Mallojula Venugopal Rao, a former Naxal commander known as Bhupathi, has joined Gondwana University's 'Ekal' programme in Gadchiroli, Maharashtra. He will work as a coordinator to help tribal villagers secure their legal rights, including those under the PESA and Forest Rights Acts, marking a significant shift from his past as a feared Maoist strategist.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced a one-year grace period for auto-rickshaw and taxi drivers to learn functional Marathi. This decision comes after the Transport Department issued notices to drivers who failed a Marathi test, prompting driver organisations to request more time due to varying age groups and educational backgrounds. During this period, no action will be taken, and Marathi classes and study materials will be provided.
Whether it's a five-star banquet hall, a school lunch supplier, a blood bank, or a Bollywood actors' surrogate advertisements, Tukaram Mundhe seems to have an opinion, a bye-law, and very possibly an inspection team on standby.
A father's joy at the birth of his son turned to crushing sorrow after a fire swept through the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) of a government hospital in Amravati, Maharashtra, killing his newborn and two other infants. Swapnil Barge had been searching for his wife and day-old son, only to receive the devastating news hours later.
A 7-year-old student at a residential school in Palghar, Maharashtra, has died from high fever and breathing difficulties, leading to the hospitalisation of 26 other students with similar symptoms. This incident follows recent deaths of tribal girls in another Maharashtra ashram school due to snakebite, highlighting ongoing concerns about student safety and health in such facilities.
Police in Latur, Maharashtra, have registered an FIR against Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) convenor Abhijeet Dipke and others. The charges stem from allegations of unauthorised entry into a government school, disrupting official work, threatening teachers, and filming proceedings during his 'School Thik Karo' campaign.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has assured that the government will push for a death penalty for the accused in the Pune child rape-murder case, asserting that the state will fast-track the trial to ensure justice in 'record time'.
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut has criticised Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis's decision to grant a one-year extension to autorickshaw and taxi drivers to learn Marathi, alleging it was due to 'pressure from Delhi' and a message to BJP's ally Shiv Sena.
Following a fatal stabbing on a Mumbai local train, the Maharashtra government has announced plans to expand CCTV coverage, strengthen police patrolling, and implement other safety measures across the suburban railway network. The state also highlighted the quick arrest of the accused using facial recognition technology and ongoing efforts for passenger and women's safety.
A Pune court has granted bail to NCP (SP) office-bearer Mahadev Balgude, ruling that criticism of the government or chief minister does not constitute "waging war" against the nation. The court emphasised every citizen's right to comment on and criticise government actions, noting that the charges under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Section 152 were debatable.
Shiromani Akali Dal chief Sukhbir Singh Badal sustained a minor injury to his right hand after being attacked with a kirpan by a Nihang member inside a gurdwara in Nanded, Maharashtra. The assailant has been arrested, and SAD leaders are demanding a CBI probe into what they term an intelligence failure.
Supreme Court Justice Prasanna Varale has voiced serious concerns over the closure of Marathi-medium schools, inadequate facilities in Ashram schools, and insufficient growth in Maharashtra's education budget, suggesting that greater spending could have prevented these shutdowns.
Mumbai Police have issued a prohibitory order banning weapons, explosives, and other harmful articles from August 29 to September 27, ahead of major festivals like Dahi Handi and Ganesh Chaturthi. The order aims to maintain public peace and safety, with specific exemptions for government personnel and security guards.
Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik announced that autorickshaw and taxi drivers will be given an opportunity to learn Marathi before any action is taken against them for non-compliance with the language requirement. This move softens the state's earlier stance, which had evoked mixed reactions and concerns about livelihoods.
Over 130 Indian nationals, including Kailash Manasarovar Yatra pilgrims and tourists, are missing or stranded in Nepal following devastating flash floods that have cut off central districts and disrupted communication links. Indian states and the embassy in Kathmandu have launched helplines to assist those affected.
Rain and road trips go hand in hand in Maharashtra. For countless travellers, the season isn't complete without a plate of steaming-hot Kanda Bhaji on a jaunt to Karjat at Thakare Hotel.
'With factories starting early for the next season, fresh sugar will enter market 10-15 days earlier than usual, and sugar price are expected to remain affordable in near term.'
A recent report by Praja Foundation indicates a significant decline in the quality and quantity of questions raised by Mumbai MLAs in the Maharashtra assembly. The 'Mumbai's MLA Report Card, 2026' shows a sharp drop in average scores for question quality and a 72 per cent reduction in the number of questions asked compared to previous assemblies, raising concerns about legislative oversight.
The incident, which occurred early Monday morning, was reportedly caused by a sparking ventilator.
The Bombay high court has taken a firm stance against a Thane restaurant, denying relief and criticising it for serving banned analogue paneer, underscoring the critical importance of food safety and consumer rights in Maharashtra.
A Hindi song with a 'Vande Mataram' refrain, not the official national song, was played at a government event in Thane attended by Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, who subsequently directed organisers to adhere strictly to the approved version.
What remained at Shivaji Park was not Gen Z anger but of momentum -- a generation that had, in its own telling, made an emperor bow, and intends to keep singing and meme-ing about it.
The first 'Kanda Express', a dedicated rail rake carrying 453.65 tonnes of onion from Nashik, Maharashtra, has arrived in Delhi to boost supplies and help rein in soaring prices, with the onion to be sold at a subsidised rate of Rs 35 per kg.
A video from Maharashtra's Latur district has gone viral, showing a sarpanch discussing a "rate card" for bribes allegedly demanded by officials to approve government aid for villagers. The sarpanch claimed that Panchayat Samiti members and officials were demanding money for schemes like wells, cattle sheds, and housing. Authorities have sought an explanation from the sarpanch and are investigating the allegations.
Maharashtra School Education Minister Dada Bhuse stated that despite 5.5 lakh students having non-updated Aadhaar IDs, no student is being deprived of government scheme benefits or facing educational hurdles. He clarified that the government is actively conducting special camps and has issued instructions to ensure continuous access to education and benefits while the update drive is underway.
Churches across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region have started asking worshippers to fill self-declaration forms, affirming they are attending prayers voluntarily. This move comes after Maharashtra's new anti-conversion law, the Maharashtra Freedom of Religion Act, 2026, came into force, leading to concerns among the Christian community about potential harassment and false accusations.
Girl students at a government residential school in Amravati, Maharashtra, are moving to a new hostel after nearly 600 students left, claiming some girls were "possessed." Officials attributed the strange behaviour to mental stress and local superstitions, including beliefs about spirits and upset deities. The new hostel aims to alleviate overcrowding and provide a better environment.
Commuting by CNG-run black and yellow cabs and auto-rickshaws in Mumbai will become more expensive from September 1, with the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Transport Authority (MMRTA) approving a fare hike of Rs 2 for taxis and Rs 1 for auto-rickshaws.
The Bombay High Court severely criticised the Maharashtra FDA for its "undue haste" and "high-handed" actions, forcing the regulator to withdraw orders against Cipla Pharma and five restaurants at the Mumbai Cricket Association premises. The court admonished the FDA for violating principles of natural justice and taking a "pedantic instead of pragmatic view," even threatening contempt action against officials.
Abhijeet Dipke, convenor of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), has called for Maharashtra School Education Minister Dada Bhuse's resignation, alleging that government schools are in a 'pitiable condition' and lack basic facilities, claiming 'ministers' dogs get better facilities' than students.
The Maharashtra government has constituted a high-level committee to address road repairs, traffic congestion and management issues in the rapidly expanding Chakan industrial belt in Pune district, and set up a mechanism for time-bound redressal of industrial grievances.
Maharashtra's Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik announced a drive against auto-rickshaw and taxi drivers lacking a 'working knowledge' of Marathi, with penalties ranging from licence suspension to cancellation, sparking fears among non-Marathi speaking drivers.
The Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) 2026 in Maharashtra has been postponed following a raid in Bhiwandi, Thane, where individuals were found with questions matching the actual exam paper. The Maharashtra State Council of Examination (MSCE) confirmed the breach and initiated a thorough investigation, registering a criminal case. The postponement aims to ensure transparency and allow law enforcement to probe the malpractice racket.
Nearly 600 tribal students abandoned a government-run hostel in Amravati, Maharashtra, after some girls exhibited strange behaviour, leading to claims of spirit possession. Officials suspect mental stress or selective hysteria, while local beliefs attribute the incidents to angry spirits from a cut 'mahua' tree or an encroached temple. Counselling efforts are underway to bring students back.
'The final electoral roll will be published on October 7, 2026.' 'If someone who is otherwise eligible does not find his/her name in that electoral roll, they can fill Form 6 along with other necessary documents to enrol his/her name in the electoral roll after the final publication of the electoral roll also.'
The Supreme Court has quashed all FIRs against students who participated in the Cockroach Janta Party-led protests, stating the cases should not affect their future, while the government affirmed its commitment to youth welfare.
International table tennis player Swastika Ghosh, a Commonwealth gold medallist, was felicitated by the University of Mumbai for her role in India's gold-winning campaign at the 2026 Commonwealth Table Tennis Championships. She has also been selected for the Shri Shiv Chhatrapati State Sports Award and the 2026 World Table Tennis Championships.
The Maharashtra legislature witnessed widespread protests as Opposition legislators accused the government of failing to prevent examination paper leaks, including the recent Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) and NEET. Senior leaders alleged links between those behind the leaks and the BJP, demanding a comprehensive investigation into the examination process and government accountability.
On National Sports Day, political leaders including Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, and several Chief Ministers paid tribute to hockey legend Major Dhyan Chand and lauded Indian sportspersons for their contributions to the country.
The Annual General Meeting (AGM) of Tata Sons, scheduled for Tuesday, is likely to be adjourned because the Sir Ratan Tata Trust (SRTT), a major shareholder, cannot nominate a representative due to a regulatory restriction imposed by Maharashtra's Charity Commissioner.
