India Inc is dialing back hiring of fresh graduates, especially those from science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) backgrounds, as companies turn more selective and focuses on industry-ready talent.Around 200,000–220,000 STEM freshers were hired in FY25, but this number is expected to fall to a little over 150,000 in the current fiscal, according to a…
Old vs New Income Tax Regime (AI image) Each year the Budget speech is eagerly watched and listened to by the common man and middle class taxpayers, seeking answer to a simple query: will my tax burden reduce this year? Even finance ministers presenting the Budget are aware of the populist impact of their speech,…
The rupee’s slide to a historic low of 92 against the US dollar on January 23 is beginning to pinch wallets, making everything from crude oil, electronics to overseas education and foreign travel more expensive, while offering some relief to exporters.The local currency slid to an all-time low of 92 per dollar during the day…
The Union Budget 2026-27 is just one week away and the EV sector is expecting FM Sitharaman to introduce measures aimed at accelerating electric vehicle adoption in India. Deloitte India has highlighted that the government could focus on strengthening domestic manufacturing, supporting clean mobility, and encouraging investment across the EV value chain.Sheena Sareen, Partner at…
Want to go to the US but facing delays for your visa? Your are not alone! Many Indians who applied for US visas are struggling with delays, as tighter scrutiny over social media activity and past arrests slows processing in the country’s largest revenue generating market. Over the past year, more applicants have been issued…
The US Federal Reserve is widely expected to keep interest rates unchanged when it meets in the coming week, holding firm despite President Donald Trump’s pressure to slash levels as it guards against threats to its independence.The central bank has cut rates three consecutive times since September as the jobs market weakened, bringing them to…
External affairs minister S Jaishankar and US Congressional delegation met in New Delhi on Sunday, holding discussions on a range of issues including India–US relations, the Indo-Pacific region and the ongoing Ukraine conflict. The delegation comprised Congressmen Mike Rogers, Adam Smith and Jimmy Patronis, and was joined by US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor. The…
Union Budget 2026 will be read less like a policy document and more like a report card—marked by two examiners who rarely agree but always pay: the parent who funds the journey, and the student who carries its weight. For students, the Budget is not a speech; it is a promise about ordinary days. It…
For the Union Budget 2026-2027, India’s gems and jewellery industry is urging the government for a mix of GST cuts, customs reforms and policy changes to counter global trade headwinds and improve export competitiveness.In its pre-Budget memorandum submitted to finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman, the Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) highlighted measures aimed at…
While investments in infrastructure creation of track and rolling stock have been significant, average train speeds have remained 50–52 kmph for mail/express passengers. By Dhruv Gadh and Nitin KumarThe transport and logistics sector serves as the backbone for India’s Viksit Bharat @2047 vision. As our national carrier, the railways connect remote places, while providing a…
US air travel is seeing widespread disruptions as a powerful winter storm moves across large parts of the country, forcing at least 13,000 flight cancellations over the weekend and affecting major airports. Forecasters have warned that damage, particularly in areas hit by ice, could be catastrophic and comparable to a hurricane. By mid-morning on Saturday,…
The US government is set to acquire a 10% stake in Oklahoma-based USA Rare Earth, as part of Trump administration’s $1.6 billion investment. The package is aimed towards supporting the firm to develop a local mine and magnet production facility, according to two sources familiar with the deal.In addition to this government-backed investment, USA Rare…
By Devendra AgrawalFor Investors: The recent Supreme Court judgement that has gone against Tiger Global may dampen the confidence of any global investor because anything that’s agreed in the past is open for interpretation. And while that may lead to short-term benefit of recovering the taxes from one investor, in the long run it might…
(AI image generated using ChatGPT) The date for the presentation of the Union Budget is drawing closer and everyone is speculating what Nirmala Sitharaman’s bahikhata might just be holding. More than just a government financial statement, the event is a roadmap for taxation, spending and public policy that influences how the economy performs over the…
Singapore will invest more than Sg$1 billion ($785 million) in public research on artificial intelligence through 2030, as the city-state looks to strengthen its technological capabilities and sharpen its global competitiveness, the government said on Saturday.The funding will be used to set up “world-class” AI research centres, build capabilities to support industrial applications of artificial…
Scott Bessent (File photo) TOI correspondent from Washington: US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent signaled a prospective removal of the 25 per cent penalty tariffs on India for its purchase of Russian oil, citing “success” in Washington’s pressure tactics while appearing to disapprove the outreach of the European Union, which is on the verge of concluding…
LUCKNOW: The proposal to automatically raise electricity bills every year — even if state regulators fail to issue timely tariff orders — has ignited controversy over India’s new draft National Electricity Policy (NEP), 2026.The Union ministry of power published the draft policy on Jan 20, inviting comments and suggestions from stakeholders within 30 days. Among…
India’s maritime sector is projected to attract investments of more than Rs 80 lakh crore in the coming years, helping the country regain its long-lost nautical supremacy and generate over 1.5 crore jobs, Union Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said on Saturday.Speaking at the inauguration of the second phase of development of Vizhinjam port in Thiruvananthapuram,…
The World Bank has approved technical and financial assistance of Rs 5,700 crore for Haryana under the ‘Jal Sanrakshit Haryana Project’, aimed at making the state self-reliant in the water sector, Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini said on Saturday.Chairing a review meeting on the programme, Saini said the funds will be released in phases between…
Cuba is keen to deepen its economic engagement with India across sectors such as agro-industry, biotechnology, healthcare, information technology, renewable energy, sports and tourism, Cuban Ambassador to India Juan Carlos Marsan Aguilera said on Saturday, reported PTI. Addressing a special session on India–Cuba bilateral trade and economic cooperation organised by the Merchants’ Chamber of Commerce…
