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02 Jan

Higher excise duty on tobacco, new pan masala cess from February 1 to take effect

Banasree SarkarNational

On February 1, 2026, India will start imposing higher taxes on pan masala and tobacco products after the Union government officially announced a new excise duty and cess regime to replace the current GST compensation cess. With this action, the tax system for so-called sin products has been completely redesigned. In addition to the relevant Goods and Services Tax rates, the new charges will be applied. Pan masala, cigarettes, tobacco, and related products will be subject to a 40% GST rate starting on February 1, whereas biris would still be subject to an 18% GST rate. According to the Finance…

29 Dec

Gautam Adani motivates India’s youth to spearhead the AI era

Banasree SarkarNational

Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani called on the next generation of Indians to take the lead in the field of artificial intelligence (AI) because the nation's economic security, cultural confidence, and strategic freedom depend on the development of indigenous AI models, robust compute capacity, and resilient intelligence ecosystems. Speaking to researchers and students at the opening of Vidya Pratishthan's Sharad Pawar Centre of Excellence in Artificial Intelligence (CoE-AI) in Baramati, Maharashtra, Adani stated that India is about to enter a pivotal period where talent, technology, and national purpose must coexist. He pointed out that India's capacity to unite people, institutions,…

26 Dec

Congress marks the first death anniversary of Dr Manmohan Singh and his legacy of reform

Banasree SarkarNational

On December 26, the Congress honored former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on the first anniversary of his passing, recalling him as a leader whose leadership transformed India's economy and fortified democratic institutions. Singh passed away in Delhi on December 26, 2024, at the age of 92 due to age-related health issues. On December 28, he was cremated at Nigambodh Ghat with full state honors. The ceremony was attended by government dignitaries, family members, and senior political figures. Leaders from both parties also paid tribute. DK Shivakumar, the deputy chief minister of Karnataka, emphasized Singh's contribution to the passage of important…

26 Dec

Amit Shah Inaugurates NIA Anti-Terror Conference

MohiniNational

Union Home Minister Amit Shah inaugurated a high-level, two-day Anti-Terror Conference in New Delhi today, organized by the National Investigation Agency (NIA). The conference focuses on emerging hybrid threats, digital forensics, and the collection of evidence from foreign jurisdictions. During his keynote, Shah announced that India’s first-ever National Anti-Terror Policy would be released shortly, aiming to create a unified framework for state and central agencies to handle cross-border terrorism and radicalization more effectively.

24 Dec

To cut wildlife d*aths on tracks, Indian Railways expands AI system

Banasree SarkarNational

With an emphasis on railway lines that are prone to collisions with elephants, Indian Railways has increased the usage of an artificial intelligence-based intrusion detection system. The device delivers real-time notifications to loco pilots, station masters, and control rooms when it detects animal movement close to tracks using AI-enabled cameras and a Distributed Acoustic System (DAS). Train drivers can slow down or stop in time thanks to these alerts, which are sent out up to 0.5 km beforehand. A 141-kilometer section of the Northeast Frontier Railway has already had the system installed, and it has been functioning well there. Inspired…

23 Dec

After Cyclone Ditwah, India unveils $450 million reconstruction plan for Sri Lanka

Banasree SarkarNational

Following the effects of Cyclone Ditwah, the Indian government has developed a USD 450 million reconstruction and recovery package for Sri Lanka. This action demonstrates the Indian government's solidarity and support for the countries in the area. This was declared by the Indian minister of external affairs while in Sri Lanka. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's special envoy is Dr. Jaishankar. Dr. Jaishankar met with Anura Dissanayake, the president of Sri Lanka, and expressed the good wishes of the Indian prime minister to the Sri Lankan people. Dr. Jaishankar gave the administration the assurance that India would support Sri Lanka's…

20 Dec

IndiGo urged by Govt to expedite compensation for hundreds affected by cancellations

Banasree SarkarNational

IndiGo Airlines was instructed by the Central Government to promptly provide compensation to passengers impacted by major aircraft delays and cancellations earlier this month. The carrier was also instructed to make sure that no qualified passenger was left out of relief measures. Amid growing complaints from stranded travelers and delayed refunds, Aviation Secretary Samir Sinha issued the decision during a high-level review meeting. According to officials, IndiGo has been ordered to finish the compensation process on schedule and to remain transparent at all times. As part of the relief package, IndiGo will start providing ₹10,000 travel vouchers starting on December…

16 Dec

India to Host Second WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine

MohiniNational

India is set to host the Second WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine in New Delhi from December 17–19, 2025. Jointly organized by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Ministry of AYUSH, the summit's theme is "Restoring Balance for People and Planet: The Science and Practice of Well-Being." A key outcome will be the launch of the Traditional Medicine Global Library (TMGL), the world's largest digital repository on traditional, complementary, and integrative medicine, alongside the new WHO Global Traditional Medicine Strategy 2025–2034.

12 Dec

On December 16, Indian Navy will commission first indigenous diving support craft

Banasree SarkarNational

Under the auspices of Southern Naval Command, the Indian Navy will commission DSC A20, the first ship of the domestically built Diving Support Craft (DSC), at Kochi on December 16, according to officials. Vice Admiral Sameer Saxena, the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Southern Naval Command, will be present for the ship's official induction into service. The event will increase the Navy's diving and underwater support capabilities by adding a crucial operational asset to its inventory. M/s Titagarh Rail Systems Limited (TRSL), Kolkata, is building five Diving Support Craft, the first of which is the DSC A20. With cutting-edge, state-of-the-art diving…

09 Dec

President Murmu honors master craftspeople with National Handicrafts Awards

Banasree SarkarNational

President Droupadi Murmu awarded the 2023–2024 National Handicrafts Awards, which were hosted at Vigyan Bhavan, at a lavish ceremony in New Delhi. This is an important celebration of India's rich and varied craft traditions, with 31 exceptional artists and 11 Shilp Gurus from 21 states among the awardees. As part of the Handicraft Awards 2025, the Ministry of Textiles planned the event to take place at the beginning of National Handicrafts Week. Among the prominent people in attendance were Pabitra Margherita, Minister of State for Textiles & External Affairs; Giriraj Singh, Union Minister of Textiles; Neelam Shami Rao, Secretary (Textiles);…