The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has proposed a complete ban on single-use plastic packaging for pan masala, gutka, and similar products. The draft amendment mandates the use of paper, paperboard, or naturally derived materials, prohibiting plastics and aluminium foil. This move aims to curb plastic waste and aligns with existing state-level bans on these products.

Prime Minister Modi urged record voter turnout for West Bengal's Phase-2 elections, especially from women and youth. Voting commenced across 142 constituencies, a crucial phase for the TMC's dominance in southern districts against the BJP's challenge. Key contests include Bhabanipur, with extensive security and webcasting in place for 3.21 crore voters.

Electoral analysts estimate that Matua voters influence outcomes in 60 to 65 assembly seats. In the second phase alone, they are a key factor in 21 constituencies. In tightly contested elections, this scale of influence gives the community leverage that political parties cannot ignore. This is evident in recent electoral trends.

AAP MLA Mehraj Malik was released from Kathua jail after eight months following a J&K High Court order quashing his detention under the Public Safety Act. The court found the detention legally unsustainable. Malik, AAP's J&K president, was detained on charges of disturbing public order.

India has strongly condemned the «terrorist attacks» in Mali, extending condolences to victims and expressing solidarity with the nation. The Ministry of External Affairs also mourned the death of Mali's Defence Minister in the assault. This coordinated militant offensive, the largest in over a decade, has significantly worsened security, despite Russian support for the military government.

West Bengal's crucial assembly elections are nearing their conclusion, with exit polls set to release on April 29 and final results on May 4. The state witnessed record voter turnout in Phase 1, and Phase 2, covering key strongholds including Mamata Banerjee's Bhabanipur constituency, is now underway. Prominent leaders from TMC and BJP are in contention.

Reiterating the Congress party’s position, Tharoor pointed to its past record on women’s representation and said the party has consistently backed reservation for women. “@INCIndia has stood for women's rights and women's reservation under a strong woman President in Sonia Gandhi, initiated the Women's Reservation Bill, passed it in the Rajya Sabha during our tenure and supported it in the Lok Sabha when it was brought by GoI in 2023,” he said.

Indian airlines are facing a financial crisis due to high ATF prices, prompting the Federation of Indian Airlines to seek urgent government intervention. Meanwhile, a political row erupted in West Bengal over an IPS officer's warning against a TMC leader accused of voter intimidation. In Gujarat, the BJP achieved a significant victory in civic polls, winning all 15 municipal corporations.

Delhi High Court rejected Arvind Kejriwal's plea to recuse Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma from the excise policy case, citing lack of evidence for bias claims. Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia have now refused to appear before the judge, escalating the legal and political standoff. The court warned against forum shopping and undermining judicial independence.

Kiren Rijiju refuted claims of coercion as seven Rajya Sabha MPs switched from AAP to BJP, stating «good people» have left Arvind Kejriwal. He accused Kejriwal of running AAP as a «private party.» Rijiju also criticised the INDIA bloc, alleging internal rifts and a lack of principles, while backing West Bengal's electoral roll revision ahead of polls.