The Times of India

Hotels and restaurants face strict action for levying additional charges like LPG charges or fuel cost recovery on food bills. The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) stated these are unfair trade practices, as operational costs should be included in menu prices. Consumers can dispute such charges and file complaints.

Home Minister Amit Shah is leading an informal Group of Ministers to address strategic issues arising from the West Asia conflict, including impacts on cooking gas and LNG supplies. Another GoM, headed by Manohar Lal, is focusing on energy supply matters, particularly piped gas for homes, as the government prioritizes PNG adoption.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh announced that the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) will develop infrastructure along the 1,600 km Indo-Myanmar border to bolster management capabilities. The BRO is also ensuring all-weather connectivity in remote regions and adopting modern construction techniques to enhance operational mobility and defence preparedness.

Indian space company Agnikul Cosmos has successfully tested its 3D-printed booster engine, 'Agnite'. This single-piece Inconel engine, a meter long, can be fully printed within a week, significantly reducing production complexity and turnaround time. The successful in-house testing marks a crucial end-to-end cycle completion for their larger engines.

India's Navy has launched Operation Urja Suraksha. More than five frontline warships are ensuring safe passage for India-bound cargo ships. These vessels carry vital supplies like LPG and crude oil. The operation escorts ships out of the troubled Strait of Hormuz. This protects critical maritime routes and Indian crew. Key successes have already been achieved.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has once again been recognized as the world's most popular democratic leader, achieving a 68% approval rating in a recent Morning Consult survey. This significant endorsement highlights his strong public support, even as it shows a slight decrease from last year's figures. Modi continues to lead global leaders by a considerable margin.

Raza Academy president Muhammed Sayed Noori has challenged the Centre's order for schools to begin the day with the national song 'Vande Mataram' in the Supreme Court. He argued that compelling students to sing the song, which invokes Hindu deities, infringes upon religious freedom and secularism.

The government introduced the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, in Lok Sabha, facing opposition from Congress and TMC who voiced concerns over executive overreach. Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai countered, stating the bill targets misuse of foreign funds for conversions and personal gain, aiming to enhance transparency in NGO funding for public welfare.

Supreme Court Chief Justice Surya Kant revealed a petitioner contacted his brother, allegedly to influence recusal from a case involving a brother-sister duo converting to Buddhism for minority quota PG medical admissions. The CJI stated he would not recuse and warned of severe contempt of court action for such attempts.

India has bolstered its digital security by mandating stricter compliance for telecom equipment, CCTV systems, and data protection. This move addresses concerns over surveillance infrastructure vulnerabilities and espionage risks, particularly with imported equipment. New rules require disclosure of hardware origins and testing against unauthorized remote access for CCTV systems.

The Railway Board has fined IRCTC and its catering contractor for poor food quality on a Vande Bharat train. A passenger's complaint led to a Rs 10 lakh penalty for IRCTC and Rs 50 lakh for the contractor. IRCTC's contract with Krishna Enterprises will be terminated. This action sends a strong message about accountability for service quality.

The Supreme Court ruled that financial burden cannot deny fair compensation for land acquisition, upholding the principle that fiscal implications don't override landowners' entitlements. However, the court limited this liberal compensation regime to claims pending since March 28, 2008, preventing delayed appeals for enhanced payouts.

Households with access to piped natural gas but still using LPG cylinders will face a supply cut in three months. This government move aims to reduce LPG imports, with exceptions for technically infeasible PNG connections. City gas firms will notify eligible consumers, while authorities must now grant pipeline permissions within set deadlines.

Indian Institutes of Technology are solidifying their global standing in engineering, with multiple disciplines ranking in the world's top 50. Management education is also advancing, as seen with IIM Ahmedabad's rise. Overall, India's higher education system shows significant quality improvement and global competitiveness.

The Union cabinet has approved the continuation of the immigration and visa tracking scheme for five more years until March 2031 with a Rs 1,800 crore outlay. This initiative aims to enhance national security and streamline the visa and immigration process for foreign visitors by inter-linking multiple databases for informed decision-making.

OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, is expanding in Asia. Kiran Mani, former JioStar CEO, will lead the company's operations in the Asia-Pacific region. He joins in June. This move signals OpenAI's focus on growing its user base in key markets like India. Mani will oversee regional strategy and operations.

Sammaan Capital shares surged 6% following the RBI's approval for a controlling stake acquisition by UAE's International Holding Company (IHC). IHC will invest approximately Rs 8,850 crore through its entity, Avenir Investment, marking a significant development for the company.

Indian stock markets surged today, with Sensex crossing 75,000 points. This rally, driven by hopes of a West Asia conflict resolution and easing crude oil prices, saw global markets also perform strongly. Foreign fund selling slowed, while domestic investors bought heavily, adding significant wealth to investors.

Lok Sabha approved the Finance Bill with key amendments. Promoters' capital gains from share buybacks will now face a 12% surcharge. Startup tax holidays have been extended, with the turnover threshold raised to Rs 300 crore. Taxpayers will now receive a minimum of 30 days to respond to reassessment notices, fostering a trust-based tax administration.

An empowered group of officials has begun assessing demand and supply chains to mitigate the impact of the West Asia conflict. The government is prioritizing food and fuel availability, exploring alternative import sources and potential duty cuts to stabilize prices. Efforts are underway to secure LPG supplies, with a focus on diversifying from West Asian sources.

Oil prices dropped significantly on Wednesday. This followed a US proposal to Iran and a slowdown in regional hostilities. Brent crude fell 3%. Gold and silver prices saw a substantial increase. This rally in precious metals reflects reduced fears of energy supply disruptions and potential inflation.

Infosys is significantly expanding its healthcare and insurance sectors in the US through two major acquisitions. The company is acquiring Optimum Healthcare IT for up to $465 million to enhance its provider segment presence. Additionally, Stratus will be acquired for up to $95 million to strengthen its P&C insurance capabilities and AI-driven transformation services.

The World Trade Organization's ministerial meeting in Cameroon will focus on reforming the 30-year-old body. The US and EU aim to expand talks to new issues and recognize plurilateral agreements, while India will advocate for farm trade reforms and preserve the WTO's core principles, prioritizing small farmers and policy space for developing economies.

Indian banks face a growing funding gap as credit expansion outpaces deposit growth. Lenders are turning to certificates of deposit, a wholesale funding source, to meet loan demand. This shift reflects changing household savings patterns and strong credit appetite across various sectors. Banks are also reallocating capital from government securities to support lending activities.

Airbus is considering establishing a final assembly line (FAL) in India for its ATR regional aircraft, driven by the government's focus on enhancing aerial connectivity. This move aligns with India's 'Make in India' vision and could reduce acquisition costs for local airlines, potentially boosting regional air travel.

PDP legislator Waheed Parra's bill proposing 16 new districts and two divisions in J&K has drawn sharp criticism. The ruling NC called it a sabotage attempt to undermine sub-region empowerment, while the BJP alleged it aligns with Pakistan's ISI agenda to create a 'Greater Kashmir' by dividing Jammu.

Parliament passed the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Bill 2026, sparking immediate resignations from two National Council for Transgender Persons members protesting the lack of community consultation. The bill removes self-perceived gender identity, introducing a medical board for transgender certificates, a move critics deem regressive and a step backward for fundamental rights.

Jammu and Kashmir administration defended its ban on 25 Kashmir-related books in high court, citing state security and public order. The government also justified the legal provision used for the ban. Petitioners challenging the order have been given time to respond. The full bench will hear the case.

British Airways is set to reward pilots with bonuses up to 1% of their salary for cutting carbon emissions. Pilots must collectively reduce CO2 by 60,000 tonnes above 2025 levels to earn the payout, starting next year. This initiative, focusing on fuel-saving practices, aims to address rising oil prices and climate pressures, with a union vote expected soon.

India grapples with a severe cooking gas shortage, driven by Middle East conflict-induced import disruptions. Long queues and panic buying plague cities as supply chains strain. The government is prioritising household needs, cutting industrial allocations, while seeking to restore commercial supplies and urging a shift to alternatives like piped natural gas.

The BJP has nominated Ratna Debnath, mother of the RG Kar Medical College rape and murder victim, from Panihati for the West Bengal Assembly elections. Her decision to contest on a BJP ticket stems from her pursuit of justice for her daughter and a broader fight for women's safety. This move has sparked debate among activists.

Two new reports highlight India's growing role as a global AI hub, detailing the impact of artificial intelligence on its startup and Global Capability Center (GCC) ecosystems. The studies reveal how AI is accelerating innovation and forcing GCCs to shift from execution to co-creation to avoid displacement, emphasizing India's unique advantages in this transformation.

Assam's political landscape is heating up alongside spring festivities, with the BJP aiming for a solo majority against a resurgent Congress. Key contests include Himanta Biswa Sarma versus Gaurav Gogoi, while issues like identity, infiltration, and development shape the electoral battleground. Post-delimitation changes add another layer to this defining election.