The Parliament approved a Bill to levy a higher excise duty on tobacco and related products once the GST compensation cess ends, with the Rajya Sabha returning the legislation to the Lok Sabha.


2026 to see sky-high taxes on tobacco in India

Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport faced widespread disruption as dense fog led to hundreds of flight cancellations and delays. Poor visibility affected both domestic and international operations, leaving thousands of passengers stranded. Authorities advised travellers to check flight status before heading to the airport as weather conditions continued to impact air traffic across the national capital.

India: Delhi Airport Reports Hundreds of Flights Cancellations & Delays 

India has officially become the world’s fourth largest economy, surpassing Japan with a GDP valued at $4.18 trillion, according to a government statement. The country is now poised to overtake Germany to claim the third position within the next 2–3 years, driven by strong domestic demand and sustained economic reforms.
India’s real GDP grew 8.2% in the second quarter of FY 2025–26, marking a six-quarter high and reinforcing its status as the world’s fastest-growing major economy. Global institutions including the IMF, World Bank, Moody’s, and OECD have echoed optimism about India’s growth trajectory through the rest of the decade.
As global trade uncertainties persist, India’s economic resilience and consumption-led growth signal a major shift in the global economic order.

India Becomes World’s 4th Largest Economy, Overtakes Japan | Govt Says Germany Next

Security forces in Jammu and Kashmir remain on high alert as extreme winter conditions coincide with intensified counter-terror operations. Despite harsh weather and freezing temperatures, forces continue heightened vigilance to counter ongoing security threats across sensitive regions.

India: Extreme Cold, Real Threat: Forces Stay on High Alert 

India’s DRDO successfully conducted the maiden flight test of the Pinaka Long Range Guided Rocket (LRGR-120) at ITR Chandipur, achieving a precise 120 km range and executing all planned in-flight manoeuvres flawlessly. The trial validates advanced guidance systems and rocket propulsion, significantly enhancing the Indian Army’s artillery firepower for deep-strike capabilities against enemy targets. 

DRDO's Pinaka LRGR-120 Achieves 120 Km Range in Maiden Test 

Will The New Year See Sky-High Taxes Deter Smoking?

FDI inflows into India are expected to register robust growth in 2026, supported by strong macroeconomic fundamentals, big-ticket investment announcements, sustained efforts to improve the ease of doing business, and a new generation of investment-linked trade pacts.

Can Foreign Investors Return to India in 2026?

Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has successfully conducted the maiden flight test of the Pinaka Long Range Guided Rocket at the Integrated Test Range, Chandipur.

India Conducts Maiden Flight Test of 'Pinaka' in Odisha

INSV Kaundinya: The Engine-Less Ship Set To Sail From India To Oman

The Supreme Court of India has temporarily paused the order defining the Aravalli Hills, following petitions and legal scrutiny. The decision comes amid ongoing environmental and land-use debates, highlighting the tension between development and conservation.


Arvalli row: Supreme Court halts implementation of revised Aravalli definition

Air quality in Delhi remained hazardous on Sunday, with the overall Air Quality Index (AQI) recorded at 391 at 6 am, placing it on the brink of the severe category. Several monitoring stations across the city recorded AQI levels above 400. A thick layer of smog, coupled with dense winter fog, enveloped large parts of Delhi, triggering health concerns and significantly impacting daily life.


Delhi Pollution: 20 Out of 40 AQI Monitoring Stations Record AQI Above 400

India emerged as a major global investment destination in 2025, with foreign companies committing record capital across technology, manufacturing, defence and electric vehicles. Among the latest, Britain’s Rolls-Royce, which is planning a major expansion in aerospace and naval propulsion. Foreign investment into India touched a historic 81 billion dollars in the 2024–25.


Defence, Tech and EVs Anchor Make in India Push

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday (May 16) confirmed that India's precision strike under Operation Sindoor struck his nation's Nur Khan airbase. His admission is going viral on social media platforms, including X, and is a rare contradiction to Pakistan's usual stance of denying India's military action.

Pakistan Admits India Caused Damage Nur Khan Air Base During Operation Sindoor

Air quality in Delhi remained hazardous on Sunday, with the overall Air Quality Index (AQI) recorded at 391 at 6 am, placing it on the brink of the severe category. Several monitoring stations across the city recorded AQI levels above 400. A thick layer of smog, coupled with dense winter fog, enveloped large parts of Delhi, triggering health concerns and significantly impacting daily life.

Delhi Pollution: IndiGo, Air India War of Delays, Cancellations as Toxic Fog Blankets Delhi-NCR

Pakistan Admits India Caused Damage Nur Khan Air Base During Operation Sindoor | WION News

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday (May 16) confirmed that India's precision strike under Operation Sindoor struck his nation's Nur Khan airbase. His admission is going viral on social media platforms, including X, and is a rare contradiction to Pakistan's usual stance of denying India's military action.

Pakistan Admits India Caused Damage Nur Khan Air Base During Operation Sindoor | WION News  Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday (May 16) confirmed that India's precision strike under Operation Sindoor struck his nation's Nur Khan airbase. His admission is going viral on social media platforms, including X, and is a rare contradiction to Pakistan's usual stance of denying India's military action.  #pakistan #india #pahalgam #opsindoor 

Pakistan Admits India Caused Damage Nur Khan Air Base During Operation Sindoor | WION News

The crackdown was carried out with over 600 police personnel deployed across the district. The police said the operation was aimed at preventing any untoward incident during New Year celebrations, particularly in residential areas and jhuggi clusters, and to deter organised crime networks and habitual offenders.

Major Crackdown by Delhi Police, 600 Arrested Ahead of New Year 

Delhi Pollution: IMD Warns Cold-Wave Like Conditions, Issues Yellow Alert

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the nation in the 129th edition of his radio programme Mann Ki Baat. This month’s episode featured citizens from across the country sharing their questions, ideas, and suggestions with the Prime Minister, reflecting the diverse voices and aspirations of the nation

PM Modi: 129th Episode of Prime Minister's Monthly Radio Show

Delhi Pollution: 20 Out of 40 AQI Monitoring Stations Record AQI Above 400 | WION NEWS

The Supreme Court is set to hear the CBI's plea against the suspension of Kuldeep Singh Sengar's life sentence in the Unnao rape case on December 29. This high-profile case continues to draw national attention amid ongoing legal battles.

Unnao Rape Case: Supreme Court to Hear CBI Challenge to Sengar Sentence Relief Tomorrow

After more than three decades, Gujarat has regained its status as a tiger-present state, with the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) confirming the presence of a tiger in the state in a preliminary report following a detailed study, officials said on Friday.

India: Will More Tigers Move Into Gujarat in The Future? 

A severe cold wave is sweeping across multiple states in India, with the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) issuing warnings for extreme low temperatures. Residents are advised to take precautions as the cold spell affects daily life, agriculture, and health. Authorities have urged people to stay warm, while schools and transportation systems may face disruptions due to frost and icy conditions.

India: Cold Wave Sweeps Across Multiple States; IMD Warns of Severe Cold

In response to the detection of avian influenza (H1N1) in neighbouring Kerala, the Tamil Nadu Public Health Department has ordered heightened surveillance and preventive measures in districts along the border between the two states to prevent any possible spread of the disease.

Kerala Bird Flu: Authorities Keep Vigil in Tamil Nadu & Kerala

A sophisticated online scam is quietly spreading across india. It targets vehicle owners by exploiting fear, urgency and trust in government systems. What makes this scam dangerous is not advanced hacking, but how convincingly normal it appears.

Traffic Challan Message You Receive May Be a Scam

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