From pension bonanza to GST tweaks: 10 changes that kick in today

Starting April 1, 2025, various regulatory and financial changes, including revised income tax slabs, updated UPI regulations, and the introduction of the Unified Pension Scheme, will impact taxpayers, digital payment users, and pensioners. These changes aim to lower tax burdens, offer TDS relief, and adjust tolls, medicine, and gas prices.

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Car manufacturers in India have increased prices due to rising input costs and inflation. Maruti Suzuki leads with up to a 4% hike. Other brands like Tata Motors, Mahindra, and Hyundai have also raised prices up to 3%. Despite this, dealers are offering discounts on entry-level models to boost sales in a challenging market.

From Maruti to Mahindra, prices see hike starting April 1: Find out new prices

Car manufacturers in India have increased prices due to rising input costs and inflation. Maruti Suzuki leads with up to a 4% hike. Other brands like Tata Motors, Mahindra, and Hyundai have also raised prices up to 3%. Despite this, dealers are offering discounts on entry-level models to boost sales in a challenging market.

Various spiritual leaders have been embroiled in significant controversies leading to legal actions and imprisonment. Notable cases include Bajinder Singh convicted for sexual assault, Rampal sentenced to life imprisonment, Gurmeet Ram Rahim serving for rape and murder, and Jalebi Baba found guilty of raping and blackmailing over 100 women.

How self-styled spiritual leaders threaten law and order

Various spiritual leaders have been embroiled in significant controversies leading to legal actions and imprisonment. Notable cases include Bajinder Singh convicted for sexual assault, Rampal sentenced to life imprisonment, Gurmeet Ram Rahim serving for rape and murder, and Jalebi Baba found guilty of raping and blackmailing over 100 women.

Chief Minister M K Stalin requested a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi to present a memorandum on delimitation from recent Joint Action Committee discussions. Stalin emphasized the significance of fair representation for citizens in parliamentary democracy and sought an audience along with select MPs from different parties to formally submit the concerns.

TN CM Stalin writes to PM Modi seeking appointment on delimitation issue

Chief Minister M K Stalin requested a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi to present a memorandum on delimitation from recent Joint Action Committee discussions. Stalin emphasized the significance of fair representation for citizens in parliamentary democracy and sought an audience along with select MPs from different parties to formally submit the concerns.

The BJP-led central government tabled the Waqf (Amendment) Bill in Parliament amid opposition from the INDIA bloc, incorporating suggestions from the Joint Parliamentary Committee. Union minister Kiren Rijiju defended the reforms, citing extensive consultations and emphasizing no interference in religious institutions, while Congress accused the Centre of rushing the legislation.

Waqf Bill to be named UMEED: Kiren Rijiju in LS

The BJP-led central government tabled the Waqf (Amendment) Bill in Parliament amid opposition from the INDIA bloc, incorporating suggestions from the Joint Parliamentary Committee. Union minister Kiren Rijiju defended the reforms, citing extensive consultations and emphasizing no interference in religious institutions, while Congress accused the Centre of rushing the legislation.

Chinese President Xi Jinping has unexpectedly swapped roles of Politburo members Li Ganjie and Shi Taifeng. This significant move, seen as part of Xi’s strategy to consolidate power ahead of the 2027 party congress, puts Li in charge of the United Front Work Department and Shi the Organisation Department, signaling Xi’s ongoing drive to eliminate rivals and reinforce loyalty.

Unprecedented CCP shake-up: Xi’s inner circle gets a jolt

Chinese President Xi Jinping has unexpectedly swapped roles of Politburo members Li Ganjie and Shi Taifeng. This significant move, seen as part of Xi’s strategy to consolidate power ahead of the 2027 party congress, puts Li in charge of the United Front Work Department and Shi the Organisation Department, signaling Xi’s ongoing drive to eliminate rivals and reinforce loyalty.

Yashasvi Jaiswal, India’s Test opener, is making a significant shift from Mumbai to Goa for the 2025-26 season, where he will serve as captain. Despite his deep roots in Mumbai cricket, Jaiswal seeks a No-Objection Certificate to officially make the move.

Yashasvi Jaiswal to move to Goa from Mumbai

Yashasvi Jaiswal, India’s Test opener, is making a significant shift from Mumbai to Goa for the 2025-26 season, where he will serve as captain. Despite his deep roots in Mumbai cricket, Jaiswal seeks a No-Objection Certificate to officially make the move.

Early diagnosis and intervention are crucial for managing Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD), improving cognitive and social-emotional functions in affected children. Despite no specific biomarker test available, observation of behaviour is essential. In India, challenges such as lack of acceptance, cultural differences, and high cost hinder early diagnosis. Multidisciplinary approaches and parental involvement are vital for effective management.

Why is early diagnosis of Autism still a challenge in India?

Early diagnosis and intervention are crucial for managing Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD), improving cognitive and social-emotional functions in affected children. Despite no specific biomarker test available, observation of behaviour is essential. In India, challenges such as lack of acceptance, cultural differences, and high cost hinder early diagnosis. Multidisciplinary approaches and parental involvement are vital for effective management.

A sanitation worker in Aligarh, UP, earning Rs 15,000 monthly, received an income tax notice for Rs 34 crore, suggesting his PAN card was misused. Karan Kumar, who learned of the notice on March 29, filed a police complaint. I-T officials plan to investigate the misuse cases through faceless assessments.

After juice vendor, now sanitation worker in UP gets Rs 34 crore I-T notice

A sanitation worker in Aligarh, UP, earning Rs 15,000 monthly, received an income tax notice for Rs 34 crore, suggesting his PAN card was misused. Karan Kumar, who learned of the notice on March 29, filed a police complaint. I-T officials plan to investigate the misuse cases through faceless assessments.

Eight members of the Banik family in South 24 Parganas died following a blast at their illegal fireworks factory. Two surviving family members, who ran the business, face serious charges. Investigations are ongoing to determine the cause and legality of the operations. Police plan stricter regulations for firework factories to prevent such tragedies in the future.

From 6 months to 80 years old, home cracker unit blast claims 8 of Bengal family

Eight members of the Banik family in South 24 Parganas died following a blast at their illegal fireworks factory. Two surviving family members, who ran the business, face serious charges. Investigations are ongoing to determine the cause and legality of the operations. Police plan stricter regulations for firework factories to prevent such tragedies in the future.

Starting April 1, 2025, changes in income tax slabs, UPI rules, and TDS thresholds will take effect. The highest tax rate of 30% applies to income above Rs 24 lakh. TDS thresholds for interest income have been increased. The Unified Pension Scheme begins and existing small savings scheme rates remain unchanged.

6 financial changes from April 1 you should know

Starting April 1, 2025, changes in income tax slabs, UPI rules, and TDS thresholds will take effect. The highest tax rate of 30% applies to income above Rs 24 lakh. TDS thresholds for interest income have been increased. The Unified Pension Scheme begins and existing small savings scheme rates remain unchanged.

Evangelical Christian pastor Bajinder Singh has been sentenced to life imprisonment for raping a woman in 2018. He was also fined Rs 1 lakh. The court announced the punishment after convicting him. Singh previously served time for a murder case. The woman expressed satisfaction with the verdict. Other accused persons were acquitted due to insufficient evidence.

After pastor Bajinder Singh’s sentencing, rape survivor faints outside courtroom

Evangelical Christian pastor Bajinder Singh has been sentenced to life imprisonment for raping a woman in 2018. He was also fined Rs 1 lakh. The court announced the punishment after convicting him. Singh previously served time for a murder case. The woman expressed satisfaction with the verdict. Other accused persons were acquitted due to insufficient evidence.

Devotees can no longer buy liquor in Ujjain for offerings at Kal Bhairav temple due to a new ban. Liquor sales within Ujjain municipal limits have ceased, closing all shops and bars. However, devotees can still carry legally purchased liquor from outside the city. The temple will maintain a two-day stock of liquor for rituals.

No liquor sale in 19 holy cities of Madhya Pradesh, ban comes into effect

Devotees can no longer buy liquor in Ujjain for offerings at Kal Bhairav temple due to a new ban. Liquor sales within Ujjain municipal limits have ceased, closing all shops and bars. However, devotees can still carry legally purchased liquor from outside the city. The temple will maintain a two-day stock of liquor for rituals.

A woman in Perth reported feeling shocked and disrespected when her doctor used ChatGPT to analyze her test results, calling it unprofessional. The incident has been reported to regulatory authorities, prompting debate over the use of AI tools in healthcare.

Australian left stunned after doctor used ChatGPT for medical advice

A woman in Perth reported feeling shocked and disrespected when her doctor used ChatGPT to analyze her test results, calling it unprofessional. The incident has been reported to regulatory authorities, prompting debate over the use of AI tools in healthcare.

History will blame Nitish Kumar more than BJP: Prashant Kishor on Waqf bill

The Supreme Court of India mandated the Prayagraj Development Authority to compensate five homeowners, whose houses were unlawfully demolished in 2021, with Rs 10 lakh each. The court emphasized that the right to shelter is a fundamental right and must be protected under the rule of law.

Right to shelter fundamental, pay Rs10L for each bulldozed home: SC

The Supreme Court of India mandated the Prayagraj Development Authority to compensate five homeowners, whose houses were unlawfully demolished in 2021, with Rs 10 lakh each. The court emphasized that the right to shelter is a fundamental right and must be protected under the rule of law.