Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has processed nearly 99 per cent of applications seeking higher contributions to secure increased pensions under the Employees’ Pension Scheme (EPS) 1995, Parliament was informed Monday.Minister of state for labour & employment Shobha Karandlaje, in a written reply to Lok Sabha, said the EPFO has acted to implement directions issued in the Supreme Court judgment of November 4, 2022, within a stipulated time frame.An online facility allowed pensioners and members to submit applications for validation of joint options. A total of 17.49 lakh applications were successfully submitted by the deadline of July 11, 2023, out of which around 15.24 lakh were forwarded by employers to EPFO by January 31, 2025, she added, as reported by PTI.As of November 24, 2025, nearly all applications received by EPFO have been disposed of, Karandlaje informed the House. She said 4,27,308 demand letters were issued, with 34,060 cases later found ineligible, mainly due to non-remittance of the demand amount.Of the applicants who complied, around 2,33,303 have deposited the demand amount or given consent. Among them, 96,274 are still in service while 1,37,029 have already retired. For the retired, Pension Payment Orders (PPOs) have been issued to roughly 1,24,457 applicants, with 12,572 PPOs under finalization.Karandlaje highlighted the fairness of the scheme, noting that the pro-rata calculation under Para 12 of the EPS treats both pensioners under the wage ceiling and those with higher salaries equitably. “The Supreme Court also did not find the same ultra-vires,” she said.The EPS 1995 is a ‘Defined Contribution-Defined Benefit’ social security plan. The Employees’ Pension Fund corpus is made up of contributions by employers at 8.33 per cent of wages and by the central government at 1.16 per cent of wages, up to Rs 15,000 per month. All benefits under the scheme are paid from these accumulations, which are valued annually. The March 31, 2019, valuation showed an actuarial deficit.To support pensioners, the government provides a minimum monthly pension of Rs 1,000, in addition to the annual budgetary contribution of 1.16 per cent of wages.Reaffirming the government’s commitment, Karandlaje said, “The Government of India is committed to ensure maximum benefits for workers under the EPS-95 scheme, duly taking into consideration the health of the respective funds as well as the future liabilities thereon.”

Indian automobile industry showed robust growth in November 2025 as major automakers reported strong sales, driven by steady domestic demand, rising exports, and growing electric vehicle adoption. As the calendar year neared its end, these figures indicated an industry regaining momentum amid improved supply conditions and government-friendly policies, including GST reforms that positively impacted sales.Maruti Suzuki Maruti Suzuki India Limited achieved its highest-ever monthly sales at 229,021 units in November 2025. Domestic sales accounted for 174,593 units, sales to other OEMs were 8,371 units, and exports reached a record 46,057 units, reported ANI.Compared to November 2024, when total sales were 181,531 units, this marks a significant year-on-year increase. The company’s domestic passenger vehicle sales rose from 141,312 to 170,971 units.For the April-November period of FY 2025-26, Maruti Suzuki’s combined domestic and export sales reached 1,528,650 units, up from 1,451,383 units in the previous fiscal, highlighting India’s growing role as a key manufacturing hub for the automaker.Hyundai India Hyundai Motor India Limited recorded total sales of 66,840 units in November 2025, reflecting a 9.1% increase from last year. Domestic sales reached 50,340 units, while exports surged 26.9% to 16,500 units.Commenting on the performance, Tarun Garg, Wholetime Director and COO, said the growth was “supported by GST 2.0 reforms,” and the company remains committed to “bolstering India’s role as a global manufacturing hub.”He added that the all-new Hyundai VENUE, the company’s first software-defined vehicle in India, “set new benchmarks in the compact SUV segment,” recording over 32,000 bookings within a month of launch.Tata MotorsTata Motors Passenger Vehicles Ltd. reported total sales of 59,199 units in November 2025, a 25.6% increase from 47,117 units last year. Domestic passenger vehicle sales, including electric vehicles, rose 22% to 57,436 units.The company’s international business grew sharply, with exports increasing to 1,763 units from just 54 units last year. Electric vehicle sales also jumped 52.1% year-on-year to 7,911 units, reflecting the growing adoption of EVs in India.Toyota KirloskarToyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) recorded total sales of 33,752 units in November 2025, including 30,085 domestic units and 3,667 exported units, a 28% increase from 26,323 units in November 2024.Varinder Wadhwa, Vice President, Sales-Service-Used Car Business, TKM, said, “Following a positive festive season supported by the government’s progressive GST reforms, we continue to witness a strong momentum, with a growth of 28 per cent. The recent introduction of the Urban Cruiser Hyryder Aero Edition and Fortuner Leader Edition has also continued to help us reinforce this growth trajectory, receiving recognition across the country,” as quoted by ANI.

Union Cabinet’s approval of a Rs 7,280 crore rare earth permanent magnet (REPM) scheme has been welcomed by industry executives as a major boost to India’s EV and electronics supply chains. The programme aims to create 6,000 metric tonnes per annum of integrated REPM capacity through five globally bid projects, supported by sales-linked incentives and capital subsidies over a seven-year period.For the first time, India will support end-to-end REPM manufacturing, from rare earth oxides to finished magnets. The initiative aims to reduce import dependence and meet the growing demand from electric vehicles, renewable energy, industrial electronics, and defence.Rajoo Goel, secretary-general of the Electronic Industries Association of India, said the scheme is “a first of its kind initiative focused on the core of the supply chain for electronics.” He added that rare earth magnets are crucial for electric motors, defence systems, renewable energy, computer hard drives, and smaller electronics like smartphones.Experts highlight critical role of REPMsIndustry leaders emphasised the programme’s strategic importance for electronics manufacturing. Mayank Shrivastava, professor at the Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, and cofounder of AGNIT Semiconductors, said the programme is “as critical as building fabs” because advanced electronics depend on magnetic materials as much as on silicon.”Vivek Tyagi, executive council member at the India Electronics and Semiconductor Association, noted that the initiative could quickly reduce import dependence for two- and three-wheeler manufacturers while also benefiting four-wheeler players over time.The REPM scheme is seen as complementary to the India Semiconductor Mission and other electronics initiatives. ASIP Technologies CEO Venkata Simhadri said the REPM push, along with semiconductor incentives, addresses key elements of the EV supply chain, “from permanent magnet motors on the mechanical side to compound semiconductor-based motor control and battery charging systems on the electronics side.”EMS and Fabless firms expect supply chain benefitsElectronics manufacturing services (EMS) companies anticipate indirect benefits from improved magnet availability. Syrma SGS managing director Jasbir Singh Gujral said a domestic magnet ecosystem “will indirectly help EMS companies by making the supply of magnet-based components more predictable and reducing the risk of supply chain disruptions.”An EMS executive, speaking on condition of anonymity, called the scheme “very well curated…coming at the apt time” and added, “There is a belief that the investments are going to come in. And this is again de-risking from the borderland country which is absolutely prudent.”For fabless semiconductor firms, the initiative signals India’s intent to deepen hardware value chains. BigEndian Semiconductors cofounder Sunil Kumar noted that gestation-heavy incentive schemes tend to favour established large organisations, but stressed that “innovation often comes from smaller challengers, making it important for policy to be calibrated to company size.”Boosting MSMEs, startups, innovationAcademia and skill-development experts see the REPM programme as a catalyst for MSME-focused electronics clusters, generating jobs and nurturing startups in REPM and related applications. T Senthil Siva Subramanian of Hindustan College of Science and Technology said such clusters could feed into initiatives like “Vocal for Local” and “One District One Product” while advancing UN Sustainable Development Goals.Experts also highlighted the strategic significance of domestic REPM capacity. Subramanian noted that local design and production capabilities could enhance India’s global standing in high-tech manufacturing and drive innovation in rare earth magnet-based products, which are vital across defence, medical devices, nuclear research, and precision agriculture.Industry consensus suggests that the REPM scheme, while long-term, could become a foundational layer supporting EVs, robotics, semiconductors, and flexible electronics, reinforcing India’s position in the global technology supply chain.

Photo credit: X/@TheHockeyIndia

NEW DELHI: India started their Junior Women’s Hockey World Cup campaign with a one-sided result, running over Namibia 13-0 in their first game on Monday.Hina Bano and Kanika Siwach scored a hat-trick each, as India registered their biggest win in the event’s history. Along with Hina’s goals (35′, 35′, 45′) and Kanika’s strikes (12′, 30′, 45′), Sakshi Rana (10′, 23′) scored twice. Binima Dhan (14′), Sonam (14′), Sakshi Shukla (27′), Ishika (36′) and Manisha (60′) also scored for India. The result placed India at the top of the group standings. India scored four goals in four minutes to take early control. Sakshi began the scoring with a reverse flick. Kanika made it 2-0 with a strong finish. Binima added the third after a direct run, and Sonam scored the fourth following a sequence of passes, giving India a 4-0 lead at the end of the first quarter. India continued to press with Sakshi getting her second goal after a run that ended with a firm strike. Namibia tried to push forward for an opening but was stopped repeatedly by India’s midfield. India scored again through Sakshi, who converted a penalty-corner dragflick. Kanika added her second goal just before half-time to make it 7-0. India kept control in the second half. Hina scored her first goal of the tournament with a hit into the top corner. She added another soon after, taking advantage of a loose restart from Namibia. Ishika scored the tenth goal after a rebound from a penalty corner. Another penalty-corner deflection came to Hina, and she completed her hat-trick. Kanika then scored her third from a penalty corner, taking India’s lead to 12-0 at the end of the third quarter. India made some changes in the final quarter but continued to create chances. Manisha scored from a penalty corner to complete a 13-0 win in India’s first match of the tournament.

Former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan’s son Kasim Khan on Monday accused the jail authorities of doing “something irreversible” to his father amid the ongoing speculations about his whereabouts.Speaking to news agency Reuters , Kasim said that the family has had no direct or verifiable contact with Khan, despite a judicial order for weekly meetings.“Not knowing whether your father is safe, injured or even alive is a form of psychological torture,” he said in written remarks, adding that there had been no independently confirmed communication for a couple of months.“Today we have no verifiable information at all about his condition. Our greatest fear is that something irreversible is being hidden from us” Kasim added. Kasim and his older brother Suleiman Isa Khan, who live in London with their mother, Jemima Goldsmith, have kept a distance from Pakistan’s dynastic politics.The brothers, who call him “Abba”, have spoken publicly only sparingly mainly about Khan’s imprisonment.Kasim added that the last time they saw their father was in November 2022, when they visited Pakistan after he survived an assassination attempt.The family has repeatedly sought access for Khan’s personal physician, who has not been allowed to examine him for more than a year, he added.Meanwhile, a jail official told Reuters that Khan was in good health, adding that he was not aware of any plan for a move to a higher-security facility.Controversy swirls around the health of cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan due to a lack of transparency about his confinement conditions. His son, Kasim Khan, claims the former Pakistani prime minister has been denied visitors for the past six weeks, fueling widespread speculation that the PTI leader may not even be alive.Khan remains incarcerated in Adiala Jail, where he was first convicted and sentenced to three years in August 2023 in connection with the Al-Qadir Trust case. Since then, additional corruption charges have piled up, culminating in a 14-year sentence that marks the longest jail term handed down to the politician.Adiala Jail authorities have dismissed the mounting concerns, insisting that all necessary medical care is being provided to the PTI chief. Officials maintain that Khan is in stable condition, but have offered no further evidence to counter the rumours.

Reserve Bank of India Governor Sanjay Malhotra on Monday unveiled the National Strategy for Financial Inclusion (NSFI) 2025-30, aimed at expanding financial access and usage across India over the next five years. The strategy promotes a holistic, ecosystem-based approach to improve the quality, reach, and consistency of last-mile financial services.

Objectives focus on women, households, and micro-enterprises

At the core of the NSFI 2025-30 are five key objectives, known as ‘Panch-Jyoti’, supported by 47 action points designed to boost financial inclusion. These include a gender-sensitive approach to women-led financial initiatives and tailored strategies to strengthen the financial resilience of households, especially among underserved and vulnerable populations, according to an official RBI statement.The strategy also emphasises improving the availability and use of equitable, responsible, suitable, and affordable financial products to ensure financial safety and security for households and micro-enterprises.“The Panch-Jyoti strategy focuses on synergising livelihood, skill development, and support ecosystems and linking them with financial inclusion,” the RBI said.

Financial education and customer protection central to the plan

Governor Malhotra highlighted that the previous five-year NSFI strategy, which concluded in 2024, had successfully met its objectives. The new plan seeks to leverage financial education to promote discipline among users while strengthening customer protection and grievance redressal mechanisms for better reliability and trust in financial services.The NSFI 2025-30 has been developed under the Technical Group on Financial Inclusion and Financial Literacy (TGFIFL), following consultations nationwide with multiple stakeholders. Key participants include the Department of Economic Affairs, Department of Financial Services, Ministry of Finance, SEBI, IRDAI, PFRDA, NABARD, National Skill Development Corporation, and National Centre for Financial Education, as reported by PTI.By integrating financial literacy, livelihood support, skill development, and customer protection, the Panch-Jyoti strategy aims to create a robust, inclusive, and resilient financial ecosystem across India, strengthening access to banking and financial services for millions of households and micro-enterprises.

Rohit Sharma, Rahul Dravid (File photo/Agencies)

NEW DELHI: Ravichandran Ashwin has said India’s aggressive batting style in recent years is the result of former captain Rohit Sharma and ex-head coach Rahul Dravid’s influence.The former India off-spinner said the two pushed for a faster scoring approach in limited-overs cricket and also followed the same approach themselves, which helped change the team’s mindset in T20Is and ODIs.“Rohit as a captain has always been laying his stamp by showing the team what he wants from it. The transitional batting that India has gone through in T20 cricket and ODI cricket — the way we bat fast — a lot of credit for that goes to Rohit and Rahul bhai,” Ashwin said on his YouTube channel ‘Ash Ki Baat.’“They showed the way, Rahul bhai said this is how we have to play and Rohit showed the way, paved the way and eventually it has changed the way how India perceived batting. Batting is not average, it is purely strike rate in white ball cricket,” he added.According to Ashwin, India shifted to a more proactive plan under Rohit and Dravid after a run of disappointing ICC results. The approach was visible during the 2023 ODI World Cup in India, where the team led the league stage with an attacking method, and again during the 2024 T20 World Cup title win in the Caribbean and USA.With Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli now playing only ODI cricket after retiring from T20Is and Tests, Ashwin said fans should value the period left with them in international cricket.“I will say one thing, how much time we have to watch and enjoy Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma bat, please let’s do it because once they are done, we could hear talks like ‘oh, what a player he was! Please bring him back’. That doesn’t cut ice for me.”“For however long they play, let us celebrate them as long as they are playing. As I said, life moves on very fast. Time does not wait for anyone. It is very important that we realise that the time is less. So it is better that we enjoy whatever they are doing,” he said.

The first Test of the three-match series between New Zealand and West Indies, scheduled from December 2-6, 2025 at Hagley Oval, is set to unfold under variable weather conditions, with the highest rain risk predicted on Days 1 and 5. While the middle phase of the match is expected to enjoy clearer skies, early cloud cover, fluctuating temperatures, and brisk northwest winds may shape pitch behaviour and captaincy decisions.

NZ vs WI, 1st Test: Will rain play a spoiler?

Temperatures through the Test window are forecast to range between 8°C and 24°C, with humidity sitting between 58-73% and winds gusting up to 38 km/h. These factors are expected to assist seam bowlers, traditionally dominant at Hagley Oval. With minimal mid-Test interruptions projected, teams winning the toss on Day 1 may be tempted to bowl first and exploit the new-ball-friendly conditions.

Day 1: High rain chance and cloud cover to challenge opening hour

The opening day on December 2 brings the most unstable weather of the Test. Conditions are predicted to stay cloudy with temperatures between 8-18°C, accompanied by strong northwest winds that could reach 38 km/h, particularly in exposed pockets of the stadium.

A 25-40% probability of rain threatens to delay or disrupt the opening session. Forecast models indicate 10-20 mm of precipitation if showers align during play, prompting officials and teams to monitor updates closely. Heavy 80% cloud cover should create ideal swing conditions, giving early advantage to pacers such as Matt Henry. Batters may face a stern examination until the overhead conditions settle.

Day 2: Improved forecast with moderate seam movement expected

Conditions improve on December 3, with rain chances dipping to 20-30%, though isolated showers could still bring brief interruptions. Temperatures rise to 12-20°C, while winds ease to around 20 km/h, creating more stable playing conditions compared to Day 1.

A partly cloudy afternoon is ideal for prolonged sessions of play, but humidity hovering near 70% may still assist bowlers. Seamers from both sides – particularly New Zealand’s attack and West Indies’ Jayden Seales – are expected to benefit from the lingering movement through the air.

Day 3: Best weather window promises full day of cricket

The third day, on December 4, offers the most favourable forecast, with rain odds falling below 15%. Temperatures climb to 14-22°C, and winds ease further, settling between 15–25 km/h. Under partly sunny skies, teams should enjoy an uninterrupted day – perfect for batting as the pitch typically stabilizes by this stage.

Hagley Oval’s historical data suggests 300-plus scores are achievable on Days 3 and 4 once the early greenness fades and bounce becomes more predictable.

Day 4: Dry, warm and windy conditions set stage for big scores

December 5 remains dry with negligible rain (<10%) and temperatures ranging 16-24°C. Gusty northwest winds between 20-30 km/h may provide minor assistance to bowlers, but overall conditions strongly favour batters. Partial cloud cover near 50% should keep the pitch lively enough to prevent imbalance but allow set players to capitalise, especially during the third and fourth innings.

Also READ: NZ vs WI 2025 – Pitch Report for 1st Test, Hagley Oval Stats and Records

Day 5: Rain threat returns for potentially dramatic finish

The final day on December 6 sees a renewed rain risk between 30-50%, with temperatures dropping to 10-20°C. Forecasts warn of up to 15 mm of rainfall, which may disrupt the closing passages of the Test. If weather permits, both teams will push for a result – but early use of covers remains likely should morning showers develop.

Also READ: Breakdown of Andre Russell’s IPL salary since his debut – From 2012 to 2025

Candace Owens Net Worth in 2025: Podcast earnings, career, Charlie Kirk controversy and more (Image via Getty)

Candace Owens is a very famous American speaker and podcaster. Many people know her because she talks about politics and big news events. In 2025, she is in the news again because of her money, her podcast, and her strong comments about the death of Charlie Kirk. Candace also made new claims about the President of France. Some of her claims have no proof, and many news groups have checked them. Here is the latest confirmed information about her.

Candace Owens net Worth in 2025

Candace Owens’ net worth in 2025 is reportedly around $5 million. She earns this money from many places. She writes books, speaks at events, and runs her own podcast. She also makes money from YouTube and social media. Reports say she began a stronger independent media career in 2024 after leaving her old network. Because she works in many areas, she gets steady income from different jobs.

Candace Owens runs a popular podcast where she talks about US politics, world news, and major events. According to Britannica and Economic Times, she has a large online audience that listens to her daily shows. Her YouTube channel and social media videos also bring her money.Her strong opinions help her get a lot of views, which increases her media income. She stays active online and posts updates almost every day.

Candace Owens and the Charlie Kirk controversy

Charlie Kirk, the founder of Turning Point USA, was shot and killed in September 2025, according to Wikipedia and Times of India. After his death, Candace Owens said she did not fully believe the official story. She asked for more proof and made new claims about how he was killed.Major news groups said there is no confirmed evidence for the extra claims she shared. Some people support her questions, but many have criticized her for sharing information that is not proven.

In November 2025, Candace Owens said that French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife planned to harm her. Euronews and France24 confirmed that she gave no proof for these claims. The Macron family then filed a defamation lawsuit against her for making false statements. This lawsuit is now one of the biggest news stories linked to her in late 2025.Candace Owens remains a major media voice in the United States. She earns well, stays very active online, and continues to be at the center of debates because of her strong claims and public statements.Also Read: Candace Owens And Charlie Kirk Controversy Explained: Inside Her Statements On Erika Kirk, Emmanuel Macron And Mystery Around His Death