The Times of India

A devastating storm swept through five districts of Uttar Pradesh, claiming at least 33 lives and causing widespread destruction. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has ordered immediate relief and compensation for affected families, with district authorities tasked to expedite assistance. Surveys are underway to assess damage to crops, livestock, and homes, as rescue efforts faced disruptions due to the severe weather.

Tamil Nadu CM renews calls to scrap NEET after exam cancellation due to alleged paper leak, citing disadvantages for rural and disadvantaged students. The CBI has arrested five individuals, with investigations pointing to a leak originating in Nashik and spreading through coaching networks. Protests intensify nationwide demanding accountability.

Congress leader Ajay Maken countered claims of delay in selecting Kerala's Chief Minister by stating the party averages five days to pick a CM, significantly faster than the BJP's 7.2-day average.

Delhi Police arrested social media influencer Dr Neelam Singh alias The Skin Doctor. She allegedly posted tweets targeting the Kapur family. This followed the death of businessman Sunjay Kapur in London. His mother had requested a criminal investigation into the circumstances of his passing. The police are continuing their investigation into the matter.

A rationalist group presented a novel argument in the Supreme Court. They stated Article 25 of the Constitution permits individuals to change their religious affiliation throughout the day. This interpretation sparked debate among the judges. The court considered the implications of such freedom on religious practices and traditions. The discussion highlighted the balance between individual conscience and established religious customs.

The Supreme Court has mandated the installation of Vehicle Location Tracking Devices and alarm buttons in all public service vehicles. This decision aims to enhance passenger safety, particularly for vulnerable groups. States and UTs must verify installation for fitness certificates and permits, addressing a concerningly low compliance rate.

Excessive rice stocks have accumulated in the central pool, nearly 4.4 times higher than stocking norms, due to states offering bonuses over MSP and an open-ended procurement policy. CACP recommends limiting procurement, especially in surplus states, and reviewing the open-ended policy to curb rising subsidy burdens.

Karnataka has withdrawn the previous BJP government's order banning hijabs in educational institutions, now permitting limited traditional and faith-based symbols like hijabs, turbans, and sacred threads. The new guidelines aim to balance discipline with constitutional values of equality and inclusion, ensuring no student is denied access for wearing permitted symbols.

AIADMK leader CV Shanmugam criticized party chief Edappadi K Palaniswami, alleging continuous electoral setbacks since he assumed leadership after Jayalalithaa's death. Shanmugam highlighted that while the party faced defeats before, Jayalalithaa had the capability to bring it back to power, a feat he claims EPS has failed to achieve, leading to worsening electoral performance.

Uttarakhand's chief minister announced fuel and energy conservation measures, including reducing official vehicle fleets by 50% and observing a weekly 'No Vehicle Day'. The state will also promote electric vehicles, restrict foreign travel, and encourage domestic tourism and reduced oil consumption through public awareness campaigns.

AIADMK's internal conflict escalates as party chief Palaniswami expels rebel leaders. These leaders had backed Tamil Nadu CM Vijay during a crucial trust vote. The move follows accusations of weakening the party's anti-DMK stance and exploring alliances. This leadership struggle intensifies ahead of future elections.

The CBI has arrested five individuals and launched nationwide searches in connection with alleged irregularities and a paper leak for the NEET UG-2026 examination. The investigation follows a complaint from the Union education ministry, with charges including criminal conspiracy and cheating. The NTA had previously cancelled the exam, affecting nearly 23 lakh candidates, due to suspected circulation of leaked questions.

AIADMK faces a severe internal crisis as a faction of MLAs, led by C.V. Shanmugam, openly rebelled against party chief Edappadi Palaniswami. They allege EPS explored aligning with the DMK and abandoned the party's core anti-DMK stance.

Samajwadi Party leader Ravidas Mehrotra alleged that Prateek Yadav's death was not normal, suggesting poison as a possible cause due to reported bruises and his healthy lifestyle. Prateek Yadav, 38, passed away in Lucknow, with doctors declaring him brought dead at the hospital. His death has prompted condolences from political leaders across party lines.

National Investigation Agency has arrested Iqbal Singh alias Shera. He is a wanted narco-terrorist. His extradition from Portugal followed diplomatic and legal efforts. Shera is considered the mastermind in a Hizb-ul-Mujahideen terror financing case. His arrest is a significant breakthrough in tackling Pakistan-backed narco-terror networks.

Stanford MBA graduate Sithara Rasheed received the 2026 Stanford Impact Leader Prize for her decade of work in climate finance and innovation. Her efforts at the Rockefeller Foundation, including designing the DART program and leading the eGUIDE initiative, have significantly impacted renewable energy deployment and AI planning in Africa and Asia.

West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has chosen to keep the Bhabanipur seat and will vacate Nandigram, despite winning both in the recent assembly elections. Adhikari, who previously defeated Mamata Banerjee in Nandigram, had challenged her again by contesting from Bhabanipur. He stated his inability to hold MLA positions from two constituencies and has taken his oath from Bhabanipur.

Tamil Nadu CM Joseph Vijay's Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) successfully passed a crucial floor test, securing the support of several parties including a rebel AIADMK faction. This marks the first coalition government led by a new entrant, breaking the decades-long Dravidian political dominance. Vijay's victory solidifies his position as the state's first non-DMK, non-AIADMK chief minister since 1967.

President Droupadi Murmu honored 15 nursing professionals with the National Florence Nightingale Awards 2026 on International Nurses Day. The awards recognized exceptional service, including life-saving deliveries on remote islands and healthcare in high-altitude regions. These nurses were celebrated for their dedication and crucial role in delivering quality healthcare, often under challenging conditions.

Former Western Army Commander Lt Gen Manoj Katiyar stated Pakistan's military views proxy warfare as a low-cost tool, unlikely to abandon terrorism. He emphasized India's responses must escalate beyond tactical punishment to impose sustained costs, evolving deterrence into compliance. Perception management through information and cyber warfare is crucial for future conflicts, which will be multi-domain.

Tamil Nadu CM Vijay faces his first floor test with a slim majority after his TVK party emerged as the single-largest party. Rebel AIADMK MLAs have pledged support, while a court order temporarily bars one TVK MLA from voting. A forgery row also complicates the situation ahead of the crucial assembly vote.

Nationwide, over 12.4 lakh chemists are set to strike on May 20, protesting online medicine sales and deep discounts. The All India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists highlights patient safety concerns, citing unregulated sales and potential misuse of prescriptions. They demand the withdrawal of specific government relaxations, fearing the impact on local pharmacies and healthcare access.

RSS leader Dattatreya Hosabale stated that every Hindu voter became a Hindu worker in West Bengal, viewing the assembly polls as a civilisational question. He emphasized that the organization faced hurdles and attacks due to its work for Hindus. Hosabale also advocated for people-to-people contact to improve India-Pakistan ties and dismissed calls to eradicate Sanatan Dharma.

Rahul Gandhi registered a strong dissent against the CBI director selection process, calling it a iased exercise and a mere formality. He alleged the government denied him crucial information, including candidate appraisal reports, preventing a meaningful role. Gandhi stated he would not be a ubber stamp and boycotted the meeting.

Congress leadership is nearing a decision to end Kerala's week-long Chief Minister deadlock after internal party discussions. Senior leaders, including Rahul and Sonia Gandhi, are expected to finalize the successor to the Left Front's decade-long rule. The prolonged uncertainty has somewhat dulled the UDF's election victory, with three prominent figures vying for the top post.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has significantly reduced his motorcade size, aiming to inspire austerity across the government. The Special Protection Group is implementing this directive, cutting convoy vehicles by half while maintaining security standards. This move, coupled with the PM's call for reduced fuel and gold consumption, signals a broader push for cost-saving measures within ministries and departments.

Exam nixed for 1st time since NTA took over in 2019

A protracted property dispute between Sunjay Kapur's mother and wife has prompted the Supreme Court to appoint former CJI D Y Chandrachud as mediator. The apex court noted the legal battle's intensity, comparing it to the Mahabharat. A fresh plea alleges circumvention of a previous order, with the court set to hear the matter further.

Constitutional courts should be extremely reluctant to alter religious practices, a nine-judge Supreme Court bench cautioned. Only the will of the people, expressed through elected representatives in Parliament and assemblies, can bring about reforms in religious customs. The court emphasized that it's impossible to scrutinize every religious practice.

The Supreme Court has agreed to hear the Enforcement Directorate's plea to cancel the bail of alleged coal smuggling kingpin Anup Majee. While issuing a notice, the court noted the ED's prolonged investigation. Majee, accused in a Rs 2,700 crore scam, claims cooperation, but the ED highlights his accountant's absconding status and alleged payoffs.

The 21st Livestock Census report's release has been postponed to after June due to technical issues in data compilation and validation. This quinquennial exercise, which concluded its data collection in February last year, aims to provide crucial updated figures on livestock and poultry populations for policy decisions.

The CBI has filed an FIR and initiated an investigation into the murder of Chandranath Rath, former personal assistant to West Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari. A seven-member SIT, led by a DIG-rank officer, has been formed to probe the case, with a meeting held at CBI headquarters to review developments and seek remand of arrested suspects.

All Biology, Chemistry questions were hidden in 'guess paper'

India's MEA urged China to consider the reputational damage of backing Pakistan's terrorist infrastructure, following reports of Chinese tech assistance during last year's Operation Sindoor. The ministry stated these reports corroborated existing knowledge, emphasizing that supporting such infrastructure impacts a nation's standing.

Five people have been sent to judicial custody for 25 days. The group includes two Pakistani nationals. This development is part of an NIA case concerning terror activities. Earlier, a grenade and bullets were seized from a suspect in Srinagar. His interrogation led to the arrest of the other four individuals.

National Conference president Farooq Abdullah weighed in on a liquor ban debate in Jammu and Kashmir, citing his father's 1977 stance that revenue generation was key. He argued that prohibition wouldn't stop consumption, as people would source alcohol from outside. Abdullah also questioned critics' silence when liquor shops previously opened across the region.

Army troops foiled an infiltration attempt in Poonch's Krishna Ghati sector on Tuesday, neutralizing one terrorist approximately 300 meters inside the Indian side of the Line of Control. This incident follows several other thwarted infiltration bids in the Jammu region in recent months, highlighting ongoing vigilance along the LoC.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will host his Iranian counterpart for bilateral talks focusing on energy and connectivity concerns, including stranded LPG tankers and Chabahar port operations. This meeting, occurring during the BRICS foreign ministers' gathering, aims to address regional conflicts and foster cooperation among member states.