The cumulative number of EVs on Indian roads will likely cross 28 million units in 2030, generating significant demand for energy from the grid, according to the India Energy Storage Alliance (IESA), a leading industry body focused on e-mobility, energy storage and hydrogen.

India's cumulative EV sales have crossed 4.1 million units in the fiscal year 2023-2024 and the future outlook for electric vehicle sales continues to be positive, driven by increasing environmental awareness, customer interest, advancements in Battery technology, and readily available and easily accessible EV charging infrastructure, according to an IESA statement.

“It is predicted that 83 per cent of the annual sales would be e-2wheelers, 10 per cent would be e-4wheelers, and commercial vehicles such as trucks, buses while three-wheelers would contribute to 7 per cent of sales,” IESA said.

India continues to make significant and sustained inroads in its decarbonisation journey, with the rapid increase in sales of electric vehicles, supported by demand and supply incentives, growing consumer demand, and a focus on developing charging infrastructure.

High frequency indicators point towards a sequential pick-up in momentum of India's economic activity during the second half of 2024-25, which is likely to sustain moving forward, according to the latest RBI monthly bulletin.

In a challenging and increasingly uncertain global environment, the Indian economy is poised to sustain its position as the fastest growing major economy during 2025-26 as per the IMF and World Bank estimates of GDP growth of 6.5 per cent and 6.7 per cent, respectively, the report points out.

It further states that the Union Budget 2025-26 prudently balances fiscal consolidation and growth objectives by continued focus on Capex alongside measures to boost household incomes and consumption.

The effective capital expenditure/GDP ratio is budgeted to improve to 4.3 per cent in 2025- 26 from 4.1 per cent in 2024-25 (revised estimate).

Retail inflation moderated to a five-month low of 4.3 per cent in January, mainly due to a sharp decline in vegetable prices driven by the arrival of winter crops in the market, the report states.

Two persons were killed and six people were severely injured following a horrific road accident at Kulti in West Burdwan district of West Bengal late on Wednesday night after a vehicle carrying passengers to the Maha Kumbh at Prayagraj collided with a truck on the National Highway.

According to the Assistant Commissioner of Police (Kolkata) of Asansol-Durgapur Police Commissionerate, Jabed Hossain, the accident took place on National Highway (NH)-19 when the passenger vehicle collided with a truck at full speed from behind.

“The passenger vehicle was coming from Bankura and was going to Prayagraj. As far as the latest information available, two passengers travelling by that vehicle have died.

“The speed of the passenger vehicle was quite high. Further investigation is on,” he added.

The revenue growth of the Indian auto component industry is projected to expand by 8-10 per cent in FY26, according to a report on Thursday.

Credit rating agency ICRA expects operating margins to remain range-bound and hover at 11-12 per cent in FY25 and FY26, supported by benefits from operating leverage, higher content per vehicle and value addition, while remaining vulnerable to any significant unfavourable movements in commodity prices and foreign exchange rates.

The disruption along the Red Sea route has resulted in a surge in ocean freight rates by 2-3 times in CY2024, compared to CY2023.

The Mumbai Crime Branch has arrested two persons from the Dadar area and seized a major consignment of MD (Mephedrone) drugs valued at Rs 10.08 crore in the international market.

According to police officials, the operation was carried out based on Intelligence received by a senior police officer and encounter specialist Daya Nayak.

Acting on the tip-off, a team from the Crime Branch Unit 9 raided a guest house near Dadar railway station, leading to the detention of two suspects and the recovery of 5 kg 40 grams of Mephedrone -- a synthetic stimulant classified as a New Psychoactive Substance (NPS).

The arrested individuals have been identified as Jahangir Sheikh (29) and Senual Sheikh (28).

India have brought in Ravindra Jadeja and Mohammed Shami as Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto won the toss and elected to bat first in their first Group A match of the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy at the Dubai International Stadium on Thursday.

India enters as one of the favourites to win the eight-team competition, though Bangladesh can spring a surprise. After winning the toss, Shanto said he is very happy with the preparation and said their bowling combination is three seamers and two spinners.

“Looks a good wicket so we want to put runs on the board. We have play good cricket today and the boys are confident,” he said.

India skipper Rohit Sharma said he would have fielded first. As for team changes, he says Jadeja and Shami come back in place of Washington Sundar and Arshdeep Singh.

Actor Tiger Shroff shared some valuable life-lessons shared by his father Jackie Shroff along with an action-filled behind-the-scenes from his “Baaghi” film franchise.

Recently, Jackie spoke about going with the flow when it comes to professional life: "Life hai bhidu, kaam aate rehta hai jaate rehta hai.."

Taking to Instagram, Tiger re-shared a post featuring his BTS glimpses from his romantic actioner 'Baaghi' from his fan account. The video features Tiger in intense action mode, practising high-octane action sequences and facing injuries while performing the stunts.

However, Tiger did not let the injuries come his way, instead, he continued to give his best. The whole instance falls in sync with Jackie's life lesson.

Karnataka Police arrested a madrasa in-charge in Bengaluru on Thursday on charges of misusing his position and brutally assaulting young girls studying at the institution over minor mistakes.

The incident was reported from the Kottanur police station limits on the outskirts of Bengaluru.

The arrested individual has been identified as Mohammad Hassan.

According to police, Hassan ran a madrasa in Thanisandra, Bengaluru, and CCTV footage of the inhumane assault has gone viral on social media.

Authorities stated that Hassan's sister worked as the principal of the madrasa, and the assault took place in her presence, along with other staff members.

Vehemently pleading the case of the state before the Ravi Beas Water Tribunal, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Wednesday categorically said that the state does not have a single drop of water to share with the other states.