News for 'Union of India'

Modi-Trump Call: 'Headwind Becomes Tailwind': FM

Modi-Trump Call: 'Headwind Becomes Tailwind': FM

Rediff.com5 Feb 2026

The finance minister said that consolidation of state-owned banks could proceed at any time without waiting for the recommendations of the proposed high-level committee on banking.

Budget 2026: 7 new high-speed rail corridors announced

Budget 2026: 7 new high-speed rail corridors announced

Rediff.com1 Feb 2026

Two dedicated freight corridors -- Eastern and Western -- are in operation covering several states and districts.

Why YouTube Is Investing In India

Why YouTube Is Investing In India

Rediff.com30 Dec 2025

'As a nation, we create beautiful content and a high volume of it (films) but we are limited by the number of theatres and screen density.' 'You now have a living-room large screen available to showcase that.'

Digital arrest case: SC issues notice to Centre, CBI, RBI

Digital arrest case: SC issues notice to Centre, CBI, RBI

Rediff.com24 Jan 2026

The Supreme Court has sought responses from the Centre, the CBI and others on a plea filed by a 78-year-old retired banker who was duped of Rs 23 crore after allegedly being put under "digital arrest" for nearly a month.

Govt receives financial bids for IDBI Bank stake sale, says Dipam

Govt receives financial bids for IDBI Bank stake sale, says Dipam

Rediff.com7 Feb 2026

The government on Friday received financial bids for the strategic disinvestment of IDBI Bank, the Department of Investment and Public Asset Management (Dipam) said in an official statement on X.

Chicken's Neck: Underground Rail Planned

Chicken's Neck: Underground Rail Planned

Rediff.com3 Feb 2026

One of the underground lines will head towards Bagdogra, a location of strategic importance due to its role in India's air defence infrastructure.

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.

Unpaid highway tolls to block fitness certificate, NOC for vehicles

Unpaid highway tolls to block fitness certificate, NOC for vehicles

Rediff.com29 Jan 2026

As per the amended rules, an NOC for transfer of ownership or transfer of a vehicle from one state to another will not be granted until any unpaid user fee is cleared.

Budget 2026: What The Fiscal Numbers Show

Budget 2026: What The Fiscal Numbers Show

Rediff.com12 Feb 2026

The idea of back-loading the target of fiscal consolidation is perhaps guided by the government's desire to be prepared for any adverse developments in the coming year, points out A K Bhattacharya.

Nirmala Sitharaman: 'Prime Minister Modi Does Not Tolerate Gaming Of The System'

Nirmala Sitharaman: 'Prime Minister Modi Does Not Tolerate Gaming Of The System'

Rediff.com9 Feb 2026

'Grassroots-level corruption, which disrupts the last-mile work, cannot be ignored in your enthusiasm and drive to get going to complete the project.' 'Like it was in MGNREGA, in some states, it is the case with the Jal Jeevan mission.' 'The last minute levels of corruption can ruin the intent of the project itself.' 'When you see that people can game a particular well-intended and well-crafted project, you need to correct that.'

What Budget 2026 Says About Taxes

What Budget 2026 Says About Taxes

Rediff.com5 Feb 2026

This Budget positions India's taxation ideology as not merely a revenue source but as a strategic catalyst for growth, inclusion and long-term confidence.

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.

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.

Despite Cong flak, Aiyar sticks to claim of Vijayan's return

Despite Cong flak, Aiyar sticks to claim of Vijayan's return

Rediff.com16 Feb 2026

Aiyar's endorsement of Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has ignited a political firestorm, drawing sharp rebukes from his own party.

UP GST officer quits over Shankaracharya's remarks against Adityanath

UP GST officer quits over Shankaracharya's remarks against Adityanath

Rediff.com27 Jan 2026

A GST Deputy Commissioner, Prashant Kumar Singh, resigned in protest against Shankaracharya Avimukteshwaranand's remarks against Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, citing attempts to divide the nation on caste and religious lines.

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.

Nirmala Sitharaman: 'Focus Of Budget Was To Keep Stable Growth Going'

Nirmala Sitharaman: 'Focus Of Budget Was To Keep Stable Growth Going'

Rediff.com6 Feb 2026

'We kept this Budget on a larger plank, rather than on one incident, however serious.'

Indian pharma to get stronger dose of EU mkt access

Indian pharma to get stronger dose of EU mkt access

Rediff.com5 Feb 2026

The European Union's (EU's) offer to slash tariffs on 97.5 per cent of Indian chemical exports to zero is set to give India's pharmaceutical and medical device firms preferential access to the European markets.

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"

No rift with DMK, seat sharing talks soon: Congress

No rift with DMK, seat sharing talks soon: Congress

Rediff.com30 Jan 2026

The Congress and DMK parties in Tamil Nadu are set to begin seat-sharing negotiations in a week for upcoming elections, with leaders from both parties expressing confidence in a smooth and successful alliance.

Supreme Court Clears Assam's Encroachment Drive

Supreme Court Clears Assam's Encroachment Drive

Rediff.com12 Feb 2026

The ruling comes against the backdrop of an intensified anti-encroachment campaign launched by the Assam government since May 2021.

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.

Delhi Braces For Heavy Calendar In 2026

Delhi Braces For Heavy Calendar In 2026

Rediff.com10 Jan 2026

Among major engagements in 2026 is the visit of the European Union leadership, chief guests at the Republic Day parade.

Oppn to meet Speaker before deciding on removal notice

Oppn to meet Speaker before deciding on removal notice

Rediff.com10 Feb 2026

Opposition leaders are set to decide on giving notice for a resolution to remove the Lok Sabha Speaker after a meeting with Om Birla, following disputes over speaking rights and MP suspensions.

Sonam Wangchuk tried to incite Gen Z protests: Centre

Sonam Wangchuk tried to incite Gen Z protests: Centre

Rediff.com2 Feb 2026

The Centre and the Union Territory of Ladakh administration have accused jailed climate activist Sonam Wangchuk of attempting to instigate Gen Z for protests, drawing parallels to unrest in Nepal, Bangladesh, and the Arab Spring.

'Speaker Om Birla had genuine concerns regarding Modi's safety'

'Speaker Om Birla had genuine concerns regarding Modi's safety'

Rediff.com10 Feb 2026

The Lok Sabha Secretariat defends Speaker Om Birla's concerns regarding Prime Minister Narendra Modi's safety amidst opposition protests and disruptions in the House.

Budget 2026 Hits And Misses

Budget 2026 Hits And Misses

Rediff.com1 Feb 2026

CA Sumeet Mehta analyses the Union Budget 2026-2027, identifying key positives and negatives.

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.

TN temple takeover by ASI: Court issues notice to govt on plea

TN temple takeover by ASI: Court issues notice to govt on plea

Rediff.com23 Jan 2026

The Supreme Court has sought responses from the Centre, Tamil Nadu government, and others regarding a plea for the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to take over the Thirupparankundram temple and ensure daily lamp lighting on a stone pillar.

RBI looks to ban sales incentive to bank staffers from third party

RBI looks to ban sales incentive to bank staffers from third party

Rediff.com12 Feb 2026

In a move aimed at curbing the mis-selling of financial products, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has proposed banning incentives paid to bank staffers by third parties such as insurance companies and mutual fund houses for selling their products and services. It has also proposed that banks must ensure their user interfaces do not deploy "dark patterns" to lure customers.

'Mohan Baingan': Sports Min's Gaffe Triggers Fan Backlash

'Mohan Baingan': Sports Min's Gaffe Triggers Fan Backlash

Rediff.com7 Jan 2026

During the press conference, Mandaviya mumbled along while reading out the list of teams, whole mispronouncing the names of Mohun Bagan and East Bengal calling them 'Mohan Baingan' and 'East Baigan'.

Brokerage stocks tank over 18% as Budget hikes STT on commodity futures

Brokerage stocks tank over 18% as Budget hikes STT on commodity futures

Rediff.com1 Feb 2026

Shares of brokerage-related companies nosedived 18 per cent on Sunday after Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman proposed raising securities transaction tax on commodity futures to 0.05 per cent from 0.02 per cent in the Union Budget 2026-27.

Budget 2026: Key numbers to be watched

Budget 2026: Key numbers to be watched

Rediff.com1 Feb 2026

Here are the key numbers to watch out for in the Union Budget for 2025-26:

Opposition plans notice to remove Speaker Birla; numbers short, says Rijiju

Opposition plans notice to remove Speaker Birla; numbers short, says Rijiju

Rediff.com9 Feb 2026

The Congress party has accused the government of stifling opposition voices in the Lok Sabha, alleging that opposition leaders are not being allowed to express their views while the government side faces no such restrictions.

SC questions delay as Centre says Wangchuk getting 'best treatment'

SC questions delay as Centre says Wangchuk getting 'best treatment'

Rediff.com9 Feb 2026

The Supreme Court is reviewing the detention of climate activist Sonam Wangchuk under the National Security Act, considering his health condition and allegations of inciting unrest in Ladakh.

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.

FPIs withdraw Rs 36,000 cr in Jan amid global uncertainties

FPIs withdraw Rs 36,000 cr in Jan amid global uncertainties

Rediff.com3 Feb 2026

Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPIs) remained in a selling mode in January, withdrawing nearly Rs 36,000 crore (about $3.97 billion) as global uncertainties persisted. Meanwhile, a higher securities transaction tax (STT) proposed in the Union Budget may weigh on overseas investor participation in the near future.

Blinkit drops 10-minute delivery claim; Swiggy, Zepto may follow suit

Blinkit drops 10-minute delivery claim; Swiggy, Zepto may follow suit

Rediff.com13 Jan 2026

Eternal-owned quick-commerce firm Blinkit has dropped its '10-minute' delivery claim after intervention by the Labour Ministry amid growing concerns over the welfare and safety of delivery workers.

'Money Comes Only When Markets Do Well'

'Money Comes Only When Markets Do Well'

Rediff.com4 Feb 2026

'Given that India underperformed emerging markets by 28 per cent in 2025, the worst performance in over 30 years, the timing of the sharp STT hike could have been better.'

SC Orders NBCC to Complete Supertech Housing Projects, Protecting Homebuyers

SC Orders NBCC to Complete Supertech Housing Projects, Protecting Homebuyers

Rediff.com5 Feb 2026

The Supreme Court of India has upheld an order directing NBCC to complete 16 delayed housing projects of Supertech Limited, providing relief to thousands of homebuyers who have been waiting for nearly two decades.