The Jharkhand government has announced a complete ban on the production, distribution, sale, and storage of gutkha and paan masala containing nicotine and tobacco within the state.

The state’s health department has issued a notification that this ban will be effective for the next year, starting from the notification date.

The authorities have stated that the ban period may be extended further based on a review of the situation.

In 2020, Jharkhand banned 11 brands of gutkha and paan masala, effective until June 2023. The ban lapsed for about one and a half years. This time, all types of paan masala containing nicotine and tobacco, in addition to gutkha, have been prohibited in the state.

According to the notification signed by Additional Chief Secretary of the Health Department and State Food Safety Commissioner Ajay Kumar Singh, this ban is imposed under Section 30(2)(A) of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and Regulations 2, 3, and 4 of the Food Safety and Standards (Prohibition and Restriction on Sales) Regulation, 2011.

The government has directed the concerned department to disseminate this information through the media.

The Nifty index could reach 25,000 by December 2025, driven by a revival in consumer spending, improved employment trends and easing foreign investor selling, a new report said on Tuesday.

According to Emkay Institutional Equities, the Indian stock market is expected to remain volatile in the near term, but a recovery is likely in the second half of 2025.

The research firm has projected that the first quarter of 2025 is likely to witness increased market fluctuations due to weak demand and global uncertainties.

India's GDP is expected to grow at 6.6 per cent in the October-December period of 2024-25, which is slower than the corresponding figure of 8.6 per cent for the same quarter of 2023-24, but remains robust with support from agriculture, government spending, and services, according to a Bank of Baroda report released on Tuesday.

The increase in the government's capital expenditure (capex) is a major driver of economic stability while the financial sector and rural demand show resilience, the report points out.

It states that the government’s capital expenditure has increased significantly to 47.7 per cent in Q3FY25 (up from 24.4 per cent in Q3FY24) which has led to an increase in construction activity in sectors such as highways, ports and railways resulting in more jobs and incomes being created in the economy.

Raghav Chadha Expresses Deep Condolences to Families of New Delhi Railway Station Stampede Victims

India is emerging as the fastest-growing hub for Certified Financial Planner (CFP) professionals, with their numbers rising by 18 per cent in the country, according to a report on Friday.

The report by FPSB India, the Indian subsidiary of the Financial Planning Standards Board, (FPSB) showed that CFP professionals grew to 3,215 in 2024 from 2,731 in 2023 – a 17.7 per cent growth.

CFPs are experts who play a key role in helping individuals plan their finances, manage wealth, and achieve long-term financial stability.

India’s first manned submersible ‘Matsya 6000’ is expected to carry three people to a depth of 6000 metres in the ocean by 2026, said Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology and Earth Sciences Jitendra Singh on Thursday.

In a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today, Singh noted that the ‘Matsya 6000’, part of the Deep Ocean Mission, will explore the ocean biodiversity, survey, and mineral resources with a suite of scientific sensors.

“The manned submersible Matsya 6000 is likely to be realised by 2026,” Singh said, informing that the technologies developed under the Deep Ocean Mission will “expand the country’s capability for deep-sea man-rated vehicle development”.

It will also pave the way for sustainable deep-sea exploration and harnessing of deep-sea living and non-living resources. In addition, the mission also has immediate spin-offs in underwater engineering innovations, asset inspection, and the promotion of ocean literacy.

The new Income Tax Bill 2025, scheduled to take effect on April 1, 2026, is set to foster a more transparent and taxpayer-friendly environment, representing a historic milestone in India's tax landscape, industry experts said on Thursday.

The Bill represents a significant overhaul of India's tax legislation, marking a pivotal shift towards simplification and modernisation of the Income-Tax Act of 1961.

The Bill, which spans into 622 pages, reduces the complexity of the 1961 Act and replaces intricate legal jargons with clear and straightforward language.

“Another notable aspect of the Bill is the strategic use of tables and formulas, which will help simplify interpretation of the provisions. The Bill aims to minimise disputes and litigation while enhancing taxpayer certainty,” said Himanshu Parekh, Partner, Tax, KPMG in India.

India's job market is experiencing robust growth, with white-collar hiring surging 9 per cent in the last three months, according to a report on Thursday.

The report by foundit (formerly Monster APAC & ME), a jobs and talent platform, showed that green jobs -- those that contribute to preserve or restore the environment -- stand out as a key highlight, witnessing a remarkable 41 per cent increase over the last two years driven by expanding clean energy initiatives.

Sectors like semiconductors, energy, and waste management are leading this growth, fuelled by global net-zero emission targets.

Bengaluru, Delhi, and Pune have emerged as key hubs for these roles. Demand for green jobs is projected to rise another 11 per cent in 2025, driven by renewable energy, EVs, and green hydrogen initiatives.

India's energy Maharatna, Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited (ONGC), on Wednesday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Tata Power Renewable Energy Limited (TPREL) to explore new opportunities in the Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) sector.

TPREL is a subsidiary of The Tata Power Company Limited. The agreement was signed during the third edition of India Energy Week 2025.

This collaboration will focus on several key areas, including large-scale energy storage systems, grid stabilisation, renewable energy integration, hybrid energy solutions, industrial and commercial storage applications, microgrids, backup power solutions, and electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure.

Both companies aim to use their expertise to drive innovation and growth in the energy storage sector.

In anticipation of the upcoming Magh Purnima bath on February 12, the Yogi Adityanath-led Uttar Pradesh government has implemented comprehensive measures to ensure the safety and health of the anticipated influx of devotees. All hospitals within the city, division, and the Maha Kumbh area have been placed on high alert as per the Chief Minister’s directives.

To provide immediate assistance during emergencies, a total of 133 ambulances have been strategically deployed. Under which 125 road ambulances, seven river ambulances, and one air ambulance have been specially deployed.

State-of-the-art medical services have been arranged throughout the Mahakumbh area, offering facilities for procedures ranging from minor operations to major surgeries. Dr Gaurav Dubey, Nodal Medical Officer of the Mahakumbh Mela, said that the emergency services of the Yogi government are playing an important role, especially the ambulance service. Over 2,000 medical personnel have been deployed within the Mahakumbh area, with an additional 700 staff members on high alert at Swaroop Rani Nehru (SRN) Hospital.