The Times of India

Political activity in Tamil Nadu is heating up ahead of the assembly elections. Major alliances are firming up their strategies. The DMK-led alliance and the AIADMK-led NDA front are expected to be the main contenders. The BJP is aiming to increase its presence. Past election results show a strong DMK performance.

A Delhi court has handed down life imprisonment to Kashmiri separatist leader Asiya Andrabi for conspiring against the state. Her associates, Sofi Fehmeeda and Nahida Nasreen, received 30-year sentences. The court found they plotted Kashmir's secession from India, using speeches and social media to advocate for its merger with Pakistan and portray it as under illegal occupation.

The Lok Sabha has passed the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Amendment Bill, 2026, defining transgender individuals to exclude those with different sexual orientations or self-perceived identities. The bill aims to protect a specific social and cultural group facing extreme discrimination, with new provisions for authority designation and graded punishments for offenses. Opposition members criticized the bill for limiting self-determination.

The US views India as crucial for a balanced Indo-Pacific, emphasizing deeper defense and strategic ties. A senior official highlighted shared interests in a region free from single-power dominance. Both nations aim to enhance operational interoperability and India's defense capabilities, fostering co-production and a strong domestic industry.

From agitprop accusations to civilisational storytelling: why Dhurandhar duology has struck such a nerve...

The Supreme Court questioned West Bengal's objection to the ED's plea alleging obstruction by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee during a raid. Justices emphasized the fundamental rights of individual ED officers, urging the state to focus on their alleged victimhood rather than just the agency.

Phubbing stems largely from social media addiction and undermines people-to-people interactions

AIADMK released its Tamil Nadu Assembly election manifesto, promising Rs 2,000 monthly assistance for female heads of households and Rs 10,000 for every family. The manifesto also includes promises of free refrigerators, extended bus travel for men, and three free cooking gas cylinders annually for ration cardholders.

India's first passive euthanasia recipient, Harish Rana, passed away at AIIMS-Delhi after 13 years in a vegetative state. The Supreme Court had permitted the withdrawal of life support, allowing a dignified end. This case reignited the debate on 'letting a patient die' versus actively ending life, highlighting the legal and ethical complexities surrounding end-of-life decisions.

Rahul Gandhi criticized PM Modi's comparison of the current fuel crisis to the Covid-19 pandemic, highlighting the tragic loss of life during the pandemic. He also accused Modi of compromising India's foreign policy and questioned the government's handling of the West Asia conflict and the stranded Indian ships.

Arvind Kejriwal predicted Prime Minister Narendra Modi might not remain in office beyond 2026, citing a decline in popularity and alleged electoral corruption. Opposition leaders at a book launch echoed concerns about institutions like the EC and ED, with Derek OBrien predicting electoral defeats for the BJP.

West Bengal's political arena reveals a significant concentration of wealth among candidates for the upcoming Assembly elections. Data shows several sitting MLAs, predominantly from the ruling Trinamool Congress, possess substantial assets, with some exceeding Rs 67 crore. This highlights the growing influence of personal wealth in electoral politics as the state prepares for polls.

The Supreme Court will consider extending the deadline for freezing electoral rolls in West Bengal, acknowledging concerns over procedural irregularities in the state's voter list exercise.

Rahul Gandhi has sharply criticized Prime Minister Modi's foreign policy, labeling it a personal and universal joke, and suggesting Modi is compromised by US President Trump. Gandhi also voiced concerns over rising LPG and fuel prices, warning of public suffering and questioning the Prime Minister's handling of the situation, contrasting it with the Covid-19 pandemic's tragedies.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi assured India of sufficient crude oil storage and uninterrupted supply amidst the West Asia war's global fuel crunch. He highlighted the nation's strategic oil reserves and increased refining capacity, while emphasizing India's commitment to peace through dialogue and diplomacy in the region.

Amid escalating West Asia tensions and reports of an LPG crisis, the government convened an all-party meeting. Opposition leaders voiced concerns over the handling of the conflict and its impact on India's energy security. Prime Minister Modi is set to address Parliament on the economic and security implications, while defence officials reviewed preparedness

India's strategic oil reserves can cover approximately 9.5 days of supply during disruptions, with current reserves at two-thirds capacity. This announcement comes amid rising global crude oil prices due to the Middle East conflict. The nation, heavily reliant on imports, is diversifying its crude sourcing to mitigate supply risks.

The Supreme Court ruled that individuals converting from Hinduism, Sikhism, or Buddhism to other religions lose their Scheduled Caste status. The top court upheld an Andhra Pradesh High Court order, stating that professing a different faith, like Christianity, disqualifies one from SC benefits and protections under the SC/ST Act. This bar is absolute, regardless of birth or caste certificates.

The manufacturing sector was hit the hardest, with its PMI dropping to a four-and-a-half-year low of 53.8 from 56.9. Heightened uncertainty and volatility linked to the Middle East conflict weighed on sentiment.

The timing of these trades mirrors earlier instances in recent months where large and highly profitable bets were placed on prediction platform Polymarket ahead of US military actions involving Iran and Venezuela.

Gold price prediction today: Gold prices are likely to remain range-bound in the near future, says Praveen Singh, Head Currencies and Commodities, Mirae Asset ShareKhan

H-1B visa registrations for FY27 have plummeted by 30-50%, driven by higher fees and a new lottery prioritizing wages. This shift benefits mid-tier IT firms and US Master's graduates, while large outsourcing companies face reduced dominance. The recalibration signals a move towards quality talent and increased costs for employers.

Experts have indicated that if oil prices stay elevated for the remainder of the month, particularly above $100 per barrel, the currency could move into the 9495 per dollar range over the next one to two weeks.

Stock market today: Indian equity benchmarks Nifty50 and BSE Sensex rallied in opening trade on Tuesday after a day of massive selloff. Hopes of an early halt to the US-Iran war led to the stock market rebounding.

Asian markets surged Tuesday, mirroring Wall Street's optimism after President Trump hinted at productive talks with Iran regarding Middle East hostilities. Despite Tehran denying negotiations, oil prices rebounded amid Strait of Hormuz concerns. Toyota announced a significant US investment, boosting its shares. Global markets remain watchful for any escalation impacting vital energy routes.

Brokerage firms are updating their views on Indian stocks. Morgan Stanley has an equal weight rating on ITC. HSBC upgraded Max Healthcare to buy. UBS initiated a neutral rating on Coforge. Macquarie has an outperform rating on L&T. Goldman Sachs maintained a buy rating on InterGlobe Aviation. These updates reflect analyst expectations for future growth and potential challenges.

Stock market recommendations: Crompton, Hero Moto Corp, and JSW Steel are the top stocks that Somil Mehta, Head of Retail Research, Mirae Asset ShareKhan has recommended for selling on March 24, 2026.

India's Air Force is set to significantly boost its capabilities by concluding major contracts in FY 2026-27. These include deals for 114 Rafale fighter jets, up to 60 medium transport aircraft, and additional airborne early warning systems. The increased capital budget will fund these crucial acquisitions and ongoing modernization efforts.

The Supreme Court has strongly condemned a family court's decision to involve police in a child custody dispute, calling it atrocious, unethical and unconstitutional. Justices questioned the jurisdiction of a Bhopal court over Gurgaon police in enforcing child handover. Both doctor parents and their child have been summoned to the Supreme Court for direct interaction.

The Supreme Court has demanded asset details of close relatives from both sides of a woman accused in a Rs 3,700 crore ponzi scam before considering her bail plea. The court expressed strong disapproval of the defense's claim that the accused couple has no assets, emphasizing the need to trace public funds allegedly siphoned off.

India's External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar discussed the West Asia conflict and its economic impact, including energy security, with his US counterpart. This follows US President Trump's decision to delay strikes on Iran, though Iran denies negotiations. India, concerned about attacks on energy infrastructure, has engaged with Gulf leaders and Iran's President. Potential US-Iran talks in Islamabad are also reported.

India is set to appoint a dedicated official at its London High Commission to handle International Maritime Organisation matters. This strategic move by the shipping ministry, now approved, aims to address frequent sea-based supply chain disruptions. With nearly all of India's trade by volume relying on maritime routes, this ensures better management of crucial sea trade.

Prime Minister Modi asserted India's unwavering focus on national interests amidst West Asian conflict, prioritizing peace and dialogue. He highlighted the government's strategic restraint and diversified ties as crucial for navigating global supply chain disruptions.

India hosts a key meeting of the Global Operational Network of Anti-Corruption Law Enforcement Authorities. Investigative agencies from 135 countries are represented. The gathering focuses on strategic direction and international cooperation. The Enforcement Directorate highlighted significant asset restitutions. This network facilitates direct agency-to-agency engagement.

The government is introducing a bill to amend the FCRA, enabling the takeover of foreign-funded assets when an organization's registration is cancelled or lapses. These assets can be used for public purposes or transferred to government bodies. The bill also introduces a new section for registration cessation and reduces jail terms for FCRA violations to one year.