Third highest single-day rainfall in Kolkata after 1978: Was it a cloudburst? Here’s what IMD says
Kolkata and its suburbs on Tuesday woke up to the third-wettest September day since 1978, recording a rainfall of 251.4mm in 24 hours. Read More…
Networking with policymakers, industry leaders, and researchers
As Washington and Delhi work on a trade deal that had stalled over the imposition of tariffs and Indian purchase of Russian oil, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, following his meeting with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar in New York, has said “India is a relationship of critical importance” to the US and flagged “trade, defence, energy,…
India, Morocco Sign Defence MoU; New Defence Wing Opens in Rabat
Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh and Morocco’s Defence Minister Abdeltif Loudiyi inked a Memorandum of Understanding in Rabat to deepen defence cooperation, covering joint exercises, military training, counter-terrorism, cyber defence, and more. India also inaugurated a new Defence Wing at its Rabat embassy to drive upcoming collaborations. Read More…
Govt Abolishes ₹400/T Compensation Cess, Raises GST to 18% on Coal; Boost for Aatmanirbhar Bharat
In a landmark GST Council decision, the compensation cess of ₹400 per tonne on coal has been removed, and the GST rate increased from 5% to 18%. This will lower coal’s tax burden, reduce power generation costs by ~17-18 paise/kWh, release locked tax credits, and promote self-reliance. Read More…
Will price of 10 gm gold reach Rs 2 lakh in 5 years? Should you sell, hold, or buy?
Gold has rallied in recent years as factors like geopolitical tensions, economic uncertainties, and Trump tariffs have triggered safe-haven buying. Five years ago (September 19, 2020), spot gold (24K) was trading at Rs 51,619 per 10 gram on the Multi Commodity Exchange of India (MCX). The price has now increased to Rs 1,09,388. A year…
China floods the world with cheap exports after Trump’s tariffs
China’s export engine remains strong, heading towards a record trade surplus by finding new markets in India, Africa, and Southeast Asia. This surge is causing international alarm, with countries weighing the impact on domestic industries against antagonizing Beijing. Read More…
Zoho founder Sridhar Vembu urges IT workers not to be saddened by new H-1B visa rule: ‘Do not live in fear’
The H-1B visa program has once again become a subject of debate after the Trump administration announced a major change. According to the new rule, companies in the United States that intend to employ foreign professionals will now be required to pay a hefty fee of $100,000, which amounts to nearly Rs 85 lakh. This…
New GST rates take effect, PM Modi calls it a ‘savings festival’
The Union Government’s comprehensive overhaul of the Goods and Services Tax (GST), referred to as ‘GST 2.0’, came into effect on Monday, coinciding with the onset of Navratri. The new regime introduces a simplified tax structure, featuring reduced rates on essential goods and steeper levies on luxury and demerit items. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in…
India, US agree not to seek info on source code
Selling of products and services by US companies in India is likely to get easier with the two countries renegotiating a trade deal, with focus on facilitating digital The two countries have agreed not to demand information concerning source code or other proprietary knowledge, and access to a particular technology, production process, etc, as a…
India plans ‘bodyguard’ satellites after neighbour’s risky orbit move
India is developing ‘bodyguard satellites’ to protect its spacecraft from potential threats, prompted by a near miss with a satellite from a neighboring country in mid-2024. This initiative is part of a larger plan to enhance India’s space security, including deploying surveillance satellites and collaborating with startups for advanced tracking solutions. Read More…