News for 'Universal Service'

What Will RBI Governor's Agenda Be?

What Will RBI Governor's Agenda Be?

Rediff.com10 Dec 2024

As RBI governor, Sanjay Malhotra will have to give the highest priority to the interest of the economy while deciding on the growth-inflation trade off at Mint Street.

Revenue Secretary Sanjay Malhotra to be next RBI Governor

Revenue Secretary Sanjay Malhotra to be next RBI Governor

Rediff.com9 Dec 2024

The government on Monday appointed Revenue Secretary Sanjay Malhotra as the 26th Governor of the Reserve Bank of India. The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet cleared Malhotra's name, who has been appointed as the RBI Governor for three years, starting Wednesday. Malhotra, a 1990 Batch Rajasthan Cadre IAS Officer, will replace Shaktikanta Das, whose tenure ends on Tuesday (December 10, 2024).

Want A US Visa? Pray to Lord Hanuman!

Want A US Visa? Pray to Lord Hanuman!

Rediff.com20 Feb 2025

As the US gets tougher with visas, the prayers of US-bound devotees in India are getting more fervent, and their purse strings looser. Called Visa Hanuman temples (there are half a dozen all over India), some of them ask for a 'fee'.

Telecom industry wants govt to junk USOF, slash duties

Telecom industry wants govt to junk USOF, slash duties

Rediff.com27 Jan 2024

Telecom services providers have urged the Ministry of Finance to suspend the universal service obligation (USOF) till the existing corpus is exhausted. In their Budget recommendations, they have also pressed for an exemption from the service tax on "assignment of right to use natural resources" and the slashing of Customs duty on telecom equipment to zero. The Cellular Operators Association of India (Coai), which represents private sector telecom operators Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel, and Vodafone Idea, called for abolishment of USOF levy.

The Silent Crisis of Student Suicides

The Silent Crisis of Student Suicides

Rediff.com4 Mar 2025

What is pushing students to take this extreme step?

Review: Naah-daniyan!

Review: Naah-daniyan!

Rediff.com7 Mar 2025

Nadaaniyan's lack of charm, chemistry and cheek fails to create any ripples sighs Sukanya Verma.

EPFO adds 13.41 lakh net members in Oct

EPFO adds 13.41 lakh net members in Oct

Rediff.com25 Dec 2024

Retirement fund body EPFO has registered 13.41 lakh net new members addition in October 2024, according to showed latest payroll data. This signifies increased employment opportunities and heightened awareness of employee benefits, bolstered by EPFO's effective outreach initiatives, a labour ministry statement said on Wednesday.

Former Karnataka CM S M Krishna passes away

Former Karnataka CM S M Krishna passes away

Rediff.com10 Dec 2024

Former Karnataka Chief Minister S M Krishna passed away at his residence in Bengaluru early Tuesday morning, his family said.

'Euphoria In SMID Stocks Couldn't Have Lasted Forever'

'Euphoria In SMID Stocks Couldn't Have Lasted Forever'

Rediff.com6 Nov 2024

'Retail investors, who had not seen such a massive correction in the SMID universe since COVID-19, are witnessing something like this for the first time. Panic profit booking may continue.'

Sudhir Ghosh: The MP Who Foresaw Quad

Sudhir Ghosh: The MP Who Foresaw Quad

Rediff.com17 Mar 2025

After the 1962 War with China, there was a demand to forge greater defence cooperation between India and the West. One such voice was that of Sudhir Ghosh, a distinguished MP, to tie up strategic cooperation with the USA immediately after the Chinese attack on India, recalls Rup Narayan Das.

IT firms' work for int'l clients may not always attract IGST

IT firms' work for int'l clients may not always attract IGST

Rediff.com17 May 2024

Services provided by Indian information-technology (IT), marketing, and consulting companies to foreign clients may not always draw integrated goods and services tax (IGST) if a ruling by the Authority for Advance Rulings' (AAR's) Telangana Bench becomes a precedent. The AAR gave its ruling on a specific case of referral services provided by the Hyderabad-based Center for International Admission and Visas (CIAV) to foreign universities and colleges for admitting Indian students.

Images To Remember 2024

Images To Remember 2024

Rediff.com7 Dec 2024

Some more glimpses from the year gone by.

COMING SOON: Withdraw EPF Money At ATMs

COMING SOON: Withdraw EPF Money At ATMs

Rediff.com17 Dec 2024

By June 2025, financial freedom will be just an ATM away. Pleasantly surprised? But there's more, says Ramalingam Kalirajan

Can the sell-off in mid, smallcap stocks spread to the large-cap universe?

Can the sell-off in mid, smallcap stocks spread to the large-cap universe?

Rediff.com22 Mar 2024

Tracking losses in the broader market that has seen the Nifty Smallcap 250 index and the Nifty Midcap 100 indices slip 9 per cent 6.1 per cent in the last three sessions, the frontline Nifty 50 index has remained resilient and registered a fall of 2.2 per cent during this period. Going ahead, can the nervousness in the mid- and small-cap universe spread to the large-cap peers? Most analysts do not think so. They expect a minor dip and a sharp recovery as investors flock to the large-caps in search of safety and value buying as the mid-and small-caps falter.

Insurers to double down on tech, rural expansion for growth in '25

Insurers to double down on tech, rural expansion for growth in '25

Rediff.com10 Jan 2025

The Indian insurance industry is set to focus on customer-centric technological adoption and expansion into rural areas to drive growth in 2025.

What Will Nirmalaji's Budget Be Like?

What Will Nirmalaji's Budget Be Like?

Rediff.com8 Jan 2025

The Budget assumes significance as it comes on the back of lower-than-expected growth numbers during the second quarter and geopolitical uncertainty.

45 New F&O Stocks May Shake Up Nifty, Sensex

45 New F&O Stocks May Shake Up Nifty, Sensex

Rediff.com22 Nov 2024

Among the new entries, the largest by market capitalisation are LIC, Avenue Supermarts (DMart), Adani Green Energy, Zomato and Jio Financial Services.

Utkal University student tops Civil Services exam

Utkal University student tops Civil Services exam

Rediff.com7 May 2004

Roopa Mishra is an MBA from Utkal University in Bhubaneswar.

How To Get A Rs 50,000 Undergrad Scholarship

How To Get A Rs 50,000 Undergrad Scholarship

Rediff.com8 Nov 2024

The Foundation for Excellence Scholarship for Technical Courses 2024-25 programme provides financial assistance to meritorious students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds who aspire to pursue undergraduate degrees in engineering, medicine or law.

Wake-Up Call For India-US Ties

Wake-Up Call For India-US Ties

Rediff.com14 Feb 2025

The real intention of the 'Tariff Man' (as Trump calls himself) may not even be to put the 'Tariff King' (as he describes India) on the mat with a knockout punch but to arm-twist the Indian leadership to agree to some multi-billion dollar mega arms deal, argues Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.

What Are MNC Funds?

What Are MNC Funds?

Rediff.com28 Oct 2024

MNC funds invest in companies where foreign promoters have more than 50 per cent shareholding.

Delhi polls: Cong lures voters with Rs 25 lakh free health cover

Delhi polls: Cong lures voters with Rs 25 lakh free health cover

Rediff.com8 Jan 2025

Senior Congress leader and former Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot said the proposed scheme would be a game-changer as it will provide comprehensive health coverage to families, covering medical expenses for critical illnesses, hospitalisations, and treatments.

India Inc earns fat profits but wages have not kept pace

India Inc earns fat profits but wages have not kept pace

Rediff.com1 Feb 2025

Growth in corporate profits needs to be commensurate with wages to boost the economy, Economic Survey 2024-25 said, noting that sharp disparities between the two pose risk to the economy by curbing demand. The document tabled in Parliament on Friday noted that while the labour share of GVA (gross value added) shows a slight uptick, the disproportionate rise in corporate profitsredominantly among large firmsaises concerns about income inequality.

Indian student facing US admission fraud charge to return under plea deal

Indian student facing US admission fraud charge to return under plea deal

Rediff.com4 Aug 2024

Aryan Anand had submitted fake and falsified documents to secure admission into Lehigh University, a private research university in Pennsylvania for the 2023-2024 academic year.

Where Would India Be Without Dr Singh?

Where Would India Be Without Dr Singh?

Rediff.com27 Dec 2024

What stood out in his 15-year journey as a member of the political executive at the Centre was his glowing record as India's most successful and effective finance minister. Both as prime minister and finance minister, he understood the importance of gradualism, except when the economy or the polity was in a crisis.

Coaching centre flood victims were JNU, DU students

Coaching centre flood victims were JNU, DU students

Rediff.com28 Jul 2024

Of the three civil service aspirants who drowned in the flooded basement of a coaching centre, one each was a student of the Jawaharlal Nehru University and Delhi University.

'When the market is good, you have to capitalise on it'

'When the market is good, you have to capitalise on it'

Rediff.com29 Nov 2024

'Within India, people want high-quality, personalised banking services, and the demand for such services has exploded.'

As pure 'as alkaline water': UP quotes scientist on Sangam water

As pure 'as alkaline water': UP quotes scientist on Sangam water

Rediff.com21 Feb 2025

The Uttar Pradesh government, citing a scientist, has asserted that Ganga water at the ongoing Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj is as pure as "alkaline water", debunking concerns raised by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) about water quality. The government claims that a scientist found no bacterial growth or decline in the water's pH level, despite millions of devotees bathing in the river. However, experts caution that the quality of the Ganga water is not static and can vary greatly depending on various factors.

Manmohan Singh's last rites to be performed with full State honours

Manmohan Singh's last rites to be performed with full State honours

Rediff.com27 Dec 2024

Former Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh passed away at the age of 92 on Thursday. He will be given a state funeral with full state honors at Nigambodh Ghat on Saturday. Singh served as Prime Minister from 2004 to 2014 and was known for his role in India's economic reforms. Leaders from across the political spectrum paid their respects to the departed leader, highlighting his contributions to the nation.

Some foreign universities acting as centres of anti-India activities: Dhankhar

Some foreign universities acting as centres of anti-India activities: Dhankhar

Rediff.com20 Apr 2023

Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar on Thursday said "dangers are emanating from outfits", including some foreign universities, doubling up as centres of subversive anti-India activities out to demolish the country's civilisation ethos and sully and muddy its growth.

'Portfolios Need To Be Balanced This Year'

'Portfolios Need To Be Balanced This Year'

Rediff.com6 Feb 2025

'Consider 40% to 50% in equities, 10% in gold as a hedge, and the remaining 30% to 40% split between multi-asset funds and hybrid funds.'

A Labourer's Daughter Is World Champion

A Labourer's Daughter Is World Champion

Rediff.com1 Feb 2025

When Kasturi Rajamurty won a gold medal in powerlifting at the WPPL World Cup in Russia, she sure had come a long way. From a life of penury to constantly being short of funds to fuel her passion, she had finally triumphed, and how.

Shubhanshu Shukla Is All Set For Space

Shubhanshu Shukla Is All Set For Space

Rediff.com11 Feb 2025

Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla Shukla says Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma -- the first Indian to travel to space --has been advising him about the space flight.

Day after North Block, over a dozen Delhi colleges receive bomb threat

Day after North Block, over a dozen Delhi colleges receive bomb threat

Rediff.com23 May 2024

The local police, a bomb disposal squad, a bomb detection team arrived at the LSR College along with a dog squad and conducted searches but nothing suspicious was found, the official said.

Trump picks China hawk, India's friend as NSA, Secy of State

Trump picks China hawk, India's friend as NSA, Secy of State

Rediff.com12 Nov 2024

By picking Rubio and Waltz as his top diplomat and NSA guarantees a continuation of bi-partisan support and further strengthening of India-US relationship under the second Trump administration.

Up to BJP if it wants me to fight polls: Doval's son

Up to BJP if it wants me to fight polls: Doval's son

Rediff.com11 Aug 2024

Bharatiya Janata Party leader Shaurya Doval has said he has never expressed desire to contest elections but is open to the idea if the party decides to field him.

Small stocks reap big gains for investors in 2024

Small stocks reap big gains for investors in 2024

Rediff.com26 Dec 2024

Dalal Street minnows stole the show in 2024, giving handsome returns to investors, helped by a largely optimistic trend in the stock market and impressive retail investors' participation. Analysts attributed the positive trend in the equity markets, where the benchmark indices shattered many records this year, to robust domestic liquidity, strong fundamentals of the Indian economy, and policy continuity.

Dhaka limps back to normal, but protests yet to die down

Dhaka limps back to normal, but protests yet to die down

Rediff.com25 Aug 2024

Businesses have resumed but it's not business as usual in the capital city of Bangladesh.

Defence exports cross record Rs 21K cr over a decade: Rajnath Singh

Defence exports cross record Rs 21K cr over a decade: Rajnath Singh

Rediff.com30 Dec 2024

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh announced that India's defence exports have crossed a record Rs 21,000 crore, a significant jump from Rs 2,000 crore a decade ago. He set a target of achieving defence exports of Rs 50,000 crore by 2029. Singh highlighted the importance of mastering frontier technologies in the face of evolving warfare, emphasizing the role of military training centers in preparing soldiers for future challenges. He also underscored the government's commitment to strengthening integration and jointness among the three services, aiming to enhance the armed forces' ability to face challenges together.

Budget Prepares For Rise In Cancer Cases

Budget Prepares For Rise In Cancer Cases

Rediff.com3 Feb 2025

Do we have enough trained oncologists and medical professionals in India to man these over 4,500 beds in the public sector?