India's fertilizer supply faces potential disruptions for the upcoming kharif season if the Strait of Hormuz blockade persists. While current stocks are healthy, reduced LNG imports for urea production could impact output. Rising global prices due to shipping route blockades may also increase government subsidy expenses.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney lauded Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's dedication to citizen welfare. Carney highlighted Modi's focus on direct delivery of programs to ordinary Indians. He also noted Modi's relentless work ethic, stating he has not taken a day off in 25 years. Carney's remarks followed recent meetings aimed at strengthening bilateral ties.

Nitish Kumar exits Bihar CM post after two decades, sparking political upheaval. Known for his strategic alliances and ideological shifts, Kumar carved a unique niche as an OBC leader focusing on «Mandal-plus» policies and women's welfare. His political maneuvering, including caste-based strategies and welfarism, sustained his dominance for years.

Bihar's ruling party, JDU, anticipates Nishant Kumar's political debut as his father, Nitish Kumar, prepares to step down. This move aims to reassure party workers and maintain the JDU's traditional support base, particularly among the Kurmi community. Nishant, an engineering graduate, is reportedly being considered for a Deputy Chief Minister role, signaling continuity as Nitish shifts to the Rajya Sabha.

The Supreme Court has taken the unprecedented step of transferring three petitions from the Allahabad High Court to itself, citing a six-year delay in delivering a verdict on a 1994 criminal case. This intervention, aimed at ensuring speedy justice, highlights concerns over the High Court's prolonged inaction, which has also kept the trial stayed.

Rajya Sabha nominations have set the stage for political contests in Bihar and Odisha, with new alignments tested. While Maharashtra's NCP factions remain divided, the BJP-led NDA is strategically nominating diverse candidates to broaden its social coalition.

Nitish Kumar filed for Rajya Sabha, signaling a potential end to his Bihar CM tenure despite family and party objections. His move, supported by Amit Shah, has sparked unrest within JD(U), with workers protesting. Discussions within NDA are underway for a successor, possibly a Dalit leader or JD(U) deputy CM, as RJD criticizes the political maneuvering.

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri signed a condolence book at the Iranian embassy following the killing of Iran's supreme leader, amid criticism over India's initial silence. This move follows a telephonic conversation between External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and his Iranian counterpart, with a potential high-level meeting scheduled.

Prime Minister Modi held discussions with French President Macron, emphasizing a return to dialogue and diplomacy for the West Asia region. Both leaders committed to close engagement and coordinated efforts to restore peace and stability. Concurrently, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar engaged with his counterparts from Saudi Arabia and Oman, underscoring India's active diplomatic outreach.

A significant reshuffling of governors and Lieutenant governors across several states and Union Territories, including Delhi, Ladakh, and West Bengal, was announced by Rashtrapati Bhavan. Key appointments include Taranjit Singh Sandhu as Delhi's new LG and Vinai Kumar Saxena moving to Ladakh. Several other states like Telangana, Maharashtra, Bihar, Himachal Pradesh, and Nagaland also saw new gubernatorial assignments.

Defence electronics major Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) has partnered with space technology startup Bellatrix Aerospace to jointly develop and manufacture satellite systems, focusing on the emerging very low Earth orbit (VLEO) regime. This collaboration aims to combine BEL's electronics expertise with Bellatrix's propulsion technology to create next-generation satellite platforms for both strategic and civilian space missions.

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar filed his Rajya Sabha nomination today, accompanied by Union Home Minister Amit Shah. This move follows his decision to step down and head to Parliament, fulfilling a long-held aspiration. The transition, occurring after a recent election victory, signals a potential shift in Bihar's leadership within the NDA.

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is stepping down after leading the NDA to a significant victory, opting to move to the Rajya Sabha. This marks a major political shift for the veteran leader, opening the door for the BJP to potentially appoint its own chief minister in the state.

An Indian national returning from Dubai described scenes of panic, missile alerts, and sleepless nights as regional tensions escalated. Saumya Khandelwal recounted witnessing missile activity and emergency alarms, forcing her to seek shelter in a hotel basement. Despite the fear, she highlighted the cooperation of authorities and locals in Dubai, and the support from the Indian Embassy.

To File Nomination In Patna Today In Shah's Presence

Airlines are intensifying evacuation efforts with special flights as Middle East air travel disruptions continue for the fourth day. Indian carriers planned 58 flights on Wednesday, with IndiGo and Air India increasing capacity on long-haul routes. Airports in Dubai and Abu Dhabi are handling limited repatriation flights, while services in Bahrain, Doha, and Kuwait remain suspended.

A 16th-century bronze statue of Saint Tirumankai Alvar, taken from a Tamil Nadu temple, is returning to India from the UK. Acquired by the Ashmolean Museum in 1967, its provenance became questionable after a 2019 discovery. Following an investigation and a formal claim by India, the museum has agreed to its repatriation, highlighting a commitment to ethical collections.

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.