India’s annual retail inflation rate eased to 3.34% in March 2025, according to the latest data from the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation. This marks the fifth consecutive month of decline and falls below the 3.61% recorded in February, offering significant relief to policymakers and consumers alike. The main factor contributing to this moderation is the continued softening of food prices, which make up a large portion of the Consumer Price Index (CPI). Food inflation dr

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has introduced a new initiative to connect more directly with the public by launching an official WhatsApp channel. This development is part of the central bank’s broader commitment to enhancing public awareness and making important financial and banking information accessible to every citizen, particularly those in rural and semi-urban areas who might not have regular access to official websites or traditional media. The initiative falls under the RBI&rs

In a heartfelt act of friendship, remembrance, and community service, a New Jersey Girl Scout has created a nature trail dedicated to the memory of her late friend. Joellie Giquinto of Medford Lakes recently unveiled “Marketa’s Trail,” a peaceful, mile-long path winding through the wooded areas of her hometown. The trail is named in honor of Marketa McCabe, a close friend who passed away at the age of 20, four years ago. The project, rooted in love and resilience, has earned Jo

In a significant policy development, RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra announced that the Reserve Bank of India will soon release comprehensive regulations governing prudential norms and conduct-related aspects of gold loans. This move follows growing concerns over irregular practices among certain regulated entities (REs) and the recent surge in gold-backed lending across the country. The upcoming regulations aim to harmonize gold loan guidelines across various categories of lenders, including ba

India’s banking sector is projected to witness a year-on-year credit expansion of ₹19 lakh crore to ₹20.5 lakh crore in FY2025-26, amounting to a growth of approximately 10.8%, according to a report by ICRA, a leading credit rating agency. This expansion is expected to be driven by recent monetary easing measures implemented by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), though structural challenges in deposit mobilisation and rising credit-deposit ratios may temper growth momentum. According to

Timely pension payments are not merely a procedural matter—they are a lifeline for countless retired central and state government employees. These pensions, disbursed through authorised banks, are governed by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI)'s "Master Circular - Disbursement of Government Pension by Agency Banks". The RBI recently updated the circular, issuing a series of clarifications that aim to make the pension system more transparent, accountable, and senior citizen-fr

Poonam Gupta, a prominent economist with global expertise, has been appointed as the new Deputy Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). Her appointment marks a historic milestone, as she becomes the first woman in over a decade to assume this high-ranking position at India’s central bank. She succeeds Michael Patra, who retired in January 2024. Gupta brings with her nearly two decades of international experience, having worked with the World Bank, International Monet

Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) has requested the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to introduce long-term government bonds, including 100-year bonds, to support their investment strategies for whole life insurance policies. This request was confirmed by Siddhartha Mohanty, Managing Director and Chief Executive of LIC, during an event in Mumbai. Speaking on the sidelines of the GCA25 conference, Mohanty explained that LIC’s investment portfolio heavily depends on long-term bonds to

Fixed deposits have long been considered a safe and reliable investment option in India, particularly among conservative investors. However, declining interest rates and rising inflation have made it increasingly difficult for FDs to offer returns that outpace the rising cost of living. With the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) reducing the repo rate, banks have responded by lowering FD rates, prompting investors to explore other options that provide higher returns while maintaining financial secu

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is in the final stages of electing its new national president, with the decision expected to be announced by March 15, 2025. The position became vacant after JP Nadda was elevated to a Union ministerial role, prompting a keenly contested leadership race within the party. The BJP’s national leadership is working towards selecting a strong candidate capable of guiding the party through the next five years, as it prepares for crucial state and national elec

Washington: Errol Musk, the father of billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk, has raised doubts about his son's potential political career, citing concerns over his ability to connect with people at all levels. In a candid interview with Al Arabiya News, Errol expressed skepticism about Elon’s suitability for politics, emphasizing that his son is more accustomed to working with elite professionals than engaging with the general public.   E

The Texas A&M University System Board of Regents is expected to make a pivotal decision regarding the next chancellor to lead its vast network of 11 universities and eight state agencies. The board, which is meeting in Houston, could vote on a sole finalist for the position, initiating a mandatory 21-day waiting period before finalizing the appointment. According to sources familiar with the search process, the board has identified five candidates for c

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI), in its latest bulletin released on February 19, stated that the tax cuts in the Union Budget 2025, along with moderating inflation, are expected to provide financial relief to the middle class and boost overall household spending. This announcement comes after the February Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting, where the newly appointed RBI Governor, Sanjay Malhotra, emphasized the positive economic impact of the tax relief measur

A closed-door meeting took place in Davangere, Karnataka, attended by several prominent Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes leaders, including key ministers such as G Parameshwara, Satish Jarkiholi, HC Mahadevappa, K Rajanna, and Yathindra Siddaramaiah, son of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. The gathering took place during the Maharshi Valmiki Jatra Mahotsava at Valmiki Matha in Rajanahalli, Harihar. Speculation about the meeting being linked to a potential change in the Karnataka Pradesh Cong

Indian stock markets experienced a significant fall in early trade on Monday, even though the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) announced a rate cut and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) emerged victorious in the Delhi Assembly elections. The benchmark indices opened lower and continued to decline amid growing selling pressure. The BSE Sensex lost over 600 points, while the NSE Nifty dropped nearly 200 points.   The Sensex hit a low of 77,189.04, down from the previous session&

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) announced a 25 basis points cut in the benchmark interest rate, marking its first reduction in five years. The decision, led by Governor Sanjay Malhotra, aims to boost economic activity but was met with mixed reactions from investors. Despite expectations of a rate cut, the market remained cautious as the RBI maintained a neutral stance without introducing additional liquidity measures. Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) continued outflows amid concerns ove

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is inviting applications for the position of Medical Consultant (MC) on a contract basis. This is an excellent opportunity for qualified medical professionals to work with RBI. The last date to apply is February 14, 2025, at 4:40 pm.   Vacancy Details: The recruitment is for medical professionals with an MBBS degree, with a preference for those having postgraduate qualifications in General Medicine and at least two years o

Dr. Michael Debabrata Patra, who served as the Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) Deputy Governor, has retired after nearly four decades with the central bank. Known for his strategic role in steering the RBI’s monetary policy, Patra became the face of the RBI during critical press conferences, answering the key questions on interest rates, inflation, and growth. Patra, who headed the monetary policy department for most of his tenure, was a key player in the decisions made by

Janet Petro has been appointed as the acting administrator of NASA, making history as the first woman to hold the position since the agency’s founding in 1958. This appointment comes after President Donald Trump took office, with Petro replacing Bill Nelson, the 14th NASA administrator. In her new role, Petro is responsible for overseeing NASA’s budget, programs, and operations until the U.S. Senate confirms a new administrator. Notably, Trump had nominated entrepreneur

Rishabh Pant Appointed Captain of LSG for IPL 2025 Indian cricket team wicket-keeper Rishabh Pant has been named the captain of Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) for the upcoming IPL 2025 season. Pant, who was previously the captain of Delhi Capitals (DC), was bought by LSG for a record-breaking Rs 27 crore in the IPL 2025 auction. The decision came after a bidding war between LSG and DC, with LSG winning the deal. Pant’s IPL Journey and Record Auction