Natioanal

New Delhi: It is a matter of pride for India that despite numerous challenges, its democracy and Constitution have remained resilient. Yet, emerging threats from religious and caste-based politics are cause for concern. India became a republic just two and a half years after gaining independence, whereas Pakistan took nearly nine years to achieve the same, experiencing repeated setbacks to its democracy. Studies suggest the average lifespan of constitutions worldwide is merely nine years, making India’s constitutional stability a remarkable achievement. Tested and Proven Granville Austin, an authority on constitutional studies, described the Indian Constitution as one of the greatest political undertakings since the U.S. Constitution of 1787. Its strength lies in its ability to wi...

New Delhi: In a landmark ruling, the Supreme Court has set aside the Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh High Court’s decision that granted custody of two minor children to their mother. The apex court has directed the High Court to reconsider the case within four months, emphasizing the children’s welfare and their own wishes. The bench, comprising Justices Pankaj Mittal and S.V.N. Bhatti, observed that the High Court had failed to account for crucial circumstances while applying the principle of child welfare. Citing counseling and mediation reports, the Supreme Court noted that both children had expressed a desire to live with their father, with whom they felt comfortable, despite being born in Qatar. The Unique Case The two minor boys, both born in Qatar to Indian parents, became t...

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed the interim trade agreement reached between India and the United States, calling it a significant milestone in the growing trust and deepening partnership between the two countries. Under the deal, the U.S. will reduce tariffs on Indian goods to 18 percent, while India has agreed to cut or eliminate duties on a wide range of U.S. industrial and agricultural products, including dried grains, red sorghum for animal feed, tree nuts, fresh and processed fruits, soybean oil, as well as alcoholic beverages and spirits. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), PM Modi expressed gratitude to U.S. President Donald Trump, noting the personal interest he has shown in strengthening India-US ties. “Make in India” and Job Creation Modi emphasized th...

New Delhi: The weather across India is showing signs of change again today. Delhi-NCR will experience warm sunshine, but cold winds will still be felt, giving a crisp wintery touch. Meanwhile, Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and the higher reaches of Uttarakhand are under alert for heavy snowfall and rain due to the influence of two Western Disturbances. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast that between 9 and 11 February, western Himalayan regions including Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand may witness significant rainfall and snow. On 10 February, some areas could experience strong winds of 30–40 km/h along with thunderstorms. Northern India is expected to see a gradual rise in temperatures over the coming days, providing some relie...

New Delhi: India and the United States have officially ended their long-standing tariff dispute, marking a major milestone in bilateral trade relations. The White House announced on Saturday that both countries have agreed on a framework for an interim trade deal, signaling a new strategic era in economic cooperation. The deal’s most significant development is President Donald Trump’s signing of an executive order that immediately removes the 25% punitive tariff imposed on India due to Russian oil imports. Key Points of the Interim Trade Agreement Tariff Reductions by India: India has agreed to remove or significantly reduce tariffs on a wide range of U.S. industrial goods, food, and agricultural products. Items covered include dried distillers grains (DDGs), red sorghum for anim...

New Delhi: Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has clarified its strategic approach toward the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) program, India’s ambitious indigenous fifth-generation stealth fighter jet. Despite recent media reports suggesting HAL may be excluded from the AMCA prototype development stage, the state-owned aerospace company has confirmed that it intends to play a major role when production orders for the jet are issued in the next decade. HAL’s Strategic ApproachHAL CMD D.K. Sunil told media outlets that the company has not officially been removed from the AMCA project. While certain private firms may be tasked with prototype development, HAL is preparing to participate in full-scale production when large orders for the Indian Air Force are finalized, expected aroun...

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi recalled the long and eventful history of the Sardar Sarovar Dam in the Rajya Sabha while responding to the Motion of Thanks on the President’s Address. He highlighted that though the project was envisioned by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and laid by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru in 1961, bureaucratic delays and political indecision kept it unfinished for decades. The dam was ultimately completed under Modi’s leadership. Historic Planning and DelaysAccording to archival records, Sardar Patel first conceptualized harnessing the waters of the Narmada River in 1946, long before Modi’s birth. Following Patel’s demise, successive Congress-led governments failed to execute the plan efficiently, leaving the project stalled for over 50 years due to red tape and ind...

New Delhi: India’s aviation regulator has revealed alarming findings in its latest audit, reporting repeated technical issues in nearly half of the aircraft inspected last year. The most affected carriers are Air India and IndiGo, raising concerns over maintenance and operational standards. Audit FindingsAccording to data presented by the Ministry of Civil Aviation in the Lok Sabha on Thursday, the regulator conducted audits of 754 aircraft between January 2025 and February 3, 2026. Out of these, 377 planes exhibited recurring defects. While not all issues directly affect flight safety, the sheer frequency—nearly 50% of aircraft inspected—raises significant concern for passengers. Airline-Specific Observations IndiGo: 148 aircraft reported repeated defects Air India: 137 aircr...

New Delhi: Even before its release, the autobiography of former Indian Army Chief General M.M. Naravane, titled “Four Stars of Destiny”, has ignited a political firestorm in Parliament, drawing attention from the government, opposition, and the public alike. Parliamentary Row Over Book ExcerptsThe book, which remains unpublished, has already become a reference point in the Lok Sabha. Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi sought to raise points based on the book, highlighting issues such as India’s stance during Operation Sindoor and the Agnipath scheme. However, the government argued that no claims should be made on the basis of an unreleased book. BJP MP Nishikant Dubey appeared in the House with several other books to counter the opposition’s references, turning the debate into a “battle of ...

New Delhi: The Supreme Court has delivered a significant verdict, clarifying that a married woman cannot file a rape case against a man on the ground that he made a false promise of marriage. The court emphasized that filing such cases in these circumstances amounts to a misuse of the criminal justice system. Case BackgroundThe ruling came while disposing of a case filed by a woman lawyer who accused another lawyer of rape, alleging that she had been sexually involved with him based on his promise of marriage. The bench, comprising Justices B.V. Nagarathna and Ujjwal Bhuiyan, observed that when the complainant is already married, she is legally ineligible to contract another marriage. Therefore, any sexual relationship arising under the false pretext of marriage cannot form the basis fo...