A mansion built for former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy in Visakhapatnam is facing scrutiny for its opulent design and high costs. Once intended as a camp office, the project has evolved through various stages, now sparking a debate on its usage and the ethics of public spending. The extravagance compares to Arvind Kejriwal's controversial residence renovation.

IIT Guwahati Professor D Udaya Kumar, who designed the Indian rupee symbol, distanced himself from the controversy over Tamil Nadu's decision to replace the Devanagari symbol with a Tamil letter in its budget logo. The state government's move is part of a larger language policy dispute with the central government. Kumar emphasized the autonomy of state decisions.

India has strongly rejected Pakistan's allegations of involvement in the Balochistan train hijacking, pointing out Pakistan's issues with internal terrorism. Accusations emerged after the Balochistan Liberation Army seized the Jaffar Express, resulting in 58 deaths. Afghanistan also denied Pakistan's claims, urging Islamabad to address its own security challenges.

Two forest watchers at Kanha National Park in Madhya Pradesh have been arrested under UAPA for allegedly aiding Maoists. Their detention has caused unrest among forest staff, leading to fears of being caught between insurgents and law enforcement. The arrests raise concerns about the infiltration of insurgents within wildlife sanctuaries, impacting both security and conservation efforts.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President Draupadi Murmu, Union home minister Amit Shah, and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi extended their Holi greetings, emphasizing themes of unity, harmony, progress, and prosperity. The leaders highlighted the significance of Holi in deepening bonds among citizens and celebrating India's cultural heritage, infusing joy, and bringing new enthusiasm into everyone's lives.

Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed gratitude to leaders including India's PM Modi and US President Trump for their efforts to end the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Putin agreed to a ceasefire if it leads to long-term peace, appreciating international support for peaceful resolution. PM Modi emphasized India's active role and reiterated the importance of negotiation over warfare.

The Union law ministry has instructed a district court in Ahmedabad to deliver a summons issued by the US Securities and Exchange Commission to Gautam Adani concerning alleged securities fraud and a $265 million bribery scheme. This summons requires Adani or his legal representatives to appear in the US court.

Opposition parties Congress and CPM expressed national security concerns over the recent partnerships between Airtel, Jio, and Starlink. Congress alleged that PM Modi orchestrated these deals to gain favor with US President Trump via Starlink owner Elon Musk. They questioned the implications for national security and the method of spectrum allocation, emphasizing the critical nature of telecom services for defense.

A draft referendum ballot has been proposed by the Kuki-Zo tribe in Manipur to decide on creating a Union Territory from Manipur’s hill districts, directly governed by the Centre. The Kuki-Zo Council has withdrawn an indefinite shutdown following a youth's death in a clash with security forces.

On Feb 15, New Delhi railway station sold 13,000 more general tickets than average, coinciding with a tragic crowd rush resulting in 18 deaths. Despite operating five special trains, the rush exceeded expectations. An inquiry is ongoing, and officials have been transferred. Ticket procurement practices and alternatives were also highlighted by Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw.

A parliamentary panel recommends lowering the age for Ayushman Vay Vandana Cards to 60 and suggests doubling healthcare coverage under Ayushman Bharat PM Jan Arogya Yojana to Rs 10 lakh per family. It advises proactive fund monitoring and linking fund release to states’ performance, and calls for revising package rates for hospitals to improve patient care.

Chhattisgarh has introduced a new policy focused on the surrender, relief, and rehabilitation of Maoists, victims of Naxal violence, and civilians aiding the police. The policy offers financial incentives, free education, job opportunities, and enhanced compensation for surrendered weapons. This initiative aims to accelerate the reduction of Left-wing extremism ahead of the 2026 deadline set by Home Minister Amit Shah.

The BJP criticized the TMC-led West Bengal government for allegedly banning Holi celebrations at Santiniketan, accusing CM Mamata Banerjee of appeasement politics. They urged Hindus to celebrate without fear. The state government clarified that there was no ban, but rather a request for environmental caution in protected areas. The BJP claimed the move was politically motivated.

The Centre has ordered IIM Rohtak's board to suspend or place director Dheeraj Sharma on long leave amid a financial misappropriation inquiry. Sharma has been forbidden from accessing the campus. An interim head will be appointed. The probe will examine inflated financial records and improper practices, involving over Rs 1 crore in variable pay and verify staff credentials.

Two forest watchers at Kanha National Park in Madhya Pradesh were arrested under UAPA for alleged Maoist ties, sparking fear among forest staff. Police claim they signaled Maoists about security force movements, while forest officials argue they were coerced by Maoists. Evidence suggests a deeper connection with the insurgents than initially admitted.

Kailash Nagare, a 2020 Young Farmer Award recipient, died by suicide, citing government negligence in a note he left behind. His death, attributed to unaddressed irrigation issues, led to significant unrest among farmers in his village, with demands for immediate government response. He is survived by his family.

A PMLA court in Bhubaneswar has ordered the reimbursement of Rs 332 crore to victims of the Rose Valley chit fund scam in Odisha. The Enforcement Directorate had previously attached the group's assets, now valued at Rs 450 crore, and the Calcutta High Court's Assets Disposal Committee will oversee the fund distribution.

In the case involving Kannada actor Ranya Rao, the CBI's FIR in the gold-smuggling racket has left the accused column blank, giving them flexibility in summoning individuals. The DRI suspects a coordinated syndicate between Dubai and India. The ED also raided multiple locations, including Ranya's flat, seizing documents and gadgets, pointing to high-level corruption.

Vansh Katyal, a 22-year-old from Moradabad, was arrested for fatally hitting four labourers on Rajpur Road with a speeding Mercedes. The incident occurred while Katyal was on a joyride with his 12-year-old nephew. After the accident, he abandoned the vehicle and fled to Delhi. He is now in police custody.

The Uttar Pradesh Police Recruitment and Promotion Board announced results for 60,244 constable posts, including significant representation from women and various reservation categories. This concluded the largest state police recruitment, beginning with 48 lakh applications. Following a probe and re-examination, final selections were based on written scores, document verification, and physical tests. Successful candidates will undergo medical checks and training.

J&K CM Omar Abdullah confirmed relatives' ownership of the Gulmarg hotel linked to a controversial fashion show during Ramzan, amidst political backlash. BJP accused him of ties due to models staying at Nedous Hotel. Amid inquiry, organisers apologised, citing unintentional offense, and the CM assured action if laws were broken.

A study by SKIMS Medical College in Srinagar has found that the acknowledgments in medical theses in J&K often use repetitive, copy-pasted phrases. Common expressions thanking guides and invoking divine blessings appear frequently, indicating a lack of originality. The study highlights concerns about the inventiveness and independent thinking of future doctors in their research.

Jammu and Kashmir CM Omar Abdullah has announced plans to transform Srinagar into a major tourist destination by promoting religious tourism and exploring lesser-known border spots like Gurez and Keran. With a focus on strengthening tourism infrastructure, the state has seen a rise in visitors, reaching 2.36 crore in 2024. Over 1,000 tourism projects have been completed this year.

AAP Punjab leader Neel Garg criticized Congress leaders for holding meetings in Delhi, despite accusing AAP of being Delhi-centric. He pointed out the contradiction in their actions and questioned their focus on Punjab's issues. Garg claimed AAP, under CM Bhagwant Mann, is dedicatedly working for Punjab’s development, unlike Congress's disconnected approach.

India opens mineral and rare earth elements exploration to the private sector with 13 acreages up for auction, aiming to unlock untapped resources. The new policy encourages private investment, offering incentives like cost reimbursements and long-term mining leases. Around 25 companies showed interest, and the government hopes to create a thriving mineral exploration ecosystem.

Ludhiana's deputy commissioner Jitendra Jorwal has urged officials to complete the upgrading of Civil Hospital by Sunday. Enhancements include new roads, signage, landscaping, and an RO system. Other completed works feature modern operating theatres, new departments, better sewage systems, and more. Jorwal emphasized the need for quality and timely execution of these projects.

Datta Power Infra has entered into a power purchase agreement with SJVN Ltd for a 70-MW wind power project, contributing to SJVN's goal of achieving 600 MW wind power capacity. This initiative aligns with Datta Power Infra's vision of developing a 1-gigawatt renewable energy pipeline in India, as stated by CEO Varchasvi Gagalas.

A parliamentary panel advised expanding PM-Kisan benefits to farm labourers, acknowledging their crucial role. The panel also recommended renaming the agriculture ministry to include farm labourers and addressing issues like stubble burning through financial assistance and developing markets for crop residue to ensure equitable development and sustainability in agriculture.