As India prepares for the Union Budget of 2025-26, the finance ministry has highlighted the need for flexibility in fiscal policy, given the ongoing global economic and geopolitical challenges. While the fiscal deficit for FY26 is expected to be below 4.5% of GDP, there are concerns over the ability to accurately project receipts and expenditures in the current uncertain environment. The global situation has worsened, with escalating conflicts, further complicating fiscal planning.

Om Prakash Chautala, a five-time Chief Minister of Haryana and a prominent figure in Indian politics, has passed away at 89 following a cardiac arrest at his residence in Gurgaon. Born on January 1, 1935, in Sirsa, Haryana, Chautala’s political career spanned several decades. He first became Chief Minister in 1989, but his tenure was marked by short stints due to political instability. His third term in 1991 was also brief, as President's rule was imposed within two weeks. However,

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has called an urgent meeting of its Apex Council to appoint former Chief Election Commissioner Achal Kumar Jyoti as the electoral officer for upcoming elections to fill the positions of secretary and treasurer. These posts were vacated by Jay Shah and Ashish Shelar, who assumed new roles in December. According to the BCCI constitution, the Board must call a Special General Meeting and appoint an electoral officer at least four weeks before the

The National Medical Commission (NMC) has officially released the NEET UG 2025 syllabus, providing students with the essential framework for their preparations for the upcoming medical entrance examination. NEET (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test) UG 2025 is the gateway for admission into undergraduate medical courses across India, including MBBS programs at prestigious institutions such as AIIMS and JIPMER. The syllabus, which covers three major subjects&mdash

Congress has criticized National Conference leader and Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah for his changing approach to EVM (Electronic Voting Machine) allegations. This criticism came after Abdullah dismissed claims raised by Congress and other opposition parties about EVM manipulation following the Maharashtra election results. Senior Congress leader Manickam Tagore pointed out that while opposition parties like the NCP, Shiv Sena, and Samajwadi Party have questioned the integrit

Bangladesh's interim leader, Muhammad Yunus, has confirmed that general elections will likely take place by the end of 2025 or in the first half of 2026. Yunus, who was appointed the country’s "chief adviser" after a student-led uprising in August toppled former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, is overseeing a temporary administration that is focused on restoring democratic institutions in the country. Yunus, 84, the Nobel Peace Prize-winning microfinance pioneer, h

The International Cricket Council (ICC) is set to finalize the hybrid model for the 2025 Champions Trophy during a virtual meeting with Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi. Under this model, India and Pakistan will not travel to each other's countries for ICC events. The 2025 Champions Trophy, scheduled from February 19 to March 9, will be played in Dubai, with eight teams divided into two groups. The top two teams from each group will advance to the semifinals. T

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his visit to Prayagraj on Friday, hailed the 2025 Maha Kumbh as a "mahayagya of unity" that would elevate the country's cultural and spiritual identity. Addressing a public meeting, Modi emphasized that the Maha Kumbh brings people together, transcending caste and sect divisions. He inaugurated 167 significant development projects worth Rs 5,500 crore to enhance Prayagraj's infrastructure in preparation for the upcoming Kumbh Mela.

The US Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs has released the Visa Bulletin for January 2025, providing crucial updates for green card applicants, with a notable focus on Indian applicants. This bulletin offers insights into the availability of immigrant visa numbers, which are vital for individuals waiting in the green card queue. The limits for employment-based preference immigrants have been set at 140,000, while family-sponsored category immigrants have a cap of

The 2025 ICC Champions Trophy is currently in turmoil due to the ongoing standoff between India and Pakistan. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has firmly stated that it will not send its team to Pakistan, citing security concerns and political issues. In response, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has threatened to boycott future ICC events if India does not agree to the proposed hybrid model, where India’s matches are played in Dubai, while the rest of the tournament tak

The long-debated concept of "One Nation, One Election" has taken a significant step forward as the central cabinet, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved the proposal for simultaneous elections across India. The government plans to introduce a bill in the ongoing winter session of Parliament to implement the plan. The proposal has sparked differing opinions among political parties. While over 30 parties support the idea, Congress has raised concerns about the practi

The YSR Congress Party (YSRCP), led by Jagan Mohan Reddy, has been thrown into turmoil following a crushing defeat in the 2024 Andhra Pradesh elections, where the party secured only 11 out of 175 seats. This electoral setback, at the hands of the NDA coalition led by Chandrababu Naidu and Pawan Kalyan, has escalated into an existential crisis for the party, compounded by a series of defections. Two prominent former MLAs, Avanthi Srinivas and Grandhi Srinivas, resigned from the party

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has finalized a hybrid model for next year's Champions Trophy, allowing India to play its matches in Dubai, while Pakistan will co-host the event in the UAE. The decision, reached after informal discussions between ICC President Jay Shah and the Board of Directors, including Pakistan's representatives, is a major step toward resolving venue concerns in international cricket. The 2025 Champions Trophy will be held in the UAE and Pakistan, with In

Mangal, a plumber from Khairpur in Haryana’s Sirsa district, had his life transformed overnight after winning ₹1.5 crore in a lottery. His family, who had been living in a rented home for several years, erupted in celebration as Mangal returned home with the good news. Neighbors joined the festivities, with music and sweetmeats adding to the joy of the moment. For Mangal, this victory marks the realization of a dream. He has been buying lottery tickets for over five years, a

The future of the 2025 Champions Trophy is in jeopardy as tensions between India and Pakistan complicate the tournament's organization. India’s Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has made it clear that the Indian team will not travel to Pakistan without government approval, which remains pending. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had initially rejected the idea of a hybrid hosting model that would allow India to play in Dubai, but recently showed some flexibility, reportedl

Russian President Vladimir Putin has approved the country's 2025 budget, allocating $126 billion (13.5 trillion rubles) to national defence, which accounts for 32.5% of the total government spending. This marks a significant increase from last year’s budget, highlighting the ongoing strain the war in Ukraine has placed on Russia’s finances. The budget sets a new record, with military spending expected to account for over 6% of Russia's GDP. In contrast, expenditu

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge addressed key concerns following the party's electoral defeats in Maharashtra and Haryana, urging leaders to make "tough decisions" to strengthen the party. In a meeting at the Congress Working Committee (CWC) headquarters, Kharge stressed the need for party unity, accountability, and a shift in strategy to tackle future elections effectively. Kharge criticized internal bickering, highlighting how public statements against fellow l

 The BJP has sharply criticized Congress for its repeated claims about faulty electronic voting machines (EVMs) following its losses in the Haryana and Maharashtra elections. The Congress party has often alleged that EVMs are tampered with to favor the BJP, but the BJP responded by pointing out that the same technology had delivered victories for Congress in Jharkhand and Priyanka Gandhi's Wayanad bypoll. In a pointed post on X (formerly Twitter), the BJP mocked Congress for blaming

President-elect Donald Trump has vowed to impose a 25% tariff on all goods imported from Mexico and Canada, set to take effect on his first day in office, January 20. The new tariffs are expected to have severe implications for American consumers, including higher prices on everyday products such as gasoline, produce, cars, and alcohol. Mexico, now the US’s top trading partner, and Canada, a major supplier of oil and agricultural products, will be significantly impacted by these tariffs

YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, known for his authoritative and strategic political approach, has faced criticism for his uncompromising decisions, especially in the aftermath of a party incident involving Revanth Reddy, the Telangana CM. Balineni Srinivas Reddy, a former MLA from YCP, recently shed light on an incident that revealed Jagan’s stringent nature. According to Balineni, when Revanth Reddy was elected as the CM of Telangana, he hosted a party in Delhi, inviting several MPs, i