The Indian government is working on refining the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme to increase local value addition and export-driven growth in key industries. While the scheme has successfully attracted investment across multiple sectors, officials believe that further improvements are needed to address import dependency and enhance India's global manufacturing competitiveness.Since its launch in April 2020, the PLI scheme has been instrumental in drawing substantial investments i

Choosing the right tax regime is an important decision for taxpayers in India. The old and new tax regimes offer different benefits, and individuals must carefully analyze their financial situation before selecting the most suitable option. While salaried employees have the flexibility to switch every year, business professionals have a more restricted choice.The decision between the two regimes depends on factors such as tax-saving investments, exemptions, and deductions. Understanding these

Microsoft has officially announced that Skype, the once-dominant internet calling service, will be retired in May 2024. The decision marks the end of a two-decade legacy in online communication, as Microsoft shifts its focus to Teams, its business-oriented collaboration platform.The move comes as Skype struggles to keep up with modern video calling competitors such as Zoom, Slack, and Google Meet, which have dominated the remote work and digital communication space in recent years. Microsoft

The Pakistan cricket team is set for a major restructuring following its disastrous performance in the ICC Champions Trophy, where they were eliminated without securing a single win. The team, led by Mohammad Rizwan, managed just one point in the tournament, suffering defeats against New Zealand and India, while their match against Bangladesh was washed out. The disappointing campaign has led to speculation of sweeping changes within the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), selection committee, coac

A massive avalanche struck Badrinath in Uttarakhand’s Chamoli district, leaving 47 workers trapped near Mana village. The workers, who were engaged in clearing snow for army movement, were caught in the disaster when a Border Roads Organisation (BRO) camp was hit.Rescue operations are underway, with the Indian Army, ITBP, and Garhwal Scouts actively working to save those trapped under the snow. Ten workers have been rescued and moved to an army camp in Mana for medical attention. Howeve

A Forbes report on billionaire immigrants who started their journey in the U.S. on an H-1B visa highlights a few notable Indian entrepreneurs. Among them, Raj Sardana, the founder and CEO of Innova Solutions, stands out for building a $2 billion fortune from scratch.   Early Life and Struggles in India Born in Delhi in 1960 to Punjabi parents, Raj Sardana grew up in a modest household. His family, displaced during the 1947 partition, lived in

The family of Indian student Nilam Shinde, who is in a coma in the US following a tragic accident, has made an urgent appeal to the Indian government for a visa to be by her side.Nilam, 35, a Master of Science student, suffered severe fractures and head injuries after being hit by a four-wheeler in California on February 14. Her family in Satara, Maharashtra, learned about the accident two days later and has been struggling to secure a US visa since February 16. Vis

Former US President Donald Trump has announced a significant shift in US immigration policy, introducing the ‘Gold Card’ visa program, which allows Indian graduates from US universities to secure jobs and eventually gain citizenship. This move is seen as a major boost for international students, particularly those from India, who have often struggled with restrictive visa policies despite their high qualifications.   The ‘Gold Card’ initiative, un

India has moved closer to next-generation high-speed transportation with the unveiling of its first hyperloop test track. The project, spearheaded by IIT Madras and funded by the Ministry of Railways, has resulted in the construction of a 422-meter-long hyperloop test facility. The development marks a major leap in India’s transportation sector, with hyperloop technology promising to cut travel times between major cities to mere minutes.With the successful completion of the first test t

Congress leader and Thiruvananthapuram MP Shashi Tharoor has stirred controversy within his party after praising the economic policies of the CPM-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) government in Kerala. His remarks, which acknowledged the state’s progress under the Left government, have been met with sharp criticism from Congress leaders, deepening existing tensions within the party.Tharoor’s comments came during a podcast interview, where he also highlighted the absence of a strong

In a significant move, the United States has deported 119 Indian immigrants as part of its ongoing crackdown on illegal immigration. The deportees arrived at Amritsar International Airport late on Saturday night, following a similar deportation flight on February 5 that carried 104 individuals. These deportations are part of a broader initiative under the Trump administration's stringent immigration policies, aimed at enforcing tougher regulations on those in the U.S. illegally. The 119 i

Rajiv Kumar’s tenure as Chief Election Commissioner of India, beginning in May 2022, has seen multiple landmark elections, including the 2023 Karnataka and Telangana polls and the 2022 presidential elections. His leadership has faced ongoing scrutiny, with opposition parties alleging bias towards the ruling BJP and raising concerns about the integrity of the election process, particularly regarding Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs). Despite the criticism, Kumar has defended the election

India’s Loss in the Quarterfinals: India’s campaign in the Badminton Asia Mixed Team Championship ended on a disappointing note as they suffered a 0-3 defeat against a second-string Japan team. The Indian squad, despite being the 2023 bronze medalists, struggled to find their rhythm throughout the match. The team fell behind early, losing the mixed doubles match, with Dhruv Kapila and Tanisha Crasto showing resilience but ultimately losing 13-21, 21-17, 13-

On Monday, the Germany Women’s Hockey Team arrived at Biju Patnaik International Airport in Bhubaneswar, India, for their upcoming FIH Hockey Pro League 2024/25 matches. The team, led by co-captains Linnea Wiedemann and Sarah Strauss, will face Spain on February 15 and 16, followed by a crucial matchup against hosts India on February 21 and 22 at the Kalinga Stadium. After finishing as runners-up in last season’s Pro League behind the Netherlands, Germany has struggled for form th

India faces a significant setback at the 2024 Badminton Asia Mixed Team Championships, as the team will compete without star player PV Sindhu, who suffered a hamstring injury during pre-tournament training. This absence comes after India secured a bronze medal at the last edition in Dubai, with Sindhu playing a crucial role. Malvika Bansod, ranked world No. 29, will now have to step in and lead the women’s singles charge. India has been placed in Group D and will begin their campaign ag

On February 4, Indian stock markets experienced a strong rally as the Sensex and Nifty surged following positive global cues and optimism surrounding a potential rate cut by the Reserve Bank of India. The Sensex opened at 77,687.60 and gained over 700 points to reach 77,952, while the Nifty 50 opened at 23,509.90 and rose nearly 1% to 23,582. Mid-cap and small-cap stocks also posted gains, contributing to an overall bullish sentiment in the market. Investor confidence was boost

A total of 205 Indian nationals who had illegally entered the United States were deported aboard a US military C-17 aircraft, which took off from Texas. Each deportee’s nationality was verified, signaling New Delhi’s involvement in the process. This is likely the first of many such deportations as part of a broader effort to address illegal immigration. The aircraft, typically equipped for larger transports, can accommodate up to 205 passengers, though it only has one toilet unles

The Indian badminton contingent, featuring top players such as PV Sindhu and Lakshya Sen, is gearing up for the 2023 Badminton Asia Mixed Team Championships. To help sharpen their skills ahead of the prestigious competition, they will take part in a five-day preparatory camp, starting Tuesday in Guwahati. The team is determined to surpass their previous bronze medal finish from the 2023 event and aim for an improved result in the championships set to take place in Qingdao, China, from Februar

Summary: Indian stock market saw a sharp decline: Sensex fell over 700 points, Nifty down nearly 300 points. Decline triggered by global factors, including new US tariffs on Mexico, Canada, and China. Foreign investor selling pressure continues, with FPIs pulling out significant funds from Indian markets. Rupee hits a record low of Rs 87.07 against the US dollar. Despite post-Budget relief for some sectors, overall

In a heartbreaking incident in southern Ireland, two Indian students were killed, and two others were seriously injured after their car crashed into a tree in County Carlow. The two deceased, Cherekuri Suresh Chowdary and Chithoori Bhargav, both in their 20s, were pronounced dead at the scene. The accident occurred on Friday, when the black Audi A6 they were traveling in veered off the road at Graiguenaspiddoge, near Mount Leinster. The students, part of the Indian community in Carlow, had re