Archives May 2026

May 9 (BNP): The Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Sambalpur has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Mahanadi Coalfields Limited (MCL) to train 500 officers in Artificial Intelligence (AI), aiming to modernise coal operations and strengthen data-driven decision-making across the organisation.

The agreement was formalised by Keshav Rao, Director (HR), MCL, and Prof. Mahadeo Jaiswal, Director, IIM Sambalpur, in the presence of senior officials including MCL Chairman-cum-Managing Director Uday Anant Kaole and IIM Sambalpur faculty representatives.

Under the collaboration, officers from various departments will be trained in AI applications to improve core areas such as coal production, business development, operational efficiency, and process management. The initiative is expected to help MCL integrate advanced technologies into its day-to-day functioning and long-term planning.

Speaking on the partnership, Prof. Mahadeo Jaiswal said IIM Sambalpur is focused on preparing leaders for a technology-driven future. He added that the collaboration reflects a shared vision of using AI and machine learning to transform traditional industries through innovation, skill development, and strategic capability building.

MCL leadership also highlighted that the initiative is part of a broader effort to make the organisation more future-ready by adopting digital tools and modern management practices.

Notably, IIM Sambalpur is among the pioneering institutions globally to introduce AI education across its entire student cohort, integrating it into all areas of management learning.

The partnership marks a significant step toward strengthening industry–academia collaboration and accelerating digital transformation in India’s coal sector, particularly within Coal India Limited subsidiaries like MCL.

May 9 (BNP): India has successfully carried out the maiden flight trial of the Tactical Advanced Range Augmentation (TARA) weapon system off the coast of Odisha on May 07, 2026, marking a significant milestone in the country’s indigenous defence capability development.

Developed as a modular range extension kit, TARA is India’s first indigenous Glide Weapon System (GWS) designed to convert conventional unguided warheads into precision-guided munitions. The system enhances the range, accuracy, and operational effectiveness of existing weapon platforms, enabling greater mission flexibility for the armed forces.

The successful trial demonstrated the system’s capability to perform as intended under operational conditions, validating its aerodynamic performance, guidance mechanisms, and overall system integration. Defence officials stated that the achievement reflects India’s growing expertise in advanced defence technologies and its continued focus on self-reliance in critical military systems.

TARA is expected to significantly enhance stand-off strike capability by allowing existing munitions to be upgraded into precision-guided weapons without requiring complete system replacement. This makes it a cost-effective and scalable solution for modern battlefield requirements.

The successful test is seen as an important step toward strengthening India’s indigenous defence manufacturing ecosystem and reducing dependence on imported weapon systems. It also reinforces ongoing efforts under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative to develop cutting-edge technologies within the country.

Further development and user trials of the system are expected to follow, with the aim of integrating it into operational service after necessary evaluations and certifications.

New Delhi, May 9 (BNP): India’s newly introduced Income Tax Act 2025 is being positioned as one of the country’s most significant tax simplification reforms in recent years, with the government focusing on making tax filing easier, clearer, and more accessible for ordinary citizens.

Speaking at a taxpayer awareness programme in Mumbai, Chief Commissioner of Income Tax (IT & TP) Nirupama Kotru said the new law, along with the upcoming Income Tax Rules 2026, has been designed to reduce complexity in the tax system and encourage greater voluntary compliance.

According to Kotru, the reforms aim to help individuals understand and file their taxes independently without relying heavily on chartered accountants or tax professionals for basic returns. She noted that many citizens still perceive tax filing as overly technical and difficult, often discouraging them from entering the formal tax system altogether.

To address these challenges, the government has introduced several taxpayer-friendly measures under the new framework. These include simplified language in the legislation, fewer sections and technical provisions, multilingual informational brochures, and digital support tools such as the “Aaykar Sathi” chatbot. Dedicated guidance resources have also been made available through the Income Tax Department’s online platforms to assist taxpayers in resolving queries more easily from home.

Kotru clarified that while the structure and presentation of the law have been simplified, there has been no major shift in India’s overall tax policy. She stated that India continues to maintain one of the more taxpayer-friendly tax regimes globally, supported by relatively low tax rates and progressive reforms introduced over the years.

The new Income Tax Act is particularly important because it seeks to remove long-standing barriers that have prevented many individuals from participating in the formal tax ecosystem. Complex terminology, difficult procedures, and confusion around different sources of income have historically made tax compliance intimidating for first-time or small taxpayers. In many cases, even honest taxpayers struggled with filing errors due to lack of clarity.

Officials believe the simplified format of the new law will improve public understanding of tax obligations, reduce unintentional mistakes, and build greater confidence among taxpayers. By making compliance easier, the government hopes to gradually widen India’s relatively narrow taxpayer base and strengthen overall revenue participation.

The reform also reflects the government’s broader push toward digital governance and citizen-centric public services. Tools such as AI-enabled chat support and simplified online guidance are expected to make the filing process more transparent, efficient, and accessible, especially for salaried individuals, small business owners, and first-time filers.

With the upcoming filing season expected to be governed by the new framework, tax authorities will closely monitor how effectively the simplified system improves compliance and encourages more citizens to file returns independently.

This Mother‘s Day, AGEasy, the consumer products brand by Antara Senior Care, is drawing attention to a health reality that makes it into most caregiving conversations but remains under-addressed: hypertension among women and their heart health. 

The numbers tell an alarming story. Over 200 million adults in India live with hypertension—a leading risk factor for heart disease that is also modifiable—but only 7% of hypertensive women in India are on medication (NFHS data 2019-21). The prevalence of hypertension among Indian women increases sharply with age, with nearly half of all women aged 60 and above affected. That is the age group most of our mothers belong to —yet it is precisely where the care gap is widest. Despite its high burden, hypertension in women remains underdiagnosed, undertreated, and underrepresented. 

AGEasy‘s Mother‘s Day campaign builds on a simple but powerful insight: the strongest hearts deserve the strongest care. It encourages families to do something small but significant. Check in on their mothers’ blood pressure. Regular BP monitoring, when paired with timely care, can reduce the risk of a cardiovascular event by up to 30%.

For a country ageing as rapidly as India — with the 60+ population projected to cross 350 million by 2050 — this is not just a Mother‘s Day reflection, it is a national call to action.

At the centre of the campaign is a reminder that care should mean checking in on the health of the women who hold families together. It opens a broader dialogue on midlife health risks, preventive monitoring, and the invisible burden many mothers continue to carry — quietly, consistently, and often at the cost of their own wellbeing. 

AGEasy is focused on enabling seniors to adopt a proactive, prevention-first approach to their health and wellbeing. Recognising that today’s older adults are more aware and discerning, the brand is dedicated to improving their quality of life, empowering them to live actively with greater ease, joy and independence.

New Delhi, May 9 (BNP): India’s ornamental fisheries sector is witnessing rapid growth, supported by increasing global demand, rich aquatic biodiversity, and focused government initiatives under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY). With ornamental fish exports estimated at nearly ₹41 crore, the sector is steadily emerging as a promising contributor to rural livelihoods, entrepreneurship, and India’s fisheries economy.

As part of efforts to strengthen the sector, Dr. Abhilaksh Likhi, Secretary, Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying (MoFAH&D), Government of India, visited the Ornamental Fisheries Brood Bank at Mangrul village in Raigad district, Maharashtra. The facility was established by Mrs. Yashodhara Sanjay Khandagale under the PMMSY scheme and has become a notable example of innovation and sustainable growth in ornamental aquaculture.

During the visit, the Union Secretary interacted with PMMSY beneficiaries and local stakeholders to understand on-ground challenges, identify operational gaps, and assess opportunities for further strengthening the sector. The interaction highlighted the growing role of small entrepreneurs and women-led enterprises in transforming ornamental fisheries into a sustainable livelihood model.

The Raigad-based brood bank is regarded as one of the first initiatives of its kind in India and currently conserves and breeds more than 25 varieties of ornamental fish. Through her brand “Sam Discus,” Mrs. Yashodhara Sanjay Khandagale has successfully established a strong presence in the domestic ornamental fish market, particularly in premium discus fish production.

The facility has produced nearly 7.7 lakh ornamental fish across 20 species, generating an estimated revenue of ₹1.93 crore while creating direct and indirect employment opportunities for approximately 25–30 people. Equipped with more than 700 tanks, the brood bank also serves as a centre for skill development, best-practice training, and entrepreneurship promotion in ornamental aquaculture.

The unit exports ornamental fish to several international markets, including the United States, Italy, France, Mauritius, South Korea, Qatar, Kuwait, Malaysia, China, Uzbekistan, Nigeria, and Israel, showcasing India’s growing global footprint in the ornamental fisheries trade. The brood bank is also covered under government support schemes such as the Group Accident Insurance Scheme (GAIS) and the National Fisheries Development Programme (NFDP), ensuring regulatory compliance and institutional backing.

India possesses immense potential in ornamental fisheries, with nearly 700 indigenous freshwater species and over 300 marine ornamental species available domestically. Leveraging this biodiversity, the government has significantly expanded infrastructure support under PMMSY. So far, 1,986 backyard ornamental fish rearing units, 6,018 fish kiosks and aquariums, and 117 retail markets — including dedicated ornamental fish and aquarium markets — have been supported across the country.

In addition, five freshwater ornamental fish brood banks and 199 integrated ornamental fish units have been established to strengthen breeding, production, marketing, and value-chain development. The Department of Fisheries has also identified 34 fisheries production and processing clusters nationwide, including a dedicated ornamental fisheries cluster in Madurai, Tamil Nadu.

Maharashtra continues to play a vital role in India’s fisheries sector due to its strong marine and inland fishery resources. The state has a coastline of nearly 878 km, 173 fish landing centres, and 526 fishing villages, supporting over 15 lakh fisherfolk. Fish production in Maharashtra reached approximately 5.9 lakh tonnes during 2022–23. Inland fisheries resources in the state span reservoirs, rivers, ponds, and brackish water areas, offering substantial scope for aquaculture expansion.

Officials noted that initiatives such as PMMSY and the Blue Revolution scheme have helped improve hatcheries, aquaculture infrastructure, cage farming, and fisher welfare in the state. However, continued investment, technology adoption, and stronger market linkages will be essential to unlock the sector’s full potential.

The visit by the Union Secretary is expected to further strengthen the ornamental fisheries ecosystem by encouraging stakeholder participation, enabling policy-level interventions, and promoting sustainable growth and export opportunities in the sector.

Chennai, May 9 (BNP): Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief Vijay’s much-anticipated swearing-in as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu is reportedly facing a delay amid uncertainty over crucial alliance support. Though TVK has emerged as the single largest party with 108 seats, the party is still short of the required majority mark in the 234-member Assembly.

According to reports, Vijay met Governor Rajendra Arlekar on Friday evening and submitted signatures of 116 MLAs, falling two seats short of the 118-seat majority needed to form the government.

The delay is primarily linked to the pending formal support letter from Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK). Raj Bhavan sources stated that the Governor is awaiting official confirmation from VCK before making any announcement regarding government formation.

Earlier, there were indications that both VCK and the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) would support TVK, potentially taking the alliance tally to 120 seats. However, the political equation shifted after IUML denied extending support to Vijay and reaffirmed its alliance with the DMK.

VCK leaders have reportedly assured that their support letter may be submitted on Saturday after party MLAs return to Chennai. Reports also suggest that ongoing negotiations over ministerial positions, including VCK’s demand for the Deputy Chief Minister post for party chief Thol Thirumavalavan, may have contributed to the delay.

Meanwhile, TVK has already secured support from Congress, CPI and CPI(M), with the Left parties formally submitting their letters of support on Friday.

In another development, AMMK chief TTV Dhinakaran met the Governor and extended support from his party’s lone MLA to AIADMK leader Edappadi K Palaniswami.

The political situation in Tamil Nadu remains tense as all eyes are now on the VCK’s final decision, which could determine the formation of the next government in the state.

New Delhi, May 9 (BNP): Indian equity markets closed the week on a positive note, with benchmark indices Nifty and Sensex recording strong gains amid improving investor confidence. Market sentiment remained upbeat throughout the week, supported by easing global crude oil prices, a strengthening rupee, and encouraging global market trends.

The decline in crude oil prices offered relief to investors, easing concerns around inflation and import-related costs for the Indian economy. At the same time, the rupee’s appreciation against the US dollar further strengthened market confidence and supported foreign investor sentiment.

Buying activity was witnessed across major sectors, particularly banking, IT, and automobile stocks, which contributed significantly to the market rally. Analysts noted that stable domestic fundamentals and improving global cues helped maintain positive momentum in equities during the trading sessions.

Market participants are expected to closely monitor upcoming economic data, global commodity price movements, and policy signals from central banks for further direction in the weeks ahead.

May 09, Bengaluru: As India’s skilling ecosystem increasingly focuses on employability and job readiness, Tally Education, the education arm of Tally Solutions, has crossed 1 million learners. This milestone marks a significant step in building a job-ready workforce in accounting and finance across India, backed by certifications that employers trust and hire from.

India’s skilling outcomes have long been constrained not just by access to learning, which is abundant and getting more so in the AI era, but by employer trust in credentials. Tally Education’s certification operates as an employer-trusted signal at the point of hiring. This is particularly relevant in MSMEs formalising under GST and digital compliance, a segment where most of India’s incremental jobs will be created over the next decade.

This milestone also reflects the scale at which learners are engaging with Tally’s structured, outcome-driven skilling that translates into real employment opportunities. Though it represents only a part of Tally’s wider impact, with generations of professionals having built careers and businesses by learning and working on Tally over the years, long before formal certification pathways were introduced in 2016 through Tally Education.

In response to the growing demand for job-ready talent in accounting and finance, the organisation has since expanded access to learning through a strong network of academic and skilling partners, anchored in certification that employers across sectors trust at the point of hiring, ensuring learners not only acquire skills but also demonstrate real-world job readiness.

Today, it reports an average placement rate of approximately 75% across its certified learners, and crucially, the strongest concentration of that reach is in Tier II and Tier III markets, where formal employment opportunities are limited. Many of these learners are entering the workforce as first-generation professionals, accessing employment opportunities across sectors such as BFSI, retail, and MSMEs.

This is supported by a robust ecosystem of over 3,600 partners, including colleges, training institutes, government skilling missions, and CSR/NGO programmes, across more than 500 towns and cities. Through this network, it continues to enable access to both learning and employment opportunities at scale.

Speaking on the milestone, Tejas Goenka, Managing Director, Tally Solutions, said: “For years, people have learned Tally in many different ways, but the real challenge was giving employers confidence in those skills. Our focus has been on building that trust through certification, so businesses can hire with confidence and learners can enter the workforce better prepared. This milestone reflects how that shift is playing out at scale.”

Bhuwaneshwari B, Executive Vice President, Tally Education, added: “Learners today are looking for clear outcomes, whether it is a job, career progression, or entrepreneurial opportunity. Our approach has been to support this journey end-to-end, combining accessible learning with credible certification that employers trust.”

Looking ahead, Tally Education plans to deepen its investment in the same model, expanding employer-aligned certification depth, growing its partner network into more towns and government skilling programmes, and strengthening the connection between learner outcomes and the formal accounting and finance workforce that India’s MSME economy is building. As the country’s economy continues to formalise, Tally Education’s continued focus on employer-trusted credentialing positions it as a foundational contributor to India’s evolving skilling architecture.