India’s total fertility rate has declined, according to the government report. Notably, the national TFR has moved below the replacement benchmark of 2.1.

India’s Total Fertility Rate (TFR) has fallen below the replacement threshold for the first time, according to the Sample Registration System Statistical Report 2024, published by the office of the registrar general and census commissioner under the Union ministry of home affairs.

This means that the total fertility rate, which measures the average number of children a woman is expected to have during her lifetime, is now below the level required to maintain a stable population over time.

Is India’s population declining?

India had a population of 360 million in 1950, when the average woman gave birth to six children. Today, the country has a population of 1.45 billion. It overtook China in 2023 to become the world’s most populous nation and has continued to grow since then.

However, India’s total fertility rate has declined, according to the government report. Notably, the national TFR has moved below the replacement benchmark of 2.1.

But what is the replacement level? It refers to the average number of children each woman must have for a population to replace itself from one generation to the next without growing or shrinking. If fertility remains below this level for a long period, population growth gradually slows.

The population is expected to keep increasing for some years. However, unless fertility climbs above 2.15 again, a decline in population is unavoidable in the future. Fertility is more likely to continue falling, which could speed up that decline, The Economist said in a report.

Researchers at the University of Washington’s Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) estimate that India’s population will reach its highest point in 21 years before beginning a steep decline, the report said. By the end of the century, the country’s population is projected to be slightly above one billion, representing a drop of nearly half a billion people.

Bihar tops in fertility, Delhi’s rate lower than Finland’s

Although the national figures point to slower population growth, the government report shows major differences across regions.

Bihar recorded the highest fertility rate in the country at 2.9. It was followed by Uttar Pradesh at 2.6, Madhya Pradesh at 2.4 and Rajasthan at 2.3. These remain the only large states with fertility rates above the replacement level.

At the other end of the scale, Delhi recorded the lowest TFR in the country at 1.2, which is lower than Finland’s 1.3, Finnish broadcasting firm Yle quoted Statistics Finland as saying in a report.

Fertility levels remained much lower across several southern and western states. Tamil Nadu, Kerala and West Bengal each reported a TFR of 1.3. Andhra Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Maharashtra and Punjab recorded 1.4, while Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka and Telangana each stood at 1.5.

Elon Musk on India’s birth rate

Tech billionaire Elon Musk also shared a post on social media to amplify a media report mentioning the decline in the total fertility rate.

“India’s birth rate has fallen below replacement. Among those most educated, India’s birth rate fell below replacement many years ago,” Musk wrote on X.

What led to this?

The Economist outlined several factors that may be affecting family-planning choices across the country.

One reason is the changing ambitions of present-day Indian parents. Many families with limited incomes are opting to have only one child so they can afford private tutoring and other educational opportunities.

Another factor behind smaller families is the weakening of the joint-family system. Government data show that about 70 per cent of people now live in nuclear families, driven by urbanisation and shifts in employment patterns. As a result, raising children places greater pressure on parents, encouraging them to have fewer children.

A third reason is cultural change. While education and family arrangements influence decisions, social attitudes also play a role.

Smaller families are increasingly viewed as desirable, a trend linked to access to technology and information, the report said. One study found that the arrival of cable television in villages during the 2000s was followed by a decline in pregnancies. The researcher connected this to television dramas that portrayed urban middle-class women raising smaller families.

source/content: hindustantimes.com (headline edited)

His campaign was highlighted by a remarkable achievement — defeating seven-time champion and World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen twice in classical chess — a rare accomplishment that underlined his determination to bounce back from the disappointment of an underwhelming Candidates Tournament in Paphos earlier this year.

Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa etched his name in the history books as he became the first Indian to win the prestigious Norway Chess title with a final-round victory over Germany’s Vincent Keymer here, capping off a brilliant campaign in style.

Praggnanandhaa, who began the final round in second place with 15 points on Friday, delivered when it mattered the most, securing a classical win worth three full points to finish on 18 points and clinch one of the most coveted trophies in elite chess.

In doing so, the 20-year-old Chennai player achieved a feat that had eluded even Indian chess legend Viswanathan Anand and reigning world champion D Gukesh among others, since the tournament’s inception in 2013.

Competing in Norway Chess for only the second time, Praggnanandhaa endured a slow start in the elite six-player field before gathering momentum in the second half of the event to secure four wins on the trot.

His campaign was highlighted by a remarkable achievement — defeating seven-time Norway Chess champion and World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen twice in classical chess — a rare accomplishment that underlined his determination to bounce back from the disappointment of an underwhelming Candidates Tournament in Paphos earlier this year.

As reigning world champion Gukesh fell out of contention in the closing stages, Praggnanandhaa ensured that India’s challenge remained alive, ultimately carrying it all the way to the title.

The result was made possible after American Grandmaster Wesley So, who led the standings with 15.5 points heading into the final round, was held to a draw in his classical game against Alireza Firouzja, sending their contest into an Armageddon tie-break.

That outcome opened the door for Praggnanandhaa, who knew that a classical victory over Keymer would propel him to the top of the standings and secure a landmark title.

Although Wesley So went on to win the Armageddon tie-break, the victory was worth only 1.5 points, taking his tally to 17 points — one short of Praggnanandhaa’s winning total of 18.

Alireza, who had also entered the final round with title hopes, finished third with 15.5 points.

Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa etched his name in the history books as he became the first Indian to win the prestigious Norway Chess title with a final-round victory over Germany’s Vincent Keymer here, capping off a brilliant campaign in style.

Praggnanandhaa, who began the final round in second place with 15 points on Friday, delivered when it mattered the most, securing a classical win worth three full points to finish on 18 points and clinch one of the most coveted trophies in elite chess.

In doing so, the 20-year-old Chennai player achieved a feat that had eluded even Indian chess legend Viswanathan Anand and reigning world champion D Gukesh among others, since the tournament’s inception in 2013.

Competing in Norway Chess for only the second time, Praggnanandhaa endured a slow start in the elite six-player field before gathering momentum in the second half of the event to secure four wins on the trot.

His campaign was highlighted by a remarkable achievement — defeating seven-time Norway Chess champion and World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen twice in classical chess — a rare accomplishment that underlined his determination to bounce back from the disappointment of an underwhelming Candidates Tournament in Paphos earlier this year.

As reigning world champion Gukesh fell out of contention in the closing stages, Praggnanandhaa ensured that India’s challenge remained alive, ultimately carrying it all the way to the title.

The result was made possible after American Grandmaster Wesley So, who led the standings with 15.5 points heading into the final round, was held to a draw in his classical game against Alireza Firouzja, sending their contest into an Armageddon tie-break.

That outcome opened the door for Praggnanandhaa, who knew that a classical victory over Keymer would propel him to the top of the standings and secure a landmark title.

Although Wesley So went on to win the Armageddon tie-break, the victory was worth only 1.5 points, taking his tally to 17 points — one short of Praggnanandhaa’s winning total of 18.

Alireza, who had also entered the final round with title hopes, finished third with 15.5 points.

“I think this is like (the biggest win of my career)…also stronger in terms of like average rating. I think, because you have like some 2600s (rating) in Wijk Aan Zee (Tata Steel Chess tournament). But here it’s just the top players,” said Praggnanandhaa after his final-round win over Vincent Keymer, which took him to 18 points and held off challenges from USA’s Wesley So and France’s Alireza Firouzja.

“So, yeah, winning this is more special and also like adding to it, Magnus was there… also winning four (games) in a row. So, certainly this will come like top,” said Praggnanandhaa, whose previous biggest triumph came at the 2025 Tata Steel Chess Tournament in Wijk Aan Zee, Netherlands.

A beaming Praggnanandhaa revealed after the match that a pep talk from his mother back home in Chennai had lifted his spirits.

“She told me that June would bring good luck,” he said with a smile — a prediction that came true.

“I was speaking to my mother on June 1, before Alireza’s game, and she was telling me, ‘It’s a new month, you’ll play well!’ It’s just one of those things that mum always says, and then these four games I won. She knew something, I guess,” said Praggnanandhaa.

Praggnanandhaa went on to string together four consecutive victories after that.

Even Carlsen, the record seven-time Norway Chess champion, was effusive in his praise for Praggnanandhaa, describing the Indian youngster’s performance as “superb” throughout the tournament.

Such wholehearted admiration is not something the Norwegian legend hands out lightly — especially not to a rival in the same generation as Gukesh — underscoring just how impressive Praggnanandhaa’s title-winning campaign had been.

“That’s pretty insane. That’s as clutch as it gets, and it just shows that it would have been possible for me as well with a similar finish, but yeah, that’s incredible. It shows you the volatility of the system, and he is an incredible fighter, and it’s fun to see him get rewarded for that,” Carlsen told the broadcaster.

Praggnanandhaa later admitted, during his second visit to the “confession box”, that he had missed a strong continuation that could have wrapped up the game much sooner. Despite letting that opportunity slip, he remained determined to keep probing.

His persistence eventually paid off as the pressure began to tell on Keymer. In an endgame that had appeared roughly balanced, the German faltered with a series of inaccuracies, culminating in the weakening 30…h5? which fatally exposed the g5 square and tilted the game decisively in Praggnanandhaa’s favour.

Meanwhile, Gukesh’s disappointing campaign continued as his third appearance in the tournament ended without the breakthrough he had hoped for in a year when he is set to defend his world title against challenger Javokhir Sindarov.

In the final round, Carlsen, playing with the white pieces, defeated the 20-year-old Indian in a classical game to collect three full points. However, the victory was not enough to propel the Norwegian great into title contention, as he finished fifth in the standings with 13 points.

Results (Round 10):

Open: Alireza Firouzja (Fra, 15.5) lost to Wesley So (USA, 17); Magnus Carlsen (Nor, 13) bt D. Gukesh (Ind, ); R. Praggnanandhaa (Ind, 18) bt Vincent Keymer (11).

Women: Zhu Jiner (Chn, 16) by Koneru Humpy (Ind, 9); Ju Wenjun (Chn, 13.5) bt Bibisara Assaubayeva (Kaz, 16.5); Anna Muzychuk (Ukr, 15) bt Divya Deshmukh (Ind, 10).

Tamil Nadu CM congratulates Praggnanandhaa

Tamil Nadu chief minister C Joseph Vijay on Saturday congratulated Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa on winning the Norway Chess title.

“My heartfelt congratulations to Grandmaster Praggnanandhaa on achieving the historic feat of becoming the first Indian to win the Norway Chess 2026 tournament held in Oslo”, he said in a statement.

Stating that he set a remarkable record by defeating the reigning champion, Magnus Carlsen, twice in the same tournament and securing four consecutive victories, Vijay said: “I extend my best wishes to Grandmaster Praggnanandhaa, who has brought pride to both Tamil Nadu and India, as he goes on to achieve further milestones”.

source/content: telegraphindia.com (headline edited)

Backed by Blackstone and the CPPIB, AirTrunk’s proposed investment programme would rank among the largest digital infrastructure initiatives currently being considered in the country.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday announced that AirTrunk, an Asia-Pacific and Middle East technology company, plans to invest more than Rs 3 lakh crore in India and develop 5 GW of data centre capacity by 2030 following his meeting with founder and CEO Robin Khuda.

The leading hyperscale data centre specialist said the investment would support the expansion of India’s digital infrastructure and position the country as a cornerstone of its global growth strategy.

“India’s digital infrastructure journey is gathering remarkable momentum. AirTrunk has announced plans to invest around Rs 3 lakh crore (USD 30 billion) in India and develop 5 GW of data centre capacity. This is among the largest proposed investments in the country’s digital infrastructure ecosystem,” Modi said in a post on X.

India’s digital infrastructure journey is gathering remarkable momentum.

AirTrunk has announced plans to invest around Rs. 3 lakh crore ($30 billion) in India, and develop 5 GW of data centre capacity. This is among the largest proposed investments in the country’s digital… pic.twitter.com/ZW82nneN5x

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 5, 2026

The prime minister noted that such investments will strengthen India’s position as a global hub for cloud computing and AI, while generating employment opportunities, supporting local supply chains and accelerating innovation-led growth. “It is clear that the future of the world’s digital economy is increasingly being shaped in India,” he said.

AirTrunk is a hyperscale data centre specialist creating a platform for cloud, content and large enterprise customers across the Asia-Pacific and Middle East (APME) region.

AirTrunk CEO Khuda said that Prime Minister Modi’s vision for India’s digital economy has helped create one of the world’s most compelling destinations for technology investment.

“India has the scale, talent, and ambition required to become a global AI powerhouse. AirTrunk is excited to support that vision,” he said in a company statement.

Backed by Blackstone – one of the largest foreign investors in India – and the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB), AirTrunk’s proposed investment programme would rank among the largest digital infrastructure initiatives currently being considered in the country and help enable the next wave of growth in cloud and artificial intelligence.

“AirTrunk plans to invest more than INR 3,000 billion (USD 30 billion) in India by 2030 in support of digital infrastructure capacity, positioning the country as a cornerstone of AirTrunk’s global growth strategy and one of the company’s most significant long-term investment markets,” AirTrunk said in its statement.

The company’s proposed development pipeline in India, across multiple states and union territories, would support India’s ambition to become a global destination for AI and cloud infrastructure investment while generating significant economic activity, employment, and technology ecosystem growth, it said.

The announcement follows AirTrunk CEO Khuda’s first senior government engagement programme in India since the company’s entry into the market through the acquisition of Lumina CloudInfra in April this year.

Through this acquisition, AirTrunk’s existing development pipeline in India includes 600 MW across Mumbai, Chennai, and Hyderabad.

The company develops and operates data centre campuses with industry-leading reliability, technology innovation and energy and water efficiency.

Founded in 2015, AirTrunk set up Australia’s first and largest hyperscale data centres in 2017, then set its eyes on rapid expansion and now operates a platform of hyperscale data centres across the APME region.

(With inputs from PTI)

source/content: newindianexpress.com (headline edited)

Made up of panchadhatu, an alloy of five metals including gold, silver, copper, zinc and iron, the bow worth Rs 1.25 crore, was meticulously crafted by 48 women artisans from Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu.

Reflecting a blend of deep devotion and national pride, the 286-kilogram Kodanda, the sacred and divine bow of Lord Rama, now rests in the newly built Ram Temple in Ayodhya, as a profound symbol of spiritual and historical unity of Sanatan.

Made up of panchadhatu, an alloy of five metals including gold, silver, copper, zinc and iron, the bow, measuring 8 ft in length and 2.5 ft in width, worth Rs 1.25 crore, was meticulously crafted by 48 women artisans from Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu. They took around eight months to bring the master piece to reality.

The bow is intricately engraved with scenes depicting country’s military valour, including images from the Kargil war, symbolising nation’s pride in its armed forces.

It was transported to Ayodhya through a grand procession (Shobha Yatra) which was organised by the Sanatan Jagran Manch and the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP). The Shobha Yatra commenced from Rourkela in Odisha on January 3 this year.

It travelled across all 30 districts of Odisha, stopping at the historic Jagannath Temple in Puri on January 19.

In Puri, it was offered for darshan at the Jagannath Temple. Afterward, the bow continued its journey toward Ayodhya and arrived in the holy city on January 22.

VHP sources said thousands of people had ‘darshan’ of the ‘kodand’ on its way to Ayodhya. ’’It is not only a religious symbol but also an example of Sanatan culture, and faith,’’ said a VHP leader. Earlier, a manuscript of 233-year-old Sanskrit Valmiki Ramayana was gifted to ‘Ram Lala’ and kept at the Ram Katha Kunj at Ayodhya.

source/content: newindianexpress.com (headline edited)

Seventeen projects, initiatives selected for National Awards for e-Governance.

 A total of 17 projects or initiatives selected for the National Awards for e-Governance 2026 across seven categories to recognise exemplary contributions in digital governance, an official statement issued on Thursday said.

The National Awards for e-Governance are presented every year to recognise and promote excellence in implementation of e-governance initiatives.

The 29th NAeG 2026 awardees in seven categories include the gram panchayats category, recognising deepening and widening of service delivery at grassroots level through digitisation.

“Agri Stack”, a project of Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, “Mahakumbh 2025” by Prayagraj Mela Authority, Uttar Pradesh’s Prayagraj, and Blood Bag Traceability and Citizen Interaction portal for promoting speedy, safe and voluntary blood donation by Kerala Development and Innovation Strategic Council are among the awardees, according to the statement issued by the Personnel Ministry.

TRINETRA, an AI based Video Surveillance system for Mahakal Rudrasagar Integrated Development Area , including Mahakaleshwar Temple by Mahakaleshwar Temple Trust, Samrat Vikramaditya Prashasnik Sankul Bhawan, Ujjain; and Panchayat Advancement Index, a Data Driven Governance for Viksit Bharat by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj are also among the awardees, it said.

The awards ceremony will be held during the 29th National Conference on e-Governance in Jaipur, Rajasthan, the statement said, without mentioning the date of the event.

The seven categories for the NAeG 2026 include ‘Government Process Re-engineering by Use of Technology for Digital Transformation’, ‘Innovation by Use of AI and Other New Age Technologies for Providing Citizen Centric Services’, ‘Best e-Gov Practices/Innovation in Cyber Security’, and ‘Digital transformation by Use of Data Analytics in Digital Platforms by Central Ministries/States/UTs’, among others.

The awards consist of a trophy, certificate and an incentive of ₹10 lakh for gold awardees and ₹5 lakh for silver awardees to be awarded to central ministry/ department/state/UT/district/organisation/gram panchayat for being utilised for implementation of project/programme or bridging resources gaps in any area of public welfare.

This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.

source/content: hindustantimes.com (headline edited)

The company says its new milk pouch uses a first-of-its-kind degradable packaging innovation that enables the material to transform into bioavailable wax, which is naturally broken down by microbes present in the soil to turn it into natural elements.

Mother Dairy on Tuesday introduced an innovative milk pouch that is naturally degradable in soil as part of its commitment towards environment and sustainability.

Mother Dairy, one of the leading fresh milk suppliers in India, sells around 55 lakh litre of milk per day across many states.

At a press conference here, Mother Dairy “unveiled India’s FIRST naturally degradable milk pouch in soil” that would leave no trace of plastics in the environment.

To begin with, the company will use this new degradable milk pouch in its cow milk variant sold across Delhi-NCR from June 5, the World Environment Day.

Mother Dairy is a wholly-owned subsidiary of National Dairy Development Board (NDDB).

Mother Dairy said its new milk pouch uses a first-of-its-kind degradable packaging innovation that enables the material to transform into bioavailable wax, which is naturally broken down by microbes present in the soil to turn it into natural elements.

“The newly introduced packaging is designed to naturally degrade in soil within a few years rather than centuries, and importantly, this transition is being undertaken without any impact on consumer milk prices,” Meenesh Shah, Chairman of NDDB, said.

Mother Dairy is committed to safeguarding the planet, he said.

“The launch of India’s first naturally degradable milk pouch by Mother Dairy is yet another milestone reflecting the sector’s continued ability to lead and set new benchmarks, while remaining committed to a future-ready and sustainable ecosystem,” Shah said.

Jayatheertha Chary, Managing Director of Mother Dairy, said, ” We undertook over four years of research to develop a naturally degradable milk pouch that leaves no trace of plastics in the environment.” While these milk pouches will continue to remain recyclable, he said the key differentiator lies in their ability to degrade into natural elements, thereby helping address the challenge of fugitive plastic.

Mother Dairy, which was commissioned in 1974, manufactures, markets & sells milk and milk products including cultured products, ice creams, paneer, ghee, etc. under the ‘Mother Dairy’ brand.

The company also has a diversified portfolio with products in edible oils under the ‘Dhara’ brand and fresh fruits & vegetables, frozen vegetables & snacks, pulps & concentrates, etc. under the ‘Safal’ brand.

Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by The Telegraph Online staff and has been published from a syndicated feed.

source/content: telegraphindia.com (headline edited)

Traditional institutions such as the Dorbar Shnong and the Hima continue to play central roles in enforcing community norms.

Long before climate conferences, carbon credits and biodiversity targets entered global vocabulary, communities in the hills of Meghalaya were already protecting forests with something far older — custom, belief and collective responsibility.

A new study published in the Journal of Environmental Studies and Sciences found that centuries-old Khasi community institutions continue to play a crucial role in conserving forests.

source/content: hindustantimes.com (headlines edited)

Built on two acres near Ekana Cricket Stadium, the vatika is dedicated to the valour, indomitable courage and modern technical proficiency of India’s maritime borders.

Union defence minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated Navy’s memorial museum, the Nausena Shaurya Vatika, in his parliamentary constituency on Saturday and said it is a symbol of patriotism and military pride, showcasing the glorious tradition of the Indian Navy’s valour, bravery and service to the nation.

Built on two acres near Ekana Cricket Stadium, the vatika is dedicated to the valour, indomitable courage and modern technical proficiency of India’s maritime borders. It has been developed as Phase-II of the Nausena Shaurya Sangrahalaya, the Navy’s memorial museum.

The defence minister noted that the Indian Navy has played a crucial role in securing the country’s maritime boundaries and protecting national interests. Praising the courage and commitment of naval personnel, he said such memorials help take the country’s military history to every citizen.

He announced that a submarine will soon be installed at the naval memorial as well.

Addressing the event, chief minister Yogi Adityanath said tanks that helped the Indian Army win wars should be installed at important intersections across the state. He said they will inspire youth and increase respect for the Army and soldiers among people.

“Anyone visiting Lucknow can tour centres linked to India’s traditions, heritage and security, and feel proud of them. Nausena Shaurya Vatika has been set up as a new centre in that series,” he said.

He added that INS Gomti served India’s maritime security for a long time and was decommissioned from the Navy in 2022. It has now been installed on the banks of Lucknow’s lifeline, the Gomti river. The site will give youth from the state and the country information about the Indian Navy and inspire them to face life’s challenges.

Amid the global crisis triggered by disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz due to the ongoing conflict between Iran, the US and Israel, Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh Tripathi said India’s economic progress and future development depend on the seas. The Indian Navy ensures safe passage of maritime routes, he said.

Citing reasons for setting up a maritime museum in a landlocked state like Uttar Pradesh, Admiral Tripathi said, “First, centuries ago, even before trains, the region remained connected to the sea. Rivers like the Ganga and Gomti linked this area to the sea. Second, ships were built using timber from UP’s forests.

“Third, even today, the maximum number of officers, sailors and Agniveers in the Indian Navy come from Uttar Pradesh. The state also has the highest number of veterans. Also, the Gomti river. Though the sea is far from Uttar Pradesh, the state was never distant from the sea,” he added.

Admiral added that the equipment from INS Gomti installed at Nausena Shaurya Vatika came from a warship built at Mumbai’s Mazgaon Dockyard.

source/content: hindustantimes.com (headlines edited)

Jalpaiguri:

North Bengal will no longer resonate with the mesmerising melodies of the Sarinda that once recreated the calls of birds and animals with astonishing perfection. The magical strings of the traditional folk instrument fell silent forever with the demise of Padma Shri awardee and legendary Sarinda maestro Mangala Kanta Roy.

The iconic folk artiste breathed his last at his residence in Dhowlaguri village under Amguri Gram Panchayat of Maynaguri block in Jalpaiguri district early on Friday morning. He was 104.

His death has cast a deep shadow of grief across the folk music and cultural fraternity of North Bengal, where he was regarded as one of the finest exponents of the Sarinda — a traditional string instrument deeply rooted in the region’s folk heritage.

Family members said the veteran musician had been suffering from age-related ailments for nearly a month. His elder son, Umakanta Roy, said Mangala Kanta Roy was first taken to Maynaguri Hospital after falling ill on April 27 and was later referred to Jalpaiguri Medical College and Hospital for advanced treatment.

“Doctors informed us that he had developed a tumour-like condition in his throat. After his condition stabilised slightly, he was brought back home where treatment continued. However, for the last week he had almost stopped eating completely. He finally breathed his last around 3 am on Friday,” his son said.

Widely celebrated for his extraordinary mastery over the Sarinda, Mangala Kanta Roy earned recognition for preserving the rich folk traditions of North Bengal through his unique performances.

He is survived by his wife, three sons, daughters-in-law, and grandchildren.

source/content: milleniumpost.in (headline edited)