External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Wednesday inaugurated two new Consulates General in Russia, Yekaterinburg and Kazan. This move marks a significant step in deepening India and Russia bilateral ties. The new missions will foster economic, technological, and scientific cooperation. They will also support the large Indian community residing in Russia.

A group of 272 eminent citizens, including retired judges, bureaucrats, and military officers, have penned an open letter criticizing Rahul Gandhi and the Congress for allegedly undermining constitutional bodies, particularly the Election Commission. The letter accuses the opposition of baseless rhetoric and systematic and conspiratorial attacks against the ECI, urging civil society to support the institution.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Puttaparthi to honor spiritual leader Sri Sathya Sai Baba's birth centenary, paying respects at his Mahasamadhi. Accompanied by Andhra Pradesh leaders, the PM also released commemorative stamps and a coin celebrating Baba's legacy. Later, he will inaugurate a natural farming summit in Coimbatore and release PM-KISAN funds for farmers.

Former Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar met his successor C P Radhakrishnan in a courtesy meeting, marking their first formal interaction since Dhankhar's resignation. Dhankhar had stepped down citing health reasons and is currently residing in a private accommodation while awaiting his retirement residence.

The Supreme Court has urged the Centre and judiciary to expedite NIA case trials, aiming for completion within six months to address prolonged bail denials. Justices emphasized establishing dedicated NIA courts with adequate infrastructure, including virtual appearance facilities, to prevent delays.

Justice Ujjal Bhuyan dissented with CJI B R Gavai's recall of a prior judgment, arguing the majority overlooked environmental jurisprudence fundamentals. Justice Bhuyan defended the original verdict, emphasizing the precautionary principle over the 'polluter pays' principle. CJI Gavai noted his departure from tradition by not altering his judgment after receiving the dissent.

NDA allies BJP and JDU are resisting LJP(RV)'s demand for a deputy chief minister post in the new Bihar government. Discussions are ongoing as the BJP may retain the Speaker's position, while LJP(RV) seeks representation for its Dalit vote base. The new government's composition reflects shifting power dynamics after the recent election victory.

Fugitive Anmol Bishnoi, wanted for the murder of NCP leader Baba Siddique, has been deported from the US and is reportedly en route to India. The NIA is coordinating his return, with Zeeshan Siddique confirming official notification of Bishnoi's emoval from the United States.

India is urging developed nations to accelerate their net-zero targets and fulfill climate finance commitments ahead of its own 2035 pledges. Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav highlighted India's successful development alongside environmental stewardship, exceeding its non-fossil fuel energy capacity target early. The country aims for net-zero by 2070, supported by its Nuclear and Green Hydrogen Missions.

Tej Pratap Yadav has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah to investigate alleged mental and physical pressure on his parents, Lalu Prasad and Rabri Devi. He called it an attack on the RJD's soul, naming individuals he claims harassed his sister Rohini Acharya.

In a recent AICC meet, Rahul Gandhi has expressed deep apprehension regarding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, fearing it may unjustly disenfranchise genuine voters. He called upon Congress to tackle this issue from political, organizational, and legal fronts.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar urged the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) to adopt a zero tolerance approach to terrorism, emphasizing its founding purpose. Speaking in Moscow, he also called for reforms in the organization's working methods to adapt to the evolving global landscape. Jaishankar highlighted India's right to defend its people against terrorism.

Four Jungian archetypes explain why Bihar voted the way it did.

BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla criticized Congress MP Imran Masood for calling suicide bomber Umar Un Nabi a misguided youth. Poonawalla accused the Congress of prioritizing vote bank politics over national interest, citing past instances where opposition leaders allegedly downplayed terror acts. The remarks came after a video emerged of the bomber justifying his actions.

Bengal BJP assures Hindus and Muslims face no fear regarding voter list deletions during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process. Opposition parties, including TMC and SP, question the SIR, alleging it's a 'silent, invisible rigging' by the Election Commission at BJP's behest, while BJP dismisses these claims as 'cry of the losers'.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta told the Supreme Court that the 2020 Delhi riots were a pre-planned attempt to divide society communally, not a spontaneous protest. He argued accused activists are responsible for trial delays. Meanwhile, the Delhi high court directed police to update on riot investigations, noting petitions have been pending for six years without pursuing alternate legal remedies.

Jan Suraaj supremo Prashant Kishor accepted full responsibility for his party's complete failure in the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections, admitting he could not earn voters' trust. Despite contesting 238 seats, Jan Suraaj won none, with Kishor vowing to intensify his work in Bihar and observe a silent fast as atonement.

Prashant Kishor, the leader of Jan Suraaj, has openly accepted accountability for his party's disappointing outcome in the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections, where they secured no seats. He emphasized that despite a genuine commitment to merit-based governance, his party could not connect with the electorate. Acknowledging flaws in both strategy and communication, Kishor stressed the importance of regaining public trust.

Pakistani rapper Talha Anjum caused a stir by waving the Indian flag during a concert in Nepal. He later defended his actions, stating his art has no borders and he does not care about propaganda. While some Pakistanis criticised the move, many Indians praised the gesture. The incident has generated significant social media discussion.

A central agency raided Al-Falah University in Faridabad as part of the Delhi blast case investigation. This action follows the arrest of the university chancellor's brother and scrutiny of the institution due to its former student being the prime accused. Delhi Police have summoned the chancellor to address inconsistencies and clarify roles of individuals linked to the university.

Former Congress MP Husain Dalwai ignited controversy by linking the Red Fort blast to injustice in Kashmir and questioning its timing during the Bihar elections. The BJP swiftly condemned his remarks, accusing the Congress of justifying terrorism and speaking the language of separatists. Dalwai later clarified he condemns violence but maintained his stance on alleged injustice in Kashmir.

Home Minister Amit Shah vowed to bring perpetrators of the Delhi car bomb blast to justice, emphasizing the government's commitment to eradicating terrorism. Addressing the Northern Zonal Council meeting, he highlighted the importance of inter-state cooperation for national strength and discussed speedy justice for crimes against women and children, including increasing fast-track courts.

An emotional Tejashwi Prasad Yadav offered to step down as RJD legislative party leader, but was urged by patriarch Lalu Prasad to continue. The party's poor election performance was discussed, with leaders blaming EVMs and demanding a return to ballot papers for future elections.

Overall unemployment held steady at 5.2% in October, though urban joblessness rose to a three-month high of 7%. The Labour Force Participation Rate reached a six-month high of 55.4%, driven by a significant increase in female participation, particularly in rural areas. This surge in the female workforce contributed to a rising overall worker population ratio.

The Election Commission has ordered a special revision of Assam's electoral roll for the upcoming assembly polls, with January 1, 2026, as the qualifying date. This mandatory house-to-house verification aims to include all eligible citizens without requiring proof of eligibility. Details of 'doubtful' voters will be carried forward pending tribunal orders.

The Supreme Court has issued notices to the Centre and Rajasthan government regarding a plea challenging the state's anti-conversion law. Filed by 'The Jaipur Catholic Welfare Society', the petition argues the law unfairly targets minority communities and creates a chilling effect. The court will hear the case alongside similar petitions against other states' laws.

The Supreme Court has mandated that total reservations for SC, ST, and OBCs in Maharashtra civic body elections must not exceed 50%. The court warned it would halt the nomination process in constituencies breaching this limit. Elections will proceed based on pre-July 2010 OBC reservation norms, as the Banthia Commission's report is not yet finalized.

The Supreme Court has expressed strong disapproval of High Courts disregarding its rulings and judicial precedent. Justices J B Pardiwala and K V Viswanathan questioned how the Madhya Pradesh High Court could condone a nearly five-year delay by the state government in filing an appeal, emphasizing the need for judicial discipline and adherence to established legal principles.

The Supreme Court expressed concern over states permitting liquor sales in small tetra packs, likening them to juice containers and highlighting potential risks to children. This issue emerged during a trademark dispute between whisky producers Allied Blenders and John Distillers, where tetra packs constitute a significant portion of sales in some regions.

The Supreme Court strongly rebuked a petitioner for filing a contempt petition against a district judge, calling it an abuse of process. The bench directed the petitioner to deposit Rs 5,000 to the SC Legal Services Authority and advised them to approach the High Court with their grievances instead.

India and Russia are intensifying bilateral engagements ahead of their annual summit, with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar meeting his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov in Moscow. Discussions focused on the upcoming summit agenda, regional and global issues including the Ukraine conflict, and the finalization of several bilateral agreements to strengthen their strategic partnership.

India's Chandrayaan-4 lunar sample-return mission, a complex joint effort with Japan, is slated for a 2028 launch. This initiative aims to explore lunar resources and develop crucial operational technologies. Concurrently, ISRO is progressing with its manned lunar mission target of 2040 and the Bharatiya Antariksha Station by 2035.

Poonch police are offering a Rs 5 lakh reward for vital information on terrorist presence or activities, encouraging public vigilance. Informants' identities will be protected. This initiative follows a previous announcement of Rs 12.5 lakh for intelligence on trans-border activities. Security has also been heightened at Jammu railway station after a terror module linked to a Delhi blast was uncovered.

Iran has suspended its visa-waiver facility for Indian passport holders starting November 22, 2025, following incidents where Indians were lured with false job promises and subsequently kidnapped for ransom. The Ministry of External Affairs advises vigilance against agents offering such arrangements. This action aims to curb the misuse of the visa-free entry for criminal activities.

The Election Commission has ordered a Special Revision of Assam's electoral rolls, with January 1, 2026, as the qualifying date and the final list due February 10, 2026. This focused update aims for accuracy, falling between routine and intensive revisions. The process involves door-to-door verification by BLOs using pre-filled registers.

A Bengaluru woman lost nearly Rs 32 crore in a sophisticated digital arrest scam. Posing as CBI officers, fraudsters subjected her to constant Skype surveillance, threatening immediate arrest. Over six months, she made 187 bank transfers, believing she was proving her innocence, before receiving a fake clearance letter.