Tension escalated at INS Kadamba Naval Base after a clash between naval personnel and residents, sparked by a minor accident involving a local fisherman and a navy employee. The incident led to a brawl and subsequent protests, resulting in the police involvement and the arrest of four naval personnel.

Cockfight organisers in Andhra Pradesh have upped the ante this Sankranti by offering high-value prizes like Mahindra Thar, Royal Enfield bullets, and home appliances. These lucrative rewards have attracted participants from major cities, aiming to enhance enthusiasm for the traditional sport while ensuring memorable experiences for contestants.

Uma Bharti commended Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath for the exceptional arrangements at the Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj. More than 40 crore people are expected over 45 days. Bharti praised the seamless facilities, enhanced security, and polite administration, highlighting the excellent management and preparations for the event, especially in cold weather.

India will not reduce troops along the LAC with China, citing a persisting standoff and the need to rebuild trust for de-escalation. Army chief Gen Dwivedi also criticized Pakistan for cross-border terrorism in J&K. The situation along the LAC is stable but sensitive, with strategic patience required to resolve the conflict.

In J&K’s Rajouri district, three siblings from Badhaal village succumbed within 24 hours to a mystery illness after consuming sweet rice at a family event. This adds to a total of 12 deaths in the village since December. Samples are being analyzed to determine the cause, while local authorities are providing medical assistance and urging the public to stay calm.

Arvind Kejriwal responded strongly to Rahul Gandhi's criticisms during a poll rally in Delhi, emphasizing their differing goals. While Rahul accused Kejriwal of failing to tackle issues like pollution and corruption, Kejriwal refrained from commenting on Rahul's remarks, focusing instead on his commitment to the country's welfare. Both parties will contest the upcoming Delhi elections separately.

RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat called the consecration of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya Bharat’s true independence. The grand ceremony was led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in January 2024. Bhagwat highlighted the significance of the event as a symbol of national pride and cultural resurgence. Champat Rai received the National Devi Ahilya Award for his role in the temple's construction.

The Ministry of External Affairs summoned Bangladesh's acting high commissioner to discuss border security issues, reinforcing India's commitment to a crime-free border. Emphasizing existing protocols and agreements, India highlighted key measures such as fencing and lighting. Bangladesh cited unequal agreements for recent border tensions, particularly over the BSF's fencing attempts in Malda, escalating concerns over infiltration.

Odisha joins the Ayushman Bharat health insurance scheme, replacing its own Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana, with promises of enhanced healthcare benefits for over 1 crore families. Prime Minister Modi and Union Minister Nadda criticize the previous BJD government for political motives hindering implementation.

Congress leader Sachin Pilot affirms the strength of the INDIA bloc, despite the Congress and AAP contesting against each other in Delhi elections. He acknowledges the alliance will adopt varied stands in certain state elections. Samajwadi Party's Akhilesh Yadav also dismisses rumors of internal conflicts.

Pandit Vishnu Rajoria of Madhya Pradesh Parshuram Kalyan Board announced a Rs 1 lakh reward for Sanadhya Brahmin couples with four children, emphasizing the need to address low birth rates among Hindus and counter the rising population of non-Hindus. The reward will be arranged through personal or community support.

Mehbooba Mufti contrasts former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee's 2003 visit to J&K with PM Modi's recent visit, highlighting the difference between a statesman and a politician. She criticizes the Modi government's decision on Article 370 and praises Vajpayee's faith in J&K leadership.

Shiv Sena UBT leader Sanjay Raut urged Congress to take the lead in maintaining the INDIA-bloc alliance, emphasizing their elder brother role. He highlighted the alliance's success in the 2024 elections but pointed out the lack of post-election meetings and communication issues.

Prime Minister Modi inaugurates the Z-Morh tunnel in Jammu and Kashmir, ensuring year-round access to the Sonamarg resort. The Rs 2,400 crore project improves connectivity in the Ladakh region, aiding defence logistics and socio-economic development. The tunnel works with the under-construction Zojila tunnel to enhance travel efficiency and road connectivity.

AAP launched a new campaign song titled “Phir Kejriwal Nu Chun Lo” celebrating Lohri and highlighting achievements in health, education, electricity, and water supply. This is in addition to their previous anthem “Fir Layenge Kejriwal.” BJP countered with two songs criticizing AAP’s expenditure and promoting their own vision for Delhi’s future ahead of the February 5 elections.

Chief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi emphasized the Indian Army's readiness along the LAC in eastern Ladakh, LOC in Pakistan, and Manipur. He highlighted operational preparedness, reconciliation efforts, and enhanced surveillance. Transformation into a self-reliant force by 2047 aligns with national development goals.

The BJP released a poster depicting Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal as the villain 'Mogambo,' accusing AAP of being anti-Purvanchal. In retaliation, AAP posted a spoof video mocking BJP. This exchange is part of their ongoing social media battle ahead of the Delhi Assembly elections on February 5.

Delhi HC rebukes AAP-led government for its delayed response to CAG's liquorgate report, pointing out significant regulatory lapses and substantial financial losses incurred between 2017 and 2021. The CAG report flagged licensing irregularities, pricing discrepancies, and compromised regulatory measures in the excise policy implementation.

Asian refiners, tanker operators, traders, and port executives are facing significant disruptions after the US imposed stricter sanctions on Russia's oil industry. China and India's refiners, major importers of discounted Russian crude, are particularly affected, with China’s teapots considering alternative mechanisms to manage the impact.

American billionaire and philanthropist Laurene Powell Jobs visited the ashram of her guru, Swami Kailashnand Giri, in Prayagraj to participate in the Maha Kumbh mela. Accompanied by her 40-member team, she will stay until January 15 before returning to the US.

Railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw launched a 'Kumbh War Room' at Rail Bhawan ahead of Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj. Operating 24x7, it features live CCTV feeds from 1,176 cameras across nine stations and multilingual announcements. With Rs 5,000 crore invested in infrastructure, 13,000 trains will ensure smooth operations. This enhances coordination between railway officials and district authorities.

Groundwater quality across India significantly varies, with states like Rajasthan, Haryana, and Andhra Pradesh facing widespread contamination from uranium, nitrate, fluoride, arsenic, and iron. Urgent concerns include health risks like fluorosis and cancer due to elevated contamination levels in several regions, exacerbated by agricultural run-off and overuse of fertilizers.

Tamil Nadu CM M K Stalin criticized Governor RN Ravi for walking out of the assembly due to the playing of the Tamil anthem instead of the national anthem. The governor claimed that Stalin disrespects the nation and constitution, while the assembly followed its tradition of starting with the Tamil anthem.

Sanyukt Kisan Morcha postponed its unity meeting with two farmer groups to Jan 13 as Jagjit Singh Dallewal's health deteriorated during his fast unto death. An elderly protester died at the site. SKM requested PM Modi to engage in dialogue with farmer organizations.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized focusing on improving infrastructure, amenities, and transportation networks in naturally growing urban zones. He suggests prioritizing vertical development over creating new cities to better manage growth and decongestion. The housing ministry aims to develop a framework for transit-oriented development while collaborating with states.

V Narayanan will become the new chairman of Isro on January 14. Rising from humble beginnings, the son of a farmer, he has been pivotal in developing cryogenic engines vital for India's Chandrayaan missions. A rocket and spacecraft propulsion expert with an M.Tech and Ph.D., Narayanan aims to elevate Isro further.

L&T chairman SN Subrahmanyan's suggestion of a 90-hour work week and mandatory Sunday work sparked a social media backlash, with netizens and corporate bosses criticizing the idea. His comments on reducing home time in favor of workplace presence stirred significant debate, highlighting the ongoing discussion around work-life balance.