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After Years Of Naxal Warfare, Elite CoBRA Commandos' New Challenge: Manipur

Since 2009, CoBRA and other specialised CRPF units have conducted more than 39,400 operations.

Why did Supreme Court back curbs on online gaming?

What were the two sets of appeals concerning the regulation and taxation of online gaming platforms in front of the Court? What were the main objections raised by gaming companies against the GST levy? What are the likely consequences for India’s online gaming industry?

Why did Supreme Court back curbs on online gaming? | Explained

What were the two sets of appeals concerning the regulation and taxation of online gaming platforms in front of the Court? What were the main objections raised by gaming companies against the GST levy? What are the likely consequences for India’s online gaming industry?

IIT Admission CBSE Marks Relaxation update

No relaxation in 75% class 12 marks rule for IIT admissions, says Joint Admission Board

The demands were made in the wake of growing concerns among students over the delay in re-evaluation process of CBSE exams.

No relaxation in IIT admission 75% Class 12 marks rule: Joint Admission Board

JAB says IIT admissions through JEE Advanced 2026 will continue to require 75% Class 12 marks despite demands for relaxation over CBSE delays.

Move to codify vehicle modifications fails to impress Gen Z motorists

Report lists 18 modifications that don’t require prior approval, while major changes still need MVD’s permission. Only certain relaxations, such as permitting stickers, ambient lighting, additional speakers, and sun films with 50% visibility, are considered significant changes, according to a car enthusiast.

'It is tough': Kuldeep on challenges of switching from IPL to red-ball cricket

India spinner Kuldeep Yadav says he is fully focused on Test cricket ahead of the one-off Afghanistan Test. After Delhi Capitals' early IPL exit, he used the extra time to prepare for red-ball cricket, admitting the transition from T20s is “tough.” With Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel rested, Kuldeep will lead the spin attack and has backed youngsters Harsh Dubey and Manav Suthar to perform well.

Rajeev Thakkar on when to hold, when to exit, and why most get it wrong

For most investors, the focus is often on finding the right stock, entering at the right valuation, and identifying the next multibagger. Far fewer spend time understanding what may be the more difficult aspect of investing—knowing when to sell.Speaking at the ET Alpha Wealth Summit on Thursday on "The Art of the Exit," Rajiv Thakkar, CIO and Director at PPFAS Asset Management said that successful investing is not just about buying well but also about staying invested long enough for compounding to work. In fact, before discussing reasons to sell, he spent considerable time explaining why investors should avoid selling in the first place.According to Thakkar, one of the biggest mistakes investors make is selling because a stock has not moved for a few months.Also Read | ET Alpha Wealth Summit: Future alpha may emerge from neglected markets and asset classes, says Kalpen Parekh Investors often spend significant effort researching a company, understanding management quality, assessing industry prospects and evaluating valuations. Yet after purchasing the stock, many lose patience if prices remain stagnant for six months or a year.https://youtube.com/shorts/RiLj-X02NNE?feature=share"Investments are meant for wealth creation, not entertainment," he said, cautioning against treating investing like a source of excitement or constant action.Another common trigger for unnecessary selling is reacting to news flow. Markets are constantly bombarded with information—wars, elections, crude oil fluctuations, interest-rate decisions, capital flows and economic data. Investors who react to every headline often end up making poor decisions.To illustrate this, Thakkar recounted the story of an investor who received advance information about the severity of the Covid outbreak in early 2020. Acting on that information, the investor sold his technology stocks before the market crash. While the prediction turned out to be accurate, fear prevented him from re-entering the market, and he ultimately missed one of the strongest rallies in technology stocks.The lesson, according to Thakkar, is that even correct information does not necessarily translate into successful investment outcomes. Thakkar was particularly critical of the concept of "profit booking."Investors often feel compelled to sell simply because a stock has appreciated significantly. However, he argued that wealth is created by allowing successful investments to compound rather than by repeatedly locking in gains.Frequent buying and selling may benefit brokers, exchanges and tax authorities, but it often works against long-term investors. Hyperactivity in portfolios can destroy wealth by interrupting compounding and increasing costs.Similarly, investors should avoid selling because another stock appears more attractive. This "buyer's remorse" mindset frequently causes investors to abandon good businesses prematurely in pursuit of seemingly better opportunities."If you manage to find a genuinely good business with strong management, a large opportunity set and reasonable valuations, the best course of action is often to simply stay invested," he said.Thakkar emphasised that investors in taxable jurisdictions such as India should maintain low portfolio turnover whenever possible. Unlike institutional structures such as mutual funds or investors in tax-free jurisdictions, individual investors face taxes and transaction costs every time they trade. Excessive churn can significantly reduce long-term returns.For wealthy investors, family offices and HNIs, the ability to remain invested and minimise unnecessary transactions often becomes a major source of compounding advantage.Also Read | ET Alpha Wealth Summit: India could unlock a $5 trillion export opportunity through FTAs, says Saurabh Mukherjea While most reasons for selling are flawed, Thakkar identified several situations where exiting an investment becomes necessary. The most obvious reason is the need for capital. If an investor requires money for a business opportunity, acquisition or personal objective, selling investments may be entirely justified. More importantly, investors must be willing to acknowledge mistakes.If an investment thesis turns out to be wrong because of flawed analysis, poor due diligence or changing circumstances, the best course is often to exit quickly rather than averaging down endlessly.According to Thakkar, investors who recognise mistakes early frequently outperform those who identify good opportunities but refuse to sell losing positions. Capital trapped in poor investments cannot be deployed into better opportunities. Fraud, naturally, represents an immediate reason to exit.One of the more challenging selling decisions arises when industries face structural disruption. Questions such as whether newspapers can survive the internet, whether thermal power can coexist with renewable energy or whether traditional automobile manufacturers can adapt to electric vehicles rarely have straightforward answers.Thakkar suggested that investors should not react impulsively but should continuously evaluate incoming evidence. Investment decisions should be driven by facts rather than sentiment. If the underlying business continues to deteriorate because of technological or structural change, investors must eventually acknowledge reality and exit.At the same time, distinguishing genuine disruption from temporary noise remains critical. Exceptional businesses are not immune to becoming overvalued. Thakkar pointed to situations where valuations become so excessive that future growth is already fully reflected in stock prices. In such cases, taking profits, paying taxes and reallocating capital may be sensible.He also noted that investors may sell a reasonably valued investment if a significantly superior opportunity emerges elsewhere.During the question-and-answer session, investors raised concerns about stocks that stop performing despite sound fundamentals. Examples such as Maruti Suzuki, Bharti Airtel and even silver investments highlighted a common dilemma: should investors exit after years of gains and subsequent consolidation?Also Read | MF Tracker: Can ICICI Prudential Multicap Fund sustain its strong track record in a volatile market? Thakkar's response was that even excellent businesses can spend years moving sideways. Companies such as Hindustan Unilever, Infosys and Bharat Electronics have all gone through extended periods of stagnant share-price performance despite remaining fundamentally strong businesses.Investors should therefore distinguish between stock-price performance and business performance. As long as the underlying business continues to execute well, temporary market stagnation alone is not a sufficient reason to sell.For investors worried about selling too early, Thakkar recommended a phased approach. Instead of attempting to identify exact market tops, investors can gradually reduce exposure over time. For instance, if a stock appears significantly overvalued, an investor might sell a portion every month rather than exiting entirely in one transaction.This systematic approach helps manage the emotional difficulty of selling while reducing the risk of poor timing. Another important consideration is position sizing. Addressing a question about highly successful investments such as Nvidia, Thakkar noted that even outstanding businesses can become disproportionately large components of a portfolio.When a single stock grows from a small allocation into a dominant position, investors face a different risk—wealth preservation rather than wealth creation. His solution is gradual trimming. Investors can periodically reduce oversized positions to maintain comfortable portfolio weightings while still participating in future upside.This approach may not maximise returns, but it significantly reduces the risk of catastrophic losses and helps investors sleep better during periods of volatility.Thakkar concluded by stressing the importance of diversification and long-term investing. Most individuals create wealth through a single business, profession or sector. Their financial portfolios should therefore diversify away from that concentration rather than amplify it.Whether through mutual funds, retirement vehicles such as NPS, EPF and PPF, or diversified portfolios, investors should focus on owning inflation-protected assets for long periods. "The lower the churn in a portfolio, the greater the opportunity for compounding," he said.Ultimately, successful investing is not about perfectly timing every entry and exit. It is about avoiding unnecessary activity, admitting mistakes quickly, remaining patient with good businesses and ensuring that no single investment becomes large enough to threaten long-term financial stability.(Disclaimer: Recommendations, suggestions, views and opinions given by the experts are their own. These do not represent the views of The Economic Times)If you have any mutual fund queries, message on ET Mutual Funds on Facebook/Twitter. We will get it answered by our panel of experts. Do share your questions on ETMFqueries@timesinternet.in alongwith your age, risk profile, and Twitter handle.

GST ruling may cast wider tax net over casinos

The recent Supreme Court (SC) judgment on online gaming and betting is expected to have wider implications across gambling, horse racing, and casinos, experts feel. The court clarified that the GST valuation framework is not confined to any one segment but applies across betting and gambling activities.The ruling makes it clear that the tax framework cannot be read narrowly. “Rule 31A… applies broadly to all betting, gambling and horse racing… Limiting its applicability only to horse racing would render parts of the rule otiose,” a PwC India note on the SC ruling said.Nitin Vijaivergia, partner at Pricewaterhouse & Co LLP, said the judgment upholds the imposition of the top GST slab on online gaming platforms, triggering significant retrospective tax exposure. The court’s reasoning also centres on how such transactions are structured. It has been clarified that in betting and gambling, valuation can be based on the full amount staked and not merely on a narrower measure.“Section 15(1)… permits valuation based on the entire stake,” and “merely because a different method of valuation… may also have been possible, it does not render the Rule unconstitutional,” the note added.For online gaming and casinos, the judgment clarifies when tax liability arises. The court held that the taxable event is triggered when players commit funds to participate in games with uncertain outcomes and no longer retain control over those funds.This also alters the treatment of player funds. The ruling notes that once amounts are committed for participation, “such arrangements cannot be considered deposits or entrustments,” and “the entire staked amount is treated as consideration for the supply.”In the case of casinos, the position is very clear. The court held that tax would be levied on each instance of staking money on an uncertain outcome, and not on the operator’s net earnings or gross gaming revenue.“The mention of staking money on ‘uncertain future outcomes’ may have broader implications for promotional and skill contests with deterministic scoring, and similar other formats. Key operational elements such as wallet architecture, re-deposits, and cashback will be crucial to determine tax demands, especially considering amendments to GST Rules 31 and 31B affecting valuation,” Vijaivergia said.Tax experts say that, broadly, the GST law will now apply where money or money’s worth is staked on uncertain outcomes, and such amounts are treated as consideration for the supply.

Gold taxation: How your physical gold will be taxed

Explained: Supreme Court verdict that delivers twin blow to online gaming

The two decisions came on separate appeals filed against multiple verdicts by high courts, both on taxation and on state laws banning such games

Tirupati-Raxaul Express launches weekly service

In A First, CRPF’s Elite Anti-Naxal CoBRA Battalions To Be Deployed In Manipur | Exclusive

CoBRA is India's premier counter-insurgency strike force, trained in guerrilla tactics, jungle warfare, intelligence-led operations, and precision strikes in difficult terrain

Vinesh loses the bout but wins the fight

New Delhi: Defeat on the mat did not make Vinesh Phogat feel like a loser.After her comeback bid ended in the Asian Games selection trials on Saturday, the former world championships medallist declared that she had already won by returning to competition after motherhood and by standing up to a system she claimed had done everything possible to keep her away from wrestling."I have not failed at all. I am fighting the whole system and I am still standing with pride on the mat again," Vinesh toldafter her 4-6 semifinal loss to Meenakshi Goyat, while reiterating her ambition of competing at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.Minutes after suffering defeat, Vinesh launched a scathing attack on the wrestling administration, alleging discrimination, mental harassment and attempts to block her return to competitive wrestling despite court orders in her favour.Also read | IPL 2026 Purple Cap winner list: Most wickets, updated standings and bowling rankings"They wanted to stop me from returning to the mat, but I am standing here again. I am proud of what I have achieved in these 10 months."I know the system will continue to create challenges for me, but I have hope that through hard work I can leave the system behind and move forward," she added, refusing to view the semifinal defeat as a setbackVinesh, who was competing for the first time since her heartbreaking disqualification from the Paris Olympics final in 2024, said her biggest achievement was returning to elite competition after childbirth. She said returning to competition after motherhood and after months of legal and administrative battles felt like a victory."It has been only 10 months since my son was born. I am standing on the mat again and competing against the younger generation. I am proud of myself. I hope I can inspire my son and many women wrestlers," she said.Vinesh described the Delhi High Court order that enabled her participation in the trials as a landmark moment for women wrestlers seeking to return after motherhood."A girl is coming back to the mat after becoming a mother. The path has opened. Sooner or later there has to be a policy. Women wrestlers who want to return after becoming mothers should get a fair opportunity and some relaxation," she said.The 31-year-old alleged that even after the court's intervention, officials continued to create obstacles for her.Also read | Liverpool sack Slot after title defence turns into European scrambleShe said that she spent nearly an hour arguing with officials on Saturday morning after being informed she would be allowed to compete only in the 50kg category despite wanting to participate in 53kg."When I should have been focusing on my recovery and preparation, I was arguing with officials. They gave me a letter saying I could compete only in 50kg. It was mental harassment," she said.Vinesh claimed that the entire process was designed to put her at a disadvantage, alleging that stronger wrestlers were deliberately placed in her draw and that scheduling decisions drained her energy before the semifinal."I was not given a fair deal. All the strong girls in my category were put in my path. The bouts were scheduled in a manner that affected my energy levels," she alleged.Despite the grievances, Vinesh accepted responsibility for her defeat and admitted that a lack of competitive exposure and endurance hurt her performance."I accept my defeat. I will work harder and return stronger. Fitness and endurance were issues, but more than that, I needed competitions. I had not competed for nearly two years. This was my first tournament after becoming a mother," she said.She insisted that Saturday's performance convinced her that she still has enough ability to compete with the country's best wrestlers."I was motivated today. I know I can beat the younger girls. I still have that courage and belief. If I work hard, I know I can come back stronger."Asked whether the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics remained a target, Vinesh replied in the affirmative."Definitely. I have come back to the mat for Los Angeles," she said.The wrestler reserved some of her strongest criticism for the sports administration, questioning why no institution had intervened despite repeated disputes surrounding her participation."The government, the Sports Ministry, the IOA -- nobody is taking a stand. This is very sad. If athletes have to survive despite the system, then something is seriously wrong," she said.She also alleged that many young wrestlers privately supported her but were afraid to speak openly against administrators."A lot of girls were happy to see me back on the mat. They come and talk to me but they are scared. They know what can happen if they speak against powerful people," she said.Vinesh, however, clarified that she has no complaints against fellow wrestlers and said athletes should not be blamed for the larger issues within the sport."The kids are not at fault. I don't have anger towards any athlete. The problem is with the people who manipulate and control the system," she said.

Telangana DGP CV Anand calls for sweeping overhaul of police department, hints at restructuring Greyhounds and SID

Calling for a major shift in policing priorities, DGP Anand unveiled a reform agenda for the Telangana Police, proposing new specialised wings, a technology overhaul, stricter accountability measures and a review of anti-Naxal units.

Manipur to cut VIP convoy size

Guwahati: The Manipur cabinet meeting discussed related to the appeal made by the Prime Minister for various steps to be taken by the State Governments and citizens of the country in view of the global challenges at present.The State Cabinet decided to implement the various points mentioned in the appeal of the Prime Minister, including reducing the size of VIP convoy following a security review, start ‘work from home’, freeze Government funded foreign travel, and take steps to reduce non-essential Government expenditure.Also Read: Manipur CM Y Khemchand Singh hails Centre's decision to form panel on demographic changeThe meeting while approving the filling up of 173 posts of Auxiliary Nurse and Midwife (ANM) in the Family Welfare Department, with funding from the Central Government, the State Cabinet took a decision to approve age relaxation of 2 (two) years for all recruitments yet to be notified by State Government departments.State Cabinet approved the rates of compensation related to land acquisition for expansion of the Imphal – Jiribam and Imphal – Dimapur National Highways. These decisions will lead to faster implementation and timely completion of these projects, which will greatly benefit the state.The Cabinet approved the rationalization of posts under the Manipur State Power Company Limited (MSPCL) so that the employees can have adequate promotional avenues. This shows the intention of the State Government that employee welfare is a priority.The cabinet also approved the extension of the critical ‘Manipur Water Supply Project’ funded by the New Development Bank (NDB) and approved the proposal of Tourism Department for implementation of the ‘Loktak Experience Project’ which will develop Loktak as an Iconic Tourist Destination.

Why investors are ready to play in global equity league

Interest in overseas investing has risen as Indian equities lag several global markets over the past year. A look at different ways to invest overseas, the costs involved, and what to watch out for.What's the rush for investing overseas these days?The recent interest is largely because global markets have done better than India over the past year or so. Some hot global themes, such as AI and semiconductors, have seen strong gains. Since Indian investors have limited direct exposure to these themes through local markets, it's encouraging them to look outside India.How can resident Indian investors allocate money overseas?Resident Indian investors have three main ways to invest overseas. The simplest route is through international mutual funds offered by Indian fund houses. The second option is investing through GIFT City-based funds, and the third route is by opening an international brokerage account to directly buy global stocks or ETFs.If investing through domestic MFs is simple, why are investors facing restrictions?International mutual funds are indeed the simplest way to invest overseas, as they work like any domestic scheme and allow both lump sum and SIP investments across markets such as the US and other global indices. Indian funds offer funds that bet on the US, China, Nasdaq, Taiwan, Brazil, Japan, Europe and Asia, among others. However, investors are currently facing restrictions because The Reserve Bank of India has set an overall industry-wide limit of $7 billion for such overseas investments, which has already been largely utilised.As a result, many fund houses have stopped accepting lump sum inflows, while some allow SIPs but with monthly caps. This has reduced the availability of fresh investment avenues through this route.What about the GIFT City-based international funds?GIFT City-based funds offered by Indian AMCs, which are denominated in dollars and invest across global markets, themes and indices. These typically require a higher minimum investment of around $5,000 and fall under the Liberalised Remittance Scheme (LRS) limit of $250,000 a year. But the issue is that not every fund house has a presence there.What are the products currently on offer for domestic investors through GIFT City?Some of the popular products available for resident investors from GIFT city currently are DSP Global Equity Fund, Edelweiss Greater China Equity Fund, Parag Parikh IFSC Nasdaq 100 FoF and Parag Parikh IFSC S&P 500 FoF. Many others are in the process of launching their products there.How can an investor put money into GIFT City funds?For a Resident Indian, the process of investing through GIFT City is different from that for a domestic mutual fund. Investing through GIFT City involves sending money abroad under the Reserve Bank of India's Liberalised Remittance Scheme (LRS), since it is treated as an offshore jurisdiction. Investors need to complete KYC and then transfer funds from their bank account by filling out an LRS declaration (A2 form). The money is converted into dollars, and banks charge forex conversion and wire transfer fees.If total remittances exceed ₹7 lakh in a year, a 20% TCS is collected upfront, which can be adjusted while filing taxes. Once invested, these funds function like mutual funds with a daily NAV, and redemptions take around T+5 days.How does direct investing work?In direct investing, investors open an international trading account through an Indian platform offering global access to buy shares of overseas companies or global ETFs. The investment is made by remitting money abroad under the LRS, after which funds are converted into foreign currency and used to trade. This route offers the widest choice, but it comes with added complexities, including forex conversion costs, brokerage charges, and compliance requirements.How are the gains taxed on the investments? Investments in international funds through the mutual fund route attract capital gains tax to be paid by investors at the rate of 12.5% for units, if held for more than two years. For units held for less than two years, the gains are added to your total income and taxed according to the tax slab. In GIFT City funds, the income earned from investments is taxable at the fund level, with no taxation at the investor level. For holding periods less than 24 months, a short term capital gains tax at the rate of 30% and a long-term capital gains tax of 12.5% is levied, which includes surcharge, health and education cess. Will the estate tax be applicable for resident Indians investing in US stocks from India? Yes, the estate tax can apply if resident Indians invest directly in USlisted stocks. For non-US residents, the exemption limit is $60,000. So, if the value of US assets held directly exceeds this at the time of death, the excess can be taxed by the US at rates ranging from 18% to 40%. This applies only to direct holdings of US stocks or assets. Investments routed through funds, such as those based in GIFT City, typically do not attract US estate tax at the investor level. So, what are my best options? If you are looking to deploy small amounts like Rs 5000 or Rs 10,000 per month or a lumpsum amount of Rs 1 lakh, the mutual fund route works well, though there are limited choices, and the GIFT City route is highly impractical. However, if you are looking to park a substantial lump sum of more than $5000 into a dollar denominated asset, you could opt for the GIFT City route or direct investing.

A game of thorns for gaming co directors

Mumbai: After a crushing court defeat, India's money gaming fraternity is now dreading whether the taxman would come after the companies' directors.The law allows the goods and service tax (GST) authorities to recover dues from board members of private limited companies if unpaid tax, interest, or penalty cannot be salvaged from the entities.Most real money gaming platforms were run by closely-held companies. While a director can escape personal liability if he demonstrates that the unpaid tax was not caused by gross neglect and wilful misstatement, many show cause notices, which triggered the legal feud, allege fraud and suppression of facts.Also read | Billionaire's FOMO: Ultra-rich pouring money into AI stackIn cases of frauds, the tax office can levy penalty of 100% of the tax demand. Platform managements are hoping for some relief from the fine print in Wednesday's Supreme Court (SC) judgement which upheld GST authorities stand to impose 28% tax on full value of bets. The ruling is yet to be released.By validating the SCNs, the SC effectively overturned earlier lower court rulings favouring gaming companies and dismissed the argument that 'games of skill' require different tax treatment under the GST framework for actionable claims.The GST Act provides for extended limitation period, enabling the department to issue SCNs up to five years from the due date of filing the relevant annual return in cases of fraud.131377275According to Ritesh Kanodia, partner, Aurtus Consulting, "There is strong legal support, including Supreme Court rulings, that when a matter involves a complex interpretation of the law, it cannot be treated as fraud or suppression. In this case, there was genuine ambiguity on whether GST applies at all and, if it does, on what value. Even the Karnataka High Court had earlier ruled in favour of taxpayers, which shows that the issue was debatable. Because of this, there is a strong argument that the 100% penalty may not be justified, thoughthe normal penalty (around 10%) may still apply."Ashish Karundia, founder of the eponymous CA firm, agreed that notices invoking the extended limitation period can certainly be challenged. "To sustain demands under Section 74, the department must establish fraud, wilful misstatement, or suppression with intent to evade tax. Gaming companies are likely to argue that their operations, filings, and transaction trails were fully disclosed, and that the dispute pertains purely to legal interpretation rather than any concealment of facts," said Karundia.If the department eventually chases the directors, it has to send separate notices and examine their roles individually.Also read | A blueprint for West Bengal’s evolution from an entrepot to a production hubHowever, for earlier periods (July 2017 to March 2020), companies may be eligible for the Government's amnesty scheme, which provides a full waiver of interest and penalties, provided fraud is not established (i.e., a Section 74 notice [100% penalty] gets converted into a Section 73 Notice [10% penalty]). So, in many cases, companies may ultimately end up paying only the tax amount, said Kanodia.The companies have sought 12 weeks to reply to the adjudication panel in the GST department which would be followed by final tax demands and appeals before higher courts.The GST law was amended in 2023 to make online gaming, casinos, and horse racing taxable at 28% on the full face value of bets, regardless of whether it's game of skill or chance. These changes, applied retrospectively, imposed liabilities for past periods when the law was not explicit. Before 2023 companies were paying 18% tax on the fees platforms collected.Last year, the government hurriedly enacted the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming (PROG) Act, 2025 that completely prohibits online money games. The SC order on Wednesday not only puts a large financial burden on gaming companies but may also weaken their argument that since gaming is a state subject, the activity cannot be banned by a central law.

In post-Naxal Dantewada, survey begins for Bodhghat dam, raising displacement fears

The Bodhghat Multipurpose Project is one of the oldest pending river valley projects in Bastar, first envisaged in 1979.