In a significant political development, Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray reunited after two decades at a rally in Mumbai, demonstrating a united front against the perceived imposition of Hindi in Maharashtra. The Shiv Sena (UBT) and MNS chiefs criticised the state government's policies, alleging attempts to undermine Maharashtra's identity and economy.

Bihar gears up for crucial elections. Opposition strategists work to counter the ruling NDA. Owaisi's AIMIM seeks alliance with Lalu Yadav's RJD. RJD fears AIMIM could split Muslim votes. AIMIM won five seats in 2020, denting opposition prospects. RJD accuses AIMIM of being BJP's B-team. AIMIM denies the charge and prepares to contest, alliance or not.

A Delhi court has declared arms dealer Sanjay Bhandari a Fugitive Economic Offender, boosting India's efforts to extradite him from the UK. Bhandari, who fled to London in 2016, faces scrutiny from investigative agencies. The ruling poses challenges for Robert Vadra, who is under investigation for alleged links to Bhandari concerning a London property purchase.

Uddhav Thackeray criticized Eknath Shinde for chanting «Jai Gujarat» at a rally with Amit Shah, questioning his respect for Marathi culture. This occurred amidst a language row and a joint rally by Shiv Sena (UBT) and MNS against Hindi imposition. Uddhav accused the central government of moving Mumbai's establishments and businesses to Gujarat, weakening Maharashtra's economy.

Commerce minister Piyush Goyal anticipates record exports, driven by FTAs, despite global uncertainties. Investment is flowing into key sectors, with a focus on value-added and labor-intensive exports. The government is reviewing FTAs with Asean and Japan, while remaining cautious on trade relations with China, aiming for fair and balanced trade.

During Operation Sindoor, India faced a complex challenge with Pakistan, actively supported by China and Turkiye, according to a top Army officer. China provided Pakistan with real-time satellite intelligence on Indian military movements. Pakistan used Chinese weaponry, while Turkiye supplied drones. The conflict highlighted the need for improved C4ISR, air defense, and civil-military fusion.

The Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA) is embarking on a Rs 45 crore project to conserve Gandhian heritage sites in Wardha, Maharashtra. Collaborating with MGIRI, the 18-month initiative aims to restore Gandhi Smriti Bhavan, Kasturba Kitchen, and Wardha Haat.

India will only agree to a trade deal with the US if it safeguards national interests and provides a sustainable tariff advantage, according to Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal. Prioritizing farmers' interests, India aims for duty concessions in labor-intensive sectors like leather and textiles.

The CUET-UG 2025 results saw two women among the top three, with Ananya Jain leading. Despite high scores, candidates are questioning syllabus deviations, errors, and the normalisation process. While registrations increased slightly, the number of test-takers declined, and fewer universities participated amid concerns about the exam's framework. Frustration persists over discrepancies, especially in the physical education paper.

India has clarified its stance on the Dalai Lama's succession, stating it doesn't take a position on religious matters, despite a minister's personal support for the Dalai Lama's wishes. This comes as China cautioned India against interfering in Tibetan affairs, a comment later omitted from their official briefing transcript.

Hurriyat Conference chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq has urged making J&K a dry state like Gujarat, opposing the opening of more liquor shops. He argues it contradicts Islamic values and fuels addiction, especially among youth. Despite rising alcohol sales linked to increased tourism post-Article 370 abrogation, Mirwaiz insists J&K thrived as a tourist destination for centuries without promoting liquor.

The ED has seized Rs 34 crore worth of properties linked to Kannada actress Ranya Rao and associates in a gold smuggling and money laundering case. This follows searches at premises connected to Karnataka home minister G Parameshwara, after Rao claimed association with him.

Panjab University is implementing a strict anti-drug policy, requiring students to sign an undertaking to abstain from drugs, alcohol, and tobacco. Students must consent to random drug testing and face disciplinary action for violations. This initiative follows a University Grants Commission advisory and aims to create a safe, drug-free campus environment, prompted by a recent drug overdose incident.

Following the IAF's lead, the Navy is preparing its first woman fighter pilot. Sub-Lieutenant Aastha Poonia received her «Wings of Gold» after completing transitional fighter training on Hawk advanced jet trainers. She will now undergo extensive training on MiG-29K fighters, potentially becoming the first woman to operate from an aircraft carrier, marking a significant milestone for women in naval aviation.

Experts at an IIT-Delhi conference emphasized the necessity of involving urban and transport planners in highway projects within urban areas. Virendra Kumar Paul highlighted concerns about highway engineers' ability to assess detailed project reports (DPRs). SPA and IIT-Delhi proposed pilot projects to evaluate DPRs and suggested establishing a Centre of Excellence for crash investigation.

Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha inaugurated the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board’s Yatri Niwas Complex in Baltal, reporting that over 20,000 devotees have already completed the pilgrimage. The third group of 6,411 pilgrims departed from Jammu for the Himalayan shrine as the Yatra proceeds smoothly along both Pahalgam and Baltal routes under tight security.

Security forces in Jammu and Kashmir's Kishtwar district have been engaged in a joint anti-terror operation for three days in the Kuchal-Chatroo forested area. The operation, initiated based on intelligence inputs, aims to locate two to three Jaish-e-Mohammad terrorists believed to be trapped. Additional resources have been deployed to assist in the ongoing search amid challenging weather and terrain.

The road transport ministry has announced a new rule that could reduce toll rates by up to 50% for bridges, tunnels, flyovers, and elevated sections on National Highways. This move aims to provide relief to commercial and heavy vehicles, particularly on tolled sections with numerous structures.

Sonia Gandhi criticized the Enforcement Directorate's money laundering case related to the National Herald as «truly a strange case.» Her lawyer, Abhishek Manu Singhvi, argued the case lacked substance, highlighting the absence of property involved. The ED alleges Sonia and Rahul Gandhi laundered money through a fraudulent takeover of Associated Journals Ltd's assets.

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge has strongly criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi's foreign policy, alleging strained relations with neighboring countries like Nepal, alongside China and Pakistan. Speaking in Hyderabad, Kharge accused Modi of neglecting domestic issues, citing his numerous foreign visits while Manipur faces unrest. He challenged the BJP's stance on secularism and socialism, questioning their presence in the party's constitution.

A BJP feud surfaces in flood-hit Himachal Pradesh as MP Kangana Ranaut claims Jairam Thakur advised her to delay visiting Mandi due to connectivity issues, contradicting his earlier criticism of her absence. Chief Minister Sukhu seized on the apparent discord between the two leaders. The state government announced relief measures for affected families, including rental assistance and food supplies.

The government has introduced Unified Waqf Management Empowerment Efficiency and Development Rules 2025, mandating the upload of waqf property details onto the Central Waqf Portal within six months. Mutawallis must provide comprehensive information, with penalties for delays. State governments are required to publish and upload lists of 'auqaf' within 90 days.

An Air India pilot fell ill before a Bengaluru-Delhi flight, causing a delay as another pilot took over. The pilot is now stable and under observation. This incident follows a recent fatal crash in Ahmedabad and other operational challenges for the airline, including flight cancellations and a stall warning on a Delhi-Vienna flight.

Narendra Modi visited Trinidad and Tobago. He addressed the Parliament and spoke about the strong ties between India and Trinidad. He received the country's highest civilian honor. President Christine Kangaloo praised Modi's kindness. Modi also highlighted the shared love for cricket. His visit is part of a five-nation tour. He will also attend the BRICS Summit in Brazil.

A techie in Pune was raped by an individual impersonating a courier delivery person, leading to an arrest. The Allahabad HC dismissed a plea challenging the Shahi Eidgah's structure. Delhi witnessed a gruesome double murder in Lajpat Nagar. Operation Sindoor revealed China sharing real-time data on India's assets with Pakistan.

The flood situation in Assam has worsened, with the Dhansiri and Dikhow rivers exceeding danger levels and classified under the «severe flood» category. Six more sites in Assam are under the 'above normal flood' category, with rising water levels. Across India, 14 sites are experiencing severe flooding, and reservoir inflows are being closely monitored.

In popular culture, Swami Vivekananda is oft-remembered for another maxim which is widely misquoted, misused and misunderstood: “You will be nearer to heaven through football than through the study of the Gita.” It sounds like Swami Vivekananda Diego over dharma, but those who read that line and stop there prove precisely why he said it in the first place. It is as misunderstood as Karl Marx’s “religion is the opium of the masses,” which, as Kurt Vonnegut pointed out, for its time and place was like saying religion is like aspirin. It just gave people a little peace in troubled times.

During a Uttar Pradesh temple case hearing, the Supreme Court bench, led by Justice M M Sundresh, firmly told a lawyer not to see God in them but in justice. This came after the lawyer sought discharge due to their client's uncooperative behavior and serious allegations against judges, prompting the court to grant the request.

India has refrained from commenting on the selection process for the next Dalai Lama, emphasising its commitment to religious freedom. This stance follows the current Dalai Lama's declaration that his successor will be chosen by the Gaden Phodrang Trust, a statement perceived as a challenge to China's claim to appoint the next spiritual leader.