The Supreme Court has intervened in the Unnao rape case. It has halted the Delhi high court's decision to suspend former BJP leader Kuldeep Singh Sengar's life sentence. The apex court is examining if an MLA qualifies as a public servant under the POCSO Act. This move ensures Sengar remains in jail. The survivor welcomes the Supreme Court's action.

The Defence Acquisition Council has approved capital acquisition proposals totaling approximately Rs 79,000 crore to enhance the operational capabilities of the Armed Forces. These approvals, granted on December 29, 2025, cover a variety of equipment for the Army, Navy, and Air Force, including loiter munition systems, radars, guided rocket ammunition, and drone detection systems.

The Ajit Pawar-led NCP and the Sharad Pawar faction will contest local elections in Pimpri-Chinchwad and Pune together. This alliance is a local arrangement for the civic polls. The decision was made after consulting party workers. This development has raised questions within the Maha Vikas Aghadi alliance.

India showcased its military prowess in 2025, marked by Operation Sindoor's decisive response to the Pahalgam attack. The year emphasized reforms, jointness, and technological adaptation, backed by a significant defence budget increase. Exercises and acquisitions highlighted preparedness for high-intensity conflicts, projecting strength and strategic vision across domains.

Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami has assured justice for Tripura student Anjel Chakma, who died after a brutal attack in Dehradun. Five accused are arrested, with one suspect on the run and a reward announced. The incident, involving racial abuse and stabbing, has sparked outrage and calls for strict action against the perpetrators.

China launched large-scale live-fire military drills around Taiwan, deploying warships and aircraft in a stern warning to independence supporters and foreign powers. Taiwan's military is on high alert, vowing to defend its democracy amid drills aimed at blockading key ports and simulating strikes.

The Unnao rape survivor expressed joy and vowed to pursue capital punishment after the Supreme Court stayed the Delhi High Court's order suspending expelled BJP leader Kuldeep Singh Sengar's life sentence. The apex court's decision prevents Sengar's release, emphasizing the peculiar circumstances of his conviction for a grave offense. The survivor conveyed her faith in the judiciary's pursuit of justice.

BJP Rajya Sabha member Ananta Roy has caused internal party turmoil by stating Union Home Minister Amit Shah ordered detention camps for those whose names are deleted from voter lists. Roy also mentioned central welfare schemes would be frozen for disenfranchised voters, prompting the Bengal BJP to distance itself and await central leadership's decision.

A 53-year-old primary school headmaster and booth-level officer in Bankura, West Bengal, was discovered deceased in a schoolroom on Sunday. A note found at the scene indicated immense pressure as the reason for his death. His wife attributed his despair to the taxing SIR exercise, which she stated was severely impacting his physical and mental well-being.

A tragic incident in Morena, Madhya Pradesh, saw a seven-year-old boy fatally shot in the head by his landlord's 14-year-old son, who allegedly handled a licensed rifle accidentally. The victim's family claims murder, alleging a second weapon was used. Police are investigating, with a forensic team called to reconstruct the events, highlighting concerns over firearm access in the region.

'Consult docs, stay away from self-medication'

Congress leader Jairam Ramesh questioned Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav on the new Aravalli definition ahead of a Supreme Court hearing. He highlighted concerns about ecological integrity, citing FSI reports that emphasized the protective role of even smaller hill formations against desertification. Ramesh also pointed to past definitions and a CEC report on mining leases within the Aravallis.

Congress leader Shashi Tharoor backed Digvijaya Singh's call for organizational strengthening and discipline within the party. Singh's earlier praise for the RSS-BJP's organizational prowess had sparked debate. Tharoor emphasized the need for a robust Congress, while Singh asserted party unity and his opposition to BJP-RSS ideology. Salman Khurshid, however, stated the Congress doesn't need to learn from the RSS.

A Jalandhar man's search for his brother in Moscow has revealed a grim reality: at least ten Indians, including three from Punjab, have died fighting for the Russian army in Ukraine, with four others missing. Jagdeep Kumar, who made two trips to Russia, has obtained official confirmation of these deaths and is now working to repatriate the bodies.

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Sukhu's appeal led to the Resident Doctors Association of IGMC-Shimla ending their strike. Following assurances of a detailed inquiry and a review of Dr. Raghav Narula's termination, doctors are set to resume duties. The CM acknowledged the strike, stating government decisions are open to review.

Authorities detained Srinagar MP Aga Ruhullah Mehdi and PDP leader Waheed Parra, halting a student protest against J&K's revised reservation policy. The changes, granting a 10% quota to Pahari-speaking people, have sparked debate over reduced open merit shares.

The government is preparing to defend its new rural employment scheme, VB-G RAM G, against Congress protests. Ministers have been briefed on its advantages, including 125 guaranteed workdays and durable asset creation, aiming to boost local livelihoods and curb migration. Normative funding ensures predictable allocations, contrasting with previous models.

Prime Minister Modi urged chief secretaries to prevent Maoism's resurgence in liberated areas by accelerating infrastructure and welfare projects. He emphasized all-round development, including rehabilitation for surrendered individuals, to ensure they remain in the mainstream. The PM also called for «deregulation cells» to boost reforms and improve ease of living and doing business.

Bangladesh claims murder suspects of radical leader Sharif Osman Hadi have fled to Meghalaya, India. However, Indian security agencies, including the BSF and Meghalaya DGP, have strongly refuted these allegations, stating there is no evidence of any fugitive crossing the border. They dismissed the claims as fabricated and emphasized robust border surveillance.

Ladakh's pristine cold desert faces a crisis as feral dogs, numbering nearly 45,000, threaten endangered wildlife like snow leopards and Pallas's cats. Human activities, including increased tourism and unmanaged waste, have fueled their rapid multiplication. Conservationists warn these canines, now outnumbering native predators, pose a significant ecological threat and have even attacked humans.

Latchiya Jananayaka Katchi (LJK) has expressed interest in an alliance with Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) for the 2026 Assembly elections. LJK leader Jose Charles Martin cited Vijay's stance against corruption as a reason for the potential partnership. He also clarified earlier criticisms of Vijay's political messaging, attributing it to the actor's aides.

A SWISS Airbus A330 en route from Zurich to Mumbai declared a PAN PAN urgency message due to a cabin pressurisation snag. The pilot safely landed the aircraft in Mumbai, with a spokesperson confirming no danger to passengers or crew. The plane was inspected and cleared for its return flight as scheduled.

India plans to establish coal exchanges to foster competitive markets for surplus thermal fuel as production is projected to exceed 1.5 billion tonnes by 2030. The Coal Controller Organisation will register and regulate these exchanges, facilitating commodity trading. This move aligns with policy reforms leading to increased domestic coal availability and demand.

Delhi's air quality has plunged into the «very poor» category with an AQI of 390, and several areas reaching hazardous levels. Authorities have implemented Stage III GRAP measures, including construction curbs and the 'No PUC, No Fuel' rule, to combat pollution. Cold conditions, calm winds, and dense fog are exacerbating the situation, with experts predicting a persistent poor air quality.

Jagadhri police swiftly apprehended a 20-year-old man, Pankaj Kumar, for allegedly sexually assaulting a four-year-old girl. The incident occurred when the child's mother briefly left her home. Discovering injuries, the mother reported the crime, leading to a POCSO Act case and the accused's arrest and judicial remand. The community urges enhanced child protection measures.

Congress MP Manickam Tagore drew controversy by comparing the RSS to al-Qaeda, stating the organisation «breeds hatred and propagates hatred.» This remark followed senior Congress leader Digvijay Singh's praise for the RSS's organisational strength. An RSS member, Indresh Kumar, criticised Tagore's comment as a reflection of the Congress leadership's «intellectual and mental bankruptcy.»

A Congress-run local club near Thalassery was vandalized on Saturday night, with the party alleging CPM workers were responsible due to their election defeat. Furniture, flags, posters, and a Mahatma Gandhi portrait were damaged at the Priyadarshini Club, which served as a Congress election office. Police have registered a case and are investigating the incident.

Over 25 lakh households have now installed rooftop solar under the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, receiving cleaner energy and reduced electricity bills. Launched in February 2024, the scheme aims for 1 crore installations by FY 2026-27, with subsidies up to Rs 78,000 available.

Right-wing activists disrupted a birthday party in Bareilly, falsely accusing two Muslim guests of «love jihad» despite most attendees being Hindu. Police booked the Muslim guests and a cafe staffer for breach of peace, though an inquiry found no wrongdoing by the students. The victim stated the «love jihad» claim was unfounded.