Author: Rishidhar Reddy

India’s first high-speed rail corridor, the Mumbai–Ahmedabad High Speed Rail (MAHSR) project, has crossed a significant milestone with over 55 per cent physical completion achieved, according to the latest official updates. Conceived as a transformational leap in inter-city travel, the bullet train project is now entering a decisive phase where visible infrastructure, systems integration, and station readiness are beginning to align with its long-term vision. Backed by Japanese Shinkansen technology and executed by the National High Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL), the project is widely seen as a test case…

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Indian Railways is entering a transformative phase in 2026, reshaping long-distance travel with the introduction of Amrit Bharat trains and the much-awaited Vande Bharat Sleeper services. Together, these two categories signal a strategic shift: faster trains for the masses and premium overnight travel for the growing middle class. As India expands its railway infrastructure at an unprecedented pace, these trains are designed to bridge comfort gaps, improve efficiency, and redefine how millions experience rail journeys. A New Chapter in Rail Modernisation For decades, Indian Railways has balanced scale with affordability,…

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India’s Semiconductor Ambitions Meet Policy Tension As India strives to transition from an emerging technology hub to a globally competitive semiconductor powerhouse, a fresh policy debate has erupted that could shape the country’s digital future. At the heart of this debate is the government’s plan to overhaul its flagship Design‑Linked Incentive (DLI) scheme into a revamped structure termed DLI 2.0, which pivots from traditional grant and reimbursement‑based support to a model tied to equity, debt, and strategic oversight. The shift has triggered concerns among semiconductor startups, warning that the new framework could constrain innovation, deter…

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As India navigates economic transitions shaped by inflation pressures, job market shifts, and climate-linked agricultural risks, government welfare schemes aimed at women, youth, and small farmers continue to play a critical role in supporting livelihoods and promoting inclusive growth. From direct income support and skill development to health, education, and agricultural security, these schemes form the backbone of the country’s social protection framework. With both the Union government and states expanding and refining welfare outreach, understanding how these initiatives work — and who they are designed to help — has…

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In nearly every country around the world — from urban markets to rural hinterlands — families are feeling the pinch at the grocery store. Food prices, long a barometer of economic wellbeing, have become a headline issue, shaping household budgets, national policymaking, and global geopolitics. Understanding why food is costing more — and why prices may stay volatile — means unpacking the complex interplay between global supply chains, inflationary pressures, climate events, geopolitical shocks, and structural economic forces. 1. Food Prices: Not Just a Short-Term Spike — a Structural Shift Although…

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The National Testing Agency (NTA) conducted the JEE Main 2026 Session 1 Paper 1 on January 21, 2026, with the first shift running from 9 am to 12 pm. Across India, tens of thousands of engineering aspirants appeared for the BE/BTech entrance exam, designed to assess readiness in Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics. Early post‑exam analyses and student feedback have now provided a credible, subject‑wise understanding of the paper’s content, difficulty level, and emerging trends. Overall Difficulty and Student Reaction Across reports, the January 21 Shift‑1 question paper was perceived as moderately challenging, with variation among the three…

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January 2026 witnessed one of the most powerful solar and geomagnetic events in more than two decades, as the Sun unleashed intense activity that drove a severe space weather episode at Earth. This event combined strong solar flares, rapid coronal mass ejections (CMEs), elevated radiation levels, and geomagnetic storming — prompting widespread scientific and public attention. A Powerful Solar Flare and Fast CME Launch On 18 January 2026, the Sun’s active region AR4341 produced a powerful X1.9-class solar flare — an event categorized at the high end of the solar…

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January 21, 2026 — Today marks what would have been the 40th birth anniversary of late Indian actor Sushant Singh Rajput, a milestone observed across social media, mainstream media and by those who continue to cherish his life and work. Born on January 21, 1986, in Maldiha, Bihar, Rajput’s journey from television to mainstream Hindi cinema left an indelible mark on audiences and colleagues alike. A Life and Career Remembered Sushant Singh Rajput rose to prominence through his breakthrough role in the television serial Pavitra Rishta, which aired from 2009…

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Gold prices have climbed to unprecedented levels this week, driven by a combination of heightened geopolitical tensions, a softer U.S. dollar, and robust safe-haven buying by investors across global markets. Record Break in International Markets On Wednesday, January 21, international gold prices surpassed the $4,800 per ounce mark for the first time in history, according to Reuters market data. Spot gold climbed as high as $4,887.82 per ounce, while U.S. gold futures for February delivery reached $4,888.20, reflecting strong demand for bullion amid rising geopolitical risk. This extended a rally…

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