt in the next round.
The All India Chess Federation (AICF) has disbursed Rs 42.3 lakh in quarterly stipends to 42 promising young chess players across India. This first-of-its-kind initiative aims to alleviate financial burdens, support coaching and travel, and nurture future champions, aligning with a vision to strengthen grassroots chess development.
East Bengal, fresh from their AFC Champions League Two qualifying play-off victory, are set to face a formidable Indian Army Football Team in the Durand Cup quarterfinals. The match, crucial for a spot in the semi-finals, will test East Bengal's momentum against the Army's disciplined play. Another quarterfinal features unbeaten SC Delhi against debutants FC Raengdai.
Indian table tennis has achieved a significant milestone with three doubles pairs entering the top 10 of the ITTF World Rankings. Manav Thakkar and Manush Shah reached World No. 2 in men's doubles, while Diya Chitale and Yashaswini Ghorpade are World No. 10 in women's doubles, and Diya Chitale and Shah are World No. 5 in mixed doubles. This marks the first time India has had three doubles pairs simultaneously in the top 10, underscoring the nation's growing strength in the sport, especially with doubles returning to the Olympics in 2028.
The Sports Ministry has suspended the recognition of the Table Tennis Federation of India (TTFI) due to significant governance deficiencies, including delayed elections and failure to ensure athlete welfare. The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has been directed to form an ad-hoc committee to manage the sport until a proper governance structure is re-established.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has renewed his call for the restoration of special status and statehood to the region, asserting that the decision to accede to India 80 years ago was correct. He highlighted the importance of upholding India's federal structure and suggested that if Article 370 hadn't been revoked, PoK residents might be seeking reunification. Abdullah also criticised centralised governance models, arguing they erode state autonomy.
CBSE exams and unemployment are divergent concerns for the middle class and the poor, and the idioms of protest don't speak to all of India's young people, points out Kanika Datta.
China has declared India's move to identify 27 places in Arunachal Pradesh by their standard names as "illegal, null and void," reiterating its claim over the region it calls Zangnan. India has consistently rejected China's renaming attempts, asserting Arunachal Pradesh as an integral part of India.
The combined market valuation of five of India's top-10 most valued firms eroded by Rs 1 lakh crore last week, with IT giant Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) experiencing the largest decline amidst a bearish trend in domestic equities.
Indian-origin golfers Sudarshan Yellamaraju and Sahith Theegala experienced a drop in their standings at the Scottish Open after play was suspended due to weather. Yellamaraju fell to tied 17th, while Theegala slipped to tied 64th, with both having holes left to complete in the third round. Matt Fitzpatrick and Michael Thorbjornsen currently share the lead.
The Indian women's hockey squad for the upcoming World Cup in Belgium and the Netherlands has been announced, featuring the same 20 players selected for the Asian Games. Led by Salima Tete and coached by Sjoerd Marijne, the team is described as well-balanced, combining experienced players with promising young talent, fresh off an unbeaten victory at the FIH Nations Cup.
Former U17 World Champion Neha clinched a gold medal in the women's 59kg category at the Polyak Imre, Varga Janos & Kozma Istvan Memorial Senior Ranking Tournament in Budapest. This victory marked India's second gold, following Aman Sehrawat's earlier triumph. India also secured a silver medal through Mansi and a bronze through Savita in the 62kg women's wrestling division, bringing the total medal count to eight.
Hansika Lamba won a silver medal in the women's 55kg category at the Polyak Imre, Varga Janos & Kozma Istvan Memorial Senior Ranking Tournament in Budapest. Her performance, along with two bronze medals from Vishal Kaliraman and Rajat Ruhal, increased India's total medal count to five, following earlier wins by Aman Sehrawat and Deepak.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh lauded armed forces athletes for their medal-winning performance at the recently concluded Commonwealth Games, calling them a 'perfect blend of a soldier and a champion'. He highlighted their strong willpower and the inspiration they provide to the nation, especially the youth. Indian Army athletes secured 16 medals, including 8 gold, contributing significantly to India's overall tally.
The US senate last week passed a bill that would allow Washington to impose tariffs on major buyers of Russian energy.
Hardik Pandya's potential return to Gujarat Titans was reportedly rejected after he made his move conditional on being reinstated as captain, a demand the franchise, including current captain Shubman Gill, declined.
Indian golfer Pranavi Urs successfully made the cut at the VP Bank Swiss Ladies Open, finishing Tied-28th after two rounds. Her compatriots Tvesa Malik and Diksha Dagar, however, missed the 36-hole cut. Sweden's Kajsa Arwefjall holds a commanding three-shot lead heading into the final round, seeking her first Ladies European Tour victory.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his 80th Independence Day address, expressed strong confidence that India will achieve developed nation status by 2047, urging citizens to embrace big dreams and unwavering resolve to realise 'Viksit Bharat'. He highlighted India's economic transformation and significant growth in various sectors, including defence production, electronic manufacturing, and mobile phone production.
Indian Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa suffered a defeat against Germany's Vincent Keymer in the Sinquefield Cup, part of the Grand Chess Tour, causing him to slip to joint fourth spot. Meanwhile, Wesley So of the United States emerged as the sole leader after a significant victory over Fabiano Caruana.
Tata Steel has announced the sale of its entire 100% equity stake in Jamshedpur Football to Churchill Brothers for Rs 100.
India's Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa secured a crucial victory against Dutchman Jorden Van Foreest in the fourth round of the Sinquefield Cup.
The Sports Ministry has suspended the Table Tennis Federation of India's recognition due to governance issues, including delayed elections, and has directed the Indian Olympic Association to form an ad-hoc committee to manage the sport.
India's top badminton players experienced a mixed day at the Japan Open. While PV Sindhu secured a comfortable win in her women's singles opener, the men's doubles pair of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty were forced to retire due to Rankireddy's recurring shoulder injury, impacting their preparations for the upcoming World Championships.
India showcased a dominant performance at the Asian Boxing Championships, with nine U-19 boxers advancing to the finals and six securing bronze medals. Additionally, eight U-23 boxers had previously reached their respective finals, highlighting India's strong presence across multiple categories.
Indian golfing legend Jeev Milkha Singh offers crucial advice to the national golf team ahead of the Asian Games, emphasising the importance of a strong short game and adapting to Japan's fast greens and windy conditions to secure medals.
The speedboat was carrying 32 Indian tourists and four crew members.
Indian-origin golfers Sahith Theegala and Sudarshan Yellamaraju experienced a disappointing final round at the Scottish Open, slipping down the leaderboard. South Korea's Tom Kim secured the title with a flawless performance, while Theegala and Yellamaraju finished tied for 66th and 52nd respectively.
Two promising Indian amateur golfers, Guntas Kaur Sandhu and Ceerat Kang, are set to represent India at the Malaysia Ladies Open Amateur. Ceerat, ranked No. 1 in the IGU merit list, and Guntas, ranked No. 2, bring strong track records to the international competition, which features around 40 golfers from 20 countries.
A new UN Security Council report has 'officially attributed' the November 2025 Red Fort terror attack in New Delhi, which killed about 15 people, to Al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS). The report highlights AQIS's evolution into a regional terrorist entity and its efforts to establish networks.
Indian boxers Vishvanath Suresh (50kg) and Ganga (55kg) secured gold medals at the Asian U-19 and U-23 Boxing Championships in Jakarta. The U-23 men's team delivered two golds and one silver, while U-19 boxers earned two silver medals, showcasing a strong overall performance.
Indian women's assistant volleyball coach Radhika Paruchuri believes that franchise-based leagues, like the upcoming Volleyball Champions League, are crucial for transforming Indian volleyball. She highlights their potential to provide much-needed match exposure for young players, strengthen the talent pipeline, and help identify and nurture new talent, ultimately raising the standard of the sport in India. Paruchuri also notes the decline in Indian women's volleyball due to a lack of international exposure and domestic competition, which these leagues aim to address.
Romain Langasque has taken a one-shot lead into the final round of the Danish Golf Championship, aiming for his first DP World Tour victory in nearly six years. The Frenchman carded a five-under-par 67 to reach 14 under, ahead of Yanhan Zhou, while Indian golfers Shubhankar Sharma and Yuvraj Sandhu missed the cut.
The Sports Ministry has approved a 191-member Indian contingent for the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, comprising 126 athletes and 51 officials. The Ministry has stipulated that expenses for Indian Olympic Association (IOA) Executive Committee members will not be covered by the government. Additionally, National Sports Federations are required to conduct background checks on their contingents, and a performance report must be submitted post-Games.
The Indian men's football team will embark on its first-ever tour of New Zealand in November for two international friendlies. This historic visit, part of '100 Years of Unity Through Sport' initiatives, marks India's return to an Oceania Football Confederation nation after nearly two decades and offers a valuable challenge against a FIFA World Cup-experienced side.
Indian golfers Shubhankar Sharma and Yuvraj Sandhu had a challenging start at the Danish Golf Championship, with Sharma likely to miss the cut after a 2-over 74. Frenchman Felix Mory set a course record with a 7-under 65 to take the lead.
