Stories from earlier this week and beyond.
India’s festive hiring climbed 17% between August and October across key sectors, with gig and temporary roles up 25% this year, according to a report. Improved compensation and steady demand reflect growing economic confidence and a more mature gig ecosystem. The momentum is expected to stretch through the wedding season and into March 2026, powered largely by Tier II and Tier III cities.
Metals major Hindustan Zinc has announced a first interim dividend of Rs 11 per equity share for the current financial year 2027. The company has set the record date for April 30, which will determine which shareholders are eligible to receive the payout.
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Budget 2024 is sharpening its focus on tax reforms, arguing that how taxes are designed drives real-world business decisions. Supporters say clearer, more predictable tax rules can influence investment, encourage expansion, and improve job creation, with knock-on effects for the broader economy and everyday outcomes for individuals.
Recent blockbuster wins suggest global drug makers aren’t just succeeding through long-term research. Companies have repeatedly found success by bringing pipeline compounds back from the discard pile, turning old bets into major drugs and vaccines. While strategy still matters, the pattern points to luck playing an outsized role in which therapies finally reach patients.
In West Bengal, party switching is increasingly driven by calculated advantage rather than ideology. Despite evidence that defectors often fail, the pattern persists, fueled by central agency investigations, ticket denials, and shifting local power. Now voter list management adds another battlefield, where parties may gamble on whether their ground teams can shield or sway voter bases.
Nadir Godrej will retire as chairperson of the Godrej Industries Group in August 2026 and move into a new position as Chairman Emeritus. The group will also see him step down from multiple company boards as part of a planned generational succession. The transition is set for August 2026 and marks a change after years of leadership shaping global expansion.
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ONDC’s ride has reportedly hit a speed bump, raising questions about how quickly the network can regain momentum. Analysts point to a tough mix of needs: more capital, active buyer-side app participation, stronger industry partnerships, and policy nudges to rebuild user interest. The focus now shifts to whether leadership tied to Paytm can revive traction and trust.
The first Artificial Intelligence Safety Summit took place at London’s Bletchley Park, drawing major AI powers to begin a new era of cooperation on regulation. Building on the historic legacy of codebreakers, the discussions around the Bletchley Declaration aim to align safety standards and influence how emerging AI systems are governed across borders.
Reports of alleged sexual harassment and coercion by staff at a TCS BPO facility in Nashik have ignited scrutiny of how India’s POSH Act is being implemented. Women employees have come forward with disturbing accounts. Authorities have taken swift action, filing multiple FIRs and making several arrests, but questions remain about prevention and enforcement.
Accion President Michael Schlein says India has become “overweight” in its global fintech portfolio, as innovations from the India Stack increasingly spread to Africa and Latin America. He points to growing international interest from about a hundred countries seeking to replicate India’s digital public infrastructure, signaling a shift from India exporting models to scaling them worldwide.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi says his jhalmuri stop in Jhargram rattled Trinamool Congress, using the moment to underline public anger over TMC’s governance, corruption, and inefficiency. He promises sweets and jhalmuri distribution across Bengal if the BJP forms the government on May 4. Modi also assured Hindu refugee families protection and faster citizenship processing.
The US says it carried out a night-time boarding of an Indo-Pacific oil tanker sanctioned for allegedly smuggling Iranian crude. The operation, shared by the defence department on X, was framed as part of wider global maritime enforcement to disrupt illicit networks and prevent material support reaching Iran. Washington also warned that international waters won’t shield sanctioned vessels.
Cybercriminals are increasingly impersonating India Post in courier-style online frauds, mirroring earlier FedEx scam patterns. In one reported case, a retired government employee was reportedly swindled out of 23.26 lakh. Telangana alone recorded 89,783 cybercrime complaints in 2023, where courier frauds frequently targeted retired employees and housewives.
PNGRB has moved to dismantle long-standing city gas pipeline tariffs, triggering sweeping regulatory change across the sector. While established city gas operators scramble to adapt, the reforms are also creating space for private companies to expand aggressively. The shift could redraw India’s energy map by reshaping who controls distribution and market access in fast-growing cities.
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The World Bank projects India’s GDP growth at 6.6% for FY27 and sees an average 7.1% from FY28 to FY29, despite risks from the Gulf conflict. It warns global energy prices could rise, but argues India’s macro strength—bolstered by reserves and low inflation—gives room to absorb shocks. It also stresses private sector growth for jobs and Viksit Bharat goals.
A low-profile pharma firm, Advent controlled-BSV, has drawn major investor attention after a turnaround that tripled its valuation in five years. Its focus on specialised women’s health products and a strong research pipeline have helped drive the momentum. Now, Mankind is set to acquire BSV in a $1.6 billion deal, putting the company’s next growth phase in the spotlight.
Qatar Airways is rolling out an expanded summer schedule running June 16 to September 15, 2026, aiming to connect travelers to more than 150 destinations. The airline is adding new routes and increasing flight frequency via Doha to improve flexibility. If your booking falls within these dates, you’ll be notified of changes and can choose free rebooking or a refund.
With Russian oil increasingly off-limits, India is looking at alternatives. Venezuelan crude from Caracas is tempting for cost reasons, but turning that promise into profit depends on navigating complex supply chains, pricing, sanctions risk, and refinery compatibility. The real question is whether volumes and economics can align quickly enough to matter.
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Haryana Board of School Education (HBSE) has released the Class 10 and Class 12 exam schedule for 2026. Class 12 exams will begin on February 25, 2026, followed by Class 10 on February 26, 2026. The exams will be held offline, and the timetable applies to both regular and private candidates, with official date sheets available on the BSEH website.
Home entertainment startup Lumio is lining up a Series A after raising $4 million in seed funding. Backed by ex-Xiaomi and Flipkart staff, the company wants to expand its range of premium televisions, betting on a growing market. But it also faces real-world hurdles, including supply chain constraints that could shape its launch and growth timeline.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma says the NDA seat-sharing deal for the upcoming assembly elections is finished. BJP, AGP, UPPL and BPF have finalized their contest plan, and state leadership will submit the candidate list soon to Union Home Minister Amit Shah. The 126-member election is expected in March-April after recent delimitation.
Trinamool Congress has accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of “political tourism” during his Kolkata visit, alleging his riverfront activities were staged for optics and a “photo-op quota.” The attack targets his emphasis on the cultural significance of the Ganga for Bengal, with TMC questioning the intent behind the visit.
Grasim’s anti-competition complaint has triggered a CCI probe into Asian Paints, spotlighting a growing battle for market share in decorative paints. With aggressive new players like JSW and Birla Opus entering the fray, the once-settled market dynamics are shifting fast, potentially leading to major shakeups for the incumbents.
Raghav Chadha and six AAP Rajya Sabha MPs have joined the BJP, a major shake-up for Arvind Kejriwal’s party. The exit follows rising internal friction and accusations that Chadha was being sidelined. Observers point to his relative silence on key leadership questions and a recent Rajya Sabha leadership change that intensified tensions.
Budget 2026-27 signals a major policy pivot: moving from foundational technology missions toward an application-led, infrastructure-focused approach. The government’s roadmap is designed to shift momentum into a private-led innovation cycle, aiming to strengthen India’s technological sovereignty through targeted support for AI, semiconductors, and data systems.
Banking sector asset quality is still holding up, but a new report expects slippages to rise in the near term. The pressure is concentrated in the retail and MSME segments, where stress is building. Even with today’s strong asset quality, investors may need to watch credit costs and delinquency trends closely as earnings approach.
IPL teams have appealed to the government to reclassify ticket sales so matches are treated as “sports” rather than “entertainment.” They argue the current 40% GST on tickets is disproportionately high for sporting events and should be reduced. The teams say the change would boost demand, support the sports ecosystem, and accelerate the league’s long-term growth.
Indian government bonds fell sharply after the government cut fuel excise duty, unsettling investors about the fiscal outlook. The move arrived as war-related oil price surges boosted inflation fears, while a heavy schedule of new debt issuance increased supply pressure. Together, these factors pushed the benchmark 2035 bond yield to its highest level since July 2024.
Allegations of harassment at Tata Consultancy Services’ Nashik unit may prompt tougher scrutiny of Indian IT firms by global clients, boards, and shareholders. Companies could be pushed to overhaul workplace complaint-handling systems and strengthen Prevention of Sexual Harassment (PoSH) compliance, as heightened accountability could impact trust, governance reviews, and future business decisions.
Zivame, the early home-shopping lingerie brand launched in 2011, is still running losses in 2024 despite being backed by parent Reliance Retail. The question now is whether high customer acquisition costs, stiff competition, and operational inefficiencies prevented growth from translating into profits. Can Zivame finally find a scalable fit and turn around soon?
South Korean police say they are seeking to arrest music mogul Bang Si-Hyuk, chairman of the agency behind BTS, as they widen an investigation. The move follows allegations that he illegally gained more than $100 million through an investor fraud scheme, raising new legal questions around one of K-pop’s most powerful figures.
Karnataka is reportedly drafting a policy to legalise bike taxi services, even as it moves to challenge a High Court order that had cleared the way for such operations. The state says the earlier ruling suffered technical flaws, while bike taxi operators worry about the lack of clear rules as the matter heads to the Supreme Court.
Reliance Industries Executive Director Anant Ambani has launched Vantara University in Jamnagar, Gujarat, focused on global wildlife conservation and veterinary sciences. The initiative targets a major worldwide shortage of specialized expertise by combining research, training, and on-ground conservation. Backed by Reliance’s long-term commitment, it positions wildlife science education as a direct investment in planetary well-being.
Jharkhand plans to recruit over 1,200 doctors to strengthen healthcare delivery. The state will also rope in an external agency to manage blood supply. CT scan and MRI facilities are set to be installed in all medical colleges and district hospitals, alongside efforts to ramp up testing for sickle cell anaemia and thalassemia, with tuberculosis targeted for elimination by 2029.
GATE 2026 begins tomorrow, with IIT Guwahati running the computer-based exam on February 7, 8, 14, and 15. Candidates must report according to their assigned shift and carry their admit card along with an original photo ID for entry. The exam hall enforces strict restrictions, barring electronic devices and study materials.
India’s Ministry of Electronics and IT projects the digital economy will contribute nearly 20% of GDP by 2030, with growth powered by wider adoption of artificial intelligence across sectors. The forecast suggests AI will move beyond tech hubs into everyday services and industries, accelerating digitization and boosting economic output as adoption expands.
The National Testing Agency (NTA) has released the JEE Main 2026 Session 1 answer key on jeemain.nta.nic.in. After reviewing candidate objections, nine questions were dropped. Students who attempted those questions will receive full marks, and results are expected shortly. Final scores will be calculated using the updated key.
President Donald Trump said there is “no pressure” on him to end the Iran conflict, arguing that any deal must be “appropriate and good” for the United States and its allies. He pushed back on media claims that he wants a quick end to fighting, pointing to Iran’s weakened capabilities, a strong blockade, and an agreed ceasefire still clouded by disagreements.
Since 2008, Indian-Americans have donated more than $3 billion to US universities, boosting research, innovation, and higher-education access. Many gifts target medical sciences, engineering, and business, creating a “flywheel effect” that strengthens the wider academic ecosystem. The giving also supports cultural programming and broader educational opportunities, deepening India-US ties.
UK universities are bracing for possible sanctions after new visa compliance rules began tightening scrutiny. Several institutions report sharp declines in international student numbers, especially for postgraduate admissions. With stricter measures due to start soon, universities are already increasing financial checks and tightening entry processes—risking deterrence for genuine students and reputational damage to UK higher education.
Police say a former domestic help raped and murdered a 22-year-old UPSC aspirant, daughter of a senior IRS officer, at her South Delhi home. The accused allegedly assaulted her, then dragged her from the rooftop to try unlocking a biometric locker using her fingerprint, stealing valuables before fleeing and changing clothes. Authorities recovered further evidence as the investigation continues.
During West Bengal assembly polling in Domkal, Murshidabad, voters alleged intimidation and threats, claiming armed individuals created fear and disrupted voting. The Election Commission has ordered a report on the charges. Security forces were later deployed, voting resumed under escort, and the situation reportedly improved after intervention.
Gautam Adani’s push to become a dominant airport player is triggering alarm among rivals like GVK and GMR. Analysts say the company’s entry looks fast and politically charged, raising the risk of costly missteps. With the Adani Group already under scrutiny, the airport bets could either unlock major returns—or become a serious financial drain if execution falters.
China has logged its hottest summer on record in 2025, the China Meteorological Administration said, with heatwaves persisting across the south. From June to August, large parts of the country faced intense temperatures, and the national average rose to 22.31C—marking the warmest summer since the agency began records in 1961.
Unrest in West Asia is rippling through India’s aviation and tourism business. Airlines face higher costs and longer flight times, while international travel weakens as routes become less efficient. Inbound tourism is also sliding, with Indian visitors shifting to shorter trips abroad. The combined pressure could amount to a major multi-thousand-crore loss.
Facing the West Asia crisis and supply pressures, the government is considering policy changes to improve access to induction cooktops. Officials are reportedly discussing a cut in customs duties on key components and a possible reduction in GST, aiming to lower prices for consumers and boost uptake of energy-efficient cooking appliances.
Indian public sector insurers have created a maritime risk-sharing pool to protect shipping to conflict-affected areas as international insurers reduce or withdraw coverage. The move targets rising uncertainty from renewed hostilities, aiming to keep sea trade moving by sharing losses within the pool and stepping in where global underwriting has become risk-averse.
Bitcoin slipped toward $90,000 after failing to hold gains above $92,000 following Donald Trump’s announcement of a 25% tariff on countries trading with Iran. Investors turned cautious as geopolitical worries boosted gold and silver and over $650 million flowed out of Bitcoin ETFs, leaving BTC and ETH trapped in a narrow, indecisive range.
Delhi Police’s Crime Branch has arrested proclaimed offender Ravi Malik alias Bhura, 43, tied to the infamous Kala Jathedi–Sampat Nehra gang. The WR-II Unit apprehended him in Rohini after years on the run. Investigators say his arrest marks a major lead in tracking the gang’s wider network and pending cases linked to past violence.
Climate change impacts women disproportionately, not just through greater exposure to heat and disasters, but also because many are excluded from decision-making. The article argues that equitable climate resilience depends on empowering women with better access to resources, finance, and leadership roles. India’s steps like training Climate Champions and using heat insurance point to a more gender-smart response.
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