Explainers

A move to maximise the use of low-grade iron ore give steel producers a better cost advantage. India's imports of iron ore hit a five-year high of 5.31 million tonnes in FY24.

VIDEOS

Dow Jones Hits 40,000: A Timeline of Key Events Along Its Path to Milestones

Here’s a detailed overview of the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) and the different times that it hit milestones of 10,000, 20,000, and 30,000 levels and what are the factors that propelled it to touch 40,000 levels.

POLITICS

Ladakh braces for a three-corner fight against the backdrop of demand for statehood

In the last five general elections since 1999, the Ladakh Lok Sabha seat has been represented by candidates from the NC, once by Independent candidate Thupstan Chhewang, who is now associated with the BJP, and more recently by the BJP's Jamyang Tsering Namgyal.

EXPLAINERS

How ‘UP ke Ladke’ Rahul, Akhilesh are going all out to defend family turfs

SP chief Akhilesh Yadav is contesting from Kannauj Lok Sabha seat against BJP candidate Subrat Pathak, whereas Rahul Gandhi is up against BJP's Dinesh Pratap Singh in Rae Bareli.

ELECTIONS

Lok Sabha election 2024: Tough fight in major seats in Western Maharashtra

Maharashtra Lok Sabha election 2024: With BJP wanting to win Baramati as part of its 'Mission Maharashtra-45 seats', the NCP led by Ajit Pawar fielded Sunetra Pawar from Baramati. In the 2019 Lok Sabha election, the BJP witnessed victory in the state but won only four of the 10 seats in the region.

BUSINESS

LNG spot prices have fallen. What does it mean for India?

Spot gas prices are trading around $10 per million metric British thermal unit (mmBtu) currently, compared to highs of $23 per mmBtu in early 2023. Gas prices have, however, risen since mid-April due to the geopolitical crisis in the Middle-East.

ELECTIONS

Here's why Priyanka Gandhi decided to sit out Lok Sabha elections

Three Gandhis in Parliament would have reinforced the "BJP's charge of dynastic politics", reports claimed Priyanka Gandhi as telling the Congress.

EXPLAINERS

Rohini vs Rudy: How the contest in Bihar's Saran may come down to Lalu Prasad’s legacy

Of the 40 Lok Sabha seats in Bihar, both Saran and Pataliputra were once seen as bastions of the RJD. Saran, for instance, elected Lalu to the Lok Sabha in 2009, but slipped out of the RJD’s reach in 2014 and 2019.

BUSINESS

Explained: Loan against property and how to get the best of it

Opting for a longer tenure reduces the monthly outgo, and is better suited for those with lower repayment capacity and who want higher loan amounts.

BUSINESS

Why are cement prices declining in India? MC explains

Aggressive volume push at the expense of pricing resulted in an about 6% sequential decline in cement prices to Rs 370- Rs 375 on average per 50 kg bag in the fourth quarter.

ELECTIONS

Why BJP and Congress are engaging in war of words over ‘Karnataka governance model’

Karnataka is the only state in south India that the BJP has an elected government in and the party sees this state as the entry point to the rest of south India.

ELECTIONS

Why Arvinder Singh Lovely resigned and what it means for Delhi Congress, INDIA bloc

In his resignation letter to Mallikarjun Kharge, Lovely said several AAP leaders were in jail over corruption charges but the Congress chose overlooked workers' concerns to join hands with Kejriwal's outfit

ELECTIONS

BJP has won its first Lok Sabha seat. Here's how and why Mukesh Dalal won Surat uncontested

Mukesh Dalal is the 29th MP to be elected to the Lok Sabha unopposed since 1952. Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Odisha, and Uttar Pradesh are among eight states, which have sent more than one member to the Lok Sabha uncontested.

BUSINESS

How will India benefit from Tesla's entry into rooftop solar?

Tesla will hopefully reduce the Indian solar sector's dependence on China by boosting local manufacturing and bringing the latest technology. The company is reportedly scouting for local partners to make its rooftop solar panels in India.

ELECTIONS

How Rajput caste panchayats are keeping BJP on the edge in western UP

The immediate provocation may be attributed to denial of ticket to VK Singh, a Rajput, and extended the ticket for the Ghaziabad Lok Sabha constituency to Atul Kumar Garg, a bania.

INDIA

SC reverses Narasimha Rao verdict: Revisiting the 1998 JMM cash-for-votes ruling

In a significant ruling, a seven-judge Constitution bench of the Supreme Court last month overturned a 1998 decision that had provided lawmakers with immunity from prosecution for accepting bribes in exchange for making speeches or casting votes in the legislature.

POLITICS

Why are two courts hearing cases on Arvind Kejriwal’s arrest at the same time?

Two orders on the same day pertaining to the same cause of action raises questions on the nature of these cases and how they are being heard simultaneously.

BUSINESS

Why is global demand for Indian iron ore exploding? MC Explains

According to BigMint data, exports of iron ore pellets increased nearly 80% y-o-y to 11.3 mnt in FY'24 as against 6.3 mnt in FY23.

ELECTION

Battle for Assam: Why the electoral faceoff in Jorhat Lok Sabha constituency is keenly watched

Jairam Ramesh said in the northeastern states, there is a strong undercurrent of support in favour of Congress because of the fear that the diversity of the region is going to be "destroyed" and the BJP will impose uniformity.

ELECTIONS

Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Congress unveils ambitious electoral strategy to regain political territory

Lok Sabha Polls 2024: Fielding Kanhaiya Kumar for the Delhi North-East seat reflects the Congress's bold and confrontational electoral strategy, indicating the party's willingness to directly challenge the BJP's dominance in key battleground constituencies.

POLITICS

Nyay Patra vs Sankalp Patra: Inside BJP and Congress' playbook for 2024 Lok Sabha Polls

A common thread that binds the manifestos of the Congress, the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Rashtriya Janata Dal is their special emphasis on the marginalized groups with elements of welfarism.

EXPLAINERS

What is the recent amendment to the Indo-Mauritius tax treaty and its impact on foreign capital flows?

India and Mauritius continue to make efforts to combat tax avoidance, this time by amending their Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA) with a new Principal Purpose Test (PPT). This seeks to ensure that only genuine investments benefit from treaty provisions, rather than those solely for tax avoidance purposes.

EXPLAINERS

Beware of electricity bill scams; MC explains the steps to avoid falling in the trap

If not sure about your electricity dues, talk directly to your discom. This makes sure you're getting the right information and keeps you safe from scams.

ELECTIONS

How Tejashwi Yadav, smarting from Nitish Kumar's U-turn, is all set to give BJP-JD(U) a tough fight

With the INDIA bloc being riddled with many contradictions, it is being said the addition of CPI-ML, CPM, and the CPI to the RJD-Congress Mahagathbandhan may help also Tejashwi Yadav.

POLITICS

2024 Lok Sabha Polls: Inside BJP’s playbook to spoil TMC’s dream run in Bengal’s Birbhum

An impressive show in the constituency will not only be a morale booster for the saffron party, but will add momentum to their campaign in Bengal- a state which is crucial for the BJP to reach its stated target of 370 seats on its own.

EXPLAINERS

General Elections 2024: What is on the minds of India's women voters?

From religion to jobs to Brand Modi – several metrics have emerged as front runners on what clicks for India’s female voters.

BUSINESS

How methanol as a fuel can help India reduce its emissions and import bill?

Energy needs of India are expected to be among the highest in the world in the coming years but the country’s energy needs are majorly met by imports.

ELECTIONS

Here’s what makes UP's Saharanpur a puzzle set for a triangular battle

Uttar Pradesh Lok Sabha poll: Known as the ‘serial number one seat’ in the state, Saharanpur has always oscillated among the SP, BJP, and BSP. BJP’s Lakhanpal won it in 2014 but in 2019 the BSP candidate Haji Fazlur Rehman won the seat.

ELECTIONS

SP releases poll manifesto: With a mix of welfarism and social justice, Akhilesh Yadav hopes to score big in UP

The manifesto includes giving a legal guarantee of minimum support price to the farmers, waiving off agricultural loans of farmers, providing free irrigation facilities, and formation of a Farmers’ Commission.

POLITICS

With seat-sharing pact sealed, can the MVA emerge as a real challenger to the NDA in Maharashtra?

The infighting within the MVA was a matter of concern for long with alliance partners openly expressing their dissatisfaction over key seats.

ELECTIONS

Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Lalu's dynastic politics stays on as daughters secure tickets, while Siwan mystery deepens

Bihar Lok Sabha Polls 2024: According to a seat-sharing agreement within the Mahagathbandhan coalition, the RJD has retained 26 out of Bihar's 40 Lok Sabha seats, while allocating nine seats to the Congress and five seats to the Left parties.

TRENDS

Why pilots are unhappy with new contracts offered by the Tata Group. MC Explains

While pilots of Air India through two unions the Indian Commercial Pilots Association (ICPA) and Indian Pilots Guild (IPG) had last year in April called for 'industrial unrest' if the airline forces them to accept or sign the terms & conditions, pilots at Vistara called in sick in the last week of March 2024 as a form of protest against the new contracts.

ELECTIONS

AAP bolsters Lok Sabha poll drive without CM via ‘Jail Ka Jawab Vote Se’ slogan

Delhi Lok Sabha polls: AAP had already finalised the plans for Lok Sabha poll campaigns way ahead of the CM’s arrest. It is said that Kejriwal, himself, had assigned various aspects of the poll campaign in a way that the CM’s presence was not necessary.

BUSINESS

IOCL tweaks tender norms for maiden green hydrogen plant, but what are the revisions? MC Explains

A legal dispute prompted IOCL to reissue the tender for the green hydrogen plant last month, removing the controversial right of first refusal clause. However, potential bidders said that IOCL also introduced changes to the eligibility criteria, making it difficult for them to place bids.

POLITICS

How Prashant Kishor is laying the groundwork for a new political party in Bihar

During his interactions with the media, Kishor revealed that the Congress proposed the formation of Empowered Action Group (EAG), a move he opposed. He mentioned that an EAG cannot effectively reform the party's constitutional body like the Congress Working Committee.

ELECTIONS

Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Why a divided Matua community risks losing political clout in Bengal

West Bengal Lok Sabha Polls: The victory of BJP's Shantanu Thakur over Mamata Bala in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections highlights the evolving political dynamics within the Matua community and the broader electoral landscape of the region.

ELECTIONS

Why the Left and Congress should be wary of Indian Secular Front in Bengal

In the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, the BJP put up an impressive performance in West Bengal, clinching 18 seats and securing 40 per cent of the vote share.

ELECTIONS

Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Jamui rally sends clear hints of seamless vote share among NDA partners

Lok Sabha Polls 2024: Political analysts highlight a contrasting dynamic within the NDA, underscoring the enduring charisma of PM Modi while juxtaposing it with the diminished standing of his coalition partner, Nitish Kumar.

ELECTIONS

Uttar Pradesh Lok Sabha 2024: Why Pallavi Patel’s and Owaisi’s PDM may pose a serious threat to Samajwadi Party

Both Apna Dal (K) and AIMIM are making their Lok Sabha poll debuts in Uttar Pradesh. They have contested a fraction of the Assembly seats in the state in the past, eating into votes of big parties in a few.

ELECTIONS

SC to hear plea on EVM-VVPAT tally next week: All you need to know

The reliability of VVPAT systems has been questioned for a while. Many critics have cited instances of malfunctioning printers, paper jams, and discrepancies between electronic and paper records.

ELECTIONS

Can YS Sharmila emerge as the ultimate trump card for the Congress in Andhra Pradesh?

Andhra Pradesh assumes special significance for the Congress as it tries its best to continue its winning streak in the Telugu states.

ELECTIONS

How Parshottam Rupala's speech has reignited Patel-Rajput rivalry in Gujarat's Saurashtra

An important reason that makes Saurashtra different is the centrality of caste divisions in its political lexicon.

EXPLAINERS

New clock for Moon? Why US wants to create lunar standard time

A new Moon-centric time reference system will be able to provide a benchmark for lunar spacecraft and satellites which need extreme precision.

EXPLAINERS

RBI monetary policy decision: Repo rate, stance and other key terms explained

The six-member Monetary Policy Committee of the RBI started its meeting today to decide on interest rates.

BUSINESS

Explainer: How RBI’s rules on penal charges will help loan borrowers

RBI’s rules on penal charges came into effect April 1. Earlier some banks, NBFCs and HFCs use penal rates of interest over and above the applicable ones, in case of defaults. Now, the RBI guidelines prohibit financial institutions from charging penal rates on loan defaults.

ELECTIONS

Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Pawar's 1960 struggle echoes in Supriya Sule's duel with Sunetra Pawar

Maharashtra Lok Sabha Polls: Supriya Sule believes that the electoral clash between her and her sister-in-law, Sunetra Pawar, is a plot devised by the BJP with the strategic aim of undermining the political influence of NCP founder Sharad Pawar.

EXPLAINERS

Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Why Wayanad will be a tightrope walk, and not a cakewalk, for Rahul this time

Kerala Lok Sabha Polls: Rahul Gandhi's victory in the Wayanad constituency during the 2019 Lok Sabha elections was significant, especially considering his loss in the traditional Congress stronghold of Amethi, Uttar Pradesh, to BJP's Smriti Irani.

EXPLAINERS

Lok Sabha Elections 2024: How to check your name in voters' list online

With over 97 crore individuals eligible to vote in the upcoming election, the Election Commission (EC) recently announced ways to check whether the name of a particular individual is there on the voter list or not

EXPLAINERS

How Congress, BJP are battling the growing unease over ticket distribution in Karnataka

Five years after BJP's impressive performance in the state, the political landscape has changed in Karnataka. The BJP and JD(S) have come on one side to fight a resurgent Congress that stormed to victory in the Assembly polls eight months ago.

ELECTIONS

Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Lalu's political dynasty extends as daughter Rohini pads up for Saran seat

Bihar Lok Sabha Polls 2024: Lalu Prasad's daughter, Rohini Acharya, making her foray into formal politics through the RJD may indeed mark her official entry into the electoral arena. However, her active engagement on social media platforms for several years has already established her as a staunch advocate and defender of her family's interests.