Raghuram Rajan, former Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), has linked corruption under the UPA government as the primary cause of non-performing assets (NPAs) in Indian banks. In a recent interview, Rajan explained that following the global financial crisis, several projects began facing severe delays due to corruption scandals, land acquisition issues, and other regulatory obstacles. These factors, he argued, significantly contributed to the rise of NPAs. Rajan praised the

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) is expected to release the results for the CA Final exam by the end of December. An official from ICAI, Dhiraj Khandelwal, announced on X (formerly Twitter) that the likely release date for the results is December 26, 2024, with the results expected to be available by the evening. Once released, candidates who appeared for the exam can check their results on the official ICAI website by logging in with their credentials. The CA

India and Pakistan have reached an agreement to play their upcoming ICC tournament matches at neutral venues, following a dispute over the 2025 ICC Men's Champions Trophy, which was originally set to be hosted by Pakistan. The decision was made after India refused to send its team to Pakistan, citing security concerns and political tensions between the two countries. The International Cricket Council (ICC) confirmed that matches involving both nations during the 2024-2027 cycle will take

 On Wednesday, Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting, L Murugan, informed the Lok Sabha that the government had blocked 18 OTT platforms this year for publishing obscene, vulgar, and in some cases, pornographic content. This action is in line with the IT Rules of 2021, which impose specific due diligence obligations on intermediaries to ensure they take reasonable steps to prevent the spread of such content. The IT Rules also set out a Code of Ethics for publishers

A significant drug and arms seizure took place in Kupwara district, Jammu and Kashmir, as a result of a joint operation conducted by the Indian Army and local police. The operation, based on specific intelligence inputs, was carried out in the Chinotra area of the Tangdhar sector near the Line of Control (LoC). The search led to the recovery of approximately four kilograms of narcotics, including heroin-like substances, along with four pistols, six magazines, and other ‘war-like stores.

The Pakistan High Commission announced on Wednesday that it has issued 84 visas to Indian pilgrims for a visit to the Shree Katas Raj temples in Chakwal district, Punjab, Pakistan. The pilgrimage, scheduled from December 19 to 25, will allow Hindu pilgrims to visit this sacred complex of temples, also known as Qila Katas. The temples are a significant religious site for Hindus and are linked by walkways. These visits are part of the long-standing Pakistan-India bilateral protocol on

In a dazzling celebration of beauty and talent, Caitlin Sandra Neil, a 19-year-old Chennai-born Indian American teenager, was crowned Miss India USA 2024 at the annual pageant held in New Jersey. Caitlin, who is a second-year student at the University of California, Davis, expressed her desire to leave a lasting, positive impact on her community, with a strong focus on women's empowerment and literacy. Having lived in the United States for the past 14 years, Caitlin's journe

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

Indian cricket team spinner R. Ashwin has announced his retirement from international cricket after the third Test match against Australia in Brisbane on Wednesday. Ashwin, who played a pivotal role in India’s rise to the top of Test cricket, made the announcement during a joint press conference with captain Rohit Sharma, after the game ended in a draw. Ashwin, with 537 wickets in 106 Test matches, is the second-highest wicket-taker for India, following only Anil Kumble's record of

Finance Minister’s View on GDP Growth: In a recent statement, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman addressed the lower-than-expected growth in India’s GDP for the September quarter, calling it a "temporary blip." She emphasized her confidence that India’s economy will regain strong growth in the upcoming quarters. Despite the slowdown in the second quarter, she highligh

On Monday, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu visited the Polavaram project in Eluru district to review its progress. During his inspection, he sought details from the officials overseeing the project. The officials informed him that more than Rs 1,200 crore would be needed for constructing the diaphragm wall and guide bund, crucial components of the project. Speaking to the media, CM Naidu highlighted that the government aims to finish the entire Polavaram project b

Ukraine has condemned FIFA after a map displayed during the European World Cup qualifiers for 2026 appeared to omit Crimea from Ukraine. The map, shown during the December 2024 draw for the joint-hosted tournament by the US, Mexico, and Canada, sparked backlash when it excluded Crimea, which has been under Russian occupation since 2014. Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Heorhiy Tykhy accused FIFA of supporting Russian propaganda and violating international law by "redrawing b

Indian tourists may soon enjoy visa-free travel to Russia, with the new arrangement expected by spring 2025. Since August 2023, Indian travelers have already been eligible for e-visas, which are processed within four days. The upcoming visa-free travel agreement will further strengthen tourism ties between India and Russia. In 2023, Russia granted 9,500 e-visas to Indian visitors, placing India among the top five countries for easy travel access to Russia. Consultations between Mosc

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday honored the soldiers who played a pivotal role in India's victory during the 1971 war, known as Vijay Diwas. The day commemorates the surrender of Pakistani forces to the Indian Army, which led to the creation of Bangladesh. In a post shared on X, PM Modi paid tribute to the bravery and sacrifices of the soldiers who contributed to this historic victory. Modi emphasized the selfless dedication and determination of the Indian soldiers, notin

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

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 aftermath of the YSR Congress' landslide defeat in the 2024 general election has left the party in turmoil, with many senior leaders defecting. Prominent figures like Alla Nani, Breda Mastan, Avanti Srinivas, and Grandhi Srinivas have already parted ways with Jagan Mohan Reddy’s leadership, signaling the party’s deepening crisis. Adding to the woes, seasoned Andhra Pradesh politician and former Congress MLA Gone Prakash Rao has claimed that 4-5 more MLAs are likely to leav