India's first Bullet Train project, the Ahmedabad-Mumbai High Speed Rail Corridor, has seen its cost surge by 83% to Rs 1.98 lakh crore due to a four-year delay. The first leg between Surat and Bilimora is slated for August 2027, with the entire 508-km route expected by December 2029.

Indian students who began medical studies abroad before November 18, 2021, will be subject to older screening test rules, allowing them to practice in India via the FMGE. This exemption, however, mandates an additional year of internship in Indian hospitals for these students.

India has significantly enhanced patient safety by implementing uniform pharmacopoeial standards for blood components used in transfusions for the first time. This move, alongside stricter quality specifications for essential medicines like those for tuberculosis, diabetes, and cancer, aims to curb risks from unsafe blood products and substandard drugs nationwide.

India is set to construct its first twin-tube underwater tunnel across the Brahmaputra River in Assam, connecting Gohpur and Numaligarh. This 15.8km project will feature one tube for a single rail track and the other for vehicles, significantly reducing travel time and boosting connectivity to northeastern states. The Rs 18,600 crore project is expected to be completed in five years.

Pakistan has now endorsed China's claim of mediating the May 2025 India-Pakistan conflict, a move that raises eyebrows given India's stance. Islamabad's foreign office spokesperson stated Chinese leaders were in contact with both nations, contributing to de-escalation. This assertion contrasts with India's position that the conflict pause followed a request from Pakistan's DGMO, not third-party intervention.

Allahabad High Court ruled that rent authorities can hear eviction cases even without written agreements or tenant particulars. The court emphasized the Uttar Pradesh Tenancy Act's intent to prevent landlords from losing eviction rights due to documentation flaws. This decision allows for quicker resolution of tenancy disputes, even in unwritten arrangements, ensuring the law's objectives are met.

The Supreme Court has ruled that courts should generally avoid setting deadlines for investigations, as this infringes on the agency's autonomy. Timelines are only to be imposed reactively when there's clear evidence of unjustified delay or stagnation, ensuring a balance between prompt justice and the complexities of probes.

Karnataka HC ruled that a third party can challenge a Lok Adalat award via writ petition if fraud is proven by excluding a necessary party. Justice M Nagaprasanna quashed a civil court decree arising from a land partition compromise, stating that deliberate non-impleadment of claimants allows writ jurisdiction. The civil suit has been restored.

Telangana has challenged Andhra Pradesh's Polavaram-Banakacherla Link Project in the Supreme Court, arguing it unilaterally utilizes inter-state river water. Telangana claims AP's projects, disguised as flood water utilization, violate the Godavari Water Disputes Tribunal award and reduce its water share. The state seeks to halt AP's tendering and expansion works.

Trinamool Congress's Abhishek Banerjee launched the party's 2026 election campaign by highlighting alleged voter roll discrepancies. He presented individuals marked as deceased, accusing the Election Commission of targeting Bengalis and questioning the deletion of Bangladeshi names. Banerjee criticized the BJP for issuing notices to common people for SIR hearings, drawing parallels to demonetization.

The Indian government has ordered social media platform X to immediately remove all obscene, sexually explicit, and unlawful content, particularly that generated by its AI app Grok. The Ministry of Electronics and IT issued a notice citing failure to comply with IT Act rules and demanding an action report within 72 hours, warning of legal consequences for non-compliance.

Infra boost aims to bolster India’s strategic reach over Malacca Strait.

A cricketer's use of a Palestinian flag sticker on his helmet at a Jammu tournament sparked a police probe and political debate. While some condemned it as promoting separatism, others defended it as solidarity, questioning selective outrage. The JKCA disassociated itself from the private event, leaving authorities to investigate the incident's intent and implications.

Kathua Police in Jammu have attached land worth crores belonging to seven individuals residing in Pakistan. Cases under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and EIMCO Act have been registered against them. This action underscores the police's commitment to combating unlawful and anti-national activities.

Jammu and Kashmir Police have initiated action against over 100 individuals, including teenagers, for violating prohibitory orders on VPN usage. While no terror links were found, security proceedings were initiated as a preventive measure, with warnings issued to refrain from future violations. The ban was imposed citing national security threats and potential misuse to incite unrest.

Former AEC chairman Anil Kakodkar has dismissed fears of radiation from a nuclear device lost near Nanda Devi over 60 years ago. He stated the device was strong and corrosion-free, making a breach extremely unlikely. The mission, a joint India-US operation, aimed to monitor Chinese nuclear tests.

Punjab's Aam Aadmi Clinics are boosting pregnancy care, with over 10,000 free ultrasounds and 20,000 monthly check-ups for expectant mothers. This initiative aims to improve early detection and monitoring, addressing concerns over maternal health indicators. The expanded services offer crucial tests and free scans, identifying thousands of high-risk pregnancies monthly and easing the burden on larger hospitals.

Singer Zubeen Garg's family is establishing a trust in his name to champion his vision for society. The trust, to be housed on family property, will focus on nature conservation, nurturing young talent, and preserving his intellectual property. It will collaborate with existing foundations to advance social and cultural initiatives for future generations.

Maharashtra deputy CM Ajit Pawar defended the NCP's decision to field candidates with alleged criminal backgrounds, stating no one is guilty until proven. He cited allegations against himself in the irrigation scam to question premature labeling of guilt. Pawar also criticised the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation's financial decline under BJP rule, promising a probe if NCP gains power.

Madhya Pradesh chief minister Mohan Yadav announced strict action against senior civic officials following a contaminated drinking water incident in Indore's Bhagirathpura, which affected over 1,400 people and led to confirmed deaths. Two officials were suspended, and the municipal commissioner was ordered to be removed due to negligence.

An Air India pilot was found to be under the influence of alcohol by Canadian authorities before operating flight AI186 from Vancouver to Delhi on December 23. The cockpit crew member was offloaded, causing a flight delay. Air India is cooperating with local authorities and has taken the pilot off flying duties pending an investigation.

A Karnataka government study found most citizens believe elections are fair and EVMs deliver accurate results, countering Rahul Gandhi's 'vote chori' allegations. The survey, covering over 5,000 respondents, revealed strong public trust in the electoral process, with high agreement on free and fair elections and EVM reliability across all divisions, despite concerns about money's influence.

Hindu religious leaders and BJP figures have strongly criticized Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan. Their ire is directed at his IPL team, Kolkata Knight Riders, for selecting Bangladeshi cricketer Mustafizur Rahman. Congress has stepped in to defend Khan, labeling the criticism an attack on India's pluralism. The debate highlights differing views on nationalism and inclusion,

Highway commuters will soon see toll charges halved during the expansion of two-lane to four-lane stretches. Additionally, user fees on partially opened expressways will be aligned with other National Highways. These measures aim to provide relief to users facing reduced road width during construction and high toll rates on expressways.

A man accused in a 500-kg heroin smuggling case was denied temporary bail by a special NIA court. He had requested 30 days to persuade his wife against seeking a divorce. The court suggested he could contest the divorce proceedings via video conference or through family members.

A Gujarat court refused the state government's plea to withdraw a criminal case against 19 Karni Sena activists accused of vandalizing property during a 2018 protest against the film 'Padmavat'. The court cited the damage of Rs 16.4 lakh and the offense being committed for personal and community interests, not public good.