You don’t have permission to access “http://www.ndtv.com/india-news/ndtv-indian-of-the-year-2025-live-updates-sports-entertainment-science-ndtv-honours-ideas-inspiration-impact-9845570” on this server.
Reference #18.2ef63717.1766148988.4b5eb23
https://errors.edgesuite.net/18.2ef63717.1766148988.4b5eb23
Singer B Praak took to his Instagram to announce that he and his wife, Meera Bachan, have been blessed with a baby boy. The singer dropped a picture of Lord Krishna in his baby avatar with a cow and a calf alongside. The couple expressed gratitude and joy in their collaboration post. Let’s take a look at it.
The caption on the image further read, “By the divine grace of RadheShyam, we are blessed with a baby boy on December 1, 2025. Our hearts overflow with gratitude and joy. The sun rises again, bringing light, hope, and new beginnings into our lives.”The ‘Teri Mitti’ hitmaker also revealed the name of their newborn. Along with that, the couple also explained the meaning of it in their collaboration post. They lovingly named him Ddvij Bachan. The caption on the image read, “DDVIJ BACHAN. Twice Born—A Spiritual Rebirth.”Meanwhile, the caption of the post read, “Sab Radhe Radhe Hai. Jay Shree Krushna.” Take a look at the post here. Soon, netizens flooded the comment section with congratulatory messages. The dropped heart and fire emojis on the post.
B Praak, whose real name is Pratik Bachan, and his wife, Meera Bachan, are popular in the Punjabi music industry. The couple got married in the year 2019. They were blessed with their first child, a boy, in the year 2020. In 2022, they had announced the loss of their second child, a boy, shortly after his birth. B Praak had posted, “With the deepest pain we have to announce that our new born baby has passed away at the time of birth. It is the most painful phase we are going through as parents. We would like to thank all the doctors and the staff for their endless efforts and support (folded hands emoji). We are all devastated at this loss, and we request you all to kindly give us our privacy at this time (folded hands emoji). Yours, Meera and B Praak.“
NEW DELHI: Tamil Nadu chief electoral officer Archana Patnaik on Friday said the draft electoral roll, after the Special Intensive Revision (SIR), for the state now includes 5,43,76,755 voters, comprising 2.66 crore women and 2.77 crore men.She said that prior to the SIR, the poll-bound state had around 6.41 crore registered voters, and the exercise led to the deletion of 97,37,832 names from the rolls.According to Patnaik, the deletions included 26.94 lakh voters who had died, 66.44 lakh voters who had permanently shifted or migrated, and 3,39,278 duplicate entries where individuals were found to be registered in more than one place.She added that among those marked as migrated, 66,44,881 persons were found not residing at their registered addresses after three rounds of door-to-door verification conducted across the state.The SIR in the DMK-ruled state was conducted amid vehement opposition by chief minister MK Stalin, whose party filed a petition in the Supreme Court against the major roll-revision exercise in the southern state.“To prevent this anti-democratic move, we convened an all-party meeting and passed a resolution condemning the SIR. The Election Commission’s decision to carry out a full revision of the electoral roll just months before the election is part of a well-planned strategy to delete legitimate voters,” CM Stalin said while criticising the Election Commission’s electoral roll sanitisation exercise.Also read: Nearly 74 lakh names deleted from Gujarat rolls; EC opens window for objectionsCM Stalin added that the same tactic was used earlier in Bihar, where lakhs of genuine voters were allegedly “removed from the list”. He also pointed out that opposition to this controversial process had first emerged from Tamil Nadu, after which the Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who also happens to be the Lok Sabha leader of opposition, raised strong objections.“Even after a legal case was filed, the Election Commission did not give a satisfactory explanation,” CM Stalin said.Taking aim at AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami, CM Stalin accused him of “playing a double game” and being “afraid of the Election Commission due to his ties with the BJP.”He added that while migrant workers from Bihar had found livelihood and respect in Tamil Nadu, the Prime Minister was “playing political drama in Bihar for electoral gain.”SIR in GujaratNearly 74 lakh voters have been removed from Gujarat’s draft electoral rolls following the completion of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise, reducing the state’s total electorate to 4.34 crore from 5.08 crore earlier, officials said on Friday.The Election Commission published the draft electoral rolls on Friday, after which 73.73 lakh names were omitted as part of the roll-cleaning exercise, Gujarat Chief Electoral Officer Hareet Shukla said.“Before the publication of the draft rolls, Gujarat had 5,08,43,436 registered voters. After the revision, the number stands at 4,34,70,109,” Shukla said.According to the CEO’s office, the deletions included 18,07,278 deceased voters, 9,69,662 absent voters, 40,25,553 voters who had permanently migrated, 3,81,470 duplicate entries, and 1,89,364 names removed under other categories.SIR in BengalOn Tuesday, the Election Commission published a draft list of deleted voters after the SIR of the electoral rolls in West Bengal. The list features voters whose names were included in the state’s electoral rolls in 2025 but were deleted from the draft rolls of 2026.This came after the first phase of the SIR exercise ended on December 11. The second phase, which began after December 16, will involve the filing of claims and objections. The notice phase, which includes issuance, hearings, verification and decisions on enumeration forms, as well as disposal of claims and objections, will be carried out concurrently by Electoral Registration Officers (EROs).Parliament debate on SIRThe SIR issue was also debated and discussed at length during the Winter Session of the parliament, with the Leader of the Rajya Sabha JP Nadda and other key minister in the NDA government urging the opposition parties to come together to back the SIR of the electoral roll, while pointing out how West Bengal has seen a massive spike in its electorate from 4.8 crore to 7.6 crore since the last SIR in 2002.Nadda, citing ECI data during the debate in Rajya Sabha on electoral reforms, said the minimum increase in voters’ list of the 9 West Bengal districts bordering Bangladesh was 70 per cent since 2002, while the maximum had crossed 100 per cent. He shared that Uttar Dinajpur has witnessed the highest spike in electors at 105.5 per cent, Malda at 94.8 per cent, Murshidabad at 87.6 per cent, 24 Parganas at 83.5 per cent and Jalpaiguri at 82.3 per cent. What is SIRThe Election Commission of India (ECI) conducts a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls to ensure the accuracy and completeness of voter lists ahead of major elections. The exercise involves a detailed door-to-door verification to identify and remove duplicate, shifted or deceased entries while enrolling new and first-time voters.Carried out under the Representation of the People Act, 1950, the SIR aims to maintain the integrity of the electoral rolls by updating demographic details and correcting inaccuracies.During the revision, booth-level officers visit households, verify electors’ details, and facilitate claims and objections. The process is a key part of the Commission’s voter roll management, ensuring that every eligible citizen is included and the rolls reflect the most current and authentic data before elections.
Veteran lyricist and screenwriter Javed Akhtar is known for his fearless opinions and speaking his mind. The ‘Sholay’ writer once again sparked a debate by questioning the idea of women covering their faces. Speaking at a recent event, Akhtar questioned the social logic behind women being expected to cover their faces. The session was attended by students and other people as well, and quickly turned into an open and engaging exchange of views. Rather than attacking faith or personal belief, Akhtar focused on what he described as deep-rooted social conditioning. According to him, face-covering is often less about personal freedom and more about invisible pressure from society.
At the SOA Literary Festival 2025, the conversation became especially engaging during the interactive segment of the session. A young girl referred to Akhtar’s earlier remarks about growing up among women who did not wear burqas. She asked whether covering oneself automatically makes a woman less strong.Akhtar’s response was direct and unfiltered. “Why should you be ashamed of your face?” he asked, drawing attention to a question that many people rarely stop to examine.Akhtar explained that dignity in dressing should apply equally to men and women saying, “I believe that revealing clothes, whether men wear them or women, don’t look dignified. If a man comes to the office or college in a sleeveless shirt, it’s not a good thing. He should dress decently. And a woman should also be decently dressed.” However, Akhtar made it clear that modesty and face-covering are not the same thing.
Akhtar drew a clear line between dressing decently and hiding one’s face. He questioned the logic behind treating a woman’s face as something that must be concealed. “But what makes her cover her face? What is so vulgar, obscene, undignified about her face that it is covered? Why? What is the reason?” he asked, pushing the audience to think beyond tradition and habit.According to Akhtar, the idea that face-covering is always a personal choice does not hold up under closer inspection. He argued that many women are influenced by their surroundings long before they believe they are choosing freely. “This is peer pressure. If given a choice, she is brainwashed. If she says that she is doing it on her own, then she is brainwashed,” he said.He went on to explain that approval from family members and the immediate social circle plays a major role, “Because she knows that some peers in her life will appreciate that this is done.”
Taking his argument further, Akhtar questioned whether face-covering would exist in the absence of social pressure. “If you leave her, then why will anyone cover their face? Does she hate her face? Is she ashamed of her face? What? Why?” he asked.
Akhtar’s comments come at a time when discussions around women’s dignity, religion and public behaviour are already heated. Recently, a video from a government event in Patna went viral on social media, adding fuel to the ongoing debate. The clip showed Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar pulling down a woman’s hijab during a public function. The moment sparked strong reactions online, with many calling the act inappropriate and disrespectful.
Among those who reacted strongly was former actor Zaira Wasim, known for her role in ‘Dangal’. The 25-year-old actor, who quit Bollywood in 2019 as it “interfered with her faith and religion”, demanded an “unconditional apology” from Nitish Kumar.Sharing her anger on X (formerly Twitter), Zaira wrote, “A woman’s dignity and modesty are not props to toy with. Least of all on a public stage. As a Muslim woman, watching another woman’s niqab being pulled at so casually, accompanied by that nonchalant smile, was so infuriating. Power does not grant permission to violate boundaries. @NitishKumar owes that woman an unconditional apology.”
In a pulsating BBL|15 clash at Brisbane on December 19, 2025, Perth Scorchers posted a mammoth 257/6 against Brisbane Heat, setting the stage for one of the league’s most electrifying night matches. Brisbane Heat scripted history by chasing down the target in 19.5 overs, finishing at 258/2 for their highest successful BBL pursuit ever, igniting 24,277 fans into a frenzy.
Asked to bat first, the Scorchers piled up a colossal 257 for 6 in their 20 overs, scoring at a staggering pace throughout the innings. Finn Allen set the tone early, tearing into the Heat attack with a brutal 79 off just 38 balls, laced with towering sixes that silenced the home fans. Alongside him, Cooper Connolly matched the aggression, hammering 77 from 37 deliveries as the pair stitched together a commanding partnership that completely swung momentum Perth’s way.
Although Brisbane Heat managed to claw back some control in the latter stages through timely wickets from Xavier Bartlett and Jack Wildermuth, late cameos from Nick Hobson and Laurie Evans ensured the Scorchers finished with a total that looked almost unbeatable under lights.
What followed was nothing short of extraordinary. Brisbane Heat suffered an immediate blow when Colin Munro departed for a golden duck, but that early setback only set the stage for one of the greatest chases the Big Bash League has ever witnessed.
Wildermuth and Matt Renshaw produced a breathtaking counterattack, dismantling the Scorchers’ bowling with fearless strokeplay. Renshaw brought up his century in just 48 balls before being run out, while Wildermuth powered on relentlessly, remaining unbeaten on a magnificent 110. Their 212-run partnership turned a near-impossible chase into a reality, with Heat racing past landmarks at a jaw-dropping speed.
Despite Max Bryant retiring hurt late in the innings, Brisbane crossed the line with two balls to spare, finishing on 258 for 2 to complete the highest successful run chase in BBL history. The Gabba erupted as 24,000-plus fans celebrated a night that will be remembered as one of the most iconic moments the league has ever produced.
Also WATCH: Finn Allen launches a colossal 105-metre six off Jack Wildermuth in BBL|15
One of the craziest centuries in the BBL.
Matt Renshaw 🫡#BBL15 pic.twitter.com/PruqEy8MYl
— Dave (@AFC_Dev17) December 19, 2025
Matt Renshaw scored 💯 in BBL. He scored 💯 in just 48 balls. Brisbane Heat were chasing 258 and he played a crucial knock pic.twitter.com/CeDzjSXj7K
— Shivansh rajpal (@RajpalShiv46534) December 19, 2025
100 for Matt Renshaw off 48 balls with 9 Sixes.
Heat chasing 258 and need 60 off 32 Balls #BBL15 pic.twitter.com/yxhhWQuwe2
— The Cricket Express (@TheYorkerBall) December 19, 2025
What a terrific century by matt renshaw while chasing 260 pic.twitter.com/uTQAR1sZb0
— FORD🌍 (@Smileu1q) December 19, 2025
Renshaw celebrates his hundred.#MattRenshaw #BBL15 #Australia #Brisbane #BRHvPS pic.twitter.com/20CsSk1TAY
— lightningspeed (@lightningspeedk) December 19, 2025
Matt Renshaw 100 off 48 balls take a bow son what a knock. 🔥#BBL15 pic.twitter.com/ywVbULwDRP
— CRIC WEEK (@cricweek) December 19, 2025
Century for Jack Wildermuth as well 💪
Are Brisbane Heat chasing this massive target ?#BBL15 pic.twitter.com/O0X07TCv70— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) December 19, 2025
Jack Wildermuth 💯
100 off 46 balls 🤯
5️⃣ fours | 9️⃣ sixes
Strike Rate: 217.39 🚀
What a partnership. What a night! 🔥👀#BBL #BigBash #PSL11— Muhammad Sajeel (@sajeel1995) December 19, 2025
Another Magnificent TON in same by Jack Wildermuth #BBL15 pic.twitter.com/uMFLiZRi92
— Swapnesh Mall Kshatriya (@Itskshatriya) December 19, 2025
Jack Wildermuth taken only 46 balls to reach his 💯 #BIGBASH https://t.co/h0aAXt8nsF pic.twitter.com/A4OHprukOA
— Rithik Rajeev Yadav (@Rithikdb5) December 19, 2025
India and Oman are aiming to operationalise their recently signed Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) within the next three months, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said on Friday, signalling a faster rollout than several past trade pacts, PTI reported.The India–Oman free trade agreement was signed on December 18. Under the CEPA, Oman has offered zero-duty access on more than 98 per cent of its tariff lines, covering 99.38 per cent of India’s exports to the Gulf country. At present, these products attract import duties ranging from 5 per cent to as high as 100 per cent.
“All major labour-intensive sectors will get nil duty,” Goyal said, listing gems and jewellery, textiles, leather, footwear, sports goods, plastics, furniture, agricultural products, engineering goods, pharmaceuticals, medical devices and automobiles as key beneficiaries.On the Indian side, New Delhi has offered tariff concessions on 77.79 per cent of its total tariff lines, or 12,556 product categories, which together account for 94.81 per cent of India’s imports from Oman by value.“The Oman minister and I have discussed that this agreement, we will try to operationalise within three months,” Goyal told reporters, contrasting the timeline with Oman’s earlier trade deal with the US, which was finalised in 2006 but implemented only in 2009.Highlighting investment opportunities, Goyal said sectors such as steel, energy, education and healthcare held strong potential for Indian companies in Oman, particularly resource-linked industries. He pointed to a large green steel project in the pipeline and growing interest in converting energy into green hydrogen or green ammonia for exports.“There is a lot of interest because they have large land banks,” he said, adding that opportunities also exist in marble processing, battery manufacturing, education and healthcare.Goyal said Omani businesses were keen to partner with Indian firms, citing interest from an Omani dairy company in forming a joint venture with Amul. He added that Oman’s sovereign wealth fund and companies had been invited to explore investments in India.
NEW DELHI: Sri Lanka on Friday named Dasun Shanaka as captain of its preliminary 25-member squad for the T20 World Cup, removing Charith Asalanka from the leadership role after he returned home from Pakistan midway through the triangular series.Pramodaya Wickramasingha, who has returned as chairman of selectors, said Asalanka’s poor batting form and Shanaka’s experience of playing three previous World Cups led to the decision.“Shanaka’s role will be of an all-rounder. When I stopped being a selector, Shanaka was the captain. Charith (Asalanka) was in our long term plans then,” Wickramasingha said.Asalanka had been under scrutiny since he left the white-ball tour of Pakistan last month citing safety concerns after a suicide bomb explosion in Islamabad that killed nine people. During the bilateral ODI series, Asalanka, who was leading the side, wanted the tour abandoned and allegedly urged some teammates to return home. Sri Lanka Cricket did not agree with the demand and warned of action. The team later stayed on, with the final two matches rescheduled.Asalanka returned home before the triangular T20 series, officially due to ill health, following which Shanaka took over the captaincy. Days later, Asalanka has been removed as captain for the World Cup squad.Wickramasingha said the selectors wanted to reduce Asalanka’s leadership burden ahead of home series against Pakistan and England. Asalanka remains part of the squad as a batter.“We hope he will regain his batting form. In consultation with Sanath Jayasuriya (the head coach) we decided it was not the time to make too many changes. So we decided to go with the same squad,” he said.On Niroshan Dickwella’s return, Wickramasingha said he was considered for multiple roles. “As an opener, a reserve wicket keeper or even a middle order batter.”He added that going forward, the coach would also share responsibility for team performance. “We will have targets for fitness for example. I will hold the trainer responsible if the players were not able to meet the required fitness level,” he said.Sri Lanka have been placed in a group with Australia, Ireland, Zimbabwe and Oman in the tournament, which begins on February 7.Sri Lanka Squad: Dasun Shanaka (Captain), Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Kamil Mishara, Kusal Perera, Dhananjaya de Silva, Niroshan Dickwella, Janith Liyanage, Charith Asalanka, Kamindu Mendis, Pavan Rathnayake, Sahan Arachchige, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, Milan Rathnayake, Nuwan Thushara, Eshan Malinga, Dushmantha Chameera, Pramod Madushan, Matheesha Pathirana, Dilshan Madushanka, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushan Hemantha, Vijayakanth Viyaskanth and Traveen Mathew.
NEW DELHI: Danger man Travis Head smashed his fourth century in as many Tests at the Adelaide Oval on Friday as Australia surged to a commanding 356-run lead over England, moving to the brink of retaining the Ashes. The hosts reached 271 for 4 at stumps on day three of the third Test, with Head unbeaten on 142 and first-innings centurion Alex Carey on 52*, effectively putting the five-match series beyond England’s grasp.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!England must win the match after suffering heavy defeats inside two days in Perth and inside four days in Brisbane, both by eight wickets. However, the task appears monumental, with the highest successful run chase at the venue being 316, achieved by Australia against England back in 1902.
Head’s crucial 11th Test hundred came off a composed 146 balls, though he almost fell short after being dropped on 99 by Harry Brook. He has now struck centuries in four consecutive Tests at his home ground, following knocks of 140 against India last year and 119 and 175 against the West Indies.Australia had an early wobble in a tense passage before lunch after England were bowled out for 286, led by Ben Stokes’ gritty 83 in reply to Australia’s first-innings total of 371. Bryson Carse trapped Jake Weatherald lbw for one, with the batter walking without a review despite replays suggesting the ball pitched outside leg stump.That moment briefly lifted England, but Head shut the door after the interval, peppering the boundary with cuts and chops. Marnus Labuschagne departed for 13, edging Josh Tongue to Brook at slip, while Usman Khawaja, fresh from a defiant first-innings 82, fell for 40, caught behind off Will Jacks. Cameron Green followed soon after for seven.After negotiating the nervous 90s, Head reached his century with a four off Joe Root, removing his helmet to kiss the turf before celebrating. Though not as explosive as his 69-ball ton in Perth, it was a vital innings, well supported by Carey.Gutsy Stokes After a poor batting display on Thursday, Stokes and Jofra Archer revived England with a fighting 106-run stand for the ninth wicket. Resuming at 213 for 8, Stokes battled cramps and dehydration to bring up his slowest Test fifty, off 159 balls, before being bowled by Mitchell Starc with the new ball.Archer provided admirable support and was the last man out for 51, his maiden Test half-century, caught by Labuschagne off Scott Boland. Boland finished with 3 for 45, while Pat Cummins claimed 3 for 69 on his return to Test cricket.England’s troubles began earlier when Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett and Ollie Pope fell in a rapid burst, with only Harry Brook’s 45 offering brief resistance as Australia’s attack kept relentless pressure.
A day after the enforcement of BS-VI compliance and mandatory pollution-under-control certificates at Delhi’s border points and petrol pumps, awareness among commuters appeared to have increased on Friday, with many people voluntarily producing documents before refuelling.Nischal Singhania, president of the Delhi Petrol Dealers’ Association, told PTI that queues at pollution-under-control (PUC) certification centres remained unchanged, while fuel sales had taken a hit in some border areas.“Earlier, there was uncertainty about how long the ‘No PUC, No Fuel’ rule would continue. Now, it is clear that it will remain in force till GRAP-IV is in place. Sales have dipped in border areas. Pump owners in Badarpur reported a decline yesterday, and the trend has continued,” he said.Singhania, however, said compliance levels had improved. “Customers are themselves taking out their PUC certificates while coming to refuel. This is a positive sign,” he added.Despite the overall increase in awareness, checks were not uniformly enforced across the city. At a few petrol pumps, commuters reported that no verification was carried out on Friday.Piyush, a commuter at a petrol pump on Rohtak Road, said he could buy fuel without being asked for his PUC certificate and that there was no visible police or enforcement presence at the site.Another commuter, Bhushan Singh, travelling from Gulabi Bagh to his workplace, said the situation at the pump he visited was “like any other day”.Meanwhile, teams from the traffic police and transport department were deployed at city entry points, toll plazas and petrol pumps to check PUC certificates and BS-VI compliance.Traffic personnel were also stationed at key intersections with smart number plate recognition devices to verify documents and issue challans, even as some motorists requested leniency during the checks.Several motorists approaching the Bijwasan toll plaza on the Dwarka Expressway were seen slowing down abruptly after spotting enforcement barricades and Delhi Traffic Police personnel positioned just ahead of the toll point.As traffic personnel flagged down vehicles for document verification, a noticeable number of cars could be seen taking sudden U-turns, heading back towards the Gurugram side to evade inspection.The scene near the toll plaza reflected heightened enforcement under the ongoing restrictions, with traffic police teams stationed strategically on the carriageway.Vehicles were stopped intermittently, while others slowed down considerably upon seeing personnel in reflective jackets checking registration numbers and pollution-related documents on the spot. Some drivers, after briefly halting and assessing the situation, chose to turn back, causing brief congestion on the expressway.“A deployment near toll plazas is always strategic,” a senior traffic police officer said.He further said drivers automatically reduce their speed when they see enforcement teams close to toll points. It becomes easier for traffic personnel to stop vehicles smoothly and check papers without causing major traffic disruption.He added that the department has already taken steps to ensure motorists are aware of the latest restrictions.“We have pasted information boards at various Delhi-UP and Haryana-Delhi border points clearly explaining the rules and different norms under the recently enforced GRAP-IV. The idea is to ensure compliance through awareness, not just penal action,” the officer said.According to the officer, enforcement has been significantly scaled up across the national capital.“More than 100 teams of the Delhi Traffic Police have been deployed at vulnerable entry and exit points, including expressways, highways and border areas.These teams are tasked with checking vehicle documents, ensuring adherence to pollution norms and preventing the entry of restricted vehicles into Delhi,” he added.
When senior ministers began promising a $5-trillion Indian economy by 2024–25, it was sold as a near-term milestone that would change everyday life — more jobs, better infrastructure, bigger pay packets. In late 2022, home minister Amit Shah even declared that “India will become a 5 trillion dollar economy by 2025.”Three years on, the goalpost has quietly shifted.The IMF’s latest numbers now suggest India is likely to cross the $5-trillion mark only around 2028–29, not mid-decade. A widely cited analysis of the IMF’s October 2025 database, for instance, projects India’s nominal GDP at about $4.125 trillion in 2025-26 and roughly $4.96 trillion in 2027-28 — just shy of the magic figure, implying $5 trillion only in FY29.
So the headline target is delayed by roughly three to four years. But what does that actually do to your money life — your salary hikes, EMIs, investments and the price of everyday goods?
First, it’s worth stressing what hasn’t changed.The IMF still expects India to be the world’s fastest-growing major economy, with real GDP growth around 6.2–6.6% in 2025–26, even after modest downgrades. The RBI is even more upbeat, pegging FY26 growth at 7.3%, and projecting inflation at just 2% — well below its 4% target. The delay is less about growth collapsing, and more about how we count “$5 trillion”:
In April 2025, the IMF’s World Economic Outlook projected India’s nominal GDP at around $4.19 trillion in 2025, enough to nudge past Japan and become the world’s fourth-largest economy. That sounds impressive — but it still leaves a gap of roughly $800 billion before the 5-trillion milestone.On top of that, the rupee has slid to record lows near Rs 91 to the dollar, and the IMF has just reclassified India’s exchange-rate regime as a “crawl-like arrangement,” noting that the currency has weakened about 4% this year with higher volatility. A cheaper rupee means that the same rupee GDP translates into fewer dollars, pushing the 5-trillion finish line further out.Put simply: the real economy is doing decently; the dollar math is not.
For your paycheque, the good news is that a delay in the $5-trillion headline doesn’t automatically mean fewer jobs or pay cuts.
In practice, that suggests:
So your salary hike may not suddenly vanish because we hit $5 trillion in 2029 instead of 2026-27. But the longer it takes to scale up the economy, the longer it takes for per-capita incomes to meaningfully rise. IMF-based estimates already show India’s per-capita income doubling from about $1,400 in 2013–14 to around $2,880 in 2025 — progress, but still far from upper-middle-income comfort.
The delayed 5-trillion timeline is emerging just as India enters a low-inflation, low-rate phase.
For your wallet, that has a clear split:
The twist: a weaker rupee and US tariffs put a ceiling on how far the RBI can cut. If the rupee slides too fast, imported inflation (especially fuel) can come back, forcing the central bank to pause.So don’t plan your finances around an endless rate-cut party. Think of this as a window to refinance expensive loans and rebalance your savings, not a permanent new normal.
The rupee’s fall to around Rs 91 per dollar is not just a headline for traders; it shows up across middle-class budgets. Here’s where you’re likely to feel it most:
There are winners too:
From a 5-trillion-dollar perspective, though, a weaker rupee is precisely what delays the milestone, because every rupee of GDP converts into fewer dollars.
Another, less visible effect of delayed dollar GDP is on government finances.
For citizens, that could mean:
The risk is that if growth disappoints or tariffs bite harder than expected, future governments may resort to “stealth” revenue raisers: higher sin taxes, user charges, or fewer exemptions. That’s where a slower march to $5 trillion can intersect harshly with everyday budgets.
For investors, the IMF’s new timeline is less a reason to panic and more a cue to adjust expectations.None of this is personalised financial advice, but the broad message is clear: build plans around realistic 6–7% growth and a gently weakening rupee, not around political timelines for $5 trillion.
Finally, the uncomfortable but important point: crossing $5 trillion changes very little overnight.Even today, at a little over $4 trillion in GDP and per-capita income of under $3,000, India hosts both a booming elite consumer class and millions still stuck in precarious informal work. Whether the macro number hits five twelve quarters earlier or later matters far less than:
The IMF’s new timetable is a reality check: you can’t wish away exchange-rate arithmetic and global shocks with slogans. But it’s not a verdict of failure either. India is still on course to be the world’s third-largest economy within a decade; it will just get there via a slightly longer, more volatile road than originally advertised.For your wallet, that means this: plan for a marathon, not a sprint — steady income upskilling, disciplined saving, diversified investments, and realistic expectations. The $5-trillion headline will eventually come. Whether you personally feel prosperous when it does will depend far more on the financial choices you make in the years in between.
