India's net direct tax collections surged by a massive 17.7 per cent year-on-year to Rs 19.58 crore in the fiscal year ended March 2024, surpassing even revised estimates by a wide margin, the tax department said on Sunday.

Net collections of income and corporate taxes, which make up for most of the direct taxes, in 2023-24 financial year exceeded the Budget estimates by Rs 1.35 lakh crore (7.40 per cent) and the revised estimates by Rs 13,000 crore.

The government had raised the target for direct tax collection in FY24 (April 2023 to March 2024) to Rs 19.45 lakh crore in the interim Budget presented on February 1.

Bengaluru Badshahs became the champions of the fifth Deaf Indian Premier League coveted trophy.

"Sportspersons are the messengers of peace, harmony and prosperity. Watching specially-abled athletes performing in the field brings one an ecstatic feeling", commented, Deputy Commissioner Jammu, Sachin Kumar Vaishya (IAS) during the Closing Ceremony of the 5th Deaf Indian Premier League, organised by the Indian Deaf Cricket Association (IDCA) at Maulana Azad Stadium, Jammu.

Sachin Kumar was the chief guest on the occasion, while Sher Singh ADDC Jammu and Ranjeet Kalra, Ace Sports Administrator and Member of J&K Sports Council were the guests of honour. Rajesh Dhar.

Sam Altman-run OpenAI has hired Pragya Misra as its first employee in India. Sources confirmed to IANS on Friday that Ms Misra has been appointed to lead public policy affairs and partnerships in the country.

She has served as the Director of Public Affairs for Truecaller, where she has collaborated closely with government ministries, investors, key stakeholders, and media partners.

Prior to that, she worked for three years with Meta Platforms.

Incidentally, Pragya Misra was also the first employee of WhatsApp in India.

The Indian Navy on Saturday said it carried out an extensive exercise along the East Coast as part of efforts to check its preparedness to meet any maritime security challenges.

The exercise 'Poorvi Leher' witnessed participation of ships, submarines, aircraft and special naval forces.

"The Indian Navy conducted Exercise Poorvi Lehar on East Coast under the Operational Control of the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Naval Command," the Navy said.

It said the exercise was aimed at validation of procedures towards assessment of the Indian Navy's preparedness to meet maritime security challenges in the region.

Roman Gabriel had big size and a big arm when he was the No. 2 draft pick of the Los Angeles Rams in 1962. Even while playing in an era of grinding it out on the ground, he still holds the Rams’ team record with 154 touchdown passes.

Gabriel, the first Filipino American quarterback in the NFL and the league MVP in 1969, died Saturday. He was 83.

His son Roman Gabriel III announced his father’s death on social media, saying he died peacefully at home of natural causes.

In 2021, the elder Gabriel told the Los Angeles Times, “I am retired with heart problems and arthritis but happy.” He said he split time between Wilmington, North Carolina, and Little River, South Carolina.

Balraj Panwar secured India's first Paris Olympics quota in rowing by finishing third in the men's single scull event of Asian Olympic qualifiers in Chungju, South Korea.

India's ace Single Sculler Panwar finished third in the Qualification Championships at Chungju with a time of 7:01:27 in the 2000 m race, booking a berth for himself for the 2024 Paris Olympics.

The top five in men's single sculls qualify for the Olympics. India failed to qualify for the men's lightweight double sculls at the previous Olympics in Tokyo.

Reuters photographer Mohammed Salem won the prestigious 2024 World Press Photo of the Year award on April 18 for his image of a Palestinian woman cradling the body of her five-year-old niece in the Gaza Strip.

The picture was taken on Oct. 17, 2023, at Nasser hospital in Khan Younis in southern Gaza, where families were searching for relatives killed during Israeli bombing of the Palestinian enclave.

The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) has lifted the age cap on purchasing health insurance policies, effective from April 1, 2024.

Previously, individuals were restricted to buying new insurance policies only until the age of 65. However, with the recent changes that came into effect on April 1, 2024, anyone, regardless of age, is now eligible to purchase new health insurance.

“Insurers must ensure they offer health insurance products catering to all age groups. They may design products specifically for senior citizens, students, children, maternity, and other groups as specified by the Competent Authority,” stated a notification issued by the IRDAI.

Every year on April 22, people all around the world celebrate Earth Day, a day dedicated to raising awareness and taking action to protect our planet. Since its inception in 1970, Earth Day has grown into a global movement, inspiring millions to advocate for environmental conservation and sustainability.

Earth Day is a global event dedicated to raising awareness about protecting our environment. It's a day to reflect on the importance of a healthy planet and take action to ensure a sustainable future for all.

The very first Earth Day was celebrated in 1970. Since then, it's grown into a massive movement, with billions of people participating in events and activities worldwide.

National Civil Service Day 2024, Date, History, Theme: To acknowledge and honour the work of civil servants engaged in public service, the backbone of the nation’s administration, the Government of India celebrates National Civil Services Day on April 21 every year in India.

This day commemorates the address given by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the first Home Minister of Independent India, to probationary officers in 1947, where he referred to civil servants as ‘the steel frame of India,’ thereby serving as a reminder to reflect on their services and reaffirm their commitment to serving citizens.

The observance of the day entails the recognition and motivation of civil service officers, the evaluation of departmental performance, and the presentation of awards for excellence in public administration.