Sector-wise, selling pressure was seen across realty, metal, auto and information technology stocks, which witnessed the sharpest declines. Realty stocks fell nearly 2 per cent, while metal, auto and IT indices lost over 1 per cent each.

Weakness extended beyond frontline indices, with broader market indices under pressure as Nifty Midcap 100, Midcap 150 and Smallcap indices declined close to 1 per cent each.

Meanwhile, crude oil prices traded higher, with international benchmark Brent crude rising 4 per cent to 96.90 US dollar. US WTI gained 4.64 per cent to 94.75 US dollar. Asian markets largely traded in the negative territory, with Japan’s Nikkei falling nearly 4 per cent, South Korea’s KOSPI plunging 5 per cent, and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng declining about 1 per cent.

 Union Minister Jitendra Singh has said India’s space economy, currently close to 9 billion dollars, is expected to expand to about 45 billion dollar over the next seven to eight years. The Minister also stated that India’s space startup ecosystem has grown from a single-digit number of startups a few years ago to around 400 today. He made these comments while reflecting on the last 12 years of the Modi government during an interaction with the media. The Minister said the change of mindset that has happened in the last 12 years under Prime Minister Modi is one of the biggest hallmarks.  He added that this shift was visible in the growing number of civil services toppers emerging from small towns and non-metropolitan backgrounds, reflecting the democratisation of opportunity through technology, transparency and fair competition. Mr Singh also noted that India’s successful landing near the Moon’s south pole had strengthened public interest in science.

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla has asserted that the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047 can only be realized through public participation, innovation, entrepreneurship, and collective resolve. Addressing a conclave in New Delhi, he emphasized that entrepreneurship and nation-building must progress hand in hand to ensure that the benefits of development reach every section of society. Lok Sabha Speaker noted that India’s journey toward becoming a developed nation must be guided by inclusive growth, social responsibility, and active citizen engagement. Highlighting the role of youth in shaping the future, Mr Birla stated that educated, skilled, and technology-enabled young people constitute the greatest strength of Viksit Bharat 2047. He urged the younger generation to embrace innovation, artificial intelligence, and emerging technologies to position India as a global leader. Mr Birla observed that the coming era will be driven by knowledge and innovation, calling upon the youth to become job creators rather than job seekers.

During this period, India has achieved a sustained environmental transformation through deliberate policy action and consistent implementation. The country has expanded forest and tree cover, restored wetlands, mangroves, and coastal ecosystems, and advanced river rejuvenation through the Namami Gange Programme. To reduce pollution and restore the ecological health of the River Ganga and its tributaries, the Namami Gange Programme was launched in 2014. A total of 524 projects have been sanctioned, out of which 355 projects have been completed till February this year. 

    The Green India Mission launched in 2015 is a flagship initiative dedicated to forests and ecosystem restoration. India’s forest and tree cover stands at 8.27 lakh square kilometer, accounting for over 25 percent of the country’s geographical area. India has achieved a significant milestone in global forest statistics by advancing to the 9th position worldwide in terms of total forest area. In 2024 Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a campaign Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam, which has emerged as one of the world’s largest public environmental movements. A total of over 262 crore saplings were planted till December last year. 

The Mission LiFE, launched in 2022 has strengthened India’s international standing by positioning it as a global leader in lifestyle-based climate action. India achieved its target of reducing emissions intensity by 33 to 35 percent from 2005 levels eleven years ahead of schedule. The International Solar Alliance launched in 2015 has significantly enhanced India’s international credibility by positioning it as a global agenda-setter in climate action and clean energy transition. As climate change, resource pressures, and environmental degradation intensify globally, India has adopted a balanced approach that combines conservation, sustainability, and development. 

 Prime Minister Narendra Modi today highlighted the government’s 12-year journey of welfare for the poor. In a social media post, he said that India has witnessed many transformations and at the core of these changes is Garib Kalyan and the downtrodden. He said the government has always been inspired by Antyodaya, and the effort has always been to ensure that the benefits of development reach those who were left behind for decades. The Prime Minister underlined that every initiative like Jan Dhan accounts, Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT), Swachh Bharat, PM Awas Yojana, Jal Jeevan Mission and Ayushman Bharat has been driven by the objective of ensuring dignity and opportunity to people. He also said that technology has played a vital role in ensuring a better quality of life for the poor.

Mr Modi said that through Direct Benefit Transfer and digital platforms, support is reaching people directly and transparently. He said these initiatives have reduced leakages, improved efficiency and strengthened trust in governance. The Prime Minister said that the journey of Garib Kalyan has become a collective movement towards human empowerment and realising the dream of a Viksit Bharat. 

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla will inaugurate the three-day Zone-II Conference of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association,CPA, India Region, in Chandigarh today. The conference is being hosted by the Haryana Legislative Assembly. During the 3 day conference, deliberations will be held on significant topics like role of legislatures in the nation-building ,Viksit Bharat, 2047 artificial intelligence and making democratic institutions more effective, making democratic institutions more effective.

The event will be attended by Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh, Nayab Singh Saini, Haryana Vidhan Sabha Speaker Harvinder Kalyan, presiding and deputy presiding officers from 15 legislatures across the country, as well as Members of Legislative Assemblies.

During the inaugural session, Haryana Vidhan Sabha Speaker Harvinder Kalyan will deliver the welcome address. A special documentary showcasing the history and development of Haryana will also be screened on the occasion. This will be followed by addresses from Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh, and Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini.

A cultural evening will be held at Tagore Theatre, featuring performances that highlight the Constitution and India’s rich cultural heritage. Speaking ahead of the event, Haryana Vidhan Sabha Speaker Harvinder Kalyan said, elaborate arrangements have been made to ensure the smooth and successful conduct of the conference.

The meeting was attended by district officials and public representatives from Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Jalpaiguri, Alipurduar and Cooch Behar districts. Discussions focused on municipal affairs, women and child development, social welfare, disaster management, sanitation, drainage, waste management, traffic regulation and the implementation of various government schemes.

Later, addressing the media, Ms. Paul said strict measures will be taken to improve urban infrastructure and cleanliness. She announced that parking would be permitted only in designated areas from July 1, with penalties for illegal parking. She also stressed the need for transparency in parking fee collection and called for a thorough probe into alleged corruption in the Siliguri Municipal Corporation.

The Minister said Darjeeling, Mirik, Kurseong, Kalimpong, and Siliguri will soon be developed as five Himalayan cities. She added that Union Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Manohar Lal has expressed support for developing these towns, which are expected to boost tourism, trade, the tea industry, and the regional economy, as well as generate employment opportunities. 

A wreath-laying ceremony with full military honours was held at the Air Force Station in Jammu. Besides, Lieutenant Governor Sinha, senior military, police and civil officials also paid tributes to the officer before his mortal remains were taken to his native village in Uttarakhand’s Almora district for the last rites.

Lieutenant Goswami died after slipping into a deep gorge during an anti-terror operation in the Dorimaal area of the Gambhir Mughlan belt last evening.

The Army’s White Knight Corps expressed profound grief over his demise and extended condolences to the bereaved family.

Lieutenant Goswami was part of Operation Sheruwali, launched to track down two to three Pakistani terrorists believed to be hiding in the forested areas of Rajouri district. The operation entered its 16th consecutive day today.

E-Jagriti, launched on the 1st of January, has unified four legacy applications OCMS, e-Daakhil, NCDRC CMS and CONFONET, into a single AI-enabled, paperless platform. Since its launch, the platform has facilitated filing of over 2.29 lakh consumer cases and disposal of over 2.07 lakh cases. It has achieved an overall disposal rate of 90.75% while enabling consumers to access justice seamlessly from anywhere in India and abroad.