India lowered its voting age from 21 to 18 in 1989 through the 61st Constitutional Amendment, significantly expanding voter participation. This landmark reform empowered millions of young citizens, reinforcing the principle of universal adult franchise and reflecting a commitment to inclusive democracy.

EAM S Jaishankar has pointed towards a significant shift in the global economic and political hierarchy, reflecting upon India's advantage in human resources as developed nations face demographic challenges. He emphasized that India is becoming a driver of the global workforce, creating new responsibilities for governments in managing cross-border mobility and citizen welfare.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday criticized the previous Congress government for neglecting Assam and the Northeast's development. He said Modi government is rectifying past mistakes and is committed to the region's progress.

Bihar Governor Arif Mohammad Khan defended Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's actions in removing a doctor's veil, stating Kumar views female students as his daughters and expressing pain over the controversy. The incident, where Kumar removed the veil while handing over an appointment letter, has led to the doctor reconsidering her joining duty, with her family citing disappointment over media attention.

The Congress party has announced it will contest the upcoming Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections independently. This decision comes as Uddhav Thackeray's Shiv Sena (UBT) and Raj Thackeray's MNS appear to be aligning, potentially to protect the Thackeray political legacy. The MVA alliance, which includes Congress, faced a significant defeat in the 2024 Maharashtra Assembly elections.

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar stated that both he and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah are awaiting a call from the Congress high command regarding the leadership decision. This comes amid reports of Shivakumar's faction pushing for his elevation, with party leaders emphasizing a united front ahead of the legislative session.

Australia has enacted a law prohibiting social media use for those under 16, a move sparking global debate. While parents largely support it, youth oppose it. India faces similar discussions, with challenges in implementing a ban due to its vast population and digital integration.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually addressed a rally in West Bengal, urging voters to elect the BJP for a «double-engine government» and accusing the TMC of obstructing development due to political opposition. He highlighted the BJP's commitment to modern connectivity and contrasted Bengal's progress with that of BJP-ruled Tripura, vowing to end the TMC's «maha jungle raj.»

A Delhi court on Saturday ordered the release of Christian Michel James from custody in the Augusta Westland money laundering case, as he has served the maximum statutory sentence. While released from the PMLA case, Michel will remain in custody for the related CBI case.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday held a 'Janata Darshan' at the Gorakhnath Temple premises, where he personally heard grievances from around 250 people from different districts of the state and directed officials to take strict action against those involved in fraud, particularly cases of cheating people on the pretext of sending them abroad.

An Air India Express pilot allegedly assaulted a passenger, Ankit Dewan, at Delhi Airport over a security lane dispute. The Delhi Police stated no formal complaint has been filed, learning of the incident via social media. The airline has grounded the pilot and condemned the behavior, promising disciplinary action.

An Air India Express pilot has been grounded and faces a probe after allegedly assaulting a passenger at Delhi Airport's Terminal 1. The incident reportedly stemmed from a queue-cutting dispute at a staff entry gate. The Ministry of Civil Aviation has ordered a formal inquiry, seeking reports from aviation security and CISF.

The Supreme Court has stayed a Bombay High Court order that reinstated the Shani Shinganapur temple trust, appointing the Nashik Divisional Commissioner as administrator. The court expressed concern over alleged financial mismanagement by the trust and the Collector's swift handover of charge, deeming it imprudent with the trust's tenure ending soon.

The Supreme Court swiftly responded to a young advocate's tearful plea, who alleged her uncle was harassing her and her mother over ancestral property. The bench, led by CJI Surya Kant, ordered immediate legal aid, protection for the duo, and restrained the uncle from alienating property, emphasizing the poor's right to judicial time.

The Supreme Court agrees to hear pleas on the elephant corridor in the Sigur plateau

The Centre for Policy Research and Governance recently held a dialogue on AI in publishing. Experts discussed technology's impact on reading habits and content creation. The Youth Readership Study was also released. Discussions focused on balancing AI's role with human creativity and judgment in the evolving publishing landscape.

Eight elephants tragically died after being struck by the Sairang New Delhi Rajdhani Express in Assam's Hojai district early Saturday. The collision caused five coaches and the engine of the train to derail, though no passengers were injured. The incident occurred in a forested area known for elephant movement.

A violent gang war erupted at a Rohtak liquor vend, resulting in one death and four injuries after over 30 rounds were fired. Shooters from the Himanshu Bhau gang allegedly initiated the conflict, leading to a retaliation that critically injured a friend of gangster Sunny Ritoliya. One injured individual later died at a private hospital.

The Supreme Court has fined 10 private dental colleges in Rajasthan Rs 10 crore each for admitting students without meeting NEET 2016-17 cutoffs. The court regularized degrees for affected students, who must now provide pro bono services during state emergencies. The fines will fund welfare institutions.

An FIR has been registered against BJP leader and National In-Charge of the party's IT Cell, Amit Malviya, at the Narendrapur Police Station under the Baruipur Police Station, alleging that his social media post threatened communal harmony and the sovereignty of India.

The Supreme Court denied anticipatory bail to a chartered accountancy student for posts on a parody X account, stating free speech is not unfettered. The court emphasized that those abusing their right to free speech cannot receive discretionary relief, suggesting the student approach the Gujarat high court.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has attached assets worth Rs 8 crore belonging to cricketers Yuvraj Singh and Robin Uthappa, and actors Urvashi Rautela, Sonu Sood, Mimi Chakraborty, Ankush Hazra, and Neha Sharma in an illegal online betting case. This action follows previous attachments of Rs 11 crore from Shikhar Dhawan and Suresh Raina.

Security forces launched extensive cordon and search operations in Rajouri district's villages after reports of suspicious movement. Troops from Rashtriya Rifles, J&K Police, and Special Operations Group conducted aggressive searches from midnight Thursday to Friday evening. A similar operation occurred in Samba district's Mansar area on December 17.

PDP member Iltija Mufti filed a police complaint in Srinagar against Bihar CM Nitish Kumar for allegedly gesturing to an AYUSH graduate in a hijab to show her face. The complaint follows similar action by a Samajwadi Party spokesperson, with critics arguing the act undermines women's dignity and emboldens attackers.