India's political landscape is ablaze with activity! From the ongoing debates surrounding the new farm bills and their impact on rural India, to the upcoming state elections shaping the national narrative, the stakes couldn't be higher. Key political figures are maneuvering strategically, with alliances shifting and power dynamics constantly in flux. The opposition's challenge to the ruling party is intensifying, sparking vigorous debates on crucial policy matters including economic reforms and social justice initiatives. Parliamentary proceedings are filled with heated exchanges, reflecting the deep divisions within the nation. This evolving political climate directly impacts the lives of every Indian citizen, influencing everything from economic opportunities to social welfare programs. Stay informed about the latest developments in Indian politics, from crucial legislative decisions to grassroots movements, by exploring Abtak.com for in-depth analysis and breaking news updates. Understanding the intricacies of our political system is crucial; stay engaged, stay informed, and stay ahead.

New Delhi: The EPFO continues to offer various benefits to PF employees, which are having a significant impact. Employees will now be able to withdraw their funds hassle-free. Except for the minimum amount, some changes have been made to the rules. 75% of the funds can be withdrawn immediately after job loss. This means that to withdraw the remaining 25%, you will have to remain unemployed for 12 months. Previously, some rules were complex, but now they have been simplified. These have been divided into three categories: essential needs, housing needs, and special circumstances. This has simplified the withdrawal process. Clearly, it will not be easy to withdraw the entire amount immediately after leaving the job. Employees will not be able to withdraw the entire amount immediately upon leaving the job. Employees will now have to wait 12 months, or one year, to withdraw the entire Provident Fund amount. Only 75% of the amount can be withdrawn immediately. Another myth is that 25% of the balance will be locked in the account. However, this amount is earmarked for pension purposes. There will be no restrictions on withdrawals. If PF employees make frequent withdrawals for any reason, their pension funds will be deducted. The new rules will completely alleviate this concern. Previously, government regulations limited withdrawals to marriage, education, and health expenses, but now these rules have become more flexible. This means that under special circumstances, withdrawals are allowed twice a year without documentation. The withdrawal period for unemployment has been extended from two months to 12 months. The government opens its coffers annually for PF employees. The central government annually announces interest on PF deposits. For the financial year 2024-2025, the central government has paid 8.25% interest. Checking the interest amount will no longer be a hassle. This means you can check the amount through a missed call or SMS.
nion Minister of State for Labour and Employment Shobha Karandlaje cited statistics in the Lok Sabha on Monday to show that youth unemployment rates in India were lower than global levels. The minister cited a report by the International Labour Organisation's (ILO) Institute for Human Development (IHD) which states that the worldwide youth unemployment rate was 15.6 per cent in 2021. Further, as per World Employment and Social Outlook Trends, 2024 by ILO, globally, in 2023, the youth unemployment rate was 13.3 per cent. On the other hand, the latest annual Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS ...Read More >
Inflows into corporate bond funds have risen to multi-year highs in recent months with the risk-reward dynamics of AAA-rated corporate bonds improving significantly vis-a-vis government securities (g-secs), especially in the near term. The inflows into corporate bond funds jumped sharply in September 2024 to a multi-year high of Rs 5,039 crore. Investors poured in another Rs 4,644 crore in October. Including around Rs 2,200 crore estimated inflows in November, the three month tally rises to Rs 1 ...Read More >

Mumbai, May 21: The 8th Pay Commission has been officially announced by the Indian government, with no doubt a significant activity for some 1 crore central government employees and pensioners for the consideration of the revisions of salaries and pensions. The primary role of this commission will be to identify the fitment factor, the multiplier used to increase basic pay, and review minimum wages and keep them relevant to the current economic situation. A prominent recommendation from the Staff Side indicates a desire to combine lower pay levels for a fairer wage structure and to facilitate ...Read More >
NEW DELHI: Axiom-4 crew members, including Shubhanshu Shukla, were welcomed with hugs and drinks as they stepped into the International Space Station on Thursday. The newly launched spacecraft -- the fifth in the Dragon series and named Grace -- successfully completed a soft docking with the International Space Station at 4.01pm while orbiting above the North Atlantic Ocean."At 6:31 am EDT (4:01 IST) on Thursday, the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft docked to the International Space Station for the fourth private astronaut mission to the orbiting laboratory, Axiom Mission 4," the National Aeronautics ...Read More >

Vijayawada (Andhra Pradesh) [India], May 22 (ANI): Former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and YSRCP president YS Jagan Mohan Reddy on Thursday launched a scathing attack on the current TDP-led government in the State, accusing Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu of failing to deliver on pre-election promises and engaging in financial mismanagement. The former chief minister also took aim at what he called the "yellow media" for biased reporting in favour of the ruling party. "I am not only fighting against Chandrababu Naidu but also against the 'yellow media'," Reddy said in a press conference. ...Read More >

Chandigarh, Jul 1 (PTI) Punjab registered a record 44.44 per cent growth in net goods and services tax collections at Rs 2,379.90 crore in June 2025, said Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema on Tuesday. Addressing the media here, Cheema said Punjab outpaced the national average in GST collection growth, firmly positioning itself among the top-performing states in tax mobilization despite facing national and geopolitical challenges, including border-related tensions. Also Read | Who Is PVN Madhav? Here's Everything You Need To Know About the Newly Appointed Andhra Pradesh BJP President. The ...Read More >

NEW DELHI: In a significant move aimed at reducing pension-related legal disputes and ensuring swifter justice for India's growing population of retired government employees, Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh on Wednesday, while chairing the first-ever "National Workshop on Pension Litigation" organised by the Department of Pension & Pensioners' Welfare at Vigyan Bhawan here, said that in no case should the vital energies of our elder citizens be allowed to be consumed inconsequentially for avoidable reasons because they may be "retired from government service but not retired from service to t ...Read More >

New Delhi, June 27: In a significant boost to India's horticultural exports, the Centre's Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) has facilitated the flagging off of the first consignment of one metric tonne of rose-scented litchi from Punjab's Pathankot to Doha in Qatar, according to an official statement issued on Friday. In addition, 0.5 metric tonne of litchi was also exported to Dubai, UAE, from Pathankot this week, marking a twin export achievement and reinforcing India's potential in global fresh fruit markets. This milestone initiative, undertake ...Read More >

MUMBAI, India -- India's central bank cut interest rates more than expected on Friday. For this, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) cited muted inflation and a need to kickstart economic growth. This happened as the impact of US tariffs weighed on the country's outlook. The RBI lowered the benchmark repo rate, the level at which it lends to commercial banks. This went down by 50 basis points to 5.5 percent. A majority of analysts had expected a 25-basis-point reduction. The cut was RBI's third in a row. This comes a week after government data showed India's economy expanded at its slowest pace ...Read More >
Mumbai: The Nifty 50 appears firmly on track to challenge its record high from last September after breaking out on Thursday from a one-and-a-half-month range-bound activity. Supported by bullish rollover signals from the June derivatives expiry, the index has turned former resistance into fresh support, even as foreign investors continue to pare equity holdings while domestic institutions keep pouring in funds. On Thursday, the bellwether index rose 1.2% to 25,549 on the expiry of the June series of derivatives, decisively breaching the 24,500-25,200 range that it had been stuck in since mid ...Read More >
Mumbai: Uddhav and Raj Thackeray will hold a joint protest march of their parties in the city on July 5 against what they allege is imposition of Hindi in the state's schools from Class 1 through the new three-language policy. This will be the first time they will come together on a political platform after Raj Thackeray's decision to quit Shiv Sena to form MNS nearly two decades ago.There has been speculation of a reunion of the estranged cousins for the coming civic polls, and the protest march is being seen as the first step in that direction, reports Chaitanya Marpakwar.Uddhav and Raj had ...Read More >

CHENNAI: Nearly Rs 1,000 crore earmarked for material components under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) scheme for Tamil Nadu is yet to be released, significantly hampering the scheme's implementation. The Union government has released the outstanding wage dues along with an additional Rs 919 crore towards the wage component for the fiscal year 2025-2026, but not the funds for material components - raw materials like sand, stones, and cement, and also wages for skilled and semi-skilled workers. Timely realisation of both wage and material components is cru ...Read More >

Agartala (Tripura) [India], June 27 (ANI): Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha on Friday said that the present state government is working to fill up the vacant posts. He also said, the government is opening special coaching centres for students. CM Saha said this while addressing an event- distribution of offers of appointment under Education (School) and Health and Family Welfare departments at Muktadhara Auditorium today. '222 appointment letters were given. We have appointed them through transparency and in the coming days also we will do this. Due to their hard work, they made success. Af ...Read More >

Vijayawada: Tripura Governor Nallu Indrasena Reddy stressed the importance of mental health as essential to the nation's progress while inaugurating the M.Phil Clinical Psychology and Professional Diploma in Clinical Psychology (PDCP) courses at Indlas Hospitals here on Monday. Speaking at the event, Indrasena Reddy stated that the vision of a Viksita Bharat (Developed India) is incomplete without ensuring the mental well-being of its citizens. Along with medical and health minister Y Satya Kumar Yadav, he handed over admission letters to students of the newly-launched courses. He also point ...Read More >

Mumbai, June 6: Effective January 1, 2026, the Indian government-approved 8th Pay Commission is scheduled to update the salaries and pensions of more than 1 crore central employees and pensioners. The fitment factor may increase from 2.57 to 2.86, which could raise the minimum basic wage from INR 18,000 to INR 51,480 and the pensions from INR 9,000 to INR 25,740. The pay scale for government workers is expected to undergo major changes as a result of the 8th Pay Commission. It is anticipated to go into effect on January 1, 2026, and will benefit more than one crore central government employee ...Read More >

The Punjab Cabinet approved amendments to the state's conversion policy, facilitating industrial plot conversions into various uses. This move addresses industrialists' concerns, aims to streamline estate management, and enhance business ease. Additional policies target micro and small enterprise operations and restructure state financial directorates for efficiency. The Punjab Cabinet has given the green light to amendments in the conversion policy, offering opportunities for industrial plots t ...Read More >

Agartala (Tripura) [India], June 27 (ANI): Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha on Friday said that the present state government is working to fill up the vacant posts. He also said, the government is opening special coaching centres for students. CM Saha said this while addressing an event- distribution of offers of appointment under Education (School) and Health and Family Welfare departments at Muktadhara Auditorium today. Also Read | Europe: Scorching Heat Grips the Continent. "222 appointment letters were given. We have appointed them through transparency and in the coming days also we wi ...Read More >
Gurgaon: MCG additional commissioner Yash Jaluka directed bulk waste generators (BWG) across the city to ensure proper disposal of waste by private agencies who are assisting them. Giving these instructions in a meeting held on Friday, he said it is often observed that BWGs hand over their waste to private agencies, which only sort valuable items and dump the remaining waste on roads, drains, vacant land or public places. This, he said, not only affects cleanliness of the city but also poses a threat to public health."Under the Solid Waste Management Rules-2016, it is the legal and moral respo ...Read More >

Haridwar: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Sakshi Maharaj on Sunday demanded that hotel, dhaba and eatery owners on the Kanwar Yatra routes should display their names and identities on boards outside their business establishments. The owners, who hide their identities under fake names, on the Kanwar Yatra routes should not be spared, he told reporters here. "Tampering with faith of the Hindu devotees during the Kanwar Yatra will not be tolerated," said the Unnao MP. The food shops on the Kanwar Yatra routes should have a board outside with the names of their owners clearly written on them, h ...Read More >

New Delhi [India], July 1 (ANI): The Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Ministry of Communications, in collaboration with the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Government of India, has been actively enhancing mobile-enabled disaster communication systems across the country to provide timely information to citizens. NDMA has successfully operationalised the Integrated Alert System (SACHET), developed by the Centre of Development of Telematics (C-DOT), which is based on the Common Alerting Protocol (CAP) recommended by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). This syst ...Read More >

AFP | Mumbai Email : editor@newsofbahrain.com India India's central bank cut interest rates more than expected yesterday, citing muted inflation and a need to kickstart economic growth as the impact of US tariffs weighed on the country's outlook. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) lowered the benchmark repo rate, the level at which it lends to commercial banks, by 50 basis points to 5.5%. A majority of analysts had expected 25-basis-point reduction. The cut was its third in a row and comes a week after government data showed India's economy expanded at its slowest pace for four years in the ...Read More >

CHENNAI: The Tamil Nadu government has requested the union government to release pending dues amounting to Rs 2,670.64 crore. These dues relate to expenses incurred by the state for paddy procurement, rice fortification, and subsidies for ragi and sugar. Of the roughly 2.25 crore ration cards in Tamil Nadu, the cost of supplying rice through the Public Distribution System (PDS) to 1.12 crore cards (covering 3.6 crore beneficiaries) is fully borne by the centre under the National Food Security Act (NFSA). Of the total outstanding dues of Rs 2,670.64 crore, a sum of Rs 2,181.88 crore has been ...Read More >

New Delhi The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) issued an emergency alert to Android and iOS mobile phone users across India on Saturday. The pop-up alert, received by smartphone users first in English around 1pm, followed by a Hindi version around 1:30pm, contained a test message informing the users about the government's initiative. "This is a TEST Cell Broadcast message sent by Department of Telecommunications, Government of India. Please ignore this message. No action is required from your end. 28/06/2025 #002. To STOP TEST messages, Android users can go to 'Settings' - 'Safety and e ...Read More >

Shimla (Himachal Pradesh) [India], July 1 (ANI): Himachal Pradesh Public Works Minister Vikramaditya Singh stated that the Central Government has approved the Annual Plan of Rs 3,667 crore for the construction and upgrading of roads, bridges and related infrastructure in Himachal Pradesh for the financial year 2024-25. Singh on Monday said that the plan includes construction of bridges, road widening, installation of crash barriers and other works on national highways across various districts of the state. The Minister said that on the directions of Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Suk ...Read More >
New enrollments to the government's Employees' Provident Fund Scheme rose 5.5 percent for women in the second quarter of FY25 from Q2FY24, even as new enrollments for men shrunk during this period India's formal labour market may be showing signs of cooling off in the second quarter of FY25, but a Moneycontrol analysis shows that women have done better than their male peers. New enrollments to the government's Employees' Provident Fund scheme increased 5.5 percent for women in the second quarter of FY25 in last one year, even as 1.6 percent fewer men joined in in this period, shows data rele ...Read More >

New Delhi [India] June 6 (ANI): As global bond markets experience turbulence amid rising long-dated treasury yields in the United States and Japan, experts say India's long-term government securities (G-secs) are expected to remain resilient, supported by strong domestic fundamentals and accommodative policy by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). On June 6, 2025, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) cut the repo rate by 50 basis points. According to the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, the 30-year U.S. Treasury yield touched 4.89 per cent as of June 4, 2025, reflecting investor unease over inflati ...Read More >

Mumbai: An article by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi terming the 2024 state assembly polls as 'match-fixing' stirred a political controversy in Maharashtra. Statement Of Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said the Congress leader was insulting the voters and Ladki Bahins of Maharashtra. He said, "Rahul Gandhi has accepted his defeat in Bihar. As long as Rahul Gandhi keeps giving himself false assurances, his party can never win". Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule's Statement Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule criticised Gandhi, saying his party w ...Read More >

Mumbai, June 8 (SocialNews.XYZ) On her milestone 50th birthday, Shilpa Shetty took a heartfelt moment to reflect on her incredible journey and the defining stories that have shaped her both personally and professionally. Celebrating decades of success and growth, she shared insights into the experiences that made her the strong and inspiring woman she is today. Taking to Instagram, she posted a video of her transformation over the years and wrote, "Grateful for my journey and the stories that made me and the ones still on my way. Thank you for all your love and wishes Instafam. #Gratitude #lo ...Read More >

New Delhi: The second match of the five-match Test series between India and England will be played at Edgbaston in Birmingham. It will start on July 2. In this Test, Shubman Gill has a chance to create history. Actually, the Indian team has not been able to win on this ground so far. Team India played the first match on this ground in 1967. Be it Virat Kohli or Dhoni or Dravid or Sourav Ganguly, no Indian captain has won here in 58 years. However, Gill will have a chance to get his name registered in the history books. If he manages to end the drought of 58 years, he will become the first Indi ...Read More >

New Delhi [India], June 28 (ANI): The Naval Investiture Ceremony, held at Nausena Bhawan, honoured several personnel of the Indian Navy with gallantry awards for their exemplary service. The awards were conferred to honour and recognise bravery, leadership, professional achievement, and distinguished service of Naval Personnel. Also Read | Ludhiana Suicide Case: Elderly Business Couple Dies by Suicide After Alleged Harassment by Bank Officials Over Loan Repayment, Probe Underway. A total of 51 personnel were conferred with awards during the ceremony, which included one Yudh Seva Medal, thir ...Read More >