Alarming rise in cancer cases in Rajasthan: study

Rajasthan is facing an "alarming increase” in cancer cases and Jaipur is the worst-hit city in the State in terms of the number of cancer patients per one lakh population, according to a new study

India's strategic autonomy in a multipolar world

In the lexicon of international relations, few concepts have evolved as dynamically as "strategic autonomy". Once a term confined to academic debate, it now sits at the heart of India's foreign policy discourse, shaping decisions in an increasingly multipolar and volatile world. As global power shifts accelerate and traditional alliances fray, India finds itself navigating a delicate path between competing giants: the United States, China and Russia. The pursuit of strategic autonomy is no longer a theoretical aspiration. It is a daily diplomatic practice, fraught with complexity and consequence.

A new leaf

The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has brought into effect a set of rules called the Environment Audit Rules, 2025, that allows the vital activity of environmental monitoring and auditing to go beyond the remit of State Pollution Control Boards. The rules will largely scrutinise whether industrial units are compliant with environmental regulation. The overall framework for monitoring and compliance within the existing environmental framework is presently supported by the Central Pollution Control Board, the Regional Offices of the Environment Ministry, and the State Pollution Control Boards/Pollution Control Committees. They have, however, been facing significant constraints in terms of manpower, resources, capacity and infrastructure. "These limitations have hampered their ability to comprehensively monitor and enforce environmental compliance across the vast number of projects and industries operating nationwide," said a press statement by the Environment Ministry. This scheme aims to bridge the manpower and infrastructure deficits faced by regulatory authorities, thereby strengthening the effective implementation of environmental compliance mechanisms.

Fixing problems, unlocking India's growth potential

India's economic journey has always been shaped by bold reforms, and the latest set of Goods and Services Tax (GST) measures announced at the 56th GST Council meeting on September 3, 2025, may well prove to be one of the most consequential yet. For years, businesses and policymakers alike have called for simplification, predictability, and fairness in India's indirect tax regime. With the latest decisions - streamlining rates, correcting anomalies, easing compliance and strengthening dispute resolution the government has delivered a package that balances ambition with pragmatism.

What makes this moment special is not just the scope of the changes but also the collaborative spirit behind them. The result is what many are calling GST 2.0 - a reform designed not merely to fix today's problems but also to unlock India's growth potential for the decade ahead.

Unravelling at the seams

From August 27, the United States has levied a 50% tariff on Indian goods exported to them, disrupting business for thousands of micro, small and medium-scale enterprises in India in sectors such as textiles, garments, and jewellery. M. Soundariya Preetha reports on how America's tariffs have upended operations in the apparel hubs of Tiruppur and Karur in Tamil Nadu, a major garmentexporting State.

Recent recusals in higher courts send mixed signals on upholding transparency

Recent recusals in a top tribunal, a High Court, and finally, the Supreme Court have sent confusing signals about whether judges must reveal why they choose to walk out of cases.

External Affairs Minister to join Brazil-led BRICS virtual summit on U.S. tariffs: MEA

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar will represent India at a virtual summit of BRICS nations on Monday, the Ministry of External Affairs said here on Friday, announcing India's participation in the meeting convened by Brazil President Lula da Silva to discuss tariffs imposed by the U.S.

Role of teachers in a student's life is paramount: President

Like food, clothing, and shelter, education is essential for dignity and security, says Droupadi Murmu; she urges teachers to pay special attention to all students, including girls, who are relatively shy or come from less privileged backgrounds.

India plans to strengthen nuclear deterrence, drone warfare capabilities

India has set out an ambitious plan to reinforce its nuclear deterrence and expand drone warfare capabilities under the Technology Perspective and Capability Roadmap (TPCR-2025), a 15-year blueprint for military preparedness.

Not easy to switch to domestic from global, say exporters

Multiple factors, such as low surplus absorption capacity and different specifications, severely in-hibit a shift to the domestic market for exporters struggling to sell in the U.S. because of the 50% tariffs.

Trade experts and exporters believe interna tional market diversifica tion is a more feasibl option, but even that can not happen overnight and would need active support from the government.

'GST rate rejig to reduce cost of construction by 3.5 + (- 4.5)%’

The rationalisation of tax rates on construction material by the GST Council is expected to provide the real estate sector some relief but since the rates applicable on property stay unchanged, there would be stability in taxation, Crisil Intelligence said.