Author: Sharad Natani
India’s income tax system is entering a powerful new digital era. From April 1, 2026, income tax officers will be legally authorised to access bank g, emails, social media profiles, cloud storage, digital wallets and online trading platforms—but only in cases where tax evasion or undisclosed income is suspected. The sweeping change is part of the proposed Income Tax Bill, 2025, which aims to modernise tax enforcement in an economy increasingly driven by digital transactions. What’s Changing Under the New Law? At present, tax searches are governed by Section 132 of the Income Tax Act, 1961, which allows officials to…
Global coffee giant Starbucks has appointed Indian-origin technology veteran Anand Varadarajan as its new Chief Technology Officer (CTO), marking a major step in the company’s push toward digital transformation and smarter store operations. The appointment, announced on Friday, will take effect from January 19. Varadarajan replaces Deb Hall Lefevre, who stepped down from the role in September. Following her exit, Ningyu Chen had been serving as interim CTO. A Key Appointment at a Crucial Time Starbucks CEO Brian Niccol is leading a company-wide technology overhaul aimed at improving labour efficiency, in-store operations, and customer experience. Varadarajan’s arrival comes at a…
In a country that generates over 1.13 lakh tonnes of menstrual waste every year, one small village in Jharkhand has quietly achieved what many cities are still struggling with — becoming completely menstrual-waste-free. The credit goes to Tarun Kumar, a 33-year-old social worker now widely known as the “Padman of Jharkhand.” The transformation began in Dhatkidih village, where plastic sanitary pads have been entirely replaced with reusable menstrual kits, eliminating waste while restoring dignity, awareness, and confidence among women and girls. A Classroom Moment That Changed Everything Tarun Kumar’s journey into menstrual health activism began during his work at a…
Elon Musk has entered uncharted territory in global wealth history. The Tesla and SpaceX chief has become the first individual in the world to amass a net worth exceeding US$700 billion, after the Delaware Supreme Court reinstated his landmark 2018 Tesla compensation package. According to the Forbes Billionaires Index, Musk’s fortune surged to nearly US$749 billion late Friday, following the court’s decision to restore Tesla stock options that had previously been struck down by a lower court. The ruling triggered one of the largest single jumps in personal wealth ever recorded. Court Restores Historic Tesla Pay Package The Delaware Supreme…
Indian Railways has announced a fare rationalisation effective from December 26, bringing modest but noticeable changes for long-distance travellers across the country. While passengers undertaking short journeys of up to 215 kilometres, suburban commuters, and Monthly Season Ticket (MST) holders have been spared, those travelling longer routes will see a slight increase in ticket prices. According to official notification, the hike has been introduced to balance rising operational costs, human resource expenses, and sustained investment in safety and infrastructure, while ensuring daily commuters are not burdened. What’s Changing: Category-Wise Fare Hike The revised per-kilometre increase applies only beyond 215 km…
A recent Supreme Court ruling on the legal classification of the Aravalli hills has sparked a nationwide environmental debate, triggering protests on the ground and a massive online campaign under the hashtag #SaveAravalli. Environmentalists warn that the judgment, if misused, could weaken one of North India’s most critical ecological shields. The controversy centres around what is being called the “100-metre ruling”, in which the apex court clarified that hills measuring less than 100 metres in height cannot automatically be classified as forest land under existing legal definitions. While the ruling is technical in nature, its implications are anything but minor.…