The Supreme Court of India has questioned the continued provision of reservation benefits to children from economically and educationally advanced families within backward classes, highlighting concerns about social mobility and fairness.
Jharkhand has partnered with CSC eStore to create a digital marketplace for products made by women's self-help groups (SHGs). This initiative aims to expand market access, boost income for rural women, and strengthen the rural economy through e-commerce and digital governance. The state also plans to extend Aadhaar services to all panchayats by November 15.
A research paper by the National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER) recommends that Bihar revoke its alcohol ban, citing its failure to reduce violence against women and a rise in illicit drug and alcohol consumption. The report suggests that reinstating the liquor excise tax would significantly increase state revenues and decrease enforcement costs.
15 states have rolled out unconditional cash transfer schemes for women, with an estimated annual outlay of around Rs 1.7 trillion covering nearly 120 million beneficiaries.
The Centre has informed the Supreme Court that the 'creamy layer' principle, which excludes affluent individuals from reservation benefits, does not apply to Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs). This stance opposes Public Interest Litigations (PILs) seeking to implement such a principle for SC/ST reservations and to direct the government to formulate policies for more equitable distribution of reservation benefits.
Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav announced the 'Stree Samman-Samriddhi Yojana' to empower women, emphasising their importance within the PDA social coalition and promising equal opportunities and economic security.
The Madhya Pradesh cabinet has approved the draft Uniform Civil Code (UCC) bill, which will be introduced in the state assembly's monsoon session. The proposed legislation, excluding the tribal community, addresses marriage, live-in relationships, adoption, and inheritance, aiming for women's empowerment and social harmony. Chief Minister Mohan Yadav highlighted broad support and criticised the Congress for its stance.
A recent SBI Economic Research report indicates that the significant gap between credit and deposit growth, currently over 530 basis points, is likely to persist if geopolitical risks and external supply shocks continue. However, an improvement in deposit growth is anticipated with inflows into foreign currency non-resident (bank) deposits.
Delhi Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu highlighted the transformative potential of artificial intelligence in enhancing urban governance. He stressed that AI can address complex administrative challenges, improve efficiency in areas like traffic management and environmental monitoring, and shift governance towards an intelligence-driven model, provided it is human-centric and reflects India's diverse context.
The Maharashtra government has announced a flexible work time initiative for women state government employees working in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). The 'Come Early, Go Early' initiative will allow women employees flexible reporting times and earlier departure times.
Experts highlight India's significant market potential for assistive technologies, estimated at Rs 75,000-95,000 crore by 2030. They advocate for a National Assistive Technology Policy to address current gaps in access and service delivery, fostering inclusion, independence, and economic participation for persons with disabilities and the elderly.
'Our leaders, including Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi, are in touch with all Opposition parties, including the DMK and the AAP.'
In the remote tribal village of Pahadpur, preparations are in full swing as it looks to script history.
Modi's comments on underlining the importance of ensuring the safety of seafarers came against the backdrop of growing anger in India over the killing of the three Indian crew members in a US military attack on a merchant ship off the coast of Oman last week.
Kumar Mangalam Birla urged young people to 'build in India, build for India and build for the world'.
Tribal food is more than sustenance -- it is memory, medicine, history and community.
'Even lower middle class parents in cities opt for just one child. A son is a must.'
Made in India: A Titan Story chronicles the history of the homegrown watch brand Titan, highlighting its journey from challenging a conservative market to becoming a successful consumer brand, driven by the vision of Xerxes Desai and the mentorship of J R D Tata.
Uttar Pradesh DGP Rajeev Krishna announced a conviction rate of over 93 per cent due to the state's 'zero tolerance' policy against crime. Authorities seized properties worth nearly Rs 788.38 crore linked to criminal activities.
Kerala, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal have been fiscally stressed for a considerable period of time, and there are no easy ways to mobilise revenues to meet the cost of the promised freebies, particularly in the prevailing difficult economic scenario, points out M Govinda Rao.
Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya released the Srinagar Khel Sankalp document, outlining a national vision to strengthen sports culture through cooperative federalism, focusing on athlete-centric development and infrastructure expansion.
Billionaire Gautam Adani announced the Adani Group is transitioning to a three-layer organisational structure to flatten hierarchy and empower its frontline operations, aiming for faster decision-making and increased accountability.
'...the enormous responsibility and faith the youth has put on his shoulders, that he is going to solve their problems.'
Nine workers were killed in an attack by militants on a copper and gold mine site in Pakistan's Balochistan province.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has accused opposition parties of obstructing the passage of the women's reservation bill in Parliament, alleging they have crushed the dreams of women and prioritised selfish politics over national progress.
Maharashtra's Governor and Chief Minister, along with other state leaders, paid tribute to Dr. B.R. Ambedkar on his 135th birth anniversary, recognising his profound impact on social justice, equality, and the Indian Constitution.
After completing a power-packed schedule of four back-to-back rallies in Purulia, Jhargram, Medinipur and Bishnupur, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was seen unwinding in a light-hearted moment as he relished West Bengal's popular street snack "Jhalmuri" near a small local shop.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a scathing attack on the TMC, accusing the party of looting West Bengal for 15 years, destroying the state's identity through corruption and infiltration, and turning Jadavpur University into a symbol of disorder.
The National Commission for Women (NCW) has submitted a comprehensive set of recommendations to various central ministries, outlining a survivor-centric framework to enhance care, justice, and rehabilitation for acid-attack victims.
A top UN official has emphasised the critical role of women in India's development, highlighting that gender equality should be viewed as both a human right and a key factor in development effectiveness.
Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini has launched development projects worth 253 crore in Jind district, focusing on irrigation, infrastructure, health, and water supply.
'Our government is committed to addressing it firmly while protecting the rights of genuine citizens.'
Homegrown e-commerce giant Flipkart is experiencing a significant trend of senior leaders rejoining the company, driven by its people-first culture, opportunities for growth with ownership, and the chance to solve problems at an India scale.
With 8,931 days in office as head of government covering his tenure as Gujarat Chief Minister and as Prime Minister, PM Modi has overtaken Chamling's record of 8,930 days.
'Within the BJP, Samrat Chowdhury confronts a party full of senior leaders with their own factional networks, caste calculations and career ambitions; many of whom may regard his elevation as a product of central convenience rather than organic merit.'
President Droupadi Murmu addressed a national convention, acknowledging the progress of women in various fields while highlighting the persistent social stereotypes, economic inequalities, and psychological barriers they face. She called for collective efforts to address these issues and emphasised the importance of promoting Indian languages and traditional knowledge systems.
'The BJP is keeping its options open and that the final decision is still tightly held.' 'That is consistent with the party's tendency to preserve suspense, avoid premature factional conflict, and use leadership selection as a way of resetting internal hierarchies.'
Sonia Gandhi criticises the government's proposed delimitation, claiming it's a politically motivated move to delay the caste census and gain an unfair advantage, rather than genuinely promoting women's reservation.
Indian civilisation has long imagined wealth and power as feminine forces. And yet, when these qualities appear in real women, admiration sometimes gives way to discomfort, observes Vatsal Ramaiya.
'All this talk about women's reservation and Nari Shakti is a mirage.' 'It is a classic Trojan horse to bring about an alteration in the structure of political competition -- to the enduring advantage of the BJP.'
