First time since independence centre of power to move out of South Block
Congress alleges a massive scam in the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) based on a CAG report. The report highlights thousands of crores distributed with a significant percentage of fake beneficiaries, mobile numbers, and assessor details, alongside incomplete trainer information and data manipulation.
India's Project-75I, acquiring six advanced German Type-214NG submarines, is gaining urgency amid regional tensions and China's growing undersea presence. This crucial naval procurement emphasises indigenous construction, technology transfer, and bolstering India's deterrence capabilities in the Indian Ocean.
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla announced disciplinary action against TMC MP Kirti Azad for allegedly vaping in the House. Birla emphasized maintaining parliamentary decorum, stating that violations will be punished under established rules.
India's indigenous Third Generation Fire & Forget Man Portable Anti-Tank Guided Missile (MPATGM) with top attack capability has been successfully flight-tested against a moving target. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh hailed the achievement as a significant stride towards Aatmanirbhar Bharat, highlighting the missile's advanced indigenous technologies and its potential induction into the Indian Army.
DRDO successfully flight tested its third-generation Man Portable Anti-Tank Guided Missile (MPATGM) with top-attack capability. The shoulder-launched missile, weighing approximately 14.5 kg, demonstrated a precise strike on a moving target's upper surface during trials in Maharashtra. This indigenously developed system features advanced technologies for effective tank and armored vehicle neutralization.
The Enforcement Directorate has approached the Supreme Court. It seeks an FIR against West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, the DGP, and the Kolkata Police Commissioner. The agency alleges obstruction and evidence tampering in a money laundering case. This involves a probe into the political consultancy firm I-PAC. The ED claims its officers were threatened and evidence was seized.
Speculation of a permanent merger between the two NCP factions is growing after Ajit Pawar and Supriya Sule hinted at a possible reunion. Both leaders stated that the current alliance is for upcoming local body elections, with decisions on a permanent merger to be made later. This comes amid apparent cracks within the ruling Mahayuti alliance.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz arrived in Ahmedabad for his first official visit to India, joining Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the International Kite Festival. The leaders also paid respects at Sabarmati Ashram. Discussions are set to focus on strengthening bilateral cooperation across various sectors, including trade, technology, and defense, building on the 25-year-old strategic partnership.
Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar stated that Hindutva is «Hinduism in paranoia,» arguing it incites fear among Hindus towards Muslims. He contrasted this with Hinduism, calling it a spiritual religion that has thrived for millennia without Hindutva's protection. BJP leader Sudhanshu Trivedi countered that Hindutva represents the core essence of Hinduism, or 'Hindu tattva,' and cherishing Hinduism is Hindutva.
Calling the BMC polls the «last election for the Marathi man», Thackeray said: «If you miss this opportunity today, you will be finished. Unite for Marathi and Maharashtra.» Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and his cousin Raj Thackeray on Sunday mounted a joint attack on the rival BJP over what they described as “fake Hindutva” at a rally held ahead of the civic polls.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is on a two-day visit to India, meeting PM Modi in Ahmedabad. Their agenda includes visiting Sabarmati Ashram and the International Kite Festival, followed by bilateral talks in Gandhinagar. Discussions will center on strengthening the India-Germany Strategic Partnership, focusing on trade, technology, and defense cooperation, building on recent high-level interactions.
