News for 'Union'

India and France Elevate Ties to 'Special Global Strategic Partnership'

India and France Elevate Ties to 'Special Global Strategic Partnership'

Rediff.com18 Feb 2026

India and France have elevated their relationship to a 'special global strategic partnership,' with increased cooperation in defense, trade, and technology. The leaders also inaugurated a helicopter assembly line in Karnataka.

Gold, silver futures plummet 9% to hit lower circuit

Gold, silver futures plummet 9% to hit lower circuit

Rediff.com1 Feb 2026

Gold and silver prices plunged up to 9 per cent in futures trade on Sunday, hitting their lower circuit levels ahead of the Union Budget for 2026-27, as investors extended profit booking after the recent record-breaking rally.

Amit Shah in J&K: Security, Soldiers, Strategy

Amit Shah in J&K: Security, Soldiers, Strategy

Rediff.com7 Feb 2026

On February 6, 2026, during his visit to Jammu and Kashmir, Union Home Minister Amit Shah visited key border outposts along the India-Pakistan frontier, shared a Bada Khana meal with soldiers to boost morale, and held an important meeting with BJP leaders in Jammu.

Govt raises FY27 capex target to Rs 12.12 lakh cr

Govt raises FY27 capex target to Rs 12.12 lakh cr

Rediff.com1 Feb 2026

The government also proposes to set up risk guarantee fund for infrastructure sector, she added.

Pricing gains ahead for Tata Steel

Pricing gains ahead for Tata Steel

Rediff.com18 Feb 2026

With the worst in terms of pricing pressures behind Tata Steel, its outlook is expected to improve. Europe has seen hot rolled coil prices rise this January after the European Union's (EU's) carbon border adjustment mechanism (CBAM) kicked in and further price improvements may be on the cards once import quotas come into play in June.

Sharad Pawar hospitalised in Pune with chest infection; stable

Sharad Pawar hospitalised in Pune with chest infection; stable

Rediff.com10 Feb 2026

NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar was admitted to a private hospital in Pune after experiencing cough and breathing difficulties. Doctors are evaluating his condition.

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.

'Direct fertiliser subsidy transfer very much on table'

'Direct fertiliser subsidy transfer very much on table'

Rediff.com17 Feb 2026

On Agri Stack, Expenditure Secy V Vualnam says it's progressing well; using IT, farmers will be able to choose exact fertiliser quantities needed, reducing crowding at fertiliser outlets.

Sitharaman's 85-minute Budget speech skips poetry, not focus

Sitharaman's 85-minute Budget speech skips poetry, not focus

Rediff.com1 Feb 2026

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented her ninth consecutive Union Budget, focusing on investments and growth. The speech was marked by its business-like approach and lack of cultural references, while opposition members raised concerns about regional representation.

Budget hollow, directionless; ignoring people's hardships: Opposition

Budget hollow, directionless; ignoring people's hardships: Opposition

Rediff.com1 Feb 2026

The Congress party has strongly criticized the Union Budget, calling it 'lacklustre' and 'disappointing,' claiming it fails to address the needs of farmers, unemployed youth, and other key sectors.

'For Them, A Woman Is A Body. Nothing More'

'For Them, A Woman Is A Body. Nothing More'

Rediff.com20 Feb 2026

''Women are coming into public spaces in larger numbers than ever before. They are educated, capable, opinionated, and determined.' 'But the more women push for access to public space, the harder they are pushed back -- through attacks like this, through discrimination, through the glass ceiling, through the deliberate denial of recognition.'

10 Most Powerful Passports. And India...

10 Most Powerful Passports. And India...

Rediff.com30 Jan 2026

Henley Passport Index 2026 has once again ranked Singapore as the passport offering its people access to the most countries and therefore near-seamless travel accross the planet.

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.

Indo-US deal 'wholesale surrender': Rahul vs govt in LS

Indo-US deal 'wholesale surrender': Rahul vs govt in LS

Rediff.com12 Feb 2026

Rahul Gandhi said that had an INDIA Bloc government negotiated the trade agreement with the US, it would have told US President Donald Trump that he should treat India as an equal.

MHA gets Rs 2.55 lakh cr as Budget sharpens focus on internal security

MHA gets Rs 2.55 lakh cr as Budget sharpens focus on internal security

Rediff.com1 Feb 2026

The Union Budget 2025-26 had allocated Rs 2,33,210.68 crore (BE) to the ministry helmed by Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

Highlights of RBI's monetary policy

Highlights of RBI's monetary policy

Rediff.com6 Feb 2026

Benchmark lending rates unchanged with repo rate at 5.25%

White-collar terror: Doctors formed 'Ansar Interim' to target J-K, beyond

White-collar terror: Doctors formed 'Ansar Interim' to target J-K, beyond

Rediff.com15 Feb 2026

The Jammu and Kashmir Police have busted a 'white-collar' terror module, revealing that doctors arrested in the case had been radicalized since 2016 and formed a new terror organization named 'Ansar Interim' to carry out subversive activities.

Budget themes paint it as a reformative exercise

Budget themes paint it as a reformative exercise

Rediff.com11 Feb 2026

The 2026-27 Budget, seeking to harmonise the government's imperative to grant certainty while ensuring a rational tax policy, had several notable announcements to usher in halcyon days, says Mukesh Butani.

Modi To Land On Highway In Assam

Modi To Land On Highway In Assam

Rediff.com13 Feb 2026

The PM's landing will be followed by an IAF airshow featuring around 16 aircraft.

Big Labour Budget: 61% Unspent

Big Labour Budget: 61% Unspent

Rediff.com5 Feb 2026

Of the Rs 31,820.80 crore allocated to central sector schemes and projects, only Rs 11,868.05 crore was utilised, according to the revised estimates.

HC seeks video access to actor Celina Jaitly's brother detained in UAE

HC seeks video access to actor Celina Jaitly's brother detained in UAE

Rediff.com10 Feb 2026

The Delhi High Court has asked the Centre to explore video conferencing options for an Indian citizen detained in the UAE, to facilitate legal assistance. The court is hearing a petition filed by the detainee's sister, actress Celina Jaitly, seeking legal representation for her brother.

How did they bring nation to such a state? PM hits out at Oppn in RS

How did they bring nation to such a state? PM hits out at Oppn in RS

Rediff.com5 Feb 2026

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the Rajya Sabha, stating that the world is moving towards a new global order and that India has become a prominent voice for the Global South. He highlighted India's growing influence and trade deals.

Gold likely to hold ground; silver braces for volatility

Gold likely to hold ground; silver braces for volatility

Rediff.com8 Feb 2026

Gold prices are likely to trade firm next week as traders await key economic data, including US inflation numbers, for fresh cues on interest rate outlook, while silver may remain volatile amid shifting risk sentiment and speculative activity, analysts said.

Tejasvi Surya detained during Bengaluru Metro fare hike protest

Tejasvi Surya detained during Bengaluru Metro fare hike protest

Rediff.com9 Feb 2026

BJP MP Tejasvi Surya was detained for protesting against a metro fare hike in Bengaluru, demanding affordable public transport. The protest followed a statement by the Deputy Chief Minister and highlighted the issue of public transport costs.

India poised to be global hub for digital infra, AI: Modi

India poised to be global hub for digital infra, AI: Modi

Rediff.com15 Feb 2026

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is promoting India as a global hub for digital infrastructure and artificial intelligence, highlighting the government's incentives for data center investments and inviting the world's data to reside in India.

Kuki students protest in Delhi, say Manipur govt lacks legitimacy

Kuki students protest in Delhi, say Manipur govt lacks legitimacy

Rediff.com7 Feb 2026

The Kuki Students' Organisation (KSO), Delhi and NCR, has voiced strong opposition to the current Manipur government, citing a lack of legitimacy and demanding a separate administration for Kuki-Zo people amid ongoing ethnic tensions and displacement.

Budget clubs IT services, offers 15.5% safe harbour to woo global firms

Budget clubs IT services, offers 15.5% safe harbour to woo global firms

Rediff.com1 Feb 2026

India is a global leader in software development services, IT enabled services, knowledge process outsourcing services and contract R&D services relating to software development, Sitharaman said noting these business segments are quite inter-connected with each other.

Ajit Pawar's plane crash could be a conspiracy, alleges nephew Rohit

Ajit Pawar's plane crash could be a conspiracy, alleges nephew Rohit

Rediff.com11 Feb 2026

Rohit Pawar highlighted the atmosphere of suspicion, grief, and political intrigue currently surrounding these events in Maharashtra. He mentioned an investigation into the accident, citing a book that suggests killing a person's driver is an easy way to target them.

Nirmala Sitharaman, the longest serving FM will present record 9th Budget on Feb 1

Nirmala Sitharaman, the longest serving FM will present record 9th Budget on Feb 1

Rediff.com30 Jan 2026

Sitharaman took charge of the Finance Ministry on May 31, 2019, and has steered the economy through the COVID-19 pandemic and geopolitical turmoil, making India the fastest-growing major economy in the world.

Budget: Where the rupee comes from, where it goes

Budget: Where the rupee comes from, where it goes

Rediff.com1 Feb 2026

Around 24 paise will come from borrowings and other liabilities, 10 paise from non-tax revenue like disinvestment, and 2 paise from non-debt capital receipts, the Budget documents showed.

Modi moves to new PMO, Seva Teerth; takes 1st decision on...

Modi moves to new PMO, Seva Teerth; takes 1st decision on...

Rediff.com13 Feb 2026

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Seva Teerth complex, which will house the Prime Minister's Office (PMO), the National Security Council Secretariat, and the Cabinet Secretariat, marking a shift towards modernizing India's administrative governance.

GIFT IFSC captures 65% of ECBs in FY26 on lower taxes, lighter rules

GIFT IFSC captures 65% of ECBs in FY26 on lower taxes, lighter rules

Rediff.com13 Feb 2026

Nearly two-thirds of external commercial borrowings (ECBs) raised so far in the ongoing financial year (2025-26/FY26) have been routed through Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City), a sharp jump from the 36 per cent recorded in 2024-25.

How investors will benefit if banks start lending to Reits

How investors will benefit if banks start lending to Reits

Rediff.com6 Feb 2026

The Reserve Bank of India on Friday proposed to allow banks to lend to Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) with certain prudential safeguards to deepen the financing pool for the real estate sector.

'Mohabbat ki dukaan' leaders chant 'Modi teri kabr khudegi': Modi slams Cong

'Mohabbat ki dukaan' leaders chant 'Modi teri kabr khudegi': Modi slams Cong

Rediff.com5 Feb 2026

Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a strong attack on the Congress party, accusing them of being unable to accept their repeated electoral defeats and highlighting the achievements of his government.

11 Items That Got Cheaper Post-Budget

11 Items That Got Cheaper Post-Budget

Rediff.com2 Feb 2026

What items did Indian Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman make cheaper?

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.

Sensex reclaims 84K-mark; Nifty ends up 174 points

Sensex reclaims 84K-mark; Nifty ends up 174 points

Rediff.com9 Feb 2026

Benchmark equity indices Sensex and Nifty extended their gains for the second straight session on Monday, driven by optimism over the India-US trade deal and robust buying in public sector banks, consumer durables, and realty stocks.

'I Won't Be Part of Manipur Govt': Kuki-Zo MLA

'I Won't Be Part of Manipur Govt': Kuki-Zo MLA

Rediff.com4 Feb 2026

'Let's hope all other Kuki-Zo MLAs are also on the same page. But I will not be a part of this government unless our demands are met.'

6 Facts About The Budget You Didn't Know

6 Facts About The Budget You Didn't Know

Rediff.com31 Jan 2026

With the Union Budget 2026, India's 74th, fast approaching, all eyes are once again on New Delhi's North Block as Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is preparing to table it on February 1, 2026, marking her ninth Budget presentation in a row.

Protests erupt in Manipur over Kuki-Zo-Hmar MLAs joining govt

Protests erupt in Manipur over Kuki-Zo-Hmar MLAs joining govt

Rediff.com6 Feb 2026

Thousands protest in Manipur against Kuki-Zo-Hmar MLAs joining the government, alleging betrayal of community demands for separate administration.