Situated in southeastern India along the banks of the Musi River, Hyderabad is the capital and the largest city of Telangana. One of the most populous cities, Hyderabad is the major urban centre for all of south-central interior India and is often called the 'City of Pearls'.
Founded by Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah in 1591, Hyderabad exudes an old-world charm with the Old City and Charminar and is famous for old mosques, vibrant bazaars, Iranian tea and its rich glorious past. The city's central location between the Deccan Plateau and the Western Ghats has helped flourish industrialisation and attracted major Indian research, manufacturing, educational and financial institutions.
According to a survey, Hyderabad was ranked the best city to live and work in India in 2020. The city has seen tremendous growth over the past few years and has emerged as an Indian hub of pharmaceuticals, biotechnology and Information Technology (IT). The establishment of Special Economic Zones (SEZ) and HITEC city prompted many leading tech giants like Microsoft, Amazon and Google to establish their headquarters in Hyderabad.
Telugu and Urdu are the official languages of Hyderabad and English is a secondary official language. The authentic dum style Hyderabadi Biryani defines the city's culinary landscape.The iconic Charminar, Golconda Fort, Salar Jung Museum, Hussain Sagar, Birla Temple, Chowmahalla Palace and Durgam Cheruvu are the most sought-after tourist hotspots in the city. Hyderabad also boasts of the world's largest integrated film studio complex Ramoji Film city.
A nationwide fuel price hike has seen petrol and diesel increase by three rupees per litre and CNG by two rupees per kilogram, sparking criticism from the Tamil Nadu government regarding the financial impact on the middle class.
The Tamil Nadu government faces political turbulence as Chief Minister Vijay appoints a personal astrologer as an Officer on Special Duty, drawing criticism over administrative credentials. Ahead of a crucial assembly floor test, thirty rebel AIADMK MLAs led by S.P. Velumani and C.V. Shanmugham have pledged support to the TVK-led government, officially severing ties with the BJP. During the session, Leader of Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin reiterated his controversial stance on Sanatana Dharma. Administratively, the state announced the closure of seven hundred liquor shops near schools and temples, alongside new bans on political hoardings and the creation of women's safety task forces. In Kerala, a leadership struggle for the Chief Minister post has emerged between K.C. Venugopal and V.D. Satheesan following the UDF election victory. Meanwhile, in Telangana, a POCSO case was filed against Union Minister Bandi Sanjay Kumar's son, Bandi Sai Bhagirath. The broadcast also confirmed the return of actor Mohanlal for the third installment of the Drishyam film franchise.
Malkajgiri Commissioner of Police Sumathi disguised herself as an ordinary woman and stood alone at a Hyderabad bus stop late at night as part of an undercover women’s safety operation.
A major aviation incident occurred at the Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi when a taxiing SpiceJet Boeing 737 aircraft collided with a stationary Akasa Air plane.
This special edition of Health 360 highlights several pressing medical and lifestyle concerns, starting with the alarming trend of brides using diabetes medications for rapid cosmetic weight loss before their weddings.
Arpit Bala faced intense backlash after allegedly spitting on a fan during his Hyderabad concert.
India Today reporters conducted a comprehensive ground reality check across multiple Indian cities to assess fuel and LPG availability amid claims of shortage.
The ongoing conflict in the Middle East has led to a severe shortage of cooking gas cylinders, forcing restaurants to shut down or scale back operations and kitchens to recalibrate. Amid this crisis, a daylight theft of a gas cylinder was reported in Hyderabad’s Narsingi area, where two unidentified individuals on a scooter stole a cylinder from a parked delivery vehicle and fled the scene. The incident was captured on CCTV cameras, which show the suspects approaching the vehicle and swiftly making away with the cylinder.
Fuel panic is sweeping across Indian cities as long queues form at petrol pumps from Hyderabad, Nagpur, Prayagraj to Lucknow, triggered by social media rumours and actual shortages.
An Air India Express flight from Hyderabad made a hard landing at Phuket International Airport in Thailand on Wednesday, damaging the aircraft’s nose landing gear and forcing authorities to shut the runway for nearly six hours.
Major cities, including Bengaluru, Mumbai, Chennai, and Kolkata, have reported restaurant closures and menu reductions. In response to the crisis, the government has invoked the Essential Commodities Act, directing refineries to maximise LPG production.
Cristiano Amon, President and CEO of Qualcomm, spoke to India Today at the India AI Impact Summit in New Delhi, expressing strong optimism about India's role in the AI revolution.
Tensions flared in Karnataka's Bagalkot and Hyderabad's Ambarpet area following clashes during Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Jayanti processions.
AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi on Monday lodged a complaint at the Hyderabad City Police Commissionerate seeking action against Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma over a now-deleted purported video shared on social media.
On this Special Report, the focus is on the ongoing investigation into the phone tapping case in Telangana involving former Chief Minister K. Chandrashekhar Rao (KCR). The BRS chief has sought a fresh date for his examination by the Special Investigation Team (SIT), stating in a written reply that he is 'unable to appear on Jan 30th as directed in the notice, as it is the last date for filing nominations to elections for 150 municipalities and seven municipal corporations.' KCR cited his preoccupation with issuing authorizations to party candidates as the reason for his absence. The case involves allegations that the previous BRS government breached the privacy of politicians, celebrities, and businessmen. While the Congress government maintains that strict action will be taken against those responsible, the BRS has dismissed the allegations as a 'time lapse' and political vendetta. The SIT, led by the Commissioner of Police, is expected to issue a new date for the former Chief Minister's statement recording.
On this news bulletin, a panel of experts discusses the landmark trade agreement between India and the European Union. Siddharth Zarrabi, Group Editor of Business Today, describes the deal as 'the single most important trade deal and associated agreements that India has ever signed since 1991', comparing its significance to the 1991 economic reforms. The discussion highlights potential benefits for Indian consumers, including greater choice and possible price reductions in sectors like automobiles, textiles, and luxury goods by 2027. Former diplomat Rajiv Dogra notes the diplomatic optics of the deal, contrasting the warm reception of EU leaders in New Delhi with their previous experiences in China. Jayant Krishna, former CEO of NSDC, emphasizes that the agreement provides market access to nearly 2 billion people and will deepen investment ties in manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, and clean energy. While the panel remains optimistic about the strategic partnership, they note that the full economic impact will take several months to materialize as formalities are completed.
On this Special Report, Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal addresses the historic conclusion of the India-European Union Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations. He describes the agreement as a 'game-changing and transformational visit in terms of the strategic partnership between European Union and India.' The Minister highlights that this 'mother of all deals' covers 25% of global trade and marks India's eighth FTA under Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The agreement provides unprecedented market access, covering nearly 99% of Indian exports to the EU and over 97% of EU exports to India. Goyal emphasizes that the partnership extends beyond trade into defence, innovation, and financial integration, benefiting one-third of humanity. He notes that the deal addresses economic asymmetries while opening doors for labour-intensive Indian industries and high-tech European sectors, fostering shared prosperity for both regions.
On this special broadcast, Gaurav Sawant reports on the historic signing of the India-European Union Free Trade Agreement (FTA) on 27 January. Described by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen as the 'mother of all deals,' this pact connects the world’s second and fourth largest economies, creating a market of two billion people. Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated the agreement provides preferential access for India's gems and jewellery sector while benefiting farmers and small businesses. The deal focuses on human resource exchange, technology transfer in semiconductors and AI, and a security and defence partnership. Experts including Professor Brahma Chellaney and Siddharth Zarabi discuss how the FTA serves as a democratic counterweight to China and reduces dependence on United States trade policies. Bilateral trade, currently valued at 180 billion euros, is expected to grow through cooperation in clean energy and digital governance. Additionally, the agreement is projected to lower prices for European luxury cars as import duties are systematically revised.
On this Special Report, anchor Swesha Sanchita details the landmark finalisation of the India-European Union Free Trade Agreement (FTA), described as the 'mother of all trade deals'. The bulletin highlights how the agreement aims to benefit Indian textile exporters by reducing 10% duties and empowering MSMEs, while addressing contentious issues like the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM). Swesha Sanchita notes, 'India has been actually pushing for longer transition timelines and flexible requirements' regarding carbon rules. The report also covers the geopolitical friction caused by the deal, specifically the criticism from US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. Bessent accused European nations of indirectly funding the Russia-Ukraine war by purchasing oil products refined in India from Russian crude. Despite US pressure and tariffs, New Delhi and Brussels are moving forward to provide strategic predictability and market access, leveraging India's massive consumer base and stable governance under Prime Minister Narendra Modi to counter global economic uncertainties and Chinese coercion.
On this Special Report, India Today’s Pranay Upadhyay provides an in-depth analysis of the landmark India-European Union Free Trade Agreement (FTA) being finalised at Hyderabad House. Highlighting the strategic importance of the deal, Upadhyay notes, 'This is not only a trade agreement, this is also a geo-economic and a geo-political statement' that demonstrates mutual respect for sensitive sectors like agriculture and dairy. The transcript outlines seven key takeaways, including duty-free or low-duty access for over 90% of goods, providing a significant boost to India’s textiles, leather, and gems sectors. The discussion also addresses global trade disruptions and the US stance on tariffs, with Upadhyay explaining how the FTA serves as a precedent for stable, diversified supply chains. By reducing over-reliance on China and opening services trade in IT and telecom, the deal aims to multiply the existing billion-dollar relationship between India and the EU while navigating complex geopolitical narratives.
