IIT-Kanpur has developed an AI-powered "Family Score" system to identify households needing welfare support using existing government data. This system, demonstrated in collaboration with the Andhra Pradesh government, aims to provide a faster and more cost-effective alternative to traditional surveys for assessing socio-economic conditions and ensuring targeted welfare delivery.
Chandigarh is set to launch the Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC), or digital rupee, for Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) on August 14. This initiative makes Chandigarh the first Union Territory to fully roll out CBDC-based DBT for food subsidy, enhancing transparency and efficiency in welfare delivery. The digital rupee, issued by the RBI, will be purpose-bound for purchasing foodgrains from authorised merchants.
The physical centres will operate on a monthly subscription model, where access would be limited to verified active gig workers and platform verification.
Bengaluru police have arrested four individuals for allegedly forcing minor children into begging. The operation led to the rescue of 13 children, who were found begging at traffic signals across the city. The accused admitted to their involvement, and the children have been handed over to the Child Welfare Committee.
A century on, India has adopted the Left's welfare ideas, but not the Left. Why do people borrow the promises, then vote for the temple? questions Binu Alex.
The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay has released 'anti-discrimination guidelines' advising students, faculty, and staff against inquiring about birth, admission category, or entrance exam ranks to prevent bias. This move follows the suicide of student Sahil Wakode, whose parents alleged caste discrimination. The guidelines also prohibit hateful messages and aim to foster inclusivity on campus.
Election-related freebies and populist measures are other factors crimping the revenue profile of these states.
Police in Chatra, Jharkhand, have arrested two individuals, including a minor boy, in connection with the alleged rape of a 12-year-old girl. The incident came to light after the victim was hospitalised due to deteriorated health, and a Zero FIR led to the arrests.
Senior BJP leader R Ashoka has accused the Karnataka Congress government of a Rs 14.95 crore fraud in the Dr B R Ambedkar Development Corporation, following a previous alleged scam in the Maharshi Valmiki Scheduled Tribes Development Corporation. Ashoka cited an ED press release detailing the siphoning of funds through fake accounts and forged documents, demanding accountability from the Congress leadership.
The Centre has announced a major bureaucratic reshuffle, appointing Prakash Rajpurohit as Deputy Election Commissioner and approving appointments for 27 civil servants at joint secretary and equivalent levels across various ministries and departments.
The Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) in Idukki, Kerala, has registered a case against three individuals, including two former office-bearers of Adimaly Grama Panchayat, for allegedly misappropriating Rs 68.62 lakh in a goat distribution scheme meant for 2018 flood-affected people. The accused are alleged to have conspired to award a contract for goat supply to an unlicensed individual, leading to a significant financial loss to the government.
Nepal has banned the import, sale, and distribution of Priyagold biscuits, citing them as sub-standard. This decision follows India's food regulator FSSAI initiating legal proceedings against the manufacturer, Surya Food and Agro Ltd, for using cattle feed bran and other serious violations, and suspending its licence.
Boxer Lovlina Borgohain received a grand welcome in Guwahati after winning a gold medal at the Asian Games in the women's 75-kg category.
At least five people were killed and several others injured in a shooting at a youth welfare facility in the northern German city of Stade on Monday, CNN reported, citing local police.
The Indian Army has launched 'Bharat Rice', a superior-quality rice for defence forces, aimed at improving ration quality and logistics. This initiative, spearheaded by the Directorate General of Supplies and Transport, involves direct supply to Army Supply Depots, including remote areas, and an MoU with FCI for infrastructure utilisation during contingencies. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh highlighted its significance for soldier welfare, operational readiness, and national security, emphasising logistics as combat power.
Hindustan Copper Limited CMD Anupam Misra spoke at the 85th CSIR Foundation Day, advocating for workplace safety, employee welfare, and scientific excellence. He stressed the importance of continuous learning, innovation, and bridging research with industrial applications to support Viksit Bharat 2047. CSIR-NML Director Dr. Sandip Ghosh Chowdhury also highlighted CSIR's legacy and its role in India's technological self-reliance.
Bengali film actor Koyel Mallick, previously a TMC MP, has joined the BJP and is set to file her nomination for a Rajya Sabha seat, expressing her desire to contribute to West Bengal's development initiatives.
Delhi High Court Justice Prateek Jalan recused himself from a case concerning the Centre's eviction proceedings against the Delhi Gymkhana Club. The case involves separate lawsuits filed by a club member and the staff welfare association challenging the termination of the club's lease and a subsequent eviction notice.
Sir Dorabji Tata Trust has submitted its response to governance complaints filed by two trustees, with the Maharashtra charity commissioner expected to decide the next course of action.
The second Film Federation of India and People for Animals CineKind awards were held on October 4 in Mumbai.
Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini announced the state government's firm support for power employees, pledging to challenge the Haryana Electricity Regulatory Commission's (HERC) decision to grant a parallel electricity distribution licence to a private company for Gurugram and Nuh districts before the Appellate Tribunal for Electricity (APTEL). The government is appealing to unions to defer their planned three-day strike while making arrangements to ensure uninterrupted power supply.
The Delhi government's Women and Child Development Department (WCD) has introduced a new internship and research framework, offering students in social work, psychology, and related fields structured field exposure at child care institutions and welfare centres.
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has instructed officials to ensure the transparent and timely implementation of welfare schemes announced in the budget. She also appealed to the public to take precautions during the ongoing heatwave.
RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat stated that regime-change agitations do not resolve fundamental problems and can become instruments of political interests, fuelling divisions rather than delivering solutions. He also called for discernment in consuming information, especially from OTT platforms, and stressed the importance of national unity based on emotional bonds.
The Uttar Pradesh Cabinet has officially approved the renaming of the Noida International Airport at Jewar to 'Narendra Modi International Airport, Noida-Jewar', a move Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath described as a "major gift" to the state.
Carlos Alcaraz has firmly stated that Grand Slam tournaments should maintain their best-of-five sets format, arguing that shortening men's matches would 'kill the legacy' of tennis's four majors. Instead, the world number three advocates for changes to the sport's demanding tour calendar to address player workload.
Deepak Sandhu, an Indian-origin man, has been convicted of murdering his former partner, Xiaoqing Ke, in London. Sandhu, 23, was found guilty at the Old Bailey Court after a brief relationship ended, leading him to become "increasingly angry" and ultimately commit the fatal attack. He was arrested while attempting to flee to Mumbai.
The Delhi Police have designated three new venues for protests - Burari Ground, CBD Ground, and Ramlila Ground - after denotifying Jantar Mantar. These sites vary in size and location, with concerns raised about the impact of protests on commercial and residential areas near CBD Ground, while Burari Ground is the largest. Ramlila Maidan has a rich political history.
A court in Meerut has sentenced a woman and her lover to death for strangling her husband and placing a live snake beside his body to make it appear as a snakebite death. The elaborate murder plot was uncovered after a post-mortem revealed strangulation marks, leading to their conviction under 'Operation Conviction'.
The Sports Ministry has revised its Scheme of Assistance to National Sports Federations (ANSF), significantly increasing financial support for organising international events in India, with up to Rs 50 crore available. The new guidelines also maintain funding for National Championships, introduce assistance for National Games, and outline plans for Olympic Training Centres, aligning with India's 2036 Olympic bid and 2030 Commonwealth Games aspirations.
Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya inaugurated the BRICS Traditional and Indigenous Sports Demonstration Games, emphasising India's commitment to placing sport at the core of nation-building through significant investment in infrastructure and grassroots development. He highlighted India's indigenous sports like Mallakhamb, Yogasana, and Kalaripayattu, and discussed the country's ambition to host major international events, including the 2036 Olympic Games.
Tribal students protesting for better facilities and an inquiry into ashram school deaths were detained by police in Mumbai and driven out of the city. They had marched from Nashik and were seeking to meet the Governor.
It was beautiful to watch two successful actors speak about their career and personal journeys -- the highs and lows -- with such mutual admiration, notes Divya Nair.
Former IAS officer Divya Mittal has launched her new political party, Jan Neeti Bharat, with the aim of contesting the 2027 Uttar Pradesh assembly elections and redefining governance by making people central to policymaking and ensuring government accountability.
Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar is being hailed as a hero after he thwarted an alleged attempt by his co-pilot to crash a flydubai flight carrying nearly 180 people. Despite being stabbed and seriously injured, Machchhar fought back, enabling passengers and crew to overpower the attacker. Indian envoys met his family in Dubai, assuring full government support, while the co-pilot has been arrested in Saudi Arabia.
West Bengal minister Agnimitra Paul announced the BJP government's commitment to women's empowerment and the continuation of welfare schemes. The 'Annapurna Bhandar' scheme will be accessible through an online portal, ensuring ease of application for all women in Bengal. Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has directed officials to implement the scheme and free bus travel for women, while also assuring that existing social welfare schemes will continue.
The Indian government is pressing all states and Union Territories (UTs) to publish their rules under the four new labour Codes by October 31, aiming to fully operationalise the new labour law framework. This move is crucial as labour falls under the concurrent list, requiring state-level rule-making for effective implementation.
A live-in couple in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Maharashtra, allegedly sold their one-month-old baby for Rs 1.2 lakh. The infant was subsequently resold multiple times, eventually reaching Hyderabad. Seven individuals, including the parents, have been arrested, and the baby has been rescued and placed in an orphanage.
Seven former Australian cricket captains, including Greg Chappell and Steve Waugh, have urged Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong to address the welfare of imprisoned former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan. Their appeal focuses on humanitarian treatment and due process, not the legal or political aspects of his case, citing concerns about his deteriorating health.
US Ambassador to India, Sergio Gor, visited Amritsar's Golden Temple, Jallianwala Bagh, and Partition Museum, calling it a "memorable day." During his visit to the Golden Temple, he was welcomed by SGPC President Harjinder Singh Dhami, who also raised concerns about a controversial "Mr Singh" poster issued by the US Department of Homeland Security, which was later removed. Discussions also covered the Sikh community's contributions and issues in the US.
