The national human rights commission has taken suo motu cognisance of a sharp rise in missing persons cases in Delhi, with 807 reported in the first two weeks of January 2026. The NHRC has issued notices to Delhi's chief secretary and police commissioner, seeking a detailed report within two weeks on steps being taken to address the alarming trend.

The Supreme Court extended the deadline for West Bengal's electoral roll revision, demanding a personal affidavit from the DGP over alleged threats to election officials. Micro-observers will only assist Electoral Registration Officers, who retain final decision-making power. The court also directed the deployment of Group B officers for the process.

Union home minister Amit Shah declared Maoism's destructive nature, vowing its complete elimination from India by March 31. He urged Naxalites to surrender for rehabilitation, highlighting Chhattisgarh's attractive policy. Shah emphasized development initiatives transforming Bastar, promising significant progress in infrastructure and economic opportunities for tribal communities.

AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi criticized the BJP and RSS for advocating the Bharat Ratna for V.D. Savarkar, suggesting they might even award it to Mahatma Gandhi's assassin, Nathuram Godse. Owaisi cited the J.L. Kapur Commission report, which identified Savarkar as a conspirator in Gandhi's assassination, and highlighted Maulvi Alauddin as the first prisoner at Cellular Jail, not an RSS member.

Assam Congress chief Gaurav Gogoi has strongly denied allegations made by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma linking him to Pakistan. Gogoi called the claims false and demanded the immediate release of an SIT report to prove his innocence. He accused the Chief Minister of targeting his family and a community.

Recalling the horror, the eyewitnesses told news agency PTI that the car first hit an autorickshaw and then crashed into a stationary motorcycle, flinging its rider nearly 10 feet into the air. The car mounted the motorcycle's front wheel and dragged it for some distance before hitting an electric pole and coming to a halt.

AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi has lodged a formal complaint with Hyderabad police. He seeks criminal action against Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. This is over a now-deleted video allegedly showing Sarma shooting at Muslims. Owaisi stated genocidal hate speech has become a norm. The complaint cites Sarma's repeated statements targeting the Muslim community.

Veteran politician Sharad Pawar was admitted to Ruby Hall Clinic in Pune due to a worsening health condition, including coughing and breathing difficulties. His office confirmed a throat infection as the immediate concern. Doctors are set to assess his condition upon arrival to determine the next steps in his treatment. Further updates are anticipated.

Tej Pratap Yadav has denied social media rumors of fathering a child, Anushka Yadav. He accused RJD leaders Sanjay Yadav, Sunil Singh, former MLAs Shakti Singh Yadav and Mukesh Raushan, and Tejashwi Yadav's friend Rameez of hatching a conspiracy against him. Yadav vowed legal action against those he called 'Jaichands' for defamation.

ISRO scientists have identified a promising one-square-kilometre landing zone near Mons Mouton in the Moon's south polar region for the Chandrayaan-4 mission. Detailed terrain analysis using high-resolution images has shortlisted the MM-4 area as the safest option for India's first lunar sample return. This site offers gentle slopes, adequate sunlight, and minimal hazards, crucial for the mission's success.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauded BJP MP C Sadanandan Master's courage after he displayed prosthetic legs in Rajya Sabha, highlighting an attack by alleged CPM supporters. Modi criticized «retrograde ideology» for shrinking political ground, while praising Master's presence in Parliament. He also noted Kerala's fatigue with traditional alliances and appreciation for the BJP's vision.

Malaysia joined India in condemning cross-border terrorism, signaling a stronger alignment on the issue. Prime Minister Modi highlighted clear messages against terror with no double standards or compromise. The bilateral meeting saw numerous agreements signed, spanning defense, security, and economic cooperation, including semiconductors and social security for Indian workers.

NEET-PG qualifying standards were drastically lowered, resulting in postgraduate medical seats in government colleges being filled with extremely low scores. Candidates secured spots in high-risk clinical specialties and premier institutions with scores as low as single digits, raising significant concerns within the medical community.

A Redbird Flight Training Academy aircraft made a forced landing near Vijayapura due to suspected fuel starvation, approximately 50-70km before its destination. Both the flight instructor and trainee pilot were unharmed, though the aircraft sustained damage. Aviation authorities are investigating the incident, including why the plane experienced a fuel shortage.

National Security Advisor Ajit Doval's visit to Canada has yielded a «shared workplan» for bilateral cooperation on national security and law enforcement. Both nations agreed to establish liaison officers to enhance communication and information sharing on critical issues like drug trafficking and organized crime. This move aims to rebuild trust and pave the way for future high-level engagements.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has set a May deadline for the road transport ministry to prioritize highway quality improvement and develop robust SOPs. This directive follows numerous complaints about poor road conditions, especially post-monsoon. The PM also called for action against underperforming contractors and a study into potential collusion affecting land acquisition delays.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi advised Gen Z to be flexible and persevere, emphasizing that life is not linear. He shared insights from an interaction with NRI students, addressing their anxieties about confidence, judgment, and self-expression. Gandhi highlighted the importance of staying true to oneself amidst societal pressures and labels.

India's space sector has achieved a significant milestone as Azista Space successfully imaged the International Space Station from its own satellite. This groundbreaking «space watch» capability, demonstrated by the ABA First Runner satellite, marks a first for any Indian company. The feat enhances India's space situational awareness, crucial for protecting national assets in orbit.

US President Trump's threat of a 25% «penalty» on Indian crude imports casts a shadow over the Nayara refinery, majority-owned by Russia's Rosneft. This situation fuels speculation about a change in ownership, as prospective buyers may be deterred by US sanctions.

Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan stated that the India-US interim trade deal will empower farmers, with key agricultural products like major grains, fruits, and dairy remaining secure from US imports. He asserted that the agreement protects farmers' interests and will boost Indian exports, particularly in textiles.

India's electronics manufacturing has surged six-fold in production and eight-fold in exports over 11 years, making it the world's second-largest mobile phone maker. Driven by the production-linked incentive scheme, mobile production alone saw a more than 100-fold export increase, transforming India into a net exporter.

CPM and CPI(ML) Liberation have strongly criticized the Indo-US trade deal, alleging the BJP government has made significant concessions detrimental to India's economy, agriculture, and national sovereignty. Both parties demand the deal's details be made public and presented to Parliament, urging the government to halt any agreement harmful to Indian workers and farmers.

In a groundbreaking collaboration, India and Canada are setting new standards for national security and law enforcement by introducing a cooperative work plan and appointing liaison officers. This strategic alliance is designed to combat shared threats such as drug trafficking and organized crime, highlighting a pivotal moment in repairing diplomatic ties.

Highway builders are urging Prime Minister Modi to revisit tight construction deadlines for major PPP projects, citing execution challenges and the risk of prolonged court battles due to restricted arbitration. The National Highways Builders Federation warns that current dispute resolution changes could hinder project completion and encourage litigation over actual construction, impacting the PPP highway program's goals.

A young BJP legislator, Devyani Singh Rana, earned cross-party praise for her focused budget speech in the J&K Assembly. She highlighted critical issues like electricity shortages, climate vulnerabilities, and under-spending in education and disaster management, urging for stronger measures. Her pragmatic approach to budgetary concerns resonated with members from all parties.

Addressing a press conference ahead of the assembly elections, Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma claimed that Gogoi had undertaken a “very confidential visit” to Pakistan in December 2013 and was believed to have undergone “some kind of training” during his 10-day stay. “He stayed there for 10 days. Strangely, Gogoi was digitally silent and no social media post was made. We suspect he went through some kind of training in that period,” the chief minister said.

Bundelkhand's long struggle with water scarcity has ended as tap water now reaches homes, a dream realized for millions. Women no longer trek miles, and villages once defined by drought now boast flowing water. This transformation, driven by the Jal Jeevan Mission, brings hope and a better future to the region.