Among the new entrants in the council headed by the Prime Minister, which will now have 147 members, are Ambika Soni, Dayanidhi Maran and Salman Khursheed have made their entry as Union Ministers while BJP leaders Sushma Swaraj and Arun Jaitley have come in as Leaders of Opposition in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha respectively.
The Indian Golf Union (IGU) has approved significant amendments to its Memorandum of Association, including the addition of Sportspersons of Outstanding Merit, creation of a Dispute Resolution Committee, and modifications to its election process, all aimed at aligning with the National Sports Governance Act.
Gaganyaan astronaut Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair stressed the critical importance of AI sovereignty for national cybersecurity, citing the increasing difficulty in distinguishing between real and fake content due to AI. Speaking at the Kerala Cyber Suraksha Summit, Nair highlighted that future conflicts and industries would involve a 'whole-of-nation approach,' blurring physical and digital boundaries. He urged greater awareness of digital threats and emphasised India's need to build on its technological capabilities in AI and cybersecurity, drawing parallels with the success of Chandrayaan-3. Other speakers also underscored the rising threat of cyberattacks and the potential for Kerala to contribute to national technology requirements.
The New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) is establishing a 24x7 command centre and implementing extensive civic preparations to ensure the smooth hosting of the 18th BRICS Summit. These measures include enhanced sanitation, beautification, traffic management, and coordination among various agencies to present a welcoming city for world leaders.
Union Education Minister Pralhad Joshi announced that revised NCERT textbooks for classes 10 to 12 are being prepared in "mission mode," while textbooks for classes 1 to 9 under the new National Curriculum Framework have already been released. He emphasised NCERT's role in building a 'Viksit Bharat' and highlighted the need for curricula to evolve with AI advancements and the importance of India's young population as a global asset.
Japan hosted a vibrant opening ceremony for the Asian Games in Nagoya, showcasing its technological advancements and cultural heritage. The event, themed 'Harmonic Heart Beat', welcomed 11,000 athletes from 45 nations, despite prior logistical challenges.
The LIC Golden Jubilee Scholarship Scheme is offered by the LIC Golden Jubilee Foundation aims to support meritorious students from economically weaker sections by providing financial assistance for higher education and improving their future employment opportunities.
The National Council of Educational Research and Training has reconstituted the Textbook Development Team for class 11 and 12 political science with a mandate to integrate cultural rootedness, Indian knowledge systems and inclusion, with at least four of the members having direct or indirect links with the RSS.
A Supreme Court bench of Justices Dipankar Datta and Satish Chandra Sharma has given split opinions on whether pleas challenging the 2023 law for appointing the Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioners should be referred to a larger Constitution bench, citing a difference in views on the law's constitutional validity and the executive's role in selections.
India has clarified its policy regarding participation in the 2027 South Asian Federation (SAF) Games in Pakistan, stating decisions will align with national sports policies and international governing bodies. While bilateral sporting engagements with Pakistan remain suspended, Indian athletes are permitted to compete in multilateral events. The government also aims to simplify visa processes to position India as a global sports hosting destination.
The BRICS grouping adopted a consensus joint declaration in New Delhi, successfully navigating differences on the West Asia conflict but notably omitting any direct mention of US strikes on Iran or Iranian military attacks on Gulf Arab nations. The declaration also criticised Israel's actions in Gaza and called for a concerted approach against terrorism.
Phunchuk Stobdan's forte was candour and strong views on India's defence. Naturally, India's adversaries were in awe of him, fearing his views and unyielding stand on boundary issues, remembers Tarun Vijay.
Cricket Scotland and the Royal Dutch Cricket Association have strongly criticised the International Cricket Council's decision to implement significant structural changes to the 2027 ODI World Cup qualification pathway and tournament format, stating it 'risk weakening the integrity and credibility of international cricket'.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing the SCO summit in Bishkek, called for a united front against terrorism and its financing, rejecting double standards. He emphasised resolving conflicts through dialogue and diplomacy, not battlefields. Modi also highlighted that connectivity projects must respect national sovereignty and territorial integrity, a veiled reference to China's Belt and Road Initiative. India's vision for SCO rests on security, connectivity, and opportunity.
Amidst ongoing ethnic tensions, a new political alignment in Manipur sees Meitei and Naga groups uniting to demand an update to the National Register of Citizens with a 1951 base year, a move fiercely opposed by Kuki-Zo communities who fear it will disenfranchise them.
India has expressed firm opposition to attacks on merchant shipping amidst the ongoing Iran conflict, revealing that several Indian nationals have died or are missing due to these incidents. The nation also called for restraint, de-escalation, and prioritising civilian safety in the region.
Despite near gender parity in basic bank account ownership, women in India remain significantly underrepresented in the growing platform economy due to gaps in digital financial capability and access to credit, according to a joint report by the International Labour Organization and National Council of Applied Economic Research.
Chief ministers from southern states convened at the Southern Zonal Council meeting in Kovalam, where Karnataka CM DK Shivakumar advocated for the 1971 census as the basis for delimitation and a freeze on Lok Sabha seats, while also addressing the contentious Cauvery water and Mekedatu dam issues.
The Union health ministry has deployed a National Joint Outbreak Response Team (NJORT) to Gujarat and Rajasthan to strengthen the response to the ongoing Chandipura Virus Disease (CHPV) outbreak.
'It beggars belief that Saudi Arabia would deploy military force against India, a top partner and market.'
Cricket Scotland and the Royal Dutch Cricket Association (KNCB) have jointly criticised the International Cricket Council's (ICC) significant structural changes to the Men's 50-over World Cup qualification pathway, calling it a 'setback to Associate Member cricket' and expressing disappointment over the lack of consultation.
'We can integrate AI and tech into education, but that is just a means and not an end.' 'Ultimately, we need to control what happens in a classroom and we need to let teachers innovate their teaching style to suit the needs of Gen Z and beyond.'
Researchers at Delhi's Indraprastha Institute of Information Technology have developed 'MutAIverse', a generative AI platform designed to decode DNA damage and identify potential causes of cancer. Tested on head and neck cancer patients in Guwahati, the platform successfully traced exposure to smokeless tobacco as a contributing factor. This innovation aims to shift focus from just diagnosis to understanding causative factors, potentially aiding in prevention and protection.
'Applying AI to change the lives of Indians and at population scale -- just like we did with DPI [digital public infrastructure] -- is really where it's going to go.'
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has affirmed India's commitment to ensuring issues like a free, open, and rule-based maritime order, seafarer safety, and countering terror financing receive due attention at the UN Security Council during its 2028-29 term.
It is plain to see that the US senate bill's real objective is to derail India's time-tested strategic partnership with Russia, points out Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.
The Supreme Court of India has issued a strong warning against the use of "non-existent, fake, and hallucinated" judgements generated by artificial intelligence (AI), likening it to "the release of methyl Isocyanate in the province of law and justice: invisible, insidious, and catastrophic." The court set aside an NCLT verdict that relied on such AI-generated precedents.
Gen NS Raja Subramani has taken over as India's new Chief of Defence Staff, succeeding Gen Anil Chauhan. His primary focus will be on implementing the military theaterisation plan and enhancing tri-services synergy.
As India marks a decade of the Goods and Services Tax (GST), the focus is shifting towards enhancing efficiency through artificial intelligence, data sharing, and process simplification. The reform, which unified India's indirect tax system, has significantly broadened the tax base and boosted revenues, with future plans including a streamlined two-tier rate structure and continued technological integration to reduce compliance costs and combat evasion.
The United States and Iran have reached an agreement in principle to immediately and permanently halt all military operations, lift sanctions, and work towards a comprehensive final agreement within 60 days, including a significant reconstruction package for Iran.
India has strongly criticised Pakistan at a UN Security Council meeting, asserting its right to defend itself against cross-border terrorism and warning of consequences for Pakistan's support of such activities.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lead the 12th International Day of Yoga (IDY) celebrations from Kolkata's iconic Red Road on June 21, with over 210 Indian Missions organising events at nearly 2,500 locations worldwide under the theme 'Yoga for Healthy Ageing'.
The NCERT's Class 9 Social Science textbook now includes the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, explaining its purpose to ensure accurate voter lists. The textbook also commends the Election Commission of India (ECI) for conducting impartial polls despite challenges, highlighting the scale and autonomy of India's electoral process.
A woman in Goa has been booked for allegedly concealing her Portuguese nationality and fraudulently enrolling in the voter list.
Through his commitment to democratic norms, debate, dissent and constitutionalism, Jawaharlal Nehru helped ensure that parliamentary democracy took deep root in independent India. Utkarsh Mishra evaluates Nehru's 17 years as India's first prime minister, examining his role in nation-building, democratic institution-building, economic planning, scientific advancement and foreign policy.
AIFF and ISL clubs have reached a landmark agreement that hands commercial rights to clubs while the federation retains regulatory control, paving the way for a club-led Indian Super League from the 2026-27 season.
The Japanese PM's visit to Assam comes amid festering uneasiness in Tokyo about Beijing's assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific region.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has urged states to balance the opportunities presented by artificial intelligence with the need to safeguard against social challenges like cyber fraud and drug abuse. He also warned of the risks posed by El Nino conditions, calling for stronger water conservation measures and emphasising the collective resolve towards a 'Viksit Bharat'.
India has strongly criticised Pakistan at a UN Security Council meeting, asserting its right to defend itself against cross-border terrorism and warning of consequences for Pakistan's support of such activities.
The government has appointed Lieutenant General NS Raja Subramani (Retd) as the next Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), who shall also function as the secretary to the government of India, department of military affairs, with effect from the date of assumption of charge and until further orders.
