India’s COVID Situation: 163 XFG Cases Confirmed, Active Cases Near 6,500

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India’s active COVID-19 case count is approaching the 6,500 mark, with 358 new cases reported on Monday. Most of these were recorded in Gujarat and Karnataka.

According to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the current number of active cases stands at 6,491, up from 6,133 the previous day. No COVID-related deaths have been reported in the last 24 hours.

Key Highlights (June 9):

Gujarat saw the biggest increase with 158 new infections, the highest among all states.

Karnataka followed with 57 new cases, and West Bengal recorded 54 cases, making it third-highest for the day.

XFG Variant Spread

The new XFG variant of COVID-19 has been found in 163 samples, according to INSACOG (Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium) data.
Breakdown of XFG variant cases:

Maharashtra: 89

Tamil Nadu: 16

Kerala: 15

Gujarat: 11

Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal: 6 each

State-wise COVID Updates

Karnataka

Total cases this year: 1,220

New cases Monday: 265

Positivity rate: 40.7%

Active cases: 559, with only two patients in ICU

Madhya Pradesh

Gwalior reported 6 active cases, including 3 doctors and 3 travelers (one with a recent trip to Badrinath)

Maharashtra

65 new cases on Monday

Total cases since January 1: 1,504

Distribution:

Pune: 29

Mumbai: 22

Nagpur: 5

Kolhapur: 4

Thane: 2

Sangli, Satara, Parbhani: 1 each

Odisha

4 new cases on Monday

Total active cases: 34

Recoveries so far: 15

Other Key States

Delhi: 42 new cases

Kerala: 7

Madhya Pradesh (other than Gwalior): 4

Public Response

In places like Noida, many commuters continue to wear face masks in public as a safety measure. On Sunday, June 8, the country reported 378 fresh cases, pushing the active case count above 6,000 for the first time in recent weeks.

How to Check Your Credit Score in Minutes (See Process)

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Keeping an eye on your credit score is an easy and important way to understand your financial health.

By checking your score regularly and following good financial habits, you can build a strong credit history. This can help you get approved for loans, credit cards, and secure lower interest rates.

Since January 2017, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has required all four licensed credit bureaus to provide one free credit report and score every year to each individual.

This rule promotes transparency and helps people keep track of their credit status and make better financial choices.

Who Provides Credit Scores in India?

India has four main credit bureaus licensed by the RBI:

TransUnion CIBIL

Experian

Equifax

CRIF High Mark

These agencies collect and analyze credit information. They generate credit scores and reports that help lenders decide whether to approve loans or credit cards.

What Is a CIBIL Score and Why Is It Important?

A CIBIL score is a three-digit number between 300 and 900, provided by the Credit Information Bureau (India) Limited.

It shows how reliable you are with credit. Lenders check this score before giving you a loan or credit card.

A score above 700 is considered good, and 900 is excellent. Checking your score regularly helps you stay informed, avoid financial risks, and improve your chances of getting loans on better terms.

How to Check Your CIBIL Score for Free: Step-by-Step Guide

You can check your CIBIL score online by following these simple steps:

Step 1: Visit the official CIBIL website
Go to the site and click on “Get Your CIBIL Score.”

Step 2: Fill out your basic details
Enter your full name, contact number, and email address. Then click “Continue to Step 2.”

Step 3: Enter your PAN number carefully
Your PAN is needed to get your credit report. Double-check your entry to avoid mistakes.

Step 4: Answer a few questions about your credit
You’ll be asked about your loans and credit cards. These help in calculating your score.

Step 5: Skip paid options
You’ll see options for paid subscriptions. To get the free report, scroll down and select “No Thanks.” You’ll then receive a confirmation message and your account will be created.

Step 6: Verify your account
Check your email for a verification link and one-time password (OTP). Click the link, enter the OTP, and reset your password.

Step 7: Log in to your account
After logging in again, your details may auto-fill. If not, enter them manually. Add your contact number and click “Submit.”

Step 8: View your CIBIL score and report
Once you’re in the dashboard, you’ll see your CIBIL score. Download the report to view your full credit history.

Why You Should Check Your CIBIL Score Regularly

Checking your score once a year is helpful, but monthly checks are better. Banks and lenders update credit data regularly. By monitoring your score, you can:

Spot and fix errors in your credit report

Track how you’re repaying loans and credit cards

Identify things that may be hurting your credit, like missed payments or using too much credit

Tips to Keep a Good CIBIL Score

Pay on time: Always pay EMIs and credit card bills by the due date.

Use less credit: Try to use less than 30% of your total credit limit.

Don’t apply too often: Too many loan or credit applications may look risky to lenders.

Check for mistakes: Review your credit report and report any errors to CIBIL right away.

Farmers Demand Removal of CIBIL Requirement for Crop Loans

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Members of the Tamil Nadu Farmers’ Protection Association have petitioned District Collector M.S.

Sangeetha to cancel a recent circular that requires checking the CIBIL credit report before granting farm loans through cooperative societies.

What the Circular Says

The new circular, issued by the State Registrar of Cooperative Societies, mandates that all farm loans, including those under the Kisan Credit Card (KCC) scheme, must only be given after reviewing the applicant’s CIBIL credit report.

Farmers Say It Hurts Small and Marginal Farmers

C. Nethaji, representing the farmers’ group, said the move would seriously affect small and marginal farmers who already struggle to get loans from formal banking channels.

He explained that although the Tamil Nadu government estimates paddy farming costs at ₹76,000 per acre, cooperative banks only offer ₹36,000 as crop loans.

This shortfall forces many farmers to borrow from private lenders and middlemen, often at high interest rates.

CIBIL Check Could Harm Future Loan Access

Nethaji also warned that linking cooperative society loans to the CIBIL database could disqualify farmers from getting future loans from nationalised banks, based on their credit score.

No Rule in RBI Guidelines for CIBIL Check

Farmers pointed out that the Reserve Bank of India’s 2017 guidelines on Kisan Credit Cards do not mandate the use of CIBIL scores to determine loan eligibility.

They cited the example of the Maharashtra Chief Minister, who also opposed rejecting farm loans based on credit scores and urged Tamil Nadu CM M.K. Stalin to withdraw the circular in the farmers’ interest.

MP Su. Venkatesan Opposes the Move

Madurai MP Su. Venkatesan also opposed the circular, questioning why loans from cooperative societies, meant to support small farmers, should rely on credit scores issued by CIBIL, a private company.

“These rules are unfair to small and marginal farmers whose survival depends on these small loans,” he said.

Modi Govt at 11: What DBT, Mudra Loans and More Meant for the Common Citizen

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New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi marks 11 years as the head of the Indian government today.

To celebrate this milestone, the government has launched the slogan “11 Years of Seva”, highlighting the various welfare programs introduced during this time.

Let’s take a look at some major schemes and how they’ve benefited the people:

1. Ayushman Bharat: Over 9 Crore Free Treatments

The Ayushman Bharat scheme has provided over 9 crore free treatments to people in need. This number is more than twice the population of Canada, making healthcare accessible to millions.

2. Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT): ₹44 Lakh Crore Transferred

The Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system has revolutionized the way welfare funds are delivered. So far, ₹44 lakh crore has been directly transferred to beneficiaries’ accounts.

As per a post by PIB on X, “Counting ₹1 lakh every minute would take 833 years to reach this amount.”

3. Mudra Loans: Over 52 Crore Loans for Small Businesses

The Mudra Yojana has empowered small businesses by disbursing over 52 crore loans, which is more than the combined population of the USA, Russia, and Australia.

This scheme supports self-employment and entrepreneurship at the grassroots level.

4. Tap Water for Over 15 Crore Homes

Under the Jal Jeevan Mission, more than 15 crore households now have tap water connections, enough to serve the entire population of Russia. This ensures safe and accessible drinking water across the country.

5. Soil Health Cards: Issued to Over 25 Crore Farmers

To promote sustainable farming, over 25 crore soil health cards have been distributed — more than the population of Brazil.

These cards help farmers understand their soil conditions and use fertilizers more effectively.

6. Jan Dhan Yojana: 55 Crore+ Beneficiaries

The Jan Dhan Yojana, which promotes financial inclusion, has brought over 55 crore people into the banking system. That’s more than the entire population of the European Union.

7. Free Ration for 81 Crore People

Through the PM Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana, 81 crore people have received free ration, enough to feed the entire population of the US and South America combined.

8. 10 Crore+ Free LPG Connections

Under the Ujjwala Yojana, over 10 crore LPG connections have been given for free. This number equals the population of Canada, Spain, New Zealand, and Ireland combined.

The scheme has helped improve health and reduce indoor air pollution by providing access to clean cooking fuel.

9. ‘Make in India’: 63 Lakh Smartphones Made Weekly

India is becoming a major global smartphone manufacturing hub. Under the ‘Make in India’ initiative, over 63 lakh phones are produced every week, showing strong growth in local manufacturing.

Leadership Acknowledged by BJP Chief

At a press conference, BJP President JP Nadda praised Prime Minister Modi’s leadership.

He said, “The work done under the PM’s leadership in the past 11 years is extraordinary and should be written in golden letters,” referring to the government’s focus on good governance and poor welfare.

Delhi Airport Cancels 114 Flights/Day for 3 Months (See Reason)

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Delhi Airport will cancel 114 daily flights between June 15 and September 15 as it begins major runway upgrade work, according to Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) CEO Videh Kumar Jaipuriar.

Why the Upgrade?

The airport is upgrading Runway RW 10/28 to improve the Instrument Landing System (ILS) to CAT III-B standards, which helps aircraft land safely in low-visibility conditions, like those caused by dense winter fog.

This upgrade is vital to keep flight schedules running smoothly during the fog-heavy winter season.

Impact on Flights and Passengers

1,450 flights operate daily at Delhi Airport.

During the upgrade:

114 flights per day will be cancelled

86 flights per day will be rescheduled

The runway will reopen by mid-September

The ILS upgrade will be finished by November 27, just before winter

Although passengers may face short-term inconvenience, the airport assures that these improvements will lead to better operations in the long run, especially during winter delays caused by fog.

Reduction in Arrival Capacity

The runway closure will reduce arrival capacity from 42 flights per hour to 32, affecting key routes such as Mumbai and Patna.

The upgrade is scheduled during a typically low travel season to avoid problems during busy festive times.

Better Preparedness This Time

Earlier efforts in April to begin the upgrade were stopped due to unexpected weather and poor coordination with airlines.

This led to passenger issues and required intervention from the Ministry of Civil Aviation. Learning from that, DIAL has now created a detailed plan in coordination with:

Airlines

DGCA (Directorate General of Civil Aviation)

Air Traffic Control

Ministry of Civil Aviation

A new slot plan has been made to avoid delays and ensure smoother operations during the closure.

Focus on Winter Efficiency and Climate Planning

The CAT III-B upgrade is a major improvement, allowing aircraft to land in extremely low visibility. This will reduce winter delays and improve safety and efficiency.

Additionally, a climate mitigation plan is being developed to prepare for extreme weather conditions, with a full report expected by the end of the year.

Saudi Arabia Suspends Work Visas for 14 Nations Including India (List of Countries)

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Saudi Arabia has temporarily stopped issuing block work visas for citizens from 14 countries, including India, Pakistan, and Nigeria.

The suspension, which will last until the end of June 2025, comes during the busy Hajj season and is expected to affect industries that rely heavily on foreign workers.

As businesses struggle to adjust, many migrant workers now face uncertainty about job opportunities and travel permissions.

What Are Block Work Visas?

Block work visas are pre-approved quotas that allow companies in Saudi Arabia to hire large numbers of foreign workers at once.

These visas are managed through the Kingdom’s labor platform, Qiwa. The government has now removed the block visa option from the platform, freezing all new hiring under this system.

Impact on Companies and Workers

Companies that usually recruit workers from the 14 affected countries will no longer get new quotas. Even previously approved quotas might face delays in processing.

This pause is expected to especially impact construction and domestic work sectors, which rely heavily on migrant labor.

Pending visa applications might be postponed or denied, and workers who already have valid visas but haven’t entered Saudi Arabia could also face issues at the border.

List of Affected Countries

The countries affected by the suspension are:

India

Pakistan

Bangladesh

Nigeria

Egypt

Algeria

Sudan

Ethiopia

Tunisia

Indonesia

Iraq

Jordan

Yemen

Morocco

Why This Suspension?

Although no official explanation has been given, experts believe this move is part of Saudi Arabia’s “Saudization” program.

The goal is to create more job opportunities for Saudi nationals by increasing local hiring, especially in industries like tourism. These local workforce quotas are expected to rise between 2026 and 2028.

Challenges for Migrant Workers

Despite difficult working conditions and criticism of the Kafala system—often blamed for worker exploitation—Saudi Arabia remains a key destination for migrant workers, especially from Africa and South Asia.

Countries like Ethiopia and Kenya send many workers to the Kingdom, mostly for domestic and low-paying jobs.

Even with these challenges, the income earned by workers in Saudi Arabia is crucial for their families and home countries, as remittances support both households and national economies.

Other Recent Restrictions

This suspension is part of a larger trend. Saudi Arabia has also delayed family visit permits and stopped issuing Umrah visas during peak seasons for citizens of these same 14 countries.

Advice for Workers and Recruiters

Authorities have advised workers to check visa eligibility with airlines or Saudi embassies before making travel plans.

Recruitment agencies are also being told to prepare for longer visa processing times and keep clients informed about any changes.

Zomato Introduces Extra Charges for Long-Distance Orders— Here’s Why

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Zomato News: If you often order food online, your next order might be a bit more expensive.

That’s because Zomato’s parent company, Eternal, has made it costlier for restaurants to fulfill certain orders—especially those that need to be delivered from farther away.

The goal is to make each order more profitable for the company.Now, Zomato is charging restaurants a new ‘long-distance fee’ for deliveries over 4 kilometers.

However, it’s still unclear if users will see any changes in their own delivery fees.

Restaurants to Bear ‘Long-Distance Fee’

If an order is being delivered 4 to 6 kilometers from the restaurant or cloud kitchen and the order value is more than ₹150, Zomato will charge the restaurant an extra ₹20 per order.

For deliveries beyond 6 kilometers, the fee doubles to ₹40 for the same order value. However, for smaller orders between ₹0-150 delivered within 6 kilometers, there is no extra fee.

But if such small orders go beyond 6 kilometers, restaurants will have to pay ₹40 per order.

Eternal said, “We aim to make every order profitable for both you and us.” This is a new charge that wasn’t there before.

According to four restaurant owners who spoke to Moneycontrol, this fee has only recently been introduced.

They believe the extra cost may discourage them from accepting orders from distant locations.

Zomato Launches ‘Visibility Assurance Plan’

Along with the new fee, Zomato is also launching a new plan called the Visibility Assurance Plan.

Under this, restaurants can pay about ₹6,000–₹6,500 per month for each restaurant listing (RID) to improve their visibility and get faster rider support.

One restaurant owner told Moneycontrol, “I’ve been asked to pay around ₹6,000 per brand I run to get priority rider support. This means my orders will be picked up and delivered faster.”

This visibility plan is still in its early rollout phase and hasn’t been offered to all restaurants yet. It will be gradually introduced in the coming weeks.

With these steps, Eternal is trying to stay ahead of its competitors and make sure its delivery partners earn better.

Big Dividend News from Tata Investment Corporation

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If you invest in the stock market and like Tata Group companies, here’s good news for you.

Tata Investment Corporation, a non-banking financial company (NBFC) that mainly invests in other Tata companies, is giving a big dividend of 270% this time.

The company’s investment includes shares in:

Tata Chemicals (6%)

Tata Consumer Products (4.7%)

Trent (4.3%)

They announced a dividend of ₹27 per share for the fourth quarter of the financial year 2025.

Since each share has a face value of ₹10, this works out to a 270% dividend. The dividend will be paid after shareholders approve it at the Annual General Meeting (AGM).

Important Dates and Dividend History

Key dates you should know:

Record Date: June 10, 2025 (Tuesday)

Ex-Date: June 10, 2025 (Tuesday)

To be eligible for the dividend, you must buy the shares by June 9, 2025 (Monday). This is because of the T+1 settlement rule in India, where shares are transferred the next day after the trade.

What is the record date?
It’s the day when the company checks who the shareholders are. Only those who own shares on this date get the dividend.

Dividend paid in recent years

2024: ₹28 per share

2023: ₹48 per share

2022: ₹55 per share

2021: ₹24 per share

Current Share Price:
On Friday, Tata Investment shares closed at ₹6825.45, up 2.89% from the previous close of ₹6633.85.

Baroda BNP Paribas Health & Wellness Fund NFO launched

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Baroda BNP Paribas Asset Management India Private Limited has launched a new investment option called the Baroda BNP Paribas Health and Wellness Fund.

This fund’s New Fund Offer (NFO) starts on June 9, 2025, and ends on June 23, 2025.

It is an open-ended equity scheme that will invest in companies benefiting from the growing demand for healthcare and wellness services, both in India and worldwide.

The fund aims to take advantage of long-term growth in healthcare. India’s health spending per person is still much lower than in developed countries but is expected to rise because of higher incomes, better awareness, longer life expectancy, and more chronic illnesses.

Key Details and Investment Benefits

Fund House: Baroda BNP Paribas Mutual Fund

Open Date: June 9, 2025

Close Date: June 23, 2025

Type: Open-ended equity (sectoral pharma)

Minimum Investment: ₹1,000

Lock-in Period: None

Exit Load: 1% if redeemed within 1 year

Risk Level: Very High

Benchmark: BSE Healthcare TRI

Why Should You Invest?

The healthcare sector has shown strong past performance. The BSE Healthcare Index has outperformed the broader BSE 500 index over 1, 3, 7,

and 15 years because of consistent growth in large, mid, and small companies.

1-Year Return: 21.4%

5-Year CAGR: 21.7%

10-Year CAGR: 10.6%

Similarly, the NSE Healthcare Index also performed well:

1-Year Return: 18.44%

5-Year CAGR: 20.37%

Since Inception CAGR: 14.88%

Who is this Fund for?

This fund suits investors who plan to invest for 3 years or more and want to benefit from India’s growing health and wellness sector.

Investment Approach

Focus on pharma and healthcare companies

At least 80% of investments will be in pharma, healthcare, and related services

Actively managed using bottom-up stock picking

Invests across large, mid, and small-cap companies

The Future of Healthcare Investment in India

Suresh Soni, CEO of Baroda BNP Paribas AMC, explained that India’s average life expectancy has tripled over the past 100 years.

People need ongoing healthcare, but health spending per person in India is still low, which creates a big investment opportunity.

Chronic diseases like heart problems, diabetes, and cancer are expected to increase by 34-41% this decade.

This means more demand for healthcare infrastructure, making the sector attractive for investment.

Sanjay Chawla, CIO-Equity, said India offers a $200 billion opportunity across pharma, diagnostics, medical technology, hospitals, insurance, and health research, with more than 100 companies to invest in.

India’s Pharma Industry Highlights

Supplies 50% of Africa’s generic drugs

Provides 40% of generic drugs used in the US

Accounts for 25% of drugs used in the UK

Has the highest number of USFDA-approved drug manufacturing sites worldwide

Realme Narzo 80 Lite 5G launch Confirmed in India

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Chinese smartphone brand Realme is expanding its Narzo series by introducing a new phone called the Narzo 80 Lite 5G.

The launch of this phone in India has been confirmed, and a dedicated microsite is already live on Amazon.

This will be the third phone in the Narzo 80 series, following the Narzo 80 Pro 5G and Narzo 80x 5G.

One of the biggest features of the Narzo 80 Lite 5G is expected to be its large 6000mAh battery, which should easily last more than a day on a single charge.

The phone might also support reverse charging, allowing it to charge other devices like a power bank.

Despite having a big battery, the phone will be slim and stylish with a thickness of just 7.94mm.

Key Features and Possible Price

According to the Amazon listing, the Narzo 80 Lite 5G will come with a large, smooth display that supports a high refresh rate.

It will be powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 6300 processor, which offers good performance and 5G connectivity.

On the back, the phone will have a 50MP primary camera. Buyers will be able to choose between two colors: Crystal Purple and Onyx Black.

Regarding the price, the base model with 4GB RAM might cost around ₹9,999, while the 6GB RAM version could be available for ₹11,999, possibly with a discount.

This makes the Narzo 80 Lite 5G an attractive option in the budget smartphone category.

Currently, the exact launch date is not confirmed, but the Amazon listing suggests the phone will arrive in the Indian market soon.