New Delhi, Apr 30 (BNP): The United States has returned 657 antiquities, valued at nearly $14 million, to India as part of ongoing efforts to repatriate stolen cultural property.

US restitutes 657 stolen antiquities to Indiahttps://t.co/qmUZagU6W9

via NaMo App pic.twitter.com/QMLqfuU0yB

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) April 30, 2026

The return was announced by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg on Tuesday. Officials noted that while the latest handover marks a significant step, further work is needed to trace and recover more smuggled artifacts linked to India’s cultural heritage.

The repatriated items are believed to include a wide range of historical and cultural objects that were illegally taken out of the country over time. Authorities described the move as part of broader international cooperation aimed at curbing antiquities trafficking and restoring cultural heritage to its country of origin.

US officials also indicated that efforts to identify and return additional stolen artifacts will continue in coordination with Indian authorities.

The development has been welcomed as a positive step in strengthening cultural ties and preserving India’s rich historical legacy.

New Delhi, Apr 30 (BNP): The Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE) on Thursday announced the results of the ICSE (Class 10) and ISC (Class 12) board examinations for 2026, with the overall pass percentage crossing 99 percent in both categories.

The results brought cheer to lakhs of students and parents across the country, with girls once again outperforming boys in overall performance.

According to official figures, the ICSE Class 10 examinations recorded an impressive pass percentage above 99 percent, while the ISC Class 12 results also maintained a similarly high success rate.

Girls registered a higher pass percentage than boys in both examinations, continuing the trend of strong academic achievement seen in recent years. Education experts said the consistent performance reflects disciplined preparation and sustained academic standards across affiliated schools.

Students can access their scorecards through the official CISCE websites and authorised digital platforms. The council has also opened provisions for rechecking, improvement examinations, and other post-result services as per board norms.

School authorities and parents congratulated successful candidates, while students are now expected to begin preparations for higher secondary admissions, undergraduate courses, and various competitive entrance examinations.

The declaration of the 2026 board results marks an important milestone for students as they move toward the next phase of their academic and professional journeys.

New Delhi, Apr 30 (BNP): The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has released a consultation paper on establishing a regulatory framework for Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) communication, marking a step toward enabling advanced connected mobility in India.

The move follows a reference from the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), under the Ministry of Communications, which on December 1, 2025, requested TRAI to provide recommendations on the regulatory mechanism for V2X technology.

According to the Ministry, the consultation paper has been made available on TRAI’s official website, and stakeholders have been invited to share their views. The deadline for submitting written comments is May 28, 2026, while counter-comments can be submitted until June 11, 2026.

Stakeholders have been advised to submit feedback, preferably in electronic form, to TRAI’s Advisor for Networks, Spectrum & Licensing.

V2X (Vehicle-to-Everything) communication is a wireless technology that allows vehicles to exchange real-time data with other vehicles, road infrastructure, pedestrians, and networks. The system is designed to enhance road safety, improve traffic management, and support the development of autonomous driving by sharing critical information such as speed, location, and road conditions.

Industry reports indicate that India is emerging as one of the fastest-growing markets for connected vehicles, recording strong year-on-year growth in 2024, driven by increased integration of smart connectivity features by automakers.

Globally, adoption of connected vehicles is rising steadily, with a large share of new passenger cars already featuring embedded connectivity. The trend is expected to accelerate further with the expansion of 5G networks, which will improve V2X capabilities, enable faster data exchange, and support advanced autonomous driving technologies in the coming years.

New Delhi, Apr 30 (BNP): India’s used-car market is expected to grow significantly over the next few years, nearly doubling to around $70 billion by FY31 from about $35 billion in FY26, driven by rising affordability, faster vehicle replacement cycles, and growing formalisation of the sector, according to a new report.

The report by Redseer Strategy Consultants notes that India is currently the fifth-largest used-car market in the world and is likely to become the third-largest by the end of the decade, after the United States and China.

Annual used-car sales are projected to rise to nearly 10 million units by FY31, supported by strong demand, increasing car ownership, and improved financing options.

A key trend highlighted in the report is the shortening of vehicle replacement cycles, which is expected to fall from 7–8 years in FY21 to around 4–5 years by FY31, especially in metro cities and Tier 1 markets.

The report adds that rising incomes, growing preference for better-equipped vehicles, and easier access to loans are helping both demand and supply in the used-car ecosystem. Financing penetration is also expected to increase to around 40% by FY31, making cars more affordable for a larger population.

At present, about 80% of used-car transactions in India still take place in the unorganised sector. However, the market is gradually shifting towards organised, trust-driven platforms that offer better transparency and quality assurance.

The report also points out that around 65% of used-car buyers are first-time owners, showing how the segment is playing a key role in expanding personal mobility across the country.

India’s used-to-new car ratio currently stands at 1.4 and is expected to improve to 1.7 by FY31, though it still remains below levels seen in more mature global markets, indicating strong room for further growth.

New Delhi, Apr 30 (BNP): Global oil markets are likely to move toward balance through demand adjustment in response to recent supply disruptions, according to a new industry report.

The report notes that any supply shock in the oil sector is expected to be offset by “demand destruction,” which may help stabilise prices over time. Despite short-term volatility, the overall outlook for Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) remains positive.

It highlights that refining margins and demand recovery trends could support the performance of downstream oil companies in the coming period. However, global factors such as crude price movements, geopolitical developments, and consumption patterns will continue to influence market dynamics.

Analysts suggest that while temporary pressures may persist, structural demand and improving economic activity are likely to support medium-term stability in the oil sector.

The report indicates that OMCs are well-positioned to benefit from a gradual rebalancing of supply and demand conditions in global energy markets.

New Delhi, Apr 30 (BNP): India Post Payments Bank (IPPB) has introduced a new Self Help Group (SHG) Savings Account aimed at strengthening financial inclusion and supporting women-led SHGs across rural India.

The initiative is designed to offer a simple, affordable, and zero-cost banking solution, in line with national goals of inclusive growth and sustainable livelihoods, according to the Ministry of Communications.

The account comes with several customer-friendly features, including no minimum initial deposit, no requirement to maintain a monthly average balance, and no charges for account closure or QR card issuance. The maximum account balance limit has been set at ₹2 lakh.

IPPB Managing Director and CEO R. Viswesvaran said the new offering is a step toward empowering women-led SHGs by integrating them more deeply into the formal financial system. He added that it will help SHGs access reliable banking services and support sustainable economic growth at the grassroots level.

Officials said the initiative is expected to enhance financial participation among rural women and strengthen livelihood opportunities through easier access to banking services.

New Delhi, Apr 30 (BNP): A community development initiative led by cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar and Schneider Electric, in partnership with the Spreading Happiness InDiya Foundation, has transformed Guhir village in Maharashtra by promoting clean energy access and sustainable livelihoods.

The project focuses on a community-led clean energy model that brings reliable solar power to the village, improving daily life while supporting long-term climate resilience.

As part of the initiative, women-led enterprises have been encouraged, creating new income opportunities and strengthening financial independence within rural households. The programme also supports farmers by improving agricultural productivity through better access to energy-driven resources.

Officials involved in the project said the initiative follows a “Climate Smart Village” approach, combining renewable energy solutions with community development to create sustainable growth at the grassroots level.

By integrating clean energy with livelihood support, the programme aims to improve living standards while promoting environmental sustainability in rural Maharashtra.

Mumbai, Apr 30 (BNP): The National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA) has successfully concluded the 2026 edition of its annual Mudra Dance Festival, placing a strong focus on young performers and the future of Indian classical dance traditions.

Held on April 16, 23, and 24 at the Experimental Theatre, the festival also featured its first-ever interschool dance competition on April 20 and 22. Celebrated around International Dance Day, Mudra is known for presenting thematic performances rooted in culture and tradition, with this year’s editions exploring ideas such as motherhood, emotions, colours, and expressive art forms.

A major highlight of the 2026 edition was the “Children’s Edition,” which brought young dancers to the centre stage. The initiative aimed to recognise early-stage learners and provide them with a formal platform to showcase their training, discipline, and artistic growth.

Performances across the festival featured students from several reputed dance institutions, reflecting the depth of classical training and the diversity of styles being nurtured across Mumbai.

The newly introduced Mudra Interschool Classical Dance Competition received an overwhelming response, with participation from more than 75 schools and 115 entries. Students performed in classical styles such as Kathak and Bharatanatyam, along with group and fusion presentations.

Organisers said the initiative is an important step in integrating classical dance into school-level education, encouraging institutions to treat it with the same seriousness as sports and other structured disciplines. The festival also aims to strengthen appreciation for Indian classical arts among younger generations.

New Delhi, Apr 30 (BNP): Invest India, the national investment promotion and facilitation agency under the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), has facilitated the grounding of 60 projects worth over $6.1 billion across 14 states in FY 2025–26, according to an official statement.

These investments are expected to generate more than 31,000 jobs. The report highlights a sharp rise in investment activity, with grounded projects nearly tripling compared to the previous financial year and the average deal size increasing significantly, reflecting a shift towards higher-value investments.

European countries accounted for around 42% of the total investment value, while strong participation also came from the United States, Japan, South Korea, and Australia. Emerging investors such as Brazil, New Zealand, and Canada further indicate a widening global investor base in India.

Sector-wise, chemicals, pharmaceuticals and biotechnology, and food processing together contributed nearly 65% of total investments. Growth was also seen in electronics system design and manufacturing (ESDM), aerospace and defence, and electric vehicle-related sectors.

Among states, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, and Andhra Pradesh emerged as key investment destinations, while Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh also recorded strong activity. Established industrial hubs such as Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Haryana, and Delhi continued to attract steady inflows. At the same time, states like Assam, Bihar, and Sikkim showed increasing investor interest, reflecting wider geographic distribution.

Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade Secretary Amardeep Singh Bhatia said the investment momentum reflects policy stability, institutional support, and growing global confidence in India’s economic environment.

He added that initiatives such as Make in India and Production Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes, along with infrastructure development, have strengthened India’s position as a global manufacturing hub.

Invest India also stated that it continues to support investors through the entire investment lifecycle—from initial guidance to post-investment assistance—while helping build integrated industrial ecosystems across sectors.