Politics / The Times of India
Amidst opposition setbacks, Congress reaffirms its commitment to the INDIA bloc, vowing to strengthen the national alliance. Despite local electoral divergences, the party emphasizes its dedication to coordinating efforts against the BJP's politics at the national level.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi's use of the 'gamcha' during his victory speech and at the swearing-in ceremony in Patna resonated with supporters, highlighting its significance as a cultural symbol.
Nitish Kumar's rise was fueled by Kurmi and Kushwaha support, and their assembly representation has now reached a new high. This surge, particularly within Nitish's JDU, highlights the gains of these intermediary backward castes within the NDA's social coalition, while Muslim and Yadav representation has declined.
A decade after its implementation, India's juvenile justice system is failing children in conflict with the law. A new study reveals massive case backlogs, widespread vacancies in Juvenile Justice Boards, and a shocking lack of essential facilities, leaving thousands of children in limbo and facing prolonged institutionalization.
Seven key secretary-rank appointments were made Thursday, including new leaders for oil, telecom, and agriculture ministries. Neeraj Mittal takes charge as Petroleum Secretary, while Amit Agrawal moves to the Department of Telecom. Manoj Joshi transitions to pharmaceuticals, and V Vidyarthi is replaced in tourism. Atish Chandra is set to become the next Secretary for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.
The Supreme Court has prohibited new mining leases in the Aravali hills to protect them from desertification, while allowing existing operations to continue. The court mandated the preparation of a sustainable mining management plan for the entire range across four states, emphasizing ecological impact analysis and restoration measures.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has filed a supplementary chargesheet against Robert Vadra in a money laundering case involving fugitive arms dealer Sanjay Bhandari. The ED alleges Vadra assisted Bhandari and benefited from a London property, claiming he possessed proceeds of crime. The court will decide on cognizance on December 6.
Two suspected ISI-backed module members were injured in a police encounter in Ludhiana after allegedly opening fire. Acting on intelligence, police intercepted the duo who were tasked by a Pakistan-based handler to exchange grenades. Recoveries included grenades, pistols, and ammunition.
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar was seen attempting to touch Prime Minister Narendra Modi's feet at Patna airport before the PM's departure. This marks a recurring gesture from Kumar, who has previously shown similar deference to Modi on multiple occasions. The incident occurred shortly after Kumar's swearing-in for his tenth term as chief minister.
India is advocating for the expansion of a bilateral Joint Crediting Mechanism (JCM) as a vital tool for global climate action. Spearheaded by Japan, this model allows countries to jointly develop mitigation projects and transparently allocate emission reduction credits, reinforcing multilateral climate objectives.
Russia has offered India unrestricted technology transfer for its Su-57 fifth-generation fighter jets, including production and licensing for critical components. This significant defence partnership aims to bolster India's future fighter aircraft needs, ensuring domestic manufacturing capabilities and long-term upgrades, reinforcing over six decades of cooperation ahead of President Putin's visit.
Aam Aadmi Party's 'Provide Employment Ensure Social Justice' march, led by Sanjay Singh, reached Pratapgarh. The procession highlighted unemployment and escalating injustice against Dalits and backward communities in Uttar Pradesh, citing various incidents as evidence of government failure. The march saw participation from diverse groups and will continue towards Prayagraj.
The Supreme Court questioned the validity of Muslim men authorizing lawyers to issue Talaq-e-Hasan notices, deeming it a practice that leaves women vulnerable. The bench stressed that divorce requires the husband's direct pronouncement and signature, not delegation to third parties. This judicial scrutiny brings renewed attention to the constitutional validity of this divorce method.
Delhi Police alerted the Supreme Court about the danger of intellectuals becoming terrorists. The NIA is investigating the Red Fort blast, with four individuals in custody. Nepal's Bara district is under curfew due to protests. India's cricket captain Shubman Gill is out for the second Test.
Passengers on IndiGo flight 6E 930 from Guwahati to Delhi faced a significant three-hour delay on Thursday due to a technical snag. Engineers identified the issue, grounding the aircraft at Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport. The airline is offering refreshments and options for refunds or rebooking.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has described the ongoing Special Intensive Revision as unplanned, chaotic, and dangerous, citing the deaths of multiple booth-level officers. She expressed grave concerns to the CEC about the alarming situation, alleging a lack of preparedness and pushing BLOs beyond human limits, risking voter roll credibility.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has filed a chargesheet naming Robert Vadra in a money-laundering case linked to UK-based defence dealer Sanjay Bhandari. The complaint, submitted before Delhis Rouse Avenue Court, follows Vadras PMLA statement recorded in July. Earlier, the ED charged him in a Rs 58-crore Gurgaon land deal case, naming 11 additional accused.
Governors cannot indefinitely delay Bills passed by state legislatures, the Supreme Court ruled, emphasizing cooperative federalism. However, courts cannot set hard deadlines for governors or the President on Bills, nor can they grant 'deemed assent' or compel the President to seek judicial opinions. The ruling clarifies the limits of judicial intervention while upholding constitutional accountability.
Jan Suraaj supremo Prashant Kishor observed a day-long maun vrat at Bihar's Bhitiharwa Gandhi Ashram following his party's electoral defeat. Kishor took full responsibility for the Jan Suraaj's poor performance, vowing to work harder to fulfill his resolve to improve Bihar. Meanwhile, Nitish Kumar was sworn in as Chief Minister for a record tenth time.
The Indian Pickleball League (IPBL) has unveiled five city franchises for its inaugural season, set to take place in New Delhi from December 1-7, 2025. Launched by The Times Group and sanctioned by the Indian Pickleball Association, the league aims to boost the sport's popularity with top Indian and international players competing in a city-versus-city format.
At a vibrant ceremony, Nitish Kumar was officially sworn in as Chief Minister of Bihar for the 10th occasion, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in attendance to witness the momentous occasion. This inauguration heralds the establishment of a new NDA government following their sweeping success in the 2025 Assembly elections.
Nitish Kumar secures an unprecedented tenth term as Bihar's Chief Minister, demonstrating remarkable political resilience. Despite numerous alliance shifts and criticisms, he has once again swept the state, shattering notions of age-related fatigue. His consistent victory, attributed to strategic governance and welfare initiatives, solidifies his position as a dominant force in Bihar's politics.
The Supreme Court will soon deliver its verdict on a presidential reference concerning timelines for President and governors' assent to state bills. The reference, invoking Article 143(1), seeks clarity on judicial powers to mandate deadlines for constitutional functionaries, impacting Centre-state relations amid ongoing legislative disputes.
India is set to receive a significant defense upgrade from the United States with an approved $93 million arms deal. This package includes advanced Javelin Missile Systems and Excalibur tactical projectiles, bolstering India's homeland defense and its ability to counter regional threats. The sale reinforces the strategic partnership between the two nations, enhancing security in the Indo-Pacific.
Shashi Tharoor's recent praise for Prime Minister Narendra Modi has sparked internal dissent within the Congress. Colleagues like Sandeep Dikshit and Supriya Shrinate have questioned Tharoor's remarks, with Dikshit even calling him a hypocrite and questioning his loyalty to the party. Tharoor, however, highlighted Modi's speech on economic outlook and national pride.
The Supreme Court questioned the validity of Muslim men authorizing lawyers to issue triple talaq notices, stating it's not a valid divorce without the husband's signature. The bench emphasized that such practices cannot harm Muslim women's dignity and will not permit unauthorized divorce notifications.
India must accelerate its growth to achieve a $30 trillion economy, focusing on health, nutrition, and smart urbanization for job creation. Skilling the educated workforce is crucial as skilled manpower is identified as a major constraint for business growth and new job opportunities.
Prominent citizens have written an open letter criticizing Rahul Gandhi. They accuse him of attacking the Election Commission's dignity with 'impotent rage' and 'unsubstantiated accusations' following electoral failures. Congress has challenged the letter writers, questioning the Election Commission's electoral rolls. The exchange highlights ongoing political debate surrounding electoral processes.
The Supreme Court criticized the CBI's friendly and cool approach in probing Indiabulls Housing Finance's financial irregularities. The court questioned the corporate affairs ministry's decision to close Sebi and ED-flagged governance issues, emphasizing the need for a thorough investigation into multi-layered transactions and loan round-tripping.
While women's turnout significantly boosted the NDA's Bihar victory, AIMIM secured three of the top five seats with highest female participation. The special revision exercise's impact on poll outcomes showed mixed results, with NDA winning a proportional share of seats affected by deletions and additions.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expressed concern that Kashmiris are being viewed with suspicion across India due to the actions of a few. He stated that stripping the region of its special status and statehood has not ended bloodshed, questioning those responsible for security about the current situation.

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