News for 'Policy Commission'

EC directs crackdown on illicit cash, liquor, drugs in Bihar polls

EC directs crackdown on illicit cash, liquor, drugs in Bihar polls

Rediff.com17 Oct 2025

The Election Commission has directed enforcement agencies and security forces to take proactive measures during the Bihar elections to prevent the use of drugs, liquor, and cash to influence voters.

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.

Why Budget 2026 Deserves 8.5/10

Why Budget 2026 Deserves 8.5/10

Rediff.com2 Feb 2026

This is the first Budget in my memory of Budgets over the last half a century which has embraced upfront, enthusiastically and emphatically, technology, modernity and fiscal sobriety, notes Shreekant Sambrani.

Relief for Delhi students as 10K classrooms to get air purifiers

Relief for Delhi students as 10K classrooms to get air purifiers

Rediff.com19 Dec 2025

Delhi Education Minister Ashish Sood announced the installation of air purifiers in 10,000 classrooms to combat pollution and ensure clean air for students, criticizing the previous government's approach.

UPSC exams to allow change of scribe, screen-readers for visually impaired

UPSC exams to allow change of scribe, screen-readers for visually impaired

Rediff.com3 Dec 2025

The Supreme Court has directed the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) to incorporate provisions for scribe changes and implement screen-reader software for visually-impaired candidates in its examinations. The court emphasized the constitutional rights of differently-abled people and the need for inclusive governance.

X blocks 3,500 posts, deletes 600 accounts after Grok AI row

X blocks 3,500 posts, deletes 600 accounts after Grok AI row

Rediff.com11 Jan 2026

X has accepted its mistake, and said it will comply with Indian laws, sources said, adding that in future, the platform will not allow obscene imagery.

Women power behind NDA's landslide in Bihar

Women power behind NDA's landslide in Bihar

Rediff.com14 Nov 2025

In Bihar, women outvoted men and, perhaps, became one of the decisive factors behind the NDA's landslide victory in the assembly polls in the state on Friday.

CERC staffers reportedly earned Rs 173 cr via insider trading

CERC staffers reportedly earned Rs 173 cr via insider trading

Rediff.com17 Oct 2025

CERC, which has a key role in India's power sector, has also set up a committee to gather further evidence in the matter and take suitable action.

Will Xi Jinping's Enemies Stage A Coup?

Will Xi Jinping's Enemies Stage A Coup?

Rediff.com27 Nov 2025

If Xi Jinping is dethroned in the future, the instrument for that may well be embedded within the PLA, notes former foreign secretary Shyam Saran.

FIDE launches 'ChessMom' plan to support mothers in chess

FIDE launches 'ChessMom' plan to support mothers in chess

Rediff.com4 Nov 2025

Mothers competing in elite chess will be able to take advantage of a new set of family-friendly policies being introduced by the International Chess Federation

Can India Solve The Air Pollution Problem?

Can India Solve The Air Pollution Problem?

Rediff.com5 Jan 2026

Mundane as it may seem, this is in some ways a metaphor for the challenges facing the nation, argue Arvind Subramanian and Devesh Kapur in their new book, A Sixth Of Humanity.

Delhi AQI hits 461, second-worst Dec day; Rohini, Wazirpur at 500

Delhi AQI hits 461, second-worst Dec day; Rohini, Wazirpur at 500

Rediff.com14 Dec 2025

Delhi's air quality deteriorated to the 'severe' category, prompting the implementation of Stage-IV GRAP measures and hybrid classes for schools.

'Bihar politics was sliding into dangerous combination of...'

'Bihar politics was sliding into dangerous combination of...'

Rediff.com14 Nov 2025

'This combination of immaturity and desperation somehow becomes lethal; it is unhealthy for democracy'

Maharashtra municipal elections to be held on Dec 2

Maharashtra municipal elections to be held on Dec 2

Rediff.com5 Nov 2025

Elections for municipal councils and nagar panchayats in Maharashtra are scheduled for December 2, according to the State Election Commissioner. The schedule for other local bodies will be announced later.

More than 10 lakh SIR forms 'uncollectable' in Bengal: CEO

More than 10 lakh SIR forms 'uncollectable' in Bengal: CEO

Rediff.com25 Nov 2025

West Bengal's Chief Electoral Officer reports over 10 lakh SIR enumeration forms identified as 'uncollectable' due to absentee voters, duplicates, deaths, or permanent relocation. The special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls is underway with significant BLO involvement.

Maha set for major civic battle in Mumbai, 28 bodies on Jan 15

Maha set for major civic battle in Mumbai, 28 bodies on Jan 15

Rediff.com15 Dec 2025

Votes will be counted on January 16 and the outcome will be keenly watched as the BJP-led Mahayuti will seek to stamp its supremacy in urban landscape, especially in Mumbai, while the Opposition parties will try to redeem themselves after last year's rout in assembly polls.

'GST 2.0 Boost For Insurance Industry'

'GST 2.0 Boost For Insurance Industry'

Rediff.com25 Oct 2025

'It will support our growth aspirations. It's very positive as it helps expand the market in a segment that really needs it.'

How insurers stand to gain from GST rate cut

How insurers stand to gain from GST rate cut

Rediff.com4 Dec 2025

The exemption of individual life and health insurance premiums from the Goods and Services Tax (GST) enables the insurance industry to make products affordable and attractive, said Ajay Seth, chairman of Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (Irdai) at the Business Standard BFSI Insight Summit 2025.

Trade unions to go on strike in Feb, demand withdrawal of labour codes

Trade unions to go on strike in Feb, demand withdrawal of labour codes

Rediff.com9 Dec 2025

Trade unions have decided to launch a phased, consistent struggle to press for the withdrawal of the labour codes and go on a countrywide general strike in February next year, a statement said on Tuesday. The date of the strike will be announced on 22nd December 2025 in the next meeting of the joint forum of central trade unions, a statement said.

'We Won't Be Silenced, We Won't Be Ignored'

'We Won't Be Silenced, We Won't Be Ignored'

Rediff.com31 Oct 2025

'Our politics is transparent -- it's about ensuring farmers don't die by suicide, about ensuring agriculture remains viable, about ensuring food security for the nation.' 'If that's politics, then yes, we do politics.'

Operation Sindoor redraws India's security goals in 2025

Operation Sindoor redraws India's security goals in 2025

Rediff.com31 Dec 2025

In 2025, India launched Operation Sindoor, a multi-domain combat mission against Pakistan in response to cross-border terrorism. The operation involved precision strikes, military retaliation, and diplomatic measures, marking a significant shift in India's security policy.

'The Key Is Talent, Technology, Trust'

'The Key Is Talent, Technology, Trust'

Rediff.com30 Dec 2025

'Our problem is not a budget deficit but a trust deficit. We need to trust our institutions and industries to innovate and lead. That is the way forward for India.'

IAF martyr's parents feel 'ignored', seek policy change

IAF martyr's parents feel 'ignored', seek policy change

Rediff.com10 Apr 2025

The parents of Squadron Leader Abhimanyu Rai, an IAF pilot who died in a trainer jet crash in December 2023, have expressed their anguish over being ignored for entitlements and honours that were given to their daughter-in-law. They believe the government policy should be revised to include parents of martyred soldiers. Group Captain Amitabh Rai (retd) and his wife Chitralekha, the bereaved parents, say they have received no condolences from the government despite losing their only son. They argue that the current policy unfairly favors the martyr's wife, often leading to neglect of the parents. The Rais claim their son's death is not being recognized as a "battle casualty" and therefore he is not being treated as a martyr. They also raise concerns about the pressure on IAF trainers to complete training programs successfully, even when cadets are not prepared, potentially endangering both the trainer and the cadet.

How Gadchiroli Broke The Maoist Backbone

How Gadchiroli Broke The Maoist Backbone

Rediff.com12 Jan 2026

'The watershed moment was June 22, 2024, when the divisional in-charge of Gadchiroli, Giridhar Tumreti, who was their senior-most commander, along with his wife, came forward to surrender before the then deputy chief minister and home minister Devendra Fadnavis.'

Direct schools not to hold sports events: SC to CAQM

Direct schools not to hold sports events: SC to CAQM

Rediff.com19 Nov 2025

The Supreme Court on Wednesday asked the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to consider directing schools in Delhi-NCR to postpone open air sports competitions planned in November and December to 'safer months' keeping in mind air pollution levels.

SC orders govt to grant permanent commission to woman Army officer

SC orders govt to grant permanent commission to woman Army officer

Rediff.com9 Dec 2024

The Supreme Court of India has ordered the Union government to grant a permanent commission to a woman officer in the Army Dental Corps who was denied benefits given to similarly placed officers. The court ruled that the woman officer was wrongly excluded from consideration and that the principle of "what is sauce for the goose ought to be sauce for the gander" applies in this case. The court directed the government to implement the order within four weeks and to extend all consequential benefits, including seniority, promotion, and monetary benefits, to the officer.

'Fadnavis Encouraged Thackerays To Unite'

'Fadnavis Encouraged Thackerays To Unite'

Rediff.com24 Dec 2025

'This will split the Marathi and Shiv Sena vote.' 'The BJP has conducted 3 surveys indicating they shall secure 109 seats in the BMC.' 'They do not wish for the Shinde Sena to demonstrate excessive strength in the BMC.' 'If the Thackerays secure 60-70 seats, that will affect Shinde's seats.'

Will Mahayuti's sweep carry into Dec 2 Maha local body polls?

Will Mahayuti's sweep carry into Dec 2 Maha local body polls?

Rediff.com30 Nov 2025

Maharashtra is set to hold local body elections on December 2 for municipal councils and nagar panchayats. The polls are seen as a test of the ruling coalition's strength after their recent assembly election victory.

'Sovereignty in foundational industries is critical for countries'

'Sovereignty in foundational industries is critical for countries'

Rediff.com22 Oct 2025

'The steel industry has a multiplier effect on direct and indirect employment, national security on the supply chain, technology access etc.'

What Democrats Can Learn From Zohran Mamdani

What Democrats Can Learn From Zohran Mamdani

Rediff.com5 Nov 2025

His victory means that his party will have to learn from him, because after the rise of Donald Trump, the Democrats have been in disarray. They have had no real answer to the Trump phenomenon and Zohran, with his emphatic and clear policies aimed at working class Americans offers them a national path for a return, asserts Aakar Patel.

How To Deal with Medical Negligence

How To Deal with Medical Negligence

Rediff.com10 Oct 2025

Medical negligence arises when a medical professional deviates from reasonable standards of care, causing injury to the patient.

'Pollution Has Been Reduced To A Blame Game'

'Pollution Has Been Reduced To A Blame Game'

Rediff.com1 Dec 2025

'Most pollution boards across the country have unused funds. There is practically no reason why pollution should not be a political priority.'

Hindus blamed for wrong policies of 'royal family': Modi slams Cong in RS

Hindus blamed for wrong policies of 'royal family': Modi slams Cong in RS

Rediff.com6 Feb 2025

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday accused the Congress of practicing appeasement politics, saying the party's priority was "family first." He asserted that the BJP-led government operates on the principle of 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas' (development for all) and prioritizes "nation first." Modi further criticized the Congress's approach to reservations, claiming it was aimed at creating divisions within the country. He highlighted the BJP's initiatives to empower marginalized communities, including the constitutional status to the OBC commission and the introduction of 10% reservation for economically backward groups.

India rejects IMF view that US tariffs will stay indefinitely, hit growth

India rejects IMF view that US tariffs will stay indefinitely, hit growth

Rediff.com27 Nov 2025

The Indian government has expressed its disagreement with the IMF staff's 'baseline' assumption that the 50 per cent US tariffs on its goods exports 'would remain in place indefinitely', based on which the staff pegged the country's GDP growth at 6.6 per cent this year, and pared its 2026-27 projection by 20 basis points to 6.2 per cent.

WhatsApp User Data Belongs To Us: Meta Tells NCLAT

WhatsApp User Data Belongs To Us: Meta Tells NCLAT

Rediff.com12 Sep 2025

'By leveraging user data from WhatsApp, Meta can enhance its technology.' 'It (user data) is collected by me, it's my personal property. Shall I give it to my competitors?'

Google plans $15 bn AI hub in Visakhapatnam

Google plans $15 bn AI hub in Visakhapatnam

Rediff.com14 Oct 2025

Google plans to invest $15 billion over the next five years in setting an artificial intelligence hub in Visakhapatnam, a senior official of the company said on Tuesday.

What Weapons Will Putin Sell India On Rare State Visit?

What Weapons Will Putin Sell India On Rare State Visit?

Rediff.com29 Nov 2025

On the table are additional batches of S-400 surface-to-air missile systems from Russia, which India used with immense success during Operation Sindoor. India could buy at least two squadrons of Su-57 fighter jets plus joint production of S-500 air defence systems.

Modi wishes Putin on 73rd birthday; crucial India-Russia summit in focus

Modi wishes Putin on 73rd birthday; crucial India-Russia summit in focus

Rediff.com7 Oct 2025

Prime Minister Narendra Modi greeted Russian President Vladimir Putin on his birthday and conveyed that he was looking forward to welcoming him in India for the upcoming India-Russia annual summit.

'India Is Staring At Dementia Epidemic'

'India Is Staring At Dementia Epidemic'

Rediff.com21 Nov 2025

'10 million Indians are currently living with dementia, and the number is expected to double by 2036.'

'Bureaucrats Resist Meeting Public...'

'Bureaucrats Resist Meeting Public...'

Rediff.com25 Aug 2025

'...as then it brings them closer to the complaints and grievances that the public faces.'