The Indian government has informed the Lok Sabha that the income-tax return (ITR) e-filing portal is functioning in a 'largely stable and efficient manner' despite a significant increase in traffic during the peak filing season. However, it acknowledged transient technical issues and disclosed that contractual penalties have been imposed on Infosys for project delays and service-level agreement failures.
The income tax department has significantly reduced refund processing times over the past few years. But while some taxpayers receive refunds within days, others may wait several weeks or even longer. Here's why.
Maharashtra's CET Cell has lodged a police complaint after an audio clip surfaced, allegedly showing a woman offering a 'special' exam centre for the MH-CET engineering entrance test for Rs 12 lakh, promising a high percentile.
...and 3 lakh for harassment.
Education sector experts agree that using the "best technology" was essential to ensure students did not have to sit for an examination all over again because of a question paper leak.
The Lok Sabha introduced four significant bills on Monday, including amendments to mines and minerals regulations, the establishment of a National Tribunals Commission, and the renaming of Kerala to Keralam, all while facing continuous protests from opposition members demanding a discussion on the July 20 police crackdown on students.
One of the most important provisions this year is that qualifying NEET-PG does not automatically guarantee participation in counselling.
The National Testing Agency (NTA) has implemented extensive security and logistical arrangements, including AI-based CCTV monitoring, biometric verification, and police escorts, to ensure the smooth, secure, and transparent conduct of the NEET-UG 2026 re-examination.
The National Legal Services Authority has launched a digital module to automate and expedite the process of remission and premature release of eligible prisoners across India.
Tata Steel has expanded its partnership with Google Cloud to deploy a unified, enterprise-wide artificial intelligence (AI) strategy across its global value chain, resulting in significant operational improvements.
In a state known for high political literacy and ideological mobilisation, the Congress' inability to quickly settle on a leader after securing a massive mandate has fed a narrative that the party remains excessively dependent on Delhi, deeply faction-ridden and vulnerable to internal sabotage
A BJP government in Bengal inherits more problems than it might care to admit at its moment of triumph, points out Ramesh Menon
India has launched digital tools for its upcoming fully digital Census 2027, including mobile apps and a self-enumeration portal, aiming for efficient and accurate data collection.
'When young doctors see limited protection, unpredictable careers and an absence of institutional support, they hesitate.'
India is aiming to win multiple medals in disciplines like aquatics and cycling at the 2036 Olympic Games as both these events offer over a 100 medals.
The Supreme Court expressed serious concern over custodial deaths, calling it a 'blot' on the system. The court is pushing for compliance with orders to install CCTV cameras in police stations and central investigation agencies to curb human rights abuses.
The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (Ficci) has sought urgent steps to clear the huge backlog of income-tax appeals, simplify tax deducted at source (TDS) compliance, and ensure tax neutrality for fast-track demergers, during its consultation with Revenue Secretary Arvind Shrivastava ahead of the Union Budget 2026-27.
Taxpayers can expect faster refunds from the I-T department this year as the ambitious centralised processing centre of the department will start functioning to full capacity.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has said the 'wholesale attack on the democratic system' currently underway in India is the single biggest risk the country is facing, and asserted that allowing different traditions to thrive is very important as 'we cannot do what China does, which is to run an authoritarian system'. IMAGE: Kindly note that this image has been posted for representational purposes only. Photograph: / Rediff.com Speaking at a seminar titled 'The Future is Today' at the EIA University in Medellin, Colombia, Gandhi also alleged that there are 'huge amounts of corruption at a centralised level' in India now. "In India, we have huge amounts of corruption now at a very centralised level. So, three or four businesses taking over the whole economy, having a direct relationship with the prime minister, is rampant in India," the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha said. "But I believe decentralising power, making things more transparent, bringing people into conversations, and bringing people into processes is the best way forward," Gandhi said while addressing the seminar on Wednesday. Hitting back at the Congress leader for his remarks, the Bharatiya Janata Party on Thursday accused Gandhi of insulting and degrading India on foreign soil. Posting a video clip of Gandhi's speech on X, BJP national spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia said, 'Rahul Gandhi does it again, degrades India on foreign soil. From defaming our democracy in London, to mocking our institutions in the US, now in Colombia he spares no chance to insult Bharat globally.' 'This isn't dissent. It's disgrace to the fake Gandhi. Criticising BJP may be your right but dare you malign Mother India for your cheap and petty politics,' Bhatia said. Speaking at the seminar, Gandhi said India has a much more complex system as compared to China and its strengths are very different from that of the neighbouring country. India also has a very old spiritual tradition and a thought system with profound ideas that are useful in today's world, he said, adding that there is a lot that the country can offer in terms of tradition and way of thinking. "I am very optimistic about India, but at the same time, there are fault lines within the Indian structure. There are risks that India has to overcome. The single-biggest risk is the attack on democracy that is taking place in India," the Leader of Opposition said. "India has multiple religions, traditions and languages. India is actually a conversation between all its people. Different ideas, religions and traditions require space. The best method for creating that space is the democratic system," he said. "Currently, there is a wholesale attack on the democratic system in India, so that is a risk. The other big risk is different conceptions -- some 16-17 different languages, different religions... So, allowing these different traditions to thrive, and giving them space to express themselves is very important for a country like India.
Amid the ongoing controversy in Maharashtra over Ola Electric stores operating without a trade certificate, sources at the Bengaluru-based electric two-wheeler manufacturer said the company is currently transitioning from a centralised warehouse model to a retail-focused approach. They emphasized that Ola Electric is ensuring all regulatory compliances are being met during this shift.
Concerned over the rise in mis-selling of products by banks and non-banking financial companies (NBFCs), the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is examining whether to come up with norms to curb such practices. Observing that pushing financial products, such as insurance, indiscriminately to unaware consumers may be detrimental to their well-being, RBI Deputy Governor M Rajeshwar Rao said, "We are examining whether it necessitates framing of guidelines to address mis-selling of financial products and services by REs (regulated entities)."
Murders disguised as accidents. In one horrifying case, a man insured his father, mother, and wife -- then allegedly killed them all. He claimed Rs 54 crore in insurance.
This is where 300-odd executives of Infosys and 30 I-T officials, headed by commissioner Sanjai Kumar Verma, process all I-T returns filed electronically (e-filing) across the country and all paper filings of Karnataka.
Under the new system, Infosys will handle end-to-end solution - from e-filing to return assessment to refund processing. The new portal is also expected to process the refunds within one day of filing of tax returns, in huge relief for taxpayers.
State-owned Engineers India and MECON as well as four private entities are in the fray for the project to comprehensively revamp RBI's currency management infrastructure in order to cater to future cash needs of the country's fast growing economy. The four private entities are: Accenture Solutions; Colliers International (India) Property Services; PricewaterhouseCoopers and The Boston Consulting Group (India).
Let there be no doubt that Modi in these 24 years so far has reshaped politics and governance considerably, if not completely, asserts Nilanjan Mukhopadhyay, author, Narendra Modi: The Man, The Times.
Taxpayers who have not e-verified their ITRs for 2019-20 fiscal can complete the verification process by February 28, 2022, as the Income Tax department has given a one-time relaxation to assessees. As per law, an income tax return (ITR), filed electronically without a digital signature, has to be verified electronically through Aadhaar OTP, or net-banking, or code sent through demat account, pre-validated bank account and ATM within 120 days of filing the return. Alternatively, taxpayers can send a physical copy of the ITR filed to the Centralised Processing Centre (CPC) office in Bengaluru.
In a bid to reduce harassment of tax payers, the income-tax department is mulling setting up five centralised return processing centres in different parts of the country.
Mihir Tanna, Associate Director, S K Patodia & Associates, answers your tax queries.
If you have any grievances or disputes regarding the demand stated in the notice, consider seeking professional help.
Taxpayers with old, outstanding taxes will benefit from the CBDT's new scheme.
First things first: For those wondering if they need to reapply, the answer is no.
Considering the competition, engineering aspirants should ideally consider taking a minimum of five to seven entrance exams to maximise their chances of success and broaden their options when it comes to college, says rediffGURU Nayagam PP.
'The Indian private sector knows how to build and run educational organisations, what is needed is a large dose of removal of restrictions.' 'Government restrictions hold back universities in India from launching medical schools,' argue Ajay Shah and Vijay Kelkar.
A taxpayer filing ITR electronically without digital signature has to verify it using either Aadhaar OTP, or logging into e-filing account through net banking, or by Electronic Verification Code or by sending a duly signed physical copy of ITR-V through post to CPC Bengaluru within 120 days of uploading the ITR.
AAP leader and Delhi minister Atishi made the allegations against the agency at a press conference and called the entire probe a "scam" in itself.
The new office will have its base in the national capital.
The tax department will analyse mismatches in income declarations and spending patterns to trace tax evasions and black money.
Maximum cases of advertisement norms violations were reported from the healthcare sector during 2023-24, followed by illegal offshore betting and personal care categories, according to the Advertising Standards Council of India's (Asci's) Annual Complaints Report released on Wednesday. The healthcare sector accounted for a maximum 19 per cent or 1,569 of 8,229 advertisements scrutinised by Asci during the year. Illegal offshore betting accounted for 17 per cent, while the share of personal care advertisements was 13 per cent.
As the CBI continues to probe into the NEET-UG paper leak case, career experts help us understand what the future holds for undergraduate medical aspirants.
