India has increased import duties on gold and silver to 15% from the earlier 6%, according to government orders issued on Wednesday, as authorities move to curb overseas purchases of precious metals and reduce pressure on foreign exchange reserves.

Under the revised structure, the government has imposed a 10% basic customs duty along with a 5% Agriculture Infrastructure and Development Cess (AIDC), taking the effective import tax on gold and silver imports to 15%.

The move comes days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged citizens to avoid non-essential gold purchases for a year in order to help conserve foreign exchange reserves amid global economic uncertainty and tensions in West Asia.

India is the world’s second-largest consumer of precious metals and relies heavily on imports to meet domestic demand. Analysts believe the higher tariffs could help narrow the trade deficit and offer some support to the rupee, which recently touched record lows against the US dollar.

However, industry officials warned that the sharp increase in duties may revive smuggling activities, which had reduced after India lowered import duties in 2024. Bullion market experts said higher taxes could also dampen consumer demand as gold and silver prices are already trading at elevated levels.

Gold demand in India has remained strong in recent months, particularly for investment purposes, amid rising bullion prices and weaker returns from equities. According to reports, inflows into gold exchange-traded funds (ETFs) rose sharply during the March quarter.

Market reaction to the announcement was immediate, with domestic gold and silver futures rising sharply after the tariff hike was announced.

Prateek Yadav, the younger son of late Samajwadi Party founder Mulayam Singh Yadav, died at the age of 38 in Lucknow on Wednesday morning, according to hospital and police sources.

Prateek Yadav was the husband of BJP leader Aparna Yadav and the half-brother of Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav.

According to reports, family members rushed Prateek Yadav to Lucknow Civil Hospital at around 6:15 am after his condition deteriorated at home. Doctors declared him brought dead on arrival.

Initial reports said he had been suffering from lung-related health complications and was undergoing treatment for a blood clot in his lungs. A post-mortem examination has been ordered to determine the exact cause of death.

Some local reports also mentioned that hospital authorities treated the case as suspicious pending medical examination, though officials have not yet confirmed the cause of death publicly.

Prateek Yadav largely stayed away from active politics despite belonging to one of Uttar Pradesh’s most influential political families. He was known as a real estate businessman and fitness enthusiast, and had completed his MBA from the University of Leeds in the United Kingdom.

Soon after the news emerged, Akhilesh Yadav expressed grief over his half-brother’s death in a social media post, calling it “deeply saddening”. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also condoled the death and extended sympathies to the family.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay has appointed astrologer and TVK spokesperson Radhan Pandit Vettrivel as Officer on Special Duty (OSD) to the Chief Minister, a move that has sparked criticism from allies and opposition leaders.

Radhan Pandit, who had publicly predicted a major electoral victory for Vijay and the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) ahead of the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, has been considered a close aide of the Chief Minister during the party’s election campaign.

The appointment drew sharp reactions from leaders within the Congress and Left parties. Congress MP Sasikanth Senthil questioned the decision in a post on X, asking why an astrologer required an OSD position in government.

Leaders from the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) and CPI(M) also criticised the move, arguing that such appointments go against the principles of scientific temper and secular governance.

According to reports, Radhan Pandit was among the first people to visit Vijay’s residence after TVK’s strong performance in the assembly elections. He has also been associated with the party as a spokesperson and political commentator.

The controversy comes amid rapid political developments in Tamil Nadu following the formation of the new TVK-led government.