India Declares 'Naxal-Free' Status, Launches Digital Census, Faces Energy Crunch

• Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced India is 'Naxal-free' ahead of the March 31 deadline for eliminating Left-Wing Extremism.
• India launched its first digital census, allowing self-enumeration for the first time, marking the first population count in over 15 years.
• The war in West Asia is impacting India's energy supplies, though the country now imports oil and gas from 41 nations.
• New Income Tax Act, 2025, and Rules, 2026, came into effect on April 1, changing salary structures and introducing a single 'Tax Year'.
• Oracle laid off over 30,000 employees globally, including 12,000 in India, across various verticals.

Key Questions Answered

How will the new Income Tax Act impact average salaries?

The new Income Tax Act, 2025, effective April 1, 2026, will impact average salaries through changes in House Rent Allowance (HRA) exemptions and TDS calculations.

What are the long-term effects of India's digital census?

The long-term effects of India's digital census include more accurate data to guide housing, health, education, and welfare policies, faster data rollout and quicker release of results {{3}

Could the West Asia conflict further disrupt India's energy supply?

Yes, the West Asia conflict could disrupt India's energy supply. India has diversified its energy imports to 41 countries, reducing reliance on West Asia.