News for 'Centre'

Enemies Beware! India Widens Missile Testing Infrastructure

Enemies Beware! India Widens Missile Testing Infrastructure

Rediff.com14 Sep 2026

Specialised range taking shape in Andhra Pradesh, while West Bengal clears way for DRDO's new testing facility.

Hardik Pandya's Comeback On September 20?

Hardik Pandya's Comeback On September 20?

Rediff.com15 Sep 2026

Hardik Pandya is reportedly nearing a return to competitive white-ball cricket, subject to medical clearance.

FM Sitharaman Confident Of India's Double-Digit Economic Growth

FM Sitharaman Confident Of India's Double-Digit Economic Growth

Rediff.com26 Sep 2026

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman expressed strong confidence in India achieving over 10 per cent economic growth, advocating for increased technology adoption and innovation. She urged overcoming scepticism and highlighted technology's transformative role in agriculture and public sector reforms, while also launching a new fund and book at an IIT Madras event.

Strict dress code for media at Asian Games shooting highlights Japanese precision

Strict dress code for media at Asian Games shooting highlights Japanese precision

Rediff.com23 Sep 2026

The Asian Games shooting range in Nagoya has implemented a strict dress code for photographers and TV cameramen, leading to some confusion among media personnel. While the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) has long had such rules, the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games Organising Committee has made them exceptionally clear, even requiring a video journalist to change from blue to black jeans. The rules aim to maintain a professional appearance and distinguish shooting as a sport, reflecting Japan's meticulous approach to event organisation.

What Tata Sons Told Tata Trusts About Chandra's Reappointment

What Tata Sons Told Tata Trusts About Chandra's Reappointment

Rediff.com25 Sep 2026

Tata Sons has provided Tata Trusts with three legal opinions, including those from former Supreme Court judges BN Srikrishna and UU Lalit, to assert the validity of N Chandrasekaran's reappointment as chairman for another five years, following queries from Tata Trusts regarding the September 17 board meeting resolution.

Justice Mishra sworn in as Chief Justice despite Mann govt's objections

Justice Mishra sworn in as Chief Justice despite Mann govt's objections

Rediff.com8 Sep 2026

Justice Ashwani Kumar Mishra was sworn in as the Chief Justice of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, despite strong objections from the Punjab government. The Mann government claimed the appointment bypassed constitutional norms and procedures, leading to a political tussle with the Centre, which defended the process.

Meta to report child safety issues to law enforcement: Govt

Meta to report child safety issues to law enforcement: Govt

Rediff.com15 Sep 2026

Meta has agreed to report child safety-related matters, including child sexual abuse cases, to appropriate law enforcement agencies in India, government sources confirmed, emphasising that online safety for children is a "non-negotiable" fundamental principle for social media platforms operating in the country.

Drought grips 74% of Maharashtra as 265 talukas declared affected

Drought grips 74% of Maharashtra as 265 talukas declared affected

Rediff.com26 Sep 2026

The Maharashtra government has declared 265 out of 358 talukas as drought-affected, covering 74% of the state, due to significant rainfall deficit. This declaration activates 'Trigger-1' of the state's drought management framework, leading to the announcement of various relief measures for farmers and residents, including loan restructuring, revenue concessions, and provisions for water and fodder.

Tirumala Tirupati temple to insure devotees for Rs 2 lakh

Tirumala Tirupati temple to insure devotees for Rs 2 lakh

Rediff.com16 Sep 2026

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu announced several new initiatives for Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), including Aadhaar-based devotee insurance for Rs 2 lakh, the establishment of an SV Museum by TCS Trust, and the introduction of electric buses donated by Reliance Foundation and Bharat Biotech. The plans also include global expansion of Srivari temples, improved Annadanam, integrated hospital services, and significant infrastructure development in Tirupati to make it a services and wedding destination with a Net Zero concept.

Saudi Arabia's Pipeline Closure Raises Cost Of India's Crude

Saudi Arabia's Pipeline Closure Raises Cost Of India's Crude

Rediff.com23 Sep 2026

Saudi Arabia's East-West pipeline shutdown could make crude costlier for India as refiners face fewer supply routes and rising freight and insurance costs.

Sharjeel Imam granted interim bail for 7 days to attend relatives' weddings

Sharjeel Imam granted interim bail for 7 days to attend relatives' weddings

Rediff.com22 Sep 2026

A Delhi court has granted student activist Sharjeel Imam seven days' interim bail to attend the weddings of his two cousins in Delhi and Bihar. The court cited it as his second such plea for family events, despite opposition from Delhi Police regarding the seriousness of charges under UAPA related to the 2020 Delhi riots. Imam is subject to strict conditions during his temporary release.

From Rohtas to Japan: Meet Abhishek Anand, Bihar's unlikely cricket export

From Rohtas to Japan: Meet Abhishek Anand, Bihar's unlikely cricket export

Rediff.com22 Sep 2026

Bihar-born Abhishek Anand's journey from tennis-ball cricket and IIT Kanpur to Japan's national team has culminated in a historic opportunity to face India on Tuesday.

Khalin Joshi Fires Career-Low 61 To Dominate Bengaluru Open

Khalin Joshi Fires Career-Low 61 To Dominate Bengaluru Open

Rediff.com22 Sep 2026

Khalin Joshi, fresh off a win, shot a career-low 11-under 61 to take a four-shot lead at the Bengaluru Open 2026. The local golfer's bogey-free round included an eagle and nine birdies. Teenager Manoj S is in second place, while the tournament is crucial for players to retain their playing rights on the DP World PGTI tour.

Top BJP leaders visit temples on Modi's 76th birthday

Top BJP leaders visit temples on Modi's 76th birthday

Rediff.com17 Sep 2026

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 76th birthday was celebrated with extensive programmes in Varanasi, his Lok Sabha constituency. Events included special prayers by 76 young priests, a milk 'abhishek' of the Ganga, and a significant 'Seva Sankalp' motorcycle journey from Varanasi to Vadnagar, Modi's birthplace, involving 500 participants. Several prominent political figures, including Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, participated in the celebrations, offering prayers for Modi's health and India's progress.

How Iran's Women's Kabaddi Team Braved Conflict And Sanctions For Asian Games Silver

How Iran's Women's Kabaddi Team Braved Conflict And Sanctions For Asian Games Silver

Rediff.com26 Sep 2026

Iran's women's kabaddi team faced immense challenges during their Asian Games preparations, including frequent camp changes due to regional conflict, psychological stress on young players, and difficulties arranging international friendly matches due to sanctions.

Hunkkaar: The Roar Review: Aneet-Raghuvir Yadav Shine

Hunkkaar: The Roar Review: Aneet-Raghuvir Yadav Shine

Rediff.com25 Sep 2026

Hunkkaar: The Roar is a fairly familiar fight for justice that builds far too many flimsy narratives around its core conflict, runs out of ammunition and speaks out of turn in a needlessly cussing tone, notes Sukanya Verma.

India to give bowling back-ups crucial ODI exposure against West Indies

India to give bowling back-ups crucial ODI exposure against West Indies

Rediff.com25 Sep 2026

India's bowling coach Morne Morkel emphasises giving opportunities to second-line bowlers like Prasidh Krishna and Gurnoor Brar in the upcoming ODI series against West Indies. He believes this match time is crucial for building a strong bowling group for next year's World Cup. Morkel also highlighted the importance of exposing bowlers to tough match situations to develop their temperament.

Omar Abdullah Backs UPI Charges, Urges Consumer Protection

Omar Abdullah Backs UPI Charges, Urges Consumer Protection

Rediff.com16 Sep 2026

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has expressed support for the Centre's decision to levy charges on UPI transactions, citing the cost of maintaining the digital payment infrastructure. However, he emphasised the need to protect retail consumers from these fees. Abdullah also discussed the upcoming seven-day Assembly session, highlighting the government's commitment to smooth functioning and addressing MLAs' concerns, and touched upon efforts to tackle drainage issues affecting water bodies.

Micron CEO Highlights India's Semiconductor Execution, Plans Massive Scale-Up

Micron CEO Highlights India's Semiconductor Execution, Plans Massive Scale-Up

Rediff.com17 Sep 2026

Micron CEO Sanjay Mehrotra announced plans to significantly scale up the company's chip assembly and testing facility in India, moving from "vision to execution" in the nation's semiconductor ambitions. He highlighted the success of the Sanand, Gujarat plant, which is already producing "Made in India" memory chips, and the company's substantial engineering contributions from its Indian centres. Mehrotra also emphasised the critical role of memory chips in the AI era, driving Micron's growth.

Punjab CM Mann To Witness Asian Games Hockey Finals In Japan

Punjab CM Mann To Witness Asian Games Hockey Finals In Japan

Rediff.com21 Sep 2026

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann and a state delegation have been invited by the Asian Hockey Federation (AHF) to witness the semi-finals and finals of the Asian Games hockey competitions in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. This invitation is significant as Punjab is set to host the men's Asian Champions Trophy 2026, with the experience gained in Japan expected to aid in organising future international sporting events in the state.

Eve-teasing at 12, Asian Games medal at 36 for Suchika

Eve-teasing at 12, Asian Games medal at 36 for Suchika

Rediff.com20 Sep 2026

Suchika Tariyal, a 36-year-old Indian athlete, has secured India's first medal at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games by reaching the semifinals of the women's Traditional Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) 60kg event. Her journey began at age 12, driven by a desire for self-defence, leading her through successful careers in judo and jiu-jitsu before transitioning to MMA. She aims to convert her assured bronze into a gold medal.

SAI Guwahati Hosts Nepal Boxing Team For Asian Games Prep

SAI Guwahati Hosts Nepal Boxing Team For Asian Games Prep

Rediff.com11 Sep 2026

The Sports Authority of India's National Centre of Excellence in Guwahati is hosting the Nepal boxing team for a high-performance training camp. This camp, running until September 15, provides Nepalese athletes access to India's elite sporting facilities and coaching ahead of the Asian Games, fostering stronger ties between the two nations.

Meta India chief appears before child rights panel again over CSEAM ads

Meta India chief appears before child rights panel again over CSEAM ads

Rediff.com17 Sep 2026

Top Meta India executives, including chief Arun Srinivas, appeared before the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) for the second time in a week regarding alleged Child Sexual Exploitative and Abuse Material (CSEAM) related advertisements on its platforms. Meta has committed to reporting child safety matters directly to India's I4C cybercrime portal, a significant shift from its previous practice of reporting to a US-based centre. The government is pushing for stronger safeguards and accountability from social media platforms to ensure online child safety.

Ronaldo to 'dodge the bullet' for 1,000 goals and Nations crown

Ronaldo to 'dodge the bullet' for 1,000 goals and Nations crown

Rediff.com24 Sep 2026

Cristiano Ronaldo, at 41, remains confident in his ability to contribute to the Portugal national team under new coach Jorge Jesus, targeting both the UEFA Nations League title and his 1,000th career goal. He addressed his international future post-World Cup, his motivation, and dismissed critics, asserting he is not yet ready to retire.

'Uncertainty bigger worry' than price rise for TaMo PV

'Uncertainty bigger worry' than price rise for TaMo PV

Rediff.com26 Sep 2026

Shailesh Chandra, MD and CEO of Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles (TMPV), stated that the uncertainty surrounding how long commodity costs will remain elevated is a greater concern for the company than the actual price increases. He noted that commodity prices have risen significantly over the past five to six months, impacting margins and necessitating faster cost-reduction efforts, though no major production or supply-side issues are currently foreseen.

IIT Gandhinagar Students Create AI System To Protect Critical Infrastructure

IIT Gandhinagar Students Create AI System To Protect Critical Infrastructure

Rediff.com23 Sep 2026

Two IIT Gandhinagar students have developed "TrustGate," an AI-based cybersecurity system designed to protect critical infrastructure like water treatment plants and power grids. The system uniquely combines network traffic and physical sensor data to detect sophisticated cyber attacks, identify affected equipment, and provide real-time alerts to operators, earning them an international award.

Defer three-language policy for Class 6 till 2027, SC tells CBSE

Defer three-language policy for Class 6 till 2027, SC tells CBSE

Rediff.com17 Sep 2026

The Supreme Court has asked the CBSE to consider deferring the implementation of its three-language policy for Class 6 students, which mandates two native Indian languages, until the academic session starting 2027. The CBSE stated it would consider the suggestion. The policy, aligned with NEP-2020, makes two native Indian languages compulsory for Class 6 and Class 9, with provisions for foreign languages as additional options and no board exams for the third language in Class 10.

Zoho Launches Unified AI Interface Zia Chat And Seven New Vertical SaaS Products

Zoho Launches Unified AI Interface Zia Chat And Seven New Vertical SaaS Products

Rediff.com23 Sep 2026

Zoho has launched Zia Chat, a unified AI interface designed to streamline business operations across various functions by providing a single conversational platform for information, lead generation, and data analysis. Concurrently, the company has expanded into vertical SaaS with seven new industry-specific applications for sectors like retail, automotive, healthcare, and education, reinforcing its position as a homegrown alternative to global tech giants.

China's 13-year-old Yu Zidi's stunning rise continues with second Asian Games gold

China's 13-year-old Yu Zidi's stunning rise continues with second Asian Games gold

Rediff.com21 Sep 2026

At just 13, Yu Zidi claimed her second Asian Games gold by smashing the 200m IM Asian record, finishing only 0.40 seconds behind Summer McIntosh's world record.

Zoho Launches AI-Powered Zia Chat And Industry-Specific SaaS Solutions

Zoho Launches AI-Powered Zia Chat And Industry-Specific SaaS Solutions

Rediff.com23 Sep 2026

Homegrown software company Zoho has launched Zia Chat, a unified AI interface designed to streamline business operations across various functions. Alongside this, Zoho announced its entry into vertical SaaS with seven industry-specific applications for sectors like retail, automotive, healthcare, and education, reinforcing its position as a 'Swadeshi' alternative to global tech giants.

Indian Shooters Face Disappointment At Asian Games

Indian Shooters Face Disappointment At Asian Games

Rediff.com24 Sep 2026

India's men's 10m air pistol team, comprising Kamaljeet, Aakash Bhardwaj, and Kedarling Uchaganve, failed to secure a medal at the Asian Games. Kamaljeet narrowly missed the final, while Kedarling's poor performance led to Japan clinching the bronze medal. This marks another disappointing day for Indian shooting, which has yet to win a gold medal after five days of competition, raising concerns about their performance at the event.

Amit Shah suffers food poisoning, skips Karnataka event

Amit Shah suffers food poisoning, skips Karnataka event

Rediff.com19 Sep 2026

Union Home Minister Amit Shah experienced food poisoning during his visit to Karnataka, leading to the cancellation of his scheduled events in Hubballi and Belagavi. Senior BJP leader Pralhad Joshi confirmed Shah's illness but stated he is now "perfect" after suffering weakness from vomiting.

Why NCP (SP) Calls UPI MDR A 'Betrayal'

Why NCP (SP) Calls UPI MDR A 'Betrayal'

Rediff.com21 Sep 2026

The NCP (SP) has demanded a complete rollback of the 0.4 per cent Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) on UPI transactions above Rs 2,000, effective October 15. The party termed the move a "direct assault" on small traders and shopkeepers, accusing the Modi government of "double standards" by burdening small merchants while large industrialists benefit from loan write-offs.

'All SIR orders had unanimous nod': EC clarifies amid row over differences

'All SIR orders had unanimous nod': EC clarifies amid row over differences

Rediff.com26 Sep 2026

The Election Commission of India has addressed reports of internal dissent among its commissioners and clarified that all Special Intensive Revision (SIR) orders and Form 6 updates for voter enrolment received unanimous consent and were upheld by the Supreme Court. The EC also announced measures to ease the process for voters issued notices, including doorstep document collection and extended deadlines in Delhi and Maharashtra, while affirming its commitment to transparent decision-making and meticulous compliance with directives.

Article 370 to 'vote chori': When Gyanesh Kumar made headlines

Article 370 to 'vote chori': When Gyanesh Kumar made headlines

Rediff.com23 Sep 2026

Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar is facing significant scrutiny after an investigation revealed objections from his fellow election commissioners, Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi, regarding decisions made during the Special Intensive Revision of voter lists. The objections, reportedly made at least 14 times, concerned issues like changes to voter registration forms and centralised control over electoral roll databases, intensifying criticism of Kumar's tenure and the EC's impartiality.

Old Enmity Leads To Fatal Shooting In Uttar Pradesh Village

Old Enmity Leads To Fatal Shooting In Uttar Pradesh Village

Rediff.com18 Sep 2026

A 20-year-old man, Zeeshan, was allegedly shot dead in Samardheera village, Maharajganj, following an argument stemming from an old enmity. Police have detained three individuals and recovered the weapon.

New Centre To Boost India-Kyrgyzstan Cultural And Academic Ties

New Centre To Boost India-Kyrgyzstan Cultural And Academic Ties

Rediff.com8 Jul 2026

The Centre for Studies of International Relations (CSIR) has established the International Centre for Civilizational Studies "Manas and Mahabharata" in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, in collaboration with the Manas National Academy. The inauguration also saw the release of the first Hindi translation of the Kyrgyz epic "Manas," aiming to foster scientific, educational, and cultural cooperation between India and Kyrgyzstan.

Deepika Credits Mentors For Record-Breaking Asian Games Performance

Deepika Credits Mentors For Record-Breaking Asian Games Performance

Rediff.com23 Sep 2026

Indian hockey drag-flicker Deepika has made headlines at the Asian Games with a record-breaking 20 goals across three matches, including nine in a single game. The 23-year-old attributes her success not just to her wrestling family's athletic genes but to years of dedicated training and the guidance of coaches Azad Singh, Rupinder Pal Singh, and Taeke Taekema. Despite a career-threatening injury last year, Deepika has made a strong comeback, focusing on skill, consistency, and discipline, with an eye on Olympic qualification.

Congress's Nandigram candidate to stay in custody, can't canvass

Congress's Nandigram candidate to stay in custody, can't canvass

Rediff.com23 Sep 2026

Congress's Nandigram bypoll candidate Milan Pradhan has been remanded to judicial custody in connection with old criminal cases, including murder charges from 2007. This development effectively prevents him from campaigning for the upcoming by-election. The Congress party has questioned the timing of the arrest, alleging political motives behind the revival of these long-pending cases.

Meet Mohammed Rafi's 'Only Official' Student

Meet Mohammed Rafi's 'Only Official' Student

Rediff.com28 Sep 2026

'Manoj Kumarji had tears in his eyes after hearing my dad sing Mera Rang De Basanti Chola. He said, 'This is my voice for my desh bhakti songs".'