Nation

The Supreme Court of India on Monday declined to entertain a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) challenging the process of recording caste-related data in the 2027 national census. However, the Court asked the Central government and the Office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India to consider the suggestions submitted by the petitioner. The PIL was filed by scholar Akash Goyal, represented by senior advocate Mukta Gupta, raising concerns about the transparency and methodology used to record, classify, and verify citizens’ caste information. Gupta argued that the questionnaire used for collecting caste data should be made publicly available to ensure transparency. The Bench noted that the census process is governed by the Census Act, 1958, and the rules framed in 199...

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) launched a major operation, named ‘Operation CyStrike’, on January 30, in collaboration with law enforcement agencies from the FBI (USA), the United Kingdom, Kuwait, Ireland, and Singapore. The operation aimed to dismantle cybercrime networks operating in India and abroad that defrauded people online. CBI carried out simultaneous raids across ten Indian states, including Delhi, Bihar, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Telangana, and West Bengal. These raids targeted networks involved in online scams, where perpetrators used various aliases to deceive victims and extort money. During the operation, a significant cybercrime network in Delhi, primarily targeting American citizens, was exposed. Investigators s...

New Delhi: Amid rising geopolitical tensions across multiple regions, India continues to modernize its military capabilities. In a major technological breakthrough, Kalyani Strategic Systems Limited (KSSL) has developed what is being described as the world’s first 155mm/52-caliber artillery gun mounted on a compact 4×4 truck platform — a development that could significantly enhance battlefield mobility and firepower. The system combines the long-range striking capability of a heavy howitzer with the agility of a lightweight vehicle, a pairing previously considered structurally impractical in artillery engineering. Engineering Breakthrough The biggest challenge in mounting a high-caliber artillery system on a light 4×4 chassis lies in managing the enormous recoil forces generated d...

New Delhi: The Supreme Court has expressed deep concern over the living conditions of Dalits who fled Pakistan due to religious persecution and settled in India. The court emphasized that granting Indian citizenship alone is not sufficient; the government must also ensure that these individuals have access to dignified housing. In a significant order, the apex court temporarily stayed eviction drives targeting Dalit residents in Delhi and directed the government to submit its response within four weeks. The court’s remarks came amid fears that residents near Majnu Ka Tilla, close to Signature Bridge, might face displacement. Ensuring Housing and RehabilitationA bench comprising Justices M.M. Sundresh and N. Koteshwar Singh underlined that alongside citizenship, the state has a respon...

The government’s budget once again reflects a worrying trend: real spending on social sectors has steadily declined, and instead of compensating for this, allocations have been reduced. Cuts in spending on education, healthcare, water supply, and housing effectively push people’s living standards downward, with long-term consequences. Data Reveals the Reality Behind the ClaimsThe government has allocated ₹1.4 lakh crore for healthcare—just 0.5% of GDP. Yet, the government itself has repeatedly acknowledged that spending should reach at least 2.5% of GDP, as recommended in the National Health Policy. India’s healthcare expenditure remains lower than neighboring countries and far below developed nations. Education fares no better, with only 0.6% of GDP allocated, despite the National Educ...

New Delhi: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s recent critique of the Union Budget 2026-27 has drawn sharp criticism from the BJP. Gandhi had claimed that the budget ignored India’s real economic challenges, including unemployment among youth, declining manufacturing, capital outflows, falling domestic savings, and agrarian distress, calling it a budget that “turned a blind eye to real crises.” In response, BJP national spokesperson Shahzad Poonawala alleged that even senior Congress leader P. Chidambaram does not support Gandhi’s remarks. Poonawala further accused Gandhi of being part of a brigade that maligns India and labeled him a “propaganda leader” with anti-national motives. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had presented the budget on Sunday, increasing the capital expenditure t...

New Delhi: The Lok Sabha witnessed a heated uproar on Monday after Congress leader Rahul Gandhi made remarks on the Doklam standoff during discussions on the President’s address. Gandhi cited an unpublished book by former Army Chief General Manoj Naravane, claiming that Chinese tanks had approached the Indian border during the Doklam standoff, even reaching the Kailash ridge. The remarks drew immediate objections from Defense Minister Rajnath Singh, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju. Rajnath Singh stated that Gandhi’s reference to an unpublished book was inappropriate, saying, “How can an unpublished work be quoted in the House?” Rahul Gandhi defended his claim, saying his source was reliable and included quotes from General Naravane’s unp...

New Delhi: The Lok Sabha witnessed a heated uproar on Monday over Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s remarks on the Doklam issue. Defense Minister Rajnath Singh and Union Home Minister Amit Shah sharply criticized Gandhi, accusing him of misleading the House. During discussions on the President’s address, Rahul Gandhi referenced an unpublished book by former Army Chief General Naravane to make points about the Doklam standoff and alleged Chinese incursions. Rajnath Singh strongly objected, stating that the book cited by Gandhi has not been published and should not be used as a source in the House. Rajnath Singh’s ResponseSpeaking in the Lok Sabha, Rajnath Singh said, “I urge the Leader of Opposition to present the book he is quoting from to the House, as it has not been published. Member...

New Delhi: The death of a NEET student in Bihar has escalated into a major political issue, with protests now reaching the national capital. What began as a localized demonstration has transformed into a high-profile protest outside Parliament, led by leaders and MPs of the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD). RJD MPs are demanding accountability from the Bihar government over the NEET student’s death and have also raised objections regarding the presentation of the 2026 Union Budget. Speaking outside Parliament, an RJD leader accused the combined government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar of failing the public. “Even daughters in Bihar are not safe,” the leader asserted. The Bihar government has handed over the investigation to the CBI, but no significant upda...

New Delhi: Following fresh snowfall in the Himalayan region, the Uttarakhand government has issued a high-alert for five mountainous districts. The avalanche threat in these areas could have a wider impact on northern states, including the Delhi-NCR region. Rising Avalanche Risk in UttarakhandThe Indian Meteorological Department has warned of increased avalanche risk after recent snow accumulation in Uttarakhand’s upper regions. While heavy snowfall has occurred in higher altitudes, intermittent rainfall was recorded in lower areas, including the state capital Dehradun, on Sunday, further raising the risk of avalanches. Avalanches, which are fast-moving flows of snow, ice, and debris, can cause significant loss of life and property. They also affect the weather in plains, contributin...