23 C The Times of India
Elections 2026National / The Times of India
India's defence ministry has smartly deployed its revised capital expenditure of Rs 1.86 lakh crore for FY2025-26, mirroring the momentum from the previous year. This fiscal strategy highlights intense investments in aerial assets, ground defense technologies, and cutting-edge electronic warfare systems. Additionally, the endorsement of multiple new procurement strategies showcases a dynamic approach towards bolstering the nations defense arsenal.
Eight women workers were killed on the Nagpur-Mumbai Expressway in Jalna district, Maharashtra, after a truck collided with a tempo they were standing in. The truck driver, who changed lanes and struck the tempo from behind, has been taken into custody. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis expressed his condolences and announced Rs 5 lakh aid for the deceased's families.
President Droupadi Murmu, Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Union Home Minister Amit Shah have all participated in the self-enumeration for Census 2027. This initiative marks the commencement of the first phase, focusing on house listing and housing census, with a 15-day window for self-enumeration in Delhi starting Wednesday.
The Students Federation of India, Pondicherry University unit (SFI PU), condemned the arbitrary decision of the university to prepone the examinations and to direct the students to vacate the hostel.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee alleged that Election Commission-appointed officials were tasked with rejecting her party's candidate nominations. She urged candidates to be cautious during filing and accused the BJP of misusing central agencies and manipulating voter lists, particularly targeting women and poor individuals.
AIADMK leader Edappadi K Palaniswami attacked CM MK Stalin at a rally, accusing him of forming alliances out of fear of defeat and alleging a breakdown of law and order. Palaniswami also criticized Stalin's use of language and warned of retaliation, while assuring financial support for Jallikattu events.
Mirza Waheed is a novelist and essayist born and raised in Kashmir and living in London. His debut novel, The Collaborator, was a finalist for the Guardian First Book Award and the Shakti Bhatt Prize and was longlisted for the Desmond Elliott Prize. His second novel, The Book of Gold Leaves, was shortlisted for the DSC Prize and longlisted for the Folio Prize. His third novel, Tell Her Everything, won The Hindu Literary Prize. In this conversation, he discusses his new novel, Maryam & Son.
The Supreme Court imposed Rs 25,000 costs on the Centre for challenging a High Court order reinstating a CISF official. Upholding the High Court's ruling, the bench found the dismissal disproportionate, noting the official had taken medical leave and the woman involved had no grievance. The court emphasized the government's role as a major litigant contributing to case backlogs.
Rahul Gandhi encountered a man dressed as Yamaraj during his Kerala campaign, humorously suggesting the UDF's proposed Rs 25 lakh health insurance scheme would render the God of Death jobless. This initiative aims to alleviate financial burdens from medical crises, ensuring healthcare as a right for all Keralites.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh launched a strong attack on Kerala's LDF and UDF, accusing both of deceiving the state's people for decades with similar politics and governance. He alleged corruption and poor performance, stating voters are seeking a credible alternative as the BJP-led NDA intensifies its campaign for the upcoming Assembly elections.
India's digital payments are getting a security boost from April 1 with stricter RBI authentication rules, requiring two-factor verification for all transactions to combat rising fraud. Beyond digital payments, changes affect credit cards, FASTags, RuPay cards, PAN applications, and banking services, alongside a new income tax framework, aiming for a safer financial ecosystem.
Once a dominant force, West Bengal's Congress party has seen its influence dwindle significantly over five decades. From landslide victories to being overshadowed by communist rule and then Mamata Banerjee's Trinamool Congress, the party now struggles for relevance.
Some of the changes affect credit card users, FASTag subscribers, RuPay debit cardholders. Here are some of the key revisions scheduled for implementation from the start of the new financial year.
The Centre has issued a detailed advisory on GLP-1 receptor agonist drugs, emphasizing their use for type 2 diabetes and obesity must be strictly under medical supervision. Authorities are increasing regulatory surveillance and warning of strict action against violations in their sale or prescription.
In a post on X, the chief minister emphasised the progress of Uttar Pradesh towards the goal of 'Zero Waste to Zero Carbon Emissions', crediting the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for steering the state toward smart and environmentally conscious urbanisation.
Asian nations, facing an energy crunch due to Middle East conflict and Strait of Hormuz disruptions, are increasingly turning to Russian oil. Benefiting from US sanction waivers, countries like the Philippines and South Korea are receiving Russian crude and naphtha. This shift offers a vital alternative for energy-starved economies, with more nations potentially following suit as the situation unfolds.
Domestic GST revenue reached Rs 1.46 lakh crore, registering a growth of 5.9%, while revenue from imports was recorded at Rs 0.54 lakh crore, rising sharply by 17.8% during the period.
European Union energy chief Dan Jorgensen stated that energy prices will remain high for the foreseeable future. He noted that even if peace is achieved tomorrow, a return to normal levels is not expected soon. The EU is preparing measures to assist families and businesses. Efforts are underway to diversify energy sources and reduce reliance on Russian gas.
Even prior to the conflict, the rupee was facing downward pressure due to widening external imbalances and persistent capital outflows. The surge in oil prices has intensified these challenges for the worlds third-largest crude importer.
The government has limited the rise in jet fuel prices for domestic airlines to 25 percent. This decision aims to ease the financial burden on airlines and air travelers. International routes will face the full price increase. Meanwhile, non-scheduled operators are experiencing a more than double surge in jet fuel costs.
Asian shares surged Wednesday as hopes for an end to the Iran conflict grew, with US President Trump suggesting a resolution within weeks. Strong economic data further boosted South Korean and Japanese markets, while US futures also climbed. This positive sentiment overshadowed a slight dip in cryptocurrencies.
Oil prices surged on Wednesday, with Brent crude surpassing $100 per barrel and WTI also climbing. This rise is attributed to ongoing supply risk concerns, despite potential diplomatic progress. Analysts highlight that even a swift end to the conflict may not immediately ease tight supplies due to infrastructure damage and the critical Strait of Hormuz.
Stock market today: Nifty50 and BSE Sensex rallied in opening trade on Wednesday on hopes of an end to the US-Iran war. While Nifty50 went above 22,800, BSE Sensex was up over 1,600 points.