India

Global crude oil prices declined nearly 2 per cent on Friday as hopes of easing West Asia tensions and a temporary ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon dampened supply concerns, even as markets remained cautious amid ongoing geopolitical uncertainty.

A government panel supported by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board recommended removing excise duty on CNG and reducing GST on vehicles to boost adoption, supporting India’s goal of increasing natural gas share to 15% by 2030

The Supreme Court of India refused interim protection to Congress leader Pawan Khera in an Assam defamation case, directing him to seek anticipatory bail locally, after questioning alleged jurisdictional misuse involving Assam FIR

A study by Indian researchers from the Indian Institute of Astrophysics found dwarf galaxies orbiting the Milky Way may host intermediate-mass black holes, with stellar motion data consistent with their presence, advancing understanding of galaxy and black hole evolution

A deadly collision between a car and private bus in Yadgir caused a fire that killed six people instantly. The accident near Devapur in Surpur taluk is under investigation, with authorities yet to determine the exact cause

Bihar government, led by Samrat Choudhary, conducted statewide surprise jail raids to strengthen prison security and reforms, with extensive searches across facilities finding no contraband while signalling stricter monitoring and discipline in correctional institutions

National Investigation Agency took over probe into ISI-linked spy network using CCTV cameras across India, uncovered by Ghaziabad police, to examine espionage, funding, and national security breaches involving sensitive locations

Gautam Adani became Asia’s richest person, surpassing Mukesh Ambani in the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, as Adani Group stock gains boosted his net worth amid global market volatility in 2026

Harivansh was elected unopposed as Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha for a third term, becoming the first nominated member to hold the post, with leaders including Narendra Modi extending congratulations

Students of Tamil Nadu National Law University protested against Vice Chancellor V Nagaraj over remarks linking women’s dress to harassment, demanding apology as controversy grew, while he clarified comments were misinterpreted and intended as general advice

New Delhi police arrested four more accused in the Vasant Enclave assault case involving an Army brigadier and family. The suspects allegedly attacked them after a dispute, fled briefly, and were later traced and apprehended

US President Donald Trump described his conversation with Prime Minister Narendra Modi as “very good,” highlighting discussions on bilateral ties and the West Asia conflict, with both leaders stressing the need to keep the Strait of Hormuz open.

India and South Africa begin their T20I series in Durban, using it as vital preparation for the 2026 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup. With strong squads and recent form, both teams aim to fine-tune strategies ahead of the global event

India delivered an impressive performance at the US Open Pickleball Championship 2026, winning six medals including four golds. Arjun Singh and Aditya Singh led the charge with a gold, while Panth Thakkar and Atharva Sheth secured silver

The Union Law Ministry has notified the Women’s Reservation Act, 2023, which provides a 33 per cent quota for women in legislatures, effective from April 16, 2026. Parliament had passed the landmark Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam in September 2023, but its implementation is tied to the completion of the delimitation exercise after the 2027 Census.

Punjab Kings outclassed Mumbai Indians with a seven-wicket win, chasing down 196 comfortably. Prabhsimran Singh and Shreyas Iyer starred, while Quinton de Kock’s unbeaten century failed to prevent Mumbai’s fourth consecutive defeat in the tournament

EU’s degressive proportionality allows India to acknowledge population growth while preserving the federal character of the Union, ensuring fair Lok Sabha representation for both populous and smaller States

The Karnataka Cabinet has approved the Rohith Vemula (Prevention of Exclusion or Injustice) Bill, aimed at curbing caste-based discrimination in higher education. The legislation proposes compensation for affected students and penal provisions against offenders.

The BJP is pushing a deeply flawed delimitation exercise under the guise of advancing women’s reservation, raising concerns over fairness, federal balance, and political representation

Kolkata Knight Riders look to arrest a poor run of form as they face a confident Gujarat Titans in an IPL match. While KKR struggle with tactics and player form, Gujarat enter the contest with better balance and momentum

Veteran actor and BJP leader Mithun Chakraborty fell ill during a roadshow in Baharampur, Murshidabad, while campaigning for BJP candidate Subrata Mitra. Party leaders attributed his sudden illness to extreme heat and fatigue. He was rushed away for rest and first aid, while the roadshow continued under Mitra’s leadership.

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra accused the government of using women’s reservation as a political ploy while undermining OBC rights and weakening democratic structures. She invoked Chanakya to highlight Amit Shah’s political manoeuvring and criticised Prime Minister Modi for projecting the BJP as the sole champion of women’s empowerment.

Panic gripped Jharkhand’s East Singhbhum after a World War II-era live bomb was found near the Subarnarekha River. Police secured the area as experts warned of explosion risks, with repeated recoveries raising fears of more buried explosives.