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4-Year-Old Succumbs To Shigella Infection In Kerala, Two Other Children Affected

Kerala reports one Shigella death and two child cases in Kozhikode, authorities intensify food safety checks, surveillance and public awareness to curb further spread.

JoSAA mock seat allotment 2026 released

The Joint Seat Allocation Authority (JoSAA) has released the first mock seat allocation for the 2026 counselling process, giving engineering aspirants an early indication of the institutes and courses they may secure based on their current choices and rank positions.Candidates who have registered for JoSAA Counselling 2026 and filled in their programme and institute preferences can now check their provisional allotment through the official JoSAA portal.The mock allocation is designed to help students understand their likely admission prospects and make informed changes to their choices before the actual seat allocation rounds begin.What Is the JoSAA Mock Seat Allocation?The first mock seat allocation is a provisional exercise conducted by JoSAA before the commencement of the official counselling rounds.The allocation has been prepared using the choices submitted by candidates up to 8 PM on 7 June 2026. It reflects the seat a candidate could potentially receive if the counselling process were to conclude based on the current preference order and rank position.Importantly, the mock allocation is not the final seat allotment. Candidates can still modify, reorder, add or remove choices before the counselling deadline.How to Check JoSAA First Mock Seat Allocation 2026Candidates can follow these steps to view their provisional allotment:Step 1Visit the official JoSAA website.Step 2Click on the link for the First Mock Seat Allocation 2026.Step 3Log in using your application credentials.Step 4Submit the required details.Step 5View your provisional seat allocation status.Step 6Download and save the allotment details for future reference.Step 7Take a printout if required.Why the Mock Allocation Is ImportantThe mock seat allocation serves as a valuable planning tool for candidates.By reviewing the provisional allotment, students can assess whether their preferred colleges and branches are within reach. If they are dissatisfied with the outcome, they can revise their choices strategically before the final seat allocation rounds.This process often helps candidates improve their chances of securing a more desirable institute or academic programme.JoSAA 2026 First Round Seat Allotment DateJoSAA is scheduled to announce the first round of seat allocation on 13 June 2026.Candidates who are allotted seats in the first round will be required to complete several admission-related formalities, including:Online reportingDocument uploadVerification processSeat acceptance proceduresAdmission fee paymentThe deadline for fee payment in the first round is 26 June 2026.JoSAA Counselling 2026: Participating InstitutesThe JoSAA counselling process will facilitate admissions to 138 premier technical institutions across India for the 2026-27 academic session.These include:23 Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs)Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru31 National Institutes of Technology (NITs)Indian Institute of Engineering Science and Technology (IIEST), Shibpur26 Indian Institutes of Information Technology (IIITs)56 Other Government-Funded Technical Institutes (GFTIs)The counselling process remains one of the largest and most important admission exercises for engineering aspirants in the country.Reservation Categories in JoSAA CounsellingSeats across participating institutions are allocated under various reservation categories, including:Open CategoryGEN-EWS (Economically Weaker Sections)OBC-NCL (Other Backward Classes – Non-Creamy Layer)Scheduled Castes (SC)Scheduled Tribes (ST)Persons with Disabilities (PwD) categoriesCandidates are advised to carefully review category-specific eligibility and seat availability during the counselling process.JEE Main and JEE Advanced Ranks Used for AdmissionsJoSAA uses different entrance examination ranks depending on the participating institution.Admissions to IITs and IISc BengaluruAdmissions are based on ranks secured in JEE Advanced 2026.Admissions to NITs, IIITs and GFTIsAdmissions are based on ranks obtained in JEE Main 2026.Candidates must ensure that their rank details and category information are correctly reflected in the counselling portal.What Should Candidates Do Next?Students should carefully review their first mock allocation and compare it with their desired institute and branch preferences.If necessary, they can modify their choices before the final counselling rounds begin. With the first round of seat allocation scheduled for 13 June, aspirants now have a valuable opportunity to fine-tune their choices and maximise their chances of securing admission to their preferred engineering institute.

NEET UG 2026 re-exam under unprecedented security with question paper setters in strict isolation and multi-layer monitoring by NTA

Following concerns over a paper leak in NEET-UG 2026, the government and NTA have introduced an unprecedented security framework for the June 21 re-exam. Over 500,000 security personnel, biometric checks, facial recognition, and live CCTV monitoring have been deployed across India and abroad. Question paper setters are kept under strict isolation, and social media is being monitored to prevent misinformation, ensuring a fair, transparent examination for over 2.2 million aspirants nationwide this year in India.

Gold rate today: Check 24k vs 22k vs 18k prices

Delhi HC seeks CBSE reply on OSM plea

The Delhi High Court on Monday sought the stand of the Centre and the CBSE on a petition by Congress party's student wing seeking an independent inquiry into the alleged large-scale irregularities in the on-screen marking (OSM) system for Class 12 exams.Issuing notice on a PIL petition by the National Students' Union of India (NSUI), a vacation bench of Justices Neena Bansal Krishna and Madhu Jain asked the central government and CBSE to file their responses and listed the matter for hearing on June 12.Also read: IIT panel approves new CBSE portal for re-evaluation after security reviewThe petitioner submitted that the CBSE closed the portal for verifying and revaluing answer sheets last night and requested a direction to keep it open for affected students for one month.Counsel for CBSE, advocate M A Niyaz, submitted that the authorities extended the deadline for closing the portal from time to time, and the education board was duly addressing the grievances of aggrieved students. He also objected to the maintainability of NSUI to file the PIL, emphasising that it was a student wing of a political party. "We don't want education to be politicised like this," the counsel submitted.The NSUI counsel said that it filed the PIL on behalf of minors and that association with a political party was not a disqualification.What is OSM and what went wrongCBSE introduced on-screen marking for the evaluation of Class 12 answer books beginning with the 2026 examination cycle, describing it as part of its continuous effort to enhance efficiency and transparency. Under the system, physical exam papers are scanned, digitally masked to hide students' identities, and evaluated by teachers on a computer screen.However, the rollout has run into significant controversy. Thousands of students across the country reported issues including blurred scans, missing pages, mismatched answer sheets, incomplete uploads and unexpectedly low marks following the declaration of Class 12 results.CBSE declared the Class 12 results on May 13, with the overall pass percentage dropping to 85.20%, down from 88.39% last year. Reports also indicated a decline in the number of students scoring 90% and above.What NSUI is seekingThe PIL, filed through NSUI president Vinod Jhakhar and advocate Rishav Ranjan, seeks a direction to reopen the verification portal for one month, permit manual rechecking and physical verification of answer sheets in disputed cases, and order an independent inquiry into the alleged irregularities. It also seeks direct oversight by the Union Government and calls for proper safeguards and guidelines to be framed for future digital evaluation systems.Also read: Who is Dharmendra Pradhan? All about Education minister facing heat in CJP protest amid NEET, CBSE controversyNSUI has argued that the lack of a robust corrective mechanism heightens the prejudice to students because the academic calendar continues to move forward while the disputes remain unresolved.The Delhi Government School Teachers' Association (GSTA) had urged CBSE to hold implementation of the OSM system for the 2026 evaluation cycle, citing concerns that the majority of teachers had not been provided with structured and certified training for the digital system. The association had suggested the system be run only as a pilot on a limited scale during the 2026 session.With inputs from PTI

How many days can you stay in Europe?

Travellers visiting Europe can now use a new online tool under the European Union's Entry/Exit System (EES) to check how many days they are still allowed to stay in participating European countries.The tool is offered for non-EU nationals travelling for short stays and helps visitors track their remaining authorised stay under Europe's immigration rules. It also indicates whether a planned entry into an EES country would be permitted.What is the EES online tool?The EES online tool is an authorised stay verification service available on the European Union's EES website. It allows travellers to calculate the number of days they can still spend in countries covered by the Entry/Exit System.When users submit their details, the system provides an "OK" or "not OK" response regarding their eligibility to enter. It also shows how many days of authorised stay remain.The same service is also available through equipment installed at some external border crossing points.What information do travellers need?To use the tool, travellers must provide:The European country they are visiting or plan to visitTheir travel document type, such as a passportPassport numberThe three-letter code of the country that issued the passportDepending on the purpose of the check, travellers may also need to enter:Their intended date of arrivalTheir intended date of departureBoth arrival and departure dates for future travel plansHow does the calculation work?The tool uses information recorded under the Entry/Exit System to determine the number of days a traveller is authorised to remain in participating European countries.Travellers who are planning a future trip can use the calculator to estimate how long they will be allowed to stay. Those already in Europe can check how many days remain before they must leave.The system can also calculate how many authorised days would remain after a planned trip ends.Key points travellers should knowThe European Union has stated that the remaining authorised stay shown by the tool does not include any time spent in the Schengen area that began before April 10, 2026, when the EES became fully operational.The EU has also stated that until October 6, 2026, the "OK" response may not always be reliable for some travellers holding single-entry or double-entry visas if previous visa use between October 12, 2025, and April 9, 2026, was not recorded in the EES.Who can use the tool?The authorised stay verification tool is intended for non-EU nationals travelling to EES-participating countries for short stays.It does not apply to people covered by EU free movement rules, including certain family members of EU citizens and individuals holding specific residence documents.The online calculator gives travellers a quick way to verify their remaining stay period before travelling or while already in Europe. By checking their status in advance, visitors can better plan their trips and reduce the risk of overstaying under the EU's new Entry/Exit System.

Microsoft to draw a line in use of its technology by government agencies

Microsoft is enhancing human rights and security measures following an internal review into the Israeli military's use of its cloud technology for Palestinian surveillance. The company will strengthen oversight of national security projects and employee security clearances, introducing new checks for sensitive contracts and regular compliance reviews.

Sensex down over 10K points from Dec peak. Should MF investors pause SIPs?

With the benchmark index - BSE Sensex down by over 10,000 basis points to a level of 74,243 as of June 6, 2026, has left many investors wondering whether to continue SIPs and lump-sum investments during the current market decline, hold current positions or wait for greater clarity on market direction?Market experts believe that investors should see this 10,000 point correction as a buying opportunity rather than a reason to panic.Vishal Dhawan, Founder & CEO, Plan Ahead Wealth Advisors told ETMutualFunds that investors should view this 10,000-point Sensex correction as a long-term buying opportunity as market drawdowns are natural processes that shake out speculative premiums, resetting valuations to fundamentally healthier levels.Also Read | Multicap or flexicap mutual fund for a 20-year SIP? Expert explains what investors should choose “Long-term investors can continue their Systematic Investment Plans (SIPs) and hold current positions firmly. Pausing allocations to "wait for clarity" is a psychological trap that historically locks investors out of the sharpest days of a market rebound.”Dhawan further said that while regular SIPs are key to an investment journey, panic selling must be completely avoided; use this market decline to methodically build an equity baseline designed to reward your patience when economic sentiment inevitably swings back to optimism at some point in the future and it is critical to have a minimum 5-7 year investment horizon whilst investing.Echoing a similar opinion of considering this as a buying opportunity rather than a reason to panic, Amitabh Lara, Executive Director, Anand Rathi Wealth Limited shared with ETMutualFunds that for long-term investors, this is not the time to stop investing.Amitabh further said that continuing SIPs during a fall can actually work in your favour because the same investment amount buys more units at lower prices and one of the biggest mistakes investors make is stopping SIPs during a correction and returning only after the recovery has already happened.The benchmark index which touched a peak of 84,391 on December 10, 2025, is now down by nearly 10,148 points to a level of 74,243 as of June 6, 2026.As the market becomes volatile, investors as well as the fund managers keep cash in hand and wait for the opportunity to deploy it in the market but with a dilemma whether to deploy cash immediately or stagger investments over time.Amitabh said that if investors have idle cash available then they can go ahead and invest as a lumpsum and funds can be deployed in a staggered manner through tranches, over 6 to 8 weeks. “It also removes the stress of trying to time the exact bottom. If they have SIPs, they can continue it without worrying about the market level and take advantage of rupee cost averaging.”Dhawan said that for investors sitting on cash, a staggered deployment strategy via a 6-month to 12 month Systematic Transfer Plan (STP) is highly recommended as this approach could hedge your principal against intermediate downside volatility.He further said that investors should avoid deploying an absolute lumpsum at current levels, as picking the exact market bottom is a statistical myth and tranche-based buying ensures you average out your entry costs across multiple lower price bands smoothly.“Park your liquid capital in low-duration instruments and systematically route it into equity. This automated execution effectively replaces portfolio anxiety with disciplined benefits. In case you wish to deploy a lumpsum, and not do a STP, an investment in the Balanced Advantage category is suggested.” Dhawan said.How equity categories performedETMutualFunds checked the performance of equity mutual funds since December 10, 2025. Small cap funds have delivered an average return of 6.06% since the date BSE Sensex touched the new peak, followed by mid cap funds which gave an average return of 2.58%.Also Read | Nippon India Mutual Fund limits subscription in Gold BeES and gold savings fund In contrast, the counterparts, large cap funds gave a negative average return of 6.26% since December 10, 2025. Multi cap funds gave an average return of 0.06% whereas flexi cap funds fell 2.95% on an average in the said time period.Out of 10 equity categories, only three gave positive average returns which were small caps, mid caps and multi caps whereas the other categories such as large caps, contra funds, ELSS, flexi, focused, value and large & mid caps gave negative average returns.Which market-cap segment could lead the recovery?Dhawan said that large-cap stocks are typically best positioned to lead the initial recovery wave when domestic and foreign institutional flows return and their robust cash flows, operational scale, and institutional backing provide an essential fundamental moat.He further said that mid-caps may require stock-specific elements to perform, as many names went up significantly during the previous bull cycle; small caps should be approached with high caution and patience, as they remain prone to sharp liquidity outflows during market corrections. “Limit small-cap exposure if you can handle the volatility and have a longer time horizon of 7-10 years for mid and small caps.”Lara said that small caps appear to have the most room for upside when markets recover. Currently, Nifty Smallcap 250 is trading about 17.4% below its fair value, compared with 9.6% for the Nifty Midcap 150 and around 5-9% for large-cap indices. Hence, small caps have corrected more than large caps and mid caps relative to their earnings potential.He further said that investors can have a balanced exposure across market caps, with 55% in large caps and the rest in mid and small caps to be a part of the eventual recovery that will follow in the markets.BSE Sensex: In the last six months, the index was down 13.38% and in the nine months, it was down 8.01%. In the last one year, Sensex was down 8.83% whereas in the last three years and five years it was up 5.74% and 7.33% respectively.Sector allocation becomes particularly important during market corrections as valuation gaps emerge across industries. The question is whether investors should actively target beaten-down sectors or focus on broader diversification.In response to this, Lara said investors should avoid investing in single sectors or making sectoral bets as performance in sectors/themes is highly cyclical. For example, in 2024, the pharma & IT sectors were part of the best-performing sectors, however, they both turned into worst-performing sectors in 2025, which suggest that entry and exit at the right time play a crucial role in making investments in the sectorial/thematic funds.Also Read |HDFC Mutual Fund limits subscription in its gold ETF and FoF. What this means for investors? During such corrections, it would be more beneficial for investors to invest in diversified categories of equity mutual funds to get exposure to all sectors and benefit from their performance, rather than focusing solely on any single sector, Lara further said.Dhawan said to prioritize accumulating high-quality banking and financial services funds as these segments offer good earnings visibility, corrected price multiples, and fundamentally strong underlying balance sheets.He further said systematic accumulation of Information Technology (IT) funds could be attributed to these deep valuation resets as they are cash-rich franchises with low debt. However, they do face business model risk. Conversely, stay away from Utilities and capital goods as valuations look well above their long term averages.(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 along with your age, risk profile, and Twitter handle.

Orange, yellow alerts in Kerala as heavy rain continues to lash state | Check IMD forecast

The southwest monsoon remained active in Kerala on Monday and orange and yellow alerts remain in force across the state.

Kerala Lottery Result Today Live: Bhagyathara BT-57 Winning Numbers For June 8, 2026; First Prize Rs 1 Crore

Kerala Lottery Result Today: Bhagyathara BT-57 lottery result will be declared today, on Monday, June 1. Check the live updates and full list of winning numbers from 3 pm.

Joining a new firm? Check your maternity cover first

Govt. has stepped up preventive measures against Shigella: Kerala Health Minister

Muraleedharan says Food Safety officials have been directed to carry out checks at restaurants and wayside eateries to ensure that food safety norms are being followed

WWDC 2026: Apple bets big on a new Siri

Apple is expected to use its Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) on June 8 to make a fresh push into artificial intelligence (AI), with a Siri overhaul that has been long pending, new AI-powered tools and iOS 27 likely to take centre stage.The event comes at a crucial moment for the iPhone maker. Nearly two years after unveiling Apple Intelligence, Apple is still facing criticism for delayed features and a Siri revamp that never fully materialised. Now, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, the company is preparing its biggest Siri upgrade in years as it looks to catch up with rivals such as Google Gemini, ChatGPT and Samsung's Galaxy AI.Also Read: ET at Apple’s Bengaluru developer showcase: The apps headed to WWDC 2026New Siri expected to be the biggest WWDC 2026 announcementAt the heart of Apple's plans is a redesigned Siri that is expected to move beyond simple voice commands and become a more capable AI assistant.The new Siri could gain the ability to understand what's on a user's screen, pull information from emails, notes, calendars and contacts, and perform actions across apps. Users may also be able to issue multiple commands in a single prompt. For instance, asking Siri to check the weather, schedule a meeting and send a message at the same time. Many of these features were originally previewed in 2024 before being repeatedly delayed.Apple is also reportedly working on a dedicated Siri app that would function more like ChatGPT or Gemini. The app could allow users to hold ongoing conversations, upload files and photos for analysis, access chat history and sync conversations across devices through iCloud. Apple is even said to be testing support for third-party AI models including Claude and Gemini alongside ChatGPT.iOS 27 may focus on performance, battery life and reliabilityWhile AI is expected to dominate the keynote, iOS 27 itself may be less about flashy redesigns and more about fixing pain points.Unlike last year's major visual overhaul with "Liquid Glass" design, Apple is reportedly focusing on performance improvements, better battery life, fewer bugs and faster response times. The company is also believed to be laying the groundwork for a foldable iPhone expected later this year through under-the-hood changes in the operating system.Apple is also expected to introduce a new AI-focused "Search or Ask" experience, making it easier for users to search their device, launch apps and interact with Siri from a single interface.Also Read: Will your iPhone get iOS 27? These four models may miss out on Apple’s next major software updateAI writing tools and photo editing upgrades could arrive with iOS 27The update could bring a range of new AI features across the iPhone, iPad and Mac.These include a Grammarly-like grammar checker built into iOS, AI-powered writing assistance through a new "Write with Siri" feature, smarter shortcuts that can be created using natural language, AI-generated wallpapers and upgraded photo editing tools capable of expanding images, improving quality and removing unwanted objects more effectively.Apple is also expected to enhance Visual Intelligence, its answer to Google's Lens. The feature could gain the ability to recognise nutrition labels, extract contact information and provide more contextual information about objects seen through the camera.Wallet, Safari and AirPods could get useful upgradesBeyond AI, Apple is reportedly working on a handful of practical upgrades aimed at everyday users.These include a built-in bill-splitting feature in Wallet and Messages, custom digital pass creation in Wallet, a redesigned Safari start page, improved AirPods controls and updates to fitness and heart-rate tracking on the Apple Watch.The company is also said to be improving notification management, adding more customisation options to the Camera app and making several changes aimed at improving the overall experience across its devices.Also Read: Apple to let users choose rival AI models across iOS 27 features: ReportWhy WWDC 2026 could be Apple's most important AI event yetFor Apple, however, the real focus will be Siri.The assistant has largely remained unchanged while competitors have transformed their products into conversational AI platforms capable of reasoning, planning and completing complex tasks. WWDC 2026 could be Apple's attempt to show that it is finally ready to compete in that race — and deliver some of the AI features it first promised users nearly two years ago.Whether Apple can close the gap with ChatGPT, Gemini and other AI rivals remains to be seen, but June 8 could offer the clearest look yet at the company's long-term AI strategy.

When will monsoon reach Delhi? Check IMD forecast

Kerala saw delay, Maharashtra didn't: Will monsoon maintain its schedule for Delhi? Check IMD's forecast

According to the IMD's monsoon tracking map, the monsoon is expected to enter Delhi and the National Capital Region sometime between June 25 and June 30.

Room for less: Next big thing in hospitality?

Can the search for a hotel room lead to a business idea? It did, for Alok Mishra.In 2014, during a trip with his wife, Mishra needed a hotel room for six hours as he did not want to drive late at night. But he was asked to pay for a full day and subjected to a series of intrusive questions despite being married—and was finally refused a room. “That got me thinking that there might be travellers like me who need rooms only for a few hours but have to pay for an entire day. Later, while working in the US, I came across pay-for-use concepts and felt that India needed a more flexible, customer-friendly model,” he says.That experience led to the launch of Bag2Bag in 2019, an online platform for booking hotels, service apartments, homestays and other accommodations, with a focus on hourly stays.The business started gaining momentum around 2021. Bag2Bag’s hourly-stay revenue has risen from roughly Rs 50 lakh in 2021 to Rs 5-6 crore today. The company has served more than 1 lakh customers, lists over 10,000 properties across India and offers hourly stays at 6,000-7,000 of them. The service is available in more than 50 cities, though Bengaluru and Mumbai remain its strongest markets.Also read | The safe keepers: Inside India's booming locker economy“People now understand that this is a practical solution rather than a niche service. One of our biggest achievements has been to help normalise the category. Earlier, hourly stays were often associated with couples seeking privacy,” he says. “We deliberately broadened the use case by allowing family bookings, including travellers with children. We wanted people to see hourly stays for what they really are— a convenient accommodation option.”HOUR OF NEED That convenience is growing as online hotel booking platforms that allow short stays are on the rise. Alongside Bag2Bag, there is Noida-based Brevistay, Bengaluruheadquartered MiStay, Mumbai’s Hourly Rooms and Qwiksta, all specialising in micro stays. Larger travel platforms like MakeMyTrip, Agoda and Goibibo have also introduced hourly booking options.Like Bag2Bag, Brevistay was born out of a travel inconvenience. In 2016, cofounders Prateek Singh, Aditya Naithani, Shubham Agarwal, Avnish Kumar and Nikhil Pathak arrived in Manali at 5 am only to find that hotels would not allow early check-ins without charging for an extra night. The friends went on to cofound the travel tech startup Brevistay, which raised Rs 3 crore in 2023 and today reports revenue of about Rs 18 crore. It has 15 lakh registered users, 4 lakh monthly active users and around 11,000 listed hotels, including brands such as Ginger, Ramada and Blue Motel.LONG JOURNEY Getting there, however, was not easy.Pathak, cofounder and chief technology officer of Brevistay, says, “The challenge in this segment is not customers but hotels. In 2016, many hoteliers would simply bang the phone on us. Some agreed in principle but didn’t want their properties listed publicly and preferred bookings to come through offline calls. It took us nearly two years before we started seeing meaningful traction and recurring bookings,” says Pathak.The same resistance greeted MiStay when it launched in 2016. Starting with a pilot in Delhi, MiStay has since expanded to more than 100 cities. Shwetha Sameernath, general manager, business and growth, MiStay, says, “When we launched, scepticism was high. Most hotels were uncomfortable with the model, concerned about guest quality and operational challenges. Over time, that changed as hotels began seeing it as a revenue opportunity.”MiStay tackled resistance through education and curation. The company worked to show hoteliers that short stays served a broad and legitimate market of business travellers, transit passengers and day-use guests. It also selectively onboarded premium hotel brands, helping build credibility for the category. “When hotels see actual customer segments across varied, legitimate use cases, it builds their confidence that the model won’t compromise their brand,” says Sameernath, adding that the concept is now largely normalised.Also read | Major change in buyer behaviour as e-scooters race deeper into BharatPathak says the customer has evolved as well. Brevistay continues to market actively to couples, but he argues that the category should no longer be viewed through that lens. “There’s nothing illegal happening. In fact, there’s no law that prevents consenting adults from booking a hotel room. The issue was perception, not legality. What eventually changed minds was revenue,” he says. “Once hotels realised they could sell the same room multiple times in a day and generate seven or eight bookings instead of one, the business case became impossible to ignore.”The use cases have expanded too. Back in 2017, couples accounted for nearly 90% of Brevistay’s bookings. Today, that figure is down to 50-60%. Business travellers, transit passengers, tourists looking to freshen up between journeys, students travelling for exams and people attending interviews or meetings have all emerged as important customer segments.Hotels, meanwhile, have had to adapt operationally. Mishra says the biggest challenge is that traditional hotel system was never designed for flexible check-ins and check-outs. Bag2Bag addressed this by developing its own software platform for partner hotels. “Once they realised they could monetise idle inventory and generate additional revenue from rooms that would otherwise remain empty, adoption became much easier,” he says.REVENUE CHECKS IN For Sameernath, the turning point was the entry of premium hotel brands. “Today, acceptance has grown across the ecosystem. Channel managers and property management systems are evolving to support slot-based bookings, and customers increasingly treat hourly booking as the natural way to reserve a room for less than a day,” she says.Also read | Indian tourists go viral for all wrong reasons. Here's how not to become the next horror storyMishra has observed another interesting shift. Reliability and brand trust are becoming increasingly important. “Whether it’s a three-star or a five-star property, even if a branded hotel costs 20-25% more, customers prefer it because they know what they’re getting,” he says. The economics are compelling for hotels too. Sameernath points out that average hotel occupancy in India is under 65%, while daytime occupancy can fall to as low as 30% as guests check out in the morning and new arrivals come in much later. Platforms like MiStay help hotels monetise those idle hours by attracting guests who would never have booked a full-day room. “For hotels near airports or railway stations, the upside is even greater. A room priced at Rs 8,000 for a full night could earn Rs 3,500-4,000 for a daytime slot and another Rs 6,000 for the night—generating `10,000-plus from the same room in a single day,” she says.CHANGING PERCEPTION MiStay today works with brands like IHG, Pride, Ramada, The Park, Radisson and Novotel IHG, while Brevistay is in discussions with Hyatt. Sameernath says that on the demand side, once customers experience flexible booking, they don’t go back. Their repeat rate reflects this, as 48% of MiStay’s monthly business comes from repeat guests “The pay-per-use model in hospitality is the same transformation that happened in transport. You no longer book a cab for a full day; you pay for the distance. Hotels are heading the same way,” she says.Pathak believes the next wave of growth will be driven by younger travellers. “They’re vocal about spending time with their partners and don’t carry the hesitation earlier generations did. In metros, the industry has largely moved beyond the old perceptions, and hourly stays are increasingly viewed as a convenience product rather than something unusual.”The customer, it seems, has reached the destination. The hospitality industry needs to arrive.ChallengesPersistent social stigmaTrust and safety concernsBranded hotels worried about perceptionComplexities in managing multiple check-ins and check-outsLack of awareness among travellersOpportunitiesRise in domestic travel and frequent short tripsGrowth of bleisure (business + leisure) travelYounger consumers demanding flexibilityTech platforms making discovery and booking seamlessHotels looking to monetise vacant rooms

LPG prices hiked: Check how rates in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai have changed

The latest revision comes after a ₹60-per-cylinder hike on March 7, which came after the disruptions to global energy supplies caused by West Asia conflict.

Check domestic LPG cylinder gas prices in your city

LPG gets Rs 29 costlier: Check latest cylinder rates in Delhi, Mumbai and other cities

Domestic cooking gas prices have increased by Rs 29 per cylinder, reaching Rs 942 in Delhi, marking the second revision in three months due to soaring global energy costs. This rise follows a previous Rs 60 hike and is part of a broader trend of fuel price increases, with petrol and diesel also seeing significant jumps.

Domestic LPG Cylinder Prices Up By Rs 29: Check Cost In Your City

The cost to supply LPG has risen to around Rs 1,600-1,700.