The Indian benchmark indices ended the session with a decent rally on Tuesday for the second consecutive day, buoyed by the GST rationalisation move.

Sensex settled at 81,644.39, up 370 points or 0.46 per cent. The 30-share index started the session with a decent gap-up at 81,39.11 against last session's closing of 81,273.75. Continuing the last session's gaining momentum, the index touched an intra-day high at 81,755.88, buoyed by buying in auto, FMCG, oil and gas and others.

Nifty ended the session at 24,980.65, up 103.70 or 0.42 per cent.

"The national market continued the renewed momentum, buoyed by expectations of GST rationalisation and a recent upgrade in India's credit rating," said Vinod Nair, Head of Research, Geojit Investments Limited.

Gold prices are expected to remain elevated in the second half of 2025 due to macroeconomic headwinds and geopolitical tensions, a report said on Tuesday.

Comex Gold is expected to reach $3,600 per ounce by the end of 2025, surpassing the record high of $3,534.10 seen this year on August 7, the report from trading and investment platform Ventura Securities said.

The jump in price will be driven by strong ETF inflows, stable central bank buying, and robust retail participation in India’s gold investment market, the investment platform said.

Gen Z investors, fractional ownership models, social media, and fintech advances are driving the shift from traditional jewellery ownership to tech-enabled investment channels, the report said.

The Indian equity markets are benefiting from long-term growth tailwinds but are witnessing short-term valuation risks, a report said on Tuesday.

"The domestic stock market is entering FY26 with cyclical headwinds but strong structural drivers," Enquirus Securities said in its report.

"We are Overweight on auto, capital market, cement, FMCG, infra, internet platforms, NBFC, oil & gas sectors, while we are underweight on building materials, industrials and defence, real estate, textile, logistics sectors,” said Maulik Patel, Head of Research, Equirus Securities.

The brokerage house has kept a neutral stance on banks, chemicals, consumer durables, EMS, IT services, metals and mining, healthcare, and retail sectors.

The police on Tuesday apprehended a dreaded criminal after an encounter near Khandual in Dhanupali police limits of Odisha's Sambalpur district, said officials.

The accused, identified as Md. Samad, a resident of Motijharan in Sambalpur, sustained bullet injuries on his left leg during the encounter with the police team in the early hours.

He was immediately rushed to VIMSAR Medical College and Hospital, Burla, for treatment.

As per police sources, the accused, Samad, along with his brother, Md. Wasim brutally attacked Asfaq Khan of Motijharan with sharp weapons at around 10 p.m. on Monday. Khan later succumbed to injuries caused by the stabbing assault by the accused siblings.

Subsequently, Samad and Wasim escaped the crime scene to avoid arrest.

Girls who go through puberty before the age of 11 or women who give birth before the age of 21 have double the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, heart failure, and obesity, and quadruple the risk of developing severe metabolic disorders, according to a study.

The study led by researchers at the US-based Buck Institute for Research on Aging revealed that later puberty and childbirth are genetically associated with longer lifespan, lower frailty, slower epigenetic ageing, and reduced risk of age-related diseases, including type 2 diabetes and Alzheimer's.

"We show that genetic factors favouring early reproduction come with a significant cost later in life, including accelerated ageing and disease. It makes sense that the very factors that help enhance the survival of the offspring may lead to detrimental consequences for the mother," Pankaj Kapahi.

Haryana Police have served notice to 10 social media account operators for allegedly spreading false news on social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook and YouTube in the death case of a playschool teacher.

An official spokesperson said that the police have also registered FIRs against social media account operators for publishing inflammatory, false and misleading information on social media accounts.

These social media accounts run reports and news without any official confirmation.

The account operators are also facing criminal charges for publishing inflammatory posts, false news and misleading information without verification, uploading videos, and thereby disturbing law and order in the district, the spokesperson said.

The Department of Physiotherapy at Sri Guru Granth Sahib World University, Fatehgarh Sahib organized a National Seminar on “Understanding the NCAHP 2021 Act & Its Impact”, bringing together eminent policy-makers, academic leaders, and healthcare professionals to deliberate on one of the most significant reforms in allied health sciences in India. The seminar was graced by the Chief Guest, Dr. Yagna Unmesh Shukla, Chairperson, National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions (NCAHP), Government of India. Prof. (Dr.) S.S. Billing, Dean Academic Affairs welcomed the dignitaries and emphasized that the NCAHP Act, 2021, is not merely a legislative framework but a visionary roadmap for standardization, regulation, and ethical excellence in allied health education and practice. In the Keynote Address, Dr. Shukla offered a comprehensive perspective on the Act’s objectives, scope, and implementation strategies.

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has awarded central contracts to 30 male cricketers for the upcoming 2025–26 international season, with veteran batters Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan being demoted to category B, as no player has been placed in category A.

Babar and Rizwan were also snubbed from the T20I squad for the upcoming Asia Cup. The senior duo featured in the recently concluded three-match ODI series against the West Indies. The wicketkeeper-batter has been Pakistan's captain in the 50-over format. However, they haven't featured in Pakistan's T20I squad since last year.

Compared to last year’s list of 27 contracted players, when Babar and Rizwan were the only players to be placed in category A, the PCB has expanded the pool to 30 this year, including 12 fresh additions.

With 13 days still left for filing claims and objections, the Bihar Chief Electoral Officer’s office has received 52,275 applications directly from individual voters regarding inclusion or exclusion of names in the state’s draft electoral rolls, the Election Commission of India (ECI) said on Tuesday, adding that no political party has filed any complaint so far.

According to the poll panel, so far, 1,765 applications have been disposed of by the Electoral Registration Officers (EROs). As per the rules, claims and objections are decided seven days after the verification of supporting documents is completed.

Significantly, the Commission underlined that not a single political party has submitted any complaint or objection even after 19 days of the publication of the draft rolls on August 1.