India is gearing up for the Vice Presidential election, pitting NDA's CP Radhakrishnan against INDIA bloc's Justice B Sudershan Reddy. Polling will occur in Parliament, with the NDA holding a significant advantage in the electoral college. The election was prompted by Jagdeep Dhankhar's resignation, and the new Vice President will serve as the Rajya Sabha's ex-officio Chairman.

The Supreme Court bench, grappling with complex medical terminology, questioned a doctor's challenge to the legal definition of brain death in India's organ transplant law. The doctor argued the definition was unscientific and violated constitutional rights, alleging exploitation of poor patients for organ harvesting.

The Congress party has strongly criticized the Election Commission for allegedly disregarding the Supreme Court's directive to accept Aadhaar as valid voter ID. Jairam Ramesh accused the EC of deliberately obstructing voter registration by refusing Aadhaar and rejecting political parties' appointed Booth Level Agents. Trinamool Congress welcomed the court's order, with Sagarika Ghose calling it a victory for democracy.

Former Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar has requested government accommodation in Delhi, a privilege he is entitled to according to regulations. While the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs hasn't yet allocated a bungalow, a decision is expected soon. A Type-VIII bungalow on APJ Abdul Kalam Road is being considered, though allotment and necessary renovations by CPWD will take time.

External Affairs Minister Jaishankar advocated for a fair, just, and non-discriminatory international trading system at the Brics virtual summit. He emphasized constructive approaches to sustainable trade, cautioning against barriers and linking trade to non-trade issues. Jaishankar highlighted the need for fair economic practices and addressing trade deficits among Brics members, particularly India's deficits with China and Russia.

Peter Navarro, former trade advisor to Donald Trump, has launched a tirade against BRICS nations, accusing them of being «vampires» dependent on trade with the United States. He claimed internal conflicts and economic woes plague the alliance, citing tensions between Russia and China, India and China, and Brazil's economic struggles.

Telecom regulator Trai refuted Congress's allegations, clarifying it doesn't handle SMS campaign approvals. Trai stated that telecom service providers (TSPs) are responsible for accepting or rejecting individual SMS message templates based on the 2018 regulations. The regulator emphasized its non-involvement in the specific instance reported by the media.

A recent wildlife survey in Arunachal Pradesh, conducted by WWF-India and the state forest department, has yielded the first photographic evidence of the elusive Pallas's cat. This discovery, along with records of other wild cats at high altitudes, reinforces the eastern Himalayas' significance as a biodiversity hotspot.

BJP criticized opposition vice-presidential candidate B Sudershan Reddy for meeting RJD president Lalu Prasad, who was convicted in corruption cases. Ravi Shankar Prasad condemned Reddy's action as beneath the dignity of a retired Supreme Court judge, especially after Reddy sought votes to "save the soul of the nation.

Prime Minister Modi urged NDA MPs to champion 'Swadeshi' as a mass movement, advocating for 'Swadeshi Melas' to promote indigenous products. He emphasized self-reliance as crucial for India's growth amidst emerging challenges. Modi highlighted the positive impact of GST rate cuts and encouraged MPs to engage with constituents and traders, especially during the festive season.

Opposition parties convened a mock voting exercise in Parliament to ensure their MPs correctly mark their preferences in the vice-presidential election between B Sudershan Reddy and CP Radhakrishnan. Led by key leaders, the meeting aimed to demonstrate unity and educate members on the voting procedure, following Jagdeep Dhankhar's resignation.

India's BJP and its allies have strongly criticized Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge for his alleged arrogant behavior towards a distressed farmer in Karnataka, as seen in a viral video. They also slammed Rahul Gandhi for his reported foreign trip amidst farmer distress in flood-hit regions.

The SRS statistical report 2023 indicates a slight increase in the mean age at effective marriage for females in India, reaching 22.9 years. While most states see girls marrying after 18, West Bengal, Jharkhand, and Chhattisgarh still have notable instances of child marriage. Significant rural-urban disparities persist, with rural areas reporting a mean age of 22.4 years compared to 24.

In Chhattisgarh's Surguja district, a DAV Public School teacher was fired after severely punishing an eight-year-old student. The teacher forced the class 2 girl to do 100 squats and beat her with a stick, causing serious leg injuries. Police have filed a case against her under BNS and the Juvenile Justice Act.

In Tamil Nadu's Tirupattur district, K Bharath Ambedkar, a 56-year-old government school headmaster, faces suspension and arrest again after allegedly sexually assaulting a class 5 student. He reportedly arrived at school intoxicated and committed the assault. Villagers documented the incident, leading to a complaint and his subsequent suspension by the district education office.

Mehraj Malik, AAP's J&K unit chief, was detained under the Public Safety Act amid protests by government employees who accused him of abusing the Doda DC. This action has sparked condemnation from political parties, including Omar Abdullah, who called it an assault on democracy.

Border Security Force (BSF) apprehended a Pakistani national, Siraaj Khan, as he attempted to infiltrate India through the international border in the R S Pura area of Jammu. Despite warnings and warning shots fired by the troops, the intruder persisted, leading to his capture. Pakistani currency was recovered from Siraaj, who hails from the Sargodha district in Pakistan's Punjab.

Following the installation of a plaque with the National Emblem at Hazratbal shrine, political tensions rise in Jammu and Kashmir. Omar Abdullah criticizes the Waqf Board, while Mehbooba Mufti demands an FIR against its chairperson.

In a fierce gunfight in Kulgam, south Kashmir, Subedar Perbhat Gaur and Lance Naik Narender Sindhu of the Indian Army were killed, raising the year's security toll in J&K to 19. The clash, initiated by a joint search operation in Guddar forests, resulted in the death of two terrorists, one suspected to be a Pakistani national.

The Punjab cabinet has approved the prosecution of Shiromani Akali Dal leader Bikram Singh Majithia under the Prevention of Corruption Act. This decision follows advice from the Punjab advocate general and will be sent to the Governor for formal approval.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi strongly condemned the terrorist attack in Jerusalem that killed at least six civilians and wounded twelve. He conveyed India's condolences to the victims' families and reiterated India's zero-tolerance policy towards terrorism. The attack involved gunmen opening fire on a bus and commuters at a busy intersection.

Following protests in Nepal over a social media ban, India has heightened security along its border. The Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) is closely monitoring the situation to prevent any unrest from spilling over into Indian territory. This action follows demonstrations in Nepal, where clashes between protesters and police have resulted in casualties.

During a Brics meeting, S Jaishankar emphasized the need for a stable and predictable trade environment, addressing concerns over trade disruptions and advocating for resilient supply chains. He criticized increasing trade barriers and linking trade measures to non-trade matters, urging Brics nations to review trade flows and promote sustainable trade practices.

In the Guddar forest of Kulgam, a joint operation by the Indian Army, J&K Police, and CRPF led to an encounter with terrorists, resulting in the death of two soldiers and injuries to another. The operation, initiated based on specific intelligence, led to a fierce exchange of fire after troops challenged suspicious movement.

Mehraj Malik, AAP legislator from Doda, was detained under the Public Safety Act. This is the first time a sitting MLA has been booked under this law. Opposition parties and AAP criticized the move. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah objected to the detention. Malik was taken into custody while planning to visit flood-affected areas.

Following the defacement of the National Emblem in Jammu & Kashmir, a political storm has erupted. Congress leader Tariq Anwar's dismissive remark, «What's done is done,» drew sharp criticism from the BJP, who accused the Congress of supporting anti-national acts. Anwar defended his statement by referencing Omar Abdullah's assertion that religious sites don't feature the Ashok Chakra.

Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) has denied Congress's allegation of rejecting their SMS application regarding a documentary on the Maharashtra 2024 elections. Trai clarified that it doesn't approve individual SMS templates and the rejection was by the service provider, STPL. Congress leaders criticized Trai's action, linking it to efforts to suppress information about alleged election fraud.

The Supreme Court has directed the Election Commission to explore including Aadhaar as a valid identity document for Bihar's Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. The court emphasized that Aadhaar should serve solely as proof of identity, not citizenship, ensuring only genuine citizens participate in voting.

The Indian government has assured Belgian authorities of humane detention conditions for Mehul Choksi if he's extradited to India for the PNB fraud case. These assurances, detailing facility specifications and healthcare provisions at Mumbai's Arthur Road Jail, aim to meet international human rights standards.