NHAI will implement a variable UPI payment system at toll plazas to eliminate cash transactions and ensure accurate fee collection. The trial has begun at Kherki Dhaula toll plaza in Haryana and will expand nationwide. This system aims to enhance convenience, reduce transaction time, and prevent fraud, addressing issues of unauthorized fund transfer via parallel software.

Aam Aadmi Party leader Atishi announced the party's decision to contest the 2027 Goa assembly elections independently, along with the upcoming Zilla Parishad and municipal elections. In the 2024 General Elections, BJP and INC each won a parliamentary seat, while BJP led the 2022 Goa Legislative Assembly elections with 20 seats and the highest vote share of 33.31%.

Prashant Kishor slammed Acharya Dhirendra Shastri for advocating India as a 'Hindu Rashtra,' stating the Constitution's principles govern the country. He criticized BJP leaders supporting this stance and emphasized the importance of secularism and adherence to constitutional values.

Railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw informed Rajya Sabha that around 80 passenger trains will be kept on standby at 60 stations during festive occasions to manage crowd surges. A strict ticketing policy will be enforced. He also mentioned various measures to prevent train accidents and highlighted a commitment to modernizing railway operations, rejecting allegations of misconduct regarding recent incidents.

Nearly 300 Indians returned home via Thailand after being rescued from scam centers in Myanmar. A crackdown, mainly targeting Chinese-run fraud hubs, has led to the release of 7,000 workers. India deployed a C-17 aircraft for repatriation, with more to follow. These scam centers exploit foreign workers for online fraud. While India welcomed its citizens, China treated its repatriated nationals as criminal suspects.

Tibetan protesters in New Delhi clashed with police as they marked the 66th anniversary of their uprising against China. Demonstrators in Dharamshala and New Delhi protested with anti-China slogans and Tibetan flags. The exiled Tibetan government accused China of denying human rights and erasing Tibetan identity. The Dalai Lama advocates for substantial autonomy and protection of Tibetan culture.

A fashion show by Shivan & Narresh in Gulmarg during Ramzan has caused outrage in Jammu and Kashmir, with criticism over its timing and content. The designers apologized, acknowledging the hurt caused. Leaders like Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Omar Abdullah condemned the event, and an inquiry was ordered to investigate the incident further.

Opposition leaders including Rahul Gandhi and TMC's Saugata Roy have called for a discussion on alleged voter list discrepancies, citing irregularities in states like Maharashtra, Haryana, and West Bengal. Accusations include fake entries and identical EPIC numbers. The Election Commission clarified that identical numbers are due to past manual mechanisms and do not indicate duplicate voters.

Mark Carney, set to become Canada's next Prime Minister, aims to strengthen trade relations with India. Winning 85.9% of the Liberal Party vote, Carney emphasizes diversifying trade ties and values-based commercial relationships. His expertise in India's economy through Brookfield Asset Management bodes well for enhancing Canada-India economic and strategic connections.

Political parties have historically had a complicated relationship with CAG reports, intensifying around elections. The reports have been used both as ammunition by the opposition and concealed by ruling parties. Key examples include the 2G and coal block 'scams' which led to UPA's downfall.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin criticized Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan for calling the Tamil Nadu government «dishonest» and «ruining» students' futures. Stalin reiterated his refusal to implement the National Education Policy, accusing Pradhan of arrogance and challenging the Centre's stance on educational funding.

A fashion show during Ramzan in Gulmarg has led to political uproar, with BJP accusing J&K CM Omar Abdullah of involvement, which he denies. Mehbooba Mufti and religious leaders condemn the event as against Kashmiri values, prompting a promised government inquiry.

Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera also challenged the raids, stating the BJP was attempting to deflect attention from concerns including reciprocal tariffs, economic decline, and alleged voter list irregularities.

Maharashtra's CM Devendra Fadnavis expressed support for removing Mughal king Aurangzeb's tomb but highlighted legal constraints due to its protected status by the Archaeological Survey of India. This issue emerged after BJP's Udayanraje Bhosale, a Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj descendent, advocated for its removal. The controversy was further fueled by Samajwadi Party MLA Abu Asim Azmi's praise of Aurangzeb.

The directorate general of health services (DGHS) has called on the IPL chairperson to regulate promotions for tobacco and alcohol during the upcoming IPL season starting 22nd March 2025.

BJP mocks Congress after India's Champions Trophy victory, targeting Shama Mohamed for her past remarks about Rohit Sharma's fitness. The ruling party celebrates Sharma's achievements, highlighting recent wins under his captaincy, while urging respect for athletes and condemning political interference in sports.

Uddhav Thackeray criticized the BJP for creating societal division, urging his followers to counter 'Jai Shri Ram' with 'Jai Shivaji' and 'Jai Bhavani'. He questioned BJP's stance on patriotism and announced his intention to challenge its impact on society. Thackeray also addressed policy continuity and infrastructure project decisions.

The Codava National Council has urged the central and Karnataka home ministers to ensure the safety of actress Rashmika Mandanna following intimidation by Congress MLA Ravi Kumar Gowda. The council condemned the MLA's actions and stressed that Rashmika has the right to personal choices without coercion.

Jammu and Kashmir CM Omar Abdullah called for a report on a controversial Gulmarg fashion show held during Ramzan, citing disregard for local sensitivities. The event faced backlash from religious leaders and activists, who labeled it obscene. Elle India removed related content from Instagram, and the show organizers apologized for any unintended discomfort.

An Air India flight from Chicago to Delhi returned to Chicago after over ten hours due to technical issues, specifically non-functional toilets. Passenger accommodations were provided, and the airline offered full refunds and free rescheduling options.

Vanuatu Prime Minister Jotham Napat has ordered the cancellation of Lalit Modi's Vanuatu passport after discovering his intention to avoid extradition. This decision followed reports that Interpol had twice rejected India's request for an alert notice due to lack of judicial evidence, which would have automatically disqualified Modi's citizenship application.

The budget session of Parliament resumes with several controversies simmering, including Trump's tariff comments, duplicate voter ID cards, and the three-language policy. Parliament will discuss the ongoing violence in Manipur and the Waqf amendment bill, with the government seeking approval for President’s rule in Manipur. The state’s budget is also up for discussion.

Indian drug companies are set to revolutionize diabetes treatment with affordable generic versions of Empagliflozin, following the expiry of its patent. Estimated to significantly cut costs and improve access for over 10 crore diabetics, Mankind Pharma and others will offer the drug at a fraction of its original cost, easing financial burdens and enhancing heart and kidney health.

The Ethics and Medical Registration Board rejected a patient's appeal in February 2023, despite the National Medical Commission agreeing to consider such appeals in September 2022. The EMRB's decision was questioned since the board is vacant. The rejection appears to be a copy of a previous denial from 2022, raising concerns about the decision-making process.

On December 6, students at Hameeri Kalan Senior Secondary School in Jhunjhunu, Rajasthan, celebrated as real-time technology from Digi Vritti enabled them to receive scholarships instantly. This pilot initiative by Piramal Foundation aims to transform the scholarship system, reducing delays and ensuring transparent disbursements, thereby helping deserving students access education funds swiftly.

A Rajasthan police constable, Bhagaram, has been arrested for allegedly raping a 27-year-old pregnant woman in a Jaipur hotel while her three-year-old son was in the room. He had enticed her by claiming to take her statement about her husband’s dispute, threatening her with her husband’s imprisonment if she resisted.