News for 'First in Economics'

India's Young Women Face Employment Gap

India's Young Women Face Employment Gap

Rediff.com10 Mar 2026

'India cannot speak of a demographic dividend if half its young women are unable to participate in paid work.'

India indispensable for peace in Indo-Pacific: Trump administration

India indispensable for peace in Indo-Pacific: Trump administration

Rediff.com25 Mar 2026

A senior US official has emphasised India's crucial role in maintaining peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region and ensuring a balanced power dynamic in Asia, advocating for stronger defence ties between the two nations.

Gulf War: Hormuz Is Becoming The Central Battlefield

Gulf War: Hormuz Is Becoming The Central Battlefield

Rediff.com23 Mar 2026

The question is no longer whether the war will expand. It has. The next few days will tell us whether the war stabilises around Hormuz or whether the Strait itself becomes the trigger for a far larger rupture. What to watch for over the next 48 hours is simple: Any move by the US toward direct naval control of the Strait; any credible Iranian attempt to disrupt or mine shipping lanes and, critically, whether energy infrastructure in the Gulf continues to be targeted.If those lines are crossed in tandem, the war will no longer be containable within the region.

Tamil Nadu Election 2026: 'Vijay Is A Stooge Of The BJP'

Tamil Nadu Election 2026: 'Vijay Is A Stooge Of The BJP'

Rediff.com24 Mar 2026

'The AIADMK and DMK have 75% of the total votes. 25% of the voters do not support the two majors,' says DMK spokesperson Saravanan Annadurai.

Shah plotting to spark unrest, impose President's rule in Bengal: Mamata

Shah plotting to spark unrest, impose President's rule in Bengal: Mamata

Rediff.com2 Apr 2026

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has criticised the Election Commission for allegedly failing to protect judicial officers involved in electoral roll revisions in Malda district. She accused the EC of lacking control over law and order and enabling the BJP's alleged attempts to disrupt the election process.

Iran's War: 'Mojtaba Khamenei Is Being Hunted By Foreign Powers And Internal Foes'

Iran's War: 'Mojtaba Khamenei Is Being Hunted By Foreign Powers And Internal Foes'

Rediff.com12 Mar 2026

'Mojtaba Khamenei supervised the most recent repression in December 2025 and January 2026 which remains ongoing.'

ISL Clubs Allege AIFF Profiting Despite Assurances

ISL Clubs Allege AIFF Profiting Despite Assurances

Rediff.com6 Mar 2026

Twelve Indian Super League clubs have accused the All India Football Federation of retaining a surplus from the current season, despite promising not to profit from the league.

'Iran's supreme leader wounded, likely disfigured': US war secretary

'Iran's supreme leader wounded, likely disfigured': US war secretary

Rediff.com14 Mar 2026

US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth on Friday claimed that Iran's new supreme leader, Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Hosseini Khamenei, is "wounded and likely disfigured" in strikes by the US on the country.

Court Clears Ajit Pawar in Maharashtra Cooperative Bank Scam Case

Court Clears Ajit Pawar in Maharashtra Cooperative Bank Scam Case

Rediff.com16 Mar 2026

A local court in Mumbai has accepted the police's closure report in the alleged Rs 25,000 crore scam at the Maharashtra State Cooperative Bank (MSCB), giving a clean chit to the late deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar and other accused.

The Most Vicious Phase Of The War Is About To Begin

The Most Vicious Phase Of The War Is About To Begin

Rediff.com4 Apr 2026

The big question is whether Trump is any longer in command of the situation. For all practical purposes, the war seems set to cascade as the US is preparing for a potential ground operation in Iran and threatens to destroy 'bridges next, then electric power plants', points out Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.

US Eyes Iran Assault: High Risks Ahead

US Eyes Iran Assault: High Risks Ahead

Rediff.com6 Apr 2026

Although extensive air attacks have been carried out to destroy most of Iran's defence capabilities, the latter's resilience and sustenance during the war clearly indicate that the US landing force would encounter severe resistance in the operation, explains Commodore Venugopal Vengalil (retd).

Budget 2026 is cautious and also focussed on the long-term journey

Budget 2026 is cautious and also focussed on the long-term journey

Rediff.com10 Feb 2026

This year's Economic Survey and the Union Budget were more closely followed for more reasons than one.

India-US reschedule meeting on interim trade deal

India-US reschedule meeting on interim trade deal

Rediff.com22 Feb 2026

India and the US have decided to reschedule their meeting to finalize the interim trade pact due to recent developments and implications, including changes in US tariffs.

App Trap: Hidden Cost Of 'Free' Investing

App Trap: Hidden Cost Of 'Free' Investing

Rediff.com16 Mar 2026

In modern investing, transparency is more valuable than zero fees and not all investing app score big on this front, says Ramalingam Kalirajan.

GST Collections Rise by 8.1% in February

GST Collections Rise by 8.1% in February

Rediff.com1 Mar 2026

India's gross GST collection increased by 8.1 per cent to over Rs 1.83 lakh crore in February, driven by higher import revenues and improved domestic sales. Despite some states reporting negative or below-average growth, experts see the overall trend as a sign of a maturing tax ecosystem and a confident domestic market.

'Indian Army Has Free Hand To Deal With China'

'Indian Army Has Free Hand To Deal With China'

Rediff.com17 Feb 2026

'After the Galwan clash, the rules of engagement changed with the army commanders allowed to use any means at their disposal as they deem fit for tactical operations.'

The Clock In Islamabad Is Ticking. And The World Is Watching Anxiously...

The Clock In Islamabad Is Ticking. And The World Is Watching Anxiously...

Rediff.com9 Apr 2026

The delegations from the US and Iran head to Islamabad on Friday, carrying a ceasefire that is already fraying, a Strait that is technically open and practically closed, and a negotiating agenda that would challenge even parties actually negotiating in good faith, which these groups are not. Prem Panicker continues his must read blog on the Iran War.

Iran rejects Trump's talks claim, says US buying time for military plans

Iran rejects Trump's talks claim, says US buying time for military plans

Rediff.com23 Mar 2026

"The US President's statements are within the framework of efforts to reduce energy prices and gain time to implement his military plans," the ministry stated.

Andhra Plans Rs 25,000 Incentive for Second Child

Andhra Plans Rs 25,000 Incentive for Second Child

Rediff.com6 Mar 2026

'We will give Rs 25,000 to parents having a second child or more at the time of delivery itself.'

Who Is C Rajagopalachari, Whose Bust Replaced Lutyens' At Rashtrapati Bhavan?

Who Is C Rajagopalachari, Whose Bust Replaced Lutyens' At Rashtrapati Bhavan?

Rediff.com24 Feb 2026

Rajaji, an ardent follower of Gandhi, was a freedom fighter, scholar, jurist, statesman and the first recipient of the Bharat Ratna along with S Radhakrishnan and C V Raman.

Sri Lanka Permits Second Iranian Ship Entry After Frigate Incident

Sri Lanka Permits Second Iranian Ship Entry After Frigate Incident

Rediff.com5 Mar 2026

Sri Lanka has allowed a second Iranian ship, IRINS Bushehr, to dock at Trincomalee port after it reported engine failure, following the sinking of an Iranian frigate. The move comes amidst heightened regional tensions and a joint US-Israeli attack on Iran.

US warns of 'largest strike package' against Iran, says...

US warns of 'largest strike package' against Iran, says...

Rediff.com19 Mar 2026

Hegseth said the military campaign, code-named Operation Epic Fury, against Iran is "laser focused" and "decisive," with objectives set directly by the US administration remaining unchanged since the start of operations.

Has US Repeated Its Iraq Mistake?

Has US Repeated Its Iraq Mistake?

Rediff.com11 Mar 2026

Israel and the United States had a plan. Iran punched back. And now the Gulf is reeling, the world is beginning to feel the pain and, as on date, no one in Washington or Tel Aviv appears willing to admit that the punch has landed, notes Prem Panicker, continuing his must-read blog on the war in the Middle East.

'Studying developments': India after US SC verdict on Trump's tariffs

'Studying developments': India after US SC verdict on Trump's tariffs

Rediff.com21 Feb 2026

In a major setback to Trump's pivotal economic agenda for his second term, the US Supreme Court, in a 6-3 verdict written by Chief Justice John Roberts, ruled that the tariffs imposed by the president on nations around the world were illegal.

'India's Mettle Will Be Tested In Gulf War'

'India's Mettle Will Be Tested In Gulf War'

Rediff.com30 Mar 2026

'India's ties with Israel have to do with defence and general technology.' 'The war changes nothing in what India and Israel hope to get from the relationship.' 'It's not as though India will get significantly more benefits from Iran if India abandons Israel at this time.'

Skoda Eyes Cleaner Fuel Options as Kylaq Drives New Buyers

Skoda Eyes Cleaner Fuel Options as Kylaq Drives New Buyers

Rediff.com23 Feb 2026

Skoda India is focusing on cleaner fuel options, including CNG and EVs, while compact SUV Kylaq drives volumes, expands first-time buyers and strengthens the brand in India's competitive market

Iran Crisis: 'No Nation More Exposed Than India'

Iran Crisis: 'No Nation More Exposed Than India'

Rediff.com27 Mar 2026

'We are profoundly energy-dependent on the Gulf. That dependency must now be redirected towards the United States, because we require American permission to procure oil.' 'We additionally require Iranian permission to acquire oil from that source. So India now has to seek two separate permissions merely to secure its energy supply.' 'Should we be compelled to source from America, or from Venezuela -- which is, in effect, American-controlled supply -- that will inevitably carry a price premium, an elevated shipping cost, and a considerably extended delivery timeline, given the distances involved.'

Air India tickets to get costlier as airline levies fuel surcharge

Air India tickets to get costlier as airline levies fuel surcharge

Rediff.com11 Mar 2026

Air India and Air India Express are introducing a fuel surcharge on domestic and international flights due to rising jet fuel prices, impacting travel costs for passengers.

China hikes defence budget by 7% to $277 billion

China hikes defence budget by 7% to $277 billion

Rediff.com5 Mar 2026

China's latest defence budget surges to $275 billion, fueling its ambitious military modernisation program and intensifying geopolitical dynamics in the region.

Seven Face Charges in Kashmir Over Sarva Siksha Abhiyan Funds Misuse

Seven Face Charges in Kashmir Over Sarva Siksha Abhiyan Funds Misuse

Rediff.com8 Mar 2026

The Economic Offences Wing of the Crime Branch Kashmir has filed a chargesheet against seven individuals accused of misappropriating funds from the Sarva Siksha Abhiyan scheme, intended for school construction in the Kupwara district.

T20 World Cup Semi-Final, South Africa Vs New Zealand: Markram's Firepower Vs Santner's Spin Mastery

T20 World Cup Semi-Final, South Africa Vs New Zealand: Markram's Firepower Vs Santner's Spin Mastery

Rediff.com3 Mar 2026

Aiden Markram and Mitchell Santner's individual performances could potentially decide the outcome of the T20 World Cup semi-final on Wednesday.

Japan's High-Stakes Gamble In the Indo-Pacific

Japan's High-Stakes Gamble In the Indo-Pacific

Rediff.com10 Feb 2026

In the Indo-Pacific's new era -- where perception shapes reality faster than treaties -- the real entrapment is not of China or the United States. It is the test Japan has set for itself -- and whether partners like India, acting as balancers rather than accelerants, can help ensure that the story ends in stability, points out Varun Arya.

New GDP Series Reshapes India's Growth Story

New GDP Series Reshapes India's Growth Story

Rediff.com27 Feb 2026

Base revisions are technical exercises, but history shows they can significantly reshape the narrative around India's growth performance.

Trump threatens Canada with 100% tariffs over China deal

Trump threatens Canada with 100% tariffs over China deal

Rediff.com24 Jan 2026

Trump's outburst comes amid escalating tensions between the US and its northern neighbour, following recent remarks by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos.

Trump yet to decide as US mulls weekend strike on Iran

Trump yet to decide as US mulls weekend strike on Iran

Rediff.com19 Feb 2026

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt noted that progress has been made in the Geneva talks with Iranian authorities, but the two nations stand 'far apart' on certain issues.

Can India Reset Ties With Bangladesh?

Can India Reset Ties With Bangladesh?

Rediff.com24 Feb 2026

Sensitive issues remain. Water sharing of the Ganga and Teesta rivers. Treatment of minorities, particularly Hindus. Border management. Trade imbalances. Connectivity projects.What happens next will shape not just bilateral ties, but the balance of South Asia itself, points out Ramesh Menon.

Putin will face severe economic consequences if...: Trump warns again

Putin will face severe economic consequences if...: Trump warns again

Rediff.com15 Aug 2025

Trump stated that Russia will face "severe economic consequences" if Putin doesn't show interest in de-escalating the Ukraine conflict.

India's employment outlook hits record high for Apr-Jun quarter: Report

India's employment outlook hits record high for Apr-Jun quarter: Report

Rediff.com10 Mar 2026

A new survey indicates that Indian employers are planning to increase hiring in the April-June quarter, driven by strong business confidence and domestic demand. The survey also highlights the impact of AI adoption on workforce strategy and the challenges of talent scarcity.

How India Is Rewriting Its FTA Playbook

How India Is Rewriting Its FTA Playbook

Rediff.com28 Jan 2026

India has been on an FTA-signing spree of late. Since 2021, it has signed eight trade agreements, three of which -- with the UK, Oman and New Zealand -- were finalised in 2025 alone.

Just Who Is Allu Sirish's Bride Nayanika Reddy?

Just Who Is Allu Sirish's Bride Nayanika Reddy?

Rediff.com4 Mar 2026

Telugu actor star Allu Sirish's wedding celebrations is on full swing in Hyderabad. His bride Nayanika Reddy is not from the film industry, so just who is she? Namrata Thakker finds out.