The Indian government has launched the Urban Challenge Fund (UCF) with a total outlay of Rs 1 lakh crore, aiming to leverage private and market finance for urban infrastructure projects by providing state support in capacity building and credit guarantees.
Only a limited set of investors should invest directly in corporate bonds.
Infrastructure bonds, which were relied upon the most in 2024-25 (FY25) by commercial banks to raise funds through the domestic debt capital market amid lagging deposit growth, seem to have lost their sheen in FY26. So far in FY26, no bank has tapped the domestic debt capital market to raise funds via infra bonds, and the expectation is that the amount raised through this route will be significantly lower than that last year, unless credit demand picks up.
We'd love to know about your mother too. What makes her truly special? What's that one memory that captures her spirit, her strength or even her quirks? Write in to us at getahead@rediff.co.in (Subject: Mother's Day) and share your story. Do mention your full name, your mother's full name and where you are from. Don't forget to share photographs -- your mother's, you with your mother...
Ask rediffGURU and tax expert Mihir Tanna your income tax-related questions.
Rising stressed debt and past exposures like Reliance Capital, Yes Bank push EPFO to frame exit rules for its portfolio.
Ratheesh Balakrishna Poduval's latest film Oru Durooha Sahacharyathil (Under Mysterious Circumstances), showcases both his directorial strengths and inconsistencies, starting as a compelling tale of brotherhood before shifting awkwardly into a psychological study.
Ask rediffGURU and tax expert Mihir Tanna your income tax-related questions
A 62-year-old man and his 27-year-old son were fatally stabbed in their Delhi apartment, leaving the community in shock. Police have arrested a suspect, and a financial dispute is suspected as the motive.
Champagne consumption in India is expanding beyond major metropolitan areas into smaller cities like Kanpur, Guwahati, and Lucknow, driven by a desire for sophisticated lifestyle declarations and a growing appreciation for the beverage.
A devastating fire in Delhi claimed the lives of nine members of a family, including three children, who tragically perished while attempting to save each other from the blaze.
A Delhi court acquitted two men accused of attempting to murder their neighbour in Seelampur after the victim and complainant failed to identify them. The court cited inconsistencies in the prosecution's evidence and deemed the recovery of a blood-stained knife unreliable.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announces increased domestic LPG production to offset import disruptions caused by Middle East tensions, alongside assurances of fertiliser availability and the clearing of UPA-era oil bonds.
Ahead of the Union Budget 2026-27, Indian business houses have urged the government to make demergers tax-neutral, particularly in cases involving transfer of investments in associate companies with 25 per cent or more shareholding, under the new Income Tax Act. This may possibly help some companies planning to go public, according to a source.
Saurav Ghosh's step-by-step guide will help you understand what bonds are, how they help investors make money, how much money they make and which bonds to invest in.
'Narendra Modi -- a man with deep and vital experience of Indian politics -- has seen the BJP lose many elections between 1975 and 2015, and with every defeat, he learned lessons that made sure he would never allow his party to be defeated so easily again.'
Asha Bhosle, the legendary playback singer, had a lifelong passion for cooking, which she considered a stress reliever and a way to connect with loved ones.
'It's really important to be very good friends off the field. When you open together, that bond matters. Sometimes you don't have to say anything in the middle.'
'It was diminishing even before Trump came to power.' 'The US was at the centre of the global economy. That position is going to become less and less important and less central.'
The Trump administration is implementing a pilot program requiring visitors from countries with high visa overstay rates to pay a bond of up to USD 15,000.
The combined income of Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and his wife has doubled to Rs 35.16 crore in 2026, according to his election affidavit. The affidavit details the increase in movable and immovable assets of both Sarma and his wife, Riniki Bhuyan Sarma.
A Delhi court has granted bail to a 63-year-old man accused of rape, citing inconsistencies in the prosecution's case, a delay in filing the FIR, and the complainant's refusal to undergo a medical examination.
'The world feels quieter today.... Asha Bhosle wasn't just a legend -- she gave the world melodies that will outlive us all.'
The Kerala High Court granted bail to a Sri Lankan refugee suspected of being an LTTE member in a UAPA case, citing prolonged judicial custody without trial commencement.
Tighee is a quietly heartfelt drama, shining through sensitively curated human moments and impactful performances, discovers Sreeju Sudhakaran.
'The challenge now is competition. There are so many actors competing for the same roles.'
rediffGURU T S Khurana answers readers' personal income tax queries
'Our diplomacy should have been focused on preventing war and avoiding the inevitable disruptions it would cause, posing a real risk to India's growth story,' asserts former foreign secretary Shyam Saran.
The 'rescue' operation occurred within kilometres of Iran's underground tunnel complex at Isfahan, assessed by the IAEA and US intelligence as holding a substantial portion of the country's 60 per cent enriched uranium stockpile. Retired senior US military officers have highlighted that the mission's footprint -- hundreds of special operators, multiple heavy-lift aircraft deep inside Iran -- appears outsized for recovering a single airman. Prem Panicker continues his must read blog on the Iran War.
Abhishek Bidwai tells Rishika Shah how he met his wife, Prajakta.
Divya Ganesh takes home Rs 50 lakh as well as a Maruti Suzuki Victoris.
Investors with a 6 to 12 month horizon may consider them. They should align their holding period with the fund's maturity profile and prefer schemes with a lower expense ratio.
The United States, which entered this war in expectation of a short, sharp win along the Venezuela model, is now preparing for deeper involvement in a conflict it does not fully control, without the allies it typically relies on, against an adversary that is not behaving as expected, in a global environment that is already absorbing economic shock. Prem Panicker continues his must read daily blog on the Gulf War.
MNS chief Raj Thackeray pens tribute to his uncle, Bal Thackeray, recalling their bond and the pain of leaving the family home after quitting Shiv Sena.
The Delhi High Court has set aside the bail granted to an accused allegedly involved in stone-pelting during a demolition exercise near a mosque in Turkman Gate. The matter has been remanded to the trial court for reconsideration.
'Look at what kind of sites the child is visiting, what kind of games they are playing and then tell them about the pitfalls.' 'After the child sleeps, parents can check the history of sites visited and block sites that could be dangerous or inappropriate.'
Ask rediffGURU and PF and MF expert Janak Patel your mutual fund and personal finance-related questions.
Sarla Maheshwari brought families together for that half hour -- delivering the news with remarkable poise, a firm command over language, without drama or noise. She was a classic.
The BSE Sensex has been one of the top-performing areas of investment in the past 40 years, consistently delivering double-digit returns in rupee terms, beating assets such as global equities, precious metals, and fixed income.
The Karnataka cabinet has approved eight draft bills, including those addressing hate speech, cattle slaughter, and social boycott, to be tabled in the upcoming legislative session.
