Opposition MPs raised concerns during a debate over the Immigration and Foreigners Bill 2025, citing provisions that grant immigration authorities arbitrary powers. They demanded the Bill be sent to a joint parliamentary committee for thorough scrutiny, highlighting worries such as unchecked authority of officers and seizure of passports.
India and China are striving to mend ties post the 2020 Galwan valley clashes, with some issues still outstanding. External affairs minister S Jaishankar emphasized the significance of managing differences constructively, noting that peace at the border is crucial for the overall relationship between the two nations.
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has received the first of 99 engines from General Electric for Tejas Mark-1A fighters after a two-year delay. This delivery is expected to boost the production of the indigenous jet, with HAL planning to increase its output significantly in the coming years.
Five CISF personnel, including an inspector and constables, have been arrested by Bidhannagar Police for posing as income tax officers and conducting a heist in Bengal. They, along with three accomplices, are currently in custody and will undergo a Test Identification parade.
The Supreme Court upheld Life Insurance Corporation’s denial of a claim for hospitalisation under the 'Jeevan Arogya' scheme due to non-disclosure of alcohol consumption by the policyholder. The court justified the decision based on the suppression of material facts and the exclusion clause regarding the use or misuse of alcohol.
The AAP government in Punjab plans to conduct its first-ever census to gather data on drug addiction, de-addiction centres, and the socio-economic status of affected individuals. In the 'Badalda Punjab Budget,' the government aims to enhance health insurance coverage and combat cross-border drug smuggling, with a projected debt of almost Rs 4.2 lakh crore.
Delhi Police have sealed the storeroom at Justice Yashwant Varma's residence and conducted videography after a fire incident allegedly destroyed cash. They obtained CCTV footage, but preliminary analysis showed no unauthorized entry. Two senior officers reviewed call and internet details of the judge's cellphone. The fire, which occurred on March 14, is being investigated by police and fire department.
The United States is cracking down on bots blocking visa interview appointments in India, forcing applicants to pay agents up to Rs 35,000 for timely slots. The US embassy has cancelled about 2,000 bot-made appointments and is suspending the associated accounts’ scheduling privileges to combat fraud.
Chennai police shot dead Jaffer Gulam Hussain Irani, a member of the Irani gang, when he attempted to pull out a gun after snatching six chains from elderly women. Irani and his accomplices had planned to flee the city before the police intercepted them at the airport.
Chhattisgarh experienced over 70% of the country's Left-wing extremist violence in 2024, with incidents decreasing by 25% nationwide since 2019. Despite earlier declines, violence surged in 2022 and 2023 due to intensified security operations. Naxalite influence has shrunk significantly, with affected districts dropping to 38 in April 2024. Amit Shah aims to eradicate LWE by March 2026.
The Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar introduced a new initiative to train over 1 lakh booth level officers (BLOs) nationwide to improve voter enrolment processes and rectify electoral rolls. This initiative, involving states such as Bihar, West Bengal, and Assam, aims to create a well-trained network to ensure the accuracy of voter lists ahead of upcoming elections.
Trinamool Congress MP Kalyan Banerjee refutes Vice President Jagdish Dhankhar's criticism of the Supreme Court's decision to strike down the NJAC Act, citing constitutional protocol. Banerjee insists policy decisions should be discussed in Parliament and not in private chambers, emphasizing parliamentary standards.
The Supreme Court stayed the Allahabad high court's decision that 'grabbing the breast and breaking the pyjama string' was insufficient for rape charges. The apex court criticised the high court judge for insensitivity in the case involving two men charged with sexual assault of a minor. The case has been referred to the Chief Justice of the Allahabad High Court.
Uddhav Thackeray, facing political challenges after parting ways with BJP, stands his ground amidst controversy involving comedian Kunal Kamra. His decision to align with Congress and NCP in 2019 showcased a significant ideological shift. Despite setbacks, some believe Uddhav’s inclusive secular image could potentially reinvent him as a national leader in opposition to BJP.
Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL) is set to accelerate production of the Tejas Mark-1A fighters following the delayed delivery of the first of 99 engines from GE. With finalizing integrations and increasing production lines, the IAF aims to bolster its fighter fleet, which is critically undermanned.
