The Union Cabinet has approved a significant increase in the mandatory EPFO wage ceiling from Rs 15,000 to Rs 25,000 per month, a move expected to bring over 51 lakh additional employees under mandatory social security coverage.
Urban Indian millennials are caught in an algorithmically amplified consumption spiral where social media normalises spending patterns that systematically undermine retirement security.
The Indian government is pressing all states and Union Territories (UTs) to publish their rules under the four new labour Codes by October 31, aiming to fully operationalise the new labour law framework. This move is crucial as labour falls under the concurrent list, requiring state-level rule-making for effective implementation.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday said the government will arrange identity cards and registration on the e-Shram portal to assist 1 crore gig workers. Presenting the Union Budget 2025-26, the finance minister also said a scheme for the socio-economic upliftment of urban workers will be implemented.
EPF wage ceiling rising to Rs 25,000 could increase employer statutory contributions by Rs 1,200 monthly per employee.
Two men, Rohan Parikh and Dilip Kunde, were arrested after attempting to enter a Mumbai mall with a firearm and a fake PMO identity card. Parikh confessed to fabricating the PMO ID using ChatGPT to enhance his social standing, while Kunde, a former Army man, was acting as his bodyguard with a personal weapon. Both have been remanded to judicial custody.
India has once again raised alarms over the escalation in the security situation in the Red Sea area and strongly condemned Houthi strikes targeting Saudi Arabian territory, "including on civilians and economic assets."
Ganges Grandmasters, led by Ian Nepomniachtchi, defeated defending champions Alpine APL Pipers to win their first Global Chess League title. Nepomniachtchi's crucial win against Magnus Carlsen in the final, coupled with Stavroula Tsolakidou's performance, sealed the victory. FYERS American Gambits secured third place in the tournament.
A man named Fayaz Ahmad has been arrested in Maharajganj, Uttar Pradesh, for allegedly creating and sharing a digitally edited video on social media that depicted a fake explosion at a Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) camp along the India-Nepal border. The video, which targeted a sensitive security installation, led to an investigation and his subsequent arrest for breach of peace.
The Indian government has strongly refuted Elon Musk's allegations that Starlink's satellite communication services are being blocked in the country, asserting that a fair and non-discriminatory regulatory framework is in place for all telecom providers. The government emphasised that compliance with security norms is mandatory for all licensees, including Starlink, Jio Satcom, and Eutelsat OneWeb, all of whom are currently undergoing security assessments.
Two policemen in Maharashtra's Jalna district are under investigation after a viral audio recording purportedly showed them demanding a bribe from a person to avoid arrest in a diesel theft case. Superintendent of Police Tegbir Singh Sandhu confirmed on Wednesday that an inquiry would be conducted into the allegations.
An Indian Navy sailor, Pradeep Mukherjee, has been arrested by the Andhra Pradesh Police Counter Intelligence cell for allegedly transmitting classified maritime intelligence to a Pakistani operative. The espionage operation reportedly involved a social media "honey-trap" where a female Pakistani intelligence operative extracted sensitive data on naval assets and operations from Mukherjee.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his greetings to Indian Air Force personnel on Air Force Day, praising their courage and commitment. He highlighted the IAF's ability to use advanced technology, including data and drones, to counter adversaries and ensure national security.
India has issued an advisory for its nationals in Saudi Arabia to remain vigilant and stay indoors due to an escalating security situation involving Houthi attacks on civilian infrastructure, including airports. The advisory also cautions against circulating related news and confirms the normal functioning of Indian diplomatic missions. Flight services from India to Riyadh have been cancelled by Air India and Air India Express until October 10 following the attacks.
India dropped teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi despite his impressive Asian Games run, preferring Sanju Samson as Gautam Gambhir backed experience and resisted pressure to alter the winning combination.
Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya presented a comprehensive report card on the Sports and Labour & Employment ministries to NDA MPs, detailing India's ambitious bid to host the 2036 Olympics, targets for medal tallies, and significant growth in job creation and social security coverage over the past decade.
Andhra Pradesh police have revealed that female Pakistan Intelligence Operatives (PIOs) are actively targeting Indian defence personnel through social media, honey traps, and financial inducements to extract sensitive information. Under "Operation Firewall-2026," two individuals, including a naval staffer, were arrested for allegedly spying for Pakistan, with 13 naval personnel among 18 suspects involved in the espionage conspiracy.
A question paper for the All Odisha Medical PG Examination was allegedly shared on social media platforms, specifically WhatsApp groups, while the exam was underway. This incident, which occurred during the General Surgery paper for the 2023-26 batch, has prompted an internal investigation by the Odisha University of Health Sciences, even as officials deny it was a "leak" as the paper emerged during the test.
The Indian women's hockey team secured a historic gold medal at the Asian Games by defeating China 1-0, also earning a direct qualification for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Captain Salima Tete and other team members expressed immense pride and confidence in their victory, which ended a 44-year wait for gold. Four players from Jharkhand received a grand welcome, highlighting the personal journeys and struggles behind their national achievement.
Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar has affirmed that Indian electronic voting machines (EVMs) are manufactured by public sector companies and operate without internet, Bluetooth, or Wi-Fi connectivity, ensuring their security and reliability.
Portugal head coach Jorge Jesus has stated that Cristiano Ronaldo can return to the national team if he chooses to, following the captain's abrupt departure from the squad last week after being an unused substitute.
Punjab is facing a political storm as the BJP criticizes the Aam Aadmi Party government over deteriorating law and order, highlighted by four recent murders. Concurrently, the Punjab and Haryana High Court has ordered a CBI probe into corruption allegations against individuals linked to Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, further intensifying political pressure on the AAP ahead of state elections.
An Indian sailor was killed and several others rescued during an anti-piracy operation in Somalia. Security forces retook control of the hijacked fuel tanker MT Honour 25, apprehending 16 suspected pirates. Other Indian seafarers from different vessels were also safely repatriated amidst a resurgence of piracy in the region.
Teenaged Indian archer Kumkum Mohod made history at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games by winning India's first-ever women's individual recurve archery gold medal and securing an Olympic quota place. Her coach and association secretary highlight her dedication, academic inclination, and long-term goal of winning an Olympic medal, despite financial challenges.
The reference to India's 'Presidential election' appears to be a mix-up with Brazil, which held its first round of presidential elections on Sunday with 125.27 million valid votes.
If the new MDR regime is rolled out from the middle of this month, as scheduled, it should count as one of the boldest political actions by the Modi government on an economic-policy issue, and a signal that it is less worried about erosion of political capital it draws from one of its key constituencies, notes A K Bhattacharya.
The Indian government has ordered the removal of Jack Dorsey's Bitchat app from app stores, citing law-and-order concerns due to its ability to bypass communication restrictions. The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) issued the takedown demand under Section 69(A) of the IT Act, 2000. The government also addressed the issue of banning minors from social media, indicating a search for a better solution than outright bans.
An Indian captain and Israeli passengers on a Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv heroically fought off a co-pilot who allegedly attempted to crash the aircraft, forcing an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia.
The Mizoram government has announced a cash reward of Rs 25 lakh each for Indian women's hockey players Lalremsiami and Lalthantluangi. This recognition comes after their significant contribution to the team's gold medal victory at the 2026 Asian Games, marking a historic achievement for the state.
Indian educational institutions are adopting physical modifications like "anti-suicide" fans and barriers to prevent student suicides, drawing parallels with measures taken by foreign universities such as Houston, Cornell, Harvard, and NYU. While these measures are seen as "bandaid solutions" by some, experts suggest restricting access to lethal means is a valid part of a comprehensive suicide prevention strategy, alongside crucial mental health support.
A political controversy has erupted in Delhi after a video surfaced showing PWD Minister Parvesh Singh slapping a man who was recording a road inspection in Tilak Nagar.
Gautam Gambhir has told Vaibhav Sooryavanshi that despite his impressive form, he will need to wait for his opportunity in the T20 team due to the established players and the importance of team continuity.
Seven people, including the manager of 'The Locals' nightclub in Guwahati, have been arrested after a woman was allegedly 'partially stripped and assaulted' by bouncers following a drunken brawl. The arrests were made after a video of the incident went viral, prompting police to register a suo motu case.
We joke about our spouses all the time. Nobody jokes about the day the joking partner is gone, and the whole house turns very quiet, observes Binu Alex.
The Supreme Court has strongly asserted the critical need to instill fear in criminals and enhance women's safety across Delhi-NCR, taking suo motu cognisance of recent alarming rape incidents.
The Delhi High Court has directed Meta Platforms to immediately remove objectionable deepfake content featuring a woman's morphed picture with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The court also ordered the Delhi Police to provide complete protection to the victim, who reported receiving threats to her life.
Deepak Kumar, a gym owner from Kotdwar known for confronting Bajrang Dal members, has been arrested on charges of abusing, assaulting, and threatening a businessman. Police stated the arrest was a preventive measure to maintain peace, with additional sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita added based on evidence.
Delhi Police have arrested Shantaram Barku Shelke, the alleged mastermind behind a Rs 40 lakh visa fraud conspiracy that duped 41 individuals seeking overseas jobs in Russia and Israel. Shelke, proprietor of M/s SS Overseas Travels Agency, issued fake documents and evaded authorities before being apprehended in Nalasopara, Maharashtra.
A woman was brutally stabbed to death by two men on a motorcycle in a residential area of Chhatarpur, Madhya Pradesh, in broad daylight. The incident, captured on video, left her two young children locked inside her house. Police are investigating the unclear motive, questioning eyewitnesses, and scanning CCTV footage to identify the accused.
Ishan Kishan's unbeaten 80 off 46 balls guided India to a 124-run victory over Sri Lanka in the Asian Games men's cricket semi-final, securing their place in the final against Pakistan. His exceptional performance also saw him surpass Virat Kohli's T20I record for fifty-plus scores in a calendar year and move closer to Suryakumar Yadav's record for most T20I runs in a year.
