The CBI has arrested five individuals and launched nationwide searches in connection with alleged irregularities and a paper leak for the NEET UG-2026 examination. The investigation follows a complaint from the Union education ministry, with charges including criminal conspiracy and cheating. The NTA had previously cancelled the exam, affecting nearly 23 lakh candidates, due to suspected circulation of leaked questions.

AIADMK's internal conflict escalated as party chief Palaniswami expelled the rebel leaders. These leaders had backed Tamil Nadu CM Vijay during a crucial trust vote on the assembly floor. The move follows accusations of weakening the party's anti-DMK stance and exploring alliances. This leadership struggle intensifies ahead of future elections.

Uttarakhand's chief minister announced fuel and energy conservation measures, including reducing official vehicle fleets by 50% and observing a weekly 'No Vehicle Day'. The state will also promote electric vehicles, restrict foreign travel, and encourage domestic tourism and reduced oil consumption through public awareness campaigns.

Former Army chief General (retired) Manoj Mukund Naravane has endorsed Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) general secretary Dattatreya Hosabale's call for increased people-to-people contact between India and Pakistan. Naravane believes stronger citizen ties can improve bilateral relations between the two countries, stating common people share similar concerns and have no stake in politics. Hosabale is the RSS number two after Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat.

AIADMK leader CV Shanmugam criticized party chief Edappadi K Palaniswami, alleging continuous electoral setbacks since he assumed leadership after Jayalalithaa's death. Shanmugam highlighted that while the party faced defeats before, Jayalalithaa had the capability to bring it back to power, a feat he claims EPS has failed to achieve, leading to worsening electoral performance.

Prime Minister Modi's austerity drive to cut fuel consumption has prompted a wave of similar measures across the government. Union ministers, chief ministers, and governors are significantly reducing convoy sizes and encouraging public transport. This initiative aims to curb unnecessary travel and promote economical fuel usage nationwide.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay's government won a trust vote with 144 MLAs supporting it. Following the victory, Vijay penned an open letter to the public, criticizing the opposition DMK for attempting to undermine his administration. He highlighted his party's electoral performance and commitment to secular values, while accusing the DMK of hypocrisy in coalition politics.

After a decade-long legal battle, the Delhi High Court has ordered the National Medical Commission to provide information on former MCI president Dr. Ketan Desai, sought via an RTI application. The court rejected the NMC's plea to reapply, emphasizing transparency and fairness in disclosing details of a corruption complaint and registration status.

West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has chosen to keep the Bhabanipur seat and will vacate Nandigram, despite winning both in the recent assembly elections. Adhikari, who previously defeated Mamata Banerjee in Nandigram, had challenged her again by contesting from Bhabanipur. He stated his inability to hold MLA positions from two constituencies and has taken his oath from Bhabanipur.

Stanford MBA graduate Sithara Rasheed received the 2026 Stanford Impact Leader Prize for her decade of work in climate finance and innovation. Her efforts at the Rockefeller Foundation, including designing the DART program and leading the eGUIDE initiative, have significantly impacted renewable energy deployment and AI planning in Africa and Asia.

National Investigation Agency has arrested Iqbal Singh alias Shera. He is a wanted narco-terrorist. His extradition from Portugal followed diplomatic and legal efforts. Shera is considered the mastermind in a Hizb-ul-Mujahideen terror financing case. His arrest is a significant breakthrough in tackling Pakistan-backed narco-terror networks.

Tamil Nadu CM Joseph Vijay's Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) successfully passed a crucial floor test, securing the support of several parties including a rebel AIADMK faction. This marks the first coalition government led by a new entrant, breaking the decades-long Dravidian political dominance. Vijay's victory solidifies his position as the state's first non-DMK, non-AIADMK chief minister since 1967.

India has successfully extradited fugitive Prabhdeep Singh from Azerbaijan, a key figure in a major international drug investigation. Singh, wanted under an Interpol Red Notice, was brought back by a Delhi Police team. This repatriation, a result of multi-agency efforts, marks a significant win against organized crime and adds to India's growing success in bringing wanted criminals back home.

West Bengal's new BJP government has launched a swift crackdown on illegal toll and drop gates across the state. Chief Secretary Manoj Kumar Agarwal issued the directive, ordering immediate closure of all unauthorized collection points. District administrations are tasked with identifying and removing these illegal operations, with a report due by May 15.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay has revoked the appointment of his astrologer, Radhan Pandit, as Officer on Special Duty (Political) following opposition criticism. The decision came a day after the appointment, which had drawn objections that personal beliefs should not influence governance. Pandit, a close aide and party spokesperson, was to assist in political coordination and advisory functions.

Nationwide, over 12.4 lakh chemists are set to strike on May 20, protesting online medicine sales and deep discounts. The All India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists highlights patient safety concerns, citing unregulated sales and potential misuse of prescriptions. They demand the withdrawal of specific government relaxations, fearing the impact on local pharmacies and healthcare access.

Congress leadership is nearing a decision to end Kerala's week-long Chief Minister deadlock after internal party discussions. Senior leaders, including Rahul and Sonia Gandhi, are expected to finalize the successor to the Left Front's decade-long rule. The prolonged uncertainty has somewhat dulled the UDF's election victory, with three prominent figures vying for the top post.

Rahul Gandhi registered a strong dissent against the CBI director selection process, calling it a «biased exercise» and a «mere formality.» He alleged the government denied him crucial information, including candidate appraisal reports, preventing a meaningful role. Gandhi stated he would not be a «rubber stamp» and boycotted the meeting.

Responding to Pakistan's warning, Indian Navy chief-designate Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan stated that India is prepared to counter any «misadventure» from across the border, emphasizing that such actions originate from there. He highlighted India's stance against terrorism, particularly from foreign soil, and underscored the Indian Navy's role as the guardian of the increasingly contested Indo-Pacific maritime domain.

RSS leader Dattatreya Hosabale stated that every Hindu voter became a Hindu worker in West Bengal, viewing the assembly polls as a civilisational question. He emphasized that the organization faced hurdles and attacks due to its work for Hindus. Hosabale also advocated for people-to-people contact to improve India-Pakistan ties and dismissed calls to eradicate Sanatan Dharma.

Exam nixed for 1st time since NTA took over in 2019

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has significantly reduced his motorcade size, aiming to inspire austerity across the government. The Special Protection Group is implementing this directive, cutting convoy vehicles by half while maintaining security standards. This move, coupled with the PM's call for reduced fuel and gold consumption, signals a broader push for cost-saving measures within ministries and departments.

Public sector oil companies are facing daily losses of Rs 1,000 crore, potentially forcing fuel price hikes soon. Minister Hardeep Singh Puri highlighted significant under-recoveries, warning that companies cannot sustain these losses indefinitely. While elections are not the reason for the freeze, a drop in crude prices or reopening of the Strait of Hormuz could offer relief.

The 21st Livestock Census report's release has been postponed to after June due to technical issues in data compilation and validation. This quinquennial exercise, which concluded its data collection in February last year, aims to provide crucial updated figures on livestock and poultry populations for policy decisions.

The Supreme Court has agreed to hear the Enforcement Directorate's plea to cancel the bail of alleged coal smuggling kingpin Anup Majee. While issuing a notice, the court noted the ED's prolonged investigation. Majee, accused in a Rs 2,700 crore scam, claims cooperation, but the ED highlights his accountant's absconding status and alleged payoffs.

Constitutional courts should be extremely reluctant to alter religious practices, a nine-judge Supreme Court bench cautioned. Only the will of the people, expressed through elected representatives in Parliament and assemblies, can bring about reforms in religious customs. The court emphasized that it's impossible to scrutinize every religious practice.

The India Meteorological Department has launched an AI-enabled monsoon forecasting system offering localized weather information up to four weeks in advance for farmers. A pilot service for Uttar Pradesh provides high-resolution rainfall forecasts at 1km resolution for up to 10 days, utilizing advanced AI and observational data.

A protracted property dispute between Sunjay Kapur's mother and wife has prompted the Supreme Court to appoint former CJI D Y Chandrachud as mediator. The apex court noted the legal battle's intensity, comparing it to the Mahabharat. A fresh plea alleges circumvention of a previous order, with the court set to hear the matter further.

Army troops foiled an infiltration attempt in Poonch's Krishna Ghati sector on Tuesday, neutralizing one terrorist approximately 300 meters inside the Indian side of the Line of Control. This incident follows several other thwarted infiltration bids in the Jammu region in recent months, highlighting ongoing vigilance along the LoC.

National Conference president Farooq Abdullah weighed in on a liquor ban debate in Jammu and Kashmir, citing his father's 1977 stance that revenue generation was key. He argued that prohibition wouldn't stop consumption, as people would source alcohol from outside. Abdullah also questioned critics' silence when liquor shops previously opened across the region.

Five people have been sent to judicial custody for 25 days. The group includes two Pakistani nationals. This development is part of an NIA case concerning terror activities. Earlier, a grenade and bullets were seized from a suspect in Srinagar. His interrogation led to the arrest of the other four individuals.

Iltija Mufti, daughter of Mehbooba Mufti, claims the National Conference, in league with the BJP, suspended her X account. She alleges this follows her criticism of the NC and the proposed removal of Urdu as a mandatory language. Her Facebook page was also recently deactivated, impacting her political outreach.