The Income Tax department has notified all income tax return forms for the assessment year (AY) 2026-27. While ITR forms 1-4, filed by small and medium taxpayers, were notified on March 30, ITR forms 2, 3, 5, 6 and 7, as well as ITR-U (for filing updated returns), were notified on Tuesday. With the ITR (Income Tax Return) notification, individuals, businesses and other entities can start filing I-T returns for the income earned in the financial year 2025-26. The last date for filing ITR for individuals and those who do not have to get their accounts audited is July 31. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
01 April,2026 08:31 AM IST | New Delhi | AgenciesA total of 35 Maoists surrendered before the security forces across five districts in Chhattisgarh’s Bastar region on Tuesday, just hours before the Centre’s March 31 deadline to eliminate Left Wing Extremism (LWE) ends, officials said. Of them, 25 cadres, including 12 women, belonging to the Dandakaranya Special Zonal Committee of Maoists, surrendered in Bijapur district under the police’s ‘Poona Margem’ (from rehabilitation to social reintegration) initiative, IGP of Bastar Range, Sundarraj Pattlingam, said. These 25 cadres were carrying a cumulative reward of Rs 1.47 crore. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
01 April,2026 08:26 AM IST | Raipur | AgenciesPrime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said the 21st Century has brought several challenges and global supply chains have been affected due to conflicts, emphasising that the government is laying a strong foundation for technology and energy security in the coming decades. Modi inaugurated Kaynes Semicon’s outsourced semiconductor plant in Sanand, marking the commencement of production, and said India is strengthening its role as a reliable semiconductor supplier in the global market. In a sense, a new bridge has emerged today between Sanand and Silicon Valley, he said. Addressing a gathering on the occasion, Modi said India is actively building a robust semiconductor ecosystem and simultaneously making significant efforts to establish a resilient supply chain for raw materials. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
01 April,2026 08:14 AM IST | Ahmedabad | AgenciesIndia's reserves of liquid fuel can cater for only about 20 to 40 days and cannot be built to last for several months, according to the Secretary of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB), Anjan Kumar Mishra."We are already having some reserve for the liquid fuel, but you cannot build a reserve which will be lasting for maybe six months' time," Mishra told ANI adding, "It may cater for 20 to 40 days, but it may not be able to cater for six months' time or for longer period,"Speaking on the sidelines of the PHDCCI's Hydrocarbons Summit 2026 held in the national capital, Mishra said the crisis in West Asia region is affecting India, but the government has put in place measures and is closely monitoring the situation."I won't be lying that it is affecting India itself, but definitely the government has come up with all the plans and we have been monitoring the situation very closely," he said.The PNGRB official said there is no shortage of fossil fuel in the country despite concerns triggered by global tensions."Even if some panic situation is there, the name itself suggests that it is a panic situation. Nothing sort of liquid fuel crunch is there in the country," he said.India has also extended support to neighbouring countries during the crisis, including Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, The PNGRB Secretary said."We have supported Bangladesh and we have supported Sri Lanka. So definitely this is the situation, we must help our neighbours also in this time of crisis," Mishra said.On calls for reducing dependence on imports, Mishra said increasing domestic crude oil production is a gradual process and cannot be achieved immediately, despite government efforts including recent exploration rounds.He said India has broadened its crude sourcing base in recent years, with supplies coming not only from West Asia but also from countries such as Russia and Venezuela, and with exploration of options in Mozambique and Angola.On concerns that crude prices could rise sharply if the conflict persists, Mishra said any increase would be temporary."If the prices go high, we should be able to take up the situation... whatever the price hike will be there, it is going to be a very temporary effect," he said, adding that prices could eventually return to levels seen before the crisis. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
31 March,2026 11:34 PM IST | New Delhi | ANIThe Reserve Bank of India on Tuesday extended the enhanced export credit period of up to 450 days till June 30, 2026, to support exporters facing disruptions due to the ongoing West Asia crisis. The central bank said the decision was taken in view of continuing logistical challenges arising from geopolitical tensions in West Asia. Exporters have been facing delays in shipments and payments due to disruptions in global supply chains and uncertain market conditions. “Due to ongoing geopolitical uncertainties and logistical disruptions, Reserve Bank of India has been receiving representations from various stakeholders regarding challenges in adhering to the timelines for realisation of export proceeds,” the central bank said. The RBI noted that it has received several requests from stakeholders highlighting difficulties in meeting earlier deadlines for realising export proceeds. These challenges have been largely linked to the ongoing geopolitical situation and its impact on trade flows. The enhanced credit period was first introduced in November 2025 during the phase of global trade tensions triggered by tariff-related issues involving the United States. It was initially valid for disbursals up to March 31, 2026, but has now been extended further. In addition to this, the RBI confirmed that the earlier relaxation allowing exporters more time to bring back their earnings will continue. Exporters will still have up to 15 months, instead of the usual nine months, to realise and repatriate the full value of goods and services exported. “It is clarified that the above relaxations shall continue to remain in force. Exporters may continue to avail the facility in accordance with the conditions stipulated therein,” RBI stated. The new rules have come into effect immediately and will apply to all institutions involved in export financing. This includes commercial banks, co-operative banks, non-banking financial companies engaged in factoring, and all-India financial institutions. According to the RBI, these measures are intended to reduce the financial burden on exporters and help ensure that businesses continue to operate smoothly despite global uncertainties. The central bank also said it will keep a close watch on the situation and take further steps if needed. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
31 March,2026 10:58 PM IST | New Delhi | IANSThe Himachal Pradesh government has decided to process surplus milk into ghee and sell it at affordable rates to give a boost to the dairy industry in the state and ensure timely payments to milk selling farmers, said Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Tuesday. Responding to a question from BJP MLA Satpal Singh Satti in Vidhan Sabha, Sukhu said the government would clear all outstanding dues owed to milk producers for February and March next month. He also announced that the government is establishing a high-end, state-of-the-art milk processing plant at Dagwar in the Kangra district. Following the hike in milk prices implemented by the Himachal Pradesh government, milk production has witnessed a significant surge and as a result, the government now finds itself with a surplus of milk. For the first time, producers have developed a genuine inclination to adopt milk production as a viable means of livelihood, he said and added that rather than selling this surplus milk to other states, the government has decided to process it into ghee and sell it at affordable rates. Taking a jibe at the previous BJP government, he observed that prior to this, no one bothered about this sector, nor had officials ever offered any suggestions regarding it. The proposed Dagwar plant is expected to become operational by October 2026. Once this plant becomes functional, the entire milk produced within the state will be consumed and processed locally. Earlier, Agriculture Minister Chandra Kumar stated that the number of milk producers in the state has increased and therefore, the existing milk processing plants are unable to process the entire volume, compelling the government to sell the surplus milk to organizations such as Mother Dairy and Amul. He said that the plant currently under construction at Dagwar will have the capacity to process approximately 4.5 lakh liters of milk daily. He further affirmed that the government is continuously working to increase the number of milk chilling and processing plants across the state. Responding to a query raised by Lahaul-Spiti MLA Anuradha Rana, Minister for Youth Services and Sports Yadvinder Gomma said that the Himachal government is considering granting state-level recognition to ice hockey. He said that the construction of an ice hockey rink in Kaza, at a cost of Rs 73.77 crore, is set to commence shortly as the necessary procedural formalities have already been completed. Replying to a question from MLA Puran Chand Thakur, Public Works Minister Vikramaditya Singh said that the decision to shift the PWD division from Thalout in Mandi district to Pandoh was an administrative one, and the government arrived at this decision after careful deliberation. He said that while the division in Thalout was operating out of a rented building, it has now been relocated to a government-owned building in Pandoh. He further emphasized that the relocation of this office was driven entirely by administrative considerations and involved absolutely no political motives. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
31 March,2026 10:09 PM IST | Shimla | PTIA nine-year-old girl died after she allegedly got entangled in a swing and was strangled at her house in Maharashtra's Beed district on Tuesday, her family said. The incident occurred in Majalgaon town around 11 am when the victim, Vrinda Sameer Rudrawar, was playing on the top floor of her house, they said. Vrinda was standing on a chair trying to reach the swing when the chair suddenly slipped from under her. In the ensuing fall, the rope of the swing coiled around her neck, strangling her, sources in the family said. The tragedy came to light when the mother came to check on the girl and found her suspended by the rope. The child was rushed to a nearby hospital, where doctors declared her dead on arrival, they said. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
31 March,2026 10:07 PM IST | Beed | PTIIn a powerful step towards safeguarding the health and future of young girls, several states, including Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Odisha, and Mizoram, are leading from the front in the nationwide HPV vaccination campaign. Within just a fortnight of its launch, nearly 3 lakh girls aged 14 years have already been vaccinated, marking an encouraging start to this critical public health initiative, a health ministry official informed, reported ANI. According to experts, the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine plays a vital role in preventing cervical cancer, one of the most common cancers affecting women. The enthusiastic participation seen so far reflects growing awareness among parents, schools, and communities about the importance of early protection. HPV vaccination drive gains strong response despite ongoing exams The campaign has been strategically rolled out during the academic period, and while examinations are currently underway in many regions, the response has remained strong. With the conclusion of the exam season approaching, the momentum of the vaccination drive is expected to accelerate significantly, enabling wider coverage and ensuring that more girls benefit from this life-saving intervention. "Health authorities are actively working in coordination with schools, local bodies, and healthcare workers to ensure smooth access to the vaccine. Parents and guardians are urged to support and encourage eligible girls to get vaccinated at the earliest," said an official. The offical further stated, "This is more than a campaign, it is a collective movement towards a healthier, cancer-free future for our daughters." Earlier, on March 1, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a nationwide HPV vaccination campaign and development projects worth Rs 16,680 crore in Rajasthan's Ajmer. PM Modi highlights the campaign as a step towards empowering the women of the country Earlier this month, addressing a large public rally after the event, Modi said the BJP's double-engine government in Rajasthan has completed two years, and the state is now advancing on a new path of development. The Prime Minister called the HPV vaccination campaign an important step towards empowering the women of the country. "Today, from this land of brave women, I have got the opportunity to launch an important campaign for the daughters of the entire country. The HPV vaccination campaign has been launched in Ajmer. This campaign is an important step towards empowering the women of the country," Modi had said. The promises of development with which the BJP government came to serve you are being fulfilled with great speed. And today is the day to accelerate this very campaign of development," he said. Highlighting the significance of the occasion, the Prime Minister added, "Just a short while ago, the BJP's double-engine government in Rajasthan completed two years. I am pleased that today, Rajasthan is advancing on a new path of development." (Inputs from ANI)
31 March,2026 09:03 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentIn a major bureaucratic reshuffle, the government has appointed Vir Vikram Yadav as the new Director General of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), replacing Faiz Ahmed Kidwai. Yadav, who is currently serving as Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, will now head India’s aviation regulator at a time when the sector is expanding rapidly. With rising air traffic, growing airline fleets and increased focus on safety, his role is expected to be crucial in ensuring stronger regulatory oversight. Meanwhile, Kidwai has been moved to the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) as Additional Secretary. He had taken charge as DGCA chief in January 2025 and served in the role for a little over a year. The reshuffle comes at a critical juncture for the aviation sector. The DGCA is closely monitoring airline safety, fleet expansion, airport infrastructure and compliance with regulations as both domestic and international air travel continue to grow. The regulator plays a key role in maintaining air safety standards, issuing licenses and ensuring operational efficiency across the aviation ecosystem. Along with this change, the government has announced several other senior-level appointments. Puneet Kansal has been named Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Civil Aviation, while Mona K Khandar has been appointed Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. Gyanendra D Tripathi will take charge as Additional Secretary in the Department of Agricultural Research and Education and will also serve as Secretary of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research. Vishal Gagan has been appointed Secretary of the Central Information Commission in the rank of Additional Secretary, and N Gulzar will serve as Member Secretary of the National Capital Region Planning Board under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs. Diwakar Nath Misra has been appointed Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Power, while Debasish Prusty will take on the role of Additional Secretary in the Department of Financial Services under the Ministry of Finance. Sridhar Chiruvolu has also been elevated to the position of Additional Secretary in the Prime Minister’s Office. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
31 March,2026 08:59 PM IST | New Delhi | IANSAs many as 41.41 lakh ineligible ration cards were deleted in 2025, with maximum in Haryana, followed by Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal, according to the government data placed before Parliament on Tuesday. According to PTI, about 13.43 lakh ineligible ration cards were deleted in Haryana, 6.05 lakh in Rajasthan, 5.97 lakh in Uttar Pradesh, 3.74 lakh in West Bengal, and 2.60 lakh in Madhya Pradesh, as per the data given by the Minister of State for Food Nimuben Jayantibhai Bambhaniya in the Rajya Sabha. Bambhaniya, in her written reply, said as an outcome of the use of technology in the Public Distribution System (PDS), all states and Union Territories have been able to weed out ineligible ration cards in order to achieve rightful targeting. Over 41 lakh fake ration cards deleted in 2025 as PDS goes fully digital A total of 41.41 lakh fake ration cards were deleted in 2025, as against 48.85 lakh in 2024 and 41.99 lakh in 2023. Under the ongoing reforms in the PDS, the ration card and beneficiary database have been completely digitised across all states/UTs, reported PTI. Almost all fair price shops (FPS) in the country have been automated through the installation of electronic Point of Sale (ePoS) devices for the distribution of foodgrains. Further, 99.2 per cent of beneficiaries have been Aadhaar-seeded and 98.75 per cent of foodgrain distribution is being carried out through digital authentication modes, including Aadhaar biometric and iris authentication. "Digitisation of the PDS aims to enhance efficiency and transparency to ensure rightful targeting of beneficiaries, and address challenges such as leakages and diversion of foodgrains," the minister added, reported PTI. (With inputs from PTI)
31 March,2026 07:30 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentAround 5,72,000 passengers have returned from the West Asia region to India and with the Qatar airspace partially open, around 8–10 non-scheduled commercial flights are expected to operate to the country on Tuesday, the government said. In the UAE, around 85 flights are expected to operate across the day. Limited non-scheduled flights continue based on operational and safety considerations. Flights continue to operate from Oman and Saudi Arabia to India, according to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). Kuwait and Bahrain airspaces remain closed. Special non-scheduled commercial flights are operating from Dammam Airport in Saudi Arabia to various destinations in India. "In view of the airspace closure in Iran, travel of Indian nationals is being facilitated through Armenia and Azerbaijan. In view of airspace restrictions in Israel, travel of Indian nationals is being facilitated via Egypt and Jordan," said the ministry. In view of the airspace closure in Iraq, travel of Indian nationals is being facilitated through Jordan and Saudi Arabia, it added. Regular contact is being maintained with the Indian community in the region, with necessary assistance being extended and advisories issued for their safety and well-being. According to the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, all Indian seafarers in the region are safe, and no incident involving Indian-flagged vessels was reported in the past 24 hours. According to the government, 18 Indian-flagged vessels with 485 Indian seafarers remain in the western Persian Gulf region and DG Shipping, in coordination with ship owners, RPSL agencies and Indian Missions, is actively monitoring the situation. DG Shipping has facilitated the safe repatriation of over 959 Indian seafarers so far, including 9 in the last 24 hours. Port operations across India remain normal with no congestion, with the state maritime boards of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, and Puducherry having confirmed smooth functioning. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
31 March,2026 05:34 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
