The Times of India

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has unveiled significant austerity measures, slashing official vehicle fuel quotas by 20% and mandating Metro use for ministers and officers every Monday. A weekly 'No Vehicle Day' and a six-month ban on new vehicle purchases are also in effect.

The Bar Council of India has requested detailed information from the West Bengal Bar Council regarding Mamata Banerjee's legal enrollment and practice status. This follows her appearance in lawyer's robes at the Calcutta High Court to argue a public interest litigation. The BCI seeks to verify her active status as an advocate, given her previous tenure as Chief Minister.

India has strongly condemned an attack on an Indian-flagged ship near Oman, deeming it 'unacceptable' and expressing deep concern over ongoing threats to commercial shipping. All Indian crew members aboard the vessel are reported safe, with thanks extended to Omani authorities for their rescue.

VD Satheesan has been appointed the new Kerala chief minister. The Congress party announced his selection after a period of deliberation. Satheesan, a lawyer and social worker with a strong legislative background, previously served as the leader of the opposition, guiding the party's resurgence.

A massive 7,500-page chargesheet has been filed by the NIA against 10 individuals linked to the deadly Red Fort car bomb blast in November 2025. The accused, associated with an Al-Qaeda offshoot, allegedly plotted to overthrow the Indian government and impose Sharia rule. Investigations revealed procurement of specialized equipment and manufacturing of explosives by radicalized medical professionals.

Powerful thunderstorms, lightning, and strong winds have claimed at least 89 lives across Uttar Pradesh. The devastating storms, which lasted for hours, also injured 53 people and killed 114 animals. Widespread destruction of homes and property was reported, with collapsing walls and falling trees being the primary causes of fatalities.

A father in Rajasthan allegedly scanned a handwritten NEET UG 2026 question paper, turning it into PDFs for aspirants. This development follows the NTA's cancellation of the exam, impacting numerous medical hopefuls. Investigators are probing how the paper was accessed and circulated, with some students reportedly paying substantial sums for leaked material.

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.