Mumbai: A total of 75 Maharashtra police personnel will be conferred prestigious police medals on the occasion of Republic Day, including 31 from Gadchiroli for gallantry in the fight against Naxalism. The honours include 31 Medals for Gallantry, four President’s Medals for Distinguished Service and 40 Medals for Meritorious Service.The 31 personnel from Gadchiroli police include naik constable Bitaji Veladi and constable Kare Irpa Atram, who laid down their lives in the fight against Left Wing Extremism, the official said.The 40 awardees for meritorious services from Maharashtra include inspector generals of police Rajiv Jain and Sudhir Hiremath, superintendent of police (Maharashtra ATS) Sheela Sail, deputy commissioners of police (DCP) Mohan Dahikar and Purushottam Karad, assistant commissioner of police (ACP) Mahesh Tawde, and inspector Suvarna Shinde, who is heading Mumbai’s West region cybercrime police station.The President’s Medal for Distinguished Service has been awarded to additional commissioner of police Mahesh Patil of Mumbai Police, DCP Balkrishna Yadav, and ACPs Cyrus Irani and Vitthal Kubade.The Union Home Ministry has released a list of 982 personnel from police, fire brigade, home guard, and civil defence units across the country who have been selected for gallantry and service medals, a traditional practice ahead of Republic Day. The list also includes 101 President’s Medal for Distinguished Service and 756 Medal for Meritorious Service to the officers and personnel.A break-up provided in the official statement showed that Jammu & Kashmir Police was decorated with the highest number of gallantry medals at 33, followed by Maharashtra Police at 31, Uttar Pradesh Police at 18, and Delhi Police at 14. Among the Central Armed Police Forces, the CRPF was the only force to get bravery citations at 12 medals.As per definition, a bravery medal is awarded to a person on grounds of rare conspicuous act of gallantry, and conspicuous act of gallantry in saving life and property, or in preventing crime or arresting criminals, the risk incurred being estimated with due regard to the obligations and duties of the officer concerned.

NEW DELHI: No new H-1B stamping dates seem to be available this calendar year and new interview dates are being deferred to 2027, creating major disruptions for Indian professionals working in the US. Visa offices in Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad & Kolkata no longer have regular interview slots available. Immigration experts said there is no hope of the situation getting better. The US state department website simply shows ‘not available’ as the waiting period for next available appointment for interview required for petition-based (H, L, O, P, Q) visas in many places across the world, including Kolkata and Delhi.

No hope of US visa situation improving: Immigration experts

Those who had their interview dates in Jan & Feb also received emails for their respective consulates that their dates have been moved to April-May 2027.The pile-up is happening with the Trump administration reworking the H1-B programme. On Dec 29, 2025, US Citizenship and Immigration Services had published new rules for FY 2027.The annual cap of 85,000 visas remains unchanged, including 20,000 reserved for applicants with US postgraduate degrees.Apart from this, there have been overall changes in the Trump’s ever-tightening visa policies. US has introduced mandatory social media screening for visa applicants. The added scrutiny increased processing time per applicant and reduced the number of interviews consulates can conduct each day. The US no longer allows visa stamping in third countries, barring a few exceptions. That means the entire demand has to be met by consulates in India for Indians and has added to delays.Immigration attorney Emily Neumann said she did not hear about any new visa interview slots opening for India in the last 50 days. Neumann said H-1Bs who are in the US should not even try to get an appointment for visa stamping in India.“They are not in any hurry to give you a visa. They are trying to deny visas whenever they can. It is a completely different world from what we saw during the Biden administration. This administration does not want to give you visa,” Neumann said.Amid the delay in stamping, US State Department is also revoking visas prudentially, and H-4 visa holders are also getting their visas revoked because of their H-1B spouses.

Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Mohsin Naqvi on Sunday said that the announcement of the T20 World Cup squad does not mean Pakistan has decided to take part in next month’s ICC event.Naqvi repeated that the PCB is still waiting for a green light from the Pakistan government before taking a final call on participation in the T20 World Cup, which will be held in India and Sri Lanka.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Saturday removed Bangladesh from the tournament and named Scotland as their replacement after the Bangladesh Cricket Board refused to send its team to India, citing security concerns following Mustafizur Rahman’s exit from the IPL.“We are waiting for the government’s advice and whatever the government tells us to do we will do it. If they don’t want us to go for the World Cup, we will follow it,” Naqvi told Pakistan players and head coach Mike Hesson during a meeting held after the squad announcement.Pakistan on Sunday named a 15-member squad for the T20 World Cup, led by Salman Ali Agha.Doubts over Pakistan’s participation also came up during the squad announcement press conference on Sunday. When asked about Pakistan’s chances of playing in the World Cup, chief selector Aaqib Javed said, “As players and management, we are preparing for the World Cup, and it is up to the PCB and government to take aMeanwhile, during the meeting, Naqvi explained the PCB’s position on Bangladesh’s exclusion from the tournament due to their refusal to travel to India over security concerns.In a later statement, the PCB said the players supported the board’s stand backing Bangladesh.Naqvi also told the players that Bangladesh’s decision not to play matches in India was a principled one.“We firmly reject the double standards of the ICC,” Naqvi was quoted as saying in the PCB statement, as cited by news agency PTI, adding that the game should be run within the spirt and principles of the game.Naqvi also reminded the players about expectations from fans ahead of the home white-ball series against Australia and the World Cup, and asked them to perform to the best of their ability.

India continued their dominance in the T20I series against New Zealand, sealing an unassailable 3-0 lead with a commanding eight-wicket victory in the third match at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati on Sunday. The hosts once again followed a familiar blueprint: clinical bowling up front followed by a ruthless chase. New Zealand were kept to a modest total after losing wickets at regular intervals, leaving India with a straightforward target. The chase never looked in doubt as India cruised home with 60 deliveries to spare, underlining the gulf between the two sides in the series so far.

Jasprit Bumrah and Ravi Bishnoi script New Zealand’s batting collapse in 3rd T20I

Jasprit Bumrah (3/17) made an immediate impact with the new ball, unsettling New Zealand’s top order with his relentless accuracy. Glenn Phillips provided early resistance with a brisk 48, including a couple of boundaries and a towering six, but India quickly tightened the screws. Hardik Pandya broke the opening momentum by dismissing Rachin Ravindra, who struggled to get going and perished trying to force the pace.

Bumrah then delivered the decisive blows in quick succession, first removing the dangerous Tim Seifert before cleaning up the tail to finish with a clinical performance. His spell reduced New Zealand and effectively knocked the wind out of their innings. Ravi Bishnoi, meanwhile, continued his remarkable consistency in his comeback match, picking up 2/18 and keeping the middle order in check. Although Mark Chapman and Mitchell Santner added late runs, Bishnoi ensured New Zealand never escaped, restricting them to 153/9, well below par on the surface.

Also READ: From Abhishek Sharma to Yuvraj Singh: Top 5 fastest T20I fifties against full member teams

Abhishek Sharma’s fireworks seal the deal for India in style

Chasing a modest target, Abhishek Sharma turned the contest into a one-sided affair with another breathtaking display at the top of the order. After an initial golden duck for Sanju Samson, the explosive opener changed gears instantly, launching a 14-ball half-century, the second-fastest by an Indian, to set the tone for the chase. From there, he barely put a foot wrong, timing the ball sweetly and punishing anything loose with a strike rate of 340.

Abhishek smashed an unbeaten 68, laced with seven boundaries and five towering sixes, making a mockery of the target. Captain Suryakumar Yadav joined the party with a blistering 57* off 26 balls, registering his first half-century in the series and ensuring the outcome was never in doubt. Abhishek fittingly dominated the finish as India reached 155/2 in just 10 overs, capping off a dominant all-round performance and confirming India’s supremacy in the series with two matches still to play.

Here’s how fans reacted:

If there was any doubt for Surya’s form, it’s all clear. Another thumping victory by team India.

— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) January 25, 2026

Still can’t get a 50 off 12 balls, can you? 🤪 Well played – keep going strong! 💪🏻 @OfficialAbhi04 #IndVSNz pic.twitter.com/6MQe1p6sx4

— Yuvraj Singh (@YUVSTRONG12) January 25, 2026

Bade aaram se 😎 Absolute domination, well played and congratulations Team India 👏 #INDvNZ pic.twitter.com/IBRnsiD6lO

— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) January 25, 2026

If teams don’t prepare differently against this Indian batting line up, its good night 😴 #INDvsNZ

— Ashwin 🇮🇳 (@ashwinravi99) January 25, 2026

Well done Team india 3-0 . Well played @surya_14kumar @abhisar_sharma well bowled @Jaspritbumrah93

— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) January 25, 2026

That’s how you win a series 👏
Dominant bowling with key strikes from @Jaspritbumrah93 and others, and explosive batting from @OfficialAbhi04 and @surya_14kumar made it a memorable night. Proud of this India performance 🇮🇳💪 pic.twitter.com/96RSHUhKc7

— Shikhar Dhawan (@SDhawan25) January 25, 2026

India’s batting unit in T20 is the kind that gives sleepless nights to opposition bowlers. There is a smashing match-winner at every spot. India has an aura, hope this stays all through the World T20. Kaala teeka laga do sub pe.

— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) January 25, 2026

Unreal game 🔥
Unreal batting ⚡

Sealed the series in style 🇮🇳#INDvNZ
📷 : BCCI pic.twitter.com/COH8xaFH0G

— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) January 25, 2026

India have faced 272 balls in this series. And they have hit 94 off them for boundaries…! I repeat, 94.
58 X 4s
36 X 6s
A boundary every 2.9 balls…! #INDvNZ pic.twitter.com/IsATZrQ9E8

— Deepu Narayanan (@deeputalks) January 25, 2026

A chase of 154 completed in just 10 overs 🔥

– India lead the series, 3-0#INDvNZ #TeamIndia #CricketTwitter pic.twitter.com/77TJI5D8KI

— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) January 25, 2026

Also WATCH: IND vs NZ [WATCH]: Jasprit Bumrah’s unplayable seed cleans up Tim Seifert during 3rd T20I in Guwahati

MUMBAI: A study of state finances by RBI shows that while the fiscal deficit of Indian states has widened modestly in recent years, funding patterns have become more market-driven and disciplined, with growth headroom differing sharply between younger and more mature states.The consolidated gross fiscal deficit of states peaked at 4.1% of GDP in 2020-21 during the pandemic, before easing to below 3% for three years and rising again to 3.3% in 2024-25. RBI said the recent widening was driven by weaker revenue receipts, largely due to lower grants from the Centre, and higher capital spending. Part of the breach above 3% reflects 50-year, interest-free loans from the Centre, which are above normal borrowing limits. For 2025-26, states have budgeted the deficit at 3.3% of GDP, with higher revenues offset by higher expenditure.

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The consolidated deficit remains within the Centre’s ceiling of 3.5% of GDP, which includes a 0.5% allowance linked to power sector reforms. However, state-level positions vary widely. Sixteen states have budgeted deficits above 3% of GSDP for 2025-26, with 13 of them exceeding 3.5%, highlighting uneven fiscal space across states.Market borrowing has emerged as the main source of funding. According to RBI’s study, market loans are expected to finance about 76% of the consolidated fiscal deficit in 2025-26, compared with just over half before 2016-17. Gross market borrowing rose 6.6% to Rs 10.7 lakh crore in 2024-25 and is budgeted at Rs 12.5 lakh crore in 2025-26. By end-Sept 2025, states had raised Rs 4.7 lakh crore, 21% higher than a year earlier.The borrowing profile has also improved. States have increasingly issued longer-maturity securities, with a rising share of bonds beyond 10 and 15 years, and some issuing paper of over 20 years. Borrowing costs eased, with the weighted average yield falling to 7.2% in 2024-25 from 7.5% a year earlier, while spreads over central govt securities narrowed to 30 basis points.The quality of state finances has strengthened as well. The share of revenue deficit in the gross fiscal deficit has dropped from 46.1% in 2020-21 to a budgeted 6.9% in 2025-26, while the share of capital expenditure in total spending has risen from 13.4% to 18%.Demography is emerging as a key differentiator. Younger states such as Bihar, UP and Madhya Pradesh have greater scope to expand revenues on the back of a growing working-age population, while intermediate states like Maharashtra and Karnataka must balance growth with preparation for ageing. For ageing states such as Kerala and Tamil Nadu, fiscal pressures are set to rise as tax bases narrow and pension and healthcare costs increase, forcing a rethink of revenue and workforce policies.

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NEW DELHI: Ahead of the India-European Union free trade agreement – which is all set to be announced on Tuesday – all eyes are on several crucial sectors, where domestic industry has pitched for zero duty concessions to be able to compete more effectively with competitors, such as Bangladesh and Vietnam.Among the top asks is tariff elimination from sectors, such as textiles, marine products, sports and toys and leather – all labour-intensive segments.“Once the FTA is in place and we get zero duty, we can get more orders from the 27 countries in the bloc as we will be at par with Bangladesh, especially given the raw material advantage that we enjoy. A boost for apparel will also be good for the entire value chain, from cotton to fabrics and yarn,” said A Sakthivel, chairman of the Apparel Export Promotion Council. Currently, Indian garments face 11% duty in EU, compared with zero duty for Bangladesh-made products.

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“Tariff cut will be a huge advantage for leather and footwear since we can be equally competitive with Vietnam, which has an FTA with EU. It will be a big help in this time of US tariffs,” said Israr Ahmed, director of Farida Group and former vice-president of Fieo.“Our competitors from Pakistan and Bangladesh get zero-duty access in EU. With the FTA, we are likely to get the same benefit. We expect our exports to EU to rise from the current $2.25 billion to 6 billion by 2030,” said Ramesh Juneja, chairman, Council for Leather Exports.Among sectors for opening up that are being closely watched are wines and automobiles, especially with Indian and European negotiators agreeing to keep out agriculture – the most contentious area in any trade dialogue.While Indian auto players are confident of managing costs and competing with their European counterparts, their big fear is Chinese companies using the trade pact to sell their EVs in India. As a result, it has sought protection – or at least a transition period – so that the domestic industry can come of age and its investment commitments are not hurt. It will also provide time for the Indian auto components makers to develop and be part of the global value chain.In the internal combustion engine space, for an industry where 90% of the sales is in the sub-Rs 25 lakh segment, the push is for protection in the middle and smaller segment. For European players too, selling vehicles that cost up Rs 15 lakh with on-road price tag of around Rs 25 lakh is difficult. The gains are likely for carmakers such as Mercedes, BMW and Audi. If the UK deal was a template, govt will phase out the concessions, slashing tariffs on cars in a phased manner from the current level of 110% and that too with quotas. EVs, which were not opened under the UK deal, may be given a longer transition period.Besides, there will be mobility related easing, helping Indian professionals and businessmen access to European markets.

NEW DELHI: India’s air superiority during its “88-hour Operation Sindoor coerced Pakistan into a ceasefire” during the May 7-10, 2025 conflict, according to a detailed European military analysis.The report, titled ‘Operation Sindoor: The India-Pakistan Air War (7–10 May 2025)’, has been authored by Adrien Fontanellaz and was published last week by the Centre d’Histoire et de Prospective Militaires (CHPM), an independent Swiss military history and strategic studies institution based in Switzerland. Founded in 1969, CHPM is not affiliated with any govt and positions itself as a neutral forum for professional military research.Referring to last year’s Indo-Pak conflict, the report said, “This (May 2025) clash between the Pakistan and Indian air forces initially saw the former achieve a clear tactical victory by shooting down several enemy fighters, then largely fail in its conduct of strikes over Indian territory, as those were countered by an integrated air defence system whose effectiveness was one of the surprises of the conflict. Conversely, the Indian Air Force managed to significantly degrade the enemy’s air defence system, then concluded the conflict by carrying out a series of spectacular strikes against Pakistan’s principal Air Force stations. Thus, by achieving clear air superiority, India coerced Islamabad into requesting a ceasefire.”Though the Indian govt never admitted losing any fighter aircraft, including Rafale, in the conflict, the report said, “The loss of at least one Indian Rafale fighter jet on the night of 7 May 2025, can be seen as the tip of the iceberg as this event, above all, made a strong impression in the West and attracted significant media attention. However, this sequence saw a large-scale confrontation between two competent air forces, equipped with small fleets of state-of-the-art aircraft designs, such as the J10C and the Rafale, supported by substantial fleets of fourth-generation combat aircraft as well as sophisticated integrated air defence networks and force multipliers.”On the escalation of war, the report stated, “On the strategic plane, Operation Sindoor has led to conventional military clashes of considerable magnitude between two de facto nuclear-weapon states with differing doctrines regarding the use of nuclear weapons, which made the situation very tricky to handle, with a high risk of escalation and potentially catastrophic consequences.”“This episode provides valuable lessons on the tactical and operational plans, particularly because it illustrates the strong interpenetration between the military and communication lines of operation, as well as a paradigm that has been consistently confirmed over the years, namely the crucial role of long-range strikes,” the report further added.

MUMBAI: India’s Test vice-captain Rishabh Pant, opener Yashasvi Jaiswal and allrounder Shardul Thakur will all miss the Mumbai versus Delhi Ranji Trophy match – the last league match of the tournament – at the Mumbai Cricket Association’s BKC facility from January 29 to February 1 due to injuries and illness, TOI has learnt.Pant has been out of action due to a side strain, which he sustained before the first ODI against New Zealand in Baroda on January 11. “He has been undergoing rehab at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence for the last week to 10 days,” a source said. In his absence, Ayush Badoni has been captaining the Delhi team. Jaiswal underwent endoscopy recently after having been troubled by stomach pain. “It’s a problem which has persisted with him since he was hospitalised after Mumbai’s last game in the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy in Pune, where he was afflicted by a severe bout of food poisoning,” a source informed.Thakur suffered a calf injury during the league stage of the Vijay Hazare Trophy and has been recuperating since then.“Jaiswal, Thakur and Kotian will be considered after they provide their fitness report to the Mumbai Cricket Association,” Mumbai chief selector Sanjay Patil told TOI on Sunday.With 30 points in six matches, which includes four outright wins, Mumbai qualified for the Ranji Trophy quarterfinals in style on Sunday, beating Hyderabad by nine wickets despite being severely depleted. Complimenting Mumbai’s youngsters for their fine show so far, Patil said, “We’ve chosen the best team, with a good combination of youngsters and senior players. Without the big names, our team has been performing brilliantly. I’m really happy with the performance of our youngsters.” “There are two changes in the side for the match versus Delhi. Shams Mulani (fit-again after missing the Hyderabad clash due to urine issues) replaces Atharva Ankolekar (injured), while DSuryansh Shedge has replaced Aakash Parkar. We’ve recalled Shedge because he has performed consistently well for the Mumbai Under-23 team (scored a century against Bengal in the Col CK Nayudu Trophy),” he added.Jaiswal and Thakur, who missed the last match against Hyderabad, could be back in action when Mumbai play in the Ranji Trophy quarter-finals from Feb 6-10. Off-spinning allrounder Tanush Kotian has still not recovered from his hand injury. Mumbai squad: Siddhesh Lad (captain), Musheer Khan, Sairaj Patil, Akhil Herwadkar, Hardik Tampore (WK), Suved Parkar, Sarfaraz Khan, Aakash Anand (WK), Suryansh Shedge, Shams Mulani, Tushar Deshpande, Himanshu Singh, Mohit Avasthi, Omkar Tarmale, Sylvester D’Souza.