BENGALURU: What began as a tattoo of “another woman” on the husband’s forearm ended in the murder of his wife and a sentence of life imprisonment for him.Earlier this week, a city court convicted 33-year-old Vinay Kumar, a resident of A Narayanapura in Mahadevapura, of killing his wife Ashwini D, 29, inside their home in April 2021. Since his arrest, Kumar had remained lodged in Bengaluru Central Prison at Parappana Agrahara, with his attempt to secure bail failing.

Kumar and Ashwini, an engineer and his younger sister’s classmate, met at a family wedding, fell in love, and married in 2018. But the marriage began to unravel three years later when Kumar returned home with a tattoo reading “Roopa” inked on his right forearm. When Ashwini questioned him about the tattoo and demanded to know who Roopa was, Kumar gave evasive answers. She later discovered that he was having an affair. According to the prosecution, Kumar feared she might take legal or personal action against him. Unwilling to end the relationship with Roopa, he decided to eliminate his wife. Public prosecutor Satyavati HR told TOI the murder was planned carefully. On the night of April 16, 2021, Kumar purchased a can of beer and a strip of 10 sleeping tablets before returning home. After having chicken biryani for dinner, he forced Ashwini to drink the beer, secretly mixed with the tablets. She soon slipped into a deep sleep. Kumar believed the overdose would be fatal. When he found Ashwini still breathing early the next morning, Kumar strangled her using her dupatta. “Afterwards, he stepped out of the house and raised the alarm, claiming his wife was lying motionless,” Satyavati said. With a neighbour’s help, he took Ashwini to a nearby hospital, where doctors declared her brought dead. Kumar initially managed to convince Ashwini’s parents and relatives that it was a natural death. However, Mahadevapura police ordered an autopsy, while viscera samples were sent to the Forensic Science Laboratory. The autopsy revealed the death was due to strangulation, leading to Kumar’s arrest. Subsequent FSL reports confirmed the presence of alcohol and sleeping tablets in Ashwini’s system. During the trial, circumstantial evidence sealed Kumar’s fate. Testimonies from a wine shop cashier and a medical store assistant, backed by CCTV footage, established that Kumar had purchased the beer and sleeping tablets on the night of the murder. After police filed the charge-sheet, Kumar filed his bail application. Police, however, discovered that the surety documents submitted were fake and informed the court that his family had distanced themselves from him after the crime. The bail plea was rejected, forcing him to spend time in prison.

The government has notified detailed guidelines for two major shipbuilding initiatives with a combined outlay of over Rs 44,700 crore, aimed at strengthening India’s domestic shipbuilding ecosystem and enhancing global competitiveness.The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) said the two schemes — the Shipbuilding Financial Assistance Scheme (SBFAS) and the Shipbuilding Development Scheme (SbDS) — are designed to revive domestic shipbuilding, deepen industrial linkages and create long-term capacity, PTI reported.Under SBFAS, which has a total corpus of Rs 24,736 crore, the government will provide financial assistance ranging from 15 per cent to 25 per cent per vessel, depending on the category. The scheme introduces graded support for small normal, large normal and specialised vessels, with stage-wise disbursement linked to defined milestones and backed by security instruments. Incentives for series orders have also been built in.The SbDS, with a budgetary outlay of Rs 19,989 crore, focuses on long-term capacity and capability creation across the shipbuilding value chain. According to the official statement, the scheme provides for the development of greenfield shipbuilding clusters, expansion and modernisation of existing brownfield shipyards, and the setting up of an India Ship Technology Centre under the Indian Maritime University to support research, design, innovation and skills development.Union minister for ports, shipping and waterways Sarbananda Sonowal said the guidelines create a stable and transparent framework to revive domestic shipbuilding and strengthen both forward and backward linkages, the statement said.The schemes also provide for the establishment of a National Shipbuilding Mission to ensure coordinated planning and execution of shipbuilding initiatives. In addition, a shipbreaking credit note has been introduced, under which ship owners scrapping vessels at Indian yards will receive a credit equivalent to 40 per cent of the scrap value, linking ship recycling with new ship construction and supporting a circular economy approach.To strengthen governance and ensure efficient use of public funds, independent valuation and milestone-based assessments have been made mandatory, the ministry said.Over the next decade, SBFAS is expected to support shipbuilding projects worth about Rs 96,000 crore, stimulate domestic manufacturing and generate employment across the maritime value chain.Under SbDS, greenfield shipbuilding clusters will receive 100 per cent capital support for common maritime and internal infrastructure through a 50:50 Centre–state special purpose vehicle. Existing shipyards will be eligible for 25 per cent capital assistance for brownfield expansion of critical infrastructure such as dry docks, shiplifts, fabrication facilities and automation systems.With the creation of modern infrastructure and a skilled workforce, commercial shipbuilding capacity is projected to rise to about 4.5 million gross tonnage per annum by 2047, according to the statement.Both SBFAS and SbDS will remain valid until March 31, 2036, with an in-principle extension envisaged up to 2047, the statement noted. Together, the schemes are expected to generate employment, promote indigenous technology development and strengthen India’s maritime security and economic resilience.

The finance ministry has directed public sector banks and financial institutions, including insurance companies, to ensure prompt reporting of vigilance-related matters concerning whole-time directors (WTDs), citing repeated instances of delayed or incomplete disclosures, PTI reported.In an advisory issued by the Department of Financial Services (DFS) earlier this month, the ministry said adverse information about board-level appointees was often reported only when vigilance clearance was specifically sought from the chief vigilance officers (CVOs) of public sector undertakings.The DFS noted that critical inputs — including private complaints, court observations, references from the CBI or other law enforcement agencies — were, in many cases, not disclosed at the appropriate stage. In some instances, crucial information relating to WTDs was omitted from vigilance clearance formats on the ground that no specific column existed for such disclosure.Calling such omissions a matter of “serious concern”, the ministry said strict compliance is expected from PSUs, especially as such information has a direct bearing on appointments, promotions, board-level postings and placement of whole-time directors.The DFS has asked public sector banks and financial institutions to immediately report adverse inputs relating to board-level officials, even if the alleged lapse pertains to a role held in a capacity other than a board position.It also directed entities to ensure comprehensive disclosures in vigilance clearance submissions, including observations or directions of courts or tribunals, findings of internal committees, serious audit observations and communications from any department or agency.Chief vigilance officers have been instructed to ensure that vigilance clearances reflect the most updated and accurate status as on the date of issuance, and that no material information is suppressed.Earlier this year, the government had taken the unusual step of demoting Union Bank of India Executive Director Pankaj Dwivedi to the rank of general manager at Punjab & Sind Bank. The decision followed an ongoing case in the Delhi High Court, where it was alleged that his appointment as executive director violated regulations due to the absence of vigilance clearance.

India’s push into global wine markets is beginning to gain attention as fruit-based wines slowly find space alongside traditional grape labels overseas. As growth in domestic wine consumption remains muted, exporters are leaning on international demand to fuel expansion, ET reported. In the first seven months of the current financial year, wine shipments from India rose sharply, touching a record $6.7 million. This figure was more than twice the value recorded during the same period last year, according to an analysis by trade think tank GTRI, cited by ET. Although grape wines continue to account for the bulk of exports, led by Nashik-based Sula Vineyards, industry executives say non-grape wines are seeing growing acceptance abroad. A milestone was reached on Friday when a consignment of 800 cases of Indian fruit wine was dispatched from Mumbai. Each case contained twelve 750 ml bottles of Curry Favour, a wine produced using jamun. The shipment marked the first time an Indian jamun-based wine has been exported. Produced at Seven Peaks Winery in Nashik, the wine is expected to be launched at select restaurants in New York and New Jersey, according to two consultants associated with the project. Jamun is a seasonal fruit that grows abundantly across India. “We had to keep our export pricing competitive due to high duties in the US market. Even so, the arrangement is a win-win for both the importer and us,” said Ajoy Shaw, one of the consultants involved. Indian wines, both grape and fruit-based, are steadily reaching shelves and menus in overseas markets such as the UAE, the Netherlands, China, France and the UK. Export sales between April and October this financial year have already surpassed $5.8 million, the value estimated for the entire 2024–25 fiscal year. Curry Favour adds to a small but diverse line-up of non-grape Indian wines making their way abroad. Wines crafted from Alphonso mangoes and Kashmiri apples have already been exported in limited volumes. Pune-based Rhythm Winery, part of Hill Crest Foods and Beverages, ships its Alphonso mango wine to the UK, while L74 Craft Cider, made from Kashmiri apples, is available in select British markets. Neeraj Agarwal, a viticulturist and a key contributor to the jamun wine export initiative, sees scope for the category to grow further. “Tourists are always keen to try new flavours, and demand for Indian wines in markets such as the UAE has increased manifold,” he said. Agarwal was earlier associated with Reserva Jamun, a jamun wine brand launched during the Covid-19 pandemic that gained popularity in parts of Maharashtra, Karnataka and Haryana. However, sustaining domestic demand proved difficult. “We couldn’t make it a long-term success in India,” he said. India’s wine industry itself is relatively young, having developed over the past three decades. While the category has expanded locally, earlier reports by ET have noted that growth has been driven largely by imported wines rather than domestic labels. According to Euromonitor International, the Indian wine market was valued at around Rs 5,630 crore in 2025, up from Rs 4,770 crore in 2023. Despite rising export numbers, fruit-based and heritage wine producers continue to face hurdles. Entrepreneurs, particularly in the Northeast, have made attempts to enter global markets with limited success. Naara Aaba, a kiwi wine produced in Arunachal Pradesh’s Ziro Valley, was showcased in China and Greece two years ago. Its producers also explored a possible tie-up with Thai Airways, but exports did not gain long-term traction. Similar challenges persist elsewhere. “We experimented with exports in 2022 by sending a small sample consignment to Singapore, but the deal didn’t work out,” said Akash Gogoi, an Assam-based entrepreneur who produces the traditional rice wine Xaj. “Unless the government provides some form of subsidy, we simply cannot remain competitive in international markets,” he added.

Jefferies has increased its allocation to India and Taiwan in its Asia Pacific ex-Japan relative-return portfolio, while cutting exposure to China and Indonesia, as it reassesses growth prospects and macro risks across the region, ANI reported.In its latest strategy note, the global investment bank said it has raised the weightings of India and Taiwan by one percentage point each, funded by a corresponding reduction in allocations to China and Indonesia. “The weightings in India and Taiwan in the Asia Pacific ex-Japan relative-return portfolio will be increased by one percentage point each by reducing the weightings in China and Indonesia,” Jefferies said, according to ANI.Following the revision, India’s recommended weighting has been increased to 17 per cent, while Taiwan’s allocation has also been raised. The changes reflect Jefferies’ confidence in the medium-term earnings outlook and structural growth drivers in both markets. In contrast, China’s weightage has been pared, while Indonesia has seen a marginal reduction.Jefferies cited heightened uncertainty around China’s economic recovery and policy trajectory as a key factor behind the shift. India, it said, continues to benefit from resilient domestic demand, infrastructure-led growth and improving corporate balance sheets, making it a preferred market within the Asia Pacific region.Taiwan remains a key beneficiary of global demand for advanced semiconductors, with its technology sector playing a central role in global supply chains. Jefferies highlighted Taiwan’s strong positioning in high-end chip manufacturing and sustained capital expenditure by leading technology firms as supportive factors.Beyond the Asia Pacific ex-Japan portfolio, Jefferies also announced changes to its global and international long-only equity portfolios. The firm said it has removed Bank Central Asia from both portfolios and replaced it with Samsung Electronics, signalling a tilt toward large-cap technology exposure.Jefferies noted that the portfolio adjustments form part of its periodic review process, which factors in macroeconomic developments, central bank policy expectations and stock-specific considerations. The bank added that portfolio weightings may continue to evolve in response to global economic trends and market conditions.

Dalal Street is headed into the final stretch of the year as investors brace for a week driven by economic data releases, global developments and the flow of foreign funds. Analysts expect trading to remain largely range-bound, with sentiment hinging on a mix of domestic indicators and overseas cues, while automobile sales numbers are also set to draw attention. With the year nearing its end and only a limited number of trading sessions remaining, equities are likely to trade within a narrow band, though experts see underlying support for the market. “This week marks the transition into calendar year 2026 and is likely to witness heightened volatility due to the December F&O expiry. Key domestic data points to track include industrial production data for November and the final HSBC manufacturing PMI (Purchasing Managers’ Index) reading,” said Ajit Mishra, SVP, research, Religare Broking Ltd. He noted that global factors would play an equally important role, as investors track signals from the United States, particularly the release of the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) minutes and information related to the Federal Reserve’s balance sheet. “These developments could influence near-term expectations around growth, liquidity, and global risk sentiment,” Mishra said. Last week, Indian equities ended on a cautious note in a holiday-shortened trading period, marked by thin volumes, marginal profit-taking and continued foreign fund outflows. The BSE benchmark index advanced 112.09 points, or 0.13%, during the week, while the Nifty rose by 75.9 points, or 0.29%. Ponmudi R, CEO – Enrich Money, said the market’s near-term direction will largely be guided by a heavy flow of economic data from both domestic and global fronts. “With only a handful of trading sessions left in 2025, Indian equity markets are expected to remain largely range-bound, albeit with a constructive bias. Investor sentiment this week is likely to be shaped by a busy economic data calendar, both domestically and overseas. On the home front, India’s November industrial production (IIP) data will offer fresh insights into trends across mining, manufacturing, and electricity output,” he said. According to Ponmudi, investors will also keep a close watch on November automobile sales figures to gauge the strength of demand. “Alongside IIP data, these releases will offer key insights into domestic consumption trends, particularly whether the post-GST rationalisation surge in auto demand is being sustained as India moves into 2026,” he added. On the international front, attention is expected to shift to signals from major economies. Apart from the US Federal Reserve meeting minutes, analysts said data such as US initial jobless claims and manufacturing PMI readings from the US and China could influence global market sentiment. Siddhartha Khemka, head of research, wealth management, at Motilal Oswal Financial Services Ltd, said that India’s monthly auto sales, along with these overseas indicators, will be among the key data points investors are likely to track through the week.

Is NEET PG student data out for sale?

For most doctors who appeared for NEET PG 2025, the post-exam phase was supposed to be about one thing — waiting. Waiting for ranks, counselling dates, and clarity about the next step in their careers. Instead, many found themselves dealing with a far more unsettling distraction: Strangers calling them, quoting their exam details, and offering “help” with admissions.What initially sounded like routine spam has now snowballed into a much larger controversy.In the past few weeks, several media reports have mentioned that personal data of NEET PG 2025 candidates might be circulating online, and could be sold as ready-made databases to private admission agents and counsellors. The claims have raised uncomfortable questions about how candidate information is handled and how easily it may be slipping out of official control.

What the allegations are about

Various media reports have found that databases being advertised as “NEET PG 2025 student data” have surfaced on websites and private messaging platforms. These listings claim to offer detailed information of candidates who appeared for the postgraduate medical entrance exam.What has alarmed aspirants is the nature of the data being mentioned. According to reports, the information allegedly includes candidate names, parents’ names, phone numbers, email IDs, city and state details, roll numbers, marks and ranks. In short, it goes well beyond what is publicly available.The reports have also mentioned that sellers are charging anywhere between a few thousand rupees and over ₹10,000 for access to these databases, depending on the volume and depth of information promised.

How did candidates realise something was wrong?

For many aspirants, the first red flag came in the form of phone calls, suggest media reports.Doctors who had recently checked their NEET PG results allegedly began receiving calls from private agents claiming they could arrange seats in medical colleges. What made these calls different was the precision. Callers reportedly knew not just the candidates’ names, but their ranks, scores and sometimes even personal details that had been shared only during the application process.As per media accounts, some candidates went on to search online and found listings offering NEET PG 2025 data for sale. In a few cases cited in these reports, candidates whose details appeared in sample datasets confirmed that the information matched their own records.

How NBEMS responded

The National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS), which conducts NEET PG exam, has responded to the allegations, according to Medical Dialogues, a media platform primarily known for reporting news related to medical education. The board has stated that it shares candidate data only with authorised bodies such as the Medical Counselling Committee and state counselling authorities, and only for counselling and admission-related purposes.NBEMS has reportedly denied that the data leak occurred at its end. Officials have indicated that if any unauthorised access has taken place, it may have happened after the data was shared with other agencies involved in the counselling process.As reported by Medical Dialogues, NBEMS has submitted a report on the issue to the Union Health Ministry. The issue is still being looked into, and no official decision has been made yet.

Why the issue has struck a nerve

The controversy comes at a moment when digital privacy is under intense scrutiny, especially in exams like NEET PG, where vast amounts of sensitive personal information are collected. The Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 is now in place. So, there is a clear expectation that such information will be kept safe,and shared only through secure channels.If candidate information submitted for NEET PG has indeed been misused, it raises questions that go beyond one exam cycle. Legal experts quoted in many media reports have pointed out that in case of a confirmed breach, scrutiny will be carried out under existing data protection laws.For aspirants, however, the worry is immediate and personal. Unwanted calls, false promises, and the worry of being targeted during counselling have made an already stressful time even harder for them.

Where could the data have leaked from?

So far, there is no official clarity on where the alleged breach occurred. What is evident, as highlighted in various reports, is that NEET PG data does not remain with a single authority.After the results are announced, candidate information is sent to several agencies and platforms for All India Quota and state-level counselling. Each time the data is shared, the risk of it being exposed increases if proper security measures are not in place.The layered nature of the admissions process makes accountability harder to establish — but also harder to ignore.

What are students asking for?

Aspirants quoted across media reports are calling for transparency. Many want authorities to clearly spell out who has access to their data, how long it is retained, and what checks are in place to prevent misuse.There is also growing demand for official warnings against private agents claiming guaranteed seats, particularly when such claims are backed by confidential-looking data.

What happens now

For the moment, the Health Ministry’s review of the report submitted by NBEMS is ongoing. Until official findings are made public, the issue remains driven by candidate accounts and investigative reporting.No matter what the final outcome is, this issue has shown a bigger problem. In exams like NEET PG, trust is very important. Students give their personal information expecting it to be kept safe. When that trust is broken, it doesn’t just affect one exam—it makes people doubt the whole system.

India on Sunday paid tribute to late Ratan Tata on his 88th birth anniversary, as political leaders, industrialists and institutions gathered to remember the businessman.Tata Group chairman N Chandrasekaran paid homage to Ratan Tata at Bombay House, garlanding the statue of the late industrialist and philanthropist, Ratan Tata, the former chairman of the Tata Group.Recalling his contribution, Tata Trusts said, “Under his guidance, philanthropy evolved from charity to a strategic, results-driven approach, addressing healthcare, education, livelihood, women-empowerment, and more—with a focus on long-term transformation and community resilience.”The organisation further added that Tata’s vision went beyond merely addressing socio-economic gaps. “It calls for collaboration between innovation, supportive technology, and a deep understanding of local needs, ensuring that solutions are thoughtful, scalable, and reach those who need them the most,” the post read.Tata Consulting Engineers also took to X, commemorating the late businessman. Union home minister Amit Shah also paid tribute to the late industrialist, writing he “reshaped Indian enterprise with integrity and compassion. From building indigenous industry to selfless philanthropy, he showed that true success lies in service to the nation. His legacy will inspire a self-reliant Bharat,” Shah wrote on X.Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis remembered Ratan Tata as a visionary leader who built trust alongside global businesses. “A leader who built not just enterprises, but trust, compassion, and faith Indian excellence, globally. His humility and vision remain a guiding light for every aspiring entrepreneur and citizen,” Fadnavis said.Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu also paid his respects, describing Ratan Tata as a leader whose values would continue to inspire generations. “Fondly remembering Shri Ratan Tata Ji on his birth anniversary. A visionary industrialist and compassionate leader, he devoted his life to business excellence and philanthropy. His integrity, humility, and commitment to society will continue to inspire us all. My humble tributes to him,” Naidu wrote on X.Union minister Dharmendra Pradhan said Ratan Tata’s legacy would remain a source of inspiration. “Homage to the titan of India Inc, Padma Vibhushan Shri Ratan Tata on his birth anniversary. A visionary, he redefined India’s industrial and business landscape with ethical and compassionate leadership,” he said.Union minister Piyush Goyal also remembered the former Tata Group chairman, noting the lasting impact of his leadership. “On his Jayanti, I fondly remember Shri Ratan Tata ji with deep admiration and respect. His leadership seamlessly blended innovation with compassion, redefining the role of Indian enterprise in national development. The institutions he nurtured and the values he championed continue to guide generations,” Goyal wrote.Union minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said that Ratan Tata’s life of integrity, humility and compassion, along with his commitment to philanthropy and nation-building, set a benchmark for ethical leadership.YSRCP supremo and former Andhra Pradesh chief minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy also remembered him, writing on X, “Paying tributes to the ‘Jewel of India’ Ratan Tata on his birthday. His entrepreneurship took Indian industry to a global level, and his legacy continues to guide us”.Born into the Tata family founded by his great-grandfather Jamsetji Tata, Ratan Naval Tata studied architecture at Cornell University and returned to India in 1962 to join the group.Ratan Tata played a major role in expanding the Tata Group into a global conglomerate with businesses across steel, automobiles, software and telecommunications. He took over as chairman of the Tata Group in 1991, succeeding JRD Tata. During his tenure, he introduced major organisational reforms, including setting retirement ages and encouraging younger leaders to take on senior responsibilities. He led several landmark international acquisitions, like Tetley Tea in 2000 and Land Rover from Ford in 2008. Ratan Tata also played a crucial role in the Tata Group’s acquisition of Air India from the government in January 2022 and launched the Tata Nano, a low-cost car aimed at making personal transport more affordable. After stepping away from active leadership, he became a prominent investor in Indian start-ups, supporting firms such as Paytm, Ola Electric and Urban Company. He received numerous national and international honours, including the Padma Bhushan in 2000 and the Padma Vibhushan in 2008. Other recognitions included the Assam Baibhav in 2021, Honorary Officer of the Order of Australia in 2023, an Honorary Doctor of Science from IIT Bombay in 2008, the Honorary Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire in 2014 and the Honorary Citizen Award from Singapore in 2008. Ratan Tata passed away on October 9, last year, at the age of 86. At the time of his death, he was chairman of the Ratan Tata Trust and Dorabji Tata Trust, two of India’s largest private-sector-promoted philanthropic organisations.