The Centre is set to launch a microcredit programme offering collateral-free loans of up to ₹10,000 per year to gig workers, domestic helpers, and other vulnerable groups, according to the Economic Times.

The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs is designing the scheme on the lines of the PM Street Vendors Atma Nirbhar Nidhi (PM-SVANidhi), which supports street vendors with small working capital loans.

Financial strain is the foremost source of stress for young people, many of whom believe artificial intelligence (AI) may reduce entry-level job opportunities, according to Youth Pulse 2026, the World Economic Forum’s (WEF) flagship report on youth perspectives released on Monday.

The WEF’s survey of nearly 4,600 young people from 489 locations worldwide found that half viewed inflation and economic instability as the greatest threats to their lives, while deepening inequality emerged as the leading economic trend shaping the future.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said India and Germany have agreed to take their economic partnership to a new level, with deeper cooperation in defence, space and critical technologies. Speaking at the India-Germany CEOs Forum alongwith German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, PM Modi said Germany sees India as a trusted and central partner in its global diversification plans.

Reliance Industries on Monday said its plans for creating a battery storage manufacturing ecosystem remain on track, reported Reuters. The clarification comes in response to a Bloomberg news report stating that the energy-to-telecom conglomerate has paused plans to make lithium-ion battery cells in India after failing to secure Chinese technology.

India and the United States (US) continue to remain “actively” engaged on the proposed trade deal and the “next call” will take place as early as Tuesday, US ambassador to India Sergio Gor said.

“Both sides continue to actively engage. In fact, the next call on trade is tomorrow. Remember India is the world's largest nation. It is not an easy task to get it across the finished line. But we are determined to get there,” Gor said in his first public address after taking over as the ambassador in New Delhi on Monday.

Maruti Suzuki India (MSIL) on Monday said its new car manufacturing plant, the company’s fifth, will be located at Khoraj industrial estate in Gujarat’s Gandhinagar district.

In a notice to the BSE, the company stated that the investment required for this plant will be finalised and approved by its board of directors while framing the phases of installation of capacity.

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Monday reaffirmed the party's resolve to continue opposing changes to the national rural employment guarantee, formerly named MGNREGA, while alleging that the Centre is attempting to cut funds for the act and help the corporates instead of the poor people.

Planning to travel to India for an emergency, a family function, or a wedding while on an H-1B or H-4 visa? An immigration attorney has warned visa holders to think twice before booking their tickets.

Visa applicants are facing long and uncertain waits in India after expanded social media vetting began on December 15.

Describing the censor certification delay for Vijay starrer Jana Nayagan' as "deliberate", TVK state legal wing joint coordinator R Chakravarthi on Friday said any appeal will only anger the people of Tamil Nadu.

"If CBFC appeals again, it confirms political intent to stall; this will only anger Tamil Nadu people against the Union government," he said.

PDP president Mehbooba Mufti on Friday described West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee as a "tigress", saying the TMC chief is "very brave" and will not surrender.

Mufti was reacting to the Thursday's ED searches at the office of the political consultancy firm I-PAC and the residence of its director Pratik Jain in Kolkata.

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