News for 'Estimates Committee'

US lost 42 aircraft, including fighter jets in Iran war: Report

US lost 42 aircraft, including fighter jets in Iran war: Report

Rediff.com5 days ago

A Congressional Research Service report reveals that at least 42 US aircraft were lost or damaged during Operation Epic Fury, targeting Iran, with costs estimated to reach USD 29 billion.

Mission Sudarshan Chakra Action Plan Ready

Mission Sudarshan Chakra Action Plan Ready

Rediff.com6 days ago

Under Mission Sudarshan Chakra, the country's national security shield is to be expanded by 2035 to ensure comprehensive protection of both strategic and civilian critical infrastructure.

Bengaluru NCB Destroys Narcotics Worth Rs 38 Crore

Bengaluru NCB Destroys Narcotics Worth Rs 38 Crore

Rediff.com17 Apr 2026

The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) in Bengaluru destroyed 128.76 kg of seized narcotics, estimated to be worth Rs 38 crore, during a drug disposal drive. This marks the second such drive by the Bengaluru zonal unit in 2026, following the guidelines of the NDPS Act and Supreme Court. The NCB has destroyed a total of 1735 kg of seized drugs this year and encourages citizens to report drug trafficking.

'Worst own goal': Mani Shankar Aiyar slams Cong-TVK tie-up

'Worst own goal': Mani Shankar Aiyar slams Cong-TVK tie-up

Rediff.com8 May 2026

Veteran Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar has criticised his party's decision to ally with the TVK in Tamil Nadu, calling it 'dreadful' and 'low political opportunism'. He fears it could facilitate the entry of the BJP into Tamil Nadu's Dravidian political landscape.

India's Space Plans Hit Funding Snag

India's Space Plans Hit Funding Snag

Rediff.com15 Apr 2026

While India's interplanetary ambitions remain significant, the current pace of financial and technical progress raises questions about whether the 2027-2028 timelines can be met.

How BJP turned TMC's structural cracks into a sweeping mandate

How BJP turned TMC's structural cracks into a sweeping mandate

Rediff.com5 May 2026

The BJP's landslide victory in West Bengal has not merely redrawn the electoral map but overturned the operating logic of politics in the state, breaching the TMC's entrenched fortress despite a decade-and-a-half of dominance, minority consolidation, and a sustained "outsider" narrative.

Bengal polls: Why South Bengal's 91 seats will decide battle for Nabanna

Bengal polls: Why South Bengal's 91 seats will decide battle for Nabanna

Rediff.com27 Apr 2026

In West Bengal's electoral chessboard, governments are rarely made in the hills of North Bengal or the forested region of Jangalmahal. Power is usually decided in the crowded plains of South Bengal, where elections are won less by momentum and more by mathematics.

West Asia Conflict Deepens India's Economic Challenges

West Asia Conflict Deepens India's Economic Challenges

Rediff.com30 Apr 2026

Even if there is an early agreement on a cessation of hostilities in West Asia, the price shock will not go away easily, points out A K Bhattacharya.

15,000 Crore Restored to Investors in PACL Ponzi Scheme

15,000 Crore Restored to Investors in PACL Ponzi Scheme

Rediff.com30 Mar 2026

The Enforcement Directorate has restored assets worth over 15,000 crore to a Supreme Court-appointed committee for distribution to investors defrauded in the PACL (Pearls Group) Ponzi scheme.

LPG crisis may cut sugar demand by 400,000 tonnes: Isma chief

LPG crisis may cut sugar demand by 400,000 tonnes: Isma chief

Rediff.com8 Apr 2026

India's sugar consumption is projected to fall by nearly 400,000 tonnes in the 2025-26 season, primarily due to the ongoing liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) shortage exacerbated by the West Asia conflict and unseasonably cool weather.

Haryana Labour Department Probe Uncovers Massive Work Slip Fraud

Haryana Labour Department Probe Uncovers Massive Work Slip Fraud

Rediff.com3 Apr 2026

Haryana Labour Minister Anil Vij reveals a major scam in the labour department, with nearly 90% of work slips examined found to be fake. An investigation into the Haryana Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board reveals potential losses of thousands of crores of rupees.

Second-round effects of supply shocks a real concern, says RBI governor

Second-round effects of supply shocks a real concern, says RBI governor

Rediff.com21 Apr 2026

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Sanjay Malhotra stated that preventing second-round effects of supply shocks, where inflation expectations rise due to prolonged disruptions, is the primary role of monetary policy. He also defended the RBI's foreign exchange market interventions, asserting it did not commit to an 'indefensible peg'.

Why Government Wanted To Rush Delimitation Bill

Why Government Wanted To Rush Delimitation Bill

Rediff.com21 Apr 2026

'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.'

Pak may develop missiles capable of hitting US: Gabbard

Pak may develop missiles capable of hitting US: Gabbard

Rediff.com18 Mar 2026

In a testimony before the Senate Intelligence Committee, Gabbard, the Director of National Intelligence, also said that the threats to the US were set to expand collectively from more than 3,000 missiles at present to more than 16,000 missiles by 2035.

Quite possible that rates will remain low in the near to medium term, says RBI Governor

"Quite possible that rates will remain low in the near to medium term," says RBI Governor

Rediff.com9 Apr 2026

"It is quite possible that the rates will remain low in the near to medium term, but that will depend on how conditions evolve," said RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra.

India's Defence Sector Set for 'Super Cycle' Driven by Geopolitics, Indigenous Push

India's Defence Sector Set for 'Super Cycle' Driven by Geopolitics, Indigenous Push

Rediff.com10 Apr 2026

India's defence sector is on the cusp of a 'super cycle' of growth, driven by escalating geopolitical conflicts and a strong policy push towards indigenous manufacturing, with major players like BEL, HAL, and BDL poised for significant order inflows and technological advancements.

Trump to visit China in May to meet Xi

Trump to visit China in May to meet Xi

Rediff.com26 Mar 2026

US President Donald Trump will travel to China in May for a rescheduled summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping, following a postponement due to the war in Iran. The White House has announced the new dates and indicated a reciprocal visit to Washington DC is planned.

Fitch warns costlier oil could lift inflation, slow India's growth in H1FY27

Fitch warns costlier oil could lift inflation, slow India's growth in H1FY27

Rediff.com15 Mar 2026

Fitch Ratings on Friday said persistently higher oil prices could cause India's retail inflation to rise faster than the expected gradual pace, and lead to a slowdown in economic growth in the first half of financial year 2026-27 (FY27).

BJP Chief Rajeev Chandrasekhar Rejects Rahul Gandhi's Claims of BJP-CPI(M) Alliance in Kerala

BJP Chief Rajeev Chandrasekhar Rejects Rahul Gandhi's Claims of BJP-CPI(M) Alliance in Kerala

Rediff.com1 Apr 2026

BJP state chief Rajeev Chandrasekhar dismisses Rahul Gandhi's charge of a BJP-CPI(M) understanding in Kerala as baseless, asserting the NDA is competitive and criticising Congress's performance.

NCP (SP) Leader Calls for Withdrawal of 'Misguided' Transgender Bill

NCP (SP) Leader Calls for Withdrawal of 'Misguided' Transgender Bill

Rediff.com17 Mar 2026

NCP (SP) leader Anish Gawande has urged the government to withdraw the Transgender Persons Amendment Bill, 2026, arguing that it undermines the right to self-determination of gender identity and was drafted without adequate consultation.

'No Fuel Shortage, Only Panic'

'No Fuel Shortage, Only Panic'

Rediff.com28 Mar 2026

'There is no shortage of fuel whatsoever.' 'India is stock surplus as far as petrol and diesel are concerned.'

Green signal for Rs 22,000 cr Mumbai-Navi Mumbai airport Metro project

Green signal for Rs 22,000 cr Mumbai-Navi Mumbai airport Metro project

Rediff.com27 Jan 2026

The Maharashtra Cabinet Infrastructure Committee has approved a 35-km Metro project to connect the Mumbai and Navi Mumbai international airports at a cost of over Rs 22,000 crore.

IRIS Dena sinking: Navy sends Tarangini, Ikshak to assist Sri Lanka

IRIS Dena sinking: Navy sends Tarangini, Ikshak to assist Sri Lanka

Rediff.com5 Mar 2026

The vessel sank on March 4, 2026, approximately 20 nautical miles west of Galle, after reportedly being struck by a torpedo from a United States submarine.

ISRO Reveals Connector Flaw Behind NVS-02

ISRO Reveals Connector Flaw Behind NVS-02

Rediff.com26 Feb 2026

ISRO stated that the disengagement of at least one contact -- in both the main and redundant paths -- of a connector led to the failure of NVS-02.

IDFC First bank flags Rs 590 crore fraud in Haryana govt accounts

IDFC First bank flags Rs 590 crore fraud in Haryana govt accounts

Rediff.com22 Feb 2026

IDFC First Bank reported a Rs 590 crore fraud involving its employees and others in accounts held by the Haryana government. The bank has informed regulators and filed a police complaint, initiating internal reviews and forensic audits.

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.

India wages war on cervical cancer with free HPV vax for girls

India wages war on cervical cancer with free HPV vax for girls

Rediff.com6 Mar 2026

The figures are grim. India accounts for around 19 per cent of global cervical cancer cases and 23 per cent of deaths.

A long-game Budget

A long-game Budget

Rediff.com2 Feb 2026

The Union Budget for 2026-27, presented by Finance Minister (FM) Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday, which was a first, had an excellent domestic macro backdrop. According to the first advance estimates, gross domestic product (GDP) in constant prices is projected to grow 7.4 per cent in the current financial year, against 6.5 per cent in 2024-25.

Highlights of Union Budget 2026-27

Highlights of Union Budget 2026-27

Rediff.com1 Feb 2026

Highlights of Union Budget 2026-27

'Suddenly, LPG Supply Stopped On Sunday'

'Suddenly, LPG Supply Stopped On Sunday'

Rediff.com11 Mar 2026

'Nobody explained why. After that there was panic buying, there was hoarding -- and then nothing reached us.'

Budget 2026 lays blueprint for a future-ready digital ecosystem

Budget 2026 lays blueprint for a future-ready digital ecosystem

Rediff.com9 Feb 2026

Budget 2026 is an intentional and ambitious one - From manufacturing growth to services supremacy, from technology consumption to AI-powered transformation. This is the blueprint for a $7 trillion economy built on intelligence, not just scale.

Chinnaswamy Gets Greenlight To Host IPL Games

Chinnaswamy Gets Greenlight To Host IPL Games

Rediff.com17 Jan 2026

KSCA receives government permission to host international and IPL matches at Chinnaswamy Stadium

'Child Marriage Is Nothing But Child Rape'

'Child Marriage Is Nothing But Child Rape'

Rediff.com27 Feb 2026

'People don't believe that a 15-year-old girl subjected to sexual intercourse within a marriage is a victim of rape.'

India to buy 114 Rafale jets in largest-ever arms push

India to buy 114 Rafale jets in largest-ever arms push

Rediff.com12 Feb 2026

The Indian Defence Ministry has approved the procurement of 114 Rafale fighter jets from France, a significant step towards bolstering the Indian Air Force's combat capabilities. The decision comes ahead of French President Emmanuel Macron's visit to India.

Can This Budget Deliver Strategic Growth and Jobs?

Can This Budget Deliver Strategic Growth and Jobs?

Rediff.com31 Jan 2026

India is growing fast, but to keep growing strong, the government must make more things at home, create jobs, and spend money wisely, suggests Rajiv Memani, regional managing partner, Africa-India Region, EY.

Inflation rises to 3-month high of 1.33% in Dec; remains below RBI tolerance band

Inflation rises to 3-month high of 1.33% in Dec; remains below RBI tolerance band

Rediff.com12 Jan 2026

Retail inflation rose to a three-month high of 1.33 per cent in December 2025 mainly due to higher prices of kitchen essentials, including vegetables and protein-rich items.

'Most Mental Health Issues Start Before Age 25'

'Most Mental Health Issues Start Before Age 25'

Rediff.com29 Jan 2026

A large-scale international study published in the journal, Molecular Psychiatry, has been tracking over 7 lakh individuals and has shown that 34.6 per cent of mental disorders begin before the age of 14 years, 48.4 per cent before 18 years and 62.5 per cent by the age of 25 years.

Air, Water Purifiers: GST Council May Weigh 5% Levy

Air, Water Purifiers: GST Council May Weigh 5% Levy

Rediff.com30 Dec 2025

The GST Council at its next meeting may consider a reduction in taxes on air and water purifiers as air quality across the country worsens and access to safe drinking water remains uneven.

Hydel power project on Chenab: Pak senator cries foul

Hydel power project on Chenab: Pak senator cries foul

Rediff.com29 Dec 2025

A Pakistani senator has warned that India's approval of a hydel power project on the Chenab River will further inflame tensions between the two countries, particularly in light of the suspended Indus Waters Treaty.

Highlights of Reserve Bank's monetary policy

Highlights of Reserve Bank's monetary policy

Rediff.com5 Dec 2025

* Repo rate reduced by 25bps to 5.25 pc; * 4th rate cut, totalling 125 bps, since February 2025; * MPC also decided to continue with neutral stance; * GDP growth forecast for FY26 raised to 7.3 pc from 6.8 pc;