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The Times of India

National / The Times of India

'LPG charge' not legal, will invite action, CCPA warns eateries

Hotels and restaurants face strict action for levying additional charges like LPG charges or fuel cost recovery on food bills. The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) stated these are unfair trade practices, as operational costs should be included in menu prices. Consumers can dispute such charges and file complaints.

26 Mar 2026 5:46 am
Middle East crisis: Amit Shah heading informal GoM on 'overall strategic issues'

Home Minister Amit Shah is leading an informal Group of Ministers to address strategic issues arising from the West Asia conflict, including impacts on cooking gas and LNG supplies. Another GoM, headed by Manohar Lal, is focusing on energy supply matters, particularly piped gas for homes, as the government prioritizes PNG adoption.

26 Mar 2026 5:42 am
BRO entrusted with task of developing infra along 1600-km Myanmar border: Rajnath at parl panel meet

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh announced that the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) will develop infrastructure along the 1,600 km Indo-Myanmar border to bolster management capabilities. The BRO is also ensuring all-weather connectivity in remote regions and adopting modern construction techniques to enhance operational mobility and defence preparedness.

26 Mar 2026 5:40 am
Space co Agnikul successfully tests 3D-printed Agnite booster engine

Indian space company Agnikul Cosmos has successfully tested its 3D-printed booster engine, 'Agnite'. This single-piece Inconel engine, a meter long, can be fully printed within a week, significantly reducing production complexity and turnaround time. The successful in-house testing marks a crucial end-to-end cycle completion for their larger engines.

26 Mar 2026 5:38 am
Op Urja Suraksha: Navy deploys 5 warships to guide cargo vessels exiting troubled Strait of Hormuz

India's Navy has launched Operation Urja Suraksha. More than five frontline warships are ensuring safe passage for India-bound cargo ships. These vessels carry vital supplies like LPG and crude oil. The operation escorts ships out of the troubled Strait of Hormuz. This protects critical maritime routes and Indian crew. Key successes have already been achieved.

26 Mar 2026 5:35 am
PM Modi remains world's most popular leader, says study by US firm

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has once again been recognized as the world's most popular democratic leader, achieving a 68% approval rating in a recent Morning Consult survey. This significant endorsement highlights his strong public support, even as it shows a slight decrease from last year's figures. Modi continues to lead global leaders by a considerable margin.

26 Mar 2026 5:24 am
'It's not must': SC nixes plea against Vande Mataram circular

Raza Academy president Muhammed Sayed Noori has challenged the Centre's order for schools to begin the day with the national song 'Vande Mataram' in the Supreme Court. He argued that compelling students to sing the song, which invokes Hindu deities, infringes upon religious freedom and secularism.

26 Mar 2026 4:55 am
Amid oppn protest, FCRA amendment bill tabled in Lok Sabha

The government introduced the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, in Lok Sabha, facing opposition from Congress and TMC who voiced concerns over executive overreach. Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai countered, stating the bill targets misuse of foreign funds for conversions and personal gain, aiming to enhance transparency in NGO funding for public welfare.

26 Mar 2026 4:50 am
PG admission row: Petitioner contacts CJI kin amid SC heat

Supreme Court Chief Justice Surya Kant revealed a petitioner contacted his brother, allegedly to influence recusal from a case involving a brother-sister duo converting to Buddhism for minority quota PG medical admissions. The CJI stated he would not recuse and warned of severe contempt of court action for such attempts.

26 Mar 2026 4:45 am
India tightens digital security with strict rules

India has bolstered its digital security by mandating stricter compliance for telecom equipment, CCTV systems, and data protection. This move addresses concerns over surveillance infrastructure vulnerabilities and espionage risks, particularly with imported equipment. New rules require disclosure of hardware origins and testing against unauthorized remote access for CCTV systems.

26 Mar 2026 4:36 am
Railways fines IRCTC Rs 10L for poor food quality

The Railway Board has fined IRCTC and its catering contractor for poor food quality on a Vande Bharat train. A passenger's complaint led to a Rs 10 lakh penalty for IRCTC and Rs 50 lakh for the contractor. IRCTC's contract with Krishna Enterprises will be terminated. This action sends a strong message about accountability for service quality.

26 Mar 2026 4:31 am
Financial burden no excuse to deny fair dues for land buys: SC

The Supreme Court ruled that financial burden cannot deny fair compensation for land acquisition, upholding the principle that fiscal implications don't override landowners' entitlements. However, the court limited this liberal compensation regime to claims pending since March 28, 2008, preventing delayed appeals for enhanced payouts.

26 Mar 2026 4:14 am
Have PNG access but not switched? Govt will stop LPG refills

Households with access to piped natural gas but still using LPG cylinders will face a supply cut in three months. This government move aims to reduce LPG imports, with exceptions for technically infeasible PNG connections. City gas firms will notify eligible consumers, while authorities must now grant pipeline permissions within set deadlines.

26 Mar 2026 3:48 am
Global boost: IITs make mark in QS top 50 rankings by subject

Indian Institutes of Technology are solidifying their global standing in engineering, with multiple disciplines ranking in the world's top 50. Management education is also advancing, as seen with IIM Ahmedabad's rise. Overall, India's higher education system shows significant quality improvement and global competitiveness.

26 Mar 2026 3:41 am
With Rs 1,800cr outlay, immigration scheme extended for 5 years

The Union cabinet has approved the continuation of the immigration and visa tracking scheme for five more years until March 2031 with a Rs 1,800 crore outlay. This initiative aims to enhance national security and streamline the visa and immigration process for foreign visitors by inter-linking multiple databases for informed decision-making.

26 Mar 2026 3:24 am
OpenAI hires JioStar's ex-CEO to lead Apac ops

OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, is expanding in Asia. Kiran Mani, former JioStar CEO, will lead the company's operations in the Asia-Pacific region. He joins in June. This move signals OpenAI's focus on growing its user base in key markets like India. Mani will oversee regional strategy and operations.

26 Mar 2026 2:44 am
IHC arm gets RBI nod to buy Sammaan Capital

Sammaan Capital shares surged 6% following the RBI's approval for a controlling stake acquisition by UAE's International Holding Company (IHC). IHC will invest approximately Rs 8,850 crore through its entity, Avenir Investment, marking a significant development for the company.

26 Mar 2026 2:39 am
Sensex jumps 1.2k pts as efforts to end war gain pace

Indian stock markets surged today, with Sensex crossing 75,000 points. This rally, driven by hopes of a West Asia conflict resolution and easing crude oil prices, saw global markets also perform strongly. Foreign fund selling slowed, while domestic investors bought heavily, adding significant wealth to investors.

26 Mar 2026 2:30 am
Finance Bill passed with 32 amendments

Lok Sabha approved the Finance Bill with key amendments. Promoters' capital gains from share buybacks will now face a 12% surcharge. Startup tax holidays have been extended, with the turnover threshold raised to Rs 300 crore. Taxpayers will now receive a minimum of 30 days to respond to reassessment notices, fostering a trust-based tax administration.

26 Mar 2026 2:26 am
Officials meet to map demand & supply to avoid disruptions

An empowered group of officials has begun assessing demand and supply chains to mitigate the impact of the West Asia conflict. The government is prioritizing food and fuel availability, exploring alternative import sources and potential duty cuts to stabilize prices. Efforts are underway to secure LPG supplies, with a focus on diversifying from West Asian sources.

26 Mar 2026 2:22 am
Middle East crisis: Oil slides, gold & silver rise on US move to end conflict

Oil prices dropped significantly on Wednesday. This followed a US proposal to Iran and a slowdown in regional hostilities. Brent crude fell 3%. Gold and silver prices saw a substantial increase. This rally in precious metals reflects reduced fears of energy supply disruptions and potential inflation.

26 Mar 2026 2:10 am
Infosys to buy two US cos for $560mn

Infosys is significantly expanding its healthcare and insurance sectors in the US through two major acquisitions. The company is acquiring Optimum Healthcare IT for up to $465 million to enhance its provider segment presence. Additionally, Stratus will be acquired for up to $95 million to strengthen its P&C insurance capabilities and AI-driven transformation services.

26 Mar 2026 2:06 am
US, EU seek WTO reform as meet starts

The World Trade Organization's ministerial meeting in Cameroon will focus on reforming the 30-year-old body. The US and EU aim to expand talks to new issues and recognize plurilateral agreements, while India will advocate for farm trade reforms and preserve the WTO's core principles, prioritizing small farmers and policy space for developing economies.

26 Mar 2026 2:03 am
Banks tap costly funds as credit outpaces deposits

Indian banks face a growing funding gap as credit expansion outpaces deposit growth. Lenders are turning to certificates of deposit, a wholesale funding source, to meet loan demand. This shift reflects changing household savings patterns and strong credit appetite across various sectors. Banks are also reallocating capital from government securities to support lending activities.

26 Mar 2026 1:49 am
Regional push: Now, Airbus mulls ATR final assembly line in India after Embraer

Airbus is considering establishing a final assembly line (FAL) in India for its ATR regional aircraft, driven by the government's focus on enhancing aerial connectivity. This move aligns with India's 'Make in India' vision and could reduce acquisition costs for local airlines, potentially boosting regional air travel.

26 Mar 2026 1:30 am
PDP MLAs bill proposing new divisions, districts in J&K faces flak from NC, BJP

PDP legislator Waheed Parra's bill proposing 16 new districts and two divisions in J&K has drawn sharp criticism. The ruling NC called it a sabotage attempt to undermine sub-region empowerment, while the BJP alleged it aligns with Pakistan's ISI agenda to create a 'Greater Kashmir' by dividing Jammu.

26 Mar 2026 12:42 am
Parliament passes bill to amend transgender law; two members of council for TG persons quit in protest

Parliament passed the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Bill 2026, sparking immediate resignations from two National Council for Transgender Persons members protesting the lack of community consultation. The bill removes self-perceived gender identity, introducing a medical board for transgender certificates, a move critics deem regressive and a step backward for fundamental rights.

26 Mar 2026 12:39 am
J&K admin defends ban on books in HC, says secessionist in nature

Jammu and Kashmir administration defended its ban on 25 Kashmir-related books in high court, citing state security and public order. The government also justified the legal provision used for the ban. Petitioners challenging the order have been given time to respond. The full bench will hear the case.

26 Mar 2026 12:11 am
British Airways plans bonus for pilots for cutting fuel use: Report

British Airways is set to reward pilots with bonuses up to 1% of their salary for cutting carbon emissions. Pilots must collectively reduce CO2 by 60,000 tonnes above 2025 levels to earn the payout, starting next year. This initiative, focusing on fuel-saving practices, aims to address rising oil prices and climate pressures, with a union vote expected soon.

25 Mar 2026 11:06 pm
US-Iran war: Why India is facing an LPG crisis explained in charts

India grapples with a severe cooking gas shortage, driven by Middle East conflict-induced import disruptions. Long queues and panic buying plague cities as supply chains strain. The government is prioritising household needs, cutting industrial allocations, while seeking to restore commercial supplies and urging a shift to alternatives like piped natural gas.

25 Mar 2026 8:51 pm
West Bengal polls: RG Kar victims mother Ratna Debnath gets BJP ticket from Panihati

The BJP has nominated Ratna Debnath, mother of the RG Kar Medical College rape and murder victim, from Panihati for the West Bengal Assembly elections. Her decision to contest on a BJP ticket stems from her pursuit of justice for her daughter and a broader fight for women's safety. This move has sparked debate among activists.

25 Mar 2026 8:39 pm
Indiaspora and Zinnov release reports on Indias AI start-ups and GCCs

Two new reports highlight India's growing role as a global AI hub, detailing the impact of artificial intelligence on its startup and Global Capability Center (GCC) ecosystems. The studies reveal how AI is accelerating innovation and forcing GCCs to shift from execution to co-creation to avoid displacement, emphasizing India's unique advantages in this transformation.

25 Mar 2026 8:36 pm
Assam assembly election 2026 SWOT analysis: Can Himanta Sarma retain power or will Gaurav Gogoi's debut shift the tide?

Assam's political landscape is heating up alongside spring festivities, with the BJP aiming for a solo majority against a resurgent Congress. Key contests include Himanta Biswa Sarma versus Gaurav Gogoi, while issues like identity, infiltration, and development shape the electoral battleground. Post-delimitation changes add another layer to this defining election.

25 Mar 2026 7:28 pm