The Indian government has launched the PM Vidyalakshmi Scheme to provide collateral-free education loans up to Rs 10 lakh to students from families earning below Rs 8 lakh annually. The scheme aims to benefit 22 lakh students annually, simplifying access to higher education at top-ranked institutions.
The Indian government approved a Rs 10,700 crore equity infusion into the Food Corporation of India (FCI) to cover working capital needs. This move aims to reduce FCI's interest burden by around Rs 800 crore annually, ultimately cutting down government subsidies while supporting farmers and strengthening the agricultural sector.
At a UN meeting, Congress MP Rajeev Shukla criticized Pakistan for raising the Kashmir issue, calling it a campaign of misinformation. Shukla highlighted the high voter turnout in recent J&K elections as proof of the region's democratic functioning and urged Pakistan to engage constructively with the UN.
Former US President Donald Trump's potential return to office in 2025 has sparked concerns about renewed trade tensions between the US and India. Trump, known for his protectionist stance, has previously imposed tariffs on Indian goods and criticized India's trade practices. Experts believe Trump's focus will likely be on China, but India could also face pressure to reduce tariffs and renegotiate trade deals.
India's Congress party congratulated Donald Trump on winning the US presidential election. Party leader Mallikarjun Kharge expressed hope for collaboration between the two nations to advance global peace and prosperity. Rahul Gandhi, also congratulated Trump on his second term as US President.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Wednesday dissolved the entire Himachal Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC), including district and block units. This move aims to restructure the state unit following factionalism and internal discord evident in the recent Rajya Sabha elections. Pratibha Singh, the outgoing PCC president, has joined the Congress Working Committee.
The Supreme Court of India has rejected a plea to reconduct the NEET-UG 2024 examination. The court upheld its previous decision, stating that there was insufficient evidence of widespread malpractice. However, the court expressed concerns about the National Testing Agency's (NTA) conduct of the exam and expanded the scope of a committee to review the NTA's functioning.
Rahul Gandhi's red-covered copy of the Indian Constitution sparked controversy in Maharashtra, with the BJP questioning its symbolism. The Congress defended the choice, stating red's auspicious significance in Hinduism and accusing the BJP of attempting to defame Gandhi and stifle dissent.
India will launch the European Union's Proba-3 spacecraft from Sriharikota in December, marking another milestone in their space cooperation. This mission, involving two satellites, will study the Sun's corona with unprecedented detail.
The Supreme Court deemed the Uttar Pradesh government's demolition of homes for road widening illegal. Calling the actions «high-handed,» the court mandated Rs 25 lakh compensation per affected family and a probe into the officials involved. The court emphasized the necessity of due process, including proper notice and response time for residents facing eviction.
Hopes dwindled in Kamala Harris' ancestral village in India as Donald Trump edged closer to victory in the US presidential election. Villagers, who had planned grand celebrations, expressed disappointment while accepting the results. Meanwhile, Trump addressed his supporters, promising to «heal» the country.
India condemned Pakistan at the United Nations for raising the Kashmir issue, calling it «disinformation.» India highlighted the successful elections in Jammu and Kashmir as proof of the region's democratic process and urged Pakistan to engage constructively instead of pushing a divisive agenda.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami inaugurated 'Uttarakhand Niwas,' a new state guest house in New Delhi, designed in the traditional Pahari style. The guest house aims to provide a homely experience for visitors from Uttarakhand and promote the state's culture, cuisine, and local products, including 'Shri Anna' and items from the 'House of Himalayas' brand.
Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Chairman S Somanath urged major industries to invest in space infrastructure and manufacturing, emphasizing the need to build leading space companies in India. He highlighted India's lag in manufacturing space hardware and called for investments to achieve the vision of becoming a leader in space innovation.
During an event in Canberra, India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar stated that the United States is anticipated to embrace a more inward-looking approach, regardless of who wins the upcoming presidential election. He highlighted a growing trend of the US becoming more cautious about its global commitments, suggesting this pattern will likely persist.
India's Parliament is gearing up for a potentially turbulent winter session, scheduled from November 25th to December 20th, with contentious bills like the Waqf (Amendment) Bill and a 'one nation, one election' legislation on the agenda. The session coincides with the 75th anniversary of India's Constitution.
The Waqf Board's claim on the historic Bidar Fort, a protected monument under ASI custody for over 70 years, has shocked officials. A 2005 notification listed the fort as Waqf property, despite its protected status since 1951. The Board also claims two Bidar villages, raising concerns among farmers and prompting calls for clarification.
Hindu saints in Prayagraj have voiced their support for the Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad's proposal to ban non-Hindu vendors from the Maha Kumbh mela area. They argue that the event is deeply rooted in Hindu traditions and allowing non-believers to profit from it is inappropriate. The saints threatened to boycott the event if their demands are not met.
The Dawoodi Bohra community, in a deposition before a parliamentary committee, argued against being included under the purview of any waqf board, including the separate board proposed for Bohras and Agakhanis in the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024. Citing their unique structure and beliefs, the community asserted that their affairs do not necessitate external regulation.
Karnataka's Excise Minister RB Timmapur is facing accusations of demanding a ₹16 crore bribe from excise officials. The Karnataka Wine Merchants' Association alleges widespread bribery and money laundering within the minister's office, prompting calls for his resignation. Timmapur denies the allegations, calling them baseless and politically motivated.
India's Supreme Court has upheld Article 31C of the Constitution, which grants legal protection to laws enacted to fulfill Directive Principles of State Policy. This decision reaffirms a portion of the landmark Kesavananda Bharati case judgment while acknowledging the limitations imposed by the Minerva Mills ruling on the article's scope.
Justice Hrishikesh Roy playfully remarked on the Supreme Court's recent judgments, complimenting Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud's extensive contributions to the court's 'intellectual resources' while also lightheartedly requesting contributions from other benches in the CJI's remaining days in office.
Justice B V Nagarathna disagreed with Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud's criticism of the Justice Krishna Iyer Doctrine, calling it unwarranted. Both Nagarathna and Justice Dhulia defended the doctrine's humanist principles and its relevance to India's socio-economic context at the time.
The Supreme Court ruled that private property cannot be broadly categorized as community resources under Article 39(b) of the Constitution. This overturns a 46-year-old socialist interpretation, asserting that while the state can distribute resources for common good, it must be determined on a case-by-case basis and should not assume all private assets are inherently community-owned.
The Supreme Court ruled against extending the concept of 'material resources' to private assets, reigniting the debate on wealth redistribution sparked during the Lok Sabha elections. The Congress party had proposed equitable distribution of assets based on caste, drawing criticism from the BJP, who labeled it as vote bank politics.
Students from M.D. University's Institute of Hotel and Tourism Management (IHTM) won two awards at the national AMRUT – AICTE Millet Recipe Unleashing Talent Grand Finale. The team received Rs 1 lakh for their Kodo Millet Salad and another Rs 1 lakh for their Bajra Churma.
A new well-being survey at IIT Madras revealed that one-third of freshmen require mental health support. The survey, conducted to address suicides and self-harm incidents, found loneliness and past trauma as significant challenges. The institute is implementing stress management programs, reducing course load, and introducing mandatory recreational courses to support student well-being.
Veteran Indian folk singer Sharda Sinha, renowned for her contributions to Bhojpuri, Maithili, and Hindi music, passed away at 72. Prime Minister Modi and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar led tributes, remembering her iconic voice, especially her renditions associated with the Chhath Puja festival.
In the Jammu and Kashmir assembly, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah praised former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's vision for the region, suggesting that the 2019 abrogation of Article 370 might have been avoided had Vajpayee's roadmap been followed. Abdullah lamented the current state of affairs, emphasizing the importance of Vajpayee's slogan of «Democracy, Kashmiri ethos, and humanity.»
Two terrorists were killed in a clash with security forces in Bandipora, Kashmir, amidst a surge in violence following the establishment of a new government. The Lieutenant Governor vowed to crush terrorism, warning that those harboring terrorists would face severe consequences, including home demolitions. He attributed the recent unrest to Pakistan's attempts to disrupt peace and emphasized the need for public support in combating terrorism.
Jammu and Kashmir's Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha announced that houses providing shelter to terrorists will be demolished. This statement comes despite the Supreme Court's warning against such actions, stating that mere accusation or conviction doesn't justify demolition. Sinha defended the move as a demand for justice and urged citizens to identify those aiding terrorists.