Nirmala Sitharaman

FirstUp: Pakistan to begin deporting ‘illegal’ Afghans and other big news today

Law enforcement officials in Pakistan’s twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad have been instructed to arrest and deport Afghan nationals involved in criminal activities, along with their families, starting today (April 1). Here’s what else to expect

Amid uproar over Waqf report, Sitharaman tables new Income Tax Bill in Parliament

The new Income Tax Bill is intended to simplify the direct taxation regime in India and replace the Income Tax Act of 1961

FirstUp: PM Modi in US to meet Trump, FM likely to table new income tax bill... Headlines today

As diplomatic ties evolve, PM Modi will meet US President Donald Trump in Washington, China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi visits the UK, and NATO defence ministers discuss security in Brussels. In Asia, South Korea's President Yoon’s impeachment trial continues, while India will introduce a new tax bill

How will new Income Tax Bill, 2025, help you?

The new Income Tax Bill, 2025 will be tabled in Parliament today (February 13). The idea behind the new bill is to simplify taxation laws – currently governed by the Income Tax Act, 1961 – for the common man. But how will the new income tax bill help you?

Does RBI buying tonnes of gold signal a shift away from dollar?

Though gold declined in late 2024 after Donald Trump was re-elected to the White House, the precious metal has been on a tear since the beginning of 2025. The Reserve Bank of India last year was the second-largest buyer of the precious metal – after the National Bank of Poland (NBP) – and brought back over 200 tonnes from the Bank of England and the Bank for International Settlements. But is the central bank looking to shift away from the dollar as the dominant reserve currency and settlement mechanism?

Is a cut in GST rates next? GST Council to soon take a decision, says FM Sitharaman

The Goods and Services Tax follows a four-tier structure with rates of 5%, 12%, 18%, and 28%. Essential items and packaged food fall under the lowest 5% slab, while luxury and demerit goods attract the highest rate of 28%.

Budget 2025: Taxpayers with income of up to Rs 13.25 lakh, not Rs 12 lakh, can pay nil taxes. Here’s how

By claiming two deductions, an individual with a gross salary of Rs 13,25,000 can bring their net taxable income down to Rs 12 lakh, making them eligible for the full tax rebate under Section 87A

Budget 2025: You will have to pay taxes despite income below Rs 12 lakh if...

Income taxed at special rates, such capital gains made through investments in stocks, including short-term and long term capital gains under Section 111A and Section 112, respectively, cannot be offset by the rebate

This Week in Explainers: Does income tax relief mean more salary in hand?

No tax for those earning Rs 12 lakh annually. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s Union Budget has come as a blessing to the middle class. We talk about taxes, tariffs and the Kumbh Mela tragedy in our weekly roundup from India

India increases aid to Maldives. What about Bangladesh, Sri Lanka?

India believes in ‘neighbourhood first’ and this is also reflected in the Union Budget 2025. There is an increase in aid to the Maldives and Afghanistan. But do you know which nation is allocated the most grant?