News for 'Central'

'Govt In Manipur Before Feb 12'

'Govt In Manipur Before Feb 12'

Rediff.com3 Feb 2026

'President's Rule has already been extended twice and one cannot keep the assembly in suspension for much longer.'

AI will redefine tech jobs, coding will no longer be core: Nandan Nilekani

AI will redefine tech jobs, coding will no longer be core: Nandan Nilekani

Rediff.com17 Feb 2026

Artifical Intelligence is rewriting the grammar of software development. And writing codes will no longer be the central role for tech professionals, Infosys co-founder Nandan Nilekani said Tuesday.

RBI pauses rate cuts, retains interest rate at 5.25%

RBI pauses rate cuts, retains interest rate at 5.25%

Rediff.com6 Feb 2026

After a 25 basis point rate cut in December, the RBI on Friday decided to pause on the policy rate front amid geopolitical uncertainties.

Jamiat slams order on mandatory singing of Vande Mataram

Jamiat slams order on mandatory singing of Vande Mataram

Rediff.com12 Feb 2026

Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind has criticized the central government's directive mandating the singing of all six stanzas of Vande Mataram at official functions, alleging it violates religious freedom.

National Herald case: HC to hear ED plea against Gandhis on Mar 9

National Herald case: HC to hear ED plea against Gandhis on Mar 9

Rediff.com19 Feb 2026

The Delhi High Court has scheduled a hearing for March 9 on the Enforcement Directorate's plea challenging a trial court order that refused to acknowledge its chargesheet against Congress leaders Sonia and Rahul Gandhi in the National Herald money laundering case.

Ghooskhor Pandat row: Neeraj Pandey withdraws title, SC disposes of plea

Ghooskhor Pandat row: Neeraj Pandey withdraws title, SC disposes of plea

Rediff.com19 Feb 2026

The Supreme Court has disposed of a plea against the Netflix film 'Ghooskhor Pandit' after filmmaker Neeraj Pandey withdrew the title and promotional material. The court acknowledged Pandey's affidavit and expects the controversy to be resolved.

CBSE on 2-exam policy: Mandatory to appear in 1st boards

CBSE on 2-exam policy: Mandatory to appear in 1st boards

Rediff.com16 Feb 2026

The clarification by board comes after it received a few requests stating that, because of some reasons, Class 10 students will not be able to appear in the first board exam, hence should be allowed to appear in second board exam.

'Kerala Story 2' sparks fresh political firestorm ahead of release

'Kerala Story 2' sparks fresh political firestorm ahead of release

Rediff.com20 Feb 2026

The trailer of the film, produced by Vipul Amrutlal Shah and directed by Kamakhya Narain Singh, released on Tuesday and landed straight into controversy. It tracks the stories of three Hindu women from three different states going against their families to marry Muslim men and then being forced to convert.

Merchant navy cadet from Odisha goes missing near Mauritius

Merchant navy cadet from Odisha goes missing near Mauritius

Rediff.com6 Feb 2026

The missing seafarer has been identified as Sarthak Mahapatra, a native of Kespur in Bhadrak district.

'Kerala Story 2' sparks fresh political firestorm ahead of release

'Kerala Story 2' sparks fresh political firestorm ahead of release

Rediff.com19 Feb 2026

The upcoming Hindi film 'The Kerala Story 2: Goes Beyond' is embroiled in controversy, similar to its predecessor, with accusations of hate propaganda and defenses of legitimate concern over religious conversion.

Maha scraps 5% Muslim quota in jobs, education; Oppn slams move

Maha scraps 5% Muslim quota in jobs, education; Oppn slams move

Rediff.com18 Feb 2026

The previous Congress-NCP government had issued an ordinance to grant a 16 per cent quota to Marathas and five per cent to Muslims.

MHA gets Rs 2.55 lakh cr as Budget sharpens focus on internal security

MHA gets Rs 2.55 lakh cr as Budget sharpens focus on internal security

Rediff.com1 Feb 2026

The Union Budget 2025-26 had allocated Rs 2,33,210.68 crore (BE) to the ministry helmed by Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

86% Taxpayers Shift To New Tax Regime

86% Taxpayers Shift To New Tax Regime

Rediff.com13 Feb 2026

'Among corporates, about 60% of income is now reported under the new tax regime.'

How the stock markets will fare next week

How the stock markets will fare next week

Rediff.com15 Feb 2026

Macroeconomic data, global geopolitical developments and rising concerns over AI-related disruptions are likely to dictate sentiment in the stock market next week, even as investors may remain cautious amid ongoing volatility, according to analysts.

How investors will benefit if banks start lending to Reits

How investors will benefit if banks start lending to Reits

Rediff.com6 Feb 2026

The Reserve Bank of India on Friday proposed to allow banks to lend to Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) with certain prudential safeguards to deepen the financing pool for the real estate sector.

Citizenship complaint politically motivated: Sonia Gandhi's counsel

Citizenship complaint politically motivated: Sonia Gandhi's counsel

Rediff.com7 Feb 2026

Sonia Gandhi's counsel argued in a Delhi court that a complaint alleging she was included in the electoral roll before acquiring Indian citizenship was politically motivated.

Xi Vs The Generals: Why It Matters To India

Xi Vs The Generals: Why It Matters To India

Rediff.com2 Feb 2026

If Xi Jinping can establish control over the PLA Ground Force, relations between India and China will settle down to an even keel. The next few weeks will show whether Xi has finally succeeded in gaining control over the PLA Ground Force. That could bring about the substantive shift in India-China relations that both our leaders have been working for, observes Ambassador Prabhat Shukla.

Shivakumar like a railway engine, makes a lot of noise: Cong leader

Shivakumar like a railway engine, makes a lot of noise: Cong leader

Rediff.com16 Feb 2026

Shivakumar had said on February 14 that the Congress high command and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah would examine the statements being made by party MLAs.

Yunus rakes up India's 'Seven Sisters' in farewell speech

Yunus rakes up India's 'Seven Sisters' in farewell speech

Rediff.com17 Feb 2026

Relations with India experienced a downturn during Yunus's tenure, while ties with Pakistan saw positive developments.

SC rejects plea against Assam CM Sarma over 'shooting' video

SC rejects plea against Assam CM Sarma over 'shooting' video

Rediff.com16 Feb 2026

The Supreme Court has declined to entertain petitions seeking action against Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma regarding a viral video, advising petitioners to approach the Gauhati High Court instead.

SC to hear pleas against Digital Personal Data Protection Act

SC to hear pleas against Digital Personal Data Protection Act

Rediff.com16 Feb 2026

The Supreme Court of India has agreed to examine petitions challenging the constitutional validity of the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act, 2023, focusing on concerns about its impact on the Right to Information Act.

Gold falls Rs 400 to Rs 1.6 lakh/10g, silver remains flat

Gold falls Rs 400 to Rs 1.6 lakh/10g, silver remains flat

Rediff.com12 Feb 2026

Gold prices fell by Rs 400 to Rs 1.6 lakh per 10 grams in the national capital on Thursday amid weak global trends and receding expectations of an interest rate cut by the US Federal Reserve.

Under EC pressure, Bengal acts on voter list fraud; books 5 employees

Under EC pressure, Bengal acts on voter list fraud; books 5 employees

Rediff.com18 Feb 2026

The West Bengal government has filed FIRs against five state government employees for alleged lapses in electoral roll revisions, following an Election Commission ultimatum. The action comes after the EC directed the state to initiate criminal cases against the accused for adding fictitious names to voter lists.

Court orders inspection of Lamborghini involved in Kanpur accident

Court orders inspection of Lamborghini involved in Kanpur accident

Rediff.com14 Feb 2026

A local court in Kanpur has directed police to conduct a technical and mechanical inspection of the Lamborghini involved in a recent accident on VIP Road, which resulted in several injuries. The court's decision came after the car's owner sought its release, prompting the need to assess its evidentiary value.

Violence erupts during protest over Hadi's murder in B'desh; 50 hurt

Violence erupts during protest over Hadi's murder in B'desh; 50 hurt

Rediff.com6 Feb 2026

Witnesses said the police in riot gear turned tough as the protestors tried to break through security barricades in front of Jamuna from a nearby sit-in demonstration, defying the earlier announced ban on rallies adjacent to Jamuna.

'Direct fertiliser subsidy transfer very much on table'

'Direct fertiliser subsidy transfer very much on table'

Rediff.com17 Feb 2026

On Agri Stack, Expenditure Secy V Vualnam says it's progressing well; using IT, farmers will be able to choose exact fertiliser quantities needed, reducing crowding at fertiliser outlets.

Avian flu fears in TN after crow deaths, alert sounded

Avian flu fears in TN after crow deaths, alert sounded

Rediff.com6 Feb 2026

The Tamil Nadu government has issued a high alert following reports of widespread crow deaths, raising concerns about a potential avian influenza outbreak. Authorities have implemented stringent precautionary measures and urged the public to report any unusual bird deaths.

SC raps filmmaker Neeraj Pandey over Ghooskhor Pandat title

SC raps filmmaker Neeraj Pandey over Ghooskhor Pandat title

Rediff.com12 Feb 2026

The Supreme Court has raised concerns over the title of the film 'Ghooskhor Pandat', questioning its potential to denigrate a section of society. Notices have been issued to relevant authorities.

T20 World Cup, India vs Pakistan: Father Shares Secret Of Ishan Kishan's Match-Winning Knock

T20 World Cup, India vs Pakistan: Father Shares Secret Of Ishan Kishan's Match-Winning Knock

Rediff.com16 Feb 2026

'He worked very hard in the last two years, he played a lot of domestic cricket, focused on his batting.'

Jab We Met: 'She Called Me With An IT Issue'

Jab We Met: 'She Called Me With An IT Issue'

Rediff.com14 Feb 2026

During Valentine's Week, Prabhat shares the story on how he met his wife, Pooja.

Wuthering Heights Review: Doesn't Do Justice To The Book

Wuthering Heights Review: Doesn't Do Justice To The Book

Rediff.com14 Feb 2026

Marketed as a Valentine's Day treat, audiences can expect to be mildly entertained by the surface-level intimate scenes in Wuthering Heights that only leave you thirsty for the real, raw passion, notes Divya Nair.

World Bank flags how India failed to rein in debt in several states

World Bank flags how India failed to rein in debt in several states

Rediff.com5 Feb 2026

India's state-level fiscal rules have improved headline deficits, but the gains are fragile and uneven with major states still grappling with high debt levels, a World Bank report submitted to the 16th Finance Commission (FC) said. According to the report, despite nearly two decades of adoption of fiscal responsibility laws (FRLs), debt levels have not converged.

Sonam Wangchuk taken to hospital after stomach pain

Sonam Wangchuk taken to hospital after stomach pain

Rediff.com31 Jan 2026

Activist and scientist Sonam Wangchuk, currently lodged in Jodhpur Central Jail, was taken to AIIMS Jodhpur for a medical examination following concerns about his declining health. The Supreme Court has requested his medical report.

Budget 2026: Lokpal gets Rs 30 crore

Budget 2026: Lokpal gets Rs 30 crore

Rediff.com1 Feb 2026

The Lokpal, India's anti-corruption ombudsman, has been allocated Rs 30 crore in the Union Budget 2026-27. The Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) has been allocated Rs 54.56 crore.

Over 1,300 athletes dropped from Khelo India...Here's why

Over 1,300 athletes dropped from Khelo India...Here's why

Rediff.com12 Feb 2026

Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya revealed that 1342 athletes have been removed from the Khelo India programme in the last three years due to poor performance and doping violations, while 2905 new athletes have been inducted.

Farhan Akhtar In Sam Mendes' Beatles Film, Plays Ravi Shankar

Farhan Akhtar In Sam Mendes' Beatles Film, Plays Ravi Shankar

Rediff.com13 Feb 2026

'The closure of Don 3 was the best thing to happen to Farhan. If he was committed to directing Don, he wouldn't have been able to take on Pandit Ravi Shankar's role in The Beatles.'

SC aks govt to protect, compensate vulnerable cyber victims

SC aks govt to protect, compensate vulnerable cyber victims

Rediff.com16 Feb 2026

The Supreme Court has directed the government to raise awareness, compensate, and protect vulnerable individuals who have lost money in cyber scams. The court's remarks came while granting bail to an accused in a cybercrime case, emphasizing the need for public education and cybersecurity awareness.

Equity Markets' Challenges: Weak Demand, High Valuation

Equity Markets' Challenges: Weak Demand, High Valuation

Rediff.com17 Feb 2026

Trade deals ease risks for Indian equities, but weak demand and stretched valuations raise questions over whether optimism -- especially in smallcaps -- can turn into a sustained bull run, points out Debashis Basu.

My Airport Ordeal: 'He Was Drunk...'

My Airport Ordeal: 'He Was Drunk...'

Rediff.com17 Feb 2026

All the while, this guy kept staring at us. Non-stop. After nearly half an hour, we seemed to be at a stalemate. Everything could be done pursuant to an official complaint. I didn't want to file one.

Gold likely to hold ground; silver braces for volatility

Gold likely to hold ground; silver braces for volatility

Rediff.com8 Feb 2026

Gold prices are likely to trade firm next week as traders await key economic data, including US inflation numbers, for fresh cues on interest rate outlook, while silver may remain volatile amid shifting risk sentiment and speculative activity, analysts said.