Kolkata Knight Riders released Bangladeshi pacer Mustafizur Rahman from their IPL 2026 squad following a directive from the BCCI, triggering sharp political reactions amid concerns over attacks on Hindu minorities in Bangladesh.

The year 2026 is set to be a pivotal electoral year, featuring crucial assembly elections in West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Assam, and Puducherry. These contests will significantly shape the careers of key leaders and test the national ambitions of major parties, influencing the landscape leading up to the 2029 Lok Sabha elections.

Telangana has scrapped its two-child norm for local body elections, a rule that previously disqualified individuals with more than two children. Citing a declining fertility rate below the replacement level, the state government argued the decades-old population control measure is no longer relevant. Officials believe maintaining the replacement fertility rate is crucial for the state's future demographic balance, as citizens increasingly opt for smaller families.

AIMIM leader Imtiaz Jaleel warned he would «cut off the hand of any individual who dares to touch Muslim women with ill intent,» amid the hijab row involving Bihar CM Nitish Kumar. Addressing a rally in Jalna, he accused BJP and other secular parties of supporting goons while neglecting Muslims.

India's first Bullet Train project, the Ahmedabad-Mumbai High Speed Rail Corridor, has seen its cost surge by 83% to Rs 1.98 lakh crore due to a four-year delay. The first leg between Surat and Bilimora is slated for August 2027, with the entire 508-km route expected by December 2029.

Indian students who began medical studies abroad before November 18, 2021, will be subject to older screening test rules, allowing them to practice in India via the FMGE. This exemption, however, mandates an additional year of internship in Indian hospitals for these students.

India has significantly enhanced patient safety by implementing uniform pharmacopoeial standards for blood components used in transfusions for the first time. This move, alongside stricter quality specifications for essential medicines like those for tuberculosis, diabetes, and cancer, aims to curb risks from unsafe blood products and substandard drugs nationwide.

India is set to construct its first twin-tube underwater tunnel across the Brahmaputra River in Assam, connecting Gohpur and Numaligarh. This 15.8km project will feature one tube for a single rail track and the other for vehicles, significantly reducing travel time and boosting connectivity to northeastern states. The Rs 18,600 crore project is expected to be completed in five years.

Pakistan has now endorsed China's claim of mediating the May 2025 India-Pakistan conflict, a move that raises eyebrows given India's stance. Islamabad's foreign office spokesperson stated Chinese leaders were in contact with both nations, contributing to de-escalation. This assertion contrasts with India's position that the conflict pause followed a request from Pakistan's DGMO, not third-party intervention.

Allahabad High Court ruled that rent authorities can hear eviction cases even without written agreements or tenant particulars. The court emphasized the Uttar Pradesh Tenancy Act's intent to prevent landlords from losing eviction rights due to documentation flaws. This decision allows for quicker resolution of tenancy disputes, even in unwritten arrangements, ensuring the law's objectives are met.

The Supreme Court has ruled that courts should generally avoid setting deadlines for investigations, as this infringes on the agency's autonomy. Timelines are only to be imposed reactively when there's clear evidence of unjustified delay or stagnation, ensuring a balance between prompt justice and the complexities of probes.

Karnataka HC ruled that a third party can challenge a Lok Adalat award via writ petition if fraud is proven by excluding a necessary party. Justice M Nagaprasanna quashed a civil court decree arising from a land partition compromise, stating that deliberate non-impleadment of claimants allows writ jurisdiction. The civil suit has been restored.

Telangana has challenged Andhra Pradesh's Polavaram-Banakacherla Link Project in the Supreme Court, arguing it unilaterally utilizes inter-state river water. Telangana claims AP's projects, disguised as flood water utilization, violate the Godavari Water Disputes Tribunal award and reduce its water share. The state seeks to halt AP's tendering and expansion works.

Trinamool Congress's Abhishek Banerjee launched the party's 2026 election campaign by highlighting alleged voter roll discrepancies. He presented individuals marked as deceased, accusing the Election Commission of targeting Bengalis and questioning the deletion of Bangladeshi names. Banerjee criticized the BJP for issuing notices to common people for SIR hearings, drawing parallels to demonetization.

The Indian government has ordered social media platform X to immediately remove all obscene, sexually explicit, and unlawful content, particularly that generated by its AI app Grok. The Ministry of Electronics and IT issued a notice citing failure to comply with IT Act rules and demanding an action report within 72 hours, warning of legal consequences for non-compliance.

Infra boost aims to bolster India’s strategic reach over Malacca Strait.

A cricketer's use of a Palestinian flag sticker on his helmet at a Jammu tournament sparked a police probe and political debate. While some condemned it as promoting separatism, others defended it as solidarity, questioning selective outrage. The JKCA disassociated itself from the private event, leaving authorities to investigate the incident's intent and implications.

Kathua Police in Jammu have attached land worth crores belonging to seven individuals residing in Pakistan. Cases under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and EIMCO Act have been registered against them. This action underscores the police's commitment to combating unlawful and anti-national activities.

Jammu and Kashmir Police have initiated action against over 100 individuals, including teenagers, for violating prohibitory orders on VPN usage. While no terror links were found, security proceedings were initiated as a preventive measure, with warnings issued to refrain from future violations. The ban was imposed citing national security threats and potential misuse to incite unrest.

Former AEC chairman Anil Kakodkar has dismissed fears of radiation from a nuclear device lost near Nanda Devi over 60 years ago. He stated the device was strong and corrosion-free, making a breach extremely unlikely. The mission, a joint India-US operation, aimed to monitor Chinese nuclear tests.

Punjab's Aam Aadmi Clinics are boosting pregnancy care, with over 10,000 free ultrasounds and 20,000 monthly check-ups for expectant mothers. This initiative aims to improve early detection and monitoring, addressing concerns over maternal health indicators. The expanded services offer crucial tests and free scans, identifying thousands of high-risk pregnancies monthly and easing the burden on larger hospitals.

Singer Zubeen Garg's family is establishing a trust in his name to champion his vision for society. The trust, to be housed on family property, will focus on nature conservation, nurturing young talent, and preserving his intellectual property. It will collaborate with existing foundations to advance social and cultural initiatives for future generations.

Maharashtra deputy CM Ajit Pawar defended the NCP's decision to field candidates with alleged criminal backgrounds, stating no one is guilty until proven. He cited allegations against himself in the irrigation scam to question premature labeling of guilt. Pawar also criticised the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation's financial decline under BJP rule, promising a probe if NCP gains power.