Natioanal

India on Tuesday successfully conducted the user evaluation trial of the Akash Next Generation (Akash-NG) missile system, a significant milestone in strengthening the country’s indigenous air defence capabilities. The trial met all Preliminary Staff Qualitative Requirements (PSQRs), officials said. Developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and manufactured by Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL), the Akash-NG system demonstrated its effectiveness by successfully intercepting multiple aerial targets under diverse operational conditions. Successful Interception Across Ranges and Altitudes According to DRDO, the missiles intercepted aerial threats at varying ranges and altitudes, including low-altitude, long-range targets near border areas as well as high-altitud...

In a significant administrative development, the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the Ministry of Home Affairs’ proposal to repatriate National Investigation Agency (NIA) Director General Sadanand Vasant Date to his parent cadre, Maharashtra, ahead of schedule. The approval was granted late on December 22, following a proposal sent by the Home Ministry on December 16. Date, a 1990-batch senior IPS officer of the Maharashtra cadre, is now widely expected to be appointed as the next Director General of Police (DGP) of Maharashtra in January 2026. Likely Successor to Retiring DGP The move comes as the current Maharashtra DGP, Rashmi Shukla, a 1988-batch IPS officer, is set to retire on January 3, 2026. Following her re...

New Delhi:The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has launched a sharp attack on the Congress following a statement by party leader Imran Masood, who publicly called for Priyanka Gandhi to be made Prime Minister, saying Rahul Gandhi should be removed. BJP spokesperson Shahzad Poonawala claimed that Masood’s remarks clearly indicate that even the Gandhi family lacks confidence in Rahul Gandhi’s leadership. “Rahul Out, Priyanka In” Slogan Gains Attention Speaking at a press conference, Poonawala said, “Imran Masood has made it clear that Rahul Gandhi has lost public support, and no one trusts him anymore. The new slogan is now ‘Remove Rahul, bring Priyanka.’” According to BJP, Masood’s statement reflects internal dissatisfaction within the Congress and highlights a push for leadership change....

New Delhi:A sensational claim by CPM MP John Brittas has stirred political debate, alleging that the Modi government is preparing to remove Mahatma Gandhi’s image from Indian currency notes. According to Brittas, a high-level meeting on this matter has already taken place, fueling speculation across the country. Controversial Claims Brittas stated that, despite official denials, initial discussions at the top level regarding the removal of Gandhi’s photograph have already occurred. He described this as more than mere speculation, suggesting that it is part of a broader attempt to redefine national symbols. Citing unnamed sources, reports indicate that the government may consider replacing Gandhi’s image with one that better represents Indian culture, with suggestions including a d...

New Delhi:The Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) held a strong protest outside the Bangladesh High Commission in Delhi on Tuesday, condemning the brutal murder of Hindu youth Deepu Chandra Das in Bangladesh and escalating violence against Hindus in the country. The demonstration escalated tensions outside the High Commission, as protesters demanded justice for the victim and raised concerns over the safety of Indian nationals, particularly medical students, trapped in Bangladesh. Rising Tensions Between India and Bangladesh The protest comes amid growing concerns over the deteriorating situation of minority Hindus in Bangladesh. According to demonstrators, more than 50 non-Muslims have been killed since January this year, and several have faced false charges under blasphemy laws. In respons...

New Delhi:The Indian Air Force (IAF) has congratulated Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla after The Week magazine named him ‘Man of the Year 2025’ in its December 21 edition. The recognition comes in honor of his pivotal role in the AXIOM-4 mission, which marked India’s growing prominence on the global space stage. First Indian to Reach the International Space Station In June this year, Group Captain Shukla became the first Indian to reach the International Space Station (ISS). Completing an 18-day mission, he returned to Earth on July 15, having conducted several scientific experiments operated by ISRO and contributed to research activities aboard the station. Post-mission, he underwent rehabilitation in the United States and returned to India on August 17, where he met President Droup...

New Delhi:The controversy over mining in the Aravalli Hills has escalated as the Supreme Court of India has admitted a petition challenging the “100-meter criterion” used to define which hills qualify as part of the Aravalli range. The petition was filed by R.P. Balwan, a retired forest official from Haryana, raising concerns over the environmental impact of this new benchmark. The 100-Meter Controversy Earlier, a committee under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) recommended that hills 100 meters or taller should be considered as Aravalli. On November 20, the Supreme Court adopted this definition as a standard for regulating mining activities. Balwan, however, has now challenged this approach, arguing that it undermines conservation efforts for this anci...

New Delhi:In a significant step towards modernisation and self-reliance in defence, the Indian Air Force (IAF) is preparing to retire its ageing Soviet-origin Mi-35 attack helicopters—popularly known as the ‘Flying Tanks’—and replace them with India’s indigenous Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) ‘Prachand’, designed specifically for high-altitude warfare. End of an Era: Mi-35 Helicopters to be Phased Out According to defence sources, the Mi-35 fleet will be completely phased out by 2030–31, marking the end of nearly four decades of service by Russian heavy attack helicopters in the Indian arsenal. The Mi-25 and Mi-35 helicopters, inducted during the 1980s and 1990s, earned the nickname ‘Flying Tanks’ due to their heavy armour, firepower, and capability to transport troops while deliverin...

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently targeted the Congress Party while discussing Assam’s history amid ongoing violence against minorities in Bangladesh. He referred to a controversial plan by the British in 1946, aimed at merging Assam with what later became East Pakistan (now Bangladesh), a plan that ultimately failed due to strong local opposition. The 1946 Cabinet Mission PlanAfter World War II, the British government sent three cabinet ministers to India on March 24, 1946 under the so-called Cabinet Mission. While officially tasked with preparing India for self-governance, the mission reportedly sought to decide which parts of undivided India would remain in India and which would go to Pakistan. The plan envisioned a three-tier federal structure, with: A central fed...

New Delhi: The Supreme Court’s recent ruling on the Aravalli Hills has raised concerns among environmentalists, sparking debates over how these ancient hills are defined and protected. The controversy centers on the Court’s decision to classify only land rising at least 100 meters (328 feet) above the surrounding terrain as part of the Aravalli range. While clusters of two or more such hills within 500 meters of each other will collectively form the Aravalli Hills, critics warn that this definition could leave many smaller but ecologically significant hills vulnerable to mining and construction. Ecological Importance of the AravallisThe Aravalli range, stretching over 650 kilometers from Delhi to Gujarat, is one of the oldest geological formations in India, dating back approximately 32 ...