News for 'Indian government'

Passport-citizenship row: Govt says no new move in 12 yrs; Oppn hits out

Passport-citizenship row: Govt says no new move in 12 yrs; Oppn hits out

Rediff.com26 Jun 2026

Government sources have clarified that a passport has never been considered proof of citizenship in India, a stance consistent for the past 12 years and rooted in the Passport Act 1967. This clarification, reiterated by the Ministry of External Affairs, has drawn criticism from opposition leaders and public figures.

'We Need To Stop Coaching Classes'

'We Need To Stop Coaching Classes'

Rediff.com27 Jul 2026

'We can integrate AI and tech into education, but that is just a means and not an end.' 'Ultimately, we need to control what happens in a classroom and we need to let teachers innovate their teaching style to suit the needs of Gen Z and beyond.'

July downpour reduces rainfall deficit to 12% as El Nino looms

July downpour reduces rainfall deficit to 12% as El Nino looms

Rediff.com8 Jul 2026

The Centre has reviewed the monsoon situation, noting a reduced rainfall deficit and ongoing preparedness for the kharif season amidst El Nino concerns. A high-level meeting chaired by the Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister discussed measures across various sectors, emphasising continuous monitoring and coordinated action to mitigate potential impacts on agriculture, water resources, and essential commodities.

Pune plant mishap: 2 officials booked over safety lapses

Pune plant mishap: 2 officials booked over safety lapses

Rediff.com14 Jul 2026

Police in Pune have registered a case against two officials of Antony Lara Renewable Energy Pvt Ltd following the collapse of a three-storey building at a waste-to-energy project, which resulted in nine deaths. The officials are booked for culpable homicide and negligence, as preliminary inquiries suggest a lack of safety measures despite heavy rains and the proximity of a large waste mound. The Maharashtra government has formed a high-level technical committee to investigate the incident and recommend preventive measures.

Sports Ministry Orders Probe Into Hockey India Harassment Allegations

Sports Ministry Orders Probe Into Hockey India Harassment Allegations

Rediff.com14 Jul 2026

The Sports Ministry has directed Hockey India to investigate allegations of intimidation and sexual harassment raised by former India captain Asunta Lakra. Lakra accused Hockey India general secretary Bhola Nath Singh of intimidation and institutional protection of misconduct, urging an independent inquiry to safeguard women athletes.

FPIs Withdraw Rs 62,800 Crore from Indian Equities in First Fortnight of June

FPIs Withdraw Rs 62,800 Crore from Indian Equities in First Fortnight of June

Rediff.com14 Jun 2026

Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPIs) have withdrawn over Rs 62,853 crore from Indian equities in the first fortnight of June, bringing the total outflows for 2026 to Rs 2.87 lakh crore, surpassing the entire 2025 figure, driven by geopolitical tensions, global economic growth concerns, and a weakening rupee.

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.

Unified Command To Tackle AI Threats

Unified Command To Tackle AI Threats

Rediff.com3 Jul 2026

'The government has to act as one unit since the threat from these newer models will soon scale up.'

Ahmedabad blasts: Why HC upheld death sentence for 38 IM terrorists

Ahmedabad blasts: Why HC upheld death sentence for 38 IM terrorists

Rediff.com14 Jul 2026

A division bench of justices AY Kogje and Samir Dave, in its July 7 judgment cited the "humongous" conspiracy, the intention to spread widespread terror and the large number of casualties as key reasons for affirming the punishment.

Andhra Covid Deaths Trigger Southern Alert

Andhra Covid Deaths Trigger Southern Alert

Rediff.com15 Jul 2026

'There is no need for panic as there is widespread protective immune memory in the population from vaccination as well as prior infections.'

Anxiety Grows Over SIR Verification

Anxiety Grows Over SIR Verification

Rediff.com15 Jul 2026

The population is gripped by anxiety against arbitrariness and the cruelty of a state that sells its actions as minimum government, asserts Aakar Patel.

Claude AI Now More Accessible With Rupee Pricing In India

Claude AI Now More Accessible With Rupee Pricing In India

Rediff.com14 Jul 2026

Anthropic has introduced Rupee-denominated pricing for its Claude AI assistant in India, making its Pro and Max plans more accessible to one of its largest user communities. This move, alongside the opening of its Bengaluru office and increased revenue, highlights Anthropic's growing focus on the Indian market, a sentiment echoed by rival OpenAI.

Govt allots 2 million more tonnes of broken rice for E20

Govt allots 2 million more tonnes of broken rice for E20

Rediff.com13 Jul 2026

The Indian government has allocated an additional 2 million tonnes of surplus broken rice from FCI stocks for its ethanol blending programme, while simultaneously issuing a detailed rebuttal to widespread misinformation regarding the E20 fuel, addressing concerns from water consumption to engine damage and environmental impact.

Bank Credit Growth Hits Two-Year High, Deposits Mobilise Rs 7 Trillion

Bank Credit Growth Hits Two-Year High, Deposits Mobilise Rs 7 Trillion

Rediff.com11 Jul 2026

Commercial banks in India recorded their highest credit growth in two years, accelerating to 18.6 per cent year-on-year by June 27, while also mobilising nearly 7 trillion in deposits, marking the third-highest fortnightly deposit growth in 29 years.

Protests demanding Pradhan's resignation sweep India

Protests demanding Pradhan's resignation sweep India

Rediff.com24 Jul 2026

Nationwide protests against the NEET paper leak have intensified across several Indian states, with demonstrators condemning the Delhi Police crackdown and demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. The Congress party has called for further demonstrations, while various student and political groups have organised marches and sit-ins, some leading to clashes with police.

'Economy May Take 2 To 3 Months To Return To Normal'

'Economy May Take 2 To 3 Months To Return To Normal'

Rediff.com8 Jul 2026

'The real shock is going to be from a deficient monsoon.'

Govt Unveils Rs 1.9 Lakh Cr Push for Semiconductor, Mobile Manufacturing

Govt Unveils Rs 1.9 Lakh Cr Push for Semiconductor, Mobile Manufacturing

Rediff.com15 Jul 2026

The Indian government has approved two major manufacturing initiatives worth nearly Rs 1.9 lakh crore (USD 22 billion) to expand the country's semiconductor ecosystem and scale up mobile phone production, aiming to strengthen its position as a global electronics manufacturing hub.

Telegram app is back on Google after ban, not on Apple

Telegram app is back on Google after ban, not on Apple

Rediff.com23 Jun 2026

Instant messaging platform Telegram has been restored in India after a week-long government ban, imposed due to its alleged role in circulating leaked NEET examination papers, expired. The Delhi High Court had upheld the ban as lawful and necessary.

Indian Ultra Runners Dominate IAU 24H Championship

Indian Ultra Runners Dominate IAU 24H Championship

Rediff.com30 May 2026

Indian ultra runners achieved remarkable success at the IAU 24H Asia and Oceania Championship in Japan, securing gold in the men's team event and a bronze in the women's team event. Amar Singh Devanda won gold in the men's individual event, setting a new national record.

How India Is Becoming A Global Hub For International Sporting Events

How India Is Becoming A Global Hub For International Sporting Events

Rediff.com7 Jul 2026

Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya highlighted India's growing global sporting stature, evidenced by the increasing number of international events the country is hosting. He announced that India is set to host 36 international events between January 2025 and June 2026, along with 9 events this year and 19 in 2027-2028. Mandaviya also spoke about government support for athletes, transparent selection processes for major events like the Commonwealth Games, and improved domestic athletic performances, citing 26 national records broken in Indian athletics recently.

'Doyen of Indian PMs': US, Russia hail Modi on tenure milestone

'Doyen of Indian PMs': US, Russia hail Modi on tenure milestone

Rediff.com11 Jun 2026

US President Donald Trump described Prime Minister Narendra Modi as 'a Great One', while Russia hailed him as the 'doyen of all Indian prime ministers' as world leaders congratulated him on becoming India's longest continuously serving elected representative at the top post.

GDN To Dada: 10 Coming Biopics That Have Our Attention

GDN To Dada: 10 Coming Biopics That Have Our Attention

Rediff.com16 Jul 2026

From Dr A P J Abdul Kalam to Sourav Ganguly, these coming biopics are bringing some of India's most fascinating lives to the big screen.

Classification Issue Bars Tejas Nandakumar From Glasgow Commonwealth Games

Classification Issue Bars Tejas Nandakumar From Glasgow Commonwealth Games

Rediff.com13 Jul 2026

Indian para swimmer Tejas Nandakumar has been ruled out of the upcoming Glasgow Commonwealth Games due to a classification issue. His entry, initially accepted, was later rejected by organisers after a validation process by World Para Athletics, citing his R-2025 class status as ineligible for the G2026 competition.

Why Banks Prefers Retired Bureaucrats...

Why Banks Prefers Retired Bureaucrats...

Rediff.com9 Jul 2026

It is because dealing with a regulatory system that is largely headed by retired IAS officers then becomes relatively easy, points out A K Bhattacharya.

'We Prevented President's Rule in Tamil Nadu'

'We Prevented President's Rule in Tamil Nadu'

Rediff.com8 Jul 2026

'The Dravidian parties wanted to prevent the TVK from forming a government.'

Have Foreign Assets? View Details In AIS

Have Foreign Assets? View Details In AIS

Rediff.com17 Jul 2026

The data may include details of foreign bank accounts, investment accounts, certain financial investments, interest income, dividends and other specified financial income held by Indian tax residents abroad.

Union minister Margherita, Bihar guv attend Khamenei's funeral ceremony

Union minister Margherita, Bihar guv attend Khamenei's funeral ceremony

Rediff.com4 Jul 2026

A high-level Indian delegation, including Bihar Governor Lt Gen (Retd) Syed Ata Hasnain and Minister of State for External Affairs Pabitra Margherita, paid tributes to the assassinated Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Tehran, conveying India's condolences.

Op Sonam Wangchuk: How new Delhi Police chief oversaw 1st major action

Op Sonam Wangchuk: How new Delhi Police chief oversaw 1st major action

Rediff.com18 Jul 2026

Activist Sonam Wangchuk was shifted to Safdarjung Hospital after his health deteriorated during his 21-day indefinite hunger strike, marking the first significant action under new Delhi Police Commissioner Anurag Kumar.

Reliance, WhatsApp behind ban on Telegram in India: CEO

Reliance, WhatsApp behind ban on Telegram in India: CEO

Rediff.com17 Jun 2026

Telegram CEO Pavel Durov has accused Reliance Group, which has a partial Meta stake, of lobbying for a ban on Telegram in India and sabotaging its access for users outside India through BGP hijacking. A senior telecom industry source dismissed these claims as 'fake news,' stating Durov confused Reliance Communications with Reliance Industries Ltd. The allegations come as the Indian government has ordered Google and Apple to delist Telegram temporarily and disable its message-editing feature in India due to concerns over paper leaks in the NEET-UG examination.

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.

Kerala Government: Full Cabinet Expected To Be Sworn In On Monday

Kerala Government: Full Cabinet Expected To Be Sworn In On Monday

Rediff.com15 May 2026

The entire Cabinet of the new Kerala government is expected to be sworn in on Monday, with the list of ministers likely to be finalised soon, according to UDF convenor Adoor Prakash. Leaders of UDF allies held a meeting to discuss the preparations for the swearing-in ceremony.

Does India Want To Repair Iran Relationship?

Does India Want To Repair Iran Relationship?

Rediff.com9 Jul 2026

India is navigating a complex diplomatic landscape, attempting to balance its 'forever honeymoon' with the Israel-UAE-Bahrain axis against its historical ties with Iran, as evidenced by recent high-level visits and evolving geopolitical realignments in the Middle East, observes Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.

Why Modi Wants To Curb NGOs Funding

Why Modi Wants To Curb NGOs Funding

Rediff.com4 Jul 2026

Larger NGOs could no longer work with smaller ones, especially those organisations working on the ground that had no means of or expertise in raising money themselves, reveals Aakar Patel.

Purav Raja Demands Accountability In Indian Tennis Administration

Purav Raja Demands Accountability In Indian Tennis Administration

Rediff.com28 May 2026

Former India doubles player Purav Raja has called for a complete clean-up of Indian tennis administration, emphasising the need for accountability and transparency at all levels. He also questioned the eligibility of some office-bearers in the 2024 elections.

RBI's Capital Inflow Measures Ease Long Bond Fears, But Fund Managers Remain Cautious

RBI's Capital Inflow Measures Ease Long Bond Fears, But Fund Managers Remain Cautious

Rediff.com16 Jun 2026

Despite the Reserve Bank of India's (RBI) and the government's recent initiatives to attract foreign capital, which are expected to alleviate pressure on long-duration bonds, most debt fund managers are maintaining a cautious stance, favouring shorter-duration papers due to global uncertainties and potential future rate hikes.

No trace of 6 fishermen days after boat capsize off Andhra coast

No trace of 6 fishermen days after boat capsize off Andhra coast

Rediff.com8 Jul 2026

A lone fisherman survived after a fishing boat carrying seven capsizes off the Visakhapatnam coast; a passing ship saved him from certain death after the crew threw him a life jacket and pulled him on board.

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.

Remembering Randhir Singh: Pioneer Of Indian Olympic Movement

Remembering Randhir Singh: Pioneer Of Indian Olympic Movement

Rediff.com27 May 2026

Randhir Singh, a prominent figure in Indian sports and the Olympic movement, has died at the age of 79. He was known for his contributions as an athlete, administrator, and advocate for Indian sports on the international stage.

'Good night, take care of kids': Indian sailor's last message to wife

'Good night, take care of kids': Indian sailor's last message to wife

Rediff.com11 Jun 2026

The family of Suresh, a 44-year-old marine engineer from Visakhapatnam, is grieving after he was among three Indian crew members killed in a US military strike on a commercial vessel off the Oman coast, shattering their dreams of a family reunion for their 15th wedding anniversary.

Q1 PSU Stake Sales Beat FY26 Divestment Total

Q1 PSU Stake Sales Beat FY26 Divestment Total

Rediff.com3 Jul 2026

Divestment has emerged as a priority for the government following a moderation in direct tax collections.