News for 'Free India'

Now, no charges for cancelling air ticket before 48 hrs

Now, no charges for cancelling air ticket before 48 hrs

Rediff.com26 Feb 2026

The DGCA has revised air ticket refund norms, allowing passengers to cancel or change tickets without additional charges within 48 hours of booking, subject to conditions. The new rules also address name correction fees and medical emergency cancellations.

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.

Drive Review: 2026 Tata Punch.ev is no longer just a city car

Drive Review: 2026 Tata Punch.ev is no longer just a city car

Rediff.com5 Mar 2026

With the 40kWh battery and 65kW faster charging, it is now a legitimate primary car for a small family that can handle weekend trips easily, says Rajesh Karkera.

Balen Shah set to be Nepal's youngest, first Madhesi PM

Balen Shah set to be Nepal's youngest, first Madhesi PM

Rediff.com8 Mar 2026

Rapper-turned-politician Balendra Shah's Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) is poised to form the next government in Nepal after a decisive victory in the general election, significantly impacting established political parties.

SAFF U-19 Football Championship: India U-17 women lose to Bangladesh

SAFF U-19 Football Championship: India U-17 women lose to Bangladesh

Rediff.com2 Feb 2026

The India Under-17 women's national team suffered a 0-2 defeat against Bangladesh in the SAFF Under-19 Women's Football Championship 2026.

'Iranian Ship Was A Sitting Duck'

'Iranian Ship Was A Sitting Duck'

Rediff.com10 Mar 2026

'Torpedoes travel at more than 100 kilometres per hour, about 50-60 knots.' 'It must have been a matter of a few minutes before it detonated under the Iranian ship.' 'The Iranian ship would have probably got three, four minutes and wouldn't have known till they actually heard the whirr of the torpedo.'

India Is Seeing Dip In Foreign Tourists

India Is Seeing Dip In Foreign Tourists

Rediff.com7 Jan 2026

Foreign tourist arrivals in India dropped to 6.18 million during the April-September 2025 period against 7.06 million during the same period last year, which was a drop of 12.4 per cent.

U-19 World Cup: Confident India face stern England test in final

U-19 World Cup: Confident India face stern England test in final

Rediff.com5 Feb 2026

India would bank on its swashbuckling batting line-up when it takes on a gritty England in what promises to be an evenly-matched final of the ICC Under-19 World Cup.

Diksha Dagar Jumps Up Leaderboard at NSW Open

Diksha Dagar Jumps Up Leaderboard at NSW Open

Rediff.com28 Feb 2026

Diksha Dagar of India recovered from a poor first round to climb to tied 26th place at the Ford Women's NSW Open, while Hannah Reeves leads the tournament.

Explained: How FTA with EU will help boost India's exports

Explained: How FTA with EU will help boost India's exports

Rediff.com28 Jan 2026

India and the European Union (EU) on Tuesday announced the conclusion and finalisation of negotiations for the proposed free trade agreement (FTA).

T20 World Cup: Suryakumar to the rescue as India battle past USA

T20 World Cup: Suryakumar to the rescue as India battle past USA

Rediff.com7 Feb 2026

Skipper Suryakumar Yadav dazzled with a vital half-century as defending champions India registered a scratchy 29-run win against the United States of America despite a stunning top-order collapse.

Murmu's 'upset' remark sparks spat with Mamata; Modi jumps in

Murmu's 'upset' remark sparks spat with Mamata; Modi jumps in

Rediff.com7 Mar 2026

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee escalates tensions ahead of assembly polls by accusing President Droupadi Murmu of political bias and criticising her stance on tribal welfare, sparking a major controversy.

Nadda Alleges West Bengal Government Sheltering Infiltrators, Threatening Original Inhabitants

Nadda Alleges West Bengal Government Sheltering Infiltrators, Threatening Original Inhabitants

Rediff.com1 Mar 2026

Union Minister JP Nadda accuses the West Bengal government of sheltering infiltrators, leading to demographic changes and hindering development.

Netanyahu reveals Modi's two-day Israel visit, strategic ties in focus

Netanyahu reveals Modi's two-day Israel visit, strategic ties in focus

Rediff.com16 Feb 2026

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit Israel for two days to discuss bilateral and regional issues, marking his second visit to the Jewish state and highlighting the growing strategic partnership between India and Israel.

T20 World Cup: Indian Fans Carry Celebrations Home At Airport

T20 World Cup: Indian Fans Carry Celebrations Home At Airport

Rediff.com17 Feb 2026

From tears in the stands to songs in the airport, the India-Pakistan rivalry delivered agony and ecstasy in equal measure.

'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.'

Modi meets AI startups' CEOs, global leaders at AI Summit

Modi meets AI startups' CEOs, global leaders at AI Summit

Rediff.com20 Feb 2026

Prime Minister Narendra Modi convened a roundtable with AI startup CEOs and held bilateral meetings with global leaders at the India AI Impact Summit, focusing on AI's potential across sectors and international cooperation.

Samson's homecoming as India sweat over Axar's fitness

Samson's homecoming as India sweat over Axar's fitness

Rediff.com30 Jan 2026

Sanju Samson seeks revival with home support as India manage injuries and combinations against New Zealand in the final T20I before the World Cup.

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

Morkel Defends 'Tacky' Wankhede, Motera Pitches

Morkel Defends 'Tacky' Wankhede, Motera Pitches

Rediff.com20 Feb 2026

India bowling coach Morne Morkel backs Wankhede and Motera curators amid pitch debate, says preparing 200-plus surfaces late in season is challenging.

15 Naxalites Surrender in Chhattisgarh, Crippling Maoist Operations

15 Naxalites Surrender in Chhattisgarh, Crippling Maoist Operations

Rediff.com1 Mar 2026

Fifteen Naxalites, including a veteran ultra with a significant bounty, surrendered in Chhattisgarh, effectively dismantling the Maoist movement in the Raipur-Sambalpur region.

'India Should Not Rush To Celebrate Trump's Trade Announcement'

'India Should Not Rush To Celebrate Trump's Trade Announcement'

Rediff.com3 Feb 2026

'Trump says India will buy over $500 billion of US goods.' 'At present, India's annual imports of goods and energy from the US are under $50 billion.' 'Reaching $500 billion would likely require more than 20 years, suggesting the figure refers to a long-term aspiration rather than a near-term commitment.'

Auto firms hope to drive to Europe taking the FTA route

Auto firms hope to drive to Europe taking the FTA route

Rediff.com11 Feb 2026

The India-EU free trade deal could help Indian-made cars enter Europe at lower costs and challenge Chinese dominance.

'Pakistan Treats Afghanistan As Its Province'

'Pakistan Treats Afghanistan As Its Province'

Rediff.com2 Mar 2026

'The unexpected turn of events and assertion of sovereignty by the Taliban has baffled the Pakistan security establishment.'

Carney's Visit May Boost India-Canada Ties

Carney's Visit May Boost India-Canada Ties

Rediff.com23 Jan 2026

India and Canada are negotiating a long-term uranium supply agreement worth $2.8 billion. They are also exploring expanded civil nuclear cooperation after the passage of the SHANTI Bill.

INDIA bloc promises jobs, pension, free power in Bihar manifesto

INDIA bloc promises jobs, pension, free power in Bihar manifesto

Rediff.com28 Oct 2025

The INDIA bloc has released its manifesto for the Bihar assembly polls, promising jobs, restoration of the old pension scheme, and free power, among other things.

SC asks political leaders to foster fraternity, refuses PIL on political speeches

SC asks political leaders to foster fraternity, refuses PIL on political speeches

Rediff.com17 Feb 2026

The Supreme Court has urged political leaders to promote fraternity while declining to entertain a PIL seeking guidelines on political speeches, emphasizing the need for objectivity and even-handedness in addressing concerns about hate speech and constitutional values.

Jaguar Land Rover to start production of premium cars at Tamil Nadu unit

Jaguar Land Rover to start production of premium cars at Tamil Nadu unit

Rediff.com18 Feb 2026

Jaguar Land Rover will begin assembling premium cars at its new Tamil Nadu plant on February 9, marking a step towards full-scale luxury car manufacturing in India.

Boys never...: Swami Avimukteshwaranand on POCSO charges

Boys never...: Swami Avimukteshwaranand on POCSO charges

Rediff.com24 Feb 2026

Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati addresses sexual abuse allegations, asserting his innocence and claiming the charges are fabricated. An FIR was lodged against him and his disciple following a court order.

Tariffs on India 'huge success', may be rolled back: US treasury secy

Tariffs on India 'huge success', may be rolled back: US treasury secy

Rediff.com24 Jan 2026

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent indicated a potential pathway to remove tariffs imposed on India for purchasing Russian oil, citing a significant decrease in such purchases. He also criticized Europe's approach and accused India of profiting from discounted Russian oil.

Cheaper Harleys Likely To Test Enfield's Pricing Power

Cheaper Harleys Likely To Test Enfield's Pricing Power

Rediff.com19 Feb 2026

The tariff removal will lower prices of Harley's large-displacement imported motorcycles, which retail between 14.5 lakh and 45.8 lakh but after the duty cut volumes are expected to remain modest.

'AI-Assisted Surgery Will Be Reality Soon'

'AI-Assisted Surgery Will Be Reality Soon'

Rediff.com23 Feb 2026

'Artificial Intelligence-assisted surgery is expected to shape the future of operating theatres in India.'

BAI dismisses Blichfeldt's concerns over India Open venue

BAI dismisses Blichfeldt's concerns over India Open venue

Rediff.com14 Jan 2026

'I heard the voice recording, also read the statement, both are contradictory. In voice recording, she appreciated, but what I read was all negative.'

Why is only holding stocks in your portfolio a very old strategy?

Why is only holding stocks in your portfolio a very old strategy?

Rediff.com26 Feb 2026

We will explore some of the reasons why a stock-only portfolio may no longer be sufficient and some of the modern alternatives and strategies that can help investors build resilient and profitable portfolios.

Satire should be protected in personality rights cases, X tells HC

Satire should be protected in personality rights cases, X tells HC

Rediff.com17 Feb 2026

Social media platform X argues that satire, fair comment, and public speech should be protected from takedown orders in personality rights cases during a Delhi High Court hearing involving Baba Ramdev's lawsuit.

'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.

16th India-EU summit today; trade, security, defence on agenda

16th India-EU summit today; trade, security, defence on agenda

Rediff.com27 Jan 2026

Over the years, India-EU ties have grown, and covered trade, investment, climate change, science and technology, space, digital, mobility, and connectivity.

T20 World Cup: Will Abhishek Sharma Score His First Run?

T20 World Cup: Will Abhishek Sharma Score His First Run?

Rediff.com22 Feb 2026

What Abhishek should understand is that what defines a good cricketer is not the duck, but how he responds to it and overcomes it.

'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.

How To Apply For The IndieVerse Comics Challenge

How To Apply For The IndieVerse Comics Challenge

Rediff.com12 Feb 2026

The competition invites creators aged 18 to 25 to reimagine India's cultural heritage through superheroes, drama, fantasy, or any genre that captures the spirit of Indian storytelling.