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 Thursday morning, the Union Cabinet led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi made significant decisions, including approving two major plans with long-term implications for India’s space exploration and central government employees. In a boost to the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), the cabinet sanctioned a Rs 3900 crore investment to establish a third launch pad at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh. This new launch pad will serve dual purpo

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

The Madhya Pradesh High Court has given the state government six weeks to ensure proper disposal of Union Carbide factory waste in accordance with safety guidelines. This follows the shift of waste, sealed in 12 containers, from the defunct factory in Bhopal to a disposal site in Pithampur, about 250 km away, on January 2, 2025. The court’s decision comes after the state's Advocate General Prashant Singh expressed concerns about unrest in Pithampur due to misinformation about the wa

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.

Strike Overview: Thousands of Amazon warehouse workers across four U.S. states have gone on strike, demanding better pay, improved benefits, and safer working conditions. The strike, organized by the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, affects seven Amazon facilities in Skokie, Illinois; New York City; Atlanta; San Francisco; and Southern California. The union claims to represent nearly 10,000 Amazo

Anoushka Kale's Election as President Anoushka Kale, a 20-year-old English Literature student at Sidney Sussex College, University of Cambridge, has been elected as the president of the prestigious Cambridge Union Society for the Easter 2025 term. Kale won the election uncontested, receiving 126 votes. As the current Debates Officer for the society, she is recognized for her commitment to pro

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

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

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

The NDA government in Andhra Pradesh is set to revamp the state's road infrastructure, allocating a substantial ₹10,000 crore for new constructions and repairs. This initiative marks a significant shift from the previous YCP regime, which faced criticism for failing to lay new roads and clear contractor dues from 2019 to 2024. Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu and Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan

Chandrababu Naidu has emerged as a pivotal figure in the NDA government, significantly influencing the allocation of funds to Andhra Pradesh following the recent elections. With the support of 18 MPs, including Janasena, Naidu played a crucial role in helping Narendra Modi’s BJP retain power for a third consecutive term. This political leverage has translated into substantial financial assistance for Andhra Pradesh, addressing key developmental issues in the state. The 2024 bu