As of October 2024, the Union government's fiscal deficit for the financial year 2024-25 stands at 46.5% of the total budgetary target, amounting to Rs 7.5 lakh crore. This is in line with the government's fiscal consolidation strategy, which aims to bring down the fiscal deficit to 4.9% of GDP for the year, an improvement from the previous fiscal year's target of 5.6%. The fiscal deficit gap, which represents the difference between government expenditure and revenue, is

Shahid Afridi, the former Pakistan cricket captain, has voiced his support for the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) in rejecting the hybrid model proposed for the 2024 Champions Trophy, which is set to be held in Pakistan. Afridi criticized the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for mixing politics with sports, pointing out that Pakistan has toured India multiple times despite security concerns, including a white-ball series after the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks. Afridi emphasized that t

The wait for Maharashtra's next Chief Minister is nearing its end as the three key leaders of the ruling alliance—Devendra Fadnavis, Eknath Shinde, and Ajit Pawar—met with Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Delhi. The meeting, which concluded late at night, is expected to be the final step before an official announcement. Sources suggest that the decision is now almost finalized and will only require a sign-off from Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The developments come a

President-elect Donald Trump has vowed to impose a 25% tariff on all goods imported from Mexico and Canada, set to take effect on his first day in office, January 20. The new tariffs are expected to have severe implications for American consumers, including higher prices on everyday products such as gasoline, produce, cars, and alcohol. Mexico, now the US’s top trading partner, and Canada, a major supplier of oil and agricultural products, will be significantly impacted by these tariffs

Prithvi Shaw, the former U-19 World Cup-winning captain, recently shared the valuable advice he received from cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar: "Discipline beats talent." Shaw, 25, had a difficult start to the week when he went unsold at the IPL mega auction despite a base price of Rs 75 lakh. Once seen as one of India’s brightest cricketing talents after his century on Test debut, Shaw now finds himself at a critical juncture in his career. His failure to attract int

In a thrilling IPL 2025 Auction, Afghanistan's promising spinner Allah Ghazanfar made a big splash as Mumbai Indians secured him for a whopping Rs 4.8 crore. The 18-year-old spinner, known for his brilliant performance in recent ODIs, including a standout spell against Bangladesh, attracted intense bidding from several franchises. Kolkata Knight Riders, who were interested in bringing him back, ultimately lost out to Mumbai Indians, who won the bidding war. Ghazanfar’s ris

Rohit Sharma, the Indian cricket team's captain, is set to join the squad in Perth on November 24, according to a report by Cricbuzz. After missing the first Test due to the birth of his second child, Rohit will arrive on Day 3 of the opening Test match at the Optus Stadium. His return will be a crucial boost for India ahead of the second Test in Adelaide, starting on December 6. In his absence, fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah is leading the Indian team during the first Test. India e

India is facing a critical 5-match Test series against Australia, with their hopes of qualifying for the 2024 World Test Championship (WTC) Final on the line. After a tough 0-3 loss to New Zealand, India must now perform exceptionally in this series to secure a third consecutive WTC Final berth. The article outlines the various scenarios under which India can qualify for the final, depending on their performance against Australia and other teams’ results. A 4-0 or 5-0 series w

At the 2024 Zhuhai Airshow, China presented a range of cutting-edge military technology, reaffirming its growing strength in defense and its ambition to be a global leader in military innovation. The biennial event, which attracts industry leaders and military experts from around the world, was a key platform for China to display new advancements in weapons, aircraft, and naval systems. Among the highlights was the J35-A Stealth Fighter, China's second stealth fighter after the

The appointment of BR Naidu as the chairman of the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) board has ushered in a series of transformative reforms aimed at addressing challenges left behind by the previous YCP government’s board. As the new board takes full effect, the changes introduced by BR Naidu and his team are expected to streamline operations and ensure that the Tirumala shrine continues to uphold its sanctity and efficiency. One of the most significant reforms is the comp

Indian wicket-keeper batter Rishabh Pant has denied speculation that his departure from Delhi Capitals (DC) ahead of the IPL 2025 auction was due to a disagreement over his retention fee. The clarification came after Indian batting legend Sunil Gavaskar suggested that top players, like Pant, sometimes leave their franchises to assess their true market value in the IPL auction, particularly when there are talks about retention fees. In a video shared by Star Sports before the IPL 202

The initial public offering (IPO) of NTPC Green Energy Ltd., one of the largest IPOs of the year, is attracting strong interest due to its promising long-term growth potential. The state-run NTPC Ltd.'s green energy arm is set to raise Rs 10,000 crore through its IPO, which opens for subscription on November 19, with a price band of Rs 102 to Rs 108 per share. Analysts are optimistic about the offering, highlighting NTPC Green Energy's solid financial backing from its parent

The Supreme Court of India today expressed grave concern over the alarming pollution levels blanketing northern India, as Punjab reported the highest number of farm fires this season, with nearly 1,000 fires detected in just one day. This came on the same day that the court scrutinized Delhi's air pollution, which had reached unprecedented levels. Hiren Jethva, an aerosol remote sensing scientist at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, pointed out that the data collected betw

A groundbreaking study using data from NASA and German satellites has revealed a concerning and persistent decline in Earth's freshwater reserves since May 2014. The findings, published in Surveys in Geophysics, highlight a significant reduction in the amount of freshwater stored on land, including in lakes, rivers, and underground aquifers. This shift, tracked by the Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) mission, suggests a transition towards drier conditions across co

Virat Kohli’s first stint in the match simulation at WACA was brief but challenging. Coming in after KL Rahul’s early departure due to an elbow injury, Kohli faced an immediate test on the notoriously bouncy WACA pitch. The simulation was a test for India’s batting stars, with both Kohli and Shubman Gill trying to get accustomed to the pace and bounce. Kohli’s initial period in the middle saw him struggle slightly with the unpredictable bounce, scoring just 15 runs bef

 India's men's football team earned a 1-1 draw against Malaysia in their second-half comeback during an international friendly match held at the GMC Balayogi Gachibowli Stadium in Hyderabad. Malaysia took the lead early in the match with a goal from Paulo Josue, but India's Rahul Bheke scored an equalizer to level the score at 1-1. This match marked the fourth outing for Manolo Marquez as head coach of the Indian team, but unfortunately, the squad has not yet manage

The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) has extended the deadline for Round 1 choice filling and locking in the NEET PG 2024 counselling process to 9:00 AM on November 18, 2024. Initially, the deadline was set for November 17, 2024, but this extension provides candidates with an additional day to finalize their preferences for college allotments. Candidates who have qualified the NEET PG 2024 exam are advised to visit the official MCC website (

Recently re-elected for a second term, U.S. President-elect Donald Trump has suggested to House Republicans that he might consider pursuing an unprecedented third term. Known for making bold statements, Trump said, “I suspect I won’t be running again unless you (supporters) say otherwise,” stirring excitement among his audience at a Washington, D.C., hotel event ahead of his meeting with President Joe Biden. While the U.S. Constitution restricts any president to two terms, q

Arjun Tendulkar, the 25-year-old son of cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar, made a statement in the ongoing Ranji Trophy Plate match, picking up his maiden five-wicket haul in First-Class cricket. Arjun’s stellar bowling performance saw him claim figures of 5/25, helping bowl Arunachal Pradesh out for just 84 runs on Day 1. Starting strong, Arjun dismissed Nabam Hachang in the second over and followed up with two wickets in consecutive balls in the 12th over, leaving him on a hat-t

In the 2024 Andhra Pradesh state budget, the NDA-led government has allocated Rs 3445 crore for the development of Amaravati, the state's proposed capital. This marks a significant boost for the capital region, signaling a renewed commitment to its growth and infrastructure development. The Rs 3445 crore allocation includes: Rs 3000 crore for the development of basic social infrastructure in Amaravati, focusing on essential services and urban d