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.

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.

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.

AIADMK has finalized seat-sharing with seven NDA allies in Tamil Nadu for the April 23 Assembly elections, allocating 65 seats to partners like BJP (27), PMK (18), and AMMK (11). The AIADMK will contest the remaining 169 constituencies. This move solidifies the alliance's structure ahead of the crucial contest against the ruling DMK.

Kerala's 2026 Assembly elections are poised for close contests, mirroring the 2021 polls where narrow victory margins and fragmented vote shares were prevalent. Despite a consistent but limited NOTA presence, the focus remains on micro-level swings and party strength, as recent local body elections indicate potential shifts in tightly contested constituencies.

Veteran Congress leader Sonia Gandhi is stable and under observation at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital after being admitted Tuesday night due to feeling unwell following a weather change. Doctors are conducting investigations for potential stomach and urinary tract infections, with antibiotics administered as part of her treatment. Her condition is being closely monitored by a medical team.

Gujarat has passed its Uniform Civil Code Bill, 2026. This makes it the second Indian state to adopt a unified law for marriage, divorce, and inheritance. Union Home Minister Amit Shah hailed it as a historic step for equality. Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel stated the UCC will ensure equal rights and dignity for women across all communities.

The Supreme Court has sharply criticized Haryana Police and the Child Welfare Committee for their insensitive handling of a three-year-old rape survivor's case. The court condemned summoning the minor to the police station and expressed concern over the apparent downgrading of charges under the Pocso Act, emphasizing the need for a child-sensitive approach.

The Congress party has received an eviction notice for its long-standing national headquarters at 24, Akbar Road, with a deadline of March 28. The party alleges the move is politically motivated by the BJP government to divert attention from the Iran war. Congress plans to challenge the notice in court, calling it undemocratic and illegal.

India's drug regulator is cracking down on the easy availability of GLP-1 weight-loss drugs following nationwide raids. Inspections revealed significant gaps in how these prescription medicines are sold and promoted, with concerns over sales without prescriptions and inadequate medical oversight. Authorities are intensifying enforcement to curb misuse and ensure these drugs are only dispensed under strict medical supervision.

Election Commission convened with top officials from poll-bound states and their neighbors to bolster election preparedness. The focus was on ensuring peaceful polls by strengthening border security and curbing illegal activities like cash, liquor, and drug smuggling. All agencies were directed to maintain heightened vigilance to prevent violence and inducements.

The Supreme Court expressed disapproval of a PIL requesting separate enumeration of Denotified, Nomadic, and Semi-Nomadic Tribes in the upcoming census. The bench suggested the petition's motive might be to gain SC/ST status, calling such moves calculated and potentially aimed at dividing India. Despite recommendations for enumeration since 2000, the government has not acted.

India's informal sector added nearly 75 lakh jobs between January and December 2025, signaling a strong recovery from recent economic shocks. The 'other services' sector led growth with 35 lakh new jobs, while manufacturing and trade also saw significant additions. The number of informal establishments also grew by 8%.

Indian Railways has revised its ticket cancellation refund policy, with no refunds for cancellations made less than eight hours before departure. Cancellations between 8-24 hours will incur a 50% deduction, and 25% for 24-72 hours prior. These changes aim to curb black marketing of tickets by touts.

The Supreme Court ruled that only individuals professing Hinduism, Sikhism, or Buddhism can be members of Scheduled Castes. Conversion to any other religion results in an absolute loss of SC status, preventing invocation of the SC/ST Act. This ruling contrasts with Scheduled Tribes, where religion is not a basis for exclusion.

Prime Minister Modi has cautioned about a prolonged disruption stemming from the West Asia conflict. He stated this crisis will be a major test for India, potentially leading to an energy crisis and serious global economic consequences.

Lok Sabha approved the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Amendment Bill 2026 via voice vote, despite opposition calls for wider consultations. The government stated the changes aim to ensure benefits reach genuine transgender individuals, moving away from self-perceived gender identity and introducing a medical board for certification. The bill now heads to the Rajya Sabha.

The Supreme Court has ordered the armed forces to pay full pension to hundreds of women short service commission officers whose permanent commission was unfairly denied due to arbitrary ACR assessments.

The Supreme Court mandated that UAPA cases investigated by the NIA must conclude within a year through exclusive special courts. States must identify court needs and appoint dedicated prosecutors. The Centre offers funding for these courts, aiming to expedite trials and address bail concerns. Delhi leads in pending NIA cases.

Bengal a case apart, P 10

The Congress party is set to lose its long-standing national headquarters at 24, Akbar Road. An eviction notice has also been issued for the Indian Youth Congress office at 5, Raisina Road. Both premises must be vacated by March 28. The party intends to challenge the notices in court, citing illegality and political motivation.