According to a recent report, “Indian immigrants are the most economically beneficial immigrant group” in the US, contributing to GDP growth and lowering the national debt.

An average Indian immigrant lowers the US “national debt by over $1.6 million over 30 years and increases GDP more than immigrants from any other country,” according to the Institute’s analysis, which was released on Thursday.

The study also found that H-1B visa holders increase GDP the highest by legal status, with an average H-1B visa holder lowering debt by $2.3 million and increasing GDP by $500,000 after 30 years.

The Manhattan Institute Senior Fellow and report’s author, Daniel Martino, referred to South Asian immigrants—particularly Indians—as the “most fiscally positive group.”

He estimates that ending the H-1B visa program would result in a $26 billion economic decline and a $185 billion increase in the US debt over a ten-year period.

The paper also suggests instituting a wage-based visa system and discontinuing the H-1B lottery.

The report was released on Thursday, the same day the White House pledged to defend the administration’s assault on H-1B visas in court.

Prioritizing American workers has always been the president’s top focus, according to White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt. These lawsuits will be contested in court by the administration. We are aware that the H-1B visa system has been overrun with fraudulent applications for far too long, which has reduced American salaries. Therefore, the President put these new policies into place in part because he wants to improve this system.

The largest business group in the nation, the US Chamber of Commerce, filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration last week, claiming that the new visa regulations were “illegal.”

The plaintiff claimed that if the visa fee were to be imposed, it would “inflict significant harm on American businesses” and compel them to “either drastically increase their labor costs or hire fewer highly skilled employees for whom domestic replacements are not readily available.” The lawsuit was filed in the Washington district court.

Trump’s September 19 declaration was also described as “blatantly illegal” and a “boon to America’s economic rivals.”

Following a lawsuit against the Trump administration on October 3 by a combination of unions, educators, and religious organizations, it was the second significant domestic legal challenge to the new H-1B regulations.

Additionally, the US Department of Homeland Security released new guidance earlier this week that included a number of exemptions and carveouts regarding the $100,000 H-1B visa application fee.

The new rules state that employees who transfer from another visa category, like F-1 student status, to H-1B visa status would not be charged the $100,000 cost.

Only new visa petitioners who are not in the United States and do not currently possess a valid H-1B visa are covered by the proclamation.

Over 70% of all H1-B visas granted in 2024 went to workers who were born in India, mostly as a result of a significant backlog in applications and a large number of highly qualified Indian immigrants.

With a 53-run (DLS) victory over the White Ferns in Navi Mumbai, India eliminated New Zealand and Sri Lanka and guaranteed the final position in the World Cup semi-finals.

With three straight losses going into their penultimate group match, the co-hosts were in risk of losing out on the final four of the 50-over championship for the third time in four editions.

In the meantime, New Zealand, who are tied with India on four points, had two of their last games called off because of rain after winning one of their first three games.

With a 90-minute delay at the end of India’s innings that reduced the game to 49 overs per side and another delay that saw New Zealand’s chase modified to 325 from 44 overs, more rainy conditions momentarily threatened to disappoint both teams.

But with century from Pratika Rawal (her 122 (134) is the tournament’s second-highest total) and Smriti Mandhana (109 off 95), India easily earned the two points they needed to join Australia, South Africa, and England in the knockout rounds. New Zealand’s response was limited to 271-8.

If Sri Lanka and New Zealand win their remaining group games and India loses to Bangladesh, they might join them on six points, but neither team can match India’s three victories, which is the primary criterion used to separate teams.

India amassed the highest total of the tournament thanks to Jemimah Rodrigues’ blistering 76 (55), while Mandhana and Rawal were almost ever challenged by New Zealand’s bowlers, easily scoring 212 for the first wicket.

In response, New Zealand fell to 59-3, losing captain Sophie Devine and seasoned player Suzie Bates to single-figure scores.

But the White Ferns fought to the end thanks to half-centuries from Izzy Gaze and Brooke Halliday in the middle order, the latter from a stunning 39 balls.

Sophie Devine, the captain of New Zealand, said, “We are really upset. We needed more chances since this tournament has been tough.India deserves praise today. The girls’ perseverance in fighting makes me incredibly proud. Could we have been closer with a full fifty overs? Perhaps. Gutted beyond belief. We have five million people, but the countries we are playing against have 1.4 billion. We must keep that in mind.

Harmanpreet Kaur, the captain of India, said, “It wasn’t easy. The whole team deserves praise for the way we battled tonight; we understood how crucial this game was. It’s time to go big now that we’re starting to get noticed. Pratika and Smriti deserve praise. After the last three games didn’t go well, the team got up and we helped one another up. Everyone has high expectations for you if you perform at home. As a team, we are constantly talking about how this is our home, the crowd is supporting you, and now is the moment to have fun.”

The government stated on Wednesday that the Skilling for AI Readiness (SOAR) program is establishing the groundwork for a digitally inclusive, competitive, and self-reliant India in the midst of the global change fueled by advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning.

The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) launched the SOAR program in July 2025 with the goal of incorporating AI competencies into India’s educational system.

By giving young people the skills they need for in-demand fields like IT, digital innovation, and AI-driven industries, it supports the government’s objective of taking the lead in global technological developments.

In an official statement, the government stated that the Skilling for AI Readiness (SOAR) program is a critical step in establishing India as a world leader in AI-driven workforce development and education.

“SOAR lays the foundation for a digitally inclusive, competitive, and self-reliant India, ready to shape the future of global innovation,” the statement continued, citing the Viksit Bharat at 2047 vision as its cornerstone.

The main goals of SOAR are to increase economic independence, raise understanding of AI, and create a tech-driven India.

In this increasingly digital world, it aims to prepare India for the future by focusing on educators and students in grades 6 through 12.

With a focus on subjects like ethical AI use and fundamental machine learning ideas, the curriculum consists of three focused 15-hour modules for students and one separate 45-hour module for educators.

The initiative incorporates AI literacy into both vocational training and educational curricula. In addition to providing educators and students with state-of-the-art skills, SOAR promotes an innovative and morally responsible use of technology.

The initiative empowers India’s youth to propel technical and economic advancement by collaborating with platforms such as the Skill India Digital Hub, which guarantees accessibility across a range of socioeconomic classes.

“By fostering a robust ecosystem of AI-literate students and educators, the initiative aims to create a pipeline of skilled professionals for roles in AI development, data analytics, and tech innovation,” said the statement.

The US Department of Homeland Security has released updated guidance on the $100,000 application fee, offering a number of exemptions and carveouts, which is a significant relief for foreign workers on H-1B visas.

The new rules state that employees who transfer from another visa category, like F-1 student status, to H-1B visa status would not be charged the $100,000 cost.

The substantial payment will not be applied to H-1B employees who are requesting an amendment, change of status, or extension of stay in the United States. Furthermore, entry and exit from the United States will not be restricted for any current H-1B visa holders.

Only new visa petitioners who are not in the United States and do not currently possess a valid H-1B visa are covered by the proclamation. Additionally, it offered a link for new applications to pay online.

The clarification was made just two days after the largest business organization in the nation, the US Chamber of Commerce, sued the Trump administration for the new regulations, claiming they were “illegal.”

The plaintiff claimed that if the visa fee is imposed, it will “inflict significant harm on American businesses” and compel them to “either drastically increase their labor costs or hire fewer highly skilled employees for whom domestic replacements are not readily available” in a lawsuit submitted on Thursday to the Washington district court.

Trump’s September 19 declaration was also described as “blatantly illegal” and a “boon to America’s economic rivals.”

Following a lawsuit against the Trump administration on October 3 by a combination of unions, educators, and religious organizations, it was the second significant domestic legal challenge to the new H-1B regulations.

Trump had stated that the “incentive is to hire American workers” when he signed the decree in September.

The proclamation created a great deal of confusion because it appeared to affect current H-1B visa holders, who would encounter difficulties when trying to return to the United States.

According to a clarification released by the White House, this is a “one-time fee” that only applies to new visas—not renewals or existing visa holders.

Over 70% of all H1-B visas granted in 2024 went to workers who were born in India, mostly as a result of a significant backlog in applications and a large number of highly qualified Indian immigrants.

WhatsApp is preparing a significant update to prevent unsolicited messages and spam.

A new rule that restricts the number of messages users and businesses can send to individuals who are not on their contact list and do not respond is being tested by the messaging app.

The goal of this change is to provide users with a more orderly and peaceful inbox.

WhatsApp began as a straightforward chat app but has since expanded into a vast platform with communities, business accounts, and customer support channels.

However, many users have been frustrated as a result of the rise in unsolicited communications and ads.

WhatsApp is currently testing a monthly limit on messages sent to recipients who don’t reply, according to a report by “TechCrunch.”

This limit is reached with each message sent to a non-contact. For instance, three of the allotted messages for that month will be used up if someone sends three messages to someone who doesn’t respond.

The business says it is still testing out various restrictions, thus it has not yet disclosed the precise message cap.

Users will probably get a warning if they approach the cap. They may be momentarily prohibited from messaging new contacts if they reach the limit.

WhatsApp stated that this change will not impact everyday users who talk with friends and family.

With over 500 million users in India, WhatsApp is working to combat spam in general, and this new feature is part of that effort.

WhatsApp has implemented a number of anti-spam measures in the last 12 months, including as limitations on broadcast messages, unsubscribe choices for business chats, and restrictions on marketing communications.

Companies who use WhatsApp to engage with clients may now need to put more effort into developing genuine relationships rather than delivering bulk messages.

It is anticipated that this modification would result in a more streamlined and customized chat experience for regular users.

WhatsApp’s new message restriction is a significant step toward returning the platform to its original goal of facilitating private and intimate chats, even though it might not totally eradicate spam.

The September ICC Players of the Month award has gone to the Indian team of Abhishek Sharma and Smriti Mandhana. The 25-year-old Abhishek received recognition for his spectacular Asia Cup run, scoring 314 runs at an average of 44.85 and a scorching strike-rate of 200 in seven games.

At the conclusion of the Super Fours stage, he achieved a career-high 931 rating points in the ICC Men’s T20I Batting Rankings, the highest ever recorded in the format, and was named Player of the Tournament for his consistency and flair. To win the monthly award, the left-handed hitter defeated Brian Bennett of Zimbabwe and teammate Kuldeep Yadav.

It’s wonderful to receive this ICC honor, and I’m glad it coincides with several significant games that I was able to assist in winning. Being a member of a team that can win under the most trying circumstances makes me proud.

“Our recent success in T20Is is a testament to our exceptional team culture and upbeat outlook. I appreciate all of my teammates’ support and the team management’s direction. In an ICC statement released on Thursday, Abhishek added, “I am also grateful to the panel that chose me for this award.”

In the meantime, Smriti maintained her impressive run in international cricket by scoring 58, 117, and 125 during the home ODI series against Australia. In four ODIs during that time, the vice captain of India amassed 308 runs at a strike rate of 135.68 and an average of 77.

Smriti, who is now playing for India in the 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup, achieved the three-figure mark off just 50 deliveries in the third ODI against Australia, setting a new record for the fastest century by an Indian batswoman. She won the prize ahead of Sidra Amin of Pakistan and Tazmin Brits of South Africa.

Receiving the September 2025 ICC Women’s Player of the Month award is a true honor for me. This kind of acknowledgment motivates me to keep developing as a player. The honor also acknowledges the cooperation, faith, and hard work we all put forth as a team.

“I’ve always wanted to give it my all and help the squad win games. In the upcoming games, I am eager to take advantage of any chances that lead to India’s historic triumphs,” Smriti remarked.

Google’s announcement of a $15 billion investment to establish a world-class AI hub in India is a declaration of arrival for the nation and a warning to anyone who is wagering against its digital future.​

Through their joint venture AdaniConneX, Adani Enterprises and Google have announced a historic collaboration to build new green energy infrastructure and India’s largest AI data center complex in Visakhapatnam (Vizag), Andhra Pradesh.

A “global-scale playground at home” is likely to be available to Indian AI developers who relocated abroad, report said.

The report pointed out that if the Vizag experiment is successful, India would sell the globe not just software but also the digital roads and AI backbones that will drive the next internet.

It added that Bengaluru and Hyderabad have been central to India’s technological narrative.

However, Google’s interest goes beyond size. The report said that in a single move, Vizag—which was formerly a center for tourism and coastal logistics—becomes the epicenter of Asia’s AI arms race.

With a multifaceted investment of over $15 billion spread over five years (2026–2030), Google’s AI hub in Visakhapatnam includes gigawatt-scale data center operations, backed by a strong subsea cable network and sustainable energy, to power India’s most demanding AI workloads. AdaniConneX, Airtel, and other ecosystem partners will work closely together to make it a reality.

By promoting digital inclusivity and generating tens of thousands of employment in the technology, construction, and renewable energy sectors, the establishment of an AI center and connection gateway would serve as a potent catalyst for economic growth in Visakhapatnam and, eventually, the entire country.

The report claims that “Google is doing more than chasing talent arbitrage” by transforming India’s east coast into a digital gateway for the Indo-Pacific.

Since connectivity routes avoid Asia’s most crowded and geopolitically sensitive data paths, it’s balancing technological innovation with regional security. That’s a unique win-win situation for South Block and Silicon Valley,” it continued.

At the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) annual conference on Wednesday, RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra stated that despite extraordinary global uncertainties, India has had remarkable growth, with estimates of over 8% over the previous year.

The RBI Governor emphasized in his speech that “while tariffs have an adverse impact, it is not a matter of huge concern” and that India’s economy is primarily driven domestically.

The US tariff crisis, which has hampered international trade and delayed economic growth in other countries, was the subject of his reference.

“For a number of reasons, including policy uncertainties, we are living in an era of extraordinary uncertainty. This has made it difficult for the developing market economy to grow. All developing marketing economies need to consider this risk,” the governor of the RBI stated.

Malhotra emphasized the robust foundations of the Indian economy, saying: “India recovered from the effects of the Russia-Ukraine war and COVID-19. We have done a great job of controlling our inflation, bringing it down from its peak in 2022 to 1.5%, the lowest level in eight years. Despite this, the rate of inflation has remained high. He added that oil prices have also decreased.

“India’s fiscal deficit is now at a manageable level and is projected to be 4.4% of GDP for the Center,” the RBI head added. He noted that the total debt is among the lowest in the world.

He stated that this has been made possible by effective collaboration between the fiscal committee and the government.

Malhotra further pointed out that although the dollar lost 10% of its value this year, the Indian rupee has not lost as much as the majority of other currencies. “Higher tariffs and capital outflows are to blame for this. India prioritizes the rupee’s orderly movement,” he stated.

India’s exports to the US increased to $45.82 billion in the first half of the current fiscal year (April-September), a 13.3% increase over the corresponding figure of $40.42 billion in the same period last year, despite the Donald Trump administration’s 50% tariff hike..

Without changing the refinery architecture, India can import an additional $12–$13 billion worth of natural gas and crude oil from the United States, according to the Commerce Ministry. If the energy is available at the “right price,” the administration is eager to diversify the nation’s energy import portfolio.

As part of the trade deal, India is also anticipated to purchase more renewable energy technologies from the US, which will aid the nation in combating climate change.