News for 'India Data Council'

HMPV infections not life-threatening: Karnataka minister

HMPV infections not life-threatening: Karnataka minister

Rediff.com6 Jan 2025

Karnataka Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao has said there is no need to panic over two cases of Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) detected in the state, as the infections are caused by old virus strains and are not life-threatening. The minister said that the two infected infants are doing "normal" and advised people to follow general precautionary measures. The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has detected the two cases through routine surveillance for multiple respiratory viral pathogens.

Bibek Debroy: A Guru I Could Look To

Bibek Debroy: A Guru I Could Look To

Rediff.com2 Nov 2024

Bibek Debroy was one of the very few economists not bound by any single area of expertise and was simultaneously curious about economics and politics, myths and maths, chess and chemistry, and what not, remembers Laveesh Bhandari.

GST mop-up rises 6.5% Y-o-Y to Rs 1.73 lakh cr in Sep

GST mop-up rises 6.5% Y-o-Y to Rs 1.73 lakh cr in Sep

Rediff.com1 Oct 2024

Goods and Services Tax (GST) collections in September, in gross terms, were at Rs 1.73 lakh crore, with a yearly jump of 6.5 per cent, according to data from finance ministry released on Tuesday. In September 2023, the total collection was to the tune of Rs 1.62 lakh crore. CGST, SGST, IGST, and cess all increased year-on-year in September, official data made available on Tuesday showed.

Gold prices up 30% in 2024; set for best calendar year show in 10 yrs: WGC

Gold prices up 30% in 2024; set for best calendar year show in 10 yrs: WGC

Rediff.com14 Dec 2024

Gold price outlook 2025: Gold prices that have climbed over 30 per cent so far in 2024 to Rs 7,300 per gram in the Indian markets (up 28 per cent in dollar terms till November-end), are set for their best calendar year performance in 10 years, suggests a recent report by World Gold Council (WGC). However, this stellar run, analysts believe, may not carry through till the end of 2025 in the backdrop of economic and geopolitical headwinds.

New biz premium of life insurers rises 13% in October

New biz premium of life insurers rises 13% in October

Rediff.com11 Nov 2024

Life insurance companies reported a 13.16 per cent year-on-year (Y-o-Y) growth in new business premium (NBP), totting up Rs 30,347 crore in October, even as the number of policies sold saw a sharp decline. The growth was largely driven by strong performance from private sector life insurers.

India backs Palestine's bid for full UN membership

India backs Palestine's bid for full UN membership

Rediff.com2 May 2024

India has voiced hope that Palestine's bid to become a full member of the United Nations, which was blocked by the United States last month, will be reconsidered and its endeavour to become a member of the world organisation will get endorsed.

Why 64% MTech Seats Are Vacant in Indian Colleges

Why 64% MTech Seats Are Vacant in Indian Colleges

Rediff.com23 Jan 2025

The growing decline of MTech applicants in Indian colleges is due to multiple factors, including outdated curricula, poor return on investment and lucrative non-engineering alternatives, say experts.

India Added 5 Hindus For Every Muslim Since 1950

India Added 5 Hindus For Every Muslim Since 1950

Rediff.com11 May 2024

Using the same methodology as the EAC-PM study, the fastest-growing religious population is, in fact, the Buddhists. The Buddhist population increased by over 1,600 per cent between 1950 and 2015.

Life insurers turn to policies with high value

Life insurers turn to policies with high value

Rediff.com23 Nov 2024

Life insurers shifted their focus to selling high-value policies in October as the transition to new surrender value norms, effective October 1, limited their ability to roll out all products in their portfolio. This led to a 40 per cent year-on-year (Y-o-Y) drop in the number of policies sold in October. Additionally, distributors engaged in a fire sale of policies in September due to uncertainty about the impact of the new norms on their commission structures.

A yr of Israel-Hamas war: Trade with W Asia holds steady

A yr of Israel-Hamas war: Trade with W Asia holds steady

Rediff.com14 Oct 2024

A year after a Hamas attack against Israel on October 7 and the ensuing Israeli invasion of the Gaza Strip, India's trade with most West Asian countries has largely escaped any major disruption, except with countries like Israel, Lebanon, and Jordan. However, repeated flare-ups of geopolitical tensions in the region continue to drive up shipping and logistics costs.

Gold set to extend record run; may hit Rs 90,000 in 2025

Gold set to extend record run; may hit Rs 90,000 in 2025

Rediff.com31 Dec 2024

Gold, a safe-haven bet, is likely to continue its record-smashing journey in the New Year, rising to Rs 85,000 per 10 grams and even Rs 90,000 level in domestic markets if geopolitical tensions and global economic uncertainties continue.

Minorities faced 205 attacks in B'desh after fall of Hasina govt: Hindu groups

Minorities faced 205 attacks in B'desh after fall of Hasina govt: Hindu groups

Rediff.com10 Aug 2024

Asserting that the situation was deteriorating, Rosario urged Yunus to resolve the crisis by giving it top priority and putting an end to the violence.

Parents, Equip Your Child For A Changing World

Parents, Equip Your Child For A Changing World

Rediff.com19 Dec 2024

'Make your child solve his/her problems on his/her own. Let the child see parenting as a partnership between you and your child.'

Lab Or Natural? What Diamond Would You Prefer?

Lab Or Natural? What Diamond Would You Prefer?

Rediff.com12 Dec 2024

Suddenly, the legendary advertising line -- a diamond is forever -- is losing its shine.

India's gold demand up 8% in Q4 despite high price

India's gold demand up 8% in Q4 despite high price

Rediff.com30 Apr 2024

India's gold demand rose 8 per cent annually to 136.6 tonne in the March quarter helped by a strong economic environment despite prices touching historic highs, according to the World Gold Council. The aggressive gold buying by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) also contributed to the rise in demand. India's gold demand in value terms rose 20 per cent on an annual basis to Rs 75,470 crore during the January-March period of this year on volume growth as well as a rise in quarterly average prices by 11 per cent.

Is Health Insurance Tax Relief Coming?

Is Health Insurance Tax Relief Coming?

Rediff.com6 Sep 2024

Full exemption for all health insurance premiums and reinsurance or a reduction in the GST rate from 18% to 5% on health insurance services is likely.

India's internet economy likely to reach $1 trillion by 2030: Experts

India's internet economy likely to reach $1 trillion by 2030: Experts

Rediff.com17 May 2024

India's internet economy is estimated to reach $1 trillion by 2030, primarily due to e-commerce, which is expected to be worth $325 billion and rank third globally, according to industry experts. Last year marked a crucial turning point for India's e-commerce sector, with notable changes in consumer trends, technology, and regulations. InGovern Research Services, a leading corporate governance advisory firm, hosted a virtual roundtable to deliberate on the notable developments in India's e-commerce sector in 2023, with a particular focus on the essential role of customer trust in fueling its ongoing expansion.

2024's 10 Best Web Series

2024's 10 Best Web Series

Rediff.com9 Dec 2024

The year was rich in content as far as Web series were concerned.

Cricket Is A Game, Not A War

Cricket Is A Game, Not A War

Rediff.com18 Nov 2024

Boycotting the Champions Trophy will not tackle the issue we have with Pakistan, points out Aakar Patel.

Waqf Property Income Falls 99%

Waqf Property Income Falls 99%

Rediff.com29 Aug 2024

In FY24, the net income generated from Waqf properties fell to about Rs 1.26 crore from Rs 150 crore in FY20.

BJP Plays Dalit Ace In Haryana

BJP Plays Dalit Ace In Haryana

Rediff.com19 Oct 2024

The move, a first in the country after the Supreme Court order, is intended to consolidate the BJP's Dalit outreach in Haryana.

Press Council rejects India's 138 ranking in Freedom Index

Press Council rejects India's 138 ranking in Freedom Index

Rediff.com6 May 2018

The India body said there was a "lack of clarity" on the inputs that weighed in the rankings which were based on "opinion or perception".

How Smart TV Is Changing India

How Smart TV Is Changing India

Rediff.com23 Feb 2024

The way video is being watched and monetised is changing. This is the first thing that stands out as the penetration of smart TVs continues to rise.

India tops airfare spike in APAC, West Asia

India tops airfare spike in APAC, West Asia

Rediff.com13 Jun 2023

India witnessed the highest increase in airfares among the 10 top aviation markets in the Asia-Pacific and West Asia collectively across both domestic and international flights Q4 2019 and Q4 2022 in nominal terms, according to research by Hong Kong-based Airports Council International (ACI). India, where fares went up by 41 per cent, was followed by the UAE (34 per cent), Singapore (30 (per cent) and Australia (23 per cent). The study, which was undertaken in collaboration with Flare Aviation Consulting, examined around 36,000 routes in the top 10 aviation markets in Asia-Pacific and West Asia.

Apple Sales In India Up to 67,000 Cr

Apple Sales In India Up to 67,000 Cr

Rediff.com16 Jul 2024

Despite the robust growth in this country, Apple's India share in its overall global sales remained modest -- constituting 1.5 per cent of its overall turnover of $389 billion in FY23.

How Much Should You Invest In Gold

How Much Should You Invest In Gold

Rediff.com30 Sep 2024

'A 10 to 15 per cent allocation to gold in portfolios reduces risk without compromising on potential returns.'

Will New MPC Members Cut Interest Rates?

Will New MPC Members Cut Interest Rates?

Rediff.com8 Oct 2024

The three day MPC meeting began on Monday and the decision will be announced on Wednesday by RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das.

Now, Karnataka Wants To Scrap NEET

Now, Karnataka Wants To Scrap NEET

Rediff.com26 Jul 2024

Karnataka has the highest number of medical seats in the country at 11,745, of which 3,750 seats were in government institutions and 7,995 seats were in private colleges.

How APAAR ID Can Benefit Students

How APAAR ID Can Benefit Students

Rediff.com29 Apr 2024

DigiLocker, a government initiative for storing documents and verifying credentials online, is gradually replacing the need for paper.

Sensex breaches 77,000-mark for first time

Sensex breaches 77,000-mark for first time

Rediff.com10 Jun 2024

Among the 30 Sensex companies, Power Grid, Axis Bank, State Bank of India, Bajaj Finserv, Reliance Industries and NTPC were the biggest gainers. Tech Mahindra, Infosys, Wipro, HCL Technologies and Titan were among the laggards.

Quad statement includes subtle warning to China over Indo-Pacific

Quad statement includes subtle warning to China over Indo-Pacific

Rediff.com22 Sep 2024

'We condemn recent illicit missile launches in the region that violate UN Security Council resolutions. We express serious concern over recent dangerous and aggressive actions in the maritime domain. We seek a region where no country dominates and no country is dominated one where all countries are free from coercion, and can exercise their agency to determine their futures,' the declaration said.

Exports dip 1.2% in Jul; trade deficit widens to $23.5 bn

Exports dip 1.2% in Jul; trade deficit widens to $23.5 bn

Rediff.com14 Aug 2024

After remaining in the positive zone for three months, India's exports contracted 1.2 per cent to $33.98 billion in July, while the trade deficit widened to $23.5 billion.

Results 2024: What Lies Ahead For India

Results 2024: What Lies Ahead For India

Rediff.com13 Jun 2024

'The 2024 election results will lead to much intense targeting of Modi, more intense debates, many more breakdowns in Parliament and many more movements on the streets.' 'The results have hit Modi's standing, and the politics of the Opposition parties will be sharply focused to ensure that Modi doesn't get back his charisma of being 'invincible' with help of State power.' Sheela Bhatt looks at the political situation through the prism of 2024 Lok Sabha election results.

Basmati rice exports rose 22% till February FY24 on West Asia demand

Basmati rice exports rose 22% till February FY24 on West Asia demand

Rediff.com28 Apr 2024

Exports of high-quality basmati rice from India grew by 22 per cent to $5.2 billion during April 2023-February 2024, amid robust demand, primarily from West Asia. According to data compiled by the commerce department, exports of basmati rice increased to 4.68 million metric tonnes (MMT) in April-February, from 4.1 MMT during the same period a year ago, registering a growth of 14 per cent.

Houthi Attacks Won't Affect India's Fuel Supplies

Houthi Attacks Won't Affect India's Fuel Supplies

Rediff.com13 Jan 2024

Most of India's oil supplies are expected to stay safe because of the country's good relations with both Russia and Iran. That would take care of over a third of India's supplies.

Is Son Preference Hurting India?

Is Son Preference Hurting India?

Rediff.com9 Feb 2024

A cultural preference for sons in India may be expressed as 'son preference' or 'daughter aversion', arising from patrilocality, patrilineality, the cost of dowry, and old-age support from sons.

Defence import grew between 2017-21, fell last year: Govt data

Defence import grew between 2017-21, fell last year: Govt data

Rediff.com3 Feb 2023

Minister of State for Defence Ajay Bhatt said the major defence equipment that were imported included helicopters, aircraft radars, rockets, guns, assault rifles, missiles and ammunition.

140 private varsities set up in India in past 5 years; maximum in Guj: Govt

140 private varsities set up in India in past 5 years; maximum in Guj: Govt

Rediff.com24 Dec 2023

Such private universities are empowered to award general degree programmes without the specific approval of the UGC, the official said.

Population rise not religion-linked, Muslim fertility rate lowest: NGO

Population rise not religion-linked, Muslim fertility rate lowest: NGO

Rediff.com9 May 2024

In a statement, the Population Foundation of India said it is deeply concerned about recent media reports "misreporting" the findings from the study to spread alarm regarding the growth of the Muslim population in the country.

Law To Govern AI Coming Soon!

Law To Govern AI Coming Soon!

Rediff.com29 Apr 2024

'The focus of the legislation will be to minimise user harm and increase the accountability of platforms, while also promoting innovation.'