'The reason why they rushed through the bill was they wanted to avoid using the 2026 Census because the 2026 Census by their own decision will be a caste census.' 'The BJP knows that a significant share of the OBCs who will get captured in the census, for the first time after the 1931 Census, are against the BJP. Only a segment of the OBCs are in their favour.' 'So they wanted to avoid the OBC reservation among women, which is a demand of a lot of Opposition parties.'
IRCTC is expanding its payments arm, IRCTC Payments, to handle transactions across its ticketing platform and tap government clients, aiming to scale its annual payment processing to approximately 1 trillion.
Increased input costs due to geopolitical conflict in West Asia and unseasonal rain in March negatively impacted volumes of consumer durables makers, particularly air conditioners, in Q4FY26, leading to projected declines in EBITDA and APAT despite revenue growth.
Mcap of top 6 most valued firms drops nearly Rs 65k cr; Airtel biggest laggard
rediffGURU Jinal Mehta answers readers' financial planning and health insurance queries
A 27-year-old man was allegedly charred to death in Bengaluru after his girlfriend set him on fire at her house. Police suspect the murder was premeditated, as the woman believed he had been avoiding her.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is emerging as a potential new demand driver for India's office market, with AI-focused technology (tech) firms actively leasing new office space and established information technology (IT) companies expanding their footprint as they ramp up investments in AI.
India's services sector growth recorded another month of robust expansion in July, albeit at a slightly slower pace than in June, largely supported by robust demand conditions and investment in technology, a monthly survey said on Monday. The seasonally adjusted HSBC India Services Business Activity Index was at 60.3 in July, down only fractionally from 60.5 in June. In the Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) parlance, a print above 50 means expansion, while a score below 50 denotes contraction.
The CPI-M and Congress in Kerala have raised concerns over the delay in the release of detailed polling data from the recent assembly elections.
A US national was allegedly sexually assaulted at a homestay in Kodagu, Karnataka, leading to the arrest of a staff member and the owner, who reportedly attempted to cover up the incident.
Indian security agencies have arrested seven foreign nationals, including a US security analyst and six Ukrainians, for allegedly entering India illegally from Myanmar and suspected of training insurgent groups. The arrests have raised concerns about security vulnerabilities along the India-Myanmar border and triggered diplomatic friction.
The Centre informed the Supreme Court that ten Indians have died while fighting alongside Russian forces in the Russia-Ukraine war. The court is hearing a plea seeking the repatriation of Indians allegedly forced to fight.
Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) has extended 25,000 offers to freshers for the current fiscal year (FY27), with future hiring decisions contingent on the demand scenario, according to CEO K Krithivasan.
A Fly91 flight from Hyderabad to Hubballi was diverted to Bengaluru due to adverse weather conditions, causing concern among passengers before safely returning to its destination.
The Athletics Federation of India (AFI) has revealed that a significant majority of synthetic tracks in the country are substandard, raising concerns about athlete performance and track longevity. The AFI is now working with World Athletics to improve track certification and vendor quality.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended a Christmas morning service at the Cathedral Church of the Redemption in Delhi, joining a large congregation. The service included prayers, carols, and a special prayer for the Prime Minister. The Vice President also extended Christmas greetings.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and other leaders paid tribute to the victims of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre on its anniversary, honouring their sacrifice and courage in the Indian freedom struggle.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis expressed deep sorrow over the demise of Asha Bhosle, honouring her as an unparalleled versatile artist whose passing marks a significant loss for Indian and global music.
If Trump wants peace with Iran, Pakistan will offer to help. If Trump seeks Pakistan's aid to spy on Iran, then too Munir will not hesitate to chip in. At the same time, the ISI will not hesitate to tip off Iran now and then, points out M R Narayan Swamy.
'We have lost 70-80 per cent of our business from foreign guests.'
Mumbai's metro network has expanded with the inauguration of the first phases of Metro Line 9 and Line 2B, promising improved connectivity and reduced travel times for commuters.
Cooperation Minister Amit Shah addressed Parliament regarding the challenges faced by Bharat Taxi, a government-backed cooperative ride-hailing platform, including competition from established private aggregators and resistance to digital adoption among drivers.
'As result, Netanyahu 'convinced' Trump to go to war with the help of overoptimistic Israeli intelligence assessments, essentially explaining to him that they only need to bomb Iran for 3-4 days, and the regime would then collapse.' 'Rather unsurprisingly, Netanyahu is ever since blaming his own intel service for the entire operation failing.'
India addresses the escalating conflict in West Asia, outlining its diplomatic efforts to ensure energy security, the safety of its citizens, and advocating for a peaceful resolution through dialogue.
'In a volatile global market, India is pursuing a low-risk, low-return policy, akin to a SIP -- slow, steady investment.' 'Pakistan is following a high-risk, high-return policy.'
Delhi Police have dismantled a fraudulent call centre operating a roadside assistance policy scam, arresting 12 individuals involved in deceiving customers.
Godrej Consumer Products Ltd (GCPL) delivered a robust Q4FY26 performance, with steady demand in India and signs of stabilisation in international markets, despite persistent inflationary pressures. The company expects to maintain profitability in FY27 through strategic cost management and pricing adjustments.
rediffGURU T S Khurana answers readers' personal income tax queries
Prime Minister Narendra Modi appealed to Lok Sabha members to vote for the women's reservation bill, emphasising the need to empower women and rectify decades of political inaction.
SKYTRAX's annual airport rankings for 2026, based on a global passenger poll, placed four Indian gateways within the top 100. Delhi moved up to 28th and led the India-South Asia region, while Hyderabad climbed to 43rd and earned praise for staff service. Goa and Mumbai improved to 64th and 66th respectively.
Indian insurance companies are bracing for reduced profitability in Q4FY26, primarily due to the rationalisation of GST on retail life and health policies, leading to a loss of input tax credit, coupled with volatility in equity markets impacting investment income.
Security agencies in India are investigating a potential conspiracy involving arrested foreigners, including a US mercenary, who allegedly aimed to exploit Indian ethnic groups to undermine national security. The investigation involves data extraction from mobile phones and scrutiny of social media accounts to uncover the full extent of the plot and identify all involved parties.
Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi awarded Yudh Seva Medals to Vice Admiral A N Pramod and Vice Admiral Rahul Gokhale for their distinguished service during Operation Sindoor. The operation involved a strong naval response to security concerns, showcasing strategic planning and effective deployment of naval assets.
The conflict may disrupt Budget 2026-2027 projections, squeezing revenues and raising subsidies, prompting fiscal adjustments and potential reforms, echoing lessons from the Covid-era shock, points out A K Bhattacharya.
'All terrorists are a blot on humanity.' 'No religion in the world teaches you to take the life of an innocent person.' 'Kashmiris have always been known for their hospitality. One moment of darkness cannot erase Kashmiriyat.'
The Reserve Bank of India's 2024 norms for the voluntary conversion of Small Finance Banks (SFBs) into universal banks, particularly the subjective 'diversified loan portfolio' criterion, are proving to be a significant hurdle, with Ujjivan SFB and Jana SFB having their applications returned.
An Indian AI Research Organisation official says India has adopted a balanced and pragmatic approach to AI regulation, avoiding the extremes of the US and EU models.
Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) announced a 12.22 per cent increase in its net profit for the March quarter, reaching Rs 13,718 crore, alongside a 9.64 per cent rise in revenue from operations.
The first thing you notice about Bhutan is not the mountains, but the silence.
India's rail modernisation drive has reached a critical milestone. With electrification reaching 99.2 per cent, Indian Railways is among the world's leading rail systems.
