The Times of India

Scheduled Tribe members adhering to Hindu customs are not barred from the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955, Chhattisgarh High Court ruled. The court set aside a family court's rejection of a mutual divorce petition, stating that those who voluntarily follow Hindu rites cannot be excluded.

Bihar's ruling party, JDU, anticipates Nishant Kumar's political debut as his father, Nitish Kumar, prepares to step down. This move aims to reassure party workers and maintain the JDU's traditional support base, particularly among the Kurmi community. Nishant, an engineering graduate, is reportedly being considered for a Deputy Chief Minister role, signaling continuity as Nitish shifts to the Rajya Sabha.

Nitish Kumar exits Bihar CM post after two decades, sparking political upheaval. Known for his strategic alliances and ideological shifts, Kumar carved a unique niche as an OBC leader focusing on Mandal-plus policies and women's welfare. His political maneuvering, including caste-based strategies and welfarism, sustained his dominance for years.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney lauded Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's dedication to citizen welfare. Carney highlighted Modi's focus on direct delivery of programs to ordinary Indians. He also noted Modi's relentless work ethic, stating he has not taken a day off in 25 years. Carney's remarks followed recent meetings aimed at strengthening bilateral ties.

India's fertilizer supply faces potential disruptions for the upcoming kharif season if the Strait of Hormuz blockade persists. While current stocks are healthy, reduced LNG imports for urea production could impact output. Rising global prices due to shipping route blockades may also increase government subsidy expenses.

Prime Minister Modi held discussions with French President Macron, emphasizing a return to dialogue and diplomacy for the West Asia region. Both leaders committed to close engagement and coordinated efforts to restore peace and stability. Concurrently, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar engaged with his counterparts from Saudi Arabia and Oman, underscoring India's active diplomatic outreach.

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri signed a condolence book at the Iranian embassy following the killing of Iran's supreme leader, amid criticism over India's initial silence. This move follows a telephonic conversation between External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and his Iranian counterpart, with a potential high-level meeting scheduled.

Rajya Sabha nominations have set the stage for political contests in Bihar and Odisha, with new alignments tested. While Maharashtra's NCP factions remain divided, the BJP-led NDA is strategically nominating diverse candidates to broaden its social coalition.

A significant gubernatorial reshuffle has seen R N Ravi appointed as West Bengal's new governor, replacing C V Ananda Bose. This move, occurring just before state elections, has drawn sharp criticism from Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. Taranjit Singh Sandhu is set to become the new L-G of Delhi, among other key appointments across various states and Union Territories.

The Supreme Court has strongly condemned government authorities and litigants for routinely defying court orders and resorting to delayed appeals when facing contempt. Justices Ahsanuddin Amanullah and R Mahadevan emphasized that such practices erode public faith in the judiciary, urging strict action against disobedient parties, especially state entities, to uphold the rule of law.

Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi's silence on the conflict and the sinking of an Iranian warship. They accused the government of surrendering strategic sovereignty and undoing India's foreign policy, particularly concerning oil imports and the safety of Indian citizens in the Gulf region.

India and Finland emphasized that ending the Russia-Ukraine war is crucial for global stability and called for UN reform. Both nations agreed to support a just peace in Ukraine through diplomacy. A new Migration and Mobility Agreement was signed, fostering cooperation in technology, defense, and critical minerals, strengthening bilateral ties and global supply chains.

A Srinagar court has rejected the Enforcement Directorate's bid to add charges against Dr. Farooq Abdullah and others in the JKCA scam. While the ED cannot join the existing CBI case, the court found prima facie evidence of criminal conspiracy and breach of trust.

Jammu and Kashmir authorities are coordinating with the Centre to bring back students, primarily medical students, stranded in Iran. Officials are facilitating peaceful expressions of condolences while urging against exploiting the situation. Internet services have been restricted in Kashmir ahead of planned protests. Efforts are underway to evacuate students to safer locations within Iran before flying them home.

Defence electronics major Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) has partnered with space technology startup Bellatrix Aerospace to jointly develop and manufacture satellite systems, focusing on the emerging very low Earth orbit (VLEO) regime. This collaboration aims to combine BEL's electronics expertise with Bellatrix's propulsion technology to create next-generation satellite platforms for both strategic and civilian space missions.

TechGig launches She Builds the Future: Power, Presence & Progress, a virtual leadership summit on March 7-8, 2026. The event features global women leaders discussing leadership in AI, automation, and hybrid work, focusing on building high-performance teams and driving business outcomes. An exclusive podcast on March 16th will explore women's roles in the AI shift.

India extended condolences on Iran's Supreme Leader's passing while PM Modi engaged Gulf leaders amid rising regional tensions. Bihar CM Nitish Kumar filed for Rajya Sabha, signaling a leadership shift. Indian markets surged as global sentiment improved.

India has formally expressed condolences for the death of Iran's Supreme Leader, with the Foreign Secretary visiting the Iranian Embassy. Amidst escalating regional tensions, Prime Minister Modi has engaged in extensive diplomatic outreach, speaking with leaders of several Gulf nations and Israel. These discussions focused on regional security and the welfare of the large Indian diaspora.

A 16th-century bronze statue of Saint Tirumankai Alvar, taken from a Tamil Nadu temple, is returning to India from the UK. Acquired by the Ashmolean Museum in 1967, its provenance became questionable after a 2019 discovery. Following an investigation and a formal claim by India, the museum has agreed to its repatriation, highlighting a commitment to ethical collections.

Vehicle owners can now rejoice as hypothecation removal from registration certificates becomes automatic post-loan repayment. The road transport ministry's new online system, launched with select banks and NBFCs, eliminates manual visits to RTOs. This seamless process, leveraging RBI's ULI, ensures real-time data exchange, simplifying loan closure for citizens.

India faces a critical gap in tracking nearly 6 lakh babies born annually with congenital anomalies, as these conditions increasingly contribute to child mortality. To address this, Smile Train India and Birth Defects Research Foundation launched BIND, advocating for a National Birth Anomalies Registry to improve data, identify risk factors, and guide health planning for better prevention and care.

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla has formed the committee of privileges. This important panel will examine complaints of breach of privilege. BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad will lead the 15-member committee. The panel includes members from both the ruling NDA and opposition parties. A complaint against Rahul Gandhi is pending Speaker's decision.

The All India Muslim Personal Law Board has strongly condemned the US-Israel's actions against Iran, calling for immediate international intervention to secure a ceasefire. The board expressed sorrow over the reported martyrdom of Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Khamenei, and highlighted that targeting leadership and advocating regime change violates international law.

Karnataka's Congress government is reconsidering its decision to fill 56,432 government posts without internal reservation for Scheduled Castes. Following pressure from SC communities and ministers, the cabinet will discuss introducing pro-rata internal reservation within the existing 15% SC quota.

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's son, Nishant Kumar, is reportedly set to enter politics, marking a shift from his father's stance against dynastic succession. This move comes amid growing internal party pressure and concerns about leadership transition, with Nishant seen as a potential link to traditional JDU supporters.

Move To Cement Party President's Presence In National Politics

The BJP criticized Sonia Gandhi's remarks on the government's response to Iran's leader's death, recalling his past support for secessionist forces in Kashmir. The party stated that diplomacy requires restraint and respect for sovereignty, not appeasement. They also pointed out the UPA's silence on Muammar Gaddafi's death in 2011.

Iran has targeted three Amazon data centers in the UAE and Bahrain with drone strikes, causing widespread disruptions to cloud services and banking across West Asia. This marks a significant escalation, with critical infrastructure now including data centers. Repairs are expected to be lengthy, impacting regional markets and air travel.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has signaled a strategic shift in India's export policy, moving from cost competitiveness to quality-driven growth. He urged industries to scale up research, adopt global standards, and align with emerging supply chains to become a trusted manufacturing partner in a reshaped global trade landscape.

India expresses deep anxiety over the escalating West Asia conflict, highlighting the critical stakes for nearly one crore Indian nationals in the Gulf and the potential economic repercussions. The Ministry of External Affairs strongly condemned attacks on merchant shipping, noting the loss of Indian lives and emphasizing the need for restraint and dialogue.

Prime Minister Modi engaged with leaders of Qatar, Oman, and Kuwait, condemning Iranian attacks and reaffirming India's commitment to regional peace. These discussions, completing talks with all GCC nations, highlighted India's focus on protecting its diaspora and ensuring stability. Modi stressed dialogue and diplomacy for restoring harmony and thanked leaders for their support to the Indian community.

A special NIA court has issued a letter rogatory to China seeking assistance in tracing the supply chain of a GoPro camera seized in the Pahalgam terror attack case. The camera, activated in China, is crucial for establishing pre-attack reconnaissance and the movement of the Pakistani terror module.

Curtains Come Down On 777 Foreign-Made Wristwatches Smuggling Case

Thirty-eight Indian-flagged ships, carrying crude and LNG with nearly 1,100 seafarers, are stranded in the Persian Gulf due to the West Asia conflict. Three Indian sailors died and one was injured on foreign-flagged vessels in recent attacks off Oman. Shipping authorities are prioritizing seafarer safety and maritime asset security.