On Wednesday, the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) led by Jagdambika Pal adopted the draft report and the amended Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024. The committee's report, which includes significant revisions to the bill, will be tabled in Parliament on Monday as part of the ongoing Budget Session. The amendments to the bill are aimed at ensuring the benefits of Waqf properties reach marginalized groups, such as the poor, women, and orphans. This inclusion marks a major development in the b

Projected Economic Growth India’s economy is expected to grow between 6.3% to 6.8% in the financial year 2025-26 (FY26). This forecast comes from the Economic Survey 2024-25 presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in Parliament. Economic Fundamentals The survey highlights that the

Varun Chakravarthy's Rise in ICC T20I Rankings: India's mystery spinner, Varun Chakravarthy, has made a remarkable climb in the ICC Men's T20I Bowling Rankings, jumping 25 places to secure the fifth position. His performance in the ongoing five-match series against England, particularly his standout five-wicket haul in Rajkot during the third T20I, has caught the attention o

In preparation for the Mauni Amavasya "Amrit Snan" on Wednesday, authorities managing the Maha Kumbh have issued a comprehensive safety advisory to ensure a smooth and secure experience for the millions of devotees expected to attend. The second Amrit Snan of the Maha Kumbh is anticipated to be one of the largest gatherings of the pilgrimage, and the authorities are taking extensive measures to manage crowd movement and safety. The fair administration, in collaboration wit

Jasprit Bumrah has maintained his position as the undisputed No. 1 Test bowler in the latest ICC rankings, while Ravindra Jadeja continues to dominate the all-rounders' category. Bumrah, who made history earlier in January by achieving the highest-ever ICC Rankings rating for an Indian bowler at 907 points, has now reached a career-best 908 points. Australia's Pat Cummins (841) and South Africa's Kagiso Rabada (837) occupy the second and third spots respectively, while P

Shreyas Iyer, the captain of Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) who led the team to victory in IPL 2024, has opened up about not being retained by the franchise for the upcoming season. In a candid interview, Iyer revealed that the lack of communication from the Shah Rukh Khan-owned team left him perplexed, making him uncertain about his future with KKR. He mentioned that despite winning the IPL title, there were no concrete talks regarding retention until just a week before the retention deadline,

India’s Smriti Mandhana has risen to second place in the ICC Women's ODI Batting Rankings after a remarkable series against Ireland, where she scored 135 in the third ODI and contributed with 41 and 73 runs in the first two matches. With 738 points, Mandhana is now only behind South Africa's Laura Wolvaardt, who leads the rankings with 773 points. Sri Lanka’s Chamari Athapaththu follows in third with 733 points. Mandhana is currently the only Indian player in the top 10 of

Gavaskar's Take on Samson's Omission Legendary Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar has expressed his thoughts on the exclusion of wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson from India’s squad for the upcoming Champions Trophy 2024. Despite a stellar record and calls for his inclusion, Samson was left out of the 15-man squad, with KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant being preferred as the designated wicketkeepers. The omission has led to widespread criticism from fans and experts

Impact of China’s Export Restrictions on Indian Manufacturing: India’s manufacturing industry is facing significant disruptions due to China’s export restrictions, which are part of the ongoing trade tensions between the United States and China. These curbs primarily affect industries in India that rely on raw materials, machinery, and components from China, such as the solar po

Months before the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented an interim budget in February to manage the government’s immediate financial needs. After the BJP-led NDA returned to power for a third term, she unveiled the comprehensive Union Budget for the financial year 2024-25 on July 23. While both budgets play a significant role in the nation's fiscal planning, their objectives and scope are different. An interim budget is a temporary financi

Jasprit Bumrah’s participation in the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy is under serious threat after the star pacer was advised bed rest at home due to an injury. Bumrah, who took 32 wickets during the recent Border-Gavaskar Trophy, returned home last week after India’s long tour to Australia. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is taking a cautious approach to his recovery, as it is highly unlikely that they will rush him back into action. A report from Ti

The Union Budget for the upcoming financial year is expected to include provisions for promoting artificial intelligence (AI) in India. According to sources, a special policy package for AI is being formulated, with a focus on AI-skilling schemes and the establishment of AI centres. Additionally, the budget is likely to allocate funds to support these initiatives, ensuring measures are in place to safeguard employment in light of AI's rapid advancement. The Ministry of Finance h

Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has strongly rebutted Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s claims regarding the 2024 Indian elections, labelling them "factually incorrect." Zuckerberg, in a recent appearance on the Joe Rogan podcast, suggested that most incumbent governments globally, including India's, lost in the 2024 elections due to post-Covid dissatisfaction. However, the Narendra Modi-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) won a decisive third term in India, securing the trust

On Friday, Nicolas Maduro was sworn in for a third six-year term as Venezuela's president, despite widespread accusations of election fraud and a growing wave of international opposition. Having served as president since 2013, Maduro has weathered numerous crises, including a collapsing economy, US sanctions, and ongoing protests. His controversial victory in the July 2024 elections was followed by violent crackdowns, which saw over 2,400 people arrested and at least 28 killed. This marks

Expansion of China's Trade-In Scheme China is extending its consumer trade-in program, originally launched in March 2024, to help stimulate demand in the struggling household sector. The scheme now includes additional home appliances such as microwave ovens, dishwashers, and rice cookers. In an effort to boost the digital goods market, subsidies are also being offered for products like smartphones, tablets, and smartwatches. Consumers who trade in old products can receive subsidies

Infosys, the major IT company, has postponed its annual salary hike for the fourth quarter of FY 2024-25, following the last increase in November 2023. This delay highlights the ongoing uncertainties within the domestic IT sector. One of the key reasons cited for the slowdown is the lack of increased IT spending from clients, influenced by macroeconomic factors, including potential tariffs under the upcoming Donald Trump administration. Infosys is not alone in this move, as other large IT com

A court in Bangladesh has issued a second arrest warrant for former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, accusing her of enforced disappearances during her time in power. The new charges, which were announced by the chief prosecutor of the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT), Tajul Islam, involve Hasina, her military adviser, and several law enforcement officials. Over 500 people were allegedly abducted by Bangladesh's security forces under her regime, with some of them detained in secret locati

The University of Hyderabad (UoH) has opened applications for the 2025-27 MBA programme. Interested candidates can apply via the official websites acad.uohyd.ac.in and uohyd.ac.in. The deadline for submission is January 15, 2025. Applicants must have a minimum of a three-year first-class Bachelor's degree, with 60% marks or equivalent, and must have appeared for CAT 2024. Shortlisted candidates will undergo a Grou

In 2024, the collective wealth of the world’s top 500 billionaires surged to a staggering $10 trillion, marking an unprecedented milestone. The year saw tech giants Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg, and Jensen Huang dominate the wealth rankings, with their fortunes significantly boosted by a rally in US technology stocks. Tesla, Meta, and Nvidia stocks performed exceptionally well, contributing heavily to the increase in wealth. Musk, the wealthiest individual, saw his fortune soar to $442.1

The Airport Authority of India (AAI) has launched its recruitment drive for 89 Junior Assistant (Fire Services) positions across India. Candidates interested in applying for these positions must meet the educational qualifications, which include being a 10th pass with a three-year approved diploma in Mechanical, Automobile, or Fire disciplines, or having completed their 12th standard (regular study). The online registration for the recruitment will close on January 28, 2025, and applicants ca