India will host Chinese startup DeepSeek's AI models on its servers to evaluate security parameters. The government is procuring 18,693 GPUs to support AI development, part of the Rs 10,372 crore IndiaAI mission. IT minister Ashwini Vaishnaw emphasized that India, seen as a trusted partner, will ensure data privacy by hosting these models locally.

Parliament's standing committee on communications and information technology, led by BJP MP Nishikant Dubey, will review media laws on Friday. Key issues include rampant paid news, fake news, sensationalism in TV news, declining newspaper readership, and the impact of social media control by foreign corporates.

During the Mauni Amavasya at the Maha Kumbh, a stampede caused chaos and separated pilgrims from their families. People like Leena Sahoo and Mukesh Chauhan experienced the anguish of searching for lost loved ones amidst the crowd. While some were reunited, others continued to search in vain.

Six pilgrims from UP and Bihar returning from Maha Kumbh died in two separate accidents on Thursday, raising the death toll to 28 since the start of the event. A collision in Jaunpur killed three from UP, while another crash on Purvanchal Expressway involved three from Bihar. Recent accidents highlight the dangers faced by pilgrims traveling to and from Prayagraj.

Despite the tragic stampede at Sangam claiming 30 lives on Maha Kumbhs most significant day, pilgrims continue to attend, viewing it as 'the will of God.' Past incidents like the 1954 stampede, resulting in 800 deaths, have not deterred Hindu society from attending such religious congregations.

Despite the stampede the previous day, over 2 crore devotees continued to participate in the Maha Kumbh, bathing at Sangam on Thursday. The administration maintained shuttle services to ease the movement, ensuring minimal inconvenience. Devotees expressed unwavering faith, attributing their journey to the divine call of mother Ganga.

Indian Railways successfully operated 364 outward trains from Prayagraj to accommodate around 12 lakh pilgrims, complemented by 77 inward trains. Amid the Maha Kumbh event, over 1,900 special trains have been deployed, with top railway officials ensuring smooth operations and coordination with state authorities.

Hundreds of pilgrims were left stranded without transportation, food, or shelter after a stampede at Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj caused chaos. Traffic curbs and overcrowded roads compounded the situation, leading many to sleep in the open and go without meals for extended periods.

A PIL has been filed in the Supreme Court alleging that a special VIP arrangement at Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj may have contributed to a deadly stampede. The petition highlights the need for the Centre and states to ensure the safety of devotees at religious gatherings and minimize VIP treatment to avoid future incidents.

Maharashtra has decided to remove eggs and sugar from the midday meal menu for classes 1 to 8, following the pattern of other BJP-governed states. This move has been criticized by opposition members, who believe that the government's revised menu, which includes 'egg pulao' and nachni sattu, is not in the best interest of schoolchildren.

Rahul Gandhi criticized Congress for not effectively protecting the interests of Dalits and backward classes since the 1990s, resulting in loss of support. He believed this allowed the rise of RSS and BJP. Gandhi emphasized the need for internal reforms to regain the confidence of marginalized communities.

An international study has cautioned that the growing number of hydroelectric projects near glacier lakes in the Himalayas increases risks of glacial lake outburst floods (GLOF). The 2023 flood that destroyed Sikkim's Teesta III project underscores the vulnerability of Himalayan hydropower infrastructure to extreme natural events exacerbated by climate change.

Union road transport minister Nitin Gadkari highlighted the impact of social media in exposing government shortcomings, emphasizing the need for quick resolution of road quality issues. He advocated for the mandatory adoption of Automated and Intelligent Machine-Aided Construction technology in highway projects to enhance efficiency and transparency.

On the eve of the first budget session in the 18th Lok Sabha, BJP allies JD(U), LJP, and TDP presented their demands at an all-party meeting. JD(U) sought an extension for the Joint Parliamentary Committee on simultaneous elections, while LJP requested a special industrial package for Bihar.

The political rivalry between AAP and Congress in Delhi has intensified as Arvind Kejriwal and Rahul Gandhi engage in direct attacks. Accusations of corruption and alliances with the BJP are central to their dispute. This conflict could influence the cohesion and future of the opposition's INDIA bloc.

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut claims some BJP leaders desire an alliance with Uddhav Thackeray's party, a notion CM Devendra Fadnavis dismisses. Raut mentions no discussions within Sena (UBT) on this yet. Tensions follow Shiv Sena's 2022 split, where Eknath Shinde and 39 MLAs joined BJP, causing MVA government's collapse and leading to Shinde-Fadnavis government formation.

Aam Aadmi Party accuses Bharatiya Janata Party of misusing the Election Commission and Delhi Police to defame Punjabis by conducting an unwarranted raid at Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann's Delhi residence. AAP calls out BJP for allegedly distributing money openly without repercussions.

Domestic flights in India were the most packed globally in 2024, with an 86.4% passenger load factor. Despite supply chain constraints and grounded aircraft due to engine issues, India recorded its highest ever domestic air travellers at 163 million. Globally, overall air travel demand and efficiency reached record levels.

Jammu and Kashmir Congress leader Tariq Hameed Karra criticized the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) and Waqf amendment bill, calling them tools to spread hatred and divide the nation. He also expressed doubts about the upcoming union budget, fearing it wont address issues like unemployment and inflation. Karra emphasized the importance of Gandhian values and accused the BJP of fostering division to maintain power, citing failures in economic and foreign policies.

Punjab minister Harpal Singh Cheema accused Congress of ackstabbing AAP in Chandigarh mayoral polls by secretly aligning with BJP, leading to BJP's victory. Cheema alleged that this alliance also helped Congress secure deputy and senior deputy mayor posts. He warned Delhi voters against supporting Congress, claiming any vote for them benefits BJP.

Amit Shah accused Arvind Kejriwal of lying about the BJP poisoning the Yamuna, challenging him to provide evidence. Shah criticized AAP for broken promises and alleged scams. Meanwhile, Kejriwal must clarify his claims to the Election Commission. The political exchange intensifies as Delhi's elections approach, with accusations from both sides.

Harpreet Kaur Babla of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has been elected as the new Mayor of Chandigarh, securing 19 out of 36 votes, including three from cross-voting. Her victory comes despite the alliance between the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and Congress, marking a crucial political shift.

The supreme court of India quashed proceedings against a firm accused of manufacturing sub-standard drugs, ruling that the trial court's summoning order lacked reasoning. Justices B R Gavai and Augustine George Masih called the order on-speaking and set aside the Andhra Pradesh high courts 2023 decision. The case stemmed from a 2018 drug sample test, but the supreme court dismissed the trial courts July 2023 order due to procedural lapses.

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar inadvertently clapped during a tribute to Mahatma Gandhi on Martyrs' Day, leading to an awkward moment caught on camera. The incident occurs while Kumar, alongside other leaders, paid respects at Gandhi Maidan. He quickly corrected himself after realizing the inappropriateness.

AAP MP Swati Maliwal was detained by police for allegedly parking garbage trucks near the former Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal's residence. Earlier, Maliwal visited Vikaspuri's garbage dump to protest against the city's sanitation issues and planned to take the rubbish to Kejriwal's residence.

Congress MP Rakesh Rathore from UP's Sitapur has been arrested in relation to a rape case after his anticipatory bail plea was rejected by the Lucknow bench of Allahabad high court. The case was registered following a woman's complaint alleging that Rathore sexually exploited her for four years, promising marriage.

In a coordinated effort, the CBI helped arrest two fugitives wanted in massive fraud cases. Janarthanan Sundaram was deported from Thailand and intercepted in Kolkata, while Virendrabhai Manibhai Patel was detained in Ahmedabad after returning from the US. Both were handed over to their respective state police.

Leading political figures, including President Murmu, PM Modi, and Home Minister Amit Shah, gathered at Rajghat to pay homage to Mahatma Gandhi on the anniversary of his assassination. Tributes highlighted Gandhi's ideals of truth and non-violence. An exhibition at the National Gandhi Museum will be inaugurated by his granddaughter. Various leaders emphasized his enduring impact on India's freedom struggle.

Navjot Singh Sidhu announced a significant weight loss of 33 kilograms in under five months, attributing his transformation to willpower, discipline, and a strict diet paired with exercises like pranayama. Earlier, Sidhu was involved in controversy regarding unconventional cancer treatments, which was countered by medical professionals urging reliance on scientific methods.

Chinas AI chatbot DeepSeek has sparked controversy for its refusal to discuss sensitive topics like the Tiananmen Square massacre and territorial disputes. Its advanced capabilities, attributed to possible reverse-engineering of US AI models, have raised concerns over potential censorship and Beijing's influence in AI technology.

The Supreme Court directs the Union government to form an expert committee for drafting a law to protect househelps, citing rampant abuse and a lack of legal safeguards. Past attempts to legislate these protections have failed over the last 66 years.

In 2023-24, 58% of manufacturing establishments were led by female proprietors, marking a 4 percentage point increase from the previous year, according to the Annual Survey of Unincorporated Sector Enterprises. Notably, female workers constituted 28.1% of the total workforce during the year.

Coca-Cola is optimistic about its future in India, a key market where local brands like Thums Up, Maaza, and Limca strengthen its portfolio. Amid intensified competition from Reliance's Campa Cola, Coca-Cola plans to bolster existing categories and explore new opportunities, particularly in urban markets with higher purchasing power.

The Supreme Court will examine the validity of the 2019 law providing up to three-year jail terms for Muslim men practicing triple talaq, despite its 2017 ban. The court seeks data on FIRs under the law. Solicitor General justified the law, while opponents argue it's discriminatory and unnecessary since the practice is already banned.

The Joint Parliamentary Committee approved the Waqf (Amendment) Bill with a 15-11 majority, amid opposition members' concerns over government interference and the inclusion of non-Muslims on waqf boards. The bill, including backward Muslims and women as beneficiaries and allowing appeals to High Courts within 90 days, aims to bring transparency and accountability to waqf property management.

Congress and opposition parties criticized the Centre and UP government for mismanaging crowds at Maha Kumbh. Rahul Gandhi and other leaders accused the administration of focusing on VIP movements rather than safeguarding common devotees, urging better arrangements to prevent such tragedies.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah expressed condolences for the loss of lives due to the stampede at Maha Kumbh. Modi mentioned he is monitoring the situation and in communication with CM Yogi Adityanath. Yogi noted that over 8 crore devotees had gathered, causing administrative challenges.

Research on lab-produced eggs and sperm, known as in-vitro gametogenesis (IVGs), is advancing quickly, with potential for future fertility treatments. While successful in mice, it remains untested in humans. Issues such as safety, effectiveness, and ethical concerns need careful consideration, involving patient communities and public input from the early stages.