Author: Akancha Mishra

 India’s flagship direct benefit transfer initiative, the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN), continues to play a pivotal role in strengthening income stability and financial inclusion among the country’s farming households. The scheme, launched in February 2019, has steadily expanded its reach and impact, positioning itself as one of the largest farmer income support programmes globally. On June 20, 2026, the government released the 23rd instalment under PM-KISAN, transferring more than $1.99 billion directly into the bank accounts of approximately 944 million farmer beneficiaries across the country. This included over 218 million women farmers, highlighting the scheme’s inclusive approach to…

The Consulate General of India in New York, in partnership with the Rajasthan Association of North America (RANA), organized a special meditation session aimed at promoting India’s ancient wellness traditions and strengthening cultural ties through yoga and mindfulness practices. The session was led by renowned yoga guru Dr HR Nagendra, an internationally respected expert in yoga, meditation, and holistic health. The event brought together a diverse audience, including diplomats, academics, business professionals, representatives from yoga institutions, spiritual organizations, and members of the Indian American community. Organizers described the gathering as an opportunity to share the benefits of meditation and highlight…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi adjusted his departure from Delhi Airport on Sunday to ensure that students appearing for the NEET-UG re-examination did not face any travel inconvenience. The decision was taken to maintain smooth traffic flow in the national capital at a time when thousands of candidates were travelling to examination centres across the city. According to official information, the Prime Minister arrived at Delhi Airport at around 1:15 pm. Instead of leaving immediately for his residence, he remained at the airport as the NEET-UG examination was scheduled to begin at 2 pm. Authorities noted that this was a crucial…

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar arrived in Mongolia as part of a diplomatic visit aimed at strengthening the special partnership and expanding cooperation between India and Mongolia across multiple sectors. The visit reflects the growing importance both countries attach to their longstanding relationship and shared strategic interests. Upon his arrival in Ulaanbaatar, Jaishankar was welcomed by senior Mongolian officials, marking the beginning of a series of high-level engagements focused on enhancing bilateral ties. The visit is expected to provide an opportunity for both sides to review ongoing cooperation and identify new areas for collaboration. During his stay, the External Affairs…

India is set to mark a major industrial milestone as Prime Minister Narendra Modi prepares to lay the foundation stone for the country’s first commercial-scale coal-to-ammonium nitrate project in Odisha’s Jharsuguda district. The large-scale facility, valued at approximately $3.0 billion, is designed to strengthen domestic production of key industrial chemicals while significantly reducing reliance on imports. The upcoming plant will be developed in Lakhanpur and is expected to produce around 2,000 tonnes of ammonium nitrate daily. It will use indigenously developed coal gasification technology, which converts coal into synthesis gas. This gas can then be processed into a range of…

A senior US lawmaker has voiced confidence that discussions between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Donald Trump will help reinforce one of the world’s most significant strategic partnerships. Speaking after the two leaders met in France on the sidelines of international engagements, Senator Mark Warner highlighted the need for Washington and New Delhi to continue building closer ties rather than allowing policy differences to weaken their relationship. The Virginia Democrat, who serves as co-chair of the Senate India Caucus, described the partnership between the two democracies as essential to maintaining geopolitical balance in the twenty-first century. He said the…

President Droupadi Murmu has underscored the importance of maintaining a balance between modern development and traditional values, stating that such harmony is essential for building a strong, prosperous, and inclusive society. She made these remarks while addressing a programme titled “Empowerment of Tribal Society by Spiritual Awakening,” organized by the Prajapita Brahma Kumaris Ishwariya Vishwa Vidyalaya in Betul, Madhya Pradesh. During her address, the President highlighted the growing relevance of spirituality in an increasingly fast-paced and consumer-driven world. She observed that modern society is facing rising levels of stress, social fragmentation, and conflict, making spiritual awareness and inner purity more…

US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor engaged in high-level discussions with Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday, focusing on expanding cooperation between India and the United States in critical security areas. The dialogue emphasized joint strategies to counter terrorism, dismantle narcotics and illegal drug trafficking networks, reinforce border protection mechanisms, and strengthen legal frameworks for ensuring that offenders are held accountable across both nations. Both leaders highlighted the importance of closer coordination between agencies to respond effectively to evolving global security threats and transnational crime. Following the meeting, Gor expressed his views on social media platform X, describing the…

India’s energy storage sector experienced extraordinary growth during the opening months of 2026, signaling a major step forward in the country’s transition toward a cleaner and more resilient power system. New data released by Mercom India Research reveals that battery energy storage installations surged significantly between January and March, underscoring the increasing role of storage technologies in supporting renewable energy expansion and ensuring a stable electricity supply. During the first quarter of the year, India added 4.6 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of battery energy storage capacity. This represented a dramatic increase compared with the final quarter of 2025, when additions totaled just…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has reiterated the government’s commitment to enhancing the quality of life for India’s middle class, describing the segment as a vital pillar in the country’s development journey. He emphasized that addressing the expectations and aspirations of middle-income households has remained a central objective of policymaking over the last decade. According to the Prime Minister, the middle class has consistently contributed to India’s social and economic progress through hard work, innovation, and civic participation. Recognizing this contribution, the government has focused on introducing measures designed to make daily life more convenient, secure, and opportunity-driven for millions of…