On the eve of Republic Day, Wing Commander Akshay Saxena of the Indian Air Force was conferred the Vayu Sena Medal (Gallantry) for his remarkable leadership and courage during a high-stakes mission off the Somali coast. The operation, which took place on March 16, 2024, involved rescuing 17 crew members from the MV Ruen, a merchant ship that had been seized by pirates. The pirates had previously attacked merchant vessels in the Arabian Sea and even fired at the Indian Navy’s INS Kolkata

 As the Union Budget 2025 approaches on February 1, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is expected to address rising concerns over high inflation and shrinking disposable incomes, with a focus on tax relief for salaried individuals. One of the most anticipated measures is the potential increase in the standard deduction for salaried employees. Under the current system, a standard deduction of Rs 75,000 is available for those opting for the New Tax Regime, while the Old Tax Reg

Rajesh Magow, the Co-founder and Group CEO of MakeMyTrip, has shared his expectations for the upcoming Union Budget 2025-26, emphasizing the long-standing demand of the hospitality sector for "industry" status. Speaking ahead of the budget presentation on February 1, Magow stressed the importance of addressing this demand to unlock the full potential of the hospitality and tourism sectors. In an interview with PTI, Magow highlighted the government's commendable efforts

With the Modi government set to present its second full budget for the third term in power, the middle and lower-income groups across India are hopeful for key reforms that could alleviate their financial burdens. The anticipated reforms in Budget 2025 include tax relief measures, simplification of income tax laws, and a focus on financial literacy, insurance, and retirement savings. Key Expectations from Budget 2025 Insurance Sector Reforms:

The Role of National Education Policy (NEP) in the Union Budget 2025: The Union Budget 2025-26 is crucial for shaping the future of India's education system, especially with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 being a significant focus. The BJP-led NDA government, entering its third term, continues to prioritize education and skill development. The NEP aims to modernize educati

On Friday, a Pakistani court convicted former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi in a landmark corruption case related to their welfare foundation, the Al-Qadir Trust. Khan received a sentence of 14 years in prison, while his wife was handed a 7-year sentence. This verdict marks another chapter in Khan's ongoing legal and political battles since his ousting from office in 2022. T

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

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

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken addressed the controversial comments made by President-elect Donald Trump regarding the potential US acquisition of Greenland, stating that such an action is not realistic and urging the world not to waste time discussing it. Speaking in Paris during his farewell tour, Blinken stressed that the Biden administration's foreign policy focuses on maintaining strong alliances, with the belief that the US is more effective when working alongside its allies.

India has officially declared 2025 as the "Year of Defence Reforms" with the goal of modernizing its military and enhancing synergy between the Army, Navy, and Air Force. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh outlined a nine-point reform plan that includes the creation of integrated theatre commands to improve collaboration and resource utilization among the three services. These reforms will ensure a technologically advanced, combat-ready force capable of operating across multiple domains

Ahead of the Union Budget 2025-26, the government is expected to introduce measures to aid small businesses, farmers, and the export sector. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman recently held her fourth pre-budget consultation, where she discussed key economic policies and priorities with stakeholders. Sources suggest that the government may announce tax relief for middle-class citizens to help revitalize the slowing economy, along with support for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

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.

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declared emergency martial law on Tuesday, accusing opposition lawmakers of undermining the state and threatening the stability of the nation’s governance. This move comes amid a fierce parliamentary conflict over the budget bill for the next fiscal year. The opposition Democratic Party has slashed key portions of the budget, including funds for national security, law enforcement, and Yoon's office, in a dispute that has paralyzed the legislative

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

Over the last few years, military coups have reemerged in countries like Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso, Sudan, and Guinea, raising alarm among observers and analysts. These coups reflect a broader return of militarism in African politics, a political system where military objectives blur into governance, and military values dominate the state. Despite the Cold War-era decline of military dictatorships, recent events suggest that the political order in West and Central Africa is being reshaped by

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

At the 2024 Zhuhai Airshow, China presented a range of cutting-edge military technology, reaffirming its growing strength in defense and its ambition to be a global leader in military innovation. The biennial event, which attracts industry leaders and military experts from around the world, was a key platform for China to display new advancements in weapons, aircraft, and naval systems. Among the highlights was the J35-A Stealth Fighter, China's second stealth fighter after the

In the 2024 Andhra Pradesh state budget, the NDA-led government has allocated Rs 3445 crore for the development of Amaravati, the state's proposed capital. This marks a significant boost for the capital region, signaling a renewed commitment to its growth and infrastructure development. The Rs 3445 crore allocation includes: Rs 3000 crore for the development of basic social infrastructure in Amaravati, focusing on essential services and urban d

The Andhra Pradesh Finance Minister, Payyavula Keshav, presented a Budget of Rs 2,94,427 crore for the financial year 2024-25, marking a 5.40% increase from the previous year. The budget allocation includes Rs 2,35,916 crore for revenue expenditure and Rs 32,712 crore for capital expenditure. The estimated revenue deficit is around Rs 34,743 crore, with a fiscal deficit of approximately Rs 68,742 crore, accounting for 4.19% and 2.12% of the Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) respectively.

On November 11th, Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu's NDA government will present its first budget in Andhra Pradesh. Amid political tensions, the session will address the state’s financial allocations after a vote-on-account. Will the YSR Congress participate? Detailed Description Five months after securing a decisive mandate, the NDA government in Andhra Pradesh, led by Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, is poised to introduce its first full budget on November