The Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) on Friday announced urgent steps to alleviate the financial burden on the victims’ families following the tragic crash of Air India Flight AI-171 in Ahmedabad.

In order to assist the impacted families, the insurance promised to speed up claim settlements and provide a number of concessions.

The losses of the passengers, crew, and ground staff who perished in the incident were also deeply regretted by LIC.

The firm released a statement saying, “LIC of India expresses deep grief over the death of on-board passengers and crew members of Air India flight AI-171, as well as people on the ground who were killed due to the plane crash in Ahmedabad.”

The insurer promised that it will expedite claim settlements to provide financial relief and that it is entirely committed to aiding individuals affected. To make the claims procedure easier for the relatives of the victims, LIC has made a number of unique concessions.

“Any evidence in government records of the policyholder’s death from the plane crash or any compensation paid by the Central/State Government or Airline Authorities will be accepted as proof of death in lieu of death certificates,” the statement read.

Additionally, LIC stated that every attempt will be made to contact the claimants and guarantee a speedy settlement of the claims.

Families can get in touch with the closest LIC Branch, Division, or Customer Zone for more help. 022-68276827 is another number to reach the LIC call center.

Special measures for policyholders impacted by the catastrophe were also announced by private insurer Bajaj Allianz Life Insurance.

To give priority to the death and disability claims of those affected, the business has established a dedicated claims settlement desk.

On Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the scene of the collision and spoke with the injured at Ahmedabad Civil Hospital.

PM Modi expressed his sorrow on social media platform X, saying that the nation as a whole was startled by the number of people killed in the tragedy.

With a resounding victory over Australia in the ICC World Test Championship final at Lord’s, South Africa has changed the course of history and finally dispelled the dreadful label of “chokers.” This victory represents the squad’s first-ever ICC title in Test cricket and may be their most pivotal moment. The team has been plagued with heartbreaks and near-misses for a long time.

Temba Bavuma’s team entered as underdogs against the tough Australians on the biggest platform in sports. However, they performed like champions in waiting once the game started; they were composed under duress, merciless in their execution, and unified in their goal.

The speed and accuracy of South Africa’s fast-bowling team, captained by Kagiso Rabada, lit up Lord’s. Due to their inability to handle the Proteas pacers’ unrelenting aggression, Australia was cheaply bowled out in both innings. Then came the decisive moment: Aiden Markram’s magnificent 136 in the second innings, which wiped Australia out of the game and placed South Africa within striking distance of victory.

After finishing their pursuit of 282 on 213/2 on the third day, South Africa was at last on the verge of winning the championship. The Proteas won the Ultimate Test in 83.4 overs as Aiden Markram, who finished day three at 102 not out, made an incredible 136. It was their eighth consecutive victory in the red-ball format.

Social media was ablaze with tributes and joy after the decisive victory. Worldwide trends included hashtags like #ProteaFire, #LordsAtLords, and #ChokersNoMore. Bavuma’s leadership was praised by both cricket luminaries and fans, who hailed the team as “true lords of Test cricket” and referred to him as “The Don of Lord’s.”

Beyond the memes, though, there was emotion—the type that only results from decades of anguish and near-misses culminating in victory. This was more than just a trophy win for South Africa. It was about changing a story, eradicating a stigma, and embracing a heritage that had been earned over a long time.

“The past several days have been very memorable. The 35-year-old Temba Bavuma stated during the post-match presentation, “There were moments when it seemed like we were playing in South Africa.” “Despite the skeptics, we came in with faith and prepared well. I’m happy with our performance. For us and everyone back home, this is a unique occasion. There was energy. We have persevered, reaching the doorstep and experiencing heartbreaks. However, the sun has been with us lately.

When South Africa won the 2025 ICC World Test Championship, Dale Steyn was ecstatic, saying he was happy that the team had finally taken home a trophy they had been chasing for a long time. “I thought that South Africa also benefited from the support at Lord’s, particularly from the English supporters.” The Ashes rivalry may have played a role, but that support was helpful. The team performed exceptionally well in this huge game. The best players stepped up when it counted in this flawlessly organized Test match.

“I believe that if I had gone to bat, the feelings would have motivated me in the appropriate way. We are grateful to everyone who has helped us; we have persevered in the face of hardship. At the end of the championship match, Keshav Maharaj said, “We honor those who have come before us, may this be a stepping stone for greater things to come.”

“We may have benefited a bit more from the circumstances if we batted another session. In the fourth inning, they were outstanding. They didn’t give us an opportunity, even if the wicket didn’t have much. At the post-match presentation ceremony, Cummins expressed his disappointment, saying, “SA showed why they’re here and are deserved winners, they kept themselves in the game throughout.”

Taking to X, Sachin Tendulkar wrote, “Test cricket continues to weave its magic. In a final where every session had its own story, @ProteasMenCSA found calm in the storm. Markram’s composure and Bavuma’s grit under pressure stood tall in the fourth innings. A century that will be remembered, a partnership that turned hope into history. Congratulations to South Africa on becoming World Test Champions!”

“Congratulations @ProteasMenCSA. Fantastic win and so well played! Hats off to Markram for that match-winning century, and Temba for leading with such ice and fire all through,” AB de Villiers wrote on X.

“The @HomeOfCricket Lord’s was a fantastic venue, and the huge crowds every day once again showed interest in Test cricket!” wrote Jay Shah on X.

“If he is quiet for too long, you know he is up to no good. And some of the music they play…my goodness! But they are the reason we do this and keep coaching. Cricket means so much to all of us, and to the people of this country,” said Head Coach Shukri Conrad in a Cricket South Africa (CSA) statement on Sunday.

Even if hiring is slowing down globally, a new study published on Friday claims that India’s formal employment market is recovering strongly due to increased demand across a range of businesses.

Indeed, a global job portal, reports that Indian job postings rose 8.9% in May, indicating a strong rebound following a short hiatus.

The growth shows the resilience and vibrancy of India’s labor market, which is still among the strongest in large countries and is still roughly 80% greater than it was prior to the outbreak.

India’s employment growth is being driven by the country’s shift to a more formal and structured economy.

“As the nation evolves, the formal sector continues to generate more jobs than the overall employment growth rate. According to Indeed’s APAC Senior Economist Callam Pickering, this consistent upward trend has put India’s economy ahead of many other global economies.

In around 80% of occupations, job postings have increased during the past three months, according to the report.

Childcare (up 27%), personal care and home health (25%), education (24%), and production & manufacturing (22%), which showed rising demand for both social and industrial services, had the most notable gains.

The software development sector, which continues to rule India’s formal job market, accounts for almost one in five Indeed job postings.

The study also emphasized the increasing demand for talent with generative AI skills.

As of May, 1.5% of all job postings in India mentioned generative AI, more than twice as many as the previous year.

Jobs associated to generative AI are starting to emerge in industries such as management, marketing, and scientific research, in addition to being focused on technology and data analytics.

Even though Maharashtra has the most jobs overall, regional hubs like Telangana and Karnataka have become crucial sites for generating AI opportunities.

The black box was recovered from the wreckage of the Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, which went down in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, just minutes after takeoff.

The flight data recorder, sometimes known as the “black box,” is expected to play a key role in identifying the cause of the disaster.

Engine performance, altitude, flight speed, and cockpit audio, including pilot-to-air traffic control communications, are among the crucial data it contains.

These specialist devices are designed to withstand intense heat, water, and impact, ensuring that crucial data will remain intact even in the most extreme conditions.

Contrary to its name, the black box is typically painted bright orange to make it easier to locate among debris.

Made of incredibly durable materials like steel and titanium, the device’s two main parts are the Digital Flight Data Recorder (DFDR) and the Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR). The DFDR captures technical flying parameters, while the CVR records audio from the cockpit, including pilot chats and radio exchanges with air traffic control.

Meanwhile, the Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) discovered a digital video recorder (DVR) amid the wreckage.

Given the video evidence of the final moments of the disaster, investigators believe this may be additional evidence.

Authorities are immediately preparing to review the DVR and flight recorders to establish a comprehensive timeline of the events leading up to the disaster.

In the meantime, Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid a visit to the family of former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani and expressed his condolences for the seasoned BJP leader’s death in Thursday’s horrific Air India plane tragedy.

Among those present was Rupani’s wife, Anjali Rupani, who had just returned from London following the disaster.

Rupani’s death was described as “unimaginable” by the Prime Minister in a moving homage that was put on X, recalling their friendship.

“I met the family of Shri Vijaybhai Rupani Ji. It is inconceivable that Vijaybhai is not with us. “Even during some of the most difficult times, we worked shoulder to shoulder,” PM Modi remarked, referring to his decades-long friendship with me.

“Vijaybhai was modest, diligent, and deeply devoted to the party’s ideology,” PM Modi stated. Before devotedly serving as Gujarat’s chief minister, he rose through the ranks of the organization and held a number of different posts.

On Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with victims of the Air India jet tragedy at the Ahmedabad Civil Hospital.One day following the fatal plane disaster that killed 241 people, including 12 crew members, he came to the city to assess the situation.

From the airport, the prime minister made his way directly to the crash site and toured the area that had been damaged. He then proceeded to the hospital, where he conversed with the attending physicians and the injured.

During the hospital visit, he was joined by Union Minister C.R. Paatil, Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, and Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu.

On Thursday afternoon, just after taking off from Ahmedabad airport, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner operated by Air India carrying 242 passengers crashed.241 people were killed when the plane, which was flying as Flight AI-171 from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick, crashed into a residential complex close to BJ Medical College.

The flight consisted of two pilots, ten crew members, and 230 passengers.According to officials, Ramesh Vishwashkumar, the passenger in seat No. 11A, was the only one who survived the collision.

Also read: Air India plane Trajedy: Tata Group said it will provide Rs 1 crore to victims’ families

Officials said the individual, who was sat in 11A and survived the collision, is a British national of Indian descent and is receiving medical attention at a nearby hospital.

On his X handle on Thursday, the Prime Minister, who had been Gujarat’s chief minister for 12 years, had shared his sorrow. “We are shocked and grieved by the tragedy in Ahmedabad. It is beyond words how heartbreaking it is. I’m thinking of everyone who is impacted by this awful time. have communicated with ministers and officials who are trying to help people impacted.

One of the deadliest aviation catastrophes in Indian history, according to certain accounts, was the accident. A thorough investigation into the disaster has been started by the government.

The families of each individual killed in the sad crash of Air India Flight 171 in Ahmedabad would receive Rs 1 crore from the firm, according to a Thursday announcement made by Tata Group Chairman N. Chandrasekaran.

He added that the Tata Group would guarantee the affected people’s complete care and support, as well as pay for their medical bills.

“No words can adequately express the grief we feel at this moment,” Chandrasekaran said in a statement. We are praying for the injured and sending our condolences to the families who have lost a dear one.

As part of its support efforts, he noted, the Tata Group would also assist in the construction of a new hostel at B.J. Medical College. “We are unwavering in our support of the impacted families and communities during this unfathomable time,” he said.

The tragedy has caused “immense grief to countless families,” according to Tata Trusts Chairman Noel Tata, who expressed his sorrow. “Our thoughts are with all those who have lost their loved ones today, as this heartbreaking incident has caused immense grief to countless families,” he stated.

“We extend our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and stand in solidarity with them during this unimaginable time.”

Air India Flight 171, which was traveling from Ahmedabad to London, was involved in the tragedy. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) said that ten members of the cabin crew were among the 242 passengers on board.

According to the DGCA, the plane departed Runway 23 at 1:39 p.m. The Air Traffic Control (ATC) received a MAYDAY distress signal shortly thereafter, but no other contact was received.

Thick black smoke was visible as the plane crashed close outside the airport’s perimeter. Captain Sumeet Sabharwal was in charge of the trip, and First Officer Clive Kundar was serving as co-pilot.

Known for its cutting-edge technology and fuel efficiency, the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner has apparently experienced a number of technical and safety problems over the years all over the world.

One of these planes, Air India flight AI 171, crashed on Thursday not long after it took off. Ten crew members were among the 242 passengers on board the aircraft, which was en route to London’s Gatwick Airport.

According to authorities, Vijay Rupani, a senior BJP leader and former Gujarat Chief Minister, perished in Thursday’s Air India flight disaster in Ahmedabad. He was sixty-eight. Rupani was on board Air India aircraft AI171, which crashed soon after departure from Ahmedabad on its way to London’s Gatwick Airport.

According to reports, he was occupying seat 2D in business class. Rupani was wed to philanthropist and social worker Anjali Rupani. The pair has a son. He was well-known for his gentle demeanor, orderly way of living, and solid spiritual foundation. He frequently visited temples and took part in religious and cultural events all throughout Gujarat.

Although the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner is regarded as a modern and effective aircraft and is frequently utilized for long-haul international flights, there have been safety issues with it in the past. Following instances of lithium-ion battery fires in 2013, including one on a parked Japan Airlines aircraft in Boston and another in midair in Japan, the whole world’s Dreamliners fleet was grounded.The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) halted Dreamliner operations until Boeing revised the battery system as a result of these accidents.

After Boeing engineer Sam Salehpour, a whistleblower, allegedly informed the US Senate about structural issues with the Dreamliner’s fuselage in 2024, the business was once more under investigation. He asserted that early wear and potential structural failure could result from tiny gaps and poor installation. An inquiry was started by the FAA and is still going on.

The Dreamliner has been connected to a number of technical issues, even though it was advertised as one of the safest and most sophisticated airplanes in the world.

Fifty people were hurt when a Boeing 787-9 flown by LATAM Airlines suffered an abrupt altitude drop in midair in March of this year. Later, it was determined that a failure in the cockpit seat was the cause.

Pilots have also reported problems such electrical system malfunctions, fuel leaks, engine freezing, and generator failures over the years.

Air India and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) are still investigating the reason of the Ahmedabad jet disaster. Rescue and relief efforts will have the full support of the central government. It was not yet known how many people had died.

With effect from July 1, Tatkal tickets purchased via IRCTC’s official website and mobile app will only be accessible to individuals who have successfully authenticated with Aadhaar, the Ministry of Railways declared on Wednesday.
Furthermore, starting on July 15, online Tatkal reservations would require Aadhaar-based OTP authentication.

OTP authentication will be delivered to the mobile number the user provided at the time of booking for Tatkal tickets purchased through authorized agents and at computerized Passenger Reservation System (PRS) counters. Additionally, this clause will take effect on July 15.

Authorized Indian Railways ticketing agencies will not be allowed to purchase opening-day Tatkal tickets during the first half hour of the booking window in order to avoid large reservations during the crucial opening period.

This restriction is in effect from 10 to 10.30 a.m. for AC sessions and from 11 to 11.30 a.m. for non-AC classes.

According to the official statement, these modifications are being made to increase Tatkal booking transparency and guarantee that the program’s advantages are received by actual end users.

The IRCTC and CRIS (Centre for Railway Information Services) have been directed to update the system as needed and notify the Zonal Railways and relevant departments.

In order to prevent any inconvenience, the Ministry of Railways has asked all passengers to be aware of these changes and to make sure that their IRCTC user profiles are linked to their Aadhaar accounts.

The actions are being taken to protect the interests of actual passengers and to provide equitable and transparent access to Tatkal tickets. According to the announcement, the modifications will improve user authentication and lessen scheme abuse.

In an effort to combat the abuse of Tatkal reservations, Indian Railways found and deactivated 2.5 crore phony IDs and reported an additional 20 lakh for revalidation. It was discovered that some of these accounts were hoarding tickets and selling them at exorbitant prices using disposable email addresses.

AI-driven technologies are being utilized by IRCTC to track and identify bot activity, which was being used by touts to purchase tickets in bulk and then demand exorbitant prices from actual travelers.

“Speculation and claims that the MDR (merchant discount rate) will be charged on UPI transactions are completely false, baseless, and misleading,” the Finance Ministry declared on Wednesday.

“Our residents experience unnecessary doubt, dread, and mistrust as a result of such irrational and sensation-generating rumors. According to the Finance Ministry, the government is still totally committed to advancing digital payments through UPI.

Following multiple online rumors that the government intended to apply MDR on expensive UPI transactions, the formal refutation was released.

Banks charge merchants MDR in exchange for real-time payment processing. In the past, retailers who accepted card payments had to pay an MDR fee equal to 1% of the whole transaction value. However, in an effort to encourage digital payments nationwide, the government eliminated MDR fees in 2020.

According to figures issued by NPCI on Sunday, UPI handled 18.68 billion transactions in May and UPI transactions in May totaled Rs 25.14 lakh crore, up from Rs 23.95 lakh crore in April.

Compared to the 14.03 billion transactions that were reported in the same month last year, the May data likewise show a 33% increase in transaction volume year over year. In May, the average daily transaction volume was 602 million, and the average daily transaction amount was Rs 81,106 crore.

With its share of the overall transaction volume increasing from 79.7% in the previous fiscal year to 83.7% in 2024–2025, the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) solidified its position as the dominant player in India’s digital payments system.

According to the RBI’s annual report, UPI enabled 185.8 billion transactions in 2024–2025—a 41% increase from the previous year. UPI transactions increased from Rs 200 lakh crore in FY24 to Rs 261 lakh crore in value terms.

“The success of UPI placed India in a leadership position with a share of 48.5 per cent in global real-time payments by volume,” the Reserve Bank of India stated.

The total amount of digital payments made in the nation, including those made through card networks, payment systems, and prepaid payment instruments (PPIs), increased by 35% from 164.4 billion in FY24 to 221.9 billion in FY25. The total value of digital payments increased 17.97% to Rs 2,862 lakh crore.

Nirmala Sitharaman, the minister of finance, asked departments and regulators to speed up the process of returning unclaimed amounts in the financial sector, such as bank deposits, dividends, shares, post office accounts, insurance, and pension funds, to their rightful owners.

The Finance Minister stated during the 29th meeting of the Financial Stability and Development Council (FSDC) that in order to guarantee the prompt and smooth return of these assets to their legitimate owners, special district-level camps must be organized.

“Banks, pension agencies, insurance companies, the RBI, SEBI, the MCA, the PFRDA, and the IRDA, among others, will coordinate this push. The IEPFA is in charge of managing unclaimed shares and dividends, the IRDAI is in charge of unclaimed insurance and pension money, and the PFRDA is in charge of unclaimed bank deposits,” she stated.

In order to guarantee that citizens have a smooth experience with KYC procedures throughout the banking sector, the Finance Minister also urged the Council to adopt proactive measures.

She advocated for the establishment of uniform KYC standards, as well as the streamlining and digitization of the KYC procedure, including digital onboarding for NRIs, including PIOs and OCIs, in the Indian stocks market.

The FSDC discussed macrofinancial stability challenges and India’s readiness to address them. The FSDC examined enhancing the cyber resilience framework of the Indian financial sector through a cybersecurity strategy tailored to the financial sector in light of sectoral readiness, cybersecurity regulations, and the recommendations of the Financial Sector Assessment Programme (FSAP) 2024–25.

The meeting also covered issues related to developing a plan for carrying out the previous decisions and the budget announcements.

These included analyzing patterns in funding flows as part of a plan to raise the investment ratio and putting in place a suitable framework for regulators to assess and improve the responsiveness of regulations and subsidiary directions.

In addition, the FSDC discussed the new developments in the macro-financial environment both at home and abroad and emphasized the importance of being watchful. The Council acknowledged the necessity of taking proactive measures to reduce any threats to financial stability while implementing sufficient protections for the resilience of the financial system. For the financial sector’s overall growth, the participants agreed to improve inter-regulatory coordination.

The RBI Governor-chaired FSDC Sub-Committee’s activities and members’ actions regarding the FSDC’s outstanding previous judgments were also noted by the FSDC.

SEBI chief Tuhin Kant Pandey, RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra, Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Choudhary, Finance Secretary and Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs Ajay Seth, Secretary, Department of Financial Services Nagaraju Maddirala, and other senior Finance Ministry and IRDAI officials attended the FSDC meeting.