FM open to investor concerns, weighs case for foreign capital

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Monday acknowledged growing anxiety among retail investors and equity market participants over stretched Indian stock valuations and the capital gains tax regime, and said their concerns would be considered. She, however, cautioned against viewing tax concessions as the principal driver of capital market performance.

Navy to add eight next-gen corvettes from two PSUs

Days After the Cabinet Committee on Security greenlighted the project, the Ministry of Defence on Monday signed contracts worth Rs 53,866.50 crore with Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Limited (GRSE) and Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL) to acquire eight next-generation corvettes for the Indian Navy.

PM: India to add 500 GW non-fossil fuel capacity in the next 10-11 years

India Will add 500 gigawatts (GW) of new non-fossil fuel capacity over the next 10-11 years, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Monday.

"This target is somewhat difficult, but I have faith in the capabilities of our country. And that is why I say, "We will do it!"," PM Modi said while speaking at the inaugural session of the Bharat Renewable Energy Summit & Expo 2026.

NSA Doval, Vietnamese ministers hold bilateral talks to boost security

National Security Adviser Ajit Doval on Monday held separate high-level talks with Vietnam's ministers of public security and foreign affairs on strengthening bilateral co-operation in security and other areas and agreed to enhance "multifaceted" ties. Doval held talks with Minister of Public Security General Luong Tam Quang on ongoing cooperation in the security domain.

The challenge is more productive employment

India has made remarkable progress in lifting millions out of abject poverty. Extreme poverty, as measured by a $3 per day poverty line, has fallen to 2.6 per cent in 2023, according to the World Bank's latest estimate. At a higher threshold-the lower-middle income country line of $4.2 per day - the decline from 57.7 per cent in 2011 to 16.1 per cent in 2023 is equally impressive. This improvement in living standards can be observed across the rural-urban divide, in most states. Yet, the lack of more productive and better paying non-farm employment opportunities remains an obstacle in the path to mass prosperity.

Smaller cities can lead the way on climate resilience

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change offers a useful framework: Climate-resilient development, which brings together adaptation, emissions reduction, and sustainable development. India's Long-Term Low Emissions Development Strategy submitted to the UNFCCC and the National Mission on Sustainable Habitat provide a framework to integrate climate considerations into urban development.