The Indian rupee opened at 84.83 against the US dollar on Monday, a depreciation of 4 paise compared to the previous close of 84.79. The decline in the rupee is largely attributed to the uncertainty following the announcement of a leadership transition at the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). Shaktikanta Das will be succeeded by Sanjay Malhotra, sparking initial concerns in the market. However, markets quickly adjusted to the news, with experts noting that the RBI is closely monitoring banking sys

Switzerland has decided to suspend the Most-Favoured-Nation (MFN) status granted to India, which could result in higher taxes for Indian companies operating in the country. Starting January 1, 2025, Indian companies will face increased withholding tax rates on income such as dividends and royalties generated in Switzerland. The new tax rules will impose a 10% tax on dividends earned by Indian entities. This move follows a ruling by the Indian Supreme Court in October 2023, which sta

Efforts are underway to secure the early release and repatriation of 14 Indian fishermen, including seven from Tamil Nadu, who have been detained in a Pakistani jail since January. Union External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar informed Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin about the ongoing diplomatic efforts. This followed a letter from Stalin, dated November 20, urging swift action for the fishermen’s release. Jaishankar stated that the Indian government had raised the matte

The Indian rupee ended the trading session stronger after the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) decided to keep the benchmark interest rates unchanged, while unveiling measures aimed at improving liquidity in the banking system. The domestic currency gained 3 paise, closing at 84.70 against the US dollar, compared to 84.73 in the previous session. As part of the monetary policy changes, the RBI raised the interest rate ceiling on one-year Foreign Currency Non-Resident (FCNR) deposits by 200 basis p

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, while receiving the 'India First' award at NDTV’s Indian of the Year ceremony, celebrated the crucial role of India's democracy in shaping the country's growth. He emphasized how democracy has brought forward voices from every part of the nation, not just metropolitan cities, giving equal representation to all sections of society. This inclusiveness, he argued, has been pivotal in driving India’s development. He also noted t

The Supreme Court of India has reprimanded senior bureaucrats in Delhi, including the Chief Secretary, for the delayed payment of dues to construction workers impacted by the city's construction ban aimed at reducing pollution. The court had ordered that workers should be compensated during the ban, which was imposed on November 18, but only partial payment had been made. The government had promised ₹8,000 to over 90,000 workers, but many had only received ₹2,000 as an immediate relie

Devendra Fadnavis is poised to begin his third term as Maharashtra's Chief Minister, with an oath-taking ceremony scheduled for tomorrow at Azad Maidan in Mumbai. This follows a period of suspense over the leadership of the newly-formed BJP-led Mahayuti government, which secured a sweeping victory in the recent state elections. Today, the BJP core committee officially finalized Fadnavis as its choice for Chief Minister, bringing an end to the uncertainty surrounding the post. Hi

In its ongoing efforts to reform public policies, the NDA government has now turned its focus on the education sector. Following changes in policies related to sand and liquor, the government is now preparing to revive an initiative aimed at reducing student dropouts in government junior colleges. IT and Education Minister Nara Lokesh has announced plans to reinstate a government-funded mid-day meal scheme, initially introduced by the TDP in 2018. The program was designed to encoura

The Indian Rupee has depreciated to a record low of 84.61 against the US Dollar, marking a fresh setback for the currency. This comes after former US President Donald Trump's threat to impose a 100% tariff on BRICS nations if they fail to continue using the US Dollar. Trump's demand for a commitment from BRICS countries not to create a new currency or back alternatives to the dollar has put additional pressure on global markets, including the Indian Rupee. Along with this geopolitical

As of October 2024, the Union government's fiscal deficit for the financial year 2024-25 stands at 46.5% of the total budgetary target, amounting to Rs 7.5 lakh crore. This is in line with the government's fiscal consolidation strategy, which aims to bring down the fiscal deficit to 4.9% of GDP for the year, an improvement from the previous fiscal year's target of 5.6%. The fiscal deficit gap, which represents the difference between government expenditure and revenue, is

Rajya Sabha Chairman and Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar recently made a strong statement about the importance of following parliamentary rules, declaring that any deviation is akin to sacrilege against the "temple of democracy." During a session on Thursday, he responded to Congress MP Jairam Ramesh’s question about how to "persuade the chair" by emphasizing that the chair is historically persuaded by members' adherence to the rules. Dhankhar stressed

A recent survey by global real estate services firm JLL reveals that Indian organisations require more office attendance compared to the global average. According to the Future of Work Survey 2024 – India Insights, 90% of Indian employers mandate at least three days of office presence per week, which is higher than the global average of 85%. Moreover, over half (54%) of Indian organisations anticipate an increase in the number of office days by 2030, surpassing the global expec

Mohammed Shami has limited time to convince selectors to include him in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, with just under a week to prove his fitness. The fast bowler, who has returned to competitive cricket after a lengthy injury layoff, has impressed in his first Ranji Trophy match but now faces evaluation through Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) T20 matches. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is closely monitoring Shami's recovery, with a particular focus on his fitness

The Indian rupee opened flat at 84.24 against the US dollar on Thursday, following a slight dip of 11 paise to close at 84.45 on Wednesday. On Tuesday, it had closed at 84.34. The minor decline reflects the ongoing volatility in the foreign exchange market. The rupee had also opened weaker by 5 paise at 84.39 on Wednesday morning. Analysts predict that the rupee's range for the day will likely stay between 84.30 and 84.50. Anil Kumar Bhansali, head of treasury and executive dire

Norwegian diplomat and former UN Environment Programme Executive Director Erik Solheim has strongly criticized the US government's recent report regarding the Adani Group, calling it a case of "American overreach." The report alleges that certain individuals linked to the Adani Group discussed bribes to secure solar energy contracts in India, but Solheim pointed out that the allegations lack evidence of actual bribe payments or involvement from the Adani Group’s top leader

In the Perth Test, former India captain Sunil Gavaskar observed that a subtle adjustment in Virat Kohli's batting stance played a crucial role in his recovery of vintage form. After a lean period in international cricket, Kohli scored his 30th Test century, silencing critics who questioned his place in the team. Gavaskar noted that Kohli, who had struggled in the first innings, seemed more relaxed in the second, with a slight change in his stance—his legs positioned a bit wider, whi

The Indian rupee opened at 84.39 against the US dollar on Wednesday, weakening by 5 paise from its previous close of 84.34. This follows a series of declines, with the rupee slipping by six paise on Tuesday. While the rupee had shown a slight recovery on Monday, gaining 17 paise, the currency continues to face downward pressure due to persistent demand for the US dollar and global uncertainties. Analysts had predicted a weaker outlook for the rupee, especially after a brief period o

On the 75th anniversary of the adoption of India's Constitution, Prime Minister Narendra Modi reaffirmed his commitment to performing his duties within the Constitution's framework. In his speech at the Supreme Court during Constitution Day celebrations, he clarified that his actions have always aligned with constitutional provisions without overstepping boundaries. Modi addressed opposition claims that efforts were underway to undermine the Constitution and asserted that his governme

Kanwal Sibal, the former Foreign Secretary of India, has strongly criticized a report from a US government department regarding the Adani Group, describing it as a violation of India's sovereignty. Sibal condemned the US for overstepping its bounds, arguing that any investigation conducted on Indian soil by US authorities would breach Indian law. He emphasized that if the US had evidence of illegal activity, it should have shared its findings with Indian authorities instead of taking unil

Deputy Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, Pawan Kalyan, who is also overseeing the Panchayat Raj and Forestry Departments, has raised concerns over the whereabouts of two luxury BMW cars that were seized during a sandalwood trafficking bust. The vehicles were confiscated during the TDP government's tenure (2014-2019) following a major sandalwood smuggling operation. After their seizure, the high-end BMW cars were allocated to officers within the Forestry Department—one to the Special