The Times of India

On Wednesday, a group of 58 rebel MLAs led by expelled leader Ritabrata Banerjee claimed control of the TMC legislature party after securing recognition from Assembly Speaker Rathindra Bose. The dramatic development capped nearly two weeks of mounting tensions fuelled by allegations of forged signatures, resentment over the growing influence of Abhishek Banerjee and an increasingly visible succession struggle within the organisation.

Rahul Gandhi slammed the Modi government over the NEET-UG paper leak, citing the tragic suicide of aspirant Akanksha. He highlighted the farmer father's sacrifices and blamed the corrupt, broken system for her death. Gandhi also questioned Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's continued tenure and accused PM Modi of damaging India's education.

A proposed All India Medical Service, envisioned to create a national cadre of doctors akin to IAS and IPS, remains under consideration by the Union health ministry. Despite years of consultations, the ministry is still awaiting responses from several states and Union Territories before proceeding with the plan.

The investigation was transferred to the NIA following demands for a central inquiry into the explosion. Since assuming charge of the case, the agency has arrested several people, including TMC leader Wahidul Islam. Officials from a special NIA team arrived at Molla's residence to gather information and examine possible links to the case. During the operation, Molla's wife and daughter were seen entering the premises.

Former IPL chairman Lalit Modi vehemently denies being a fugitive, asserting he has never been convicted of any crime and labels the tag as media sensationalism. He argues that his global travel demonstrates he is not evading authorities, questioning the legal basis for any potential arrest after years of investigations.

The Union Cabinet has recommended an ordinance to ease tax rules for foreign investors in certain securities, aiming to strengthen the rupee. This move follows significant foreign portfolio investor withdrawals and addresses concerns raised by FPIs regarding capital gains and securities transaction taxes.

CBSE has clarified that students applying for Class XII answer sheet verification and re-evaluation can use various online payment options, not just specific bank accounts. The board also confirmed its online portal is functioning smoothly despite a significant cyberattack attempt shortly after its launch. Over 43,000 applications have been processed so far.

UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper is in India for her inaugural official visit, aiming to mitigate economic impacts of current conflicts and bolster global stability. She will meet with counterpart S Jaishankar and Prime Minister Modi to advance engagement, building on recent efforts to expedite the UK-India Free Trade Agreement.

Congress plans to intensify its agitation on NEET-CBSE controversies over the next fortnight, urging members to focus on student and youth issues. The party is wary of rival political parties using the protests for their own agenda, drawing parallels to past movements. Youth Congress and NSUI are holding nationwide protests, emphasizing NEET as their primary concern.

Several Union ministers carpooled to a cabinet meeting at Seva Teerth. This follows Prime Minister Narendra Modi's call to reduce vehicle fleets. Ministers like Nitin Gadkari, J P Nadda, Ashwini Vaishnaw, and Mansukh Mandaviya shared rides. This initiative emphasizes sustainability and leads by example amid global energy concerns. Earlier, ministers and chief ministers had reduced their convoys.

Narendra Modi is set to become the longest-serving unbroken head of government in India, surpassing Jawaharlal Nehru on June 10. Modi's tenure, beginning May 26, 2014, will reach 4,399 days, just ahead of Nehru's 4,398 days. This milestone highlights a significant shift in Indian political leadership and policy direction.

Trinamool Congress faces a significant crisis with a faction claiming majority MLA support. The West Bengal assembly speaker's role is crucial in identifying the original party, a decision guided by the Supreme Court's directives on party constitution and leadership structure outside the assembly, not just legislative numbers.

The Supreme Court sternly stated that police officers abusing their position must face strict consequences, as normal presumptions for accused individuals won't apply. It cancelled anticipatory bail for three Maharashtra police officers accused of harassing a family and extorting money after a search on a train.

The Supreme Court ruled that individuals with qualifications exceeding the maximum prescribed for a job can be disqualified. This decision aims to ensure employment opportunities for those with lower educational attainment, preventing overqualified candidates from displacing genuinely eligible applicants.

The BJP-led NDA sees a smoother legislative path as key opposition rivals TMC and DMK face internal challenges. A split within TMC and DMK's strained ties with Congress create opportunities for the ruling coalition to advance its agenda, including simultaneous elections, with renewed vigor.

The Trinamool Congress faces a significant internal crisis in West Bengal, raising questions about its national parliamentary strength and its role within the INDIA bloc. With a crucial opposition meeting scheduled, Mamata Banerjee's party is strategizing to maintain unity among its MPs and counter the BJP's influence amidst these developments.

A 28-year-old Kolkata woman, Anisha Chakraborty, was tragically killed in a hit-and-run incident in Birmingham, UK, just after completing her master's degree. She was on her way home from a pub outing when a black Audi RSQ8 struck her. Her family is awaiting the repatriation of her body, while a GoFundMe campaign has been launched to support the costs.

Ladakh's first model border village is being established at Chumur, a remote settlement at 16,700 feet along the India-China border. This initiative under the Vibrant Village Program will provide climate-resilient housing, enhance livelihoods through goat rearing and greenhouse cultivation, and integrate essential services to foster secure, permanent settlements and strengthen civil-defence cooperation.

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah convened a strategy session with National Conference MLAs and MPs at Dachigam National Park. The meeting concluded with a call for a protest in New Delhi during Parliament's monsoon session, demanding the restoration of J&K's statehood. The party also resolved to push for a ban on liquor in the region.

Venezuela's acting president, Delcy Rodriguez, is in India for a five-day visit aimed at boosting energy cooperation and exploring trade, investment, and technology partnerships. This visit comes as India seeks to diversify its oil sources amidst West Asian disruptions. Rodriguez will hold talks with Prime Minister Modi, building on existing energy ties, including a joint venture with ONGC Videsh.

Expelled TMC leader Ritabrata Banerjee claims Speaker recognized him as opposition leader, signaling a major internal crisis. Fifty-eight rebel MLAs support this move, proposing a new leadership structure. This revolt, the party's biggest challenge, follows a significant election defeat and has prompted a TMC organizational overhaul.

A devastating Delhi hotel fire claimed 21 lives, including 17 foreign nationals, with investigations revealing safety lapses and illegal expansion. In West Bengal, a TMC leader claimed rebel status as opposition leader. Meanwhile, India condemned a Kuwait airport attack that killed an Indian national. DK Shivakumar took oath as Karnataka CM, projecting Congress unity.

The Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam-led alliance has allocated a Rajya Sabha seat from Tamil Nadu to its partner, the Indian National Congress. This decision comes ahead of the biennial elections scheduled for June 18. The Congress had previously requested the seat, which will now be filled by their nominated candidate.

A Trinamool Congress rebellion is deepening, with expelled leader Ritabrata Banerjee challenging Abhishek Banerjee's authority rather than Mamata Banerjee's leadership. This internal strife, fueled by disputes over decision-making and the leader of opposition appointment, signals a proxy battle over succession, echoing past regional party struggles. The focus is on Abhishek's growing influence and organizational control.

AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi criticizes the Election Commission's voter list revision, fearing it could disenfranchise Muslims, women, migrants, and the poor, creating excluded Indians. He alleges the exercise, which has already removed millions, is a precursor to identifying illegal immigrants. The Supreme Court, however, has upheld the EC's authority to ensure accurate electoral rolls.

India's birth rate has dropped below replacement levels. However, demographic trends vary significantly across the nation. While cities are seeing fewer births, some states like Bihar show different patterns. Families are having fewer children, impacting social structures. Infant mortality has decreased, but the first week of life remains critical.

The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), a unique political formation born from an internet sensation, has appointed Saurav Das, Vijeta Dahiya, and Ashutosh Ranka as its official spokespersons. This move signals the party's ambition to reshape India's political discourse with a new generation of leaders.

In response to escalating regional tensions, IndiGo Airlines has suspended all its services to and from Kuwait, following a drone strike impacting the airport's passenger terminal. This closure of Kuwait's airspace has led to considerable disruptions for travelers.

Delhi's Opposition leader Atishi took a strong stance against the CBSE reevaluation portal, condemning its limited payment options to just four banks, which she argues puts unnecessary barriers in front of students seeking redress. This outcry follows a postponed launch of the portal amid a barrage of complaints from students about unclear answer sheets and persistent technical problems.

India has firmly rejected the European Union's mention of Jammu and Kashmir in a joint statement with Pakistan. The Ministry of External Affairs stated that those without standing on such matters should refrain from commenting. The UTs of J&K and Ladakh are unequivocally integral parts of India, the government asserted.

National Testing Agency (NTA) swiftly addressed a security flaw in its NEETUG portal, identified by a 16-year-old cybersecurity researcher. The vulnerability, which could have exposed sensitive examination-related data, was promptly fixed. This incident occurred amidst a wave of cyber attacks targeting the CBSE website, raising concerns among students and parents.

Congress criticizes the government's action against CBSE officials over the OSM controversy as a cover-up and eyewash. The party demands the sacking of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, accusing him of presiding over an inept and incompetent ecosystem that has harmed students.

The Supreme Court has formed a five-member high-powered committee to redefine the 'Aravali hills and ranges', dropping the controversial 100m height criterion. This committee will assess the ecological impact of regulated mining and identify areas excluded from protection, aiming to prevent further degradation of the ancient mountain ranges.

India has firmly rejected any third-party involvement in its border dispute with Nepal, emphasizing that such matters are strictly bilateral. This response comes after Nepal's Prime Minister suggested the UK's intervention, citing the dispute's origins during British rule. India maintains that established bilateral mechanisms are in place to address all boundary issues.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Donald Trump are expected to cross paths at the G7 summit in France, with both leaders confirmed to attend. While a bilateral meeting is being explored on the sidelines, no official engagement has been finalized yet.

The Supreme Court has ruled that married daughters are entitled to be considered part of a 'family' for employment or ration shop allotment if their parents die in harness. The court found a UP government order excluding married daughters from the definition of 'family' unconstitutional, citing gender-based stereotypes and the principle of equality.

The Supreme Court has ruled that criminal proceedings against loan defaulters must cease if a settlement is reached with the bank. Such actions, the court stated, are oppressive and abuse judicial processes, potentially harming the economy. Allowing banks to pursue criminal cases after a compromise undermines settlement sanctity and discourages dispute resolution.