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India Today
4 hours ago
- Automotive
- India Today
Hero Splendour or Honda Activa, all bikes to get ABS as standard feature from this date
In a landmark move to enhance road safety, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has announced that from January 1, 2026, all new two-wheelers sold in India, irrespective of engine capacity, must come equipped with Anti-lock Braking Systems (ABS). In addition, dealerships will be required to provide two BIS-certified helmets with every new purchase, one for the rider and one for the ABS is mandatory only for two-wheelers with engine capacities above 125cc. With the new mandate, this safety feature will be made compulsory across the board, including for scooters and motorcycles in the entry-level segment. ABS prevents wheel lock-up during sudden braking, significantly reducing the risk of skidding or losing control, especially in emergencies or on slippery surfaces. Studies have shown that ABS can reduce accident risk by 35 to 45 decision is driven by alarming road safety statistics. Two-wheelers accounted for 44.5% of all road accident fatalities in India in 2022, with many of these deaths attributed to head injuries and loss of vehicle control during braking. To further address these concerns, the government has also made it compulsory for dealerships to supply two BIS-certified helmets at the time of delivery. Presently, only one helmet is All the budget-friendly bikes and scooters in the 100-125cc range, which constitute the majority of two-wheeler sales in India, may see a price increase, depending on the hardware upgrades required for compliance, such as the addition of front disc brakes and ABS ministry is expected to release detailed implementation guidelines and technical standards soon to ensure a smooth rollout of the new rules. These regulations will apply only to vehicles manufactured and sold from January 1, 2026, to Auto Today Magazine
Agriland
10 hours ago
- Health
- Agriland
Animal health status a ‘clear driver' of sustainability levels
Taking a 'silo approach' to animal health misses out fundamentally on the impact this key principle of animal husbandry has across farming as a whole, according to veterinarian Dr. Sam Strain. This was the clear message the vet delivered to the recent Northern Ireland Institute of Agricultural Science (NIIAS) annual conference. He specifically referenced the link between animal health and the issues of production efficiency, carbon footprint, and medicine usage. Moreover, he said these are all matters that determine the overall sustainability of farming and food at the present time. Dr. Strain is the chief executive of Animal Health and Welfare Northern Ireland (AHWNI). In his presentation to the NIIAS conference, he confirmed that animal health status has an overarching impact on livestock performance. In other words, an animal's genetic potential will never be fully reached if its health status is compromised, irrespective of the nutritional regimes that are followed. Chatting at the NIIAS conference, Institute members (l-r) Sean McIntyre, Valerie Westfield, and Lowry Cunningham According to the vet, clear links have also been confirmed between animal health status, production output, and the associated impact on the environment. Dr. Strain explained: 'Between 2007 and 2017, milk output in the United States rose by 24.9%. 'However, greenhouse gas emission levels only increased by 1% during the same period. 'Analysis of these results has clearly shown that animal health status is a clear driver of whole herd efficiency and sustainability levels.' The AHWNI representative highlighted the need for calves to be tagged as early as possible. This is a key requirement, linked to the ongoing bovine viral diarrhoea (BVD) eradication programme in Northern Ireland. Dr. Strain also noted that further legislation will be required to allow for the full completion of the BVD measure. Animal health Animal health standards are directly linked to the usage of antibiotics within production agriculture. He also confirmed that a specific disease breakdown predisposes animals to other health-related issues, which in turn can lead to increased antimicrobial usage. He added: 'There is a tremendous level of interaction between diseases. For example, BVD predisposes animal to pneumonia. Infectious disease move within animals. 'But simple steps taken by farmers to tackle one specific issue can have repercussions across other aspects of animal health. 'For example, improving hygiene standards in calving areas to reduce the prevalence of Johne's disease will also act to reduce scour levels in newborn calves.' Dr Strain also spoke of how improving animal health can have benefits for efforts to reduce carbon emissions. 'There is also a clear line between improved livestock health standards and the carbon footprint generated by a livestock farming business,' the AHWNI representative said. 'For example, reducing lameness problems within dairy herds will significantly reduce greenhouse gas emission levels. 'And reducing parasite burdens, such as those created by fluke and worms, will also deliver overall reductions in carbon footprint values.'
Time of India
11 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
NPCI introduces real time PAN-Bank Account linking on income tax website; taxpayers may get faster income tax refunds
NPCI has launched a new PAN and Bank Account Validation API for government departments, enabling real-time verification of taxpayer details directly from banks' Core Banking Systems. This initiative aims to streamline income tax refunds and direct benefit transfers by ensuring faster, error-free processing and reducing fraud risks. Banks are advised to prioritize implementation for the Government of India. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads What NPCI circular said on PAN-Bank Account linking? Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads How will the new facility help in faster income tax refunds? The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) has launched a new facility regarding PAN and Bank Account validation on the income tax e-filing website. The new facility will help taxpayers in quick validation on their PAN-Bank account linking on the income tax e-filing website. 'The main goal of this is simplifying real-time verification of PAN details, bank account status, and account holder identities straight from banks' Core Banking Systems (CBS),' the NPCI circular stated. The new facility was announced in a circular dated June 17, a continuation of that initiative, NPCI has now introduced a new PAN and Bank Account Validation API designed specifically for Government departments. This API will facilitate real-time verification of PAN details, Bank account status and accountholder name directly from the bank's Core Banking System (CBS).Utkarsh Bhatnagar, Partner, Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas, says, 'This will enable quicker and real time validation of PAN and bank account details of taxpayers accessing the Income Tax website.'According to the NPCI circular on June 17, 2025, "This API will be used by Government departments to verify the customer account details like PAN validation/Account Status Validation/Account holder name validation from their bank CBS. As this is a service provided to the Government of India all the Member Banks are advised to take necessary steps for implementation on priority."Bhatnagar says, 'The new facility will enable faster and error-free processing of income tax refunds and direct benefit transfers by instantly verifying details, slashing delays and reducing fraud risks.'Banks will have to upgrade their systems to comply with NPCI's secure API standards, which could involve significant operational changes. While taxpayers will benefit from faster, error-free refund processing, the transition may pose challenges like system upgrades and potential cybersecurity initiative aligns with NPCI's broader mission to strengthen India's digital payment ecosystem , promising greater efficiency but requiring robust collaboration among stakeholders.
Time of India
11 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
Gold price prediction: Meltdown as prices fall by Rs 600/10 gram amid profit booking. Can bulls stage a comeback?
Gold prices fell on Friday as investors took refuge in the greenback amid growing tensions between Israel and Iran. Moreover, a status quo on the US interest rate has helped the dollar index (DXY) strengthen, reducing some appeal in the yellow metal. The domestic gold prices fell sharply taking cues from the international prices. Gold rate today On the MCX, the August Gold futures were trading at Rs 98,664, down by Rs 665 or 0.67% from the Thursday closing price. Meanwhile, gold contracts on the COMEX were hovering around $3,367.20 per troy ounce, plunging by $40.90 or 1.20%. The movement in gold rates are inversely related to the dollar movement. When the Federal Reserve cuts interest rates, the returns on dollar-denominated assets like the US treasury bonds or savings accounts become less attractive and hence global investors may move their money to countries with higher interest rates, reducing demand for USD. Commenting on the action, Pranav Mer, Vice President, EBG - Commodity & Currency Research at JM Financial Services said that the breather this week was on profit-booking, after the U.S. Fed's hawkish comments on interest rates and easing geo-political risk premium. The Street awaits U.S. President Donald Trump's decision if the US will enter the Iran-Israel war in two weeks. "On charts prices may find some resistance around Rs 99,300-99,650, while on the downside support is seen at Rs 98,000-97,650," Mer said. The price of physical gold in Delhi-NCR market is still above the Rs 1 lakh mark. This includes a 3% GST levy. Renisha Chainani, Head - Research at Augmont also sees profit-booking in gold after record highs of Rs 1,01,078 per 10 gram on the MCX. "Precious metals have reversed as support from growing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East is offset by a stronger dollar overall and the possibility of fewer interest rate reductions from the US," Chainani said. Technical triggers "Gold prices are consolidating around record-high levels in the range of Rs 99,000($3,360) and Rs 101,000 ($3,475). Despite the Fed's hawkish tone, ongoing geopolitical tensions between Iran and Israel continue to offer downside protection for gold, Jateen Trivedi, Vice President Research Analyst - Commodity and Currency, LKP Securities opines. "The broader trend remains range-bound to positive, with a key support level seen at $3,290, and strong resistance near $3,500 on Comex. Unless there is a clear resolution on geopolitical fronts or a shift in Fed commentary, gold is likely to stay buoyant within this broad band," he added. Silver price today The July silver futures plunged by Rs 1,395 or 1.3% and were trading around Rs 1,05,998. On the COMEX, silver contracts fell by $1.128 or 3.06% per troy ounce to trade around $35.78. Silver prices have retraced from its high, next support is Rs 105,300($35.50), said Chainani, adding that prices should sustain this support for the bull trend to continue. If this support is broken, the next downside level is Rs 104,000 ($34.50), he added. Also Read: Commodity Radar: MCX crude oil futures cross 200-DMA amid Israel-Iran tension. Can it breach this crucial resistance zone? ( Disclaimer : Recommendations, suggestions, views and opinions given by the experts are their own. These do not represent the views of Economic Times)
Economic Times
11 hours ago
- Business
- Economic Times
Gold price prediction: Meltdown as prices fall by Rs 600/10 gram amid profit booking. Can bulls stage a comeback?
Gold prices fell on Friday as the dollar strengthened amid US Fed's hawkish stance and cooling geopolitical tensions between Israel and Iran. Profit-booking also weighed on sentiment, with gold dropping on both MCX and COMEX. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Gold rate today Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Technical triggers Silver price today Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Gold prices fell on Friday as investors took refuge in the greenback amid growing tensions between Israel and Iran. Moreover, a status quo on the US interest rate has helped the dollar index (DXY) strengthen, reducing some appeal in the yellow metal. The domestic gold prices fell sharply taking cues from the international the MCX, the August Gold futures were trading at Rs 98,664, down by Rs 665 or 0.67% from the Thursday closing price. Meanwhile, gold contracts on the COMEX were hovering around $3,367.20 per troy ounce, plunging by $40.90 or 1.20%.The movement in gold rates are inversely related to the dollar movement. When the Federal Reserve cuts interest rates, the returns on dollar-denominated assets like the US treasury bonds or savings accounts become less attractive and hence global investors may move their money to countries with higher interest rates, reducing demand for on the action, Pranav Mer, Vice President, EBG - Commodity & Currency Research at JM Financial Services said that the breather this week was on profit-booking, after the U.S. Fed's hawkish comments on interest rates and easing geo-political risk Street awaits U.S. President Donald Trump's decision if the US will enter the Iran-Israel war in two weeks."On charts prices may find some resistance around Rs 99,300-99,650, while on the downside support is seen at Rs 98,000-97,650," Mer price of physical gold in Delhi-NCR market is still above the Rs 1 lakh mark. This includes a 3% GST Chainani, Head - Research at Augmont also sees profit-booking in gold after record highs of Rs 1,01,078 per 10 gram on the MCX."Precious metals have reversed as support from growing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East is offset by a stronger dollar overall and the possibility of fewer interest rate reductions from the US," Chainani said."Gold prices are consolidating around record-high levels in the range of Rs 99,000($3,360) and Rs 101,000 ($3,475).Despite the Fed's hawkish tone, ongoing geopolitical tensions between Iran and Israel continue to offer downside protection for gold, Jateen Trivedi, Vice President Research Analyst - Commodity and Currency, LKP Securities opines. "The broader trend remains range-bound to positive, with a key support level seen at $3,290, and strong resistance near $3,500 on Comex. Unless there is a clear resolution on geopolitical fronts or a shift in Fed commentary, gold is likely to stay buoyant within this broad band," he July silver futures plunged by Rs 1,395 or 1.3% and were trading around Rs 1,05,998. On the COMEX, silver contracts fell by $1.128 or 3.06% per troy ounce to trade around $ prices have retraced from its high, next support is Rs 105,300($35.50), said Chainani, adding that prices should sustain this support for the bull trend to continue. If this support is broken, the next downside level is Rs 104,000 ($34.50), he added.
