States

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced a ban on the use of social media for children under 16 while presenting the 2026–27 State Budget, citing concerns over mental health and digital addiction. Experts and parents welcomed the move but questioned its practical implementation

The Bihar government amended its notification to include POCSO Act provisions in the case of a NEET aspirant found dead at Shambhu Girls Hostel. The CBI now investigates possible sexual assault alongside the cause of death

A 20-year-old woman and her 19-year-old brother were allegedly beaten to death by their uncle and cousin over a long-standing land dispute in Madhya Pradesh’s Sehore district while heading to an examination centre. Police have detained the two accused

Bihar IG Sunil Kumar Naik appeared before Guntur’s Central Crime Station for a second day of questioning in the alleged custodial torture case of former MP K. Raghurama Krishna Raju. The probe follows Andhra Pradesh High Court directions amid Naik’s anticipatory bail plea

Two Indian Air Force pilots were killed after a Sukhoi-30 MKI fighter jet on a training mission crashed in Assam’s Karbi Anglong district, about 60 km from Jorhat air base. Rescue teams located the aircraft debris early Friday

West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose resigned unexpectedly days before the Assembly election schedule is expected. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed shock and said Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi would hold additional charge, alleging possible pressure from the Centre

Indian intelligence agencies have issued high-alert warnings as the Pakistan-Afghanistan conflict risks spilling into India. Terror groups like Jaish-e-Mohammad and Lashkar-e-Tayiba are preparing infiltration attempts, while security forces in Jammu & Kashmir and Punjab remain vigilant to prevent attacks

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar announced his shift to the Rajya Sabha, prompting Congress to call it a “leadership coup” orchestrated by ‘G2’. The political transition sparks debates on succession and the future of JD(U)–BJP governance in Bihar

Security forces killed Maoist Rajesh Punem, a Bhairamgarh area committee member carrying a ₹5 lakh reward, during an encounter in forested terrain along the Dantewada-Bijapur border in Chhattisgarh. Arms, ammunition, and communication equipment were recovered; no security personnel were injured 

A 17-year-old boy, Sameer Gupta, was beaten to death by an angry mob in Malda, West Bengal, after he allegedly opened fire during a Holi-related clash between two groups, injuring four villagers including a child, triggering protests and vandalism

Forest departments of Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka will conduct a synchronised vulture census across the Nilgiri landscape on March 7–8 to assess endangered populations. Surveys across major reserves aim to monitor nests, track numbers and strengthen conservation in the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve

Morgan Stanley has reportedly laid off about 2,500 employees, nearly 3% of its global workforce, amid shifting business priorities and performance reviews. The cuts span multiple divisions despite record 2025 revenues, while other firms like Amazon and Oracle also trim jobs

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is likely to file nomination for the Rajya Sabha from Patna, signalling a possible end to his long tenure as chief minister. BJP leader Nitin Nabin will also file papers as NDA eyes all five seats

A temple festival elephant turned violent near Nooranad in Alappuzha, injuring its mahout and damaging several parked vehicles. Wildlife officials later tranquilised the animal and moved it away. The injured mahout is undergoing treatment at Kottayam Medical College, police said

Mumbai ATS arrested 21-year-old engineering student Ayan Sheikh for alleged links with banned terror outfits Jaish-e-Mohammed and ISIS. He is accused of sharing extremist propaganda, attempting online radicalisation and recruitment via Telegram, while investigators analyse seized digital evidence and possible funding links

Six children, including five girls, drowned in a water-filled pit in Lohargava village, East Champaran. Villagers said the tragedy occurred when one girl slipped while bathing, and others jumped in to save her. Authorities recovered the bodies

A farmer, Rajeev, reportedly died in a suspected elephant attack in Sulthan Bathery while trying to drive off an elephant from his farm. Forest officials await postmortem confirmation amid local complaints over inadequate protection and compensation

The Indian Army opened fire after detecting suspicious movement along the Line of Control in Rajouri, Jammu and Kashmir, thwarting a possible infiltration bid. The White Knight Corps has intensified surveillance amid ongoing anti-terror operations in the border region

The Election Commission of India received a report from West Bengal’s CEO flagging deliberate delays by electoral officers during the Special Intensive Revision. The office recommended disciplinary action, while a dispute erupted with the West Bengal Civil Service (Executive) Officers’ Association

A 13-year-old boy, Unais Khan, was killed by a bullet at a birthday party in Lucknow’s Krishna Nagar area. The firearm, allegedly handled by the host, discharged accidentally. Police have seized the gun and are questioning minors present

The Indian Army has stepped up surveillance along the Jammu and Kashmir border amid rising drone and balloon sightings from Pakistan. Officials say these intrusions aim to distract security forces, but infiltration attempts by terror groups like LeT and JeM have been thwarted

Air India repatriated 149 passengers from Dubai amid Middle East tensions on flight AI916D, marking the first special operation by an Indian airline. Earlier, 143 crew members returned safely on flight AI918D

Garuda Aerospace unveiled a drone capable of tranquilising elephants from the air, reducing risks to humans and wildlife. C P Radhakrishnan inaugurated the UAV, highlighting its role in indigenous technology for human-elephant conflict mitigation

Thousands of women gathered at the Attukal Bhagavathy Temple for the annual Attukal Pongala festival, preparing ritual offerings in a massive display of devotion. The women-only event, once listed in the Guinness World Records, transformed the city into a vast spiritual arena