Nine women Agniveer will be part of the Indian Air Force's band contingent that will march down the Kartavya Path during the 77th Republic Day Parade, marking a historic first. Flt Lt Akshita Dhankar will unfurl the national flag alongside President Droupadi Murmu.
For the foreseeable future, the most likely outcome remains continuation of the status quo. Taiwan will remain self-governing without formally declaring independence, while China continues to apply sustained pressure short of war, predict Krishnan Srinivasan and Manoj Mohanka.
Army officers share their experiences and details about the contingents and displays that will be part of the Republic Day Parade on Kartavya Path.
Despite international fame, she remained rooted in village traditions. Friends recalled that success never changed her lifestyle.
The US-China rapprochement, however tenuous, is not without implications for India. Both China and Pakistan have become closer to the US, notes Ambassador T P Sreenivasan.
India has reiterated its commitment to human rights and democracy following criticism from a Norwegian newspaper commentator during Prime Minister Modi's visit to Norway.
President Droupadi Murmu conferred Padma awards upon 65 eminent personalities, including tennis legend Vijay Amritraj, actor Mammootty, and singer Alka Yagnik, in the second civil investiture ceremony. The awards recognised contributions across various fields, with Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Shri categories.
US President Donald Trump has claimed that Washington has the capability to liquidate the surviving Iranian leadership with "one shot" if it desired, pointing to the congregation of top Iranian officials attending the week-long state funeral for the late Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who lost his life in joint US-Israeli air strikes on February 28.
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in US-Israeli strikes on February 28.
Around 100 artistes heralded the parade, on the theme 'Vividata Mein Ekta (Unity in Diversity) that featured a grand presentation of musical instruments, demonstrating the nation's unity and rich cultural diversity.
Indian golfer Diksha Dagar delivered a superb six-under 66 in the opening round of the Czech Ladies Open, placing her tied ninth. Fellow Indians Pranavi Urs and Vani Kapoor also had strong starts, with Urs tied 14th and Kapoor tied 26th, ensuring a significant Indian presence in the top 30. Diksha's round featured eight birdies, continuing her excellent form on the Ladies European Tour.
Trump further alleged that Iran was behind the attacks on three vessels carrying Indian seafarers near the Hormuz Strait, which resulted in the deaths of three, despite the US Central Command having confirmed that the strikes were carried out by American naval forces, calling the incident "totally unacceptable."
A 12-member Indian shotgun squad is set to participate in the ISSF World Cup Shotgun stage in Almaty, Kazakhstan, with competitions beginning on Monday, May 4.
The Indian U17 men's football team is set to play friendly matches against Thailand, Indonesia, and Korea Republic in Thailand as part of their preparations for the AFC U17 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026.
Tamil Nadu's new government, led by C Joseph Vijay, is committed to advancing the ~38,000 crore shipbuilding project with HD Hyundai in Thoothukudi, securing bipartisan support from the Opposition DMK, despite initial industry concerns about policy continuity after the change in leadership.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is in India for a BRICS foreign ministers' meeting, where discussions will focus on the escalating crisis in West Asia and its impact on global energy supply chains.
Canada and the UAE have extended their condolences following a devastating fire in New Delhi that claimed 21 lives, including 12 foreign nationals. India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar confirmed that the Ministry is coordinating with concerned embassies to provide necessary assistance to those affected.
India may not be at FIFA World Cup 2026, but four players with Indian roots will represent their nations on football's biggest stage.
Much will depend on how the protagonists use the current interlude to work proactively for the beginning of a durable settlement or, on the contrary, prepare for a new round of escalation, points out Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.
Indian benchmark indices, Sensex and Nifty, closed sharply higher, with the Sensex climbing 1,695.40 points and the Nifty surging nearly 2 per cent, driven by a global market rally and a decline in crude oil prices following US President Donald Trump's declaration that his country has ended the war with Iran.
With D Gukesh and R Vaishali set to play world title matches, experts urge India to bid for hosting rights, calling it a major boost for the sport.
Few leaders since Independence have been able to establish such a direct connection with the electorate or shape the national conversation to the extent that Narendra Modi has done over the past decade, points out former Union minister Dr Karan Singh.
We, Indians, forgot that for Pakistan, Kashmir dispute and blood feud with India is the raison detre for its existence. It is also the excuse with which the Pak army keeps its grip over the state. Peace in Kashmir and between India and Pakistan is against the interests of the Pak army, points out Colonel Anil A Athale (Retd).
The Indian Army has removed several colonial-era vestiges from its dress regulations, the mandatory carriage of swords by Reviewing Officers, and the use of pouch belts with certain mess dresses. It has also dropped the use of archaic terminology such as "Royal".
A 28-year-old Ugandan woman has been admitted to Bengaluru's Epidemic Diseases Hospital after developing mild symptoms like body ache, following her arrival from an Ebola-affected region, prompting health officials to send her samples for testing at the National Institute of Virology in Pune.
The International Chess Federation (FIDE) has suspended Russia's membership for up to three years due to its failure to comply with a ruling to stop holding events in Russian-controlled Ukrainian territories. This decision follows Russia's continued organisation of chess events in annexed regions, violating a Court of Arbitration for Sport order.
13 films from the 2026 Cannes film festival, highlighting award-winning international cinema, unexpected gems, and restored classics that truly celebrated the art of filmmaking.
After living in India's most palatial residence for 12 years, India's first President Dr Rajendra Prasad returned to his simple hut on the banks of the Ganga. He never owned a house of his lifetime.
Fleur Hassan-Nahoum, special envoy, foreign ministry of Israel, has asserted that the situation has effectively been a "multi-front regional conflict" since its inception, while claiming significant military and strategic gains against adversarial forces.
The representative of Iran's Supreme Leader in India expressed gratitude towards Indians, calling India a land of 'loyalty and humanity'.
Actor and Bharatiya Janata Party member of Parliament Hema Malini on Monday evening received the Padma Vibhushan on behalf of her late husband and cinema icon Dharmendra, who passed away on November 24, 2025.
Vikram Doraiswami, a seasoned diplomat, has been appointed as India's new ambassador to China, succeeding Pradeep Kumar Rawat. This decision comes as both countries attempt to improve bilateral relations following a period of strain.
India's defence exports reached a record high of Rs 38,424 crore in fiscal year 2025-26, marking a significant increase of over 62 per cent compared to the previous year, according to Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.
Teenage quadruple amputee archer Payal Nag defeated world number one Sheetal Devi to win gold at the World Archery Para Series in Bangkok, leading India to a dominant performance with seven gold medals.
Anjali Sivaraman, daughter of playback singer Chitra Iyer, is set to portray the iconic Hungarian-Indian painter Amrita Sher-Gil in Mira Nair's upcoming biopic Amri, following her breakout role in Netflix's Class and a diverse career in modelling and acting.
Thousands and thousands and thousands of adults owe their lives to the commitment and medical fervour of Dr Armida Fernandez, who a grateful nation honoured with the Padma Shri this year.
Asian Development Bank (ADB) on Friday warned that India's limited crude oil reserves of about 100 million barrels - sufficient for only 40-45 days of consumption - leave the country particularly vulnerable to supply disruptions through the Strait of Hormuz amid the ongoing war in West Asia.
Ukraine has lodged a formal protest with India regarding the detention of six Ukrainian nationals in Mizoram, alleging unauthorised entry and unlawful activities. The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry is seeking consular access and immediate release of its citizens.
Indian stock markets rallied in early trade after US President Donald Trump announced a halt to planned military strikes on Iran, citing requests from Gulf leaders and ongoing "very big discussions" that could lead to a deal. This de-escalation, coupled with foreign fund inflows and gains in IT and Adani group stocks, contributed to the positive market sentiment. Track Sensex and Nifty on May 19, 2026.
The 8th World Air Quality report reveals Pakistan as the most polluted country, with India ranking sixth. The report analyses air quality data from over 9,446 cities across 143 countries, highlighting the severe impact of pollution on global health, especially for children.
