'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.'
Benchmark stock indices Sensex and Nifty dived sharply by nearly 2 per cent on Sunday after Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman proposed a hike in the Securities Transaction Tax (STT) on derivatives. Reversing the early gains, the 30-share BSE Sensex plunged sharply by 2,370.36 points or 2.88 per cent to slide below the 80,000-mark at 79,899.42 in afternoon trade as the finance minister announced a hike in STT on futures contracts to 0.05 per cent from the current 0.02 per cent.
Budget 2026 sticks to fiscal discipline, shuns populist measures despite five key state elections coming up, but ends up rattling stock markets with a higher transaction tax on derivatives trading.
Indrani Mukerjea, in pure white, sporting dancing pearl jhumkas, bobbed about the accused box, occasionally floating up front to whisper urgent suggestions to her lawyer Ranjeet Sangle as retired cop and prosecution witness Dinesh Kadam gave her a long look. Vaihayasi Pande Daniel returns to cover the Sheena Bora murder trial after 18 months.
Sonam Bajwa has one of those wardrobes that keeps you guessing. One day she is a full desi pataka in a salwar suit and the next she looks like she has walked straight out of a high fashion magazine.
Heavy snowfall in Manali brought the picturesque hill station to a standstill over the weekend, causing massive traffic congestion on the Manali highway for consecutive days. Thousands of tourist vehicles remained stranded in snow as temperatures plummeted, while visitors navigated through snow-laden roads and markets. The scenic landscape transformed into a winter wonderland, with locals gathering around bonfires to combat the freezing conditions.
As Arijit Singh announces his plans for retirement from playback singing, we look back at his most popular Hindi film songs.
'Trump says India will buy over $500 billion of US goods.' 'At present, India's annual imports of goods and energy from the US are under $50 billion.' 'Reaching $500 billion would likely require more than 20 years, suggesting the figure refers to a long-term aspiration rather than a near-term commitment.'
'When markets go into a budget with excessive optimism, the risk of disappointment is higher.'
A retired IPS officer said that while the police manual does not explicitly prescribe hairstyles, personnel are expected to maintain the image of a security force.
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.
India is growing fast, but to keep growing strong, the government must make more things at home, create jobs, and spend money wisely, suggests Rajiv Memani, regional managing partner, Africa-India Region, EY.
India's electric two-wheeler (e2W) manufacturers have urged the government to extend subsidies under the PM E-Drive (Electric Drive Revolution in Innovative Vehicle Enhancement) scheme beyond March 2026, cautioning that a withdrawal could slow near-term demand even as confidence in long-term electric mobility adoption remains intact.
Former champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru hammered UP Warriorz by eight wickets to enter the WPL final and virtually knock the opposition out of the playoff race, in Vadodara, on Thursday.
If dark and twisted crime thrillers and trauma-led violence interest you, you can binge-watch Daldal over the weekend, endorses Divya Nair.
The fiscal tilt towards capex benefits companies in investment-related sectors like capital goods, defence equipment, engineering & construction and metal & mining. The planned cut in revenue expenditure will weigh on companies in consumption sectors like FMCG, consumer durables and retail.
The visuals in Mayasabha are overwhelming, the treatment is heavy-handed, and the performances overdone, observes Deepa Gahlot.
The IOC has expressed concern for the welfare of Iranian athletes amid escalating unrest, mass arrests and reports of deaths, saying it remains in contact with Iran's Olympic community.
'Once the actual scope is understood, it becomes evident that the framework is about internal redress and course correction, and in no way criminalisation.'
Shivam Dube flickered brightly with a fifty of exceptional quality but it was insufficient to prevent India's 50-run defeat against New Zealand in the fourth T20 International.
BCCI vice president Rajeev Shukla said that the BCCI completely agrees with the ICC and the Indian cricket board won't make any comments on the boycott until we speak with the ICC.
A large-scale international study published in the journal, Molecular Psychiatry, has been tracking over 7 lakh individuals and has shown that 34.6 per cent of mental disorders begin before the age of 14 years, 48.4 per cent before 18 years and 62.5 per cent by the age of 25 years.
A pickup in freight rates, rising fleet utilisation and a long-awaited replacement cycle are breathing fresh life into India's commercial vehicle (CV) market, strengthening the investment case for Tata Motors' CV arm (TMCV). Despite a broadly steady December quarter (Q3) performance, brokerages remain divided on whether the upswing is strong enough to offset margin pressures.
rediffGURU Anu Krishna explains how to accept the normal course of a relationship and keep it alive.
'Large firms and their interests can dominate the narrative, even as smaller stakeholders and retail investors struggle to be heard.' 'Regulators therefore require deep subject-matter expertise to assess representations, recognise underlying incentives, incorporate the perspectives of less-visible stakeholders, and guard against bias or capture,' notes Ananth Narayan.
Germany's Alexander Zverev remained on track for a return to the Australian Open final after beating American Learner Tien 6-3, 6-7(5), 6-1, 7-6(3) in the Melbourne Park quarter-finals on Tuesday.
Worries about global politics and trade are pulling the Nifty 50 down. Experts say the market could drop further low.
Healthline indicate a strong connection between raised blood pressure and difficulties with sexual performance. Looking after your cardiovascular system isn't just good for longevity - it also supports intimate wellbeing. Simply put, when your heart thrives, so does your sex life.
Sarvam Maya banks on its leading man, Nivin Pauly, who grasps at straws and makes the improbable scenes work with his charm, notes Arjun Menon.
'Global uncertainty is something which definitely occupies the minds of officials when we are preparing for the Budget.'
Carlos Alcaraz played dream-wrecker to Novak Djokovic again as he floored the record-chasing Serb 2-6, 6-2, 6-3, 7-5 for a first Australian Open title and became the youngest man to win all four majors.
India captain Suryakumar Yadav said they played a batter short on purpose to test themselves in the fourth T20 against New Zealand, in Visakhapatnam, on Wednesday.
Captain Oliver Peake scored a century as Australia beat the West Indies by 22 runs to book their spot in the semi-finals of the Under-19 World Cup.
In 2025-26, the government allocated Rs 6,81,210 crore for defence budget.
Foreign investors have remained cautious ahead of the Union Budget amid expectations of limited policy changes.
Sabalenka primed for Rybakina rematch with eyes on third Australian Open crown
Eesha Rebba is the queen of switching between boardroom boss and desi diva without missing a beat.
Initially, the lure of a big paycheck may feel rewarding. But, over time, professionals find themselves drifting away from family, friends and personal joys, observes Pradeep Pramanik.
Through policy interventions, Indian cities need to be reimagined as a network of inter-connected assets and services which serve to strengthen the social contract between citizens and their cities by improving their quality of life, the Economic Survey has flagged.
Lyon sealed top spot in the Europa League standings while Roma survived a red-card scare to reach the last 16 on a chaotic final league-phase night.
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