Government and major oil companies have strongly refuted rumors of petrol and diesel shortages, urging the public to avoid panic buying. Officials confirmed ample fuel stocks nationwide and assured citizens that there are no impending price hikes.

A UK court has dismissed fugitive diamantaire Nirav Modi's plea to reopen his extradition order, bringing him closer to facing charges in India for a Rs 6,500 crore Punjab National Bank scam. The High Court found no exceptional circumstances to revisit the earlier decision, despite Modi's concerns about ill-treatment. This development follows years of legal proceedings since his 2019 arrest.

The Union cabinet has approved the continuation of the immigration and visa tracking scheme for five more years until March 2031 with a Rs 1,800 crore outlay. This initiative aims to enhance national security and streamline the visa and immigration process for foreign visitors by inter-linking multiple databases for informed decision-making.

Indian Institutes of Technology are solidifying their global standing in engineering, with multiple disciplines ranking in the world's top 50. Management education is also advancing, as seen with IIM Ahmedabad's rise. Overall, India's higher education system shows significant quality improvement and global competitiveness.

Households with access to piped natural gas but still using LPG cylinders will face a supply cut in three months. This government move aims to reduce LPG imports, with exceptions for technically infeasible PNG connections. City gas firms will notify eligible consumers, while authorities must now grant pipeline permissions within set deadlines.

Parliament passed the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Bill 2026, sparking immediate resignations from two National Council for Transgender Persons members protesting the lack of community consultation. The bill removes self-perceived gender identity, introducing a medical board for transgender certificates, a move critics deem regressive and a step backward for fundamental rights.

PDP legislator Waheed Parra's bill proposing 16 new districts and two divisions in J&K has drawn sharp criticism. The ruling NC called it a sabotage attempt to undermine sub-region empowerment, while the BJP alleged it aligns with Pakistan's ISI agenda to create a 'Greater Kashmir' by dividing Jammu.

Jammu and Kashmir administration defended its ban on 25 Kashmir-related books in high court, citing state security and public order. The government also justified the legal provision used for the ban. Petitioners challenging the order have been given time to respond. The full bench will hear the case.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh reviewed the Border Roads Organisation's (BRO) progress on critical infrastructure projects, including over 1,000 road and connectivity initiatives under the 2023-28 plan. The focus is on enhancing all-weather access in remote areas, bolstering defence preparedness, and strengthening border management, particularly along the Indo-Myanmar frontier.

Congress questioned the government's stance on diplomatic mediation, citing Prime Minister Modi's past efforts to broker peace between Russia and Ukraine. This comes after External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar stated India is not a «broker nation.» Opposition leaders expressed dissatisfaction with the government's response to the West Asia crisis, demanding a parliamentary debate.

Opposition parties pledged full support to the government on the Middle East crisis following an all-party meeting. Ministers addressed concerns regarding the Iran-Israel-US conflict's impact on India, including energy supplies and citizen safety. While most parties expressed satisfaction, some, like the TMC, skipped the meeting, and a few voiced lingering concerns about parliamentary debate.

Two new reports highlight India's growing role as a global AI hub, detailing the impact of artificial intelligence on its startup and Global Capability Center (GCC) ecosystems. The studies reveal how AI is accelerating innovation and forcing GCCs to shift from execution to co-creation to avoid displacement, emphasizing India's unique advantages in this transformation.

The BJP has nominated Ratna Debnath, mother of the RG Kar Medical College rape and murder victim, from Panihati for the West Bengal Assembly elections. Her decision to contest on a BJP ticket stems from her pursuit of justice for her daughter and a broader fight for women's safety. This move has sparked debate among activists.

Keralam Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has strongly condemned misogynistic remarks made by a UDF leader against MLA U Prathibha, terming them an insult to all women in public life. Prathibha plans legal action, stating the comments were beyond character assassination and aimed at discouraging women. The UDF candidate distanced himself from the remarks.

AIADMK has finalized seat-sharing with seven NDA allies in Tamil Nadu for the April 23 Assembly elections, allocating 65 seats to partners like BJP (27), PMK (18), and AMMK (11). The AIADMK will contest the remaining 169 constituencies. This move solidifies the alliance's structure ahead of the crucial contest against the ruling DMK.

Veteran Congress leader Sonia Gandhi is stable and under observation at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital after being admitted Tuesday night due to feeling unwell following a weather change. Doctors are conducting investigations for potential stomach and urinary tract infections, with antibiotics administered as part of her treatment. Her condition is being closely monitored by a medical team.

Kerala's 2026 Assembly elections are poised for close contests, mirroring the 2021 polls where narrow victory margins and fragmented vote shares were prevalent. Despite a consistent but limited NOTA presence, the focus remains on micro-level swings and party strength, as recent local body elections indicate potential shifts in tightly contested constituencies.

Gujarat has passed its Uniform Civil Code Bill, 2026. This makes it the second Indian state to adopt a unified law for marriage, divorce, and inheritance. Union Home Minister Amit Shah hailed it as a historic step for equality. Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel stated the UCC will ensure equal rights and dignity for women across all communities.

The Supreme Court has sharply criticized Haryana Police and the Child Welfare Committee for their insensitive handling of a three-year-old rape survivor's case. The court condemned summoning the minor to the police station and expressed concern over the apparent downgrading of charges under the Pocso Act, emphasizing the need for a child-sensitive approach.

As West Bengal assembly elections approach, the BJP and TMC are trading sharp accusations. BJP chief Nitin Nabin alleged Hindus need court permission for puja pandals while Muslims can offer namaz freely. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee countered, calling the BJP an 'anti-Bengali' party and raising concerns about voter roll deletions and citizenship.

India's drug regulator is cracking down on the easy availability of GLP-1 weight-loss drugs following nationwide raids. Inspections revealed significant gaps in how these prescription medicines are sold and promoted, with concerns over sales without prescriptions and inadequate medical oversight. Authorities are intensifying enforcement to curb misuse and ensure these drugs are only dispensed under strict medical supervision.

The Congress party has received an eviction notice for its long-standing national headquarters at 24, Akbar Road, with a deadline of March 28. The party alleges the move is politically motivated by the BJP government to divert attention from the Iran war. Congress plans to challenge the notice in court, calling it undemocratic and illegal.

Following Prime Minister Modi's statements on the West Asia conflict, the government has convened an all-party meeting to foster a united parliamentary voice. The meeting aims to address opposition concerns and present a unified stance on the escalating crisis, which impacts India's energy supply and its large diaspora in the Gulf.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the formation of seven empowered groups to assess the impact of the West Asian conflict on India's energy supplies, essential commodities, and supply chains. These quick-response teams will develop strategies to mitigate economic repercussions, drawing lessons from the Covid-19 pandemic playbook.

Rahul Gandhi has sharply criticized Prime Minister Modi's foreign policy, labeling it a «universal joke» and «compromised.» He questioned India's diminished role in international affairs, citing Pakistan's potential mediation in the Iran war. Gandhi asserted that Modi's personal approach has left India without a clear stance on global issues, making the Prime Minister's parliamentary speeches seem «irrelevant.»

A Delhi court has sentenced Kashmiri separatist leader Asiya Andrabi to life imprisonment for conspiring against the state. Her associates, Sofi Fehmeeda and Nahida Nasreen, received 30-year sentences. The court found they plotted to secede Kashmir from India, emphasizing that leniency would embolden such secessionist aims.

The Delhi High Court has refused to quash a CBI case against RJD chief Lalu Prasad and his family in the alleged land-for-railway-jobs scam. The court rejected arguments that the FIR was unsustainable due to the timing of the Prevention of Corruption Act amendment.