India Archives - Page 30 of 316

06 Aug

France Submits Technical and Commercial Proposal for Rs. 3.25 Lakh Crore 114 Rafale Jet Deal

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsIndia

New Delhi (Gurpreet Singh)— In a major development for India's defence acquisition roadmap, French aerospace manufacturer Dassault Aviation has officially submitted its comprehensive technical and commercial proposal to the Ministry of Defence for the procurement of 114 Rafale multi-role fighter aircraft. The bid comes in response to the formal Letter of Request issued by India under a Government-to-Government framework to bolster the Indian Air Force's declining fighter squadron strength. The proposed deal, estimated at approximately Rs. 3.25 lakh crore involves extensive local manufacturing and technology transfer under the 'Make in India' initiative. The submission is currently under rigorous evaluation by…

06 Aug

Lok Sabha Passes Bill Amending Payment Systems Act to Allow Service Charges on Digital Transactions

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsIndiaLok Sabha, MDR levy, Nirmala Sitharaman, Payment Systems Act, UPI charges

New Delhi (Gurpreet Singh)— The Lok Sabha on Thursday passed the Taxation and Other Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026, introducing crucial amendments to the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007. The statutory change authorises the Union government to permit commercial banks and payment service providers to levy service charges, including Merchant Discount Rate (MDR), on digital payments executed via the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) and other notified electronic payment methods. Moved by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, the legislation was passed by voice vote following a brief adjournment. The amendment directly alters Section 10A of the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007,…

06 Aug

Supreme Court Denies Interim Bail to Asaram, Permits Round-the-Clock Trained Caregiver

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsIndiaAIIMS report, Asaram Bapu, interim bail, parole, Rajasthan High Court, Supreme Court

New Delhi (Gurpreet Singh)— The Supreme Court on Thursday declined to grant interim bail on medical grounds to self-styled godman Asaram, who is serving a life sentence for sexually assaulting a minor at his Jodhpur ashram in 2013. A division bench comprising Justice M.M. Sundresh and Justice P.B. Varale kept his interim bail application pending while allowing him to engage a trained caretaker of his choice to provide 24-hour assistance inside prison. The order was passed after the apex court evaluated a health assessment report submitted by a medical board at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS). The…

06 Aug

Mohan Bhagwat Advocates Separate Legal Framework for Same-Sex Companionship, Opposes Altering Marriage Institution

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsIndiaIIMUN Mumbai, LGBTQ rights, Mohan Bhagwat, RSS Chief, same sex legal framework

Mumbai (Gurpreet Singh) — Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh Chief Mohan Bhagwat suggested that society and policymakers consider establishing a distinct legal and social framework to accommodate same-sex companions, while maintaining that the traditional institution of marriage should remain undisturbed. Speaking during an interactive session at the 15th anniversary event of the India International Model United Nations in Mumbai, Bhagwat addressed queries regarding the RSS's stance on LGBTQ+ rights, stating that individuals of diverse sexual orientations are an integral part of society and deserve legal recognition and social acceptance. Clarifying his position, Bhagwat differentiated between providing legal arrangements for cohabitation and redefining…

06 Aug

MCC Revises NEET-SS Round 2 Counselling Timeline After Delhi High Court Direction

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndia, TrendingNEET

New Delhi (Rajeev Sharma): The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) has announced a revised schedule for NEET-SS 2025 Round 2 counselling after the Delhi High Court directed that petitioning candidates be permitted to register and participate in the admission process. In an official notice dated August 5, the MCC stated that it has withdrawn its earlier notification issued on August 3 with immediate effect in compliance with the court's order in Sunil & Another vs Medical Counselling Committee (W.P. (C) No. 11097/2026). As part of the revised process, the committee has decided to keep the resignation portal open until 4 p.m.…

06 Aug

Six Family Members Die After Old House Caves In at Uttar Pradesh Village

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndia, TrendingUttar Pradesh

Pratapgarh (Rajeev Sharma): A late-night tragedy struck Mahuli village in Uttar Pradesh's Pratapgarh district after a century-old house collapsed, claiming the lives of six members of a family who were asleep inside, officials said. According to police, the incident took place around 2 a.m. when the roof of the ageing structure suddenly gave way. The house belonged to Pramod Srivastava, who was resting with several family members at the time of the collapse. Circle Officer (City) Santosh Mishra said local police were alerted immediately after the incident. Rescue teams, assisted by firefighters and residents, rushed to the spot and began…

06 Aug

Jharkhand Students Continue Agitation as Hunger Strike Enters Day Five; Government Dialogue Expected

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndia, TrendingJharkhand

Ranchi (Jharkhand): The ongoing student movement in Jharkhand over alleged irregularities in state recruitment examinations showed no signs of slowing down on Thursday, with student leader and Jharkhand Loktantrik Krantikari Morcha (JLKM) member Devendra Nath Mahato reaffirming that his indefinite hunger strike remains in force. Mahato clarified that he has not ended his fast, dismissing reports suggesting otherwise. He said he resumed drinking only water after speaking with social activist Sonam Wangchuk, but has not consumed any solid food. Calling the reports about the withdrawal of his hunger strike "misleading," Mahato said the protest would continue until the government addresses…

06 Aug

India-Russia Partnership Gains Momentum as Both Nations Push Towards $100 Billion Trade Goal

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndia, TrendingIndia, Russia

New Delhi/Moscow (Rajeev Sharma): India and Russia are accelerating efforts to deepen their long-standing strategic partnership, with both countries committed to raising bilateral trade to $100 billion by 2030, India's Ambassador to Russia, Vinay Kumar, has said. The envoy noted that alongside expanding trade in traditional sectors, both governments are identifying fresh avenues for economic collaboration. Highlighting the importance of energy cooperation, Kumar said the partnership in the nuclear sector remains on track. He stated that Rosatom continues work on the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant, where construction of Units 3 and 4 has made substantial progress, reinforcing the two countries'…

06 Aug

Himachal Sees Below-Normal Monsoon Rainfall; IMD Predicts More Showers Through August 11

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndia, TrendingHimachal

Shimla (Rajeev Sharma): Rainfall activity has slowed across Himachal Pradesh over the past week, with the state registering a noticeable monsoon deficit even as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasts intermittent showers in the days ahead. According to the latest weather data, Himachal received 13 per cent less rainfall than normal during the last seven days. The biggest shortfall was reported from Lahaul-Spiti, where precipitation remained 87 per cent below the seasonal average. Other districts experiencing deficient rainfall include Hamirpur, Solan, Mandi, Chamba, Kangra and Shimla. In contrast, several districts recorded rainfall above normal levels. Sirmaur witnessed the highest surplus,…

05 Aug

Zero FIR Sought Against CJP Organisers Over Minor’s Participation in NEET Protest

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndia, TrendingNEET

Siliguri (Rajeev Sharma): A legal complaint has been filed seeking a Zero FIR against the organisers of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), alleging that minors were unlawfully involved in the NEET paper leak protest held at Delhi's Jantar Mantar on July 20. Advocate Rinki Chatterjee Singh, who submitted the complaint, has called for action against CJP organisers, including Saurav Das and Abhijeet Dipke, under provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Speaking to reporters, Singh questioned why a 12-year-old child was allegedly present at the demonstration, arguing that children of…