Census 2027: The Union government has announced the dates of the long-delayed Census. The exercise, which is basically an official count of the people, including information about their ages, jobs, etc, will be done in two phases. The last census of India was conducted sixteen years ago in 2011. This time, however, the enumerators will collect caste details of residents along with the population numbers. This is the first caste enumeration since independence and it will be carried out before 1st March 2027. But why has there been so much controversy around it? Watch#castecensus #population #india Watch the full episode on YouTube- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r-3Wm2A0ajs

Welcome to Top of the Morning by Mint.. I’m Nelson John and here are today’s top stories.

1. RBI in the Spotlight: Will Growth Trump Caution?

All eyes are on RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra today as the central bank gears up to announce its second bi-monthly policy decision of FY26. A 25 basis point cut is widely expected—bringing the repo rate down to 5.75%—marking the third straight rate reduction this year. With inflation easing within the 2–4% comfort zone, the focus shifts to fuelling India’s growth engine. The bigger test lies in Malhotra’s tone on inflation outlook, GDP expectations, and global headwinds. This policy pivot could shape the economic narrative for the rest of 2025.

2. Tesla Tanks as Trump-Musk War Escalates

Tesla shares nosedived over 14%, wiping out $150 billion in value, after Elon Musk and Donald Trump clashed publicly over federal subsidies and EV policies. The tipping point? Trump’s threat to cut all government contracts with Musk’s firms, including NASA-linked SpaceX, following Musk’s claim that Trump “owes him” for the 2016 win. Investors fear political blowback could derail Tesla’s robotaxi rollout. Analyst Dan Ives warned, “If Trump hits pause on autonomy, it could delay Tesla’s next big bet.”

3. Musk Calls for Trump’s Impeachment

In a dramatic twist, Musk endorsed a social media post calling for Trump’s impeachment and backed JD Vance as a replacement. Then came another bombshell: Musk claimed Trump’s name is in the unreleased Epstein files, suggesting political motives for withholding them. Responding to Trump’s threat of terminating contracts, Musk declared SpaceX would begin decommissioning its Dragon spacecraft—NASA’s key ride to the ISS. As political theatrics spiral, the tech-White House feud is now playing out on the world’s biggest stage.

4. OpenAI Academy Launches in India

OpenAI has chosen India for the global rollout of its first-ever OpenAI Academy in collaboration with the IndiaAI Mission. Training content will be delivered in English, Hindi, and four regional languages, alongside the IndiaAI FutureSkills portal. With India now hosting data residency for enterprise tools and 34,000 affordable GPUs available, the stage is set for inclusive AI innovation. Eleven nonprofits in India will also receive $150,000 in API credits under OpenAI’s AI for Impact Accelerator, empowering AI for social good.

5. Cognizant’s Billion-Dollar Win Signals Momentum

Amid a tough deal-making climate, Cognizant has quietly clinched a $1 billion contract—likely with UnitedHealth Group—spanning renewal, expansion, and new AI-led work. This marks its second mega-deal in two months, with CEO Ravi Kumar’s Infosys-era ties to UHG’s Sandeep Dadlani possibly playing a role. With healthcare forming nearly a third of its revenue, the deal offers fresh momentum and showcases Cognizant’s edge in closing deals without formal RFPs. While rivals struggle, Cognizant may be scripting a quiet comeback.

Welcome to Top of the Morning by Mint.. I’m Nelson John and here are today’s top stories.

1. China’s Magnet Freeze Jolts Indian Auto Industry

India’s auto sector is on edge as China stalls rare earth magnet exports to Indian firms—even while approving shipments to other countries. These magnets, essential for EV and auto component manufacturing, are now in short supply. Major players like Bosch and Mahle have seen export approvals for their German and U.S. arms, but not for their Indian subsidiaries.

Industry bodies ACMA and SIAM raised the red flag in a May 29 meeting with the heavy industries ministry, warning production could halt by July. Bajaj Auto has already sounded the alarm.

With no short-term fixes, automakers may be forced to import full motors from China, undermining the ‘Make in India’ initiative and risking incentives under the PLI scheme. Experts warn this is not just a trade glitch—it’s a geopolitical chess game that needs urgent diplomatic moves.

2. Trump Bans Harvard-Bound Foreign Students

In a sweeping move, Donald Trump has barred foreign students from entering the U.S. if they’re enrolled at Harvard University, citing national security concerns. This comes just weeks after a federal court blocked an earlier attempt to restrict international students.

At the core of the issue is a data-sharing dispute—Washington claims Harvard failed to fully comply with requests regarding misconduct by foreign students, which the university denies.

Adding fuel, an internal State Department cable has instructed embassies to scrutinize all visa applicants bound for Harvard. The message is clear: the U.S. may no longer be the academic haven it once was.

3. GST Shake-Up May Scrap 12% Slab

The GST Council is eyeing a major rate revamp—eliminating the 12% tax slab and shifting to a simplified 3-tier structure: 5%, 18%, and 28%. A near consensus is forming around the idea, with officials saying the 12% slab has lost relevance.

Essential goods may drop to 5%, while the rest may rise to 18%—a move that could pinch pockets if not handled carefully.

Experts caution the shift must be phased, revenue-neutral, and come with clear guidance to avoid chaos. With GST collections booming—₹22 lakh crore in FY25—the timing may be ripe for reform.

4. Amul Milk Makes European Debut

India’s dairy pride, Amul, has officially launched fresh milk in Spain through a partnership with leading Spanish co-op COVAP. The rollout begins in Madrid and Barcelona, and will soon expand to cities across Spain and Portugal—eventually reaching Germany, Italy, and Switzerland.

At the Madrid launch, Amul MD Jayen Mehta called it a landmark in PM Modi’s vision to globalize Indian brands. COVAP’s president hailed the deal as a win-win for farmers in both nations.

As the UN marks 2025 as the International Year of Cooperatives, this launch is symbolic of how Indian agri-brands are going global.

5. Musk Withholds $100M, Trump Ties Fray

Elon Musk is making headlines again—but this time for holding back $100 million from a promised $300 million pledge to Donald Trump’s reelection campaign, reports The Wall Street Journal.

The fallout reportedly began when Musk found out Trump met privately with OpenAI’s Sam Altman—Musk’s tech rival. Trump’s team even delayed an event to avoid Musk’s ire.

Inside sources also claim Trump grew tired of Musk’s erratic leadership at the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), appointing someone to monitor his moves.

Tensions worsened after Musk publicly slammed Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill” for slashing green energy funding. With Musk’s White House visits dwindling and his political capital fading, the billionaire may be quietly exiting the Trump orbit.