India is boosting its European ties, with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz set to visit New Delhi soon. This engagement follows President Putin's visit and precedes the India-EU summit. Discussions will focus on trade, technology, and sustainable development, building on existing partnerships. Germany's support for Ukraine and shared concerns over the Indo-Pacific will also be key topics.

A crucial meeting is scheduled for Wednesday afternoon, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and opposition leader in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi set to select the next Chief Information Commissioner and other Information Commissioners. The Central Information Commission has been operating with a significantly reduced staff since September, with eight commissioner posts vacant. This selection process is vital for the functioning of the CIC.

The Supreme Court has mandated all states to provide robust security for booth-level officers during voter enumeration, warning of severe action against any threats or obstructions. The court emphasized that non-cooperation with the Election Commission's work is a serious matter, extending beyond West Bengal to all states, and stressed the need for BLOs' safety to prevent anarchy.

US President Trump's threat of new rice tariffs is unlikely to significantly impact India, as exports to the US are a small fraction of global sales and already face high duties. Experts suggest this is a negotiation tactic amid ongoing trade deal talks, with India aiming to lift existing US tariffs.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah asserted in Rajya Sabha that the division of 'Vande Mataram' for appeasement politics fueled India's partition. He emphasised the song's enduring relevance in fostering cultural nationalism and driving the nation towards a developed future. Shah criticised the opposition for linking the debate to West Bengal elections, highlighting the song's historical significance during the freedom struggle.

Advocate Rakesh Kishore reported an attack at Karkardooma Court. He stated 100-150 individuals assaulted him with slippers. They cited his previous shoe-hurling incident against former CJI B R Gavai. Kishore also mentioned they accused Gavai of insulting Sanatan Dharma. A video of the incident is circulating online. Kishore's license was suspended pending inquiry.

Aviation authorities have slashed IndiGo's winter flight schedule by 10% following widespread passenger disruptions. The airline, which previously faced a 5% cut, will now operate significantly fewer flights due to internal mismanagement of crew rosters and inadequate communication. This move aims to stabilize operations and reduce cancellations, with IndiGo submitting a revised schedule soon.

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested Dr Bilal Naseer Malla for allegedly destroying evidence and harbouring a deceased accused in connection with the Red Fort car blast. This marks the eighth arrest in the case, which is being investigated as a terrorist strike linked to a Jaish-e-Mohammed module.

Prime Minister Modi declared India is in a «Reform Express» phase, prioritising citizen well-being and ease of life alongside business. He urged MPs to address ground-level issues, aiming to simplify governance by reducing bureaucratic hurdles and paperwork. The PM also voiced concern over IndiGo's flight disruptions, emphasizing that system improvements shouldn't inconvenience the public.

Rajya Sabha session on Vande Mataram's 150 years turned combative as Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge accused BJP's predecessors of working for the British. Home minister Amit Shah rejected claims of political timing, urging members to view the song's significance beyond elections.

Jake Chasan and Will Conte are MBA candidates at Stanford Graduate School of Business and former investment bankers at Goldman Sachs. They recently completed research on pharmaceutical supply chain resilience under the guidance of Stanford faculty Scott Brady (MS ‘00), Brett Jordan (MBA ‘16), and Garth Saloner (MS ‘81, PhD ‘82).

The BJP has sharply criticised Telangana CM Revanth Reddy, accusing the Congress government of failing to fulfill poll promises and resorting to authoritarianism. The party alleged arrests followed a social media poster criticising the CM's «two-year failure,» highlighting corruption and misgovernance. Congress defended its record, citing financial challenges and commitment to guarantees.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi stressed that rules must aid, not harass the public, amidst IndiGo's ongoing flight crisis. The airline's operational issues stem from new pilot rest rules, impacting thousands of passengers. Union minister Kiren Rijiju conveyed the PM's concern, emphasising passenger convenience and urging MPs to focus on public-centric reforms.

Banks and RBI informed the Supreme Court that personal hearings before declaring accounts fraudulent are unfeasible due to a surge in cases. With tens of thousands of frauds annually, the sheer volume makes individual hearings impractical, potentially hindering the fraud declaration process. The regulator emphasized operational challenges and left the decision to banks' discretion.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi accused the Congress of betraying 'Vande Mataram' under pressure from Mohammed Ali Jinnah, citing appeasement politics. He highlighted Mahatma Gandhi's praise for the song, noting its significance as a unifying force against British rule. Modi criticized the Congress's 1937 decision to limit the song's recital, linking it to the eventual division of India.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended birthday wishes to former Congress president Sonia Gandhi on her 79th birthday. The Congress party lauded her «visionary» leadership, attributing landmark rights-based laws like MGNREGA and the Right to Information to her tenure as UPA chairperson, which significantly impacted millions of lives.

Aam Aadmi Party leader Arvind Kejriwal has questioned Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta's scientific basis for claims on air pollution, particularly her assertion that AQI is a type of temperature. Gupta defended water spraying at pollution hotspots as a solution, a practice she stated was also employed by previous governments.

Amidst ongoing flight disruptions, the government is weighing the option of cutting IndiGo's flight schedule by 5%, with plans to redistribute these time slots to other carriers. IndiGo has acknowledged the issues, attributing them to recent duty requirements and changes in their winter travel timetable.

The Supreme Court has allowed an SC certificate for a minor based on her mother's caste, even though her father is non-SC. This decision, made to prevent academic hardship, raises questions about whether children should inherit caste from their mother. The court acknowledged the evolving societal norms, hinting at a potential shift in established practices.

The Supreme Court encountered its first AI misuse case where a litigant submitted a response with hundreds of fabricated legal precedents. Senior advocates highlighted the grave concern of AI-generated false case laws impacting judicial decisions. While acknowledging the error, the court proceeded to hear the case on its merits, emphasizing the need for caution.

The Jammu and Kashmir High Court has granted the administration and the Centre three months to respond to petitions challenging a ban on 25 Kashmir-related books. The ban, imposed by the home department, claims the books promote a «false narrative» and «secessionism.» A three-judge bench will hear the petitions, which argue the ban violates free speech guarantees.

A Kupwara court has denied bail to eight policemen, including a deputy SP, accused of torturing a constable for six days in February 2023. The constable's wife alleged brutal torture, including the insertion of an iron rod into his rectum. The Supreme Court had directed the CBI to register a case following the wife's plea.

A crucial parliamentary panel has raised alarming issues regarding the handling of the National Testing Agency's (NTA) exams in 2024, highlighting repeated delays, incidents of paper leaks, and various mistakes. The committee has advocated for a shift back to traditional pen-and-paper assessments, similar to those used by CBSE and UPSC.