Former Union finance minister P Chidambaram criticized the Union Budget presented by Nirmala Sitharaman, claiming it targets the middle class and Bihar voters ahead of upcoming state elections. He argued the government lacks new ideas and is unwilling to deregulate or empower entrepreneurs, predicting only 6-6.5% growth.

Opposition parties criticized the Union Budget as a disappointment, especially for states not ruled by the NDA. Congress accused the government of lacking new ideas, while leaders from TMC, DMK, and RJD expressed concerns over the Budget's focus on Bihar and neglect of states like West Bengal and Jharkhand. The middle class also felt let down.

India's government plans to boost agriculture growth through multiple schemes, including a special program in 100 low-productivity districts, and a six-year mission for self-reliance in pulses. The Kisan Credit Card loan limit increases to Rs 5 lakh and new initiatives involve promoting fruits, vegetables, millets, and high-yielding seeds, along with a comprehensive 'Rural Prosperity and Resilience' program.

The government announced the establishment of a National Manufacturing Mission to further promote the Make in India initiative. The mission will focus on ease of doing business, workforce readiness, MSME sector, technology availability, and product quality. Sectors will be identified based on objective criteria, and facilitation groups will be formed for select products and supply chains.

Opposition leaders criticized the Union Budget presented by finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman for not addressing the middle class and small business owners. The budget favored corporate loans over relief for common citizens, with significant allocations to Bihar ahead of upcoming elections, while neglecting states like West Bengal.

BSP President Mayawati criticizes the Union Budget 2025 for prioritizing politics over resolving real issues like inflation, poverty, and unemployment. Congress MP Jairam Ramesh also expresses concerns over ignored proposals and bias towards Bihar, leading to opposition MPs staging a walkout in protest.

India’s military modernization continues with a modest budget hike of 9.5%, bringing the overall defence budget to Rs 6.8 lakh crore. The capital outlay of Rs 1.8 lakh crore for modernization faces challenges due to major operational shortfalls and unspent funds. Significant investments are planned for indigenous and international defence procurement.

Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman wore a handcrafted Madhubani saree by Padma Shri awardee Dulari Devi on Budget Day. The saree, which took a month to craft, was a gift from Devi during Sitharaman's visit to the Mithila Art Institute. Devi expressed her joy at this honor.

In the Union Budget, finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced several initiatives for Bihar, including the establishment of a Makhana Board, four greenfield airports, and a National Institute Food Technology Entrepreneurship and Management. Additionally, support for the Western Kosi Canal project and expanded facilities at IIT Patna were also announced.

On the final day of his official visit to Tibetan settlements in West Bengal, Sikyong Penpa Tsering, the President of the Tibetan Government-in-Exile, visited various Tibetan monasteries, addressing the oppressive policies of China.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman's eighth Union Budget for 2025-26 included significant announcements for Bihar ahead of elections, sparking criticisms of political bias. Opposition leaders also pointed out the neglect of Andhra Pradesh and accused the government of ignoring vital welfare policies. Measures include new airports in Bihar, increased FDI in insurance, and initiatives for the marine sector.

​​Gurajada Appa Rao (1862–1915) was a prominent Indian playwright, poet, and social reformer, best known for his contributions to Telugu literature. Born in Rayavaram village in the Vizianagaram district of present-day Andhra Pradesh, Appa Rao grew up in a period marked by social transformation influenced by British colonial rule and the Indian Renaissance. His literary works and reformist ideas left a lasting impact on Telugu culture, making him a revered figure in the annals of Indian literature.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has imposed a penalty of Rs 30 lakh on Air India for allowing a first officer to operate a flight without meeting mandatory recency requirements. The sanctions were due to failures in the airline's rostering system, and three senior officials are to face disciplinary actions.

The Supreme Court is planning to engage with district judges on strategies to reduce the backlog of 4.6 crore cases in the district judiciary. Sessions will focus on streamlining case management, enhancing the use of technology, and improving human resource utilization.

Sudarsan Pattnaik has created a sand sculpture on Puri beach to welcome the Union Budget 2025, ahead of its presentation by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. The budget is highly anticipated, with expectations for measures on economic growth, tax relief, and support for key industries.

Mukhtar Ansari’s son, Abbas Ansari, has requested the Supreme Court to permit virtual trial attendance, fearing a fake encounter if transported physically by police. The Supreme Court advised seeking the request from the trial court or High Court and asked UP government to respond to his bail plea in two weeks.

Justice Hrishikesh Roy retired with high praise from peers, including CJI Sanjiv Khanna, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, and SCBA president Kapil Sibal. Known for his legal acumen and humor in court, Roy was a respected mentor for junior advocates. Appointed to the Supreme Court in 2019, his journey in law began in 1982.

Rashtrapati Bhavan condemned Sonia Gandhi's comments about President Murmu's address, describing them as in poor taste and avoidable. PM Modi and BJP leaders criticized Sonia for disrespecting the first tribal President, with Priyanka Gandhi coming to her mother's defense.

A Delhi court directed the registration of an FIR against the former SHO of Jyoti Nagar police station for allegedly committing hate crimes during the 2020 Delhi riots. The court also advised the complainant to seek action against BJP's Kapil Mishra for his involvement in the incident.

Witnesses cited by various media outlets reported several injuries following a supposed rerun of Wednesday's Akhara Marg stampede at 6am, as pilgrims moved en masse towards the ghats. Some accounts suggested 'six to seven casualties.' DIG (Maha Kumbh) Vaishnav Krishna stated Mela police will investigate, reviewing CCTV footage despite no initial information about the incident.

Ten pilgrims returning from the Maha Kumbh were killed in two separate road accidents in Uttar Pradesh on Friday. Eight were crushed under a truck in Ghazipur and two died after a car crash in Sitapur. Several others were injured, and UP's chief minister expressed condolences and called for optimal treatment for the injured.

The Supreme Court has agreed with a PIL petitioner that VIP darshan facilities at temples and religious places should be eliminated to ensure equal access for all devotees. Despite acknowledging the issue, the court stated it couldn't direct states to create a standard procedure under Article 32 of the Constitution, leaving policy decisions to the states.

PM Modi sought special blessings from Goddess Lakshmi for the middle class and poor during the Budget session. This gesture, emphasized by President Murmu, hints at potential tax reliefs and increased welfare measures to fulfill the aspirations and boost the consumption of the middle class.

Despite summons, Baba Ramdev and Acharya Balkrishna have not appeared in court for misleading advertisements. Multiple cases were filed against them, with bailable warrants issued, yet they remained absent. The Supreme Court warns states of contempt for not acting against such ads under the Drugs and Magic Remedies Act, 1956.

The Election Commission of India held a special meeting with Aam Aadmi Party chief Arvind Kejriwal regarding his allegations of water poisoning by the BJP-led Haryana government. Kejriwal was asked to provide evidence to support his claims about the deliberate contamination of the Yamuna River, which could lead to mass casualties in Delhi.