Govt deep-tech fund: Rs 2,192 cr cleared, 62% goes to firms linked to panel that chose them

A new public fund to boost India's deep-tech ambitions in the private sector has approved, in its first round, Rs 2,192 crore in soft loans to 22 private companies at the cutting edge of space science, energy tech and pharma, among others. These companies were chosen from 124 applicants by a 12-member panel, including 11 established names in private equity and technology, and a non-voting government representative. The credentials of each company are well-established.

Al may augment judicial intelligence, not replace its conscience: CJI Kant

Technology and human values are not competing ideals... When responsibly deployed, the former strengthens the very values that sustain the administration of justice, Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant said on Thursday.

FCRA Bill may be taken up for discussion on Aug 12;

Mizoram CM meets Shah, hands over memorandum

The Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026 is likely to be taken up for discussion in Parliament on August 12. 

Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma met Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday and handed over a memorandum expressing concerns over the Bill.

Rajya Sabha clears Appropriation Bill for Rs 54,067-cr excess spend

The Rajya Sabha on Thursday cleared the Appropriation Bill, 2026, which seeks to authorise appropriation of money from the Consolidated Fund of India to meet amounts spent on certain services during the financial year ending March 31, 2023, in excess of the amounts granted.

To cut gas imports, Cabinet gives nod to Rs 24K-cr biogas scheme 'GOBARdhan'

Focused on boosting compressed biogas (CBG) production in the country, the Union Cabinet on Thursday approved 'GOBARdhan', the National Circular Bioenergy Scheme, with an outlay of Rs 23,731 crore for implementation between 2026-27 and 2035-36, or 10 years.

Netanyahu calls Modi, discusses West Asia crisis, India-Israel ties

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday, in their second phone conversation since the war in West Asia began on February 28. The two leaders exchanged views on the recent developments in West Asia.

Extending creamy layer to SC, ST is Parliament's call: Govt to top court

The Country's reservation policy is based "not solely on economic status" but on "historical and social criteria like caste, tribe and social backwardness," the Centre told the Supreme Court on Thursday, adding that its "modification...particularly to introduce income-based preferences within reserved categories, should be preceded by a holistic review and thorough empirical study, including socio-economic data of reserved category beneficiaries."

RBI sees inflation risks - but opts to support growth

The RBI Monetary Policy Committee left the policy rate unchanged and retained its neutral stance in the August meeting. The tone of the policy, however, was more dovish than expected. With the risk of food inflation rising and volatile crude oil prices, we expected the central bank's tone to be more cautious.

Ethanol policy must count in water, sustainability costs

India's Rollout of E20 petrol is among the world's most ambitious biofuel initiatives. Ethanol blending has increased from about 1.5 per cent in 2013-14 to nearly 20 per cent in 2025, with annual consumption approaching 700 crore litres. The programme has reduced crude oil imports, generated rural incomes and diversified the country's energy basket. These are important achievements. Yet as India transitions from E10 to E20, policy should increasingly be guided by scientific evidence and sound public economics rather than by blending targets alone.

The Hasina factor in India-Bangladesh ties

• The Ganga Water Treaty of 1996 is due for renewal this year. The Teesta water treaty is still to be signed.

• While Bangladesh has removed visa curbs, some trade restrictions remain. Delhi also views illegal immigration from Bangladesh as a major irritant.

The challenge for school consolidation: Balancing access and quality education

The Congress recently posted on social media platform X that 94,000 government schools had been shut down over the past decade, a number first flagged in a NITI Aayog report from May.

For decades, India's school education policy focused on expanding neighborhood schools so that every child could access education closer to home. Today, however, the narrative is changing. Education being in the Concurrent List, several states have adopted policies to close, merge or consolidate schools, raising concerns about access to education. Government data, however, reveals a more nuanced story, which can be understood through three broad trends between 2014-15 and 2024-25:

New images of sun reveal its strange, dynamic façade

Scientists have captured images of the sun's surface in the finest detail yet, revealing a strange and dynamic facade.

It's dangerous to look directly at the sun without proper eye protection. But researchers were able to peek at its scorching surface with the help of the National Science Foundation's Daniel K Inouye Solar Tele-scope, located on the island of Maui in Hawaii.

Reservoir levels lowest since 2023, hydro power generation affected

Reservoir Levels at hydroelectric power plants across the country have fallen to their lowest for the April 1-July 30 period since 2023, as erratic weather conditions linked to the effects of El Niño reduced water availability for power generation. Out of 30 major hydro power reservoirs, 23 have recorded lower water levels during April 1-July 30 period compared with the corresponding period last year, the Ministry of Power informed Parliament.

SEBI plans SLB revamp, scheme Setu portal launch

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) is planning to revamp the Securities Lending and Borrowing (SLB) scheme, launch Setu portal and a pilot project on the tokenisation of corporate bonds using distributed ledger technology.

Fewer than 10 customs slabs by FY28 Budget: FM

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Thursday said the government aims to complete its customs tariff rationalisation by the 2027-28 Budget, while asserting that India's vision of Viksit Bharat is "not an unprecedented ambition" but a restoration of its historical economic position.

Why proposed UPI levy could be India's quiet concession to US' trade demands

As India and the US are still in the process of finalising the trade deal, with one Section 301 trade investigation ongoing and another resulting in a 10% duty on India, the Finance Ministry this week introduced the Taxation and Other Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026 in Parliament, which would allow banks and payment system providers to charge fees on UPI and RuPay debit card payments.