India Posts 8.2% GDP Growth in Q2 — Highest in Six Quarters, Powered by Manufacturing and Services

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November 28, 2025

indai, gdp growth, gdp, market — India Posts 8.2% GDP Growth in Q2 — Highest in Six Quarters, Powered by Manufacturing and Services 2

India’s economy posted a six-quarter high GDP growth of 8.2% in Q2 FY2025-26, outpacing expectations as strong manufacturing output and a robust services sector offset a slowdown in agriculture. The growth rate was higher than the 7.8% recorded in the previous quarter and significantly above the 5.6% seen a year earlier.

This performance also helped India retain its position as the world’s fastest-growing major economy, with China expanding 4.8% during the same period.

According to the National Statistics Office (NSO), GDP growth for the first half of FY2025-26 averaged 8%, compared with 6.1% in the year-ago period. With this momentum, India appears poised to surpass the full-year growth target of 6.3–6.8% projected in the Economic Survey.

Manufacturing and Services Drive Growth

Manufacturing grew 9.1% year-on-year, a sharp rise from 2.2% last year. Factories scaled up production in anticipation of festive-season demand following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s GST rate cut announcement in his Independence Day address. The revised rates took effect on September 22.

The services sector—including finance, real estate and professional services—expanded 10.2%, significantly higher than 7.2% in Q2 last year.

However, agriculture growth slowed to 3.5%, down from 4.1% a year earlier.

Economists See Growth Surpassing 7% for FY26

The RBI, earlier in October, revised its GDP projection upward to 6.8% for the current financial year.

Key GDP Indicators

Real GDP (Constant Prices), Q2: ₹48.63 lakh crore vs. ₹44.94 lakh crore last year
Nominal GDP (Current Prices), Q2: ₹85.25 lakh crore vs. ₹78.40 lakh crore
Real GDP, H1: ₹96.52 lakh crore (8% growth)
Nominal GDP, H1: ₹171.30 lakh crore (8.8% growth)
Private Consumption Growth (PFCE): 7.9% vs. 6.4% last year
Gross Fixed Capital Formation: 7.3% growth

India continues to demonstrate strong macroeconomic resilience, with analysts expecting growth to stay above 7% despite global uncertainties.

Maharashtra Cancels All Birth Certificates Issued Solely on Aadhaar Basis, Orders FIRs for Discrepancies

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November 28, 2025

chandrashekhar bawankule, revenue minister, minister, birth certificates, aadhaar — Maharashtra Cancels All Birth Certificates Issued Solely on Aadhaar Basis, Orders FIRs for Discrepancies 4

The Maharashtra government has ordered the cancellation of all birth certificates issued solely on the basis of an Aadhaar card, declaring that Aadhaar will no longer be accepted as a valid document for delayed birth registrations.

The decision comes amid a statewide crackdown on a racket involving fake birth and death certificates, allegedly used to obtain government benefits, capture land, and compromise national security.

Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule said the government would take strict action against those involved. “Fake birth and death certificates are being misused to gain benefits, seize land, and even endanger national security. We will not tolerate such racketeering,” he said.

According to the state’s directive, any birth certificate issued solely using Aadhaar after the August 2023 amendment will now be considered invalid and cancelled. If discrepancies are found between application details and the Aadhaar date of birth, an FIR will be registered immediately.

Officials who issued such certificates will also face action.

The Revenue Department has circulated a 16-point verification checklist to Tehsildars, Sub-Divisional Officers, District Collectors, and Divisional Commissioners. Cancellations will take place only after verification under these guidelines.

The government has identified 14 districts as hotspots for certificate malpractice, including Amravati, Akola, Anjangaon Surji, Achalpur, Ardhapur, Sillod, Sambhajinagar, Latur, Pusad, Parbhani, Beed, Gevrai, Jalna and Parli.

What the cancellation order means:

Birth certificates issued using only Aadhaar as proof will be cancelled.
Any mismatch with Aadhaar data will lead to FIR against the applicant.
Applicants unable to produce original documents or who cannot be traced will be declared absconding, with FIRs registered.
Special verification camps will be held under direct supervision of District Collectors and Divisional Commissioners.

The government says the crackdown is aimed at restoring authenticity and preventing misuse of the civil registration system.

After DC Shooting, US Orders Fresh Review of Green Cards Issued to Immigrants From 19 Countries

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November 28, 2025

donald trump, green card, dc shooting, dc — After DC Shooting, US Orders Fresh Review of Green Cards Issued to Immigrants From 19 Countries 6

The Trump administration has announced a “rigorous” re-examination of all Green Cards issued to immigrants from 19 “countries of concern”, following the shooting of two National Guard service members in Washington, DC, by an Afghan national earlier this week.

US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Director Joseph Edlow said President Donald Trump had directed a full-scale review of Green Cards issued to immigrants from these nations, noting the safety of Americans remains the administration’s top priority.

“The American people will not bear the cost of the prior administration’s reckless resettlement policies,” Edlow said in a post on X, adding that the new policy guidance applies immediately to all pending and future requests filed on or after November 27, 2025.

The new rules allow USCIS to weigh “negative, country-specific factors” when vetting immigrants from the 19 countries, which include Afghanistan, Iran, Cuba, Somalia, Yemen, Libya, Myanmar, Haiti and Venezuela. These nations were previously included in a travel ban issued by Trump in June.

The move follows Wednesday’s shooting that left US Army Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, 20, dead, and US Air Force Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe, 24, critically injured. The accused, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, arrived in the US under the Biden-era refugee programme Operation Allies Welcome, meant for Afghans fleeing after the Taliban’s 2021 takeover.

Edlow said the updated policy will help USCIS determine whether an immigrant poses a public safety or national security threat, accusing the Biden administration of eroding crucial vetting safeguards over four years.

Trump, calling the shooting a “terrorist attack,” claimed many Afghan arrivals were brought in “unvetted” and vowed to remove individuals he deemed dangerous.

USCIS said the guidance follows the administration’s earlier halt on Afghan refugee resettlement and further strengthens vetting procedures to prevent similar incidents.

‘No Friday Prayers at Sanjauli Mosque,’ Warns Devbhoomi Sangharsh Samiti Amid Ongoing Protest

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November 28, 2025

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The Devbhoomi Sangharsh Samiti on Thursday said it would not allow Friday prayers at the disputed Sanjauli mosque, urging the Muslim community to avoid visiting the site in order to maintain communal harmony.

Samiti members have been protesting in Sanjauli for the past ten days and on Thursday performed ‘Shastra Puja’ as part of their ongoing agitation.

Co-convener Vijay Sharma said the organisation is awaiting its scheduled meeting with the administration on November 29, after which it will decide how to proceed. “If the meeting fails to produce positive results, we will intensify our agitation against the mosque,” he said.

Sharma claimed prayers were still being offered at the structure despite the court declaring it illegal and ordering its demolition, calling the situation “very unfortunate.”

The dispute has heightened tensions in the area, with authorities keeping a close watch ahead of Friday.

Bombay HC Slams State for Blaming Ethiopia Volcano, Says Mumbai’s Air Was ‘Already Hazardous’

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November 27, 2025

Bombay High Court Solapur Gang Rape Case — Representative Image

The Bombay High Court on Thursday sharply criticised the Maharashtra government for attributing Mumbai’s deteriorating air quality to the volcanic eruption in Ethiopia, observing that the city’s air quality index (AQI) had been poor long before the eruption.

A bench of Chief Justice Shree Chandrashekhar and Justice Gautam Ankhad was hearing a batch of petitions—including a suo motu PIL from 2023—on the alarming rise in air pollution across Mumbai.

Senior counsel Darius Khambata, acting as amicus curiae, informed the court that the city’s AQI had remained above 300 throughout the month, indicating consistently “very poor” air quality.

However, additional government pleader Jyoti Chavan argued that the pollution spike was primarily due to volcanic ash from Ethiopia’s eruption two days ago.

The bench dismissed the explanation, remarking, “Air pollution was already bad much before the eruption. Even earlier, visibility was poor beyond 500 metres.”

Expressing concern over the worsening situation, the judges drew parallels with Delhi’s severe pollution crisis and asked the government to outline the most effective measures to address Mumbai’s air quality emergency. The matter will be heard again on Friday.

The High Court took suo motu cognisance of the rising pollution on October 31, 2023, and later formed a committee of experts from IIT, an environmental specialist, and a retired principal secretary to recommend solutions. Since then, it has been issuing directives to the BMC and Maharashtra Pollution Control Board to control emissions and dust.

A Unicef report submitted to the court last year highlighted the gravity of the crisis, noting that 21 lakh deaths in India are linked to air pollution, including 1.69 lakh children under five.

The court reiterated that authorities must treat the issue with urgency as pollution levels continue to threaten public health across the city.

Assam Assembly Passes Bill to Ban Polygamy; CM Himanta Biswa Sarma Vows to Implement UCC if Re-Elected

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November 27, 2025

polygamy, himanta biswa sarma, assam assembly, assam cm — Assam Assembly Passes Bill to Ban Polygamy; CM Himanta Biswa Sarma Vows to Implement UCC if Re-Elected 11

The Assam Assembly on Thursday passed the Assam Prohibition of Polygamy Bill, 2025, making polygamy a criminal offence punishable by up to 10 years in prison, with specific exemptions for Scheduled Tribes (STs) and areas under the Sixth Schedule.

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who piloted the Bill, said the legislation was aimed at empowering women and promoting equality, asserting that it was not directed against any particular religion. “The Hindus are not free from polygamy either. This Bill applies equally to people from all faiths — Hindu, Muslim, Christian and others,” Sarma said during the debate.

The CM appealed to opposition parties to withdraw their proposed amendments to ensure the Bill’s unanimous passage, calling it a historic step towards women’s empowerment. However, suggestions from AIUDF and CPI(M) were defeated by a voice vote.

Sarma also linked the Bill to the broader goal of implementing a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in Assam. “I assure the House that if I return as Chief Minister after the next Assembly elections, the UCC Bill will be introduced in the very first session,” he declared.

He further announced that a Bill against deceptive marriages, often associated with so-called love jihad cases, will be brought in by the end of February. “Whatever we have said about love jihad, we will do that,” Sarma added.

The passage of the Bill marks another major reform move by the Himanta Biswa Sarma government, which has been vocal about introducing uniform personal laws and curbing religious and social practices it deems regressive.

Bombay HC Questions Delay in Disha Salian Death Inquiry: “How Long Will Police Keep Probing?”

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November 27, 2025

disha salian, bombay hc, bombay high court, inquiry — Bombay HC Questions Delay in Disha Salian Death Inquiry: "How Long Will Police Keep Probing?" 13

The Bombay High Court on Thursday questioned the prolonged delay in the investigation into the death of celebrity manager Disha Salian, asking how long the Mumbai Police intended to continue its inquiry.

Salian, who had worked with several Bollywood personalities, died on June 8, 2020, after falling from the 14th floor of a residential building in Malad, north Mumbai. The police had registered an Accidental Death Report (ADR) following the incident.

A division bench of Justices A.S. Gadkari and R.R. Bhonsale observed that even after five years, the police had yet to determine whether the death was a case of suicide or culpable homicide. “Why is the inquiry still ongoing? Someone has died — all you have to ascertain is whether it was a suicide or culpable homicide,” the bench remarked after Public Prosecutor Mankhunwar Deshmukh informed the court that the inquiry was still underway.

Deshmukh said the probe was being conducted “minutely” to rule out all possibilities.

Disha’s father, Satish Salian, had filed a petition earlier this year seeking a CBI investigation, alleging that his daughter was raped and murdered, and claiming a political cover-up to shield influential individuals. He also sought the registration of an FIR against Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aditya Thackeray.

The prosecutor, however, told the court that both Satish and his wife had earlier told investigators they had no suspicion or doubt about anyone’s involvement, questioning the credibility of the new allegations raised after five years.

The bench also asked why the police had not shared copies of statements and basic investigation documents with Disha’s father. “He is the father of the victim. Any document that is legally permissible can be handed over to him,” the judges said, directing the police to clarify their stance by December 11 and to produce the post-mortem report before the court.

Meanwhile, Aditya Thackeray has filed an application to intervene in the case, terming the petition “false, frivolous, and politically motivated.”

The court will hear the matter further on December 11, when the police are expected to present their report and explain the reasons for the prolonged inquiry.

Delhi-NCR Breathes Slight Relief as GRAP-3 Curbs Lifted After Marginal AQI Improvement

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November 27, 2025

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The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) on Wednesday revoked Stage III restrictions of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) in Delhi-NCR after a marginal improvement in pollution levels, while retaining measures under Stages I and II with stricter enforcement.

The decision came as Delhi’s overall Air Quality Index (AQI) improved slightly to 327, shifting from the “severe” to the “very poor” category. The capital had been reeling under toxic air for several consecutive days, prompting the Stage III curbs last week.

With the rollback, activities such as non-essential construction, entry restrictions on certain heavy vehicles, and bans on BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel cars in parts of NCR have been lifted. However, CAQM clarified this is not a full relaxation, urging agencies to ensure rigorous compliance with existing Stage I and II controls to prevent another spike.

Ongoing measures include mechanised road cleaning, water sprinkling, strict dust control at construction sites, checks on industrial emissions, and use of anti-smog guns at key pollution hotspots. Citizens have been urged to use public transport, carpool, and avoid outdoor activities during peak pollution hours.

Officials said the decision followed a detailed review of real-time air quality data by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and forecasts by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) and Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), which predict that air quality will likely remain in the “very poor” category for the next few days due to low wind speeds and winter inversion.

The CAQM noted that local emissions from vehicles and industries, combined with calm winds and falling temperatures, continue to trap pollutants despite a reduction in crop residue burning across neighbouring states.

Stage III restrictions were imposed on November 20 when Delhi’s AQI crossed the 400-mark in multiple locations. The winter trend, as in previous years, has seen sharp deterioration in air quality following Diwali and the early wedding season, despite ongoing efforts under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) and GRAP framework.

Authorities reiterated their appeal for citizen cooperation to help sustain the improvement and avoid a relapse into the “severe” zone.

44 Dead, 279 Missing in Hong Kong’s Worst High-Rise Fire; Three Construction Executives Arrested

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November 27, 2025

Wang Fuk Court, Hong Kong, Building Fire — 44 Dead, 279 Missing in Hong Kong's Worst High-Rise Fire; Three Construction Executives Arrested 17

At least 44 people were killed and 279 remain missing after a devastating fire swept through multiple high-rise towers in Hong Kong’s Wang Fuk Court, in what is being described as the worst fire in the city’s history, Chinese state media reported on Thursday.

The Hong Kong Police Force confirmed that three men — two company directors and a project consultant aged between 52 and 68 — have been arrested for suspected manslaughter. The arrested men are executives of a construction firm responsible for installing materials now believed to have accelerated the blaze.

Preliminary investigations revealed that protective nets, waterproof canvas, and plastic coverings used on the buildings did not meet fireproof standards. Police also found that polyurethane foam, a highly flammable substance, had been used to seal windows in elevator lobbies, which may have caused the fire to spread rapidly.

Hong Kong’s Chief Executive John Lee said the fire has left 45 others injured, while hundreds remain unaccounted for. Authorities have launched a large-scale search and rescue operation, with emergency teams working round the clock to locate survivors.

Chinese President Xi Jinping extended his condolences late Wednesday, expressing grief over the tragic incident. He directed the Hong Kong and Macao Work Office and the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government to support local authorities in rescue operations, medical care, and aid for the victims’ families, according to the Xinhua news agency.

Xi also instructed officials to conduct a thorough safety review to prevent future tragedies, emphasizing that “every possible effort” must be made to extinguish the fire, rescue those missing, and comfort affected families.

The Wang Fuk Court fire marks a dark chapter in Hong Kong’s urban safety record, with residents demanding stronger enforcement of building safety regulations and accountability for lapses that led to the catastrophic loss of life.

Bar Is the Torchbearer of the Constitution, Says CJI Surya Kant on Constitution Day

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November 26, 2025

surya kant, supreme court, bar association, sc — Bar Is the Torchbearer of the Constitution, Says CJI Surya Kant on Constitution Day 19

Chief Justice of India Surya Kant on Wednesday hailed the indispensable role of the Bar in safeguarding the rule of law and upholding the sanctity of the Constitution, describing lawyers as the “torchbearers” who guide the judiciary in fulfilling its constitutional responsibilities.

Addressing the Constitution Day celebrations organised by the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA), the CJI said that while the courts are seen as sentinels of the Constitution, the Bar ensures that justice reaches every corner of society.

“When we celebrate the moment when the people of India gave unto themselves the Constitution, I must emphasise that the Bar occupies an indispensable place in fortifying the rule of law and upholding the sanctity of our Constitution. If the courts are the sentinels, then the Bar are the torchbearers who illuminate our path,” Justice Kant said.

He noted that the legal fraternity plays a crucial role in offering legal aid to the vulnerable and marginalised, and in ensuring that constitutional ideals such as justice, liberty, and equality are not mere words but lived realities. “Your perspectives matter profoundly. The seriousness with which you engage in your craft directly influences the transformation of our constitutional future,” he added.

The CJI urged lawyers to take purposeful steps to spread awareness about constitutional values and align their practice with the Directive Principles of State Policy, calling it essential for a just and inclusive democracy.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, who also addressed the gathering, said the Constitution’s beauty lies in its balance of power among the executive, legislature, and judiciary. “No organ is supreme — only the Constitution is sovereign,” he said, adding that the judiciary has always intervened when other institutions strayed from constitutional morality.

SCBA president Vikas Singh stressed the need to strengthen law-making, justice delivery, and access to justice, while highlighting issues such as black money in elections and criminal elements in politics. He also called for urgent improvements in lower court infrastructure and judicial training to ensure that justice remains accessible to all citizens.

Since 2015, November 26 has been celebrated as Constitution Day (Samvidhan Diwas) to commemorate the adoption of the Indian Constitution by the Constituent Assembly in 1949. The day, earlier known as Law Day, honours India’s democratic framework and the vision of its founding fathers.