THE HEADLINES:-
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi to dedicate and lay foundation stone of multiple development projects worth over 18 thousand 800 crore rupees in Gujarat today.
- Centre grants tax exemption to Foreign Institutional Investors on capital gains in government securities.
- RBI keeps repo rate unchanged at 5.25 per cent; Reduces GDP growth projection to 6.6 per cent from 6.9 per cent for current fiscal.
- Nepal Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal to arrive in New Delhi on 3-day visit today.
- World Environment Day being observed; Government inaugurates 18 Namo Oxygen Parks in New Delhi.
- India to take on arch-rivals Pakistan in semifinal of Men’s Under-18 Asia Cup Hockey in Japan this evening.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Surat today to launch multiple development projects worth over eighteen thousand eight hundred crore rupees spanning the road, power, and industrial sectors. The PM will first visit Hazira, and will review ongoing industrial and infrastructure operations before addressing a large public gathering in the afternoon. Later, in the evening PM is scheduled to visit Daman to inaugurate and lay the foundation stone for various projects worth around 2,970 Crore rupees in Daman including major healthcare and aviation infrastructure to the nation, besides laying foundation stones for crucial maritime projects for the Union Territory of Lakshadweep. We have a report from our correspondent :
“Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the new terminal building of NAMO Airport and the modern NAMO Hospital in Daman today, strengthening regional air connectivity and healthcare access for the Union Territory. He will also lay the foundation stones for several landmark infrastructure project including the Iconic Bridge, the Daman Convention Centre, and the NIFT Campus. In a significant step for maritime development, the Prime Minister will additionally lay the foundation stones for port projects worth eight hundred eighty-five crore rupees for the Union Territory of Lakshadweep. These projects will develop multipurpose jetties on Kalpeni and Kadmat islands, enabling year-round berthing of large passenger and cruise vessels while supporting local fishermen with integrated fish handling and boat repair facilities. Aparna Khunt, Akashvani News, Surat.”
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The centre has granted tax exemption to Foreign Institutional Investors on capital gains and interest income arising from investments in government securities. The government has promulgated the Income-tax (Amendment) Ordinance, 2026 in this regard. The Union Finance Ministry said, this step will align the taxation on Government Securities with many comparable jurisdictions. The exemption will be applicable from the 1st of April this year. The Ministry added that the exemption will apply to any interest or capital gains arising to Foreign Portfolio Investors on or after 1st April in respect of investments in Government Securities. It said, similar income-tax exemption is also provided for the Bank for International Settlements for any interest or capital gains from its investments in Government Securities. The Ministry said, this will ensure stable systematic inflow of durable, patient foreign capital and long-term investors such as pension funds, insurance companies, and Sovereign wealth funds.
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The Reserve Bank of India has kept key interest rates unchanged for the second consecutive monetary policy review in the current financial year. Announcing the bi-monthly monetary policy today, RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra said the Monetary Policy Committee has unanimously decided to retain the repo rate at 5.25 per cent while maintaining a neutral policy stance. Accordingly, the Standing Deposit Facility rate remains at 5 per cent, while the Marginal Standing Facility rate and the Bank Rate continue at 5.5 per cent.
The RBI has revised its GDP growth projection for the current financial year downward to 6.6 per cent from the earlier estimate of 6.9 per cent. The central bank has also raised its inflation forecast to 5.1 per cent from 4.6 per cent. While inflation is expected to remain within the target range, rising fuel prices and higher input costs could exert upward pressure on prices in the coming months.
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Benchmark domestic equity indices were trading around 0.4 per cent down during afternoon trade today. The Sensex lost 289 points to 74 thousand 71 while the Nifty dropped 100 points to 23 thousand 317, when reports last came in.
In the broader market at the National Stock Exchange, the Midcap 100 index was trading over half a per cent down, while Smallcap 100 index fell 0.3 per cent, a short while ago.
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Union Home Minister Amit Shah today outlined a comprehensive border security vision while addressing Border Security Force personnel at the Lankamura Border Outpost in Tripura. Emphasising border security, the Home Minister said the government is determined to prevent illegal demographic changes along border areas of Tripura, West Bengal and Bihar. He informed that approval has been granted for the construction of 119 kilometres of new fencing to replace ageing sections of the border fence. Mr. Shah also unveiled a Smart Border strategy aimed at integrating advanced technology with local civil administration to strengthen border management. A pilot project of the integrated model will be launched at seven to eight locations next year before wider implementation.
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A total of over 70 thousand applications have been received through the CBSE post-result grievance redressal process from Class 12th students. This include seven thousand 314 applications for Verification of Marks and over 63 thousand applications for re-evaluation. CBSE had opened the online portal for verification of issues observed in scanned copies of answer books and re-evaluation of answers on Tuesday. Following the declaration of Class 12th results on 13 May, a section of students expressed dissatisfaction with marks awarded and questioned the accuracy of evaluation under the On-Screen Marking system (OSM). The Ministry of Education initiated a review of the implementation and procurement aspects of the OSM system, including examination of vendor performance, contractual obligations and quality-control mechanisms.
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President Droupadi Murmu will confer the Padma awards to 65 eminent personalities for the year 2026 at the second civil investiture ceremony on the 23rd of this month. Earlier last month, the President had presented Padma Awards to 66 eminent personalities at the 1st Civil Investiture Ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan. This year, the President has approved conferment of 131 Padma awards including five Padma Vibhushan, 13 Padma Bhushan and 113 Padma Shri awards. The awards are announced on the occasion of the Republic Day every year.
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BJP President Nitin Nabin has accepted the resignation submitted by the Tamil Nadu party State chief K. Annamalai from the primary membership of the Party. Recently Annamalai had submitted his resignation to the BJP President.
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Nepal’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Shisir Khanal will be on a 3-day visit to India beginning today. He is visiting India at the invitation of External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar. During the visit, Mr Khanal will meet Dr Jaishankar in New Delhi. In a statement, the Foreign Ministry of Nepal said the two sides will discuss matters of mutual interest, with a view to enhancing cooperation across key areas including trade, investment, connectivity, energy and people-to-people ties.
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Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Bhupender Yadav, along with Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta today inaugurated eighteen Namo Oxygen Parks in New Delhi on the occasion of World Environment Day. The Union Minister also launched a series of environmental initiatives under the nationwide campaign ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ on the occasion. Speaking on the occasion, Mr Yadav said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India has emerged as a global leader in environmental action.
Speaking on the occasion, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said that increasing green cover is among the most important measures for improving Delhi’s air quality. She announced that the Delhi Government has set a target of planting 15 lakh trees across the city during the current year. During the event, three environmental publications prepared by the Delhi government were also released which are Working Plan for Delhi, Asola Bhatti Sanctuary Management Plan and Delhi Bird Atlas.
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Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his best wishes to everyone on World Environment Day saying initiatives like Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam have made significant contributions towards adding nearly 1.1 lakh hectares of forest every year. In a series of posts on social media, Mr Modi remarked that this day serves to reaffirm the commitment to protecting the environment and furthering sustainable growth.
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Union Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting, Dr L. Murugan today planted a sapling under the Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam campaign at the premises of Akashvani in New Delhi. Talking to Akashvani News, Dr Murugun appealed to the citizens to take a pledge to protect the environment. He emphasized the need to save water, planting trees and protecting and conserving them.
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US President Donald Trump has said the United States has been in direct contact with Hezbollah as part of efforts to reduce tensions in Lebanon and the wider West Asia region. Speaking at the White House, Trump said progress has been made in discussions aimed at reducing violence in Lebanon. He made the remarks after being asked about reports that Hezbollah had rejected a US-backed peace proposal. . He said he had discussed the issue with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other regional leaders.
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India will take on arch-rivals Pakistan in the semifinal of the Men’s Under-18 Asia Cup Hockey tournament at Kakamigahara Hockey Stadium in Japan today. The match will start at 3:30 PM IST.
India entered the last four after finishing second in Pool A with nine points.
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India’s Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu remained in contention for the Norway Chess 2026 title after defeating world champion Gukesh Dommaraju in Round Nine. The victory took Praggnanandhaa to 15 points, just half a point behind leader Wesley, who has 15.5 points after beating Magnus Carlsen.
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India Meteorological Department has said that conditions are favourable for further advance of southwest monsoon into some more parts of central Arabian Sea, entire Goa, parts of Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, remaining parts of Tamil Nadu, and parts of Northeastern states during next 2 to 3 days. The Weather agency predicted heavy to very Heavy Rainfall during the day in places over Coastal Karnataka, Kerala and Mahe, North Interior Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal.
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THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN:-
- .Prime Minister Narendra Modi to dedicate and lay foundation stone of multiple development projects worth over 18 thousand 800 crore rupees in Gujarat today.
- Centre grants tax exemption to Foreign Institutional Investors on capital gains in government securities.
- RBI keeps repo rate unchanged at 5.25 per cent; Reduces GDP growth projection to 6.6 per cent from 6.9 per cent for current fiscal.
- Nepal Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal to arrive in New Delhi on 3-day visit today.
- World Environment Day being observed; Government inaugurates 18 Namo Oxygen Parks in New Delhi.
- India to take on arch-rivals Pakistan in semifinal of Men’s Under-18 Asia Cup Hockey in Japan this evening.
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