Business

Government Appoints Bankers and Legal Advisors for LIC Stake Sale; IDBI Bidder Likely by March

Government Appoints Bankers and Legal Advisors for LIC Stake Sale; IDBI Bidder Likely by March

New Delhi, Aug 2, 2025: The Department of Investment and Public Asset Management (DIPAM) has completed the process of appointing merchant bankers and legal advisors to assist with the proposed stake sale in Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC), according to DIPAM Secretary Arunish Chawla. The announcement marks a significant step in the government’s broader divestment strategy for key financial institutions.Chawla also stated that the government expects to finalise the selection of a winning bidder for IDBI Bank by March. Financial bids for IDBI will be invited after October, with the government aiming to receive them by December. The central…
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Anil Ambani Under ED Scanner in ₹3,000 Crore Loan Fraud Case; Lookout Circular Issued

Anil Ambani Under ED Scanner in ₹3,000 Crore Loan Fraud Case; Lookout Circular Issued

National Times Bureau, Aug 2, 2025: Reliance Group Chairman Anil Ambani is under heightened scrutiny after the Enforcement Directorate (ED) issued a Lookout Circular (LOC) against him in connection with a ₹3,000 crore bank loan fraud and money laundering probe. The LOC, which prevents individuals facing serious financial crime allegations from leaving the country, has been circulated to all immigration checkpoints.Ambani has been summoned by the ED for questioning on August 5. This development comes in the wake of a sweeping search operation on July 24, during which the agency raided over 50 companies and more than 25 individuals linked…
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New UPI Rules from August 1: Limits on Balance Checks, Auto Payments, and Enhanced Security

New UPI Rules from August 1: Limits on Balance Checks, Auto Payments, and Enhanced Security

New Delhi, August 1, 2025 — The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) will roll out a fresh set of Unified Payments Interface (UPI) rules starting Friday, August 1, in a move aimed at improving system performance, enhancing user experience, and curbing fraudulent transactions. These updates will be applicable across all leading UPI platforms, including Google Pay, PhonePe, and Paytm.Under the revised framework, UPI users will be allowed to check their bank balance only up to 50 times a day. In addition, available balance details will now appear with each transaction, eliminating the need for frequent balance inquiries. During high…
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AI Revolution Set to Reshape Jobs in India’s Manufacturing, Retail, and Education Sectors by 2030

AI Revolution Set to Reshape Jobs in India’s Manufacturing, Retail, and Education Sectors by 2030

National Times Bureau, July 31: India is on the brink of a sweeping transformation in its employment landscape as agentic artificial intelligence (AI) technologies begin to disrupt core sectors like manufacturing, retail, and education. A new report released by ServiceNow on Wednesday projected that over 1.8 crore jobs across these three sectors will be impacted by 2030.Manufacturing is expected to bear the brunt of the shift, with 80 lakh jobs likely to be affected as AI systems begin automating operational and administrative processes. Retail comes a close second, with 76 lakh roles at risk, while the education sector could see…
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India’s Offshore Oil and Gas Exploration Gains Momentum with Focus on Andaman Basin

India’s Offshore Oil and Gas Exploration Gains Momentum with Focus on Andaman Basin

Need Delhi, July 29, 2025: India is witnessing a renewed push in oil and gas exploration, particularly in offshore regions, as part of its strategic drive to tap into the country's vast untapped hydrocarbon reserves. Addressing the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday, Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri highlighted the significance of unlocking nearly one million square kilometres of erstwhile 'No-Go' offshore areas in 2022, a move he described as a turning point in the nation’s energy sector.The opening of these offshore regions, especially deepwater zones like the Andaman-Nicobar (AN) basin, has spurred a new wave of exploration activity. Since 2015, Exploration…
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US-EU Strike Major Trade Deal, Sidestep Full-Blown Tariff War

US-EU Strike Major Trade Deal, Sidestep Full-Blown Tariff War

National Times Bureau, July 28, 2025: The United States and the European Union on Sunday reached a sweeping framework trade deal, calming tensions between two of the world’s largest economies and averting a high-stakes tariff escalation that threatened nearly a third of global trade.The agreement imposes a uniform 15% US import tariff on most European goods, replacing the possibility of steeper duties that had alarmed businesses on both sides of the Atlantic. It also includes major EU investments in American infrastructure and commitments to purchase US energy and military equipment.Both sides hailed the deal as a stabilizing force in a…
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BSNL to Prioritise Operational Cash Flows Over Profits, Says Union Minister Scindia

BSNL to Prioritise Operational Cash Flows Over Profits, Says Union Minister Scindia

New Delhi, July 28, 2025: Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) will now focus on generating healthy operational cash flows on a quarterly basis, Union Minister of Communications Jyotiraditya Scindia announced, shifting the spotlight away from traditional net profit margins. Addressing BSNL’s Strategic Review and Planning Meeting for 2025–26, the minister asserted that operational performance would define the public sector telecom’s new success framework.Scindia clarified that stakeholders should focus on operating margins and actual cash flows rather than bottom-line numbers, which are often influenced by non-cash adjustments like depreciation due to heavy capital expenditure. He said the company was committed to…
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India’s UK Trade Deal Offers Tariff Cuts on Cakes, Cosmetics, Jet Engines—But Keeps Gold and Tea Protected

India’s UK Trade Deal Offers Tariff Cuts on Cakes, Cosmetics, Jet Engines—But Keeps Gold and Tea Protected

New Delhi, July 27, 2025: India has extended tariff concessions to an array of British goods under a new free trade agreement (FTA) signed with the United Kingdom, including pastries, pet food, and cosmetics, while shielding sectors deemed sensitive to domestic interests.The Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), signed on July 24, grants phased tariff cuts to nearly 90% of UK-origin products. According to the Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI), the deal reflects a calibrated approach that opens India’s markets gradually, giving domestic manufacturers time to adjust.Under the agreement, tariffs will be eliminated on a wide range of consumer goods…
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Blinkit Launches In-House Paramedic Training to Bolster Trust in 10-Minute Ambulance Service

Blinkit Launches In-House Paramedic Training to Bolster Trust in 10-Minute Ambulance Service

Gurugram, July 26, 2035: E-commerce platform Blinkit, known for its pioneering 10-minute ambulance service, is now introducing in-house paramedic training to elevate emergency response standards and instill greater trust among users. The company is taking this step after identifying a widespread reluctance among people to call ambulances, even during critical situations.Many individuals reportedly continue to opt for personal vehicles or cabs instead of ambulances, fearing delays or inadequate care during transit. Acknowledging this issue, Blinkit aims to address the emotional and medical needs of patients simultaneously by training paramedics not only in clinical procedures but also in offering comfort and…
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PM Modi Becomes India’s Second-Longest Serving Prime Minister, Surpasses Indira Gandhi

PM Modi Becomes India’s Second-Longest Serving Prime Minister, Surpasses Indira Gandhi

New Delhi, July 25, 2025: As Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in the Maldives for a two-day state visit, his tenure at home crossed a historic milestone. With 4,078 uninterrupted days in office, Modi has officially become India’s second-longest serving Prime Minister, surpassing Indira Gandhi, who held the position for 4,077 days between 1966 and 1977. Jawaharlal Nehru remains the longest-serving Prime Minister with over 6,000 days in office.The BJP celebrated this achievement on Friday, calling it a testament to Modi’s enduring public mandate and political stature. Party leaders noted that this record comes as part of a larger legacy:…
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