Any economically weaker from Brahmins, Rajputs (Thakurs), Jats, Marathas, Bhumihars, several trading castes, Kapus and Kammas among other upper castes with an annual income below Rs 8 lakh and not owning more than five acres of agricultural land will get the benefits of the reservation.

As the nation heads into a crucial election, we ask you, dear Rediff.com readers, what you think of the government's performance so far, and if it will be re-elected for another term.

From the political maelstrom in Washington to the humanitarian disaster in Yemen to the deadly unrest along the Israel-Gaza border, photographers captured a world in turbulent transition.

As the five states -- Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Telangana and Mizoram -- go to the polls, here is how the big names are faring.

The Congress on Tuesday made significant gains in the assembly elections, dealing a body blow to the Bharatiya Janata Party.

The latest trends show that the Congress is leading in the Bharatiya Janata Party-ruled states of Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh, while it is locked in a close fight in Madhya Pradesh. However, leaders from both, the Congress and the BJP, have kept their fingers firmly crossed till the final results were announced. Leaders voiced their opinion on the results as they continued to stream in.

Here are some of the beautiful images in the contest.

The imprudent, not to mention immature, attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi by Congress leaders, especially on the election trail, can only be read as a sign of nerves on the eve of an important poll battle.

After spending his previous four Diwalis with the Armed Forces, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is breaking with tradition and spend Diwali this year in Kedarnath, setting off speculation that the decision was taken with an eye on the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. As the Festival of Lights is on us, here's looking back at Modi's Diwali celebrations.

The problem is so severe that multiple agencies have issued several precautionary measures.

Rediff.com presents the gist of the speech delivered by Mr. Kailash Satyarthi on the Foundation Day of Rashtriya Swayam Sewak Sangh.

A study reveals that 259 people have died trying to take an extreme selfie since 2011.

Twitter erupts with women from the media outlining horrifying tales of sexual harassment and molestation.

Ahead of CJI Dipak Misra's final day as the head of the judiciary of India, here's a look at the key judgments that he was a part of.

On Monday (September 24), New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern made history as the first female world leader to attend the United Nations General Assembly meeting in New York with her newborn baby in tow. However, Ardern isn't the first to bring their kids to work. Here are some examples of kids roaming the halls of power.

The 'pradhan sevak' is a crorepati, with no car and has only four gold rings in his name.

What was the experience of meeting Vajpayee like?

Here are some of the recent cases where WhatsApp rumours purportedly had a role to play

On day 3 of his visit to Singapore, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has a busy schedule. Here are glimpses from PM's Singapore visit.

Rediff.com takes a look at the progress of schemes initiated by the government.