Domestic flights in India were the most packed globally in 2024, with an 86.4% passenger load factor. Despite supply chain constraints and grounded aircraft due to engine issues, India recorded its highest ever domestic air travellers at 163 million. Globally, overall air travel demand and efficiency reached record levels.

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav campaigned for AAP in the upcoming Delhi elections. He urged voters to support Arvind Kejriwal's party to defeat BJP. Akhilesh's support highlights a strategy within the INDIA bloc to consolidate votes. Congress faces criticism and struggles to regain footing in Delhi, casting doubts on alliance unity.

Aam Aadmi Party accuses Bharatiya Janata Party of misusing the Election Commission and Delhi Police to defame Punjabis by conducting an unwarranted raid at Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann's Delhi residence. AAP calls out BJP for allegedly distributing money openly without repercussions.

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut claims some BJP leaders desire an alliance with Uddhav Thackeray's party, a notion CM Devendra Fadnavis dismisses. Raut mentions no discussions within Sena (UBT) on this yet. Tensions follow Shiv Sena's 2022 split, where Eknath Shinde and 39 MLAs joined BJP, causing MVA government's collapse and leading to Shinde-Fadnavis government formation.

The political rivalry between AAP and Congress in Delhi has intensified as Arvind Kejriwal and Rahul Gandhi engage in direct attacks. Accusations of corruption and alliances with the BJP are central to their dispute. This conflict could influence the cohesion and future of the opposition's INDIA bloc.

Aam Aadmi Party accused the Election Commission of targeting Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann by searching his Delhi residence, while ignoring BJP's alleged code of conduct violations. This came after BJP claimed AAP personnel brought in campaign material and potentially threatening elements from Punjab, leading to a controversial vehicle seizure near Punjab Bhavan.

Harpreet Kaur Babla of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has been elected as the new Mayor of Chandigarh, securing 19 out of 36 votes, including three from cross-voting. Her victory comes despite the alliance between the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and Congress, marking a crucial political shift.

Amit Shah accused Arvind Kejriwal of lying about the BJP poisoning the Yamuna, challenging him to provide evidence. Shah criticized AAP for broken promises and alleged scams. Meanwhile, Kejriwal must clarify his claims to the Election Commission. The political exchange intensifies as Delhi's elections approach, with accusations from both sides.

Punjab minister Harpal Singh Cheema accused Congress of «backstabbing» AAP in Chandigarh mayoral polls by secretly aligning with BJP, leading to BJP's victory. Cheema alleged that this alliance also helped Congress secure deputy and senior deputy mayor posts. He warned Delhi voters against supporting Congress, claiming any vote for them benefits BJP.

Jammu and Kashmir Congress leader Tariq Hameed Karra criticized the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) and Waqf amendment bill, calling them tools to spread hatred and divide the nation. He also expressed doubts about the upcoming union budget, fearing it won’t address issues like unemployment and inflation. Karra emphasized the importance of Gandhian values and accused the BJP of fostering division to maintain power, citing failures in economic and foreign policies.

The Supreme Court directs the Union government to form an expert committee for drafting a law to protect househelps, citing rampant abuse and a lack of legal safeguards. Past attempts to legislate these protections have failed over the last 66 years.

Arvind Kejriwal responded to the Election Commission's notice by stating that Haryana's water supplied to Delhi was highly contaminated with toxic ammonia levels. Kejriwal emphasized the severe health hazards posed by this contamination and urged for immediate institutional and government intervention.

Coca-Cola is optimistic about its future in India, a key market where local brands like Thums Up, Maaza, and Limca strengthen its portfolio. Amid intensified competition from Reliance's Campa Cola, Coca-Cola plans to bolster existing categories and explore new opportunities, particularly in urban markets with higher purchasing power.

A 56-year-old woman in Pune and two individuals in Kolkata have died from suspected Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS). The recent cases add to a cluster of 127 GBS cases identified in Maharashtra since January 9. The disease has also claimed the life of a 41-year-old man from Pune.

In 2023-24, 58% of manufacturing establishments were led by female proprietors, marking a 4 percentage point increase from the previous year, according to the Annual Survey of Unincorporated Sector Enterprises. Notably, female workers constituted 28.1% of the total workforce during the year.

India's education landscape in 2024 showed mixed progress, with marginal improvements in school attendance, but uneven digital literacy among students. There were notable disparities in attendance and smartphone access across states. The decline in underage enrolment is likely to positively impact long-term learning outcomes.

IAS officer Mannuamching takes over as DC of Pherzawl district, while Asish Das is transferred to Ukhrul district. Meanwhile, Myanaglambam Rajkumar is moved to Imphal West, and L Nandakumar Singh is the new DC of Chandel. Several SPs have also been transferred, including Rakesh Balwal to Imphal East and Shivanand Surve to Senapati.

Karnataka High Court quashed ED's action against former Mysore Urban Development Authority commissioner D S Natesha in the alternative site allotment case. The court invalidated the search operation, citing the absence of «reason to believe» and reserved liberty for Natesha to initiate action under PMLA, 2002.

Delhi's air quality significantly worsened to 'very poor' due to mist, smog, and low wind speed, leading CAQM to impose Grap-3 restrictions immediately. The AQI was recorded at 379 by 6 pm, prompting a ban on construction activities and certain diesel and petrol cars. Further deterioration is expected.

Supreme Court ruled that domicile-based reservation in PG medical courses is not allowed, stating the Constitution only recognizes domicile of India. Quota for UG courses like MBBS can have state reservations due to state expenditures. This verdict supports equality under Article 14, asserting no restriction for PG course admissions on a state domicile basis.

The Supreme Court of India has warned state governments against appointing public prosecutors based solely on political considerations. Noting a case where a grave error was not corrected by a prosecutor, the court emphasized that only capable and competent lawyers with strong reputations should be appointed to these crucial positions.

IUML's state general secretary P M A Salam stated that men and women are not equal, using the example of gender-specific categories in the Olympics. He argued that advocating for gender equality is unrealistic. Salam emphasized that IUML supports gender justice, not equality. His comments may have political repercussions for the UDF opposition.

Research on lab-produced eggs and sperm, known as in-vitro gametogenesis (IVGs), is advancing quickly, with potential for future fertility treatments. While successful in mice, it remains untested in humans. Issues such as safety, effectiveness, and ethical concerns need careful consideration, involving patient communities and public input from the early stages.

Swift intervention by central forces, police, NDRF, and seers averted disaster after a stampede at Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj. Over 3,500 BSF troopers and 20 NDRF teams ensured an organized evacuation. Seers paused their activities to facilitate rescue operations and held meetings for crisis management. Symbolic observance replaced the usual ceremonies.

A deadly stampede at Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj occurred early Wednesday, resulting in 30 deaths, mostly women. Thousands of pilgrims were caught in a sudden, uncontrollable surge. Survivors recounted chaos and insufficient police control, leading to horrific scenes of people being trampled. Many abandoned their pilgrimage after the tragedy.

Photographers Basabdatta Sarkar and Krishna Roy recount their experience at Prayagraj's Mauni Amavasya where an incident led to panic. Amid holy chants, a sudden pushback and screams marked the tragic scene at the sacred riverbank, highlighting the dangers of overcrowding during such massive gatherings.