A senior Indian tech lead earning ₹1 crore annually was denied a US B1/B2 visa in under a minute despite strong ties to India—including 11 years of stable employment and an eight-month-old daughter. The rejection under Section 214(b) occurred after just three questions at the US Embassy in New Delhi, highlighting rising scrutiny on Indian professionals attending global tech conferences.
November 2025 brings a festive pause for Indian banks with five key closures under the RBI calendar, alongside routine Sundays and second/fourth Saturdays—totaling up to 11 off-days depending on the state. Highlights include Kannada Rajyotsava (Nov 1, Karnataka), Guru Nanak Jayanti/Kartika Purnima (Nov 5, nationwide in major regions), Kanakadasa Jayanti (Nov 8, Bengaluru), and Wangala Festival (Nov 23, Meghalaya). While branches close, digital banking (UPI, NEFT, RTGS) remains fully operational. December 2025 is lighter, with Christmas Day (Dec 25) as the sole national holiday, plus routine Saturdays and Sundays. Plan ahead—check local RBI lists, go cashless, and use breaks to review finances. From cultural pride to spiritual reflection, these holidays blend tradition with practicality.
The Kerala High Court-appointed SIT has made its third arrest in the Sabarimala Temple gold artefacts theft case, uncovering a network of corruption and asset manipulation inside one of India’s most sacred temples. Former executive officer D. Sudheesh Kumar, priest-turned-businessman Unnikrishnan Potti, and ex-TDB official Murari Babu have all been arrested for allegedly misreporting and misappropriating gold-plated temple artefacts. The case has triggered widespread calls for digital asset tracking, blockchain auditing, and governance reforms across India’s temple administration system.
A tragic stampede at the Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple in Kasibugga, Srikakulam, Andhra Pradesh, claimed nine lives and injured dozens during Ekadashi celebrations as a massive crowd overwhelmed the temple’s narrow entry and exit points. The incident, caused by poor crowd management and lack of safety measures, has sparked national outrage and prompted the government to announce compensation and a high-level inquiry. Experts now call for urgent adoption of technology-driven crowd control systems to prevent such disasters at India’s religious sites.
Added by the 42nd Amendment in 1976, Article 51A of the Indian Constitution lists 11 Fundamental Duties—non-justiciable yet morally binding—urging citizens to uphold the Constitution, promote harmony, protect the environment, and strive for excellence. Inspired by Japan’s post-war emphasis on public welfare, these duties balance rights with responsibility, reminding every Indian that true freedom flourishes only when duty anchors it.
Vice President JD Vance sparked outrage by expressing hope that his Hindu wife, Usha, would convert to Christianity during a Turning Point USA event. The remark, seen as a betrayal of her heritage, fueled accusations of “Hinduphobia” and hypocrisy from Indian-Americans, while igniting divorce rumors and questions about Vance’s 2028 ambitions amid MAGA’s Christian nationalism.
Citizens Bank is set to hire 1,000 HR and technology professionals at its Hyderabad Global Capability Center (GCC) by April 2026. Under the leadership of CEO Bruce Van Saun, the U.S.-based financial giant is transforming its India operations into a hub for HR tech innovation, AI-driven workforce solutions, and digital banking platforms. The expansion underscores Hyderabad’s growing role as a global powerhouse for financial technology and talent.
The CBDT has extended ITR filing deadlines for AY 2025-26: non-audit cases now due by 16 September 2025, tax audit reports by 10 November 2025, and ITR for audit cases by 10 December 2025. Pay self-assessment tax by 31 October 2025 to avoid 1% monthly interest. Final belated/revised return cutoff: 31 December 2025. Avoid ₹5,000 late fee — full official timeline and e-filing links included.