News for 'The UP Files'

SC stays UGC regulations on hold, flags 'dangerous impact'

SC stays UGC regulations on hold, flags 'dangerous impact'

Rediff.com29 Jan 2026

The Supreme Court has stayed a recent University Grants Commission (UGC) regulation following petitions arguing that the Commission's definition of caste-based discrimination was too narrow, excluding certain categories from institutional protection.

Vivo X200T Launched In India

Vivo X200T Launched In India

Rediff.com29 Jan 2026

The Vivo X200T smartphone has made its India debut, expanding the brand's X200 lineup that was introduced last year.

Muslim names in LD lists exceed population share in 4 Kolkata seats: Study

Muslim names in LD lists exceed population share in 4 Kolkata seats: Study

Rediff.com12 Feb 2026

A new study alleges that Muslim voters are disproportionately represented in Logical Discrepancy (LD) lists during Kolkata's voter roll revision, raising concerns about potential bias in the electoral process.

'To make contest easier': Pawars tie-up for another civic poll

'To make contest easier': Pawars tie-up for another civic poll

Rediff.com29 Dec 2025

Ajit Pawar on Sunday announced the alliance between the factions for the Pimpri Chinchwad civic polls.

Highlights of Union Budget 2026-27

Highlights of Union Budget 2026-27

Rediff.com1 Feb 2026

Highlights of Union Budget 2026-27

Forced to Buy Home Loan Insurance? Know Your Rights

Forced to Buy Home Loan Insurance? Know Your Rights

Rediff.com4 Feb 2026

Ask rediffGURU Naveenn Kummar your insurance mutual fund and personal finance-related questions.

Rs 54,000 cr digital fraud is 'dacoity', SC tells Centre to act

Rs 54,000 cr digital fraud is 'dacoity', SC tells Centre to act

Rediff.com9 Feb 2026

It said that when a retiree, who withdraws amounts in the range of Rs 10,000 or Rs 20,000, suddenly withdraws huge amounts, then the bank should issue an alert.

Rs 54,000 cr digital fraud is 'dacoity', SC tells Centre to act

Rs 54,000 cr digital fraud is 'dacoity', SC tells Centre to act

Rediff.com9 Feb 2026

The Supreme Court has expressed serious concerns about the rise in digital fraud, particularly digital arrest scams, and has directed the central government to develop a standard operating procedure to combat these crimes.

Ajit Pawar's Balancing Act With Muslims

Ajit Pawar's Balancing Act With Muslims

Rediff.com3 Feb 2026

Ajit Pawar became a ray of hope for Muslims, the only man in power who could resolve their grievances.

Gujarat ATS nabs 'lone wolf' planning Prophet insult killings

Gujarat ATS nabs 'lone wolf' planning Prophet insult killings

Rediff.com27 Jan 2026

The Gujarat ATS has arrested a 22-year-old tailor, Faizan Shaikh, accused of being highly radicalized and planning targeted killings in Uttar Pradesh for perceived insults to Prophet Muhammad. He allegedly operated as a 'lone wolf' and had connections to terror groups like Jaish-e-Mohammed and Al Qaeda.

SC to hear Vijay-starrer 'Jana Nayagan' censor issue plea on Jan 19

SC to hear Vijay-starrer 'Jana Nayagan' censor issue plea on Jan 19

Rediff.com13 Jan 2026

The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear a plea by the producer of the Tamil film "Jana Nayagan," starring Vijay, challenging a Madras High Court order that stayed the granting of a censor certificate to the movie. The film's release has been delayed due to certification issues.

LA Olympics chief Wasserman denies Epstein ties

LA Olympics chief Wasserman denies Epstein ties

Rediff.com2 Feb 2026

Casey Wasserman has apologised for emails with convicted sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell Games and denied any relationship with late financier sex offender Jeffrey Epstein

Gogoi underwent 'some kind of training in Pak': Sarma

Gogoi underwent 'some kind of training in Pak': Sarma

Rediff.com8 Feb 2026

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has accused Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi of having a 'deeper connection' with a Pakistani national and violating FCRA rules, prompting calls for a national probe.

Vijay's Jana Nayagan release delayed again, HC stays own order

Vijay's Jana Nayagan release delayed again, HC stays own order

Rediff.com10 Jan 2026

The Madras high court on Friday directed the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) to grant a censor certificate to actor-turned-politician Vijay's upcoming film Jana Nayagan, setting aside the board's directive to refer the matter to a review committee.

Ajit Pawar plane crash: Maha local polls rescheduled due to mourning

Ajit Pawar plane crash: Maha local polls rescheduled due to mourning

Rediff.com29 Jan 2026

Voting for zilla parishads and panchayat samitis in Maharashtra has been rescheduled to February 7 due to a three-day mourning period declared after the death of Deputy CM Ajit Pawar.

48 killed in over 2,500 encounters in UP this year, highest in 8 years

48 killed in over 2,500 encounters in UP this year, highest in 8 years

Rediff.com31 Dec 2025

Uttar Pradesh Police data reveals a significant increase in the number of alleged criminals killed in encounters in 2025, along with details of actions against illegal religious conversions, cow smuggling, and property recoveries.

A long-game Budget

A long-game Budget

Rediff.com2 Feb 2026

The Union Budget for 2026-27, presented by Finance Minister (FM) Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday, which was a first, had an excellent domestic macro backdrop. According to the first advance estimates, gross domestic product (GDP) in constant prices is projected to grow 7.4 per cent in the current financial year, against 6.5 per cent in 2024-25.

GLAS Trust's claims: Byju Raveendran to file for $2.5 bn damages

GLAS Trust's claims: Byju Raveendran to file for $2.5 bn damages

Rediff.com27 Nov 2025

Byju's founder Byju Raveendran is preparing to file a $2.5 billion damages claim, alongside new evidence in a US court that he says disproves GLAS Trust's allegations that $533 million in 'Alpha Funds' was diverted by the company's founders.

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.

Marico to buy majority stake in popcorn brand 4700BC from PVR Inox

Marico to buy majority stake in popcorn brand 4700BC from PVR Inox

Rediff.com27 Jan 2026

Marico has entered into a definitive agreement with PVR INOX to buy its 93.27 per cent stake in Zea Maize Private Limited (ZMPL), which owns the gourmet popcorn brand 4700BC, in an all-cash transaction worth Rs 226.8 crore.

Texas governor orders freeze on new H-1B visas; Indians likely to be hit

Texas governor orders freeze on new H-1B visas; Indians likely to be hit

Rediff.com28 Jan 2026

Texas Governor Greg Abbott has directed state agencies and public universities to suspend new H-1B visa petitions through May 2027, a move likely to affect Indian professionals. The order comes amid ongoing debate over skilled immigration and potential impacts on academic research and innovation.

Debt Recovery Overhaul Likely In Budget

Debt Recovery Overhaul Likely In Budget

Rediff.com19 Jan 2026

The Centre is considering amendments to the Recovery of Debt and Bankruptcy Act in the Budget to allow some Debt Recovery Tribunals to focus only on high-value cases.

Sheena Bora Case: A Sleuth Takes The Stand

Sheena Bora Case: A Sleuth Takes The Stand

Rediff.com3 Feb 2026

Indrani Mukerjea, in pure white, sporting dancing pearl jhumkas, bobbed about the accused box, occasionally floating up front to whisper urgent suggestions to her lawyer Ranjeet Sangle as retired cop and prosecution witness Dinesh Kadam gave her a long look. Vaihayasi Pande Daniel returns to cover the Sheena Bora murder trial after 18 months.

PSG defender Hernandez faces human trafficking complaint

PSG defender Hernandez faces human trafficking complaint

Rediff.com22 Jan 2026

The family's lawyer, Lola Dubois, accused Lucas Hernandez and Victoria Tray of depriving the Columbian family of their rights, and actions bordering on "modern slavery."

ADIF writes to CCI for interim relief to startups in Apple case

ADIF writes to CCI for interim relief to startups in Apple case

Rediff.com20 Jan 2026

The Alliance of Digital India Foundation (ADIF), in an application to the Competition Commission of India (CCI), has alleged that technology company Apple is using dilatory and delaying tactics in the regulator's investigation against the company and has sought interim relief for Indian startups and digital companies, according to people close to the development.

UGC issue: New rules won't be discriminatory or misused, says govt

UGC issue: New rules won't be discriminatory or misused, says govt

Rediff.com27 Jan 2026

The new UGC regulations mandating all higher education institutions to form "equity committees" to look into discrimination complaints and promote equity were notified on January 13.

Three Key Priorities For Government!

Three Key Priorities For Government!

Rediff.com2 Feb 2026

While many areas compete for resources, defence, education, and adaptation deserve focus for maximum impact, suggests Laveesh Bhandari.

Signs of revival: Pre-IPO fundraising improved but fell short of 2023 peak

Signs of revival: Pre-IPO fundraising improved but fell short of 2023 peak

Rediff.com20 Jan 2026

Fundraising through pre-initial public offerings (pre-IPOs) more than doubled in 2025 compared with the previous year, but remained below the peak seen in 2023. The narrowing gap between pre-IPO and IPO pricing is the reason for the decline in both the number and value of such deals over the past two years.

Suspended MPs: 7 Rahul Loyalists, 1 Marxist

Suspended MPs: 7 Rahul Loyalists, 1 Marxist

Rediff.com3 Feb 2026

8 Member of Parliaments were suspended from Lok Sabha for tearing & throwing papers at the Chair till April 2. Uproar started when Rahul Gandhi was barred from citing former Army Chief, General M M Naravane's memoir on 2020 India-China clash. Rediff.com brings you the details of these MPs who were suspended.

Why UGC's new regulations have sparked controversy, protests

Why UGC's new regulations have sparked controversy, protests

Rediff.com27 Jan 2026

The University Grants Commission's (UGC) new regulations on promoting equity in higher education institutions have sparked protests and legal challenges. This article explains the regulations, the concerns raised, and the government's response.

SC flags airfare fluctuations during festivals, calls it 'exploitation'

SC flags airfare fluctuations during festivals, calls it 'exploitation'

Rediff.com19 Jan 2026

A bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta termed the exorbitant rise of airfares by airlines as "exploitation" and asked the Centre and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to file their replies to a PIL seeking binding regulatory guidelines to control the unpredictable fluctuations in airfare and ancillary charges imposed by private airlines in India.

Sitharaman takes part in customary halwa ceremony

Sitharaman takes part in customary halwa ceremony

Rediff.com28 Jan 2026

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday participated in a traditional 'halwa' ceremony, marking the final stage for the preparation of the Union Budget 2026-27, to be unveiled on February 1 in the Lok Sabha.

New labour Codes raise operating expenses of pvt banks, insurers

New labour Codes raise operating expenses of pvt banks, insurers

Rediff.com26 Jan 2026

The new labour Codes, notified by the central government in November 2025, have pushed up employee costs for private-sector banks and insurance companies, with these firms reporting higher operating expenses in the October-December quarter (Q3FY26) due to the statutory impact of the new labour Codes.

Tariffs on India 'huge success', may be rolled back: US treasury secy

Tariffs on India 'huge success', may be rolled back: US treasury secy

Rediff.com24 Jan 2026

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent indicated a potential pathway to remove tariffs imposed on India for purchasing Russian oil, citing a significant decrease in such purchases. He also criticized Europe's approach and accused India of profiting from discounted Russian oil.

Alcaraz and Sinner carve up the Slams in a gripping 2025

Alcaraz and Sinner carve up the Slams in a gripping 2025

Rediff.com19 Dec 2025

While off-court battles over pay and governance rumbled on, opportunities were scarce beyond the duopoly at the top of the men's game, leaving Djokovic to provide the year's standout moments for the chasing pack.

'Humiliated' Mamata storms out of meeting with CEC

'Humiliated' Mamata storms out of meeting with CEC

Rediff.com3 Feb 2026

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, along with families affected by the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, met with the Chief Election Commissioner to voice their concerns and demand a halt to the revision process.

'Husband Can't Force Wife To Look After Parents'

'Husband Can't Force Wife To Look After Parents'

Rediff.com8 Jan 2026

'Caring for one's parents is the husband's responsibility, especially if he is the earning member of the family.' 'The wife may be financially dependent on him but that does not create a legal obligation for her to serve or care for her in-laws.'

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.

Violence Against Christians On Rise

Violence Against Christians On Rise

Rediff.com2 Jan 2026

There has been an increase in violence against Christians over the past 12 years -- from 147 cases in 2014 to 706 in 2025 (till November).

India, EU near 'mother of all deals' amid US tariff threat

India, EU near 'mother of all deals' amid US tariff threat

Rediff.com20 Jan 2026

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen says India and the EU are close to a 'historic trade agreement' that could create a market of two billion people and account for almost a quarter of the global GDP.