News for 'State of the Union'

Additions, deletions part of electoral roll revision process, says SC

Additions, deletions part of electoral roll revision process, says SC

Rediff.com28 Jan 2026

The Supreme Court of India resumed hearing petitions challenging the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls in Bihar, addressing the use of Aadhaar and concerns about voter deletions.

Cruel irony: Ajit Pawar's final journey in the ambulance he helped procure

Cruel irony: Ajit Pawar's final journey in the ambulance he helped procure

Rediff.com29 Jan 2026

An ambulance driver recounts the tragic irony of driving the ambulance secured by Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar to carry his body after a fatal plane crash.

FIR Against Ghooskhor Pandat; Promos Taken Down

FIR Against Ghooskhor Pandat; Promos Taken Down

Rediff.com6 Feb 2026

'The story of Ghooskhor Pandat focuses on an individual's actions and choices and does not comment on or represent any caste, religion, or community. As a filmmaker, I approach my work with a deep sense of responsibility -- to tell stories that are thoughtful and respectful.'

Sensex slips below 82K amid widespread sell-off

Sensex slips below 82K amid widespread sell-off

Rediff.com23 Jan 2026

Market sentiment is likely to remain cautious as investors position themselves for the upcoming Union Budget and the US Fed's interest rate decision, where expectations are muted.

US calls India-EU trade deal 'very disappointing'

US calls India-EU trade deal 'very disappointing'

Rediff.com29 Jan 2026

In the wake of the FTA between India and the European Union, the United States has described the Europeans as 'very disappointing', saying they were unwilling to join Washington, DC in putting tariffs on New Delhi for its purchases of Russian oil because of this trade deal.

Rajnath calls Coast Guard a 'wall of trust' after Operation Sindoor

Rajnath calls Coast Guard a 'wall of trust' after Operation Sindoor

Rediff.com2 Feb 2026

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh praised the Indian Coast Guard's role during Operation Sindoor and highlighted its importance in national security on the occasion of its 50th Raising Day.

European wines to cost less under India-EU FTA

European wines to cost less under India-EU FTA

Rediff.com27 Jan 2026

European wines are set to enter the Indian market at lower prices under the bilateral free trade agreement as India will provide import duty concessions under the pact, an official said. Under the pact, the duty on EU wines would fall from 150 per cent to 20 per cent (for expensive ones).

No FIR against TMC MLA over SIR violence despite EC deadline

No FIR against TMC MLA over SIR violence despite EC deadline

Rediff.com23 Jan 2026

Despite a directive from the Election Commission, no FIR has been filed against TMC MLA Monirul Islam in connection with vandalism at the Farakka Block Development Office in Murshidabad. The delay raises questions about the implementation of the Commission's orders ahead of the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections.

Wangchuk denies 'Arab Spring' call in SC; says police twisted words

Wangchuk denies 'Arab Spring' call in SC; says police twisted words

Rediff.com29 Jan 2026

Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, detained under the National Security Act, denied allegations in the Supreme Court that he incited sedition. His lawyer argued that the police selectively used video evidence to mislead authorities.

Ambitious, futuristic: PM Modi lauds Sitharaman's 9th Budget

Ambitious, futuristic: PM Modi lauds Sitharaman's 9th Budget

Rediff.com1 Feb 2026

Reiterating Sitharaman's statement that this is a youth power budget, Modi emphasised that the provisions made in the budget will prepare leaders, innovators and creators across different sectors.

Budget may signal new cooperative ambition

Budget may signal new cooperative ambition

Rediff.com12 Jan 2026

The Union Budget for 2026-27 is expected to sketch out a road map for trebling the cooperative sector's contribution to the Indian economy over the next decade, with the aim of bringing 500 million people within its ambit, in line with the objectives of the National Cooperative Policy, 2025.

Why Mamata is calling for SC probe into Ajit Pawar's death

Why Mamata is calling for SC probe into Ajit Pawar's death

Rediff.com28 Jan 2026

After West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee stated that the truth would not emerge through existing mechanisms and called for a probe, several opposition leaders including Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge backed her demand.

Advice For Investors: How To Handle Bull Market Traps, Invest In Gold

Advice For Investors: How To Handle Bull Market Traps, Invest In Gold

Rediff.com10 Feb 2026

'People become guided by emotions, fear of missing out, and greed. They tend to invest in booming sectors that may prove exceptionally expensive.' 'Typically, that represents the peak, and subsequently, they lose substantially.'

Investors lost Rs 9.40 lakh cr in Budget Sunday crash

Investors lost Rs 9.40 lakh cr in Budget Sunday crash

Rediff.com1 Feb 2026

The market capitalisation of BSE-listed companies eroded by Rs 9,40,581.75 crore to Rs 4,50,61,658.60 crore (USD 4.90 trillion) in a single day.

India-US Deal Shields Farmers

India-US Deal Shields Farmers

Rediff.com4 Feb 2026

New Delhi will substantially reduce tariffs on industrial and agricultural goods while continuing to protect sensitive sectors. Tariffs on some agricultural products that are not traditionally considered sensitive will be brought down to zero, while in the case of relatively sensitive items, duties will be reduced in a graded manner and quotas will be imposed.

Budget At Economic Crossroads

Budget At Economic Crossroads

Rediff.com30 Jan 2026

'We believe the truth is in the middle, and that India is at an important crossroads.'

Budget 2026: Time To Fix The Weak Link In R&D Ecosystem

Budget 2026: Time To Fix The Weak Link In R&D Ecosystem

Rediff.com31 Jan 2026

Restoring weighted tax deductions and adopting a petty patents regime can foster firm-level innovative activity critical for competitiveness, points out Nagesh Kumar.

Problems won't solve by one power...: UN chief's dig at Trump

Problems won't solve by one power...: UN chief's dig at Trump

Rediff.com30 Jan 2026

Guterres emphasised that global structures and institutions must reflect the complexity and the opportunity of the "new times and realities"

EFI sends rape-accused EC member as coach to Jordan

EFI sends rape-accused EC member as coach to Jordan

Rediff.com29 Jan 2026

The naming of rape-accused Col (Retd) Tarsem Singh Warraich for an overseas assignment has yet again brought the Equestrian Federation of India (EFI) under the scanner, even as the Sports Ministry, in an unrelated development, has issued a show-cause notice to the federation over prolonged governance and compliance failures.

Cooking For The President Of India

Cooking For The President Of India

Rediff.com2 Feb 2026

'It's a lifetime opportunity to cook for the most high-profile table of India. It's a matter of honour for me.'

Budget 2026: What will Nirmala Sitharaman do?

Budget 2026: What will Nirmala Sitharaman do?

Rediff.com1 Feb 2026

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman's biggest challenge will be to find a new growth driver, particularly against the backdrop of a global economy ravaged by heightened uncertainty and fragmentation, financial markets on a precipice, and global commodity prices on a continued uptrend.

Can This Budget Deliver Strategic Growth and Jobs?

Can This Budget Deliver Strategic Growth and Jobs?

Rediff.com31 Jan 2026

India is growing fast, but to keep growing strong, the government must make more things at home, create jobs, and spend money wisely, suggests Rajiv Memani, regional managing partner, Africa-India Region, EY.

Plea in SC challenges definition of caste discrimination in UGC rules

Plea in SC challenges definition of caste discrimination in UGC rules

Rediff.com27 Jan 2026

A plea has been filed in the Supreme Court challenging a University Grants Commission (UGC) regulation, alleging it has a non-inclusionary definition of caste-based discrimination and excludes certain categories from institutional protection.

Budget 2026's tax proposals weave a strategic vision

Budget 2026's tax proposals weave a strategic vision

Rediff.com4 Feb 2026

The proposals outlined in Budget 2026-27 represent a carefully crafted, multi-year strategy designed to strengthen India's big bets on the path to Viksit Bharat 2047, says Sameer Gupta.

Lack Of Political Unity Is India's Greatest Challenge

Lack Of Political Unity Is India's Greatest Challenge

Rediff.com6 Feb 2026

'No, India and China were not about to go to all-out war over a few rocks of Galwan.' 'The full picture of what went on at the highest level between two heads of State will not be known for a very, very long time and rightly so,' points out Colonel Anil A Athale, former head of the history division, ministry of defence.

BJP beats anti-incumbency in Nagpur, wins fourth term

BJP beats anti-incumbency in Nagpur, wins fourth term

Rediff.com16 Jan 2026

The BJP is expected to win the Nagpur Municipal Corporation elections for the fourth consecutive time, owing to its strong organization and the influence of prominent leaders. The party has maintained its dominance in Nagpur since 2007.

Assault on PM: 'Lies, Rubbish, Preposterous'

Assault on PM: 'Lies, Rubbish, Preposterous'

Rediff.com5 Feb 2026

'The prime minister didn't come to Parliament.' 'But the BJP MP is charging that you wanted to assault the prime minister.' 'Only a person who has the intellect and ideology of the BJP can come up with such bizarre charges.'

India slams Pak's 'false, self-serving' claim on Op Sindoor at UN

India slams Pak's 'false, self-serving' claim on Op Sindoor at UN

Rediff.com27 Jan 2026

India's Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Parvathaneni Harish, delivered a sharp response to comments made by Pakistan's Ambassador to the UN, Asim Iftikhar Ahmad.

'Abodh Baalak': Kharge-Nadda spat in RS over Rahul

'Abodh Baalak': Kharge-Nadda spat in RS over Rahul

Rediff.com5 Feb 2026

Kharge condemned the use of the "abodh balak" term for Gandhi and alleged that BJP MPs can't even speak their mind.

Gujarati notification in Maharashtra district sparks row

Gujarati notification in Maharashtra district sparks row

Rediff.com20 Jan 2026

According to reports, the order was translated into Gujarati for the convenience of motorists from Gujarat and was displayed in border villages, including areas near Acchad.

Will Budget 2026 Fix The Customs-FTA Disconnect?

Will Budget 2026 Fix The Customs-FTA Disconnect?

Rediff.com31 Jan 2026

Customs regimes can lead to labyrinthine legal disputes. Budget 2026 must recognise that an excessively defensive Customs posture can itself become a trade barrier, point out Mukesh Butani and Shankey Agrawal.

Nitin Nabin elected BJP chief unopposed; youngest in party history

Nitin Nabin elected BJP chief unopposed; youngest in party history

Rediff.com20 Jan 2026

Nitin Nabin, a five-time Bihar MLA, has been elected unopposed as the BJP national president, becoming the youngest person to hold the position. His appointment signals a generational shift in the party's leadership as it prepares for key state elections.

R-Day: 982 police personnel awarded service medals

R-Day: 982 police personnel awarded service medals

Rediff.com25 Jan 2026

A bravery medal is awarded to a person on grounds of rare conspicuous act of gallantry, and conspicuous act of gallantry in saving life and property, or in preventing crime or arresting criminals, the risk incurred being estimated with due regard to the obligations and duties of the officer concerned.

Sharad Pawar doubtful over merger of NCP factions

Sharad Pawar doubtful over merger of NCP factions

Rediff.com31 Jan 2026

The process to merge the Nationalist Congress Party-Sharadchandra Pawar and the Nationalist Congress Party may now face a roadblock due to the death of Ajit Pawar, said Sharad Pawar on Saturday.

Suspected Nipah virus cases detected in Bengal; 2 nurses critical

Suspected Nipah virus cases detected in Bengal; 2 nurses critical

Rediff.com12 Jan 2026

Two suspected cases of Nipah virus have been detected in West Bengal, prompting a national outbreak response team to be deployed. The central government is providing full support to the state.

How Winter Session Sets Stage For Budget

How Winter Session Sets Stage For Budget

Rediff.com5 Jan 2026

Three laws passed in Parliament could boost central revenues, reshape GST cess flows, shift MGNREGA costs to states and create new budget headroom ahead of the 2026-2027 Union Budget, points out A K Bhattacharya.

Maoist with Rs 2 cr bounty among 16 killed in Jharkhand

Maoist with Rs 2 cr bounty among 16 killed in Jharkhand

Rediff.com22 Jan 2026

Sixteen Maoists, including top leader Anal, were killed in a gunfight with security forces in Jharkhand's West Singhbhum district on Thursday, Union home minister Amit Shah said.

Bharat Ratna Demand For Nitish BJP Ploy?

Bharat Ratna Demand For Nitish BJP Ploy?

Rediff.com26 Jan 2026

'Demand to confer the Bharat Ratna on Nitishji is to sideline him in politics and force him to retire from politics.'

Trump unveils 'Board of Peace', India skips ceremony

Trump unveils 'Board of Peace', India skips ceremony

Rediff.com22 Jan 2026

India was among the countries not present in Davos when US President Donald Trump unveiled his "Board of Peace" that seeks to work towards bringing lasting peace to Gaza and possibly resolve global conflicts. India is yet to take a call on it, people familiar with the matter said when asked about Trump's invite to PM Modi.

BJP's Nitin Babu Rises In the Land of Nitish Babu

BJP's Nitin Babu Rises In the Land of Nitish Babu

Rediff.com27 Jan 2026

BJP leaders say Nitin Nabin's low-profile image has made him a favourite of Amit Shah, who was in search of such a leader to appoint to the top party position -- someone who follows the Modi-Shah line as BJP president without "ifs and buts".