The Election Commission of India (ECI) has announced the schedule for the upcoming biennial elections to the Council of States (Rajya Sabha) to fill 37 seats across 10 states, as the terms of the current members end in April 2026, according to a press note. The seats are set to fall vacant as the terms of members elected from Maharashtra, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Telangana conclude next month.

Vehicle owners can now rejoice as hypothecation removal from registration certificates becomes automatic post-loan repayment. The road transport ministry's new online system, launched with select banks and NBFCs, eliminates manual visits to RTOs. This seamless process, leveraging RBI's ULI, ensures real-time data exchange, simplifying loan closure for citizens.

Amid escalating West Asia tensions, India's Ministry of External Affairs has established a special control room to assist its citizens residing in the region. The government is closely monitoring the evolving situation and remains in contact with regional governments and international partners to ensure the safety of nearly one crore Indians living there.

Banaras' Masaan Holi offers a unique, contemplative celebration with sacred ashes from cremation pyres, unlike the riot of colours elsewhere. Rooted in Shaivite traditions, it symbolizes life's cyclical nature and confronts mortality. While social media has amplified its spectacle, the ritual's profound, existential encounter remains, urging immersion beyond filtered frames.

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's son, Nishant Kumar, is reportedly set to enter politics, marking a shift from his father's stance against dynastic succession. This move comes amid growing internal party pressure and concerns about leadership transition, with Nishant seen as a potential link to traditional JDU supporters.

Karnataka's Congress government is reconsidering its decision to fill 56,432 government posts without internal reservation for Scheduled Castes. Following pressure from SC communities and ministers, the cabinet will discuss introducing pro-rata internal reservation within the existing 15% SC quota.

The All India Muslim Personal Law Board has strongly condemned the US-Israel's actions against Iran, calling for immediate international intervention to secure a ceasefire. The board expressed sorrow over the reported martyrdom of Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Khamenei, and highlighted that targeting leadership and advocating regime change violates international law.

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla has formed the committee of privileges. This important panel will examine complaints of breach of privilege. BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad will lead the 15-member committee. The panel includes members from both the ruling NDA and opposition parties. A complaint against Rahul Gandhi is pending Speaker's decision.

India faces a critical gap in tracking nearly 6 lakh babies born annually with congenital anomalies, as these conditions increasingly contribute to child mortality. To address this, Smile Train India and Birth Defects Research Foundation launched BIND, advocating for a National Birth Anomalies Registry to improve data, identify risk factors, and guide health planning for better prevention and care.

India expresses deep anxiety over the escalating West Asia conflict, highlighting the critical stakes for nearly one crore Indian nationals in the Gulf and the potential economic repercussions. The Ministry of External Affairs strongly condemned attacks on merchant shipping, noting the loss of Indian lives and emphasizing the need for restraint and dialogue.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has signaled a strategic shift in India's export policy, moving from cost competitiveness to quality-driven growth. He urged industries to scale up research, adopt global standards, and align with emerging supply chains to become a trusted manufacturing partner in a reshaped global trade landscape.

Congress leaders Sonia and Rahul Gandhi criticized PM Modi's government for its «silence» on the attack on Iran, calling it a «tacit endorsement.» They questioned India's foreign policy direction and its standing in the world, especially concerning the «Global South,» urging a return to India's core values of sovereignty and peace.

Iran has targeted three Amazon data centers in the UAE and Bahrain with drone strikes, causing widespread disruptions to cloud services and banking across West Asia. This marks a significant escalation, with critical infrastructure now including data centers. Repairs are expected to be lengthy, impacting regional markets and air travel.

The BJP criticized Sonia Gandhi's remarks on the government's response to Iran's leader's death, recalling his past support for secessionist forces in Kashmir. The party stated that diplomacy requires restraint and respect for sovereignty, not appeasement. They also pointed out the UPA's silence on Muammar Gaddafi's death in 2011.

Thirty-eight Indian-flagged ships, carrying crude and LNG with nearly 1,100 seafarers, are stranded in the Persian Gulf due to the West Asia conflict. Three Indian sailors died and one was injured on foreign-flagged vessels in recent attacks off Oman. Shipping authorities are prioritizing seafarer safety and maritime asset security.

India is actively working to repatriate thousands of its citizens stranded in West Asian countries like the UAE and Qatar. The government is utilizing a combination of charter and scheduled flights, with airlines warned against fare hikes. This effort follows a high-level review of the West Asia crisis.

Curtains Come Down On 777 Foreign-Made Wristwatches Smuggling Case

A special NIA court has issued a letter rogatory to China seeking assistance in tracing the supply chain of a GoPro camera seized in the Pahalgam terror attack case. The camera, activated in China, is crucial for establishing pre-attack reconnaissance and the movement of the Pakistani terror module.

Prime Minister Modi engaged with leaders of Qatar, Oman, and Kuwait, condemning Iranian attacks and reaffirming India's commitment to regional peace. These discussions, completing talks with all GCC nations, highlighted India's focus on protecting its diaspora and ensuring stability. Modi stressed dialogue and diplomacy for restoring harmony and thanked leaders for their support to the Indian community.

Namakkal, one of India’s major egg production and trading hubs, regularly supplies large quantities to overseas buyers. But the Middle East conflict has left exporters struggling to meet commitments and manage inventory.

The Congress party has unveiled its initial list of 42 candidates for the upcoming Assam Assembly elections, launching its campaign early. Key figures like Gaurav Gogoi and Debabrata Saikia will contest from Jorhat and Nazira respectively, as the party seeks to regain power after a significant hiatus.

The AICC released its first list of 42 candidates for the Assam assembly elections, creating friction with the Raijor Dal. Prominent Congress leaders like Gaurav Gogoi and Debabrata Saikia are among those nominated. The move has upset Raijor Dal, which was in advanced alliance talks with Congress and sought specific seats.

Tragic news from the Middle East as three Indian seafarers lost their lives and one was injured in recent incidents involving foreign-flagged vessels. Amidst escalating US-Iran tensions, maritime authorities are urging extreme caution, enhanced security, and thorough risk assessments for all voyages in the region. The remaining crew are safe, with authorities coordinating support.

The Indian Embassy in Tehran has moved most Indian students to safer areas outside the city. This action follows heightened risks due to ongoing US-Iran tensions. The embassy is providing transportation, food, and accommodation. Other Indian nationals in Iran are advised to stay indoors and avoid protests. Emergency helplines are active as the security situation is closely monitored.

India's medical colleges are set for a digital transformation in their assessment. The National Medical Commission is now prioritizing online verification of clinical work over traditional inspections. Colleges must submit Health Facility Registry IDs and details on their hospital software integration with national digital health platforms.

Air India successfully repatriated 149 passengers and 8 crew members from Dubai to Delhi, marking the first international arrival by an Indian carrier. This operation comes as Dubai's airports begin partial resumption of limited flight operations after days of disruption due to escalating regional tensions and airspace restrictions.