IndiGo flight cancellations caused massive chaos at airports

NEW DELHI: The Competition Commission of India (CCI) on Thursday stated that they have taken the complaints against IndiGo under consideration after wide=spread disruptions caused earlier this month, which included cancellation of hundreds of domestic flights.“The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has taken cognizance of Information filed against IndiGo in the context of the recent flight disruptions witnessed in the aviation sector, across various routes,” said CCI in a press release.

Further confirming that they are moving forward with regards to the case it added, “Based on the initial assessment, the Commission has decided to proceed further in the matter in accordance with the provisions of the Competition Act, 2002.”This comes as the airlines witnessed widespread flight cancellations and delays mainly between December 3 and 5 due to operational and system-related challenges across several airports. The airline issued multiple public advisories and apologies during the period as it worked to restore normal operations and clear backlogs.Although earlier in the day, CEO Pieter Elbers announced that the operations have normalised completely while acknowledging the issues passengers faced. “Dear Indigo colleagues, through the storm we are finding our wings again. The worst is behind us. These last two weeks have been very challenging for all of us,” he said.Elbers also thanked pilots, cabin crew, airport staff, operations, control and customer service teams for what he described as their collective dedication.Later, an IndiGo spokesperson also shared a message via a press statement claiming the operations have stabilised. “Having completely stabilised operations across the network starting 09 December 2025 with 1,800+ flights, IndiGo has been gradually and carefully adding capacity and will be operating over 2,200 flights today, in line with the revised schedule,” it said.

PM Narendra Modi conferred with Order of Oman (Image/ANI)

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday was conferred with the Order of Oman, the Sultanate’s highest civilian award, during his ongoing two-day visit to the Gulf nation.During the visit, India and Oman also signed a landmark free trade agreement, marking a significant boost to bilateral ties. Oman is the final leg of PM Modi’s three-nation tour, which also included Jordan and Ethiopia.

PM Modi receives Oman’s highest civilian honour

PM Modi received the Order of Oman from Sultan Haitham bin Tarik in recognition of his contributions to strengthening India–Oman relations. The honour adds to PM Modi’s list of over 29 top civilian awards conferred by foreign governments, including recent recognitions from Ethiopia and Kuwait.He was awarded the First Class of the Order of Oman, previously conferred on distinguished global leaders such as Queen Elizabeth, Emperor Akihito, Nelson Mandela and King Abdullah of Jordan.Earlier, during his first bilateral visit to Ethiopia, PM Modi was conferred with the country’s highest civilian honour, the Great Honour Nishan, in recognition of his efforts to strengthen bilateral ties.The Prime Minister arrived in Muscat on Wednesday and was accorded a warm welcome, including a ceremonial guard of honour. His visit coincides with the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between India and Oman, with both sides focusing on expanding cooperation in trade, investment, energy, defence, maritime security and culture.

Historic free trade agreement signed

A key outcome of the visit has been the signing of a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between India and Oman. A notable feature of the pact is the inclusion of India’s traditional medicine systems, marking the first time AYUSH products and services have been incorporated into a trade agreement.According to an official statement, Oman has committed to traditional medicine across all modes of supply, opening new market access for India’s AYUSH and wellness sectors in the Gulf region.The CEPA includes a dedicated annexure on trade in health-related and traditional medicine services and provides for cooperation in licensing procedures, digital examinations, medical value travel, capacity building, harmonisation of standards and joint research. India’s AYUSH exports have grown steadily, rising from $1.09 billion in 2014 to $1.54 billion in 2020.India and Oman have also adopted a Joint Vision Document and signed multiple Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) covering areas such as maritime heritage and museums, scientific research and innovation, skills development, agriculture and trade cooperation between business chambers. A business dialogue highlighted investment opportunities aligned with Oman Vision 2040 and India’s growth priorities.Addressing Indian students and members of the diaspora at the ‘Maitri Parv’ event in Muscat, PM Modi described the gathering as a “mini-India” and highlighted the strong people-to-people ties between the two countries. He said 21st-century India takes “big and swift decisions,” moves ahead with ambitious goals and delivers results within defined timelines.The Prime Minister highlighted India’s economic transformation, noting strong growth despite global challenges. He spoke about progress in infrastructure, manufacturing, healthcare, digital public infrastructure, innovation and the space sector. PM Modi further added that India was emerging not just as a market, but as a global model.PM Modi also underlined the deep historical and cultural bonds between India and Oman, calling the diaspora the “biggest custodian” of centuries-old ties.He said the partnership was becoming future-ready through cooperation in AI, digital learning, innovation, entrepreneurship and space, including the India–Oman Space Portal developed under an ISRO collaboration.During the visit, PM Modi met Sultan Haitham bin Tarik to discuss bilateral, regional and global issues of mutual interest. The Omani leadership also hosted a formal dinner in honour of the Prime Minister and his delegation, reflecting the warmth of ties between the two nations.

D Gukesh, R Praggnanandhaa, and Koneru Humpy (GCL Photo)

NEW DELHI: Former World chess champion and one of the greatest ever to grace the game of 64 squares, Bobby Fischer once said, “I like the moment when I break a man’s ego.”Few quotes capture the long-held mythology of elite chess as sharply as that one.

Chess has always been portrayed as a battlefield of egos, where confidence borders on arrogance and humility is often learned the hard way.Garry Kasparov once called chess “mental torture”, while Viktor Korchnoi warned that “a chess player’s ego is his most dangerous opponent.”For generations, fans have accepted this as the truth. Chess players don’t talk much. They guard ideas, emotions and even friendships because it is a brutally zero-sum game. If you win, someone else must lose.As Grandmaster Vidit Gujrathi puts it bluntly during his recent interaction with TimesofIndia.com, “It’s very hard to be friends with your peers because chess is a zero-sum game… there’s huge competition, everybody has their guards up.”And yet, as the Global Chess League (GCL) enters its third season, chess, the ultimate individual sport, is being forced into a team setting, with players from different countries, cultures and generations sharing jerseys, coaches and dinner tables.The question is no longer just about results. It is about personalities.Do they talk enough? Do egos clash? And can a league like GCL gently nudge chess players out of their shells?Something different from the traditional settingGrandmaster Koneru Humpy, a well-respected name in Mumba Masters, admits she was sceptical when she first encountered GCL.“We are most of the time used to calm surroundings and being very focused on the sport,” she told this website ahead of the league’s third season, currently being hosted at the Royal Opera House in Mumbai.Traditional chess tournaments resemble libraries: a hushed hall, minimal movement, eyes glued to boards. GCL, by contrast, opens with music, team colours, spectators and camera crews.“Before the games, half an hour earlier, we would gather in a room dressed in polo shirts,” Humpy recalled. “There was a band entering the playing hall, spectators cheering, a lot of noise happening.”

Koneru Humpy from Mumba Masters in action (GCL Photo)

Initially, it felt distracting.“It’s not usual,” she said. But soon, they adjusted as Humpy added, “Once we sit over the board, they maintain pin-drop silence. After a couple of rounds, I got used to it. Then it’s kind of fun.”That word, fun, is telling. Fischer rarely associated chess with fun. His relationship with the game was obsessive and massively combative. GCL introduces what can be considered chess as a shared experience.“You don’t feel the same stress as in Candidates or Grand Prix events,” Humpy admitted. “You enjoy even off the board… you get a chance to interact with your teammates. We go out for dinners together.”Do chess players really talk in teams?Dutch No. 1 Anish Giri, who will be playing in the Candidates next year, smiles at the stereotype.Chess players, he agrees, are not naturally wired for team bonding.“It depends on the player, the setting, the tournament, the mood and even the stage of one’s career (if he or she wants to talk or not)… If you are playing football, you are taught team spirit from childhood,” Giri, donning SG Pipers’ colours this season in GCL, remarked. “In chess, most events are individual. You are not really taught team bonding.”In GCL teams, that reality doesn’t disappear overnight. Giri describes teammates who would leave dinners early or skip them entirely, locked into personal routines.Yet the league forces interaction. “In our team, we shared enough moments and enough fun that we became a good homogeneous team last season,” he noted.The key, he believes, lies in leadership, the team’s captain in this case.“As a captain, you sometimes have to let go. For example, you may want to call a team meeting for everyone, but if you see that certain players are not really inclined to have it that evening, then maybe it’s better not to insist on forced team spirit. Trying to enforce it can actually break things apart even more,” the Dutchman said.

Viswanathan Anand and D Gukesh in action at Global Chess League (GCL Photo)

“Sometimes you realise, okay, today is the day to just let it be. For the sake of the team, you skip one meeting, but you preserve the good spirit between the players and the coach. Our coach last season, Abhijit Kunte, was very tactful and very smart in sensing when the team was drifting a little. He would let us go apart, only to bring us back together stronger. There’s a lot of complexity there, and that’s what makes these team events in chess so interesting.”And it’s not only Giri, but Humpy also feels that leadership plays a huge role in bridging the communication gap.“It depends first on the personality of the player. In general, from what I have observed in our team over the past two seasons, even if we were not very talkative, our team captains and managers were active in making everyone interact.“They made sure that everyone gathered at the same place. Initially, maybe for a day or two, you feel that hesitation, but then it goes on well. Everyone here is grown up, so it’s not really an issue.”Is GCL competitive enough?While some may feel that the friendly nature of the tournament is the reason why many players prefer to put their guards down. Grandmaster Richard Rapport, who plays for American Gambits this season, doesn’t feel the same.“You arrive thinking it’s relaxed, a commercial event,” the Hungarian said. “Then you see how much people care. And suddenly you realise you have to take it seriously.”“You don’t want to be the one who destroyed the good atmosphere,” Rapport added.In individual events, a bad day damages your rating, but in a league, losing affects teammates who prepared just as hard.

Over the last two seasons, Rapport has played alongside legends Viswanathan Anand and Magnus Carlsen.“If I recall correctly, we spent a bit more time with Magnus. In general, it was still somewhat distant because of the generational difference (with Anand), but there was good energy. Before the games, we would see him and spend some time together, and during double rounds, there was space to talk a little,” he added.“After the games as well, we could watch the games together and discuss things. Maybe it was more important for the younger players. For me personally, I’ve known Magnus for quite a long time, so I wasn’t particularly starstruck. Still, it was nice to have those moments.”Make no mistake: GCL is not a holiday.“Everyone wants to show their superiority over the board,” Humpy added.Short formats encourage risk-taking. Pressure leads to mistakes, not because players are weaker, but because the stakes are different.“Even irrelevant online games can get very competitive after two losses,” Rapport added. Add cameras, crowd and standings to the setting, and the tension escalates quickly.Magnus Carlsen once said, “If you don’t believe you are the best, you will never become the best.”Ego, in that sense, is fuel, something that can help young chess players, as Humpy said, “It’s also a great opportunity for junior players, because they get a chance to interact with star players and some of the most experienced, world-ranked players. That really helps them grow as players.”Chess may never become football or any other team sport. Players will still retreat into silence before games, guard routines, and protect their own ideas, and there is nothing wrong with doing that.They may not always talk enough. But for a few weeks each year, leagues like GCL remind the chess world that greatness doesn’t have to be lonely. In a sport built on breaking egos, GCL is quietly teaching players how to live with them, together.ALSO READ: The rise of ‘Queen’: From ages 8 to 18, how an all-girl team is bringing free chess to rural India

India’s AM Green and Japan’s Mitsui & Co are exploring a strategic partnership for the energy transition. This collaboration includes potential investments in AM Green’s integrated green aluminium platform, aiming to support the world’s first fully integrated green aluminium production facility. Discussions also cover offtake agreements for low-carbon aluminium.

India’s AM Green and Japan’s Mitsui & Co on Thursday signed a memorandum of understanding to explore strategic collaboration across the energy transition, including potential investments in low-carbon aluminium, the companies said, according to PTI.Under the MoU, Mitsui will assess possible investments across the value chain of AM Green Aluminium Metals and Materials, a wholly owned AM Green subsidiary developing an integrated green aluminium platform. The collaboration could support equity funding for what the companies describe as the world’s first fully integrated green aluminium production facility.“Under the MoU with Mitsui, the parties will assess potential investment in the AM Green Metals value chain. Mitsui investment will support equity requirements to build the world’s first integrated green aluminium production platform,” the companies said in a statement.“As part of the discussions, AM Green and Mitsui will explore a range of commercial and strategic opportunities, including offtake of low-carbon aluminium (including potential access to offtake rights associated with AM Green’s green aluminium business) and supply of auxiliary materials for green aluminium smelter and alumina refinery.”AM Green Metals is building a 1 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) primary aluminium smelter, along with 2 MTPA of alumina refining and mining capacity. In November, AM Green signed an agreement with the Andhra Pradesh government to set up a 1 MTPA green aluminium complex in the state.The aluminium smelter and alumina refinery are planned to be powered entirely by renewable energy from wind and solar, firmed by pumped hydro storage. In May, Coal India signed an MoU to supply 4.5 gigawatts of renewable power to AM Green for its businesses, including green metals.As part of the discussions with Mitsui, the companies will also explore offtake arrangements for low-carbon aluminium and the supply of auxiliary materials for the aluminium smelter and alumina refinery.“AM Green is building globally competitive platforms across molecules and materials to enable industrial decarbonisation at scale,” said Mahesh Kolli, founder of Greenko Group and AM Green. “We are pleased to partner with Mitsui to explore collaboration pathways that can accelerate low-carbon aluminium and expand market access for green products.”AM Green was established by Greenko founders Anil Chalamalasetty and Mahesh Kolli as a dedicated energy transition and decarbonisation platform. It holds a stake in the Greenko business, its Power2X portfolio—covering green ammonia, green hydrogen, green metals and aluminium, and green chemicals—and its Bio2X businesses, including 2G ethanol, SAF, dissolving pulp and lignin.Greenko has a near-term operational renewable energy capacity of over 12 GW across solar, wind and hydro, and is building 100 GWh of single-cycle pumped hydro storage capacity by 2030 across India.AM Green is committed to producing 5 MTPA of green ammonia by 2030, representing one-fifth of India’s green hydrogen production target and 10% of Europe’s green hydrogen import target, and to building 1 MTPA of green aluminium capacity.Mitsui & Co, a global trading and investment group operating in more than 60 countries, has businesses spanning energy, metals, infrastructure and chemicals, and works with partners worldwide to build long-term sustainable value, the statement said.

PM Modi with Ram Sutar (Image/X@narendramodi)

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday expressed deep grief over the passing of legendary sculptor Ram Vanji Sutar, offering condolences and remembering him as an artist whose creations gave enduring form to India’s history, culture and national pride. Sutar, best known as the designer of the Statue of Unity, the world’s tallest statue, passed away at his Noida residence late on Wednesday night. He was 100 and had been suffering from age-related ailments.The Prime Minister also shared photographs with Sutar, recalling his monumental contribution to Indian art and public memory.In a post on X, PM Modi wrote: “The passing of Shri Ram Sutar Ji has left me deeply saddened. Through his unique sculptures, India has been gifted with several prestigious landmarks, among which the Statue of Unity at Kevadia stands out as a particularly remarkable symbolic creation. His artworks vividly showcase India’s history, culture, and collective consciousness. By giving eternal form to national pride, he has created an invaluable legacy for future generations. His creations will continue to inspire artists and citizens forever. I express my condolences to his family, admirers, and all those affected by his great life’s work. Om Shanti.”Sutar’s son Anil Sutar confirmed his death in a note shared with the press, stating that the renowned sculptor passed away peacefully at home around midnight on December 17.Born on February 19, 1925, in Gondur village of Dhule district in present-day Maharashtra, Ram Vanji Sutar showed an early inclination towards sculpting despite coming from a humble background. A gold medallist from the Sir JJ School of Art and Architecture, Mumbai, Sutar went on to build an extraordinary career spanning several decades, earning global recognition for his mastery of bronze and realistic sculptures.Among his most celebrated works are the Statue of Unity at Kevadia in Gujarat, a 182-metre (522-foot) tribute to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, India’s first deputy prime minister and home minister. His other iconic creations include the seated meditative statue of Mahatma Gandhi and the equestrian statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj at the Parliament complex. Sutar’s busts of Mahatma Gandhi have been installed in over 450 cities worldwide, further cementing his international stature. He was also associated with major upcoming and ongoing projects, including the Lord Ram statue in Ayodhya and the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj statue in Mumbai.In recognition of his immense contribution, Sutar was awarded the Padma Shri in 1999 and the Padma Bhushan in 2016. Recently, he was conferred the Maharashtra Bhushan Puraskar, the highest civilian award of the state. Earlier this year, Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis, along with deputy CMs Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar, presented the award to him in Noida.Tributes poured in from across the political spectrum. Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath expressed sorrow over the “irreparable loss to the art world,” describing Sutar as the artisan behind the world’s tallest statue. In a post on X, he wrote: “The demise of the great sculptor, the artisan of the world’s tallest statue ‘Statue of Unity’, ‘Padma Bhushan’ Shri Ram V Sutar Ji, is extremely sorrowful and an irreplaceable loss to the art world… Om Shanti!”President Droupadi Murmu also condoled Sutar’s death, remembering him as an artist whose work significantly enriched India’s cultural heritage. In a post on X, she said: “Saddened by the passing of Shri Ram Sutar Ji, Padma Bhushan recipient and an eminent sculptor whose exceptional contributions have enriched India’s artistic and cultural heritage. His monumental works, including the Statue of Unity, stand as great symbols of India’s enduring legacy. His art will continue to inspire generations of artists. I extend my deepest condolences to his family members and admirers.”Union home minister Amit Shah termed Sutar’s passing “extremely heartbreaking,” highlighting his role in creating historical sculptures and restoring artworks at Ajanta and Ellora. BJP president JP Nadda remembered him as one of India’s most respected sculptors, noting that while the artist is no longer with us, his works will continue to keep his legacy alive.Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said the nation had lost an “artist par excellence,” recalling Sutar’s work on the statues of Lachit Barphukan in Jorhat and Gopinath Bardoloi in Guwahati. He praised the sculptor’s personal involvement and exceptional craftsmanship in bringing Assam’s heroes to life.The Maharashtra Chief Minister’s Office later announced that Sutar’s mortal remains would be accorded full state honours during the funeral rites in Noida, following a request made to the Union Home Minister and the Uttar Pradesh government.Often compared to masters like Rodin and Michelangelo, Ram Vanji Sutar leaves behind a towering artistic legacy that shaped India’s public spaces and collective imagination. His monumental creations, admired both in India and abroad, will continue to inspire generations to come.

‘Dhurandhar’ is now nearing the completing of its second week at the box office. The film has been on a winning streak and how. The second weekend collections of the movie were bigger than the first weekend, not to mention, it became the biggest second weekend grossing movie, beating ‘Pushpa 2’. Meanwhile, it managed to hold pace on Monday, Tuesday, though, the drop from the Sunday numbers was expected and obvious.Dhurandhar Movie Review Even worldwide, ‘Dhurandhar’ has beaten the lifetime collection of ‘Baahubali’ with a whopping Rs 674 crore. There’s clearly no stopping to this one. Meanwhile, at the domestic box office, ‘Dhurandhar’ made Rs 30.5 crore on Monday and Tuesday each after a second Sunday of Rs 58 crore. On Wednesday, it saw a drop of around 16 percent and collected Rs 25.5 crore. On Thursday, it has begun on a slow note with Rs. 5.12 crore, till afternoon. The film’s total collection is now Rs 442.37 crore in India, according to Sacnilk.

It’s quite evident that from now Wednesday and more so Thursday onwards, ‘Dhurandhar’ has begun to slow down. This also could be due to the fact that ‘Avatar Fire And Ash’ has begun to gain momentum in its advance bookings. The advances for the movie are decent here, and one can expect Rs 30+ crores ($3.5+ million) opening day. ‘Avatar: Way of Water’ opened to nearly 50 crores gross in 2022, and went on to gross around 500 crores in its lifetime run.

Day wise collection of the film:

Day 1 [1st Friday] Rs. 28 CrDay 2 [1st Saturday] Rs. 32 CrDay 3 [1st Sunday] Rs. 43 CrDay 4 [1st Monday] Rs. 23.25 CrDay 5 [1st Tuesday] Rs. 27 CrDay 6 [1st Wednesday] Rs 27 CrDay 7 [1st Thursday] Rs. 27 CrWeek 1 Collection Rs. 207.25 CrDay 8 [2nd Friday] Rs. 32.5 CrDay 10 [2nd Sunday] Rs. 58 CrDay 11 [2nd Monday] Rs. 30.5 CrDay 12 [2nd Tuesday] Rs. 30.5 CrDay 13 [2nd Wednesday] Rs. 25.50 Cr ** Day 14 [2nd Thursday] Rs. 5.12 Cr ** Total ₹ 442.37 CrDISCLAIMER: The box office numbers in this article are compiled from our proprietary sources and diverse public data. While we strive for accuracy, all figures are approximate unless explicitly mentioned, offering a fair representation of the project’s box office performance. We are open to feedback and suggestions on toientertainment@timesinternet.in

PM Modi on Thursday reiterated India’s economic story, saying that growth stood at over 8%, even amid ongoing challenges. Speaking at the India-Oman Business Summit in Muscat, the PM said, “A few days ago, the economic growth figures were released, and India’s growth stood at over 8%. This means India has continued to remain the world’s fastest-growing major economy. This has happened at a time when the entire world is surrounded by challenges.”

Addressing the much awaited trade agreement between the two nations, PM Modi said, “India-Oman Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement will give our partnership new confidence, energy in 21st century,” he said. He further added that in the past 11 years, “India has not just changed its policies, country has changed its economic DNA.” PM Modi also engaged with business leaders from both countries and outlining deeper economic collaboration as both nations prepare to sign a CEPA today. Highlighting India’s economic trajectory and its implications for partners other partners, PM Modi said, “India’s nature has always been progressive and self-driven. Whenever India grows, it helps its friends grow as well. Today, India is progressing towards becoming the world’s third-largest economy. This is beneficial for the entire world. However, it is even more beneficial for Oman because, in addition to being close friends, we are also maritime neighbours,” he said. PM Modi also underlined the long-standing trust in commercial ties, noting that both sides understood each other’s markets well due to generations of business engagement.Union commerce and industry minister Piyush Goyal, who also addressed the summit, said that the two countries were on the brink of a major moment in their economic partnership and added, “our bilateral trade has crossed 10 billion dollars, but that is just the beginning. We must focus on a diversified trade partnership,” he said. According to Goyal, the CEPA would enable a more ambitious future by offering duty-free trade and removing trade barriers.Inviting greater business engagement, Goyal said, “We invite Omani business persons to leverage India’s vibrant market, while Indian businesses will find Oman a strategic gateway to the Gulf, Africa, and West Asia.”The commerce minister also pointed out the broader significance of the deal, saying, “This is Oman’s second FTA directly with a country in nearly 20 years, demonstrating the importance Oman places on the India relationship and India’s commitment to further strengthening it. I am confident today’s signing of the CEPA will mark a new chapter in India-Oman relations.”The upcoming India–Oman CEPA marks an important step in strengthening India’s economic engagement with the Gulf region. It holds particular significance as it is Oman’s second free trade agreement with an individual country and the first such pact the country is entering into in nearly two decades.India, in recent years has signed a range of FTAs, benefiting farmers, traders and exporters. This year, New Delhi signed a CETA with the UK, reducing tariffs on more than 90% of traded goods. In 2024, it concluded a trade and economic partnership agreement with the European Free Trade Association, backed by strong investment commitments. Earlier agreements include the Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement with Australia and a CEPA with the United Arab Emirates in 2022, as well as an Africa-focused trade pact with Mauritius in 2021.Bilateral trade between India and Oman stood at $8.947 billion in FY 2023–24. In FY 2024-25, the figure rose to $10.613 billion, according to ANI.

Trump sees the Gold Card as a tool to attract and retain outstanding talent while also creating income for the US government. (AI image)

US President Donald Trump has launched his $1 million Gold Card, but Indians it seems are not too keen to shell out the amount, especially given the lack of clarity on permanent residency. Almost a week after the Trump administration launched its Gold Card visa program, it seems to have garnered little interest. Instead, the EB-5 category of visas seems to be the go-to route for the American dream.The US issues 10,000 EB-5 visas each year, with a limit of 7% or 700 visas per country, including dependents. The EB-5 investor visa program remains in high demand, especially among applicants from India and China, who make up the majority of those seeking this visa. Trump sees the Gold Card as a tool to attract and retain outstanding talent while also creating income for the US government. This new initiative is a permanent residency program, akin to a green card, offering a route to citizenship.“Basically, it’s a green card but much better,” Trump said at the launch. “Much more powerful, a much stronger path.” But are there any takers?

Why Trump’s Gold Card Is Not Getting Traction

Immigration experts told ET that the Gold Card’s application guidelines are vague. It also lacks legal clarity, and does not offer a clear path to permanent residency or citizenship – a combination of issues that makes it unappealing even to wealthy Indians! These experts are advising applicants to consider the EB-5 category instead.“The instructions for the Gold Card are loosely worded, and there is no clearly defined pathway to permanent residency or citizenship,” Keshav Singhania, Head of Private Client at Singhania & Co was quoted as saying.

Trump Gold card

To qualify for an EB-5 visa, investors must invest $800,000 in a targeted employment area or $1.05 million elsewhere, and this investment must create at least 10 full-time jobs. This investment covers the entire family, unlike the Gold Card, where each family member must pay $1 million plus a $15,000 processing fee, resulting in a minimum cost of $4 million for a family of four, not including legal fees.Poorvi Chothani, a prominent immigration lawyer, notes that not a single query on the Gold Card has been received till now. “You will get stuck in the EB-1 and EB-2 queues anyway. At this point, I don’t see this (Gold Card) as an attractive option given the legal and practical uncertainties.”“We have seen significant inbound curiosity, particularly from high-net-worth individuals and global founders. However, this has translated into very limited concrete follow-through,” said Shilpa Malik, Managing Attorney at US-based VisaLaw Nation. “We have not yet started processing any formal applications under the program.”“The most likely potential takers, at least in theory, would be ultra-high-net-worth individuals who value long-term US access, optionality, and brand association more than immediate immigration outcomes. That said, this is a very narrow audience,” she explained.There is also skepticism about the Gold Card in US prediction markets. On Polymarket, about 91% of participants predict that the Trump administration will not sell any Gold Cards in 2025, with over $7 million bet on this outcome.Experts have noted that the Gold Card is not a separate immigration category. “It does not have its own visa allocation,” Rajneesh Pathak, founder & CEO of Global North Residency & Citizenship told ET. “The executive order places it within the EB-1 and EB-2 categories, both of which already have significant backlogs. Even if a Gold Card application were submitted today, it would face delays due to the limited availability of visas in these categories, which could discourage potential applicants.”Pathak is of the view that unlike the EB-5 program, which is safeguarded by US law, the Gold Card would need Congressional approval to be enacted. “Currently, it has been bypassed by Congress. In contrast, EB-5 has explicit grandfathering provisions and is not anticipated to face disruptions,” he said.Meanwhile, due to stricter H1B visa regulations and other immigration-related changes, there has been a significant increase in demand for EB-5 visas. From January to November 2025, Global North Residency processed over 100 EB-5 applications. Additionally, more than 60 petitions are being filed in just the two months of December 2025 and January 2026.Arindam Sengupta, co-founder of Edufund, emphasized that price sensitivity and certainty are crucial. “EB-5 has been around for nearly three decades and has a proven track record. The Gold Card lacks both clarity and proof of concept,” he remarked. “At a million-dollar price point, people want something tried and tested.”

Counterpoint Research indicates that over 70% of iPhones sold in the US are manufactured in India. (AI image)

The Tata group seems to be betting big on iPhones, with its latest regulatory filing with the Registrar of Companies indicating that it has injected an additional Rs 1,500 crore into Tata Electronics. This company manufactures iPhones under contract for Apple.This funding underscores the parent company’s ongoing support for expanding Tata Electronics’ capacity, which has become one of Apple’s largest iPhone manufacturers in India. A significant portion of the iPhones manufactured at Tata Electronics are exported to the US and Europe.

Tata bets on Apple iPhones

This equity investment in October has increased the total capital infusion by Tata Sons, the group’s holding company, into Tata Electronics to Rs 4,500 crore over the past year, according to an ET report. The filing also reveals that the company has doubled its authorized share capital to Rs 20,000 crore, suggesting the possibility of further financial support from the parent company.Tata Electronics did not specify the reason for the capital infusion, but the filing mentioned that to continue its operations, the company will need “additional long-term finance by issue of securities/equity shares.”

Growth Strategy At Play

Tata Electronics recently raised funds at a price of Rs 62 per share, according to Mohit Yadav, the founder of the business intelligence firm AltInfo. He told ET, “This will fund capex for electronics manufacturing and semiconductor expansion, with profitability timeline remaining uncertain amid heavy growth investments.”According to its regulatory filings, Tata Electronics reported a consolidated operating income of Rs 66,206 crore for 2024-25, up from Rs 3,752 crore in 2023-24. Despite this, the company is still operating at a loss. However, the net loss has decreased to Rs 69 crore in FY25 from Rs 825 crore the previous year.Yadav told ET that even with assets of around Rs 48,000 crore and a big consolidated revenue, the net loss in FY25 suggests that costs related to capacity expansions and integration are still impacting profitability.Counterpoint Research indicates that over 70% of iPhones sold in the US are manufactured in India, with Foxconn being the largest producer of iPhones in the country.During Apple’s earnings call in August, CEO Tim Cook mentioned that the “vast majority” of iPhones sold in the United States were manufactured in India, while most other products like the Mac, iPad, and Watch were produced in Vietnam.In addition to producing smartphones and high-tech components for Apple, Tata Electronics is making a significant move into the semiconductor industry. They are investing approximately $14 billion to establish a semiconductor fabrication plant in Gujarat and a chip assembly and testing facility in Assam.Earlier this month, Tata Group and Intel signed a memorandum of understanding to explore the manufacturing and packaging of Intel products for local markets at Tata Electronics’ forthcoming facilities. They also plan to collaborate on advanced packaging in India and look into the potential for rapidly expanding customized AI PC solutions for both consumer and enterprise markets in the country.

The Uttar Pradesh Madhyamik Shiksha Parishad (UPMSP) has released the list of examination centres for 2026 High School and Intermediate examinations. Students appearing for their UP board class 10 or class 12 board exams can now check the complete list of centres by visiting the board’s website, upmsp.edu.in. The board has also opened an objection window for students who are not satisfied with the allocation of examination centres. Students can submit their objections online before December 22, 2025. In case a student is unable to submit the objection online, they can inform their respective school authorities. Students/schools have to submit reasonable evidence to support their objections.

Exam centres allotted by UPMSP

Students who are preparing to appear for the UP board class 10 or class 12 board examinations in 2026 can check the list of centres allotted by visiting the official website. The same can be downloaded by clicking on the link provided below:UPMSP board exam centre list 2026.The final list issued by the board includes 7,448 exam centres across the state where the annual board exams will be conducted. Students are advised to verify the list specific to their district as published on the official portal.

What’s next for UP board students?

The UP board exams 2026 are scheduled to commence February 18, 2026 onwards. The exams will be concluded on March 12, 2026. Ahead of the theory examinations, UP board will conduct practical exams for class 12 students. As per the official schedule released by the board, the UPMSP class 12 practical exams will be conducted in two phases. Phase 1 will be conducted from January 24 to February 1, 2026, while phase 2 will be held on January 29 and 30, 2026.

When will UP board hall tickets be issued?

The UP board authorities will issue hall tickets for classes 10 and 12 students soon. Based on past years’ trends, it is expected that the admit cards will be released a few weeks before the examinations commence. Registered students can expect the UP board admit cards to be released by late January or early February.Once issued, students will be able to download their hall tickets by following the steps given below:

If students spot any discrepancy or error in their admit card, they should immediately inform their respective school authorities. The admit card serves as an entry ticket to the examination centre. Therefore, students should ensure that all the details mentioned in their hall tickets are accurate. For more information and updates about UP board exams 2026, students are advised to keep checking the official website regularly.