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Chinese companies providing overseas services to Indian subsidiaries may escape tax: ITAT
In a landmark decision, the Delhi Income Tax Appellate Tribunal has determined that Chinese firms offering services from overseas are not liable for Indian taxes. This ruling contrasts with a Mumbai bench decision made in 2010 regarding taxation policies on foreign services. The tribunal's finding is advantageous for Chinese companies supplying centralized services to Indian entities during the digital age.
Workout after work: India Inc flexes its fitness muscle
Employers in India are enhancing workplace fitness programs to promote well-being and active lifestyles among employees. Companies like Procter & Gamble and InMobi now offer gym facilities and wellness initiatives. The demand for fitness programs is rising among mid-sized businesses and startups, providing greater access to wellness resources.
Care comes at a cost: India's ageing population exposes a broken caregiving system
India's rapidly ageing population is driving demand for caregivers, but the sector faces a shortage of trained workers, low wages, poor working conditions and uneven recruitment standards. High costs burden families, while inadequate training and job security undermine care quality. Experts call for professional recognition, better pay and structured training.
Workout after work: India Inc flexes its fitness muscle as employers make workplace wellness harder to skip
Indian companies are expanding workplace fitness programmes, offering employees access to office gyms, group exercise classes, personal training, sports facilities and memberships across multiple locations. Procter & Gamble, InMobi and Walmart Global Tech are among the employers investing in employee wellness, while fitness providers Cult for Corporates and Fit.Zone report growing corporate demand. The focus is increasingly shifting from offering fitness as an employee perk to encouraging greater participation and making healthy routines part of the working day.
In 2020, Miami sank 73 concrete sections from the SW 1st Street Bridge to create an artificial reef; the pieces now provide habitat 8 feet above the seabed
In an innovative environmental move, Miami-Dade County has submerged sections of a demolished bridge to form artificial reefs. This effort is designed to foster diverse marine life, including fish, sponges, and corals. While studies indicate that concrete is superior for building these reefs, they still fall short of the biodiversity found in natural settings. This undertaking could inspire similar projects in coastal cities nationwide.
DA hike: Diwali bonanza for UP govt employees, 63% raise announced; revised rates effective from July 1
The revised allowance will be reflected in the November salary, while the arrears for the preceding four months will be deposited separately into their provident fund accounts. The announcement comes ahead of Diwali, with the revised allowance set to benefit a large section of the state's workforce.
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EPFO total contributions expected to rise by 25% in 2027-28 due to wage ceiling increase
EPFO is forecasting a major increase in its total contributions for the financial year 2027-28. The wage ceiling has been raised to ₹25,000 from ₹15,000, effective September 17. Total contributions for the current year are estimated to exceed previous budgeted amounts significantly. Additionally, the board will consider investing up to 3% in alternative investment funds.
Marathwada Water Grid project to get Rs 20,000 crore JICA funding: Devendra Fadnavis
Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has responded positively to providing a loan of around Rs 20,000 crore for the first phase of Maharashtra's Marathwada Water Grid project. The initiative will connect water-surplus dams to water-scarce areas through 3,095 km of pipelines, benefiting around one crore people across four districts.
TRAI moots satellite network-as-a-service model, bars infra providers from directly serving users
TRAI has recommended a new framework for satellite communications, which includes authorising satellite network providers. These providers can offer infrastructure and capacity services to eligible telecom operators without directly serving consumers. The framework also enables potential direct-to-device connectivity using satellite and terrestrial mobile spectrum. Authorised providers will have an authorisation period of up to 20 years, with possible renewal.
"Allegation is baseless...no evidence provided": CJP's Saurav Das hits back at Jitendra Singh over foreign funding claims
The escalating war of words followed statements by Union MoS Jitendra Singh, who alleged that CJP activists are being funded by unauthorised foreign sources, deep state operatives, and anti-India organisations operating within and outside the country.
A couple helped fund a new hospital for rescued wildlife in Thailand; it opened in December 2025 to provide emergency treatment and ongoing care
A newly established wildlife hospital in Thailand aims to enhance medical care for rescued animals facing injuries and threats from exploitation or illegal wildlife trade. This state-of-the-art facility will cater to various needs, including emergency treatments and rehabilitation. Long-term care is also available for animals that cannot return to their natural habitat, highlighting the importance of ongoing funding to sustain its vital operations.
EPFO reveals conditions to join EPF, EPS and EDLI
The Ministry of Labour and Employment has raised the Employees' Provident Fund wage ceiling to enhance participation. Employees earning between Rs 15,000 and Rs 25,000 will now be required to join the schemes. Those earning less than Rs 15,000 can also opt into the schemes voluntarily. This increase in ceiling may lead to higher PF contributions and, consequently, greater retirement savings.
Oman tightens expat worker recruitment rules from January 2027; agencies must provide insurance, refunds
Effective January 1, 2027, Oman is set to enforce new, tougher rules for hiring expatriate workers, which will necessitate insurance coverage and adherence to recruitment timelines. Recruitment agencies will shoulder increased financial duties, including the possibility of refunds for employers.
US sanctions India-based couple, companies over alleged support for Iran's Shadow oil fleet
The United States imposed sanctions on Suniel Kumar Sharma and Jaspreet Preeti Shahid for aiding Iran's shadow fleet. Their network allegedly provided fraudulent maritime registrations to help sanctioned vessels transport Iranian petroleum. Several companies linked to the couple also received sanctions under Executive Order 13902. Additionally, a Turkiye-based company was sanctioned for providing services to US-designated Iranian airlines.
TRAI's new Network Anubhav platform to map real-world network speeds, call quality
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India recently introduced the Network Anubhav Platform for consumers. This new platform allows users to compare mobile and broadband networks based on location and performance. Consumers can view network tests, filter results, and make informed choices about service providers.
South Carolina used 50 retired shipping containers to create two artificial reefs in 2005; the containers were prepared to provide shelter for marine life
Off the coast of South Carolina, the innovative use of steel shipping containers as artificial reefs is becoming increasingly popular. By repurposing these structures, diverse fish species gain new habitats while supporting eco-friendly waste management. The Army National Guard collaborates with the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, ensuring that only non-toxic materials are employed in this initiative, which significantly mitigates habitat destruction in marine ecosystems.
Government clarifies GPF rules for deceased employee’s claim: Ministry reveals who among family members and nominees get GPF money
GPF for government employees: The government has provided crucial updates on the General Provident Fund (GPF) policies concerning the beneficiaries of deceased government employees. While family nominees will be entitled to the GPF funds, certain stipulations apply. In cases where valid nominees are absent, family members will inherit equal portions of the GPF sum, but exclusions are noted for adult sons and married daughters.
Happiest Minds Q2 net up 15% to Rs 62 cr, revenue rises 12%
The net profit also included an impact of `3.98 crore, incurred towards the proposed merger with ITC Infotech in Q2 FY27. Revenue for the JulySeptember period stood at `645.4 crore, up 12.5 % YoY, while it gained 2.7% quarter-on-quarter. In constant currency terms, the topline grew 6.8% year-on-year.
BLS E-Services Q2 Results: Net profit rises 12% YoY pc to Rs 20.5 cr
BLS E-Services reported a 12.4 percent year-on-year increase in profit after tax for Q2 FY27. The total income for the quarter reached Rs 428.1 crore, up 55.1 percent year-on-year. Additionally, the company's operating EBITDA rose to Rs 28.8 crore, marking a 43.8 percent increase from the previous year. The Business Correspondent segment also achieved a Gross Transaction Value of over Rs 41,400 crore.
EPFO’s WhatsApp service: You can check EPF balance, view last 5 transactions and download passbook by sending message
The launch of the EPFO WhatsApp service was announced by Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya. This new feature empowers subscribers to easily check their EPF balance, view the latest transactions, and download passbook details. Moreover, the initiative addresses automatic settlements for dormant accounts, benefiting around one lakh users whose balance falls under Rs 1,000, thereby simplifying processes and minimizing the necessity for in-person visits.
Vultr eyes 1 GW India capacity by 2029
Further, the company said it has hired more than 100 people in India over the past three months and plans thousands of additional hires in network engineering and operations by March. It also added that the Chennai workforce could eventually reach 5,000 as the facility becomes operational and services expand.
Telcos to face up to Rs 20 lakh fine per quarter per circle for complaint redressal lapses
Telecom Regulatory Authority of India has introduced new rules for telecom operators and internet providers to enhance complaint redressal. These providers will face penalties up to Rs 20 lakh if they fail to resolve consumer complaints quickly. The rules require complaint centres to operate 24 hours with human representatives available for assistance. Consumers will now have a shorter time frame of 15 days to appeal complaint resolutions.
Experts say health technology, preventive healthcare at inflection point, India ready to leverage
With a focus on preventive healthcare and wellness, India is on the verge of harnessing new technological innovations. Sangita Reddy from Apollo Hospitals stresses the significance of wearable devices in spotting health issues early on. In collaboration with Apollo Hospitals, Garmin Health is targeting rural health efforts and highlighting the event's health technology strides.
Has EPFO extended ECR filing deadline from October 31, 2026? What employers need to know
Employers must file the Electronic Challan-cum-Return for September 2026 by October 31, 2026. The EPFO extended the previous deadline to accommodate changes in contribution calculations due to the new wage ceiling. For the period of September 1 to 16, contributions are calculated at Rs 15,000, while from September 17 onward, they will be at Rs 25,000.
Upstox secures bond platform licence, to launch direct offerings soon
Upstox has been offering bonds through IndiaBonds, following a partnership announced in September 2025. The new licence will allow the company to offer the instruments directly instead of relying on a third-party bond platform.
Polymarket paused international trading after a security issue involving a third-party provider
Trading was paused for about an hour and resumed Thursday afternoon. The company has promised to fully reimburse any affected traders.
Nvidia in talks to give credit support for Nscale's deal with Anthropic
Nvidia is in talks to offer AI cloud provider Nscale billions of dollars in credit guarantees to support debt funding for a data center earmarked for Anthropic, The Information reported on Thursday, citing people with knowledge of the talks.
Fintechs to lay out a code for technology vendors amid rising cyberthreats and security risks
Unified Fintech Forum is developing a framework to encourage best practices among technology service providers. This initiative aims to improve cybersecurity preparedness and operational resilience in the fintech sector. Banks and fintech companies increasingly rely on third-party vendors for various services and their failures can impact regulated entities. Registration with the Forum may provide these vendors with preference during selection by financial institutions.
Is EPFO set to invest in startups, AIFs? Report says provident fund body is working on guidelines
Employees' Provident Fund Organisation plans to establish rules for investments in alternative investment funds. The organization is considering allocating up to 3% of new annual accretions to AIFs for diverse investments.
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