New Delhi: India is expected to clock 6.7 per cent growth in the first quarter of the current fiscal (FY26), outpacing the RBI Monetary Policy Committee’s (MPC’s) recent forecast of 6.5 per cent, credit rating agency ICRA said on Tuesday.The rating agency report projects the growth in the gross value added (GVA) to stand at 6.4 per cent in Q1 FY2026.

Improved transmission of monetary easing and the recent announcement of forthcoming GST rationalisation may help to shore up urban consumption sentiments ahead of the festive season, the report said.”ICRA estimates a double-digit growth in net indirect taxes (in nominal terms), aided by the sharp uptick in the government of India’s indirect taxes (+11.3 per cent in Q1 FY26 from -3.1 per cent in Q4 FY2025), despite the narrower contraction in its subsidy outgo,” said Aditi Nayar, Chief Economist, Head-Research and Outreach, ICRA.

“Benefitting from robust government capital as well as revenue spending, upfronted exports to some geographies and nascent signals of improved consumption, the pace of expansion in economic activity in Q1 FY2026 is estimated at 6.7 per cent,” Aditi Nayar said.The rating agency estimates the YoY growth in the services GVA to increase to an eight-quarter high of 8.3 per cent in Q1 FY26, from 7.3 per cent in Q4 FY25, supporting the overall GVA expansion in that quarter.

In particular, the combined non-interest revenue expenditure of 24 state governments reported a double-digit YoY growth of 10.7 per cent in Q1 FY26, up from 7.2 per cent in Q4 FY25.Likewise, the Central government’s non-interest revenue expenditure saw a turnaround, recording a YoY growth of 6.9 per cent against a contraction of 6.1 per cent in the previous quarter, said the report.

Rural sentiments, as reflected in the Current Situation Index (CSI) improved further in the July 2025 (100.6) round of the RBI’s Rural Consumer Confidence Survey, reflecting favourable trends in farm output in the last two cropping seasons, and the upbeat outlook for the ongoing kharif season, and a considerable cooling in the rural CPI inflation.

Shimla: The monsoon havoc in Himachal Pradesh has claimed 257 lives since June 20, according to the Himachal Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (HP SDMA).

District-wise data shows that Mandi (26 deaths), Kangra (28), and Kullu (11) were among the worst-affected in rain-triggered disasters.

Among the deaths, 133 were deaths reported in rain-related incidents such as landslides, flash floods, drowning, and electrocution, and another 124 fatalities in road accidents,.

The cumulative report released on Friday evening paints a grim picture of widespread destruction. The state has also recorded 331 people injured and 37 missing during the ongoing monsoon season.

Landslides and flash floods alone have caused 16 deaths, while 27 people drowned in swollen rivers and nullahs. Other casualties were reported due to lightning, fire, snake bites, electrocution, and accidental falls.

In addition to human loss, the state reported massive damage to property and infrastructure. Over 1,028 houses were fully damaged and another 2,157 partially damaged, besides 285 cow sheds and 699 shops and factories destroyed. Public property worth more than Rs 2,14,403 crore has been lost, including extensive damage to roads, power lines, water schemes, and government institutions.

Animal losses have also been severe, with 1,625 cattle heads and over 25,700 poultry birds perishing in the rains.

The HPSDMA noted that Mandi district alone accounted for the heaviest financial damage, exceeding Rs 1,180 crore, followed by Kangra and Kullu districts.

Meanwhile, Mandi district reported the highest disruption, with 203 roads blocked and 458 transformers out of service, followed by Kullu where 79 roads remain closed, including NH-305 at Jhed (Khanag) due to a major landslide. Water supply schemes were also severely affected in Chamba (24), Kangra (41), and Mandi (44).

In Kinnaur, six roads including NH-5 were blocked after heavy downpours, while Kullu and Lahaul-Spiti reported widespread outages due to flash floods and HT line faults.

Authorities cautioned that intermittent rainfall in the coming days may worsen the situation, and appealed to people to avoid travel through vulnerable stretches.

Officials warned that the situation remains critical with rains expected to continue, urging residents to avoid travel through vulnerable stretches and follow safety advisories.

Aadhaar-based face authentication has set new benchmark, doubling from 100 crore to 200 crore transactions in just 6 months, the government said on Monday.

Aadhaar Face Authentication lets Aadhaar holders verify their identity instantly, securely, and contactless anytime, anywhere, no documents needed.

On August 10, 2025, UIDAI celebrated a landmark 200 crore transactions of Face Authentication, showcasing India’s rapid move towards seamless, secure, and paperless authentication, according to IT Ministry.

The pace of adoption has been exponential. 50 crore transactions were recorded by mid-2024. The number doubled to 100 crore transactions in January 2025 in just about five months. In less than six months, this figure has again doubled, reaching the 200 crore milestone, the ministry informed.

“Reaching 200 crore Aadhaar Face Authentication transactions in such a short time underlines the trust and confidence that both residents and service providers have in Aadhaar’s secure, inclusive, and innovative authentication ecosystem,” said Bhuvnesh Kumar, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), UIDAI.

The journey from 100 crore to 200 crore transactions in under six months is a testament to its scalability and the country’s digital readiness.”

He further added, “From villages to metros, UIDAI is joining forces with governments, banks, and service providers to make Aadhaar Face Authentication a grand success and by giving every Indian the power to prove their identity instantly, securely, and anywhere.”

The swift rise from 100 crore to 200 crore Aadhaar Face Authentication transactions in just six months reflects the core vision of Digital India, transforming the country into a digitally empowered society and knowledge economy.

By enabling instant, secure and paperless identity verification across every corner of the nation, UIDAI is strengthening the backbone of digital governance.

“This milestone is not just about numbers, it is a testament to how inclusive technology, when scaled efficiently, can bridge divides, empower citizens and accelerate India’s journey towards a truly connected and confident digital future,” said the ministry.