States

India’s first barrier-free toll plaza began operations on NH48 near Surat, using MLFF and FASTag technology for contactless toll collection. The system aims to reduce congestion and modernise tolling nationwide by 2026

A senior Mumbai Police officer was arrested in Mumbai under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act for allegedly molesting a minor in Worli, prompting a wider investigation and serious accountability concerns

Food and Drug Administration Maharashtra has mandated restaurants across Maharashtra to disclose whether paneer dishes use real dairy or substitutes. The rule aims to ensure transparency, prevent consumer deception, and standardize labelling across menus and food outlets

In Aligarh, an Instagram comment dispute in Nagla Patwari escalated into a violent clash, where illegal firearm use injured two brothers, one critically. Police are investigating the incident and registering a case at Quarsi police station

Andaman and Nicobar Islands plans two Guinness World Records attempts at Swaraj Dweep, including underwater flag unfurling and human stack, led by DK Joshi to promote global diving tourism

Rescuers at Bargi Dam in Jabalpur recovered victims from a capsized cruise, including a woman clutching her child. Difficult underwater conditions hamper operations as the death toll rises and teams continue searching for missing passengers

A cruise boat capsized at Bargi Dam in Jabalpur, killing six and leaving nine missing. Rescue teams, including NDRF and Indian Army, continue intensive operations amid challenging conditions to locate survivors

Mamata Banerjee alleged BJP influence behind exit polls and termed them a conspiracy to demoralise TMC workers. Expressing confidence of winning over 226 seats, she urged vigilance over EVMs and appealed for calm ahead of the May 4 counting

In Kochi, a one-year-old child was rescued by CWC and police from an intoxicated couple in a hotel. The child was placed under protection due to neglect concerns and later transferred to Palakkad CWC for further care

Tamil Nadu will launch a literacy programme under the NILP to educate over four lakh adults by 2026–27. The initiative uses community centres, volunteers, and surveys to improve basic literacy, numeracy, and life skills across the state

A tigress and her cub died in Kanha Tiger Reserve, pushing Madhya Pradesh’s tiger deaths to 27 this year. Officials cite treatment issues, while activists point to infection risks, poor monitoring, and disease spread concerns

Bhagwant Mann will meet Droupadi Murmu on May 5 to raise concerns over AAP MPs joining BJP, vowing to defend Punjab’s mandate and democratic values following a major राजनीतिक setback to Aam Aadmi Party

A tragic car fire on the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway in Alwar killed five passengers, while the driver escaped with critical burns. Authorities are probing the cause of the blaze that engulfed the moving vehicle within minutes

Exit polls projected a mixed outcome, with BJP leading in Assam and holding an edge in West Bengal, while DMK and UDF are likely to retain Tamil Nadu and Kerala. Puducherry is expected to favour the NDA

West Bengal witnessed a record voter turnout of 91.66% in the final phase of Assembly polls amid scattered clashes and allegations of violence. The high participation sets the stage for a decisive verdict in the Mamata Banerjee–BJP contest

Actor-politician Joseph Vijay, founder of TVK, embarked on a spiritual tour to Shirdi following the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. After visiting Thiruchendur, Vijay's pilgrimage serves as a brief hiatus before the May 4 vote counting and his formal political debut

A massive fire gutted eight flats at Gaur Green Avenue society in Ghaziabad's Indirapuram on Wednesday. Seventeen fire tenders suppressed the blaze, which reportedly started during woodwork. No fatalities occurred, though two elderly residents were hospitalized for smoke inhalation

An encounter erupted Wednesday morning between security forces and Maoists in Jharkhand's West Singhbhum district. CoBRA personnel were ambushed during a patrol in the Rutughutu forests. Intensive search operations continue as authorities remain on high alert to flush out insurgents

Mamata Banerjee and Suvendu Adhikari traded barbs near a Bhabanipur polling booth during West Bengal elections, alleging rigging and intimidation. High-stakes voting across 142 constituencies underscores intense rivalry between TMC and BJP

FIFA President Gianni Infantino praised Narendra Modi after he played football with children in Sikkim. Infantino highlighted football’s unifying power, while Modi called the session energising, reflecting the sport’s strong popularity across India’s northeastern states

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee alleged assault by Central Reserve Police Force and accused Bharatiya Janata Party of poll rigging as tensions, violence claims, and heavy security marked second-phase voting across 142 constituencies in Kolkata and districts

Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple, performed rituals, and will inaugurate the Ganga Expressway in Hardoi, a 594-km corridor aimed at boosting connectivity, economy, logistics, tourism, and regional development across Uttar Pradesh

Kolkata voting saw BJP leaders including Mithun Chakraborty express hopes of 90 percent turnout, while candidates raised EVM concerns, violence allegations, and appeals for participation. Abhaya’s mother entered polls seeking justice as voting covered 142 constituencies across six districts statewide

Ahead of phase two polling in West Bengal, the Election Commission has asked the NIA to prevent use of crude bombs amid rising violence concerns. The move follows recent recoveries of explosives and past incidents of post-poll clashes