New Odisha Age

Budget 2026 May Introduce Optional Joint Tax Returns for Married Couples

Bhubaneswar: Married couples in India may soon have the option to file a single, joint income tax return instead of two separate filings, as the government considers a significant reform ahead of Budget 2026. The proposal, still under deliberation, would introduce optional joint taxation for spouses—an approach followed in countries such as the United States…

Read More

JSW Group Deepens Odisha Footprint with Third Mega Steel Plant as HLCA Clears ₹55,783-Crore Investments

Bhubaneswar: Odisha’s industrial landscape is set for a major expansion with the High-Level Clearance Authority (HLCA), chaired by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, approving seven large-scale projects involving a total investment of ₹55,783 crore. The approvals underscore the state’s growing appeal as a hub for capital-intensive manufacturing across metals, advanced materials, and high-technology sectors. Anchoring…

Read More

India Overtakes China to Become World’s Largest Rice Producer

Bhubaneswar: India has emerged as the world’s largest rice producer, surpassing China and underscoring the scale, resilience, and diversity of its agrarian economy. With total rice production estimated at 1,245.04 lakh tonnes, the milestone reflects strong performance by several high-output states supported by favourable agro-climatic conditions and sustained policy backing. Agriculture officials attribute India’s rise…

Read More

IndiQube Expands to Bhubaneswar, Strengthens Presence in East India

Bhubaneswar: Bengaluru-based tech-enabled workspace solutions provider IndiQube has announced its entry into Bhubaneswar, Odisha, marking its 17th city of operations across India. With this launch, Bhubaneswar becomes IndiQube’s second market in East India after Kolkata, underscoring the company’s strategy to scale in emerging urban centres. The new IndiQube facility spans over 45,000 square feet and…

Read More

Indian Onions Emerge as ‘Red Gold’, Powering India’s Global Export Surge

Bhubaneswar: Indian onions have earned the moniker “Red Gold” in several African nations, underscoring their growing importance as a high-value agricultural export and reinforcing India’s position as a global leader in onion trade. In 2025, India emerged as the world’s largest onion exporter, with shipments crossing 1.1 million tonnes. The demand has been driven by…

Read More

India Builds World’s Largest Solar Kitchen in Mount Abu, Sets Global Benchmark in Sustainable Cooking

Bhubaneswar: Mount Abu, Rajasthan has emerged as a global symbol of clean energy innovation with the establishment of the world’s largest solar-powered kitchen at the Brahma Kumaris Spiritual Headquarters. The state-of-the-art facility is capable of cooking up to 50,000 meals a day without using gas, electricity, or conventional fuels, relying entirely on solar energy. The…

Read More

India Exports Cow Dung Worth ₹400 Crore Annually, Emerging as a Key Input for Desert Agriculture

Bhubaneswar: India is exporting cow dung worth nearly ₹400 crore every year, primarily to desert and arid countries such as Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Kuwait, reflecting the growing global demand for natural and sustainable agricultural inputs. The demand from desert nations is driven by cow dung’s unique properties. Rich in organic matter,…

Read More

Income Tax Bill, 2025 to Expand Digital Search Powers from April 1, 2026

Bhubaneswar: The Government of India is set to introduce a far-reaching overhaul of tax enforcement with the implementation of the Income Tax Bill, 2025, which will replace the six-decade-old Income Tax Act of 1961. The new law is scheduled to come into force from April 1, 2026. A key feature of the legislation is the…

Read More

Old LIC Bima Gold Policy Triggers Debate on Low Returns from Traditional Insurance Plans

Bhubaneswar: A social media post by market commentator Piyush Trades has reignited a wider debate on the investment value of traditional life insurance policies sold in the early 2000s. The post shared details of a Bima Gold policy launched in 2006, highlighting modest returns that have drawn sharp reactions online. According to the post, the…

Read More

Odisha Issues Directive to Check Prolonged Absenteeism, Strengthen Child Protection in Schools

Bhubaneswar: In a significant move to safeguard child rights and ensure continuity in elementary education, the Directorate of Elementary Education (DEE), Odisha, has issued a fresh directive mandating proactive intervention in cases of prolonged student absenteeism. As per an official notification dated January 8, 2026, all District Education Officers (DEOs) and Block Education Officers (BEOs)…

Read More