Rajesh Magow, the Co-founder and Group CEO of MakeMyTrip, has shared his expectations for the upcoming Union Budget 2025-26, emphasizing the long-standing demand of the hospitality sector for "industry" status. Speaking ahead of the budget presentation on February 1, Magow stressed the importance of addressing this demand to unlock the full potential of the hospitality and tourism sectors. In an interview with PTI, Magow highlighted the government's commendable efforts

In a dramatic turn of events at the Australian Open 2025, Novak Djokovic was forced to retire from his semi-final clash against Alexander Zverev, citing injury concerns. The match, which saw Zverev win the first set 7-6, ended prematurely when Djokovic walked to the net and informed his opponent of his decision to withdraw. Djokovic had been battling an injury sustained during his quarter-final match against Carlos Alcaraz, which became more apparent as the match progressed, especially with t

As the 2025 Champions Trophy approaches, the Indian cricket team's participation remains surrounded by uncertainty, particularly over the issue of the opening ceremony and jersey logos. The tournament, set to take place from February 19 to March 9, will be held in Pakistan, but India’s participation has seen significant changes after the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) refused to send its team to Pakistan. As a compromise, India will play its matches in Dubai, while Pak

Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs) have commenced the recruitment drive for a significant number of positions, specifically 32,438 vacancies, within the Level-1 category of the 7th Central Pay Commission (CPC) Pay Matrix. Individuals interested in pursuing these opportunities are encouraged to visit the official RRB website for comprehensive details. The application window remains open until February 22, 2025, while the deadline for fee payment is set for February 24, 2025. A correction window

With the Modi government set to present its second full budget for the third term in power, the middle and lower-income groups across India are hopeful for key reforms that could alleviate their financial burdens. The anticipated reforms in Budget 2025 include tax relief measures, simplification of income tax laws, and a focus on financial literacy, insurance, and retirement savings. Key Expectations from Budget 2025 Insurance Sector Reforms:

House Rent Allowance (HRA) is a component of an employee’s salary provided by employers to help cover rental expenses. Depending on various conditions, HRA may be partially or fully exempt from taxes. However, to benefit from this exemption, employees need to meet specific criteria. Is HRA Taxable? While HRA is part of an employee’s salary and is initially included in taxable income, it can be exempt under certain conditions. If the employee lives in a rented

After five years, Andhra Pradesh is finally making a strong appearance at the World Economic Forum in Davos. Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu and IT Minister Lokesh are taking center stage at the AP Pavilion, creating a buzz with high-level meetings and discussions on global investments. One of the highlights of CM Naidu’s visit was his meeting with Bill Gates, where they explored investment opportunities in Andhra Pradesh. This was followed by a remarkable moment when Singapo

The Central Bank of India has initiated the application process for the recruitment of Zone-Based Officers (ZBO) for the year 2025. This recruitment aims to fill 266 vacancies. Interested and eligible candidates can apply online through the official website, centralbankofindia.co.in, before the application deadline of February 9, 2025. Candidates applying for the ZBO posts must have completed graduation in any discipline from a recognized university or possess an equivalent qualific

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu has been attending the ongoing investment summit in Davos, Switzerland, where his visit has garnered increasing national attention. While the Telugu media primarily focuses on his efforts to attract investment to Andhra Pradesh, national media interest has grown due to his scheduled meeting with Microsoft founder Bill Gates. The meeting, set to take place at 7 PM IST on Wednesday evening, is drawing particular attention because Gates i

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has announced that the application forms for the Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2025 will be released today, January 22. Candidates who wish to appear for the prestigious Civil Services Examination can visit the official UPSC website to access the detailed notification and fill out the application form. The last date to submit applications is February 11, 2025. The Civil Services Prelims will take place on May 25, 2025, alongside

The U.S. decision to withdraw from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development’s (OECD) global tax deal, led by President Trump in his second term, could lead to significant shifts in the global tax landscape. However, according to tax expert Rakesh Nangia, India's tax policy will not be heavily impacted by this move. India had taken a more cautious approach toward implementing the Global Anti-Base Erosion (GloBE) rules and had not introduced substantial changes to it

Trump's Tariff Announcement and Border Security: President Donald Trump announced plans to impose tariffs of up to 25% on Mexico and Canada, effective February 1, 2025, arguing that both countries are contributing to illegal immigration and drug smuggling into the US. This move, part of his broader trade policy agenda, comes after his inauguration address, where he emphasized using tariffs to strengthen the US economy. However, such tariffs could risk igniting a trade con

Siemens' Investment in India's Workforce and Technology: Peter Koerte, the Managing Director of Siemens, emphasized India’s potential due to its large number of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) — around 60 million — and the need for simplified, user-friendly technology to boost these businesses. He mentioned that Siemens sees India as a vital growth market,

The Role of National Education Policy (NEP) in the Union Budget 2025: The Union Budget 2025-26 is crucial for shaping the future of India's education system, especially with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 being a significant focus. The BJP-led NDA government, entering its third term, continues to prioritize education and skill development. The NEP aims to modernize educati

In his first major act as the 47th President of the United States, Donald Trump signed an executive order aimed at dismantling birthright citizenship, a cornerstone of US immigration law. The order seeks to reinterpret the 14th Amendment of the US Constitution, which has historically granted citizenship to anyone born in the US, to exclude children born to undocumented immigrants. This controversial move has sparked intense debate and is expected to face numerous legal challenges from organiz

US President Donald Trump's economic policies are facing significant challenges, according to market experts like Ramesh Damani and Samir Arora. While Trump has made bold promises, including ramping up US oil production and taking a tough stance on trade with countries like China, the actual implementation of these policies is likely to be constrained by governance realities. Damani pointed out that Trump's ambitious goal of increasing US crude oil production by three millio

The Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS), Pilani, has officially opened the registration process for the Birla Institute of Technology and Science Admission Test (BITSAT) 2025, starting from January 21. This exam is for candidates seeking admission to BITS Pilani's integrated first-degree programs at its Pilani, KK Birla Goa, and Hyderabad campuses. Eligibility Criteria To be eligible for the BITSAT 2025, candidates must have scored at least 7

Retirement Planning: More Than Just Accumulating Wealth Retirement isn’t just about saving money, but ensuring it lasts through the years, considering inflation, medical expenses, and market fluctuations. A 2024 survey revealed that 68% of Indians aged 45-60 feel financially unprepared for retirement. The key to a secure retirement lies in managing investments wisely. The Reality of Retirement in India A large number of retirees

Trump’s National Energy Emergency Declaration President-elect Donald Trump is set to sign an executive order declaring a national energy emergency to promote affordable and reliable energy in the U.S. Aiming to lower costs and boost domestic production, the measure would focus on removing regulations and promoting energy independence. Focus on Alaska’s Natural Resources Trump will also sign an executive order targeting Alas

Rishabh Pant Appointed Captain of LSG for IPL 2025 Indian cricket team wicket-keeper Rishabh Pant has been named the captain of Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) for the upcoming IPL 2025 season. Pant, who was previously the captain of Delhi Capitals (DC), was bought by LSG for a record-breaking Rs 27 crore in the IPL 2025 auction. The decision came after a bidding war between LSG and DC, with LSG winning the deal. Pant’s IPL Journey and Record Auction