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Along with the Singara Chennai card/National Common Mobility Card (NCMC), the Metro Rail passengers can now also choose ...
30/07/2025

Along with the Singara Chennai card/National Common Mobility Card (NCMC), the Metro Rail passengers can now also choose a ‘store value pass’ (SVP), which is a digital version of the travel card.

SVP is available on the Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) mobile app by recharging the pass with a minimum of Rs 50 to Rs 3,000.

CMRL recently announced plans to completely switch over to NCMC from August 1, thereby completely doing away with travel cards currently in use. Now, officials say they are prompting SVP, which was introduced for public use in November 2022.

Designed specifically for seamless travel, the SVP generates a unique QR code every day, ensuring secure, contactless entry into the metro network. Also, to encourage passengers to use it, CMRL offers a discount of 20% on Metro fares, which remains valid for five years from the last recharge.

“In addition to fare savings, the SVP can also be used at CMRL parking lots, seamless entire transit experience and offering further discounts for Metro users,” stated the CMRL press note.

In case of travel cards, CMRL clarified that it will discontinue further top-up of the card at all 41 Metro stations. “Passengers shall utilise the remaining value in the travel card till they get exhausted. And when the card's residual value reaches less than Rs 50.

Billionaire Elon Musk's Starlink, which provides satellite communication services, will be able to offer only 20 lakh co...
30/07/2025

Billionaire Elon Musk's Starlink, which provides satellite communication services, will be able to offer only 20 lakh connections across India, Union Minister Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar said on Monday. This significantly reduces any threat posed to other telecom players, including state-run BSNL.

The satellite communication services provided by Starlink, which promise high-speed internet via low Earth orbit satellites, will likely focus on rural and remote regions. The minister added that the cost for these satcom services will be too high for most users, with customers potentially paying up to Rs 3,000 per month.

The Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe), earlier this month, gave regulatory clearance to Starlink to launch satellite-based internet services in India.

The government had granted the company a licence in early June to provide Global Mobile Personal Communication by Satellite (GMPCS) services, Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) services, and Internet Service Provider (ISP) Category-A services.

Starlink is the third company, after OneWeb and Jio, to receive approval from the Department of Telecommunications for satcom services.

Both Airtel and Jio recently partnered with Starlink to launch their high-speed satellite internet services in India. The Elon Musk-owned company will utilise the dealer networks of both these operators to distribute its services in the market.

He was speaking on the sidelines of a review meeting of BSNL, whose 49 network rollout has been completed. The Minister stated that the state-run provider is focusing on "market first," and confirmed that there are no tariff hikes planned.

In a significant breakthrough, US President Donald Trump announced that the US and the European Union have reached a com...
29/07/2025

In a significant breakthrough, US President Donald Trump announced that the US and the European Union have reached a comprehensive trade deal, just days before a 30 percent tariff on European imports was due to take effect.

After high-stakes negotiations in Scotland's Turnberry with EU President Ursula von der Leyen, the two leaders revealed a new trade framework aimed at averting a full-blown transatlantic trade war.

Under the terms of the agreement, the EU will purchase $750 billion worth of US energy, marking a massive expansion in transatlantic energy cooperation. Additionally, the 27-member bloc has committed to investing $600 billion more into the US than its current levels.

Trump has also agreed to impose a 15 per cent tariff on most European imports to the US, down from the 30 per cent rate he previously announced. The deal is expected to significantly ease trade tensions between the long-time allies.

Donald Trump declared that this was a “very big deal, the biggest of all” as he stood alongside von der Leyen. Meanwhile, the EU chief, speaking after the meeting, acknowledged the difficulty of the talks and said, “It is a good deal, it is a huge deal, with tough negotiations.”

Had the talks collapsed, Brussels was prepared to launch a major counter-tariff package targeting a wide range of US exports and invoke its new Anti-Coercion Instrument, a legislative mechanism designed to push back against economic pressure.

The US-EU trade relationship is among the world’s largest, valued at nearly $1.97 trillion in 2024, including both goods and services. While the EU ran a goods trade surplus, it faced a deficit in services, resulting in an overall $58.7 billion surplus with the US.

Trump repeatedly criticized the imbalance and used it to justify tougher trade terms. “The US and EU have one of the largest trade deficits,” he had said, defending the imposition of tariffs as leverage.

DRDO has successfully tested the range capabilities of the indigenous quasi-ballistic missile system ‘Pralay’ over 2 con...
29/07/2025

DRDO has successfully tested the range capabilities of the indigenous quasi-ballistic missile system ‘Pralay’ over 2 consecutive days off the Odisha coast. The trials were conducted as part of the User Evaluation Trials in collaboration with the Indian Armed Forces.

According to a statement from the Ministry of Defence, both minimum and maximum range capabilities of the missile were validated during the flight tests held on Monday and Tuesday. The missile followed the predetermined trajectory and precisely hit the designated targets, fulfilling all mission objectives.

All onboard subsystems functioned as expected, and data from the tests were recorded using a network of tracking sensors and instruments, including those mounted on a ship stationed near the impact zone.

The ‘Pralay’ missile, developed by DRDO, is a solid propellant-driven, surface-to-surface weapon system designed to carry various types of warheads and engage multiple target profiles. The development involved several DRDO laboratories, including the Research Centre Imarat, Defence Research and Development Laboratory, Advanced Systems Laboratory, and other key institutions, in collaboration with industry partners such as Bharat Dynamics Limited, Bharat Electronics Limited, and several MSMEs.

The trials were observed by senior DRDO scientists, representatives from the Indian Air Force and Indian Army, as well as industry stakeholders.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh lauded DRDO, the Armed Forces, and industry partners for the successful trials. He said that the missile system, equipped with advanced technologies, will enhance the nation’s defence capabilities.

India’s industrial output rose by 1.5 percent year-on-year in June 2025, driven largely by growth in the manufacturing s...
29/07/2025

India’s industrial output rose by 1.5 percent year-on-year in June 2025, driven largely by growth in the manufacturing sector, according to the latest data released by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation.

The Index of Industrial Production (IIP) for June 2025 stood at 153.3, compared to 151.0 in the same month last year. The manufacturing sector recorded a growth of 3.9 percent, while the mining and electricity sectors contracted by 8.7 percent and 2.6 percent, respectively.

Within the manufacturing segment, 15 out of 23 industry groups recorded positive growth over June 2024. The key drivers of this growth were the manufacture of basic metals, which grew by 9.6 percent; the manufacture of coke and refined petroleum products, which rose by 4.2 percent; and the manufacture of fabricated metal products (excluding machinery and equipment), which saw a growth of 15.2 percent. Items such as MS slabs, HR coils, diesel, petrol, naphtha, stainless steel utensils, and steel structures played a significant role in boosting output in these segments.

On the use-based classification front, the index for primary goods contracted by 3.0 percent while capital goods grew by 3.5 percent. Intermediate goods posted a growth of 5.5 percent, and infrastructure or construction goods grew by 7.2 percent. Consumer durables registered a growth of 2.9 percent, while consumer non-durables witnessed a slight decline of 0.4 percent.

The highest contributors to IIP growth in June were infrastructure and construction goods, intermediate goods, and consumer durables.

New enrolments in Kendriya Vidyalayas (KVs) have dropped to their lowest point in five years, according to figures table...
29/07/2025

New enrolments in Kendriya Vidyalayas (KVs) have dropped to their lowest point in five years, according to figures tabled in the Lok Sabha on Monday.

Data shared by Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan in response to questions from MPs BK Parthasarathi and Sudha R revealed that fresh admissions, which stood at 1.95 lakh in 2020-21, slid to 1.83 lakh in 2021-22 and further to 1.58 lakh in 2022-23. Though the number rebounded slightly to 1.75 lakh in 2023-24, it has dipped again to just 1.39 lakh in the ongoing academic session (2024-25).

The overall student strength across the 1,280 Kendriya Vidyalayas in the country has also declined during this period — from 13.88 lakh in 2020-21 to 13.5 lakh this year.

Kendriya Vidyalayas, set up primarily to serve children of transferable Central government employees, are considered among the most sought-after government-run schools in the country.

Interestingly, the enrolment decline comes even as the Centre cleared the establishment of 85 new KVs in December 2023. Pradhan informed Parliament that these schools, along with the expansion of one existing KV in Shivamogga, Karnataka, will be developed at a cost of nearly 5,872 crore.

Meanwhile, funding for the Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan (KVS) has continued to grow, with allocations rising from 6,437.68 crore in 2020-21 to 8,727 crore in 2024-25.

The Union Education Ministry has also recently raised concerns over falling enrolments in government schools more broadly. During discussions on the PM-POSHAN (midday meal) scheme earlier this year, States and Union Territories were asked to investigate reasons behind the enrolment dip at the primary and upper-primary levels across 23 regions and to submit detailed reports.

In a historic moment for Indian chess, 19-year-old Divya Deshmukh etched her name in the record books by winning the FID...
29/07/2025

In a historic moment for Indian chess, 19-year-old Divya Deshmukh etched her name in the record books by winning the FIDE Women’s World Cup 2025. Facing off against veteran Koneru Humpy in an all-Indian final in Baku, Divya clinched the title 1.5–0.5 in the rapid tie-breaks, becoming the first Indian woman to win the coveted crown.

The classical games played over the weekend had ended in tense draws, with both players showcasing resilience and elite-level play. In Saturday’s opening game, Divya, playing with the white pieces, built a commanding position but allowed Humpy to equalise late. The second game on Sunday was more balanced, though Divya admitted she had “wandered into trouble for no apparent reason” before managing to hold on.

But the tie-breaks were where the young sensation flipped the script. After the first rapid game ended in a draw, the second saw Humpy crack under time pressure, making critical blunders that Divya capitalised on. With nerves of steel, Divya closed out the win to become the 2025 Women’s World Cup champion — the fourth Indian woman to earn the Grandmaster title and the country’s 88th GM overall.

“It was fate,” said an emotional Divya after the final. “Before the tournament, I was thinking that I could maybe earn a Grandmaster norm here. And in the end, I became a Grandmaster.”

Divya’s victory is even more remarkable considering the odds. She came into the tie-breaks as the underdog — Humpy, a two-time World Rapid Champion and currently world No. 5 in classical chess, was widely expected to dominate in the faster format. In contrast, Divya was ranked No. 18 in classical, No. 22 in rapid, and No. 18 in blitz on the FIDE women’s list.

With the Jammu–Srinagar rail corridor now fully operational, Indian Railways has launched a comprehensive overhaul of ra...
28/07/2025

With the Jammu–Srinagar rail corridor now fully operational, Indian Railways has launched a comprehensive overhaul of rail infrastructure in the Kashmir Valley.

One key aspect of the ongoing overhaul is the dramatic transformation of track maintenance, now powered by the deployment of advanced, high-tech machinery.

A Tamping Machine, deployed in early June 2025, is improving alignment of rail tracks and ensuring a smoother ride for passengers, having compacted 88 km of ballast as of now.

Two Ballast Cleaning Machines (BCMs) have deep-screened 11.5 km of tracks, and an additional two machines sent in July have completed another 2.5 km.

In support of these efforts, 17 ballast rakes were dispatched from depots in Kathua, Qazigund, Madhopur, and Jind, delivering 19,000 cubic metres of fresh material to the valley’s railbeds.

The quality of rail infrastructure is also being monitored and enhanced through diagnostic surveys.

Track Recording Car (TRC) runs and Oscillation Monitoring System (OMS) checks conducted in June and July have helped Indian Railways identify weaker sections and target improvements with greater precision.

For the first time, DEMU and MEMU rakes based in Budgam are being transported via rail to major workshops in Lucknow and Jalandhar for periodic overhauls (POH), eliminating the need for earlier inefficient and logistically complex road transfers.

Meanwhile, coach maintenance has seen a structured upgrade process. One MEMU rake has already been overhauled and reintroduced into service.

Another MEMU and two DEMU rakes are currently undergoing POH, with four more DEMU units scheduled for upgradation over the next few months.

These coach upgradation works are slated for completion by 31 August 2025 across the Kashmir valley.

Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), India’s largest IT services firm, is set to reduce its global workforce by 2 %  impacti...
27/07/2025

Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), India’s largest IT services firm, is set to reduce its global workforce by 2 % impacting around 12,000 employees, as part of a restructuring plan to adapt to rapid technological shifts, particularly in AI. This move was confirmed by CEO K Krithivasan.

"This will impact roughly 2 % of our global workforce, primarily at middle and senior levels," Krithivasan said. "It has not been an easy decision and one of the toughest decisions I have had to take as CEO."

The layoffs are set to take place through the fiscal year 2026, running from April 2025 to March 2026. TCS, with a global headcount of 6,13,000 as of the June 2025 quarter, will see around 12,200 employees affected across geographies and business domains.

Krithivasan said the move is being driven by the need to stay competitive amid structural shifts in the tech industry. "We have been calling out new technologies, particularly AI and operating model changes. The ways of working are changing. We need to be future-ready and agile. We have been deploying AI at scale and evaluating skills we will be requiring for the future."

He added that the company has made significant efforts to train and redeploy internal talent. "We have invested a lot in associates in terms of how we can provide them with career growth and deployment opportunities. Still, we find that there are roles where redeployment has not been effective."

The decision comes with a focus on maintaining a "compassionate" exit process, he said. "It's a difficult call we have to take to build a stronger TCS," Krithivasan said. Impacted employees will receive notice period pay, severance packages, extended insurance cover, and access to outplacement support.

Auto-hailing platform Namma Yatri has launched Namma Transit, a new feature aimed at streamlining multimodal travel in B...
27/07/2025

Auto-hailing platform Namma Yatri has launched Namma Transit, a new feature aimed at streamlining multimodal travel in Bengaluru by integrating Metro, autos, and other modes of transport into one app-based journey planner.

The feature, now available to select users and set for wider rollout in the coming week, guides commuters in real time across first-mile, Metro, and last-mile, offering platform details, live tracking, and nudges to switch modes or exit at the right stop.

The initiative comes amid a broader push to promote public transport and reduce traffic congestion in Bengaluru. As part of the launch, the company also unveiled a Mobility Blueprint 2030, which outlines goals such as achieving a 70% share of public transport, cutting commute times and emissions by half, and expanding multimodal infrastructure through public-private collaboration.

This comes days after Namma Yatri and Tummoc, announced integration of the public transport system into the app., after they won the challenge led by Mercedes-Benz Research and Development India (MBRDI), WRI, and Villgro with support from BMTC and BMRCL.

The effort aligns with the government’s broader open network ambitions. Namma Transit runs on the Beckn open protocol and ONDC network, aiming to build a more accessible public infrastructure layer.

“This is about giving back an hour to every Bengalurean,” said Ravishankar J., Managing Director of Namma Metro. BJP MP Tejasvi Surya added that public transport must outpace private vehicle use for Bengaluru to fix its mobility challenges.

While the feature is positioned as commuter-centric, its success will likely depend on adoption, real-time data accuracy, and how well it integrates with the city’s growing Metro and EV infrastructure.

Sri Lanka has announced that it will extend its visa-free entry policy to 40 countries, including India. The move is par...
27/07/2025

Sri Lanka has announced that it will extend its visa-free entry policy to 40 countries, including India. The move is part of a larger plan to boost tourism and help the country recover economically after the COVID-19 pandemic and the 2022 financial crisis.

The announcement was made by Sri Lanka’s Foreign Affairs and Tourism Minister, Vijitha Herath, at the Hotel Show Colombo 2025. He said that although Sri Lanka could lose around USD 66 million annually in visa fees, the expected increase in tourists will more than make up for the loss in the long run.

Until now, only 7 countries, including India, China, and Japan, have been allowed to enter Sri Lanka without a visa. But after a successful trial that began in March 2023, the Sri Lankan Cabinet has decided to expand this policy to include 40 countries. This means travellers from countries like the US, UK, Australia, France, Germany, Saudi Arabia, and more can now visit Sri Lanka without the hassle of applying for a tourist visa.

According to the minister, the visa-free policy is just one of many strategic steps Sri Lanka is taking to attract global travellers. “We have stabilised our economy, and now we’re focusing on increasing tourist arrivals,” he said.

Countries Included In The Visa-Free List:

India, China, Japan, United Kingdom, United States, Germany, France, Australia, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait, Netherlands, Spain, Belgium, Norway, Sweden, South Korea, Indonesia, Russia, Kazakhstan, Israel, Finland, Denmark, Italy, Canada, Czech Republic, Austria, Turkey, Belarus, Iran, Malaysia, Thailand, Nepal, Poland, New Zealand, Bahrain, and Switzerland.

The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India has imposed a penalty of ₹3.39 crore and issued a warning to...
27/07/2025

The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India has imposed a penalty of ₹3.39 crore and issued a warning to Star Health and Allied Insurance Company for violations under the IRDAI Information & Cyber Security Guidelines, 2023.

The regulator, however, did not elaborate on the violations in its July 25th communication.

On Saturday (July 26, 2025), intimating the stock exchange of the action, Star Health said the penalty has been levied for certain aspects of safeguarding data and cybersecurity. It said the financial impact is restricted to the penalty amount and no impact is expected on the operation or other activities of the company. The options available for addressing the matter are being evaluated, including appealing against the order of IRDAI to SAT.

The standalone insurer was in the spotlight last year after it came under a cyber attack in which the personal data of customers was breached.

The company’s leadership had confirmed the cyber attack and pointed to how it responded swiftly and decisively. In the wake of the attack, it was working very closely with cybersecurity experts, regulatory, and law enforcement authorities to thoroughly investigate the breach. It had also succeeded in taking down the data exposed, a senior executive said. The insurer said it was fortifying its systems with advanced security measures and controls to prevent any future incidents.

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