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The Times of India

National / The Times of India

Aggressive low bids put NHAI in a fix, trend may impact quality

Highway construction agencies are facing a challenge as contractors aggressively bid up to 48% below estimated project costs, raising concerns about work quality. This trend, driven by fewer projects and increased competition, forces contractors to quote low to keep resources engaged, potentially impacting the sector's long-term health and project standards.

27 Jan 2026 4:18 am
Congress says Modi government not serious about caste count in Census 2027

Congress has questioned the Modi government's intent regarding the caste enumeration in Census 2027, citing that the 'houselisting' questionnaire omits 'OBC' as an option. The party demands immediate consultations with political parties, states, and civil society before finalizing the caste census details.

27 Jan 2026 4:10 am
Congress brass may meet Shashi Tharoor to settle issues

Congress leadership is planning to meet senior leader Shashi Tharoor following his absence from a crucial Kerala election strategy meeting. Tharoor, who cited personal issues and unhappiness with the party, will be invited for discussions to address his grievances. The party aims to ensure unity for the upcoming state elections, recognizing Tharoor's electoral influence.

27 Jan 2026 3:57 am
Use gender-neutral terms, courts told

Delhi High Court has adopted gender-neutral terminology in court documents, replacing father's/husband's name with parent's/spouse's name. This change, inspired by a district judge's suggestion, aims to empower women and reflect modern family structures. The move will impact judicial officers' personal files, staff ID cards, and various official forms.

27 Jan 2026 3:49 am
Fire at Kolkata warehouse: 7 dead, 21 missing

A devastating fire engulfed a Kolkata warehouse complex early Monday, claiming at least seven lives and leaving 21 workers missing. Trapped inside units laden with combustible decoration materials and food supplies, the victims were sleeping when the blaze erupted. Firefighters battled for hours, but the inferno's intensity and smoldering debris continue to hinder rescue efforts.

27 Jan 2026 3:27 am
PVR INOX to sell snacks business to Marico

PVR INOX is divesting its premium snacking business, 4700BC, to FMCG major Marico for Rs 226.8 crore in an all-cash deal. This strategic move aims to reduce debt and sharpen the company's focus on its core cinema operations. The transaction is expected to be finalized within 30 days.

27 Jan 2026 2:44 am
Axis Bank net profit up 3% in Oct-Dec on strong loan growth

Axis Bank reported a 3% year-on-year net profit increase to Rs 6,490 crore in the December quarter, driven by robust loan growth and higher fee income. Net interest income rose 5% to Rs 14,287 crore, fueled by a 14% surge in advances, particularly in corporate and SME segments.

27 Jan 2026 2:40 am
How to make ESOPs more valuable for startup staff

India's startup ecosystem faces challenges with ESOP taxation, creating liquidity issues for employees. While a 2020 tax deferral aimed to help, it's limited to a small fraction of eligible startups. Expanding this benefit to all recognized startups and unlisted companies is crucial for making ESOPs a true wealth-creation tool.

27 Jan 2026 2:33 am
AI sends tech to top of pay charts: Report

Technology reigns supreme as the top paymaster in 2026, with AI and digitisation driving demand for tech roles. Software development, product management, and data engineering are leading the charge. Interestingly, senior-level salaries are surging in Tier-2 cities, challenging metro dominance. Overall salary growth is projected at 9% this year.

27 Jan 2026 2:28 am
'Dollar assets gain favour among India's wealthy as Rupee depreciates'

Wealthy Indians are increasingly diversifying into dollar-denominated assets, with GIFT City emerging as a preferred route to hedge against rupee depreciation. While equities remain popular, real assets, boosted by AIFs, REITs, and InvITs, form the largest investment bucket. Despite global headwinds, HNIs and UHNIs remain bullish on India's growth, though GDP growth expectations have moderated.

27 Jan 2026 2:22 am
Weight of mfg & electricity set to rise in new IIP series, mining to fall

The Index of Industrial Production (IIP) is set for a significant overhaul with a new base year of 2022-23 and a shift to a chain-based series. This update will increase the weight of electricity and manufacturing sectors while decreasing mining's share, reflecting evolving production patterns. The new methodology aims to better capture dynamic economic changes.

27 Jan 2026 2:14 am
In a first, gold breaches $5k/Oz, silver $110/Oz

Gold surged past $5,000 an ounce for the first time, driven by geopolitical uncertainty and a flight from traditional assets. Dollar weakness and concerns over US monetary policy further fueled demand for the precious metal, which has seen a significant rally this year.

27 Jan 2026 2:09 am
Government gets proposals to push divestment amid weak show

The government is exploring new ways to increase privatization and use the money for infrastructure. Industry bodies and NITI Aayog suggest creating a wealth fund. However, past efforts have faced challenges. While some reforms are moving forward, political will is needed to revive the privatization program. Progress on asset monetization also remains slow.

27 Jan 2026 1:58 am
In Republic Day messages, Trump hails historic bond, Xi talks of dragon-elephant tango

Global leaders, including US President Trump and China's Xi Jinping, extended Republic Day greetings to India. Trump emphasized the bond between the world's oldest and largest democracies, while Xi highlighted India-China as good neighbours, friends and partners. King Charles III also lauded the enduring India-UK partnership, noting shared values and deepening cooperation.

27 Jan 2026 1:18 am
India, EU finalise FTA, deal set to be announced today

India and the European Union have finalized a comprehensive free trade agreement after 18 years of talks, poised to boost trade and investment. The deal, expected to be announced Tuesday, aims for significant tariff reductions on most goods, with India gaining market access for textiles and leather, while offering concessions on automobiles and wines. Implementation is anticipated by early 2027.

27 Jan 2026 12:51 am
Republic Day: Delhi CM Rekha Gupta lays foundation stone for slum development projects

The previous governments spread fear that the BJP would stop free electricity and water, but these slum dwellers can now live peacefully. We are committed to providing them a good and quality life, Gupta told reporters.

27 Jan 2026 12:16 am
Decline of Himalayan rivers could trigger nuclear war: UK report

UK intelligence warns of global food and water crises by the 2030s due to ecosystem collapse, potentially sparking conflict. Himalayan river decline could escalate tensions between China, India, and Pakistan, risking nuclear war. The report highlights threats to UK food security and calls for ecosystem protection and restoration.

26 Jan 2026 11:51 pm
Kashmir peaceful, ready to welcome visitors: Deputy CM

Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary stated that Pakistan's efforts to disrupt tourism in the region have failed. He urged people to visit Kashmir, emphasizing its peaceful atmosphere and readiness to welcome visitors, while also honoring the victims of a past terror attack.

26 Jan 2026 11:39 pm
Kashmir braces for heavy snowfall after last weeks spell

Jammu and Kashmir is preparing for more heavy snowfall. A western disturbance is expected to bring snow starting Monday evening. This could affect flights and the Jammu-Srinagar highway. Moderate to heavy snowfall is forecast for most of Kashmir and higher Jammu regions on Tuesday. Light rain and higher-reach snow are possible Wednesday.

26 Jan 2026 11:35 pm
Insensitive and insulting: BJP says Rahul Gandhi declined to wear Assamese Gamosa; Congress counters

The BJP has criticized Rahul Gandhi for allegedly not wearing an Assamese 'Gamosa' at a Republic Day reception, with Assam's CM demanding an apology. Congress countered by questioning why Defence Minister Rajnath Singh wasn't also asked to wear it, accusing the BJP of trivial politics and highlighting alleged disrespect towards their leaders at the parade.

26 Jan 2026 11:34 pm
Train to Pahalgam faces backlash; NC, PDP ask railway minister to rethink

A proposed railway line from Bijbehara to Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir is facing strong opposition from local residents and political figures. Concerns are mounting over the project's impact on vast agricultural and apple orchard lands, threatening livelihoods. Leaders are urging the central government to reconsider the plan, citing existing infrastructure and the project's perceived lack of benefit.

26 Jan 2026 11:31 pm
After tax return data leak, US Treasury terminates consulting firm Booz Allen Hamilton contracts

The US Treasury Department has terminated 31 contracts with Booz Allen Hamilton, totaling $21 million in obligations. This action follows the conviction of a former contractor linked to the firm for leaking sensitive IRS tax data, including President Trump's. The Treasury cited the firm's failure to implement adequate safeguards for confidential taxpayer information.

26 Jan 2026 11:04 pm
Stagger station revamp to prioritise funding of rail corridors, govt panel tells railways

An inter-ministerial panel has advised Indian Railways to stagger station redevelopment projects, prioritizing funding for programmatic corridors. The panel also recommended linking station development expenditure to revenue generation, including user charges, and suggested rolling out Integrated Station Facility Managers to maximize income from station assets.

26 Jan 2026 10:33 pm
Budget 2026: Moving beyond tariffs what Indias customs reforms journey needs

Indias customs reform journey is entering a phase where regulatory stability, procedural simplicity, digital reliability, will be more important than marginal tariff adjustments.

26 Jan 2026 10:12 pm
Agriculture scientists and innovative farmers get Padma Shri boost for their pioneering efforts

In a grand tribute to innovation in agriculture, nine distinguished individuals have been honored with the Padma Shri. Among them are esteemed scientists and passionate farmers, recognized for their impactful work ranging from the creation of superior rice strains and genome-editing breakthroughs to the promotion of unique cultivation methods such as Makhana farming.

26 Jan 2026 8:40 pm
After a gap of over 10 years, India marks Republic Day in Yemen

For the first time in over a decade, India celebrated Republic Day in Yemen with the Indian community and embassy staff. Other diplomatic missions in the US, Singapore, Japan, and Sri Lanka also marked the occasion with flag unfurling ceremonies and participation from the Indian diaspora. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio extended greetings, highlighting the strong bilateral partnership.

26 Jan 2026 6:45 pm
Evening news wrap: India flexes might on 77th Republic Day parade; UAE scraps Pakistan airport deal & more

India marked its 77th Republic Day with a grand parade showcasing military might and cultural diversity. Meanwhile, the UAE reportedly scrapped its airport management deal with Pakistan following the UAE President's India visit. In other news, a Bangladesh court sentenced three police officers to death for protest-related killings, and IndiGo cancelled flights to four Central Asian cities due to regional developments.

26 Jan 2026 6:02 pm
Canada PM Mark Carney likely to visit India in March: Uranium, trade pact on agenda; comes days after China pivot

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is slated to visit India in early March to sign significant deals on uranium, energy, minerals, AI, education, and culture. This visit aims to diversify Canada's alliances and reset bilateral relations, with formal CEPA negotiations also set to commence. Both nations are prioritizing these agreements amid a changing global order and U.S. trade pressures.

26 Jan 2026 6:01 pm
Budget 2026: Nasscom pushes for startup-friendly tax policies, cloud regulation clarity

Nasscom has asked for ESOP tax deferment to be extended to all DPIIT-recognised startups and it should not be limited to just the ones certified by the Inter-Ministerial Board.

26 Jan 2026 5:07 pm
One vote, unequal weight: Kothnur has just 10.9k elections, RR Nagar nearly 50k

Bengaluru's new municipal structure reveals significant voter disparities across wards, with some representing over 49,000 electors while others have just over 10,000. This imbalance undermines democratic representation and could lead to unequal access to civic services and political influence. The delimitation process, based on 2011 census population figures, has resulted in these inequities.

26 Jan 2026 4:31 pm
77th R-Day: Donald Trump extends greetings on Republic Day; hails India-US ties as a historic bond of worlds largest democracies

US President Donald Trump extended heartfelt greetings to India on its 77th Republic Day, highlighting the historic partnership between the world's oldest and largest democracies. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Ambassador Sergio Gor also conveyed wishes, emphasizing strong cooperation across various sectors and the symbolic presence of US-made aircraft at the parade.

26 Jan 2026 4:27 pm
Budget 2026 expectations: Private space firms seek procurement push, critical infrastructure status for sector

India's burgeoning private space sector urges the government to boost public procurement and recognize space assets as critical infrastructure. This move aims to unlock financing, reduce capital costs, and accelerate the growth of domestic companies in satellites, launch vehicles, and data services, positioning India as a global space leader.

26 Jan 2026 4:14 pm
Budget 2026 wishlist: Top expectations from FM Niramala Sitharamans ninth Budget

Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman's upcoming Union Budget is anticipated to bring significant tax reforms and a customs duty overhaul. Focus is also on economic growth support amidst global uncertainty and a clear strategy to lower India's debt-to-GDP ratio. Taxpayers hope for income tax relief, while businesses seek clarity on the new tax regime.

26 Jan 2026 4:01 pm
We all benefit: EU chief says successful India makes world more stable, after attending Republic Day parade

European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen stated that a successful India contributes to global stability, prosperity, and security. She, along with European Council president Antonio Costa, were the first joint EU leaders to attend India's Republic Day parade as chief guests. Their visit precedes an India-EU summit focused on trade, security, and strategic cooperation.

26 Jan 2026 3:24 pm
Sensex, Nifty slide over 4% in January amid FPI sell-off, rupee weakness and global risks

Indian equity indices Sensex and Nifty have seen significant declines in January, exceeding 4%, driven by consistent foreign fund outflows and a weakening rupee. Geopolitical tensions, tariff concerns, and muted corporate earnings have further pressured the market, leading to a cautious start to the year.

26 Jan 2026 2:57 pm
Stocks to buy: What's the outlook for Nifty for Budget 2026 week? Check list of top stock recommendations

Stock market recommendations: Sudeep Shah, Head of SBI Securities recommends buying Hindustan Unilever, and Ashok Leyland as top stock picks. He shares his view on Nifty, Bank Nifty for the Budget 2026 trading week starting January 27, 2026:

26 Jan 2026 2:32 pm