The Times of India News

India has firmly rejected China's claim of mediating its conflict with Pakistan. New Delhi reiterated that military action ceased after a request from the Pakistani DGMO to his Indian counterpart.

A sessions court in North Goa sentenced Sandeep Verlekar to 6 years and 6 months in prison for culpable homicide not amounting to murder after he assaulted his bed-ridden mother. The court considered his alcoholism and lack of intent to kill, ordering his release after accounting for time already served.

The Madhya Pradesh High Court upheld a Pocso court's 20-year sentence for a man who had a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old, despite their subsequent marriage and child. Justices Vivek Agarwal and R K Choubey stated that a minor's consent is immaterial and only the Supreme Court can suspend sentences under Article 142.

Chief Justice Surya Kant has introduced a new system to prioritize cases for the disadvantaged. Petitions from disabled individuals, acid attack survivors, senior citizens over 80, those below the poverty line, and legal aid recipients will now be fast-tracked. This initiative aims to ensure their cases don't get overlooked amidst the Supreme Court's massive caseload.

Prime Minister Modi highlighted Pragati's role in accelerating over Rs 85 lakh crore in projects over a decade, signifying a governance transformation. He emphasized eform, perform, transform for simplified processes and citizen-centric outcomes. Modi also reviewed five infrastructure projects and stressed PM SHRI schools becoming a national benchmark for holistic education.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has recovered over Rs 5 crore in unaccounted cash, Rs 8 crore in gold and diamond jewellery, and property documents worth Rs 35 crore during searches on alleged gangster Inderjit Singh Yadav's premises. The investigation into money laundering stems from Yadav's alleged illegal extortion and coercive loan settlements.

Dilip Ghosh's return to party meetings during Amit Shah's Kolkata visit signals a potential larger role for the former Bengal BJP chief. However, the absence of key Matua and Rajbangshi leaders from a recent BJP meeting highlights underlying unease within the party ahead of the 2026 polls.

The Election Commission has issued a stern warning against the intimidation of electoral staff by political workers, vowing stringent action. Following a meeting with a TMC delegation, the poll panel urged parties to prevent their representatives from threatening election duty personnel. The EC also pressed the West Bengal government to release enhanced honorariums for Booth Level Officers (BLOs).

Trinamool leader Abhishek Banerjee accused the Election Commission of failing to address concerns about electoral roll manipulation, alleging vote theft occurs through software and list discrepancies, not EVMs. He claimed opposition parties missed this tactic in recent state polls and vowed to prevent it in Bengal's upcoming elections, warning of legal action if issues aren't resolved.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah urged BJP workers in Bengal to aim for victory in the 2026 assembly elections, setting a target of winning 22 out of 28 seats in and around Kolkata. He also expressed concerns about infiltration and a changing demography in the region, while dismissing perceptions of organizational weakness.

A pan-India kidney trafficking syndicate with alleged international links has been exposed in Maharashtra. The illicit market saw transplants priced up to Rs 80 lakh, while impoverished donors reportedly received as little as Rs 5 lakh. Police have named two specialists as key players in the network, which allegedly conducted surgeries in Trichy.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has attached properties worth Rs 150 crore near Buckingham Palace in the UK, belonging to former S Kumars CMD Nitin Kasliwal. Kasliwal is accused of laundering Rs 1,400 crore of bank loans by establishing an offshore network of trusts and companies to acquire foreign assets.

Rocket debris, suspected to be from an ISRO heavy-lift rocket, washed ashore on Sri Lanka's eastern coast near Trincomalee. Local fishermen discovered the five-meter diameter, ten-meter long fragment, believed to be a payload fairing, prompting authorities to secure the site. This follows previous instances of Indian rocket debris found in the region and on Australia's coast.

ISRO is developing a third launchpad at Sriharikota to accommodate heavier satellites and future launches. Approved by the Union cabinet, the project, costing Rs 3,984.8 crore, aims for completion by March 2029. This expansion will enhance launch frequency, provide redundancy, and bolster India's position in the global space sector.

India's Defence Research and Development Organisation successfully launched two Pralay missiles in quick succession. This test validated the missile's reliability and precision. Pralay is an indigenously developed solid propellant quasi-ballistic missile. It is designed for high accuracy and can carry various warheads. This launch follows recent successful tests of other advanced missile systems, reinforcing India's defence capabilities.

A village defence guard fired shots after reportedly spotting a terror suspect in Rajouri's Kalakote area. Security forces have intensified surveillance and anti-terror operations in the Chenab region and frontier districts. Meanwhile, village defence guards are receiving enhanced training to bolster grassroots security, and a suspected Pakistani drone was briefly sighted near the International Border in Samba.

A Jammu and Kashmir court acquitted three individuals arrested in 2022 for alleged arms possession, citing a lack of independent witnesses and corroborative evidence. The prosecution failed to prove conscious and unauthorized possession of the recovered arms and ammunition, leading to the acquittal of all three accused.

The Jammu and Kashmir High Court has set aside the conviction of an elderly woman in a 1979 murder case, citing 46 years of prolonged proceedings and her age. The court ruled her sentence be treated as already undergone, closing the case due to the heat of passion and decades of litigation.

India welcomed the New Year 2026 with vibrant celebrations across major cities, featuring fireworks, cultural performances, and large public gatherings. Prime Minister Modi reflected on 2025 reforms, while President Murmu extended greetings wishing peace, prosperity, and renewed energy. Delhi Police urged safety, highlighting responsible celebrations as the nation stepped into 2026.

India's northern borders are stable yet sensitive, with the Army robustly deployed to handle any contingency. Bilateral talks have fostered positive developments and troop disengagement. Enhanced infrastructure and new equipment bolster defence preparedness. India's calibrated military actions aim for peace and mutual security, with communication channels actively used to address concerns.

India's Operation Sindoor, a decisive response to the Pahalgam attack, showcased unwavering resolve against terror. Precision strikes on Pakistani terror infrastructure delivered a calibrated blow, sending a clear message of retribution. The operation highlighted India's multi-domain capabilities and commitment to self-reliance, marking a defining moment in its military history.

The Union Cabinet greenlit a massive 374-km greenfield highway in Maharashtra, connecting Nashik to Solapur and Akkalkot, at an estimated Rs 19,142 crore. This project, part of the Surat-Chennai corridor, is set to be the country's largest BOT highway initiative. It promises to slash travel time by 45% and boost logistics, with completion targeted within two years.

India faced nearly 800 drone intrusions along its western border in 2025, highlighting increased smuggling and infiltration attempts. Forces successfully neutralized 237 drones, some carrying weapons and narcotics. Pakistan's persistent proxy war strategy was evident, though the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir remains under control with a focus on development and curbing local recruitment.

A magisterial inquiry found a Goa nightclub, where 25 died in a fire, was illegally built on a salt pan and operated without valid permissions. Systemic failures and alleged collusion by local authorities were highlighted, as the village panchayat issued a license despite it not being renewed, allowing the club to continue functioning.

Congress has slammed the BJP following the arrest of a Christian priest and 11 others in Nagpur during a prayer meeting, accusing the party of religious bigotry. MP KC Venugopal and Kerala LoP VD Satheesan condemned the arrests, demanding the FIR be withdrawn and calling for action against Bajrang Dal activists. They highlighted concerns over minority rights and constitutional freedoms.

Assam Congress leader Debabrata Saikia, who is Leader of Opposition in the state, has condemned the murder of Tripura student Anjel Chakma in Dehradun and accused the Uttarakhand government over purported remarks of state police that they have not found evidence of racial abuse.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah has urged BJP representatives in West Bengal to intensify grassroots outreach, dedicating at least four days weekly to constituencies and holding daily street-corner meetings. He emphasized performance for ticket consideration and signaled a renewed role for former state chief Dilip Ghosh in the upcoming assembly elections.

The CBI has busted a bribery ring within the Jhansi CGST office, arresting five individuals, including a deputy commissioner, two superintendents, an advocate, and a company owner. Officials were allegedly demanding Rs 1.5 crore for favourable treatment in GST evasion cases. A trap operation led to the recovery of Rs 1.60 crore in cash, jewellery, and valuables.

The Election Commission of India has ordered the West Bengal government to release enhanced honorariums for Booth Level Officers. The commission also warned against intimidating election staff. Polling stations will be established in diverse locations to ensure voter access. This comes amid a dispute over the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls in the state.

The Jagannath temple administration in Puri has apologized and halted the sale of 2026 calendars after depicting the sibling deities in incorrect positions on the Ratna Singhasan. The administration attributed the error to a century-old manuscript, stating there was no intent to offend religious sentiments. Political parties criticized the inaccuracies, which also extended to the depiction of Rath Yatra chariots

A new narrative suggests China will lead, with the US and India vying for second. Analyst Keji Mao argues US strategic altruism towards India has ended due to American decline anxiety. However, the article counters that US decline is exaggerated, China's economic rise faces headwinds, and India is forging an independent path, leading to a complex, contested global order.

India's national security adopted a harder stance in 2025 following the brutal Pahalgam massacre. Prime Minister Modi declared a 'Yuddha' against terror, leading to Operation Sindoor, a significant counteroffensive targeting terror infrastructure deep inside Pakistan and PoK. Diplomatic and military actions were taken to hold Pakistan accountable for cross-border terrorism.

Uttar Pradesh Police reported 48 alleged criminal deaths in encounters during 2025, the highest in eight years. This reflects a zero-tolerance policy against crime. Over 2,700 operations in 2025 saw thousands injured and one officer killed. The state also registered significant cases against illegal religious conversions and cow smuggling.

India's 2026 Republic Day parade will showcase the Army's animal contingent, featuring Bactrian camels, Zanskar ponies, raptors, and dogs. This historic display highlights their crucial role in extreme terrains, emphasizing endurance, sacrifice, and India's growing self-reliance in defence capabilities. The parade underscores the integration of tradition and innovation in military operations.

The central government has imposed an immediate ban on the manufacture, sale and distribution of all oral formulations of the painkiller nimesulide containing more than 100 mg in immediate-release form, citing risks to human health and the availability of safer alternatives. The decision, taken under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act after expert consultation, was notified by the health ministry. Separately, the ministry proposed changes to the Drugs Rules, inviting public feedback within 30 days.

BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla criticized Rahul Gandhi for calling India a dead economy after the nation surpassed Japan to become the world's fourth-largest economy. Poonawalla accused Gandhi of spreading malicious propaganda and highlighted India's economic rise from 11th to 4th position under the current government.

2025 was dominated by Donald Trump's return to the White House, with striking photographs capturing his inauguration and key diplomatic encounters. The year also saw significant moments like Trudeau's resignation, hostage releases, protests in Nepal, and strategic alliances forming between global leaders.

External affairs minister S. Jaishankar conveyed India's condolences during his visit to Dhaka as Bangladesh mourns former prime minister Khaleda Zia. Bangladesh high commissioner Riaz Hamidullah said Jaishankar also recognised her contribution to democracy and expressed hope for stronger ties after Bangladesh's democratic transition.