Author: DB Bureau

The Supreme Court on Monday asked the Director of the Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi to set up a team of three experts to go into the particular question of Physics asked in the medical entrance exam, National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test-Undergraduate (NEET-UG 2024), the results of which were released last month and have been marred by leaked questions and the award of ‘grace marks’, or preferential marking. A bench comprising Chief Justice DY Chandrachud and Justice JB Pardiwala was hearing a clutch of pleas, including those that are seeking a re-test of the controversy-ridden NEET-UG and asked the IIT-Delhi to submit a report…

The government will look at further lowering duties for properties purchased by women and making it an essential component of urban development schemes, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said on Tuesday. In her Union Budget speech, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman also proposed to discontinue the quoting of Aadhaar Enrolment ID in place of Aadhaar number with respect to taxation purposes. “We will encourage states which continue to charge high stamp duty to moderate the rates for all and also consider further lowering duties for properties purchased by women. This reform will be made an essential component of urban development schemes, encourages…

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday proposed a reduction in basic customs duty on gold and silver to 6 per cent and platinum to 6.4 per cent. Presenting the Budget for 2024-25, she also announced the removal of basic customs duty on ferronickel, and blister copper, while increasing the same to 15 per cent from 10 per cent on specified telecom equipment. The reduction in basic customs duty of gold, silver and platinum has been a long pending demand of the gems and jewellery industry. Sitharaman also proposed a reduction in basic customs duty on certain brood stocks, shrimps and…

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s Budget 2024 speech had good news for taxpayers opting for the new regime. The standard deduction in the new tax regime has been increased from Rs 50,000 to Rs 75,000. This Budget has also revised tax slabs under the new regime. Annual income up to Rs 3 lakh will now attract zero tax, income in the Rs 3 lakh-7 lakh bracket will be taxed at 5 per cent. The rate will be 10 per cent for income between Rs 7 lakh -10 lakh, 15 per cent for Rs 10 lakh – 12 lakh and 20 per…

The Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu-led Telugu Desam Party (TDP) on Tuesday said “special allocations” were made to Andhra Pradesh in the Union Budget after five years, citing “commitments” announced for the Polavaram Project, industrial corridors and others. In a post on ‘X’, the ruling party noted that Rs 15,000 crore funds were allocated for the reconstruction of Andhra Pradesh in fiscal 2024-25. “Rs 15,000 crore for the reconstruction of Andhra Pradesh this fiscal, additional funds for Polavaram (Project) lifeline, funds for Vizag Chennai Industrial Corridor this year, and special funds for seven backward districts,” said the party in the post.…

The Centre’s decision to rule out special status for Bihar, a long-standing demand of one of the BJP’s key allies, the Janata Dal United (JDU), has prompted a cryptic response from the party’s president and state Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.  Ahead of the presentation of the Union Budget on Tuesday, Mr Kumar was asked about the Union Government’s decision, which was communicated in a written reply in Parliament the previous day.  Speaking to reporters outside the Bihar Assembly, the chief minister, who has had an on-again, off-again relationship with the BJP and the NDA, said, “Sab kuch dhire dhire jaan…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today praised the Union Budget 2024 saying it will benefit all sections of the society and give an unprecedented push to jobs. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented the Budget in the Parliament this morning. Speaking after the Budget presentation, PM Modi said the budget empowers the middle class, the women, the poor, and the villagers. “This Budget is women-focussed, and will help towards women-led development and more participation of women in the overall workforce. This Budget is development-focussed and has increased investment in infrastructure. This is a Budget which will benefit gaon, gareeb, kisaan,” he said.

The Indian rupee, teetering at an all-time low, slipped further against the US dollar on Tuesday, pressured by the drop in local equities after the government in the Budget proposed raising the tax rate on capital gains. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday said the government plans to raise capital gains exemption limit on certain financial assets to Rs 1.25 lakh per year for middle and upper middle class. The rupee declined to 83.69 to the dollar, inching past the previous lifetime low of 83.6775, and compared with 83.6275 before the budget announcement. The stock market declined after the Budget…

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday made a host of Bihar-specific announcements in the Union Budget, which include developing sports infrastructure in the state. The announcements, said Ms Sitharaman, are in line to make to make the region an engine to attain ‘Viksit Bharat’ (developed India). This was welcomed by Bihar Cricket Association President Rakesh Tiwari, who called it “a historic moment for the entire sports community of our state”. Mr Tiwari also thanked the Finance Minister for the significant investment. Also Read | Full Text Of Nirmala Sitharaman’s Speech “The development of new sports facilities is not only a…

Abhinav Bindra, the first Indian to win an individual medal at the Olympics, has been conferred with the Olympic Order for his outstanding services to the Olympic movement. The Olympic Order is the highest award given by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) for meritorious services. Bindra, a member of the IOC Athletes Commission, is the first Indian to receive the Olympic Order and was hailed by many prominent persons for this achievement. The decision to confer the award on Bindra was taken at the IOC Executive Board meeting in Paris on Saturday. The information was put on social media by…