Stories from earlier this week and beyond.
Central government employees and pensioners are set to benefit from a 2% dearness allowance hike, taking DA from 58% to 60% and increasing dearness relief for pensioners to 60% as well. The revised rates are for January 2026, with arrears expected from the applicable back date, boosting take-home pay and pensions.
While H-1B visa fraud allegations are being amplified, government data doesn’t fully support claims of widespread wrongdoing. Meanwhile, newer US measures have frozen work authorisations and slowed visa processing for nationals of many countries, worsening physician shortages—especially in rural areas. With millions of Americans dependent on these foreign-trained doctors, the policy shift threatens patient well-being.
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In the insolvency case of Jaiprakash Associates, the resolution professional told the NCLAT that Vedanta was never formally declared the highest bidder. The only evidence cited was an email showing the highest financial value discovered, not an official bid award. Vedanta’s petition is being argued as lacking legal and factual backing.
The Delhi High Court upheld a trial court order granting bail to former Congress councillor Ishrat Jahan in the 2020 Delhi riots conspiracy case. Dismissing the police appeal, the court pointed to more than four years passing since bail was granted, with no reported violations. The ruling explicitly avoids commenting on the merits of the case.
Japan recorded a new heat extreme as temperatures surged to 41.8C, according to the weather office. Officials cautioned that conditions could worsen further, underscoring how climate change is driving hotter, more unpredictable weather across the globe. The latest spike adds to growing evidence of escalating heat risks in major regions.
Crude oil slid for a second straight day, dropping below $95 as traders bet that renewed U.S.-Iran talks could ease Middle East supply risks. The market’s optimism follows concerns tied to the Strait of Hormuz closure and Donald Trump’s signal that negotiations could restart, raising hopes that crude flows may normalize soon.
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Police in Nairobi fired tear gas to disperse protesters as Kenya’s new Cabinet was sworn in. Demonstrators, starting after calls to reject a controversial finance bill that raised taxes amid a high cost of living, escalated their anger further by demanding President William Ruto’s resignation, clashing with security forces despite ministerial dismissals.
Indian government bonds finished nearly unchanged as investors looked ahead to the central bank’s decision the next day. Markets expect policy to be less hawkish, but positioning is complicated by fresh geopolitical news tied to the Middle East conflict and a wider Trump-related deadline. The result: cautious trading and muted price action across the curve.
India’s Supreme Court ruled that private entities can’t compel people to share Aadhaar data for KYC authentication. The decision could force online lending companies to rethink customer onboarding and verification processes, potentially raising compliance costs and changing risk checks. Lenders may need to adopt alternative KYC methods or obtain explicit consent, reshaping how fast loans get approved.
JKBOSE will announce Class 11 results today after 11:30 am on the official JKBOSE website. The winter session exams were held in November–December 2025, with over 81,000 students appearing. Once released, students can check their marks and explore available options for revaluation through the official portal.
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Indian government bonds rose on Monday as traders priced in possible RBI bond purchases and welcomed a lower-than-expected state borrowing plan. After a stretch of yield increases, rates eased, lifting sentiment across the market. Investors now await the Reserve Bank of India’s monetary policy decision, with expectations that interest rates will stay unchanged.
William Penn has acquired the iconic American writing instrument brand Sheaffer, positioning the deal as a chance to align with Indian customers’ tastes. The company says Sheaffer commands a 15% share in India’s premium writing instruments segment for pens priced above $10, signaling potential growth as the brand leverages its established reputation.
India’s crude oil imports fell sharply in March as conflict in the Middle East disrupted tanker routes and effectively halted transit through the Strait of Hormuz. With supplies delayed, India leaned more heavily on Russian crude, reshuffling its supplier rankings. Russia stayed the top source while Saudi Arabia climbed into second place as other flows weakened.
Atul Auto has joined with Exponent Energy to build rapid-charging electric three-wheelers aimed at rolling out 15,000 vehicles over the next three years. The firms say Exponent’s charging technology can fill batteries in about 15 minutes, targeting quicker turnaround for commercial fleets. They’re also planning financing options to help buyers adopt the vehicles faster.
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Bain Capital is reportedly preparing to offload at least 40% of Singapore-based Bridge Data Centres, with the firm valued at $5 billion. The stake sale is tied to accelerating data-centre investment across Asia, fueled by demand for cloud and digital services. Buyers’ indicative bids are expected by mid to late next month, setting up a fast-moving process.
Sean Plankey, Trump’s nominee to lead the U.S. cybersecurity agency CISA, has asked to withdraw his name. The move follows a turbulent year marked by chaotic temporary leadership and instability in the agency’s direction. Plankey’s request raises questions about what comes next for CISA’s permanent leadership and whether the agency can regain steady footing.
Indian gram panchayats are increasingly building financial independence by improving local tax collections and channeling their own money into schools, flood-control works, and digital literacy. The 16th Finance Commission is pushing the shift through conditional grants that reward self-reliance. Some villages are already demonstrating faster, locally driven development and stronger governance.
Bitcoin is holding near $71,000 as easing geopolitical tensions calm risk sentiment. Traders are watching Friday’s $18.6 billion options expiry for the next directional cue, while Bitcoin on exchanges has fallen to a seven-year low, pointing to tighter available supply. Ethereum is lagging under selling pressure, and the broader market remains compressed, waiting for a decisive trigger.
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Tax professionals say the GST portal is running unbearably slow, with logins and filings failing for the March 2026 GSTR-3B. With deadlines looming, businesses fear penalties and even GST number suspension for missed compliance. The issue echoes an interim fix reportedly suggested for February 2026, raising uncertainty about whether the March due date will be extended.
India received 71% of the 399,395 H-1B visas issued in 2024, making it the biggest beneficiary by far. Now, sharply higher H-1B fees are raising alarms for roughly 400,000 Indian IT professionals whose visas may not be renewed, potentially forcing employers to rethink hiring plans and costs.
Bitcoin slipped to around $63,000 over the weekend as US–Israel tensions surrounding an attack on Iran spooked markets. It has since recovered to near $66,500, while major altcoins saw mixed moves. Analysts say the rebound signals resilience despite volatility, with investors now tracking US market reactions to gauge crypto’s next direction.
Bengaluru-based gaming startup Spill Games has raised $3.1 million in seed funding from Centre Court Capital and PeerCapital. Backed by former PlaySimple Games executives, the company plans to use the money for user acquisition and to build a more diversified portfolio of profitable titles as it scales its game offerings.
MNRE has issued new guidelines for a scheme under the National Green Hydrogen Mission to fund testing facilities, infrastructure, and institutional support. The initiative, backed by a total budget of Rs 200 crore, targets the creation of new labs and the upgrading of existing ones to ensure safe, secure, and efficient green hydrogen operations.
Maersk’s Niels Bruus says the toughest barrier to increasing women at sea is the mindset of men onboard, many of whom are not used to working with women on ships. The company plans to shift attitudes through training and hiring, targeting an equal split between women and men in cadet intake from India by 2027.
Maharashtra’s cabinet has approved a bamboo industry policy aimed at attracting Rs 50,000 crore investment and creating over 5 lakh jobs through 15 planned clusters. The move is designed to offer farmers a more sustainable income stream. Alongside this, the government will allocate Rs 500 crore to upgrade Dr. Ambedkar’s educational institutions, and sanctioned 2,228 new posts for the Bombay High Court.
India’s private sector growth accelerated in April, with the HSBC Flash Composite PMI rising to 58.3 as manufacturing and services rebounded from the previous month. Despite war-driven concerns and fuel disruptions linked to the Hormuz region, hiring surged to a 10-month high. Price pressures eased only partially, while confidence slipped as firms weighed near-term uncertainty.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said India may play a diplomatic role in bringing peace amid the West Asia crisis. He indicated New Delhi could help initiate peace efforts while Prime Minister Narendra Modi has urged both sides to end the conflict and is pursuing a balanced approach, signalling potential engagement without taking sides.
After Coldplay’s kiss-cam controversy, former Piaggio India employee Dhiraj Tripathi wrote a cryptic LinkedIn post hinting at similar “affairs” in “a top Italian company,” without naming anyone. Piaggio says the post and comments harmed female employees’ morale and has filed a criminal defamation complaint in Delhi’s Saket court.
More than 32,000 candidates have applied for 1,176 Nagaland Police constable vacancies as a statewide recruitment rally gets underway. The process began Wednesday with document verification and includes physical tests and a written exam. It will conclude on January 16, with officials saying selection will be transparent, merit-based, and closely monitored for eligible Naga tribal candidates.
The Union Home Ministry has updated how it classifies Left-wing extremism affected districts. With violence declining, the security-related expenditure scheme no longer marks any district as left-wing extremism affected, instead using “districts of concern” and “legacy & thrust” categories to guide funding. The change comes alongside recent operations that neutralized key Maoist leaders.
INS Nireekshak has arrived in Sri Lanka for training aimed at strengthening maritime cooperation. The move underscores how naval partners coordinate to share information, protect shipping lanes, and tackle threats such as piracy and smuggling. It also highlights joint efforts on environmental protection to reduce pollution—supporting stability and smoother international maritime trade.
Per Annum’s fractional real estate platform, Estates, has crossed ₹500 crore in Assets Under Management within its first year. The milestone comes as the company completes a decade of operations. Estates builds a residential portfolio across key Indian markets including Gurgaon, Noida, Mumbai, and Bengaluru, signaling strong demand for fractional property investing.
Infosys chairman Nandan Nilekani says AI adoption risks a backlash if white-collar employees see it as a direct threat. He argues companies and policymakers must urgently highlight AI’s real societal value—raising incomes and improving healthcare—to avoid a “train wreck.” With strong digital infrastructure, India can lead global AI rollout by prioritizing inclusive, accessible use cases.
JC Flowers Asset Reconstruction has withdrawn its National Company Law Tribunal petition against Dish TV, ending a long dispute over board reconstitution and proposals rejected by shareholders. The plea sought an extraordinary general meeting, but its withdrawal gives Dish TV relief and shifts momentum in its favor after a prolonged tussle over control and governance.
Meta says it is cutting about 8,000 jobs, roughly 10% of its workforce, to improve efficiency and accelerate spending on AI infrastructure and top-tier AI hires. The company will also leave around 6,000 roles unfilled. At the same time, Microsoft is reportedly preparing voluntary buyouts for thousands of U.S. employees, signaling broader cost-control moves across Big Tech.
Infosys plans to hire around 20,000 freshers in FY27, even as its total headcount dipped and attrition eased in the March quarter. The company says this reflects a calibrated workforce strategy—reducing employment, adjusting its talent pyramid, and building capabilities for AI-led services. Revenue grew in Q4FY26, but FY27 guidance remains cautious as client decisions slow.
Markets cheered as Iran says the Strait of Hormuz is fully open, easing fears over a vital oil shipping lane amid hints of a potential U.S.-Iran deal and a Lebanon-Israel ceasefire. Oil prices dropped well below $100. Still, analysts caution the move may be short-lived, with uncertainty around Iran’s nuclear program and sanctions potentially keeping prices higher.
Air India Express is now at the center of Air India’s FY25 financial slump, accounting for INR 5,800 crore of the group’s INR 10,900 crore loss. Once profitable under government ownership, the budget carrier became heavily loss-making after the Tata takeover in 2022, as integration missteps and accounting shocks piled up.
India’s NEP 2020 could reshape higher education by inviting foreign universities to establish campuses in the country. The move is expected to create 400+ new faculty roles, giving overseas-based Indian scholars a reason to come back and apply international experience, potentially accelerating upgrades in curriculum, research and teaching across disciplines.
Professor Klaus Dodds warns that as warming opens Arctic routes, Greenland has become a prize in great-power rivalry. He says the US is drawn by rare earth minerals, hemispheric security, and emerging shipping lanes, while Asian and Middle Eastern players increasingly join Arctic projects. He urges Europe to back Greenland if US annexation fears grow.
India’s government is moving to fix a long-standing gap in pharma oversight by drafting basic rules for drug recalls. The move aims to bring clarity and consistency to when and how manufacturers withdraw faulty medicines, potentially reducing delays and protecting patients. After years of calls for stronger safeguards, regulators are finally focusing on recall procedures.
The Trump administration says all commercial driver’s license tests for truckers and bus drivers must be taken in English, linking the move to road safety and removing potentially unqualified drivers. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy says the goal is to ensure drivers can read road signs and communicate with law enforcement, targeting multilingual testing and lax third-party enforcement.
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah says the state’s upcoming spacetech policy is designed to capture half of India’s spacetech market by 2034. The plan focuses on creating 25,000 startups in five years via funding support, market access, infrastructure buildout, talent development, and social inclusion measures to broaden participation.
Bitcoin is hovering around $67,472, gaining modestly while analysts warn that a full rebound to all-time highs could take until Q2 2027 if the current correction deepens. Spot Bitcoin ETFs have turned net negative, ending a four-week inflow streak. Broader crypto is slightly higher, but geopolitical stress between the US and Iran and higher oil prices are dampening risk appetite.
The government’s Jan Vishwas Bill seeks to decriminalise minor offences to improve India’s business climate. Instead of jail terms, many violations would be handled through fines, easing pressure on companies and reducing workload for courts. The reform is designed to modernise outdated laws and build a simpler, more effective regulatory framework that supports growth and smoother governance.
Electric vehicle demand is surging across Southeast Asia as shoppers rush to dealerships to sidestep runaway fuel prices. Since the Middle East war began, crude has climbed by roughly 50%, briefly pushing above $100 per barrel, tightening budgets at the pump. EVs are emerging as the cheaper, shielded alternative for cost-conscious buyers.
Venture debt in India rose marginally to $1.3 billion in 2025, even as the number of deals fell—signaling softer startup funding momentum. Venture capital stayed broadly steady, but venture debt took a bigger slice of startup financing. Fintech led deployments, followed by consumer and cleantech, alongside strong growth credit activity.
Punjab Kings powered to a 54-run win over Lucknow Super Giants, posting a record 254 runs. Cooper Connolly and Priyansh Arya stood out as PBKS’ batting fired on all cylinders, while LSG’s chase fell short despite notable contributions. The victory lifts Punjab Kings to the top of the table and keeps them unbeaten, while Lucknow slips to eighth.
Wipro reported Q4 net profit down 1.9% to Rs 3,502 crore while revenue rose 8%. Over fiscal 2026, annual revenue fell 1.6% in constant currency terms, mirroring TCS, as geopolitical uncertainties, AI-led disruptions, and slower deal ramp-ups continue to pressure growth.
The Delhi High Court revived a license fee demand of over Rs 1,063 crore against Bharat Hotels and upheld NDMC’s termination of The LaLit’s licence. The ruling followed findings that Bharat Hotels breached the 1982 licence deed, with the court concluding the company committed a fundamental breach of the agreement, validating NDMC action.
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