The Times of India News

Medical colleges nationwide must now maintain constant stocks of anti-rabies vaccines and immunoglobulin, following Supreme Court directives. This crucial step ensures timely treatment for dog-bite victims, addressing rising incidents in public spaces. The National Medical Commission's order mandates uninterrupted availability, bolstering public health safety measures across institutions.

Tragedy struck Bhagirathpura as nine individuals succumbed to illness after consuming contaminated water. Diarrhoea and vomiting plagued residents since Monday, with initial reports indicating sewage contamination from a local police check post toilet. While authorities confirmed four deaths directly linked to the tainted supply, water sample tests revealed contamination, though the specific bacteria remain unidentified.

A contaminated water supply in Indore's Bhagirathpura has led to a severe diarrhoea outbreak, claiming nine lives and hospitalizing over 200 residents. A leaking toilet waste pit near a water line is blamed for the contamination. Families are grappling with loss and illness, with one teacher losing her six-month-old son.

The transport ministry is proposing mandatory fitness and pollution tests at automated test stations (ATS) for private vehicles, ending home-delivered certificates. A 10-second geo-tagged video of the vehicle during the test will be required. Vehicles failing fitness tests will be declared 'End of Life Vehicle' if not rectified within 180 days.

Air India faces scrutiny from Transport Canada after a pilot was found intoxicated before operating a flight from Vancouver on December 23, 2025. Canadian authorities reported the pilot failed a breathalyser test, leading to his removal from duty. Air India is investigating and has informed the DGCA, with potential enforcement action expected.

Medical aspirants will benefit from 171 additional postgraduate seats approved by the NMC across various clinical specialties. Counselling authorities are directed to include these seats immediately for the 2025-26 academic year, following appeals by medical colleges against earlier decisions. This move aims to maximize seat utilization and provide more opportunities for aspiring doctors.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh lauded DRDO's crucial role in Operation Sindoor, highlighting its commitment to national security. He expressed confidence in DRDO's ability to develop the 'Sudarshan Chakra' anti-missile defence system, a key initiative for comprehensive aerial protection against evolving threats.

The Reserve Bank of India's Financial Stability Report highlights emerging structural pressures in the insurance sector, noting that premium growth is increasingly driven by high-cost distribution strategies rather than operating efficiency. While the sector remains stable in the near term, elevated expenses could weaken profitability and necessitate a shift towards cost rationalization and technology-enabled distribution for long-term resilience.

Banks can now independently manage the National Pension System (NPS) as the PFRDA approves a new framework to boost competition and protect subscribers. This move, alongside revised investment fee structures and new NPS Trust board appointments, aims to create a more robust and competitive pension ecosystem for improved retirement security.

Union Fertilizers Minister J P Nadda launched an integrated e-bill system to digitally process fertilizer subsidies worth approximately Rs 2 lakh crore. This move replaces manual procedures with a fully digital workflow, enhancing transparency, efficiency, and accountability through a centralized, tamper-proof digital audit trail. The system accelerates payment timelines and strengthens financial controls.

The National Financial Reporting Authority (NFRA) has launched its second Audit Practice Toolkit, focusing on revenue risk assessment for small and medium audit practitioners. This initiative aims to enhance audit quality by providing a practical guide for identifying and assessing material misstatements in revenue.

Company directors in India now face a simplified annual KYC filing, shifting to a triennial requirement under the Companies Act, 2013. This move, effective March 31, 2026, eases compliance burdens. A new, comprehensive KYC form will also facilitate updates to personal details and DIN reactivation, benefiting all directors.

Two notorious criminals, Vikas Gulia and Dhirpal, have been handed life imprisonment under the stringent MCOCA law in Delhi. The court found them guilty of sustained organized criminal activity, including murder and extortion, despite previous bail. This conviction highlights the police's success in curbing dangerous crime syndicates.

Global investment prospects are set to expand significantly in 2026. Franklin Templeton predicts a shift away from US market dominance. Easing monetary policies and a weaker US dollar will drive this change. Profit growth outside America will also fuel capital flows.

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut alleged the BJP's agenda is to prevent a 'Marathi manoos' from becoming the mayor of BMC, claiming it's a conspiracy to hurt Marathi people. He stated this strategy aims to create an atmosphere against Shiv Sena (UBT) and MNS among outsiders, with UP and Bihar leaders expected to campaign for the BJP.

An explosion of unknown origin ripped through a popular bar in the Swiss ski resort town of Crans-Montana early Thursday, killing and injuring several people. The blast occurred at Le Constellation during New Year celebrations, with emergency services still on the scene. The cause of the explosion remains undetermined as investigations continue.

The Reserve Bank of India announced that 98.41% of the Rs 2,000 banknotes, initially valued at Rs 3.56 lakh crore, have been returned to the banking system. As of December 31, 2025, only Rs 5,669 crore of these notes remain in circulation.

Haryana Congress president Rao Narendra Singh visited a gangrape victim in Faridabad, condemning the 'inhumane and heinous crime' and criticizing the BJP government's claims on women's safety. The 25-year-old mother of three was allegedly gangraped in a moving van and thrown out, suffering severe injuries. Singh demanded strict punishment for the arrested accused and called for a fast-track trial.

Indian passenger vehicle sales reached a record 45.5 lakh units in 2025. This growth of nearly 6 percent was boosted by policy tailwinds in the second half. Several manufacturers like Maruti Suzuki, Mahindra & Mahindra, and Tata Motors achieved their highest annual sales.

Millions of Americans will now face significantly higher healthcare costs as enhanced Affordable Care Act tax credits expired January 1, 2026. Over 20 million individuals are impacted, with average premiums more than doubling. Despite bipartisan efforts, a legislative solution remains elusive, leaving many to consider dropping coverage or absorbing increased expenses.

Jammu and Kashmir Police arrested two terror associates in Ganderbal, seizing a pistol, grenades, ammunition, and Rs 8.40 lakh cash. The operation, based on specific intelligence, also led to the recovery of an SLR rifle and ammunition in Doda district. Investigations are ongoing to uncover wider links and intent.

The Ministry of Education has directed Tezpur University Vice-Chancellor Shambhu Nath Singh to proceed on leave following sustained protests over alleged administrative, financial, and environmental irregularities. A high-level enquiry committee has been formed to investigate the allegations, with an interim pro-VC appointed to ensure continuity.

The Indian rupee opened 2026 on a weak note, slipping 10 paise to close at 89.98 against the US dollar. Sustained foreign fund outflows and a subdued domestic equity market pressured investor sentiment, with the currency facing continued pressure from capital withdrawals and importer demand.

According to Jammu and Kashmir Police, the individual has been identified as Shariful Islam Bhuiyan, son of Mozibul Haque Bhuiyan. He is a resident of Adra village in Bangladeshs Comilla district. BSF officials told ANI that the operation is expected to begin next month and will continue till the end of January, a period considered critical ahead of Republic Day celebrations.

Opposition parties have sharply criticized the Madhya Pradesh government over the Indore water contamination incident, alleging misgovernance and a cover-up of the actual death toll. While the administration confirmed four deaths, residents claim the number is higher, sparking political confrontation and demands for accountability.

Unfazed by freezing temperatures and treacherous terrain, Army units have expanded their reach into higher and snowbound areas, targeting Pakistani terrorists who often try to use the harsh winter months for cover and movement. Traditionally, the peak winter period brings a slowdown in terrorist activity as heavy snowfall cuts off routes and isolates mountain regions. This year, however, security forces have changed tack.

Delhi government is set to introduce the Pink Saheli card in early 2026, making it mandatory for women to avail free rides on DTC buses. This smart card aims to enhance transparency and efficiency in the scheme, replacing paper tickets.

India's first bullet train is slated for a 2027 launch, with the Surat to Bilimora section opening first. The ambitious Mumbai-Ahmedabad corridor, developed with Japan, promises speeds up to 320 kmph, drastically cutting travel time. Additionally, the first Vande Bharat sleeper train will debut in January 2026, offering comfortable overnight journeys.

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav expressed confidence in West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee's victory in the 2026 Assembly elections, stating the BJP's conspiracy would fail. He also predicted the BJP's defeat in Uttar Pradesh in 2027, while criticizing UP CM Yogi Adityanath over voter list revisions.

Taxpayers are facing higher tax outgo due to incorrect regime choices, often stemming from misunderstandings of exemptions and documentation. Experts advise projecting liabilities under both regimes, with high HRA and rent payments favoring the old system, while low rent benefits the new.

BSNL has launched its Voice over Wi-Fi (VoWiFi) service nationwide from January 1, 2026, enabling subscribers to make and receive calls and messages over any Wi-Fi network at no extra cost. This initiative aims to enhance call quality and reliability, particularly in indoor and remote areas with limited mobile coverage, while also reducing network congestion.

The first Vande Bharat sleeper train will run between Guwahati and Kolkata, Ashwini Vaishnaw announced on Thursday. Each Vande Bharat sleeper train has 16 coaches. The composition of the coaches is: 11 AC 3-tier, 4 AC 2-tier, and one AC 1st coach. The train can accommodate 823 passengers.

Tobacco stocks experienced a sharp decline as the finance ministry formalized February 1st as the date for imposing additional excise duty on tobacco products and a health cess on pan masala. This move, replacing the existing GST compensation cess, will necessitate price increases for major cigarette manufacturers like ITC and Godfrey Phillips India.

Starting February 1, tobacco and pan masala products will face new taxes. The government is introducing additional excise duties and a health cess, replacing the existing GST compensation cess. Pan masala will be taxed at 40% GST plus a new cess, while biris will attract 18% GST.

The United States has granted a majority-Russian-owned Serbian oil company a temporary reprieve from sanctions targeting Moscow's invasion of Ukraine, a Serbian minister said on Wednesday. According to the Serbian national broadcaster RTS, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban was involved in discussions between Vucic and the US State Department earlier Wednesday, while the Hungarian firm MOL is in negotiations to buy the Russian portion of NIS's shares.

Meta's AI head, Alexandr Wang, revealed he will delay having children until advanced brain-computer interface (BCI) technology like Neuralink is widely available. Wang believes children's early neuroplasticity offers a prime window for intuitive BCI integration, potentially enabling future generations to learn and utilize superintelligence tools more effectively than adults.