News for 'Indian Union'

Kumaraswamy Calls For Tech Adoption In Steel To Boost Competitiveness

Kumaraswamy Calls For Tech Adoption In Steel To Boost Competitiveness

Rediff.com24 Jun 2026

Union Steel Minister HD Kumaraswamy has urged the Indian steel industry to adopt advanced technologies like AI, Machine Learning, and IoT to enhance global competitiveness and productivity. Speaking at a Chintan Shivir, he highlighted that digitalisation is crucial for achieving ambitious steel capacity targets by 2035 and addressing challenges such as operational efficiency, decarbonisation, and export competitiveness. The minister also emphasised how technology can improve safety and reduce downtime in steel plants.

One In Three Indian Women Overweight

One In Three Indian Women Overweight

Rediff.com9 Jun 2026

Over the past year, the sale of injectable GLP-1 agonists (used to treat type 2 diabetes and obesity) such as Mounjaro, Wegovy and Ozempic have surged a whopping 218 per cent.

LeT chief Hafiz Saeed named as accused in Pahalgam terror attack

LeT chief Hafiz Saeed named as accused in Pahalgam terror attack

Rediff.com6 Jul 2026

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has filed a supplementary chargesheet naming Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) chief Hafiz Saeed as an accused in the Pahalgam terror attack, charging him with waging war against India and hatching a cross-border conspiracy.

Zomato, Zepto, Swiggy, Urban Company, Porter Challenge Karnataka Gig Workers Act

Zomato, Zepto, Swiggy, Urban Company, Porter Challenge Karnataka Gig Workers Act

Rediff.com1 Jul 2026

'If there are different laws governing the same subject, it can increase the compliance burden on platforms. The process would be easier and more transparent if there were a singular national-level law.'

70% children in India missed school due to extreme heat during May-June: Report

70% children in India missed school due to extreme heat during May-June: Report

Rediff.com8 Jul 2026

A new report by child rights NGO CRY reveals that nearly seven in every 10 school-going children across India missed school or routine activities from May to June this year due to extreme heat, with 76 per cent reporting negative impacts on their ability to focus on studies.

CEA Calls For Industry Investment In Skilling, Innovation For GCCs

CEA Calls For Industry Investment In Skilling, Innovation For GCCs

Rediff.com9 Jul 2026

Chief Economic Adviser V Anantha Nageswaran has urged the industry to invest in skilling, capability development, and innovation to counter the challenges posed by artificial intelligence, particularly for Global Capability Centres (GCCs). He noted that while the government has supported GCCs through Budget measures like simplifying transfer pricing and promoting expansion into tier-II/III cities, industry must move beyond low-cost execution to thrive in an an AI-driven landscape. Nageswaran emphasised that AI displaces routine tasks, necessitating a focus on higher-value work and continuous skill enhancement to maintain India's competitive edge.

Wangchuk refuses to end fast despite being 'in immense pain'

Wangchuk refuses to end fast despite being 'in immense pain'

Rediff.com14 Jul 2026

Activist Sonam Wangchuk's health is rapidly deteriorating on his 17th day of hunger strike, prompting widespread appeals from prominent political figures and Bollywood celebrities for him to end his fast and for the government to address the urgent demands for NEET examination reforms.

'US Thought They Could Pressurise India'

'US Thought They Could Pressurise India'

Rediff.com29 Jun 2026

'They talked bad about our leaders. They said India was a dead economy. They were not sensitive to the Indian psyche.'

HC orders removal of false info on judges' London badminton trip

HC orders removal of false info on judges' London badminton trip

Rediff.com21 Jun 2026

The Delhi high court has ordered social media companies and online service providers to remove 'false' information circulating online about Indian judges and Union ministers allegedly participating in a badminton tournament in London at taxpayers' expense. The court deemed the content malicious and a systematic misinformation campaign aimed at undermining the judiciary and executive.

Shiv Sena corporator, supporters assault doctors inside hospital, booked

Shiv Sena corporator, supporters assault doctors inside hospital, booked

Rediff.com8 Jul 2026

A Shiv Sena corporator, Ramesh Sukrya Mhatre, and five associates have been booked for allegedly assaulting two doctors at a civic-run hospital in Kalyan, Thane, after a family was advised to transfer a newborn due to lack of NICU space. The incident, captured on video, led to widespread outrage and threats of protests from the Indian Medical Association.

Saptapadi essential for Hindu marriage, not just registration: HC

Saptapadi essential for Hindu marriage, not just registration: HC

Rediff.com1 Jul 2026

The Gujarat High Court has ruled that the performance of customary rites and ceremonies, particularly 'saptapadi', is essential for the validation of a Hindu marriage, stating that registration alone is insufficient. The court emphasised that marriage is a sacrament and not merely a social occasion, highlighting the spiritual and legal significance of traditional rituals.

Sena corporator, aides held for assaulting doctors in Thane

Sena corporator, aides held for assaulting doctors in Thane

Rediff.com8 Jul 2026

Shiv Sena corporator Ramesh Mhatre and three associates have been arrested for allegedly assaulting doctors and medical staff at a civic-run hospital in Thane, Maharashtra, following public outrage and pressure from the Indian Medical Association.

Gulf Crisis: How India Avoided Economic Turmoil

Gulf Crisis: How India Avoided Economic Turmoil

Rediff.com7 Jul 2026

Not a single retail outlet ran dry. Every household that wanted a cylinder got one. India faced neither a 1991 moment nor a 2013 one. Macroeconomic stability held. This was not an accident, and it was not luck alone. It was the work of a government that chose to act as it had during the pandemic -- deliberately and gradually, building one measure upon another rather than reaching for a single dramatic lever, explains V Anantha Nageswaran, chief economic advisor to the Government of India.

India bags first-ever vice presidency of Paris-based financial watchdog FATF

India bags first-ever vice presidency of Paris-based financial watchdog FATF

Rediff.com20 Jun 2026

India was on Friday accorded the vice presidency of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), the global body that sets standards for combating money laundering and terrorist financing, for the first time.

NCERT revises Class 8 textbook again; tweaks Partition, drops Hitler content

NCERT revises Class 8 textbook again; tweaks Partition, drops Hitler content

Rediff.com8 Jul 2026

The NCERT Class 8 social science textbook has undergone significant revisions, including a tweaked narrative on the 1947 Partition, the inclusion of VD Savarkar's demand for Swaraj, and the removal of references to Adolf Hitler and Nazi ideology. These changes follow a Supreme Court intervention regarding controversial content on the judiciary.

Khamenei Funeral Signals Shift In India-Iran Relations

Khamenei Funeral Signals Shift In India-Iran Relations

Rediff.com6 Jul 2026

It is an unusual choice to depute a retired general for the funeral of a revered religious figure but a thoughtful one in an attempt to inject verve into the bilateral relationship and restore the equilibrium in India's West Asian policies, notes Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.

Satluj Writer: 'If A Region Has A Violent History, Will We Bury That?'

Satluj Writer: 'If A Region Has A Violent History, Will We Bury That?'

Rediff.com8 Jul 2026

'...Or will we take a positive approach and learn from those mistakes so that it is not repeated in future?'

Omar Abdullah's Kashmir Challenge Revives July 2, 1984 Memories

Omar Abdullah's Kashmir Challenge Revives July 2, 1984 Memories

Rediff.com2 Jul 2026

Omar Abdullah has so far laboured hard to make best of a bad bargain. Even so, the ground reality is anything but reassuring. The Opposition parties, including notably the PDP, appear to be gaining ground, though more by default. Public patience with Omar's government has nearly run out, notes Mohammad Sayeed Malik, the distinguished commentator on Kashmir affairs.

Delhi High Court Affirms EFI's Asian Games Dressage Team Selection

Delhi High Court Affirms EFI's Asian Games Dressage Team Selection

Rediff.com29 Jun 2026

The Delhi High Court has upheld the Equestrian Federation of India's (EFI) selection process for the Asian Games dressage team, dismissing petitions from riders Anush Agarwalla and Sudipti Hajela. The court found no arbitrariness or procedural impropriety, reinforcing the principle that judicial interference in expert selection bodies is limited. Challenges regarding Minimum Eligibility Requirements (MERs), criteria interpretation, and bias were all rejected.

Centre tightens FCRA rules for NGOs receiving foreign funds

Centre tightens FCRA rules for NGOs receiving foreign funds

Rediff.com23 Jun 2026

The Indian government has amended the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) rules, introducing stricter regulations for NGOs receiving foreign funds. Key changes include mandatory selection of predefined purposes and areas of operation, restrictions on foreign nationals as key functionaries, and explicit exclusion of proselytisation from certain faith-based activities. The amendments also introduce minimum spending limits, enhanced financial accountability, and increased transparency requirements, including social media disclosure and ultimate donor identification.

'Sidelined' Manish Tewari decries Punjab Cong snub with cryptic post

'Sidelined' Manish Tewari decries Punjab Cong snub with cryptic post

Rediff.com2 Jul 2026

Congress leader Manish Tewari expressed his disappointment after being overlooked in the recent Punjab Congress reshuffle for upcoming assembly polls, posting a cryptic message on X about "insecurities of individuals and institutions" while reaffirming his loyalty to the party. The reshuffle saw key appointments for election committees, including Charanjit Singh Channi as Campaign Committee chairman, but notably excluded Tewari.

Controversial SIR included in NCERT's Class 9 textbook

Controversial SIR included in NCERT's Class 9 textbook

Rediff.com26 Jun 2026

The NCERT's Class 9 Social Science textbook now includes the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, explaining its purpose to ensure accurate voter lists. The textbook also commends the Election Commission of India (ECI) for conducting impartial polls despite challenges, highlighting the scale and autonomy of India's electoral process.

Govt explores 50% LS seat hike to break delimitation deadlock

Govt explores 50% LS seat hike to break delimitation deadlock

Rediff.com29 Jun 2026

The Indian government is reportedly developing new proposals to increase Lok Sabha seats by 50 per cent across all states. This initiative aims to address concerns from southern states regarding potential political power reduction due to population-based delimitation, while also facilitating the operationalisation of the women's quota law before the 2029 Lok Sabha elections.

Union minister Pradhan wants Mahakal Standard Time to replace GMT

Union minister Pradhan wants Mahakal Standard Time to replace GMT

Rediff.com3 Apr 2026

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has advocated for the establishment of 'Mahakal Standard Time' (MST), citing Ujjain's historical significance as a centre for time calculation and astronomy.

FMSCI pushes for Formula 1, MotoGP, World Rally C'ship return to India

FMSCI pushes for Formula 1, MotoGP, World Rally C'ship return to India

Rediff.com19 Jun 2026

FMSCI President Arindam Ghosh announced plans to bring Formula 1 back to India by 2030, and a round of the World Rally Championship and MotoGP by 2028, following a meeting with the Sports Ministry. The federation is focused on developing Indian drivers and promoting motorsports in the country.

NEET-PG 2026: What Happened To The Zero Percentile Policy?

NEET-PG 2026: What Happened To The Zero Percentile Policy?

Rediff.com7 Jul 2026

One of the most important provisions this year is that qualifying NEET-PG does not automatically guarantee participation in counselling.

2 Indians part of crew of cruise ship hit by hantavirus

2 Indians part of crew of cruise ship hit by hantavirus

Rediff.com8 May 2026

A hantavirus outbreak on the Dutch vessel MV Hondius has resulted in multiple confirmed cases and fatalities, with Indian nationals among the crew. Health authorities are tracing those who disembarked.

No milestone but millstone around India's neck: Congress on Modi's tenure

No milestone but millstone around India's neck: Congress on Modi's tenure

Rediff.com10 Jun 2026

The Congress party has launched a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, calling him a 'millstone' around India's neck and accusing him of presiding over the 'murder of democracy', even as he achieved the milestone of becoming India's longest continuously serving elected prime minister.

Centre rejects reports of UPSC Prelims paper leak

Centre rejects reports of UPSC Prelims paper leak

Rediff.com16 Jun 2026

The Indian government has officially refuted social media claims regarding a leak of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination question paper. The Press Information Bureau's Fact Check wing labelled these allegations as "fake," clarifying that an institute's backdated answer key explanations were misinterpreted, not indicative of a leak.

Pharma distributor's licence cancelled over Kota C-section deaths

Pharma distributor's licence cancelled over Kota C-section deaths

Rediff.com26 Jun 2026

The World Health Organization has requested information from the Indian government regarding the alleged supply of spurious oxytocin injections linked to the deaths of five women in Kota hospitals. This comes after regulatory action, including the cancellation of manufacturing licenses for Jackson Laboratories units, following joint inspections by drug control bodies. The government is investigating the matter, emphasising a zero-tolerance approach to quality violations.

'Indians Are Not Buying Too Much Of Gold'

'Indians Are Not Buying Too Much Of Gold'

Rediff.com19 May 2026

'Even last year, when India bought gold, the physical quantity was much less than the previous years.'

History In Minutes: The Man Who Challenged A Prime Minister

History In Minutes: The Man Who Challenged A Prime Minister

Rediff.com26 Jun 2026

Jayaprakash Narayan was called the 'Second Mahatma'. He issued the clarion call against government corruption in June 1974 that ignited a fierce student movement that shook the Indira Gandhi government from the foundation to the rafters. His modest home in Patna is almost forgotten, only remembered on special anniversaries.

Discounts drive Russian oil imports to new high

Discounts drive Russian oil imports to new high

Rediff.com23 Jun 2026

India's crude oil imports from Russia reached a record high of approximately 2.73 million barrels per day (mbpd) in June, driven by discounts of $2-5 a barrel. This surge comes as the West Asia crisis disrupted supplies from traditional sources and China reduced its own purchases, leading Russia to offer more favourable terms to India.

Mammootty, Madhavan, Alka Yagnik Receive Padma Awards

Mammootty, Madhavan, Alka Yagnik Receive Padma Awards

Rediff.com24 Jun 2026

President Droupadi Murmu conferred the prestigious Padma Awards 2026 upon a host of luminaries, including Mammootty, R Madhavan, and Alka Yagnik.

Banks Make Record Profits, But Worry Because...

Banks Make Record Profits, But Worry Because...

Rediff.com16 Jun 2026

The asymmetry in deposit and credit growth is the biggest challenge before the Indian banking industry. For every 100 deposit that a bank mobilises, it needs to keep 3 with the banking regulator in the form of cash reserve ratio on which it doesn't earn any interest. Another 18 is used for buying government bonds (statutory liquidity ratio). This means, a bank is left with 79 for giving credit. Add to this, its capital which can be used for giving loans. Most banks are facing a fund crunch. They need to find ways to attract deposits if they want to sustain credit growth, explains Tamal Bandyopadhyay.

Why British Kashmiris Are Protesting Pakistani Forces In PoJK

Why British Kashmiris Are Protesting Pakistani Forces In PoJK

Rediff.com15 Jun 2026

Thousands of British Kashmiris protested in London against alleged crackdowns and human rights abuses by Pakistani forces in Pakistan-Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK), demanding justice and supporting the Joint Awami Action Committee.

India's Golf Team Set For Asian Games Challenge

India's Golf Team Set For Asian Games Challenge

Rediff.com7 Jun 2026

The Indian Golf Union has announced a six-member team for the upcoming Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, featuring experienced players like Aditi Ashok and Yuvraj Sandhu, with high hopes for podium finishes given India's strong history in the sport at the Games.

What Delhi CM Rekha Gupta Is Doing For Kangana Ranaut's Bharat Bhhagya Viddhaata

What Delhi CM Rekha Gupta Is Doing For Kangana Ranaut's Bharat Bhhagya Viddhaata

Rediff.com10 Jun 2026

'The real Bharat Bhhagya Viddhaata are the citizens of our country.' 'The Delhi government will make the film tax-free in the city so that every citizen is able to watch it.'

Amit Shah Lauds India's Medal Haul At Asian U20 Athletics

Amit Shah Lauds India's Medal Haul At Asian U20 Athletics

Rediff.com1 Jun 2026

Union Home Minister Amit Shah congratulated the Indian contingent for their performance at the Asian U20 Athletics Championships in Hong Kong, highlighting their medal haul as a sign of India's sporting strength.

Amit Shah luring those elected on anti-BJP plank: Cong

Amit Shah luring those elected on anti-BJP plank: Cong

Rediff.com17 Jun 2026

The Congress party has accused Home Minister Amit Shah of launching an "onslaught" on the Opposition and "wrecking" Indian democracy. The party alleges that Shah is enticing elected representatives to join the BJP with significant incentives, a claim echoed by Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut regarding Maharashtra MPs. This comes amidst reports of defections from other parties like the TMC.