The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has directed state governments and agencies to implement stricter enforcement mechanisms to address the sudden spike in stubble burning incidents in Punjab and Haryana.
The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has implemented Stage 1 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) in Delhi-NCR after the Air Quality Index (AQI) deteriorated to the 'poor' category. Forecasts indicate the AQI will remain poor in the coming days, triggering restrictions like banning coal and firewood in eateries and limiting diesel generator use.
The 64-year-old Planning Commission, a vestige of the socialist era, will soon become history.
The Plan Panel was set up by a simple government resolution in March 1950 had withstood many political and economic upheavals.
When Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently extended a Rs 8,000-crore (Rs 80 billion) central support for building roads in Jammu & Kashmir, Union Cabinet's approval for the big-ticket announcement came in barely 48 hours.
The Kerala Legislative Assembly has passed a motion urging the central government to completely withdraw the proposed Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) on UPI transactions exceeding Rs 2,000. Chief Minister V D Satheesan and CPI MLA K Rajan highlighted concerns that the MDR would increase business costs, harm small businesses, and reduce the appeal of digital payments, while the BJP argued it would not affect general public or small merchants.
Marchers would walk four or five abreast through one side of the main Mahatma Gandhi Road, holding red or white banners that stretched from one end to the other, shouting slogans, calling upon passers by, including employees watching from the offices that line the road, to join (Dekhta kya/Shaamil ho), recalls Jyoti Punwani.
The quiet corridors of the Planning Commission were again agog with activity following talk that the central government would soon announce the former's much-awaited reconstitution.
The Kerala High Court dismissed pleas by former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, his daughter Veena T, and son-in-law P A Mohamed Riyas, challenging an order to register an FIR against them in the alleged CMRL bribery case. Current Chief Minister V D Satheesan defended the government's actions, stating they followed legal advice, while political parties reacted sharply, with BJP welcoming the verdict and CPI(M) alleging political motivation.
The INDIA bloc, comprising 17 opposition parties and civil society members, met at Rahul Gandhi's residence to strategize against alleged "vote chori" and the denotification of Jantar Mantar as a protest site. Leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, and Tejashwi Yadav, vowed to continue their united political and people's resistance, demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and asserting that those responsible for undermining democracy would be held accountable.
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.
'Nitishji as CM never supported the UCC and publicly expressed his strong reservations over UCC.'
Atomic Energy Commission Chairman Ajit Kumar Mohanty announced that India's private sector is projected to invest Rs 7.5 lakh crore and contribute 30 GW towards the nation's goal of achieving 100 GW nuclear power capacity by 2047. This marks a significant policy shift, facilitated by the SHANTI Act, encouraging private participation in nuclear energy beyond the traditional public sector model. The country is also exploring Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) for industrial needs and advancing its three-stage nuclear power programme, leveraging its substantial thorium reserves.
'We see a lot of cases of bank deposits getting lost, especially when people die, so this will help address that because you have one consolidated view.'
Sikkim has identified 40 high-hazard glacial lakes, with 16 at the highest risk of catastrophic outbursts. Following a devastating GLOF in 2023, the state is developing India's first dedicated GLOF Risk Mitigation Protocol, using advanced monitoring and interdisciplinary approaches to protect downstream settlements and serve as a model for other Himalayan regions.
The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has directed Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan to implement drone-based surveillance to monitor and prevent stubble burning. This initiative aims to counter late-evening burning incidents that evade satellite detection, leveraging drone technology for real-time monitoring, accurate detection, and evidence collection to ensure effective enforcement against agricultural residue burning.
The National Testing Agency (NTA) has moved to a new office and deployed CISF security to safeguard confidential areas, following a major controversy over the NEET paper leak and administrative lapses. This move aims to implement foolproof security arrangements and restore public trust in the examination system.
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.
According to the recommendations, reviewed by Business Standard, any dress code shall always be akin to Hindu culture.
Major General Faisal Naseer, infamously dubbed 'Dirty Harry' for his controversial tenure in the ISI, has been appointed national co-ordinator of Pakistan's National Counter-Terrorism Authority.
The Jharkhand government has cancelled all recruitment tests conducted by outsourced agency TSR Data Processing Pvt Ltd (TDPL) since 2014, including the JSSC-CGL exam, in response to student protests. However, agitators are continuing their demonstration, demanding a CBI probe into alleged irregularities.
The devastating floods in Nepal have brought back memories of two major disasters in Uttarakhand in recent years, the Rishiganga tragedy of February 2021 and the Dharali disaster of August 2025, which caused extensive loss of life and property and left thousands struggling to rebuild their lives.
'Improved law and order and transparent governance have helped change UP's investment image.'
Who is running the show in Dhaka? This kind of flip-flop, culminating in a last-minute decision to skip a maiden visit, can happen only when the remote is in the hands of one of the competing lobbies within the BNP -- one that appears determined to play a game of chess with India.
The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has implemented stage one measures in Delhi-NCR under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) as air quality declined to the 'poor' category.
The government introduced the SHANTI Act, 2025, to support the mission and open the sector to private participation.
The Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) undertaking arranged special bus services for students appearing in the NEET re-examination in Mumbai, deploying 60 buses on 24 routes for approximately 180 trips, despite an ongoing strike by its employees that has paralysed public transport.
The NDA government has gradually nuanced its position on the issue of demographic challenge.
The West Bengal cabinet has decided to discontinue assistance-oriented schemes based on religious categorisation for Imams, muezzins and purohits from June. The cabinet also approved the 'Annapurna' scheme of Rs 3,000 monthly support to women from June 1, and granted in-principle consent for their free travel in state-run buses.
The Election Commission has announced a stringent security plan for the second phase of the West Bengal assembly polls, ensuring voters can exercise their franchise without fear. Security personnel will be deployed constituency-wise, and area domination exercises will be stepped up in sensitive neighbourhoods. CCTV cameras will be installed at every polling station, and central forces will remain deployed at booths.
Hyderabad Police Commissioner V C Sajjanar has proposed a Joint Working Group with the RBI and banks to address the issue of mule bank accounts used in cyber fraud. The proposal follows 'Operation Octopus,' which exposed vulnerabilities in KYC verification. Sajjanar also recommended strict directives for banks to fix accountability and adopt advanced technology to detect suspicious transactions.
'They probably imagine any hue and cry in the event Sheikh Hasina is hanged will be shortlived as it happened when Bhutto was hanged in Pakistan in 1979.'
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced that Bangladeshi infiltrators detained in the state will be directly handed over to the BSF for deportation, bypassing court appearances, following a new rule.
Experts' worries intensified after Pakistan commissioned its first Chinese-built Hangor-class submarine, PNS Hangor, last month.
The Supreme Court has declared the right to walk on demarcated footpaths a fundamental right, prioritising it over motorised vehicle movement, and has called for the establishment of a regulatory body to ensure its enforcement and provide restitutionary remedies for violations.
'The Atomic Energy Commission has approved the FDI policy and it is going in for ministerial consultations.'
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.
The rejection of senior Congress leader Meenakshi Natarajan's nomination papers transformed what should have been a routine Rajya Sabha election into a lesson in contemporary political warfare.
Despite BEST employees calling off their indefinite strike, Mumbai's bus services remained significantly below normal on Monday morning, with only 57% of the scheduled fleet operational. Commuters experienced long waits, leading many to seek alternative transport. The strike ended after an agreement with Deputy CM Eknath Shinde, which included interim pay hikes and commitments for future improvements and clearing dues.
Lt Gen NS Raja Subramani (retd) has been appointed as India's next Chief of Defence Staff, succeeding Gen Anil Chauhan. Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan has been named the next Chief of the Naval Staff, succeeding Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi. Lt Gen Subramani's primary mandate will be to implement the military theaterisation plan and bolster tri-services synergy.
