The Times of India

NEET-PG qualifying standards were drastically lowered, resulting in postgraduate medical seats in government colleges being filled with extremely low scores. Candidates secured spots in high-risk clinical specialties and premier institutions with scores as low as single digits, raising significant concerns within the medical community.

Malaysia joined India in condemning cross-border terrorism, signaling a stronger alignment on the issue. Prime Minister Modi highlighted clear messages against terror with no double standards or compromise. The bilateral meeting saw numerous agreements signed, spanning defense, security, and economic cooperation, including semiconductors and social security for Indian workers.

Commerce minister Piyush Goyal highlighted the nation's strong stance in the US trade deal. The focus was on boosting farm exports and safeguarding sensitive sectors like dairy. The agreement opens new avenues for Indian products such as tea and coffee. Concerns about feed ingredient imports are addressed with a limited quota.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi advised Gen Z to be flexible and persevere, emphasizing that life is not linear. He shared insights from an interaction with NRI students, addressing their anxieties about confidence, judgment, and self-expression. Gandhi highlighted the importance of staying true to oneself amidst societal pressures and labels.

CPM and CPI(ML) Liberation have strongly criticized the Indo-US trade deal, alleging the BJP government has made significant concessions detrimental to India's economy, agriculture, and national sovereignty. Both parties demand the deal's details be made public and presented to Parliament, urging the government to halt any agreement harmful to Indian workers and farmers.

India's electronics manufacturing has surged six-fold in production and eight-fold in exports over 11 years, making it the world's second-largest mobile phone maker. Driven by the production-linked incentive scheme, mobile production alone saw a more than 100-fold export increase, transforming India into a net exporter.

Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan stated that the India-US interim trade deal will empower farmers, with key agricultural products like major grains, fruits, and dairy remaining secure from US imports. He asserted that the agreement protects farmers' interests and will boost Indian exports, particularly in textiles.

US President Trump's threat of a 25% penalty on Indian crude imports casts a shadow over the Nayara refinery, majority-owned by Russia's Rosneft. This situation fuels speculation about a change in ownership, as prospective buyers may be deterred by US sanctions.

Kotak Bank has denied media reports of submitting a financial bid for IDBI Bank, ruling itself out of the acquisition race. This development shifts focus to foreign bidders like Fairfax India and Emirates NBD, as the government aims to complete the sale by FY26. Valuation concerns are cited as a potential reason for Kotak's withdrawal.

India's auto component industry is poised for significant growth following a trade deal with the US, offering preferential tariff treatment and zero-duty access for certain Indian auto parts. This agreement is expected to boost export competitiveness, deepen collaboration, and reinforce India's role in global automotive supply chains, opening new avenues for export-led expansion.

India's space sector has achieved a significant milestone as Azista Space successfully imaged the International Space Station from its own satellite. This groundbreaking space watch capability, demonstrated by the ABA First Runner satellite, marks a first for any Indian company. The feat enhances India's space situational awareness, crucial for protecting national assets in orbit.

Indian carpet exporters are witnessing a revival after a significant slowdown caused by hefty US tariffs. Buyers are re-engaging, checking inventories, and expressing excitement for upcoming industry shows. This renewed activity offers hope for regaining lost market share from neighboring countries and Turkiye.

State Bank of India has boosted its credit growth forecast to 13-15% for the fiscal year, citing strong momentum and broad-based growth across retail, agriculture, SME, and corporate segments. The bank reported a record quarterly profit of Rs 21,028 crore, driven by diverse income streams and efficient cost management.

EPFO is considering performance-linked incentives for fund managers, allocating more to those delivering better returns. This move, part of a new benchmark methodology for debt investments, aims to diversify equity investments beyond index ETFs. The organization manages assets worth Rs 30 lakh crore and will discuss these proposals soon.

Indian exporters, particularly in food and textiles, are cautiously optimistic following a US tariff reduction from 50% to 18%. While some faced significant losses and discounts, the revised trade deal offers a historic opportunity for increased exports and job security. Companies are now focused on rebuilding buyer relationships and exploring new market advantages.

Dalal Street anticipates a strong opening on Monday as the US-India trade deal nears completion. Positive sentiment is fueled by Gift Nifty's rise and recent constructive developments, including agreement on bilateral trade areas. Analysts foresee increased exports, job creation, and potential foreign investment, boosting market confidence after a volatile week.

A young BJP legislator, Devyani Singh Rana, earned cross-party praise for her focused budget speech in the J&K Assembly. She highlighted critical issues like electricity shortages, climate vulnerabilities, and under-spending in education and disaster management, urging for stronger measures. Her pragmatic approach to budgetary concerns resonated with members from all parties.

Highway builders are urging Prime Minister Modi to revisit tight construction deadlines for major PPP projects, citing execution challenges and the risk of prolonged court battles due to restricted arbitration. The National Highways Builders Federation warns that current dispute resolution changes could hinder project completion and encourage litigation over actual construction, impacting the PPP highway program's goals.

In a groundbreaking collaboration, India and Canada are setting new standards for national security and law enforcement by introducing a cooperative work plan and appointing liaison officers. This strategic alliance is designed to combat shared threats such as drug trafficking and organized crime, highlighting a pivotal moment in repairing diplomatic ties.

Bundelkhand's long struggle with water scarcity has ended as tap water now reaches homes, a dream realized for millions. Women no longer trek miles, and villages once defined by drought now boast flowing water. This transformation, driven by the Jal Jeevan Mission, brings hope and a better future to the region.

Addressing a press conference ahead of the assembly elections, Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma claimed that Gogoi had undertaken a very confidential visit to Pakistan in December 2013 and was believed to have undergone some kind of training during his 10-day stay. He stayed there for 10 days. Strangely, Gogoi was digitally silent and no social media post was made. We suspect he went through some kind of training in that period, the chief minister said.

A significant number of Indian men grapple with profound loneliness, often masked by societal expectations of stoicism and duty. This widespread issue, extending beyond romantic relationships, stems from cultural norms that discourage emotional expression. Addressing this requires integrated mental health support and community initiatives, moving beyond blame to foster understanding and well-being for all.

A Red Bird training aircraft made a forced landing near Vijayapura due to suspected fuel starvation, approximately 50-70 km before its destination in Belagavi. Both the flight instructor and student pilot on board the 1975-built Cessna 172 are safe, though the aircraft sustained damage. Aviation authorities are investigating the incident.

The BJP and AIADMK have rekindled their alliance for the upcoming Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, marking another chapter in their cyclical relationship of partnership and rupture. Driven by political necessity, the alliance aims to challenge the incumbent Stalin-led DMK government, despite past tensions and strategic divergences between the two parties.

England narrowly defeated Nepal by four runs in their T20 World Cup opener at the Wankhede Stadium. Despite a valiant chase from Nepal, who needed ten runs in the final over, England's Sam Curran held his nerve. Earlier, half-centuries from Jacob Bethell and Harry Brook propelled England to 184 for seven.

Indian refiners have not yet received any formal instructions to halt Russian crude imports, they have been informally advised to begin scaling back purchases. Experts believe that while Russian crude may drop in the coming months, the chances of it completely disappearing from Indias crude basket appear slim.

Of the total allocation released by the Finance Department, 1,100 crore has been earmarked for the payment of salaries, pensions, and other statutory dues of DTC employees and pensioners. The remaining 100 crore has been allocated to transport modernisation and the adoption of advanced technologies to ensure smoother traffic flow and promote sustainable mobility, according to a release.

Tiruppur's garment exporters anticipate a significant surge in shipments to the US, potentially doubling to Rs 30,000 crore within three years, following the new India-US trade framework. This expansion is also projected to create approximately 5 lakh new jobs in the textile hub over the next five years, boosting India's export competitiveness.

Indian exporters gain a competitive edge in the US market with reduced tariffs, while a tragic accident at the Surajkund Mela claimed an inspector's life and injured twelve. Meanwhile, the ICC and PCB are nearing a decision on the India-Pakistan T20 World Cup match.

Syria and Saudi Arabia inked major economic pacts recently, launching a joint airline and a $1 billion telecoms project to rebuild war-torn Syria. These agreements aim to boost regional connectivity, enhance digital infrastructure and attract vital foreign investment, signalling a significant shift in the nation's post-conflict recovery and deepening bilateral ties.

Inspector Jagdish Prasad, 58, died while attempting to rescue those trapped in the swing, officials said. He had joined the Haryana Armed Police in 1989 and was scheduled to retire in March after completing 36 years of service. His body was handed over to his family on Sunday following a post-mortem examination.

India anticipates purchasing $500 billion in goods from the US over five years, a figure Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal deems conservative given the nation's expanding economy. This projection aligns with India's overall import demand, expected to reach $2 trillion, creating significant opportunities for US suppliers in sectors like aviation, technology, and energy.

Dubai's ultra-luxury property market is booming, attracting global investors. Navigating this hot sector requires more than just listings. Platforms like Bayut are simplifying the process by offering verified data, insights from Dubai Land Department records and connections to specialist agents. This ensures buyers make informed decisions on high-value properties, avoiding outdated or unavailable listings and securing the best opportunities.

The Congress party has accused the BJP of promoting hate and targeting minorities. This follows a video posted by the BJP's Assam unit showing Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma firing a rifle at two individuals identified as minorities. The Congress has demanded strict judicial action, calling the video a call to genocide.

ISRO is procuring a sophisticated 1,700-meter rail system for its new Kulasekarapattinam spaceport, designed to transport small rockets. This advanced track, capable of carrying 570 tonnes with extreme precision, will enhance payload capacity for polar orbits, making it ideal for SSLV launches and private sector missions. The facility is slated for commissioning in 2026-27.