Bangkok, April 4 — At the 6th BIMSTEC Summit, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled several bold proposals aimed at enhancing regional cooperation, economic integration, and disaster resilience among the seven member nations of BIMSTEC—India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, and Thailand. UPI Integration Across BIMSTEC In a major push toward financial connectivity, PM Modi proposed linking India’s UPI (Unified Pa

Union Minister Piyush Goyal’s recent remarks questioning the direction of India’s startup ecosystem have sparked a wave of reactions from prominent startup leaders and tech entrepreneurs. While addressing an audience, Goyal questioned whether Indian startups are merely focused on "dukaandari"—running shops—by prioritizing delivery services, fantasy sports, and betting platforms, as opposed to Chinese startups that are innovating in areas like electric vehicle

In a noteworthy development signaling the economic progress of Andhra Pradesh, the state has recorded its highest monthly Goods and Services Tax (GST) collection in nearly a year. The GST revenue generated in the state for the month of March 2025 has reached an impressive ₹3116 crore, breaking past the ₹3000 crore milestone for the first time in the last 11 months. This also marks an 8.35 percent year-on-year growth compared to March of the previous year, indicating an upward trend in tax

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has uncovered a financial trail connecting billionaire investor and philanthropist George Soros’s Soros Economic Development Fund (SEDF) to Indian entities operating in the NGO sector, sparking serious questions about potential violations of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA) and foreign direct investment (FDI) norms. The revelations, based on detailed investigations, have triggered fresh scrutiny over the methods used to funnel foreign fun

Poonam Gupta, a prominent economist with global expertise, has been appointed as the new Deputy Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). Her appointment marks a historic milestone, as she becomes the first woman in over a decade to assume this high-ranking position at India’s central bank. She succeeds Michael Patra, who retired in January 2024. Gupta brings with her nearly two decades of international experience, having worked with the World Bank, International Monet

As the new financial year commences on April 1, 2025, several significant income tax changes have officially come into effect, directly impacting salaried individuals, senior citizens, investors, and taxpayers across the country. Announced during Budget 2025, these updates aim to simplify compliance, improve transparency, and provide substantial relief to the middle class. From revised tax slabs to increased deduction limits and changes in TDS thresholds, here’s a complete breakdown of

New Delhi, April 1 – Indians working abroad sent home a record-breaking $129.4 billion in 2024, reaffirming India’s position as the world’s top remittance recipient. According to the latest figures released by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), the last quarter of the year alone—October to December—saw the highest-ever quarterly inflows of $36 billion.   The World Bank, which tracks global remittance patterns, confirmed that India stands far a

Renowned American restaurant chain Hooters of America has filed for bankruptcy protection in Texas as part of a major restructuring effort aimed at addressing its mounting debt of $US376 million (approximately $601 million AUD). The company announced that it will transfer ownership of its company-operated restaurant locations to a group backed by the original founders of the brand, with the aim of strengthening its financial future. Despite the bankruptcy filing, Hooters has confirmed that it

The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has sanctioned a 2% hike in Dearness Allowance (DA) for central government employees and Dearness Relief (DR) for pensioners. The decision, announced on March 28, 2025, will benefit more than one crore individuals, including both current employees and retired personnel drawing pensions from the central government. This hike, though modest compared to previous years, will be implemented retrospectively from January 1, 2025. As a resul

In India, banking services are designed to offer convenience—but they often come at a price. From ATM withdrawals to fund transfers and cheque issuance, nearly every service comes with associated costs. While some fees are minimal, others can add up over time, impacting your personal or business finances. Whether you're managing a savings account or operating a business with a current account, understanding standard banking charges is essential for smarter financial planning. Bank f

Roshni Nadar Malhotra, the chairperson of HCL Technologies, has made history by becoming the first Indian woman to break into the top 10 of the Hurun Global Rich List 2025. With a staggering estimated net worth of ₹3.5 lakh crore, she now ranks fifth among the world’s wealthiest women, marking a major milestone for Indian business leadership. Her leap in the rankings follows a significant transfer of ownership from her father, Sh

The Kremlin stated on Wednesday that it would not activate the recently negotiated Black Sea maritime security agreement until a series of longstanding conditions—most of them tied to earlier unmet commitments—are fulfilled. This development comes in the wake of a US-led effort to bring about a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine in the Black Sea and halt attacks on critical energy infrastructure. On Tuesday, the United States announced that it had reached separate agreements wit

Volkswagen is currently facing a major legal challenge in India after the Indian government refused to cancel a $1.4 billion tax bill imposed on the carmaker. The government argued in the Bombay High Court that overturning the tax demand would set a dangerous precedent, warning that such a move could have catastrophic consequences. Officials claimed that doing so might encourage other companies to withhold critical information and deliberately delay tax inquiries, ultimately exploiting legal

Kumar Mangalam Birla, the esteemed chairman of the Aditya Birla Group, has been recognized with the prestigious Business Icon of the Year Award at the Business Today - PwC India's Best CEO Awards. This recognition highlights his outstanding contribution to transforming the Indian conglomerate into a global business powerhouse with operations across 40 countries. After assuming leadership at just 28 following his father’s untimely demise in 1995, Kumar Mangalam Birla s

US President Donald Trump has announced that his administration will impose reciprocal tariffs on Indian goods starting April 2, a move that has reignited tensions between the two countries over trade policies. Speaking to Breitbart News, Trump expressed frustration with what he described as India's excessively high tariffs on American products. During the interview, President Trump emphasized that while he maintains a "very good relationship" with In

Bitcoin prices showed minor declines across major exchanges on Monday, March 17, reflecting losses of under 2 percent. On CoinMarketCap, Bitcoin was trading at $83,687 (approx. Rs. 72.6 lakh) on global platforms. Meanwhile, on Indian exchanges like CoinSwitch and Giottus, the asset’s value fluctuated between $83,810 (approx. Rs. 72.7 lakh) and $87,506 (approx. Rs. 76 lakh). The leading cryptocurrency’s sluggish performance has persisted for over two weeks following a price dip ear

The United States is set to impose reciprocal tariffs starting April 2, raising concerns about potential disruptions to Indian exports. While traders remain uneasy about the impact on export-driven sectors, a report by SBI Research suggests that India's economy is resilient enough to withstand these changes with minimal consequences. According to SBI Research, the newly imposed US tariffs are projected to result in only a 3-3.5% decline in Indian exports. Despite the tariff hike, India&rs

The "Boycott USA" movement is gaining momentum globally in response to Donald Trump's tariffs imposed on Canada, Mexico, and China, which have ignited trade wars and fueled resentment towards American goods. The backlash, which has been rapidly spreading across social media platforms, reflects growing dissatisfaction with Trump's economic policies and international relations. In the past week alone, Google searches for “Boycott USA” have surged, with European cou

The Income Tax Department has issued a crucial reminder for taxpayers regarding the final instalment of advance tax for the financial year 2024-25. As per the official directive, taxpayers must clear their advance tax dues by March 15, 2025, to ensure compliance with Indian tax laws. Timely payment of advance tax not only prevents interest penalties but also contributes to the government's efforts towards economic growth, supporting the ‘Viksit Bharat Movement’ aimed at making

Starting April 1, 2025, taxpayers can begin filing their Income Tax Returns (ITR) for the Assessment Year (AY) 2025-26. Employers will provide Form 16 to salaried employees, which plays a crucial role in filing ITR by summarizing salary details, Tax Deducted at Source (TDS), and other tax-related information for the Financial Year (FY) 2024-25. Understanding Form 16, its contents, and its significance can help taxpayers ensure a smooth and error-free filing process.