b

Budget 2024: ₹5,000 monthly internship allowance announced for 1 crore youth

Internship scheme aims to create job opportunities in top 500 companies over next five years




b

Union Budget 2024-25: India slashes aid to Maldives, boosts support for Sri Lanka and Mauritius

Aid to the Maldives has been cut by 48%, reducing the grant from ₹770 crore to ₹400 crore, reflecting strained diplomatic ties following the election of pro-China President Mohamed Muizzu.




b

Disaster management Bill tabled in LS; Opposition says Bill encroaches on States’ jurisdiction

Centre asserts that there is no interference in the rights of the States as disaster management is the first responsibility of the States.




b

Govt set to bring in changes in banking laws

Amendments likely to raise number of nominees in a bank account to 4



  • Money & Banking

b

Oil Ministry introduces Bill to amend Oilfields Regulation Act

Oil Ministry’s move to enhance the ease of doing business in the exploration and production sector




b

Nirmala Sitharaman introduces Banking Laws (Amendment) Bill in Lok Sabha

The Bill seeks to give customers an option to increase the number of nominees per bank account to four, from existing one, among others




b

Entering a decade of financial inclusion: PMJDY reaches 53 crore beneficiaries and ₹2.28 lakh crore in deposits

The scheme has largely been women-centric with 29.48 crore beneficiaries while 35.27 crore of total accounts are from rural and semi-urban branches




b

Govt issues operational guidelines for under PM-Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana

A total financial outlay of ₹800 crore has been allocated for this component, providing ₹1 crore per selected model solar village, the Ministry said




b

Govt supports e-commerce but demands fair play and honesty, says Piyush Goyal

Goyal highlighted the benefits of e-commerce while expressing concerns about predatory pricing practices and the need to protect small retailers




b

Cabinet approves e-auction to roll out FM Radio stations in 234 new cities

The Cabinet also clears the proposal to change annual licensing fee conditions




b

Cabinet approves ₹6,456 crore worth of new rail projects across West Bengal, Jharkhand, Odisha and Chhattisgarh

Three projects include setting up of two new lines and one multi-tracking project across Indian Railways




b

Govt proposes new window in NRS auctions for buying coal without end use requirement

Coal Ministry proposes new window in NRS Linkage Auction Policy for long-term coal linkages without end use restrictions




b

Govt extends interest equalisation scheme for exporters till September 30

This extension aims to promote the country’s outbound shipments and provide exporters with interest benefits.




b

Centre Notifies NaBFID as a ‘Public Financial Institution’

NaBFID expects its total sanctions loan book to touch ₹2 lakh crore by March 2025, while disbursements are likely to be around ₹ 1 lakh crore



  • Money & Banking

b

Govt brings all citizens aged 70+ under Ayushman Bharat’s ₹5 lakh health scheme

India expands Ayushman Bharat to cover 6 crore senior citizens aged 70+ with ₹5 lakh free health insurance per family, at a total cost of ₹3,437 crore




b

Ayushman Bharat scheme could see addition of more geriatric care packages: Health Ministry officials

Suggestions have been sought to increase the number of geriatric care packages under the health insurance scheme




b

India and Brazil to collaborate on SAF, leverage biofuel expertise to decarbonise aviation

The joint statement emphasised collaboration in technology exchange, joint research, and development initiatives to optimize SAF production processes and create frameworks encouraging investment in SAF production.




b

Legislative bodies should use technology to discuss, shape welfare schemes for the poor, says LS Speaker Birla

By ensuring accountability and transparency of the Executive, democratic institutions make governance more responsible and efficient, says the Lok Sabha Speaker




b

Wage ceilings likely to be hiked for EPS, EPF and ESIC: Labour Ministry sources

Talks are at an advanced stage to firm up the quantum of increase




b

Parliamentary panel expresses concern over CCI budget cuts

Panel seeks updates on pending competition cases, CCI’s backlog, and progress of the Draft Digital Competition Bill targeting the digital market




b

QR code diktat to be widened for more medicines, says DCGI Raghuvanshi 

already Top 300 drug brands are already under mandatory QR code net 




b

Government schemes catapulting India to become developed nation: Amit Shah

Modi government has ended “policy paralysis” and transformed India into an economic bright spot, says Union Home Minister Amit Shah




b

GoM for freeing health insurance for senior citizens, all policies up to ₹5-lakh cover from GST burden

GoM suggests rate hike on high-end wrist watches, shoes; GST on packaged water to be cut




b

Family pension in case of two widows to be paid after deciding legality of second marriage

Existing rule says ‘widow’ or ‘widower’ shall mean a spouse, legally wedded to deceased government servant or pensioners.




b

No merger of 50% DA into basic, as finance ministry issues order payment for 53% DA

DA to central government employees was enhanced from 50 per cent to 53 per cent of the basic pay with effect from July 1, 2024




b

Bond between India, Russia is deep-rooted: Modi

Modi meets Putin on the sidelines of  BRICS summit in Kazan; talks focus on partnership across diverse sectors




b

Finmin gives effect to revised consolidated pay for IRDAI Chairman, members

Revised pay to be effective from January 1 this year



  • Money & Banking

b

Bharat dal sales resume; chana and masur dal offered at reduced prices

Chana (whole) is being sold at ₹58 per kg and masur dal at ₹89 per kg through cooperative networks like NCCF, NAFED, and Kendriya Bhandar.




b

India to continue supporting Global South with strong forex reserves, says FM Sitharaman

At a Centre for Global Development event, Sitharaman highlighted India’s use of foreign reserves to aid distressed nations without conditions.




b

Govt proposes 15-year PPA for FDRE projects with battery storage

The Power Ministry seeks stakeholder feedback on amendments




b

India’s new biodiversity strategy aims to protect 30% of ecosystems, restore degraded habitats by 2030

This plan aligns with the global targets set by the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.




b

PM E-DRIVE: Government starts disbursal of incentives amounting to ₹320 crore in first month of scheme

Total 28,81,436 units of EVs to be incentivised with an outlay of ₹10,900 crore in the next 2 years




b

Govt may bring flex fuel vehicles on a par with EVs

Mulls reducing GST, offering support to crops to boost ethanol output




b

CCI sharpens penalty recovery rules, seeks public input on new amendments

Stakeholders invited to share feedback by December 6 on proposed changes aimed at a more streamlined and effective penalty recovery process




b

GoI invites proposals for establishing Centres of Excellence under Green Hydrogen Mission

This initiative, launched by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, aims to position India as a global leader in Green Hydrogen technologies by enhancing research in production, storage, and utilization




b

Bigger and better

Can the refreshed Mercedes-Benz GLS be your premium, full-sized SUV of choice?




b

Punching above its weight

The Tata Punch.ev looks impressive on paper, but how good is it?




b

Bentley Bentayga EWB: First Class

The Bentley Bentayga pretty much kickstarted the luxury SUV trend. How good is it nearly a decade later?




b

Mercedes Benz G 400d: G for Genius

Marketing genius or actual all-around greatness? The G-Class is back in a new variant, but is Mercedes-Benz playing a touch too smart with it?




b

BMW X5: Best of both worlds

An SUV worthy of its salt is supposed to be as sporty as it is practical, and the new BMW X5 treads that fine line perfectly




b

Fiat announces global revival

Fiat has revealed some futuristic concepts based on the much-loved Panda, namely a city car, a fastback, a family SUV, a camper, and a pickup truck




b

Mid-tier exuberance: Range Rover Velar

Land Rover’s straightforward segmentation puts its mid-tier Velar in the spotlight




b

Mercedes-Benz GLA: Living the dream

The GLA is the formidable entry-level Mercedes-Benz for many buyers, offering to be a gateway to more premium products and the immeasurable prestige that its badge offers




b

BMW 620d M Sport Signature launched

Priced at ₹78.90 lakh, ex-showroom, the tech-laden car is powered by a 2-litre diesel engine




b

BMW iX1: iX1 for everyone

The all-electric BMW iX1 puts all-electric performance, robust handling, and great brand value in one compact SUV package




b

Mercedes-Benz G-Class updated

The model line has for now been updated with new features and suspension tech.




b

Quarter-litre crisis: Bajaj Pulsar N250

While there’s no crisis in the 250 cc space, Bajaj appears to have devised a great solution anyway




b

Mercedes-Benz GLE 450: Milestone-Class

More than 25 years after it was introduced as the M-Class, the GLE still looks pretty promising in its latest avatar




b

Force Gurkha now also available in a five-door guise

The off-road-focussed SUV is powered by a 2.6-litre diesel engine which makes 138 bhp and 32.63 kg-m. 




b

Skoda makes its Slavia and Kushaq safer than before

With the latest update, Skoda has now made six airbags available across the Slavia and Kushaq model range