Amid a massive rush for Nag Panchami at Ujjain's Nagchandreshwar Temple, reports of minor injuries circulated, prompting authorities to deny any stampede. Officials stated that darshan was proceeding smoothly, despite the large number of devotees and heavy crowds in the city.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay has announced plans for a new Rs 1,200 crore Assembly-cum-Secretariat integrated complex in Chennai, moving the administration from the historic Fort St George. The modern facility will house all state government departments, addressing space constraints and aiming for efficient governance. Additionally, the CM unveiled plans for a Tamil Nadu Olympic City and a Motor Sports City to boost sports infrastructure and tourism.
Delhi Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu highlighted the transformative potential of artificial intelligence in enhancing urban governance. He stressed that AI can address complex administrative challenges, improve efficiency in areas like traffic management and environmental monitoring, and shift governance towards an intelligence-driven model, provided it is human-centric and reflects India's diverse context.
Wadhwani AI is working on a 'vulnerability mapping' project which determines the probability of a disease breaking out in a particular area during a particular season or time.
Anti-drug activist Parvider Singh Jhota was shot dead in Mansa on October 13. His family and supporters are refusing to cremate his body until their demands for justice, including a CBI probe and resignations of top officials, are met. The incident has triggered political protests and condemnation across Punjab, with various leaders visiting the protest site and the SGPC announcing a tribute.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio's visit to India this week underscores the complex dynamics of global energy policy, as Washington re-evaluates sanctions on Russian oil buyers amidst India's continued reliance on Russian crude.
The Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council is set to discuss proposals aimed at transforming the complex indirect tax system into a more business-friendly regime, focusing on simplifying compliance, reducing administrative burdens, and potentially raising the prosecution threshold.
US President Donald Trump on Monday (local time) defended his decision to bar CNN, MS NOW, and POLITICO from the White House, characterising the media access ban as an action against "fake news" rather than an attack on constitutional press freedoms.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar highlighted that India's primary concern regarding terrorism from its neighbour, Pakistan, if not fully appreciated by partners like the US, negatively impacts bilateral relations. Speaking at the Asia Society, Jaishankar discussed the turbulence in India-US ties, particularly in light of Washington's renewed engagement with Pakistan and the perceived lack of empathy for India's terrorism concerns, especially under the second Trump administration. He emphasized that addressing these sensitivities is crucial for improving the relationship.
The objective should be clear: Energy security without abandoning environmental responsibility; water security without ignoring local concerns; and strategic resilience without sacrificing public confidence, notes Varun Arya.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, speaking at the UPSC centenary, urged a fundamental shift in civil services recruitment and governance. He highlighted the need for services to adapt to an "instant-delivery world" powered by AI, focusing on citizen-centricity and evaluating candidates' motivation beyond academic knowledge. The PM also praised Captain Smit Machchhar's bravery during his address.
Punjab Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav visited Lovely Professional University (LPU) after student protests erupted over an alleged rape and vandalism. He stated that police used maximum restraint but would take strict action against those involved in violence. An FIR has been registered and a Special Investigation Team (SIT) formed to probe the rape allegation, while police also facilitated dialogue between students and university authorities to resolve administrative grievances.
A proposed Rs 1,200 crore Secretariat-Assembly complex in Pattinapakkam, Chennai, has ignited significant opposition from local fishing communities and various political parties. Residents fear displacement, loss of livelihood, and environmental damage, citing ancestral rights and broken promises. Political leaders across the spectrum are urging Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay to reconsider the site, highlighting concerns about ecological impact, traffic, and financial priorities.
India's IT Ministry sources state the country will not slow down its Artificial Intelligence development, distinguishing its focus on people-centric applications from global concerns over frontier models. The government acknowledges AI safety risks and is tightening incident reporting norms, with IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw emphasising regulation for user safety.
Kunwar Basit Ali, national president of BJP Minority Morcha, stated that the demolition of religious structures for development should not be viewed communally, citing examples from Uttar Pradesh and Muslim nations. He accused the Congress of misleading Muslims and instigating unrest. Ali also expressed confidence in the BJP forming the next government in Jammu and Kashmir and addressed concerns regarding the delay in statehood restoration, asserting that the central government would make the best decisions for Kashmir.
'The larger lesson for India Inc is that promoter oversight and professional management are not inherently contradictory. The difficulty arises when the boundaries between the two are unclear.'
Venu Srinivasan, a trustee and Tata Sons nominee director, has requested a regulatory inquiry into the governance of the Sir Dorabji Tata Trust, one of the charitable entities controlling 66 per cent of Tata Sons, citing concerns over trustee appointments and the trusts' involvement in commercial affairs.
The Madhya Pradesh High Court has disposed of writ appeals concerning the partial demolition of Ujjain's Shahi Masjid for road widening ahead of Simhastha Kumbh Mela 2028, following an agreement between the Muslim side and the Ujjain Municipal Corporation. The agreement involves removing a smaller portion of the mosque than initially planned, relocating its minaret, and providing alternative shops. This resolution comes after earlier protests and arrests.
Former Bombay High Court judge Justice R C Chavan has resigned from the Maharashtra government's Uniform Civil Code panel, citing profound concerns.
When it pretends to be deaf, a situation can snowball into something it cannot contain. The government cannot dismiss public anger merely because protests are inconvenient or politically embarrassing, asserts Ramesh Menon.
Devotees entered the Bhojshala complex in Dhar district on Saturday to offer prayers after the Indore Bench of the Madhya Pradesh high court declared the disputed Bhojshala-Kamal Maula complex a temple and granted the Hindu side the right to worship at the site.
Data infrastructure company NetApp has introduced Novus, a new storage architecture designed for large-scale AI factories, alongside significant enhancements to its AI Data Engine, hybrid multi-cloud operations, and strategic partnerships with Nutanix and SAP. These initiatives aim to improve data management, security, and efficiency for AI workloads and enterprise cloud infrastructure.
Tamil Nadu's ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) won bypolls in Madurantakam and Dharapuram, strengthening its minority government. Concurrently, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) secured emphatic victories in West Bengal's Nandigram and Muslim-majority Rejinagar, consolidating its post-TMC rule position. The BJP also established a significant lead in Assam's Nagaon Lok Sabha bypoll, and its ally AINRC retained Thattanchavady in Puducherry.
The Supreme Court has permitted Muslims to offer Friday prayers at a site adjacent to the Bhojshala-Kamal Maula complex in Dhar, Madhya Pradesh, following a High Court ruling that declared the complex a temple. This decision allowed prayers to resume after a previous ASI order was quashed.
AAP workers in Mohali protested against Enforcement Directorate search operations at the GMADA office, alleging misuse of central agencies by the BJP-led Centre. The protests involved clashes with police and damage to property, while the ED's investigation targeted GMADA officials, an IAS officer, a realty company, and residences linked to political figures.
An all-year-round indoor shooting range has been inaugurated in Leh, Ladakh, a collaborative effort by the Ladakh Shooting Association and Ladakh Police. This facility aims to provide continuous training opportunities for students, public, and police personnel, overcoming the region's challenging weather and fostering local talent in competitive shooting.
An 'illegally' constructed mosque within the Saharanpur district collectorate complex was demolished following a court order, drawing strong condemnation from opposition parties who accused the government of engaging in 'politics of hate' and undermining social harmony.
The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has registered two separate First Information Reports (FIRs) against Sheeba Inayat, a Jammu and Kashmir Administrative Service (JKAS) officer. The charges include amassing assets disproportionate to her known income and alleged malpractices in the distribution of Public Distribution System (PDS) foodgrains, leading to a wrongful loss of over Rs 2.61 crore.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has arrived in India for a three-day visit to attend the BRICS summit and hold bilateral talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, focusing on expanding trade, investment, and energy cooperation amidst global geopolitical challenges.
The Gujarat Institute of Prisons and Correctional Administration (GIPCA) is developing modern sports facilities, including high-quality grounds, in anticipation of international events like the Olympics and Commonwealth Games. These upgrades, part of a Phase-I renovation by the Police Housing Corporation, will also provide advanced training facilities like smart classrooms and computer labs for departmental trainees. The prison department recently showcased its sporting prowess by winning the 'Champion Trophy' at the DGP Cup 2026-27 Gujarat Police Wrestling Cluster Competition, securing 14 medals.
The Supreme Court has allowed the Muslim community to offer Friday prayers at a dargah adjacent to the disputed Bhojshala complex in Dhar, Madhya Pradesh, between 1 pm and 3 pm. This directive comes after the Muslim side alleged non-compliance with a previous order for an alternative prayer site, and follows a Madhya Pradesh High Court ruling declaring the complex a temple.
The Defence Acquisition Council, led by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, has approved the procurement of military hardware worth an estimated Rs 1.10 lakh crore for the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force. This significant move aims to enhance India's combat prowess and reduce dependency on foreign vendors, with approximately 98 per cent of procurements sourced from Indian industry.
A nearly 20-foot-deep well, estimated to be a century old, was discovered beneath the debris of a recently demolished mosque on the Saharanpur collectorate premises. The Archaeological Survey of India has been informed to assess its historical significance, while police remain deployed at the site.
The BJP has criticised the Allahabad High Court's observations regarding the wearing of a hijab in school, stating that such matters should be left to school administrations and not courts. BJP spokesperson Syed Zafar Islam argued that faith is a significant personal aspect and courts should not dictate personal attire, while also acknowledging that schools have the right to set uniform policies. The High Court had dismissed a petition seeking permission for a girl to wear a headscarf, ruling it's not an essential part of Islamic faith.
A building collapse in Satya Niketan, near Delhi University, has prompted student and teacher organisations to demand a comprehensive safety audit of paying guest accommodations across the city. The incident has highlighted concerns over structural compliance, fire safety, illegal constructions, and inadequate living conditions for students.
The Bombay High Court humorously questioned the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) if cricketers were aware they were consuming 'non-vegetarian tea' due to unhygienic conditions, while ordering the MCA to clean its eateries for a fresh FDA inspection.
The Supreme Court agreed to hear on Friday a plea of the Muslim side alleging that the alternative site identified by the Madhya Pradesh government for offering namaaz was located too far from the disputed Bhojshala complex in Dhar.
The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust has appointed a new leadership team, including retired Air Marshal Jeetendra Mishra as CEO, Ayodhya lawyer Madan Mohan Pandey as trustee, Delhi businessman Mahesh Bhagchandka as treasurer, and Dr Nirmala Yadav as the first woman trustee, to address allegations of theft and improve administration and devotee facilities.
The FIDE elections will see three Indians, including chess legend Viswanathan Anand, vying for crucial leadership positions amidst a complex electoral landscape and a high-stakes three-way presidential battle.
The Supreme Court has agreed to hear a plea from the Muslim side regarding the non-compliance of its directions to provide an alternative site near the disputed Bhojshala complex in Dhar, Madhya Pradesh, for Friday prayers. The Muslim side alleges the proposed site is unsuitable and too far, while the Solicitor General claims another location has been identified.
