India

Rankings will eventually take care of themselves if incomes rise, opportunities expand, and inequality narrows; otherwise, even a higher place on the global table will mean nothing

Twenty-six candidates secured a perfect 100 NTA score in JEE-Main 2026, with Andhra Pradesh and Telangana producing five each. Over 13 lakh candidates appeared in the first session, while more than 10 lakh took the second

The rupee fell 25 paise to 93.16 against the United States dollar amid West Asia tensions and rising crude concerns. Disruptions near the Strait of Hormuz increased dollar demand, keeping the local currency under pressure despite earlier gains

India and the United States began fresh trade talks in Washington to finalise an interim bilateral deal amid shifting tariff policies. Both sides aim to resolve disputes on tariffs, market access and investigations, with negotiations seen as key to broader economic ties

Narendra Modi highlighted ancient India–South Korea ties through the legend of Queen Heo Hwang-ok, alongside modern cultural exchanges, as both nations expanded cooperation in creative industries during talks with President Lee Jae Myung

Droupadi Murmu will inaugurate a tribal museum, planetarium, and science centre in Odisha’s Rourkela. The visit includes multiple projects and high-level interactions, with tight security arrangements in place for the President’s day-long official programme

The Enforcement Directorate summoned Nusrat Jahan in a ration scam probe ahead of West Bengal polls. She has been asked to appear for questioning as political tensions rise, with Trinamool alleging central agency misuse

The Delhi High Court rejected Arvind Kejriwal’s plea seeking Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma’s recusal in the excise policy case, ruling allegations of bias were unsubstantiated and warning against undermining judicial integrity through perception-based claims

Protests erupted across Goa over alleged derogatory remarks by activist Gautam Khattar against St Francis Xavier. Multiple complaints were filed, with opposition demanding arrests and action against a minister, as authorities stressed maintaining communal harmony amid escalating tensions

Securities and Exchange Board of India slashed minimum investment in social impact funds to Rs 1,000 from Rs 2 lakh, aiming to boost retail participation in Social Stock Exchanges. The move seeks to democratise impact investing and improve funding access for nonprofits

Authorities in Chhattisgarh’s Jashpur found no evidence of an aircraft crash despite viral social media claims. Officials confirmed the smoke seen was from a forest fire. Search operations, including drones and inter-state checks, yielded no signs of any aviation accident

The Supreme Court of India dismissed lawyer Nilesh Ojha’s plea against contempt proceedings over allegations against a judge in the Disha Salian case. It stressed judicial integrity, warning that reckless public accusations undermine public trust in the justice system

An eight-year-old boy died after a handball goalpost collapsed on him at a Jaipur school during playtime. The incident sparked outrage over safety negligence. Police have launched a probe as grieving family and locals demand accountability from authorities

ED scrutiny of I-PAC over alleged money laundering sparks political controversy in West Bengal. Trinamool Congress defends its role in campaigns, while critics call it a “shadow setup”. The probe intensifies ahead of Assembly elections, raising questions on influence and funding

An explosion at a Virudhunagar fireworks unit killed 25 workers, mostly women, injuring several others. A second blast hit rescuers. The owner is absconding, illegal safety violations suspected. Tamil Nadu government announced Rs 5.5 lakh ex gratia and probe ordered

The Punjab Police’s Anti-Gangster Task Force arrested four suspects linked to foreign-based gangsters in Patiala, recovering illegal pistols and ammunition, and foiling planned crimes as part of an ongoing crackdown on organised criminal networks

The Supreme Court of India dismissed review petitions by Umar Khalid challenging denial of bail in the 2020 Delhi riots conspiracy case, holding no error in its earlier judgment and refusing an oral hearing

Omar Abdullah announced ex-gratia relief from the CM’s fund after a bus accident in Udhampur killed 21 people and injured 29, offering compensation to victims’ families and reaffirming government support

National Commission for Women chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar urged media to report crimes against women responsibly, avoid media trials, protect victim identity, ensure fact-checking, and promote gender-sensitive, accurate, and ethical journalism during a workshop in Mumbai

West Bengal heads into a closely fought Assembly election amid intense campaigning and voter roll revisions. The contest between Trinamool Congress and BJP is expected to tighten, with SIR changes and voter dynamics likely to influence outcomes across several key constituencies

Marlboro did not falter or look back, galloping to the finish line without me—leaving a lasting lesson: preparation matters, but so does accepting the unexpected with grace

Survivors of the Udhampur bus tragedy recounted panic and chaos after a bus plunged down a hillside, killing 21. They praised the Army’s swift rescue operation, which saved several lives. Police have launched an investigation into the accident

The CBI has arrested two senior Reliance Communications executives in connection with a Rs 19,694 crore bank fraud case. Investigations revealed alleged fund diversion and fraudulent transactions, causing major losses to public sector banks and financial institutions

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu campaigned in Coimbatore, highlighting women’s reservation as a key issue. He accused DMK and Congress of opposing reforms and urged voters to support the AIADMK-led NDA in the upcoming Tamil Nadu Assembly elections