Nation

The Supreme Court on Thursday issued notices to the central government and the University Grants Commission (UGC) while staying the implementation of the UGC’s “Promotion of Equity Regulations 2026.” The top court expressed serious concerns about the rules, calling them vague and potentially prone to misuse, and suggested that they be reviewed by a committee of eminent jurists. The regulations, notified on January 13, were framed to address caste-based discrimination in higher education institutions, following a 2019 public interest litigation filed by the mothers of Rohith Vemula and Payal Tadvi, who had allegedly faced caste discrimination on campuses. However, three petitions filed by individuals including Mrityunjay Tiwari, advocate Vineet Jindal, and Rahul Diwan challenged the new ...

The Supreme Court has put a stay on the University Grants Commission’s (UGC) “Promotion of Equity Regulations 2026,” citing concerns that the rules are unclear and susceptible to misuse. The top court has asked the central government to respond on the matter. The regulations, issued by UGC on January 23, aimed to promote equality in higher education institutions. However, several petitioners challenged the guidelines, claiming they were arbitrary, discriminatory, and in violation of the Constitution and the UGC Act, 1956. The court’s decision comes as relief for those opposing the regulations. Petitioners argued that the rules undermined the principle of equality and could exclude certain groups. They also contended that the regulations contravened provisions of the UGC Act. With the...

In view of the rising incidents of dog bites across the country, the central government has issued strict directives to all government and private hospitals to maintain a permanent stock of anti-rabies vaccines (ARV) and rabies immunoglobulin (RIG). The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare highlighted that increasing dog-bite cases pose a serious public health threat. Hospitals are now required to ensure uninterrupted availability of these life-saving medicines. Strict Guidelines for Public SpacesThe government has also emphasized the need for heightened medical preparedness in crowded institutional areas such as schools, hospitals, sports complexes, bus depots, and railway stations, to prevent stray dogs from entering these premises. Instructions to States and MinistriesAccordin...

In a significant move amid speculations about internal differences within the Congress party, MP Shashi Tharoor met with Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi at the Parliament on Thursday. The meeting, which lasted around half an hour, provided a platform for Tharoor to share his concerns and thoughts with the party leadership. Speaking to the media afterward, Tharoor said, “I had a discussion with two of my party leaders—the Leader of Opposition and the Congress President. It was a very good, constructive, and positive conversation. Everything is fine, and we are all working together. What else can I say? I have always campaigned for the party; where haven’t I campaigned?” When asked whether the discussion touched upon the Chief Minister of Ker...

New Delhi, January 29, 2026: Congress MP Shashi Tharoor met with Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge at the Parliament on Thursday, in a meeting that lasted over half an hour. The discussion, according to sources, focused on internal party matters that Tharoor recently raised, signaling a continued dialogue between the senior MP and the party leadership. Tharoor, who has been with the Congress for 17 years, emphasized that he has always adhered to the party’s stance in Parliament and prefers resolving issues internally rather than publicly. “There are matters I wish to discuss with the party leadership on an appropriate platform. I hope to present my concerns clearly and understand their perspective through constructive dialogue,” he stated. Th...

New Delhi: Congress leader P. Chidambaram strongly criticized a claim made during President Droupadi Murmu’s budget session address regarding the “Developed India – G RAM G Act”, under which rural households are promised 125 days of guaranteed employment. Chidambaram termed the claim a “misleading promise”, arguing that it is not a true guarantee but an illusion. Chidambaram Questions Feasibility President Murmu had stated in her address that the implementation of the G RAM G Act would ensure 125 days of work for rural households. Responding on social media, Chidambaram said, “While the President announced 125 days of guaranteed employment in villages under the Developed India – G RAM G Act, this is simply not correct.” He pointed out that under MGNREGA in recent years, a typical ...

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has leveraged the power of social media to transform the recent India-European Union trade deal into a cultural and diplomatic milestone. After the historic agreement, PM Modi posted updates in 24 different languages, reaching millions across 27 EU member countries, a move that geopolitical experts are calling a “multilingual masterstroke.” Turning a Trade Deal into a Cultural Handshake The trade deal, dubbed the “Mother of All Deals”, comes amid shifting U.S. policies that have created global economic uncertainties. According to experts, Modi’s multilingual outreach ensured that the agreement resonated not only as an economic document but also as a human and cultural connection, turning a formal Free Trade Agreement (FTA) into a message of inc...

New Delhi: India is gearing up for a major diplomatic event as the second India-Arab Foreign Ministers meeting is scheduled to take place in Delhi on January 30-31. More than ten Arab countries have confirmed their participation, including Qatar, UAE, Oman, Sudan, Palestine, Somalia, Mauritania, Comoros, and Libya. Saudi Arabia will be represented by its Deputy Foreign Minister, while confirmation from Lebanon, Syria, and Morocco is still awaited. Libya’s Historic Participation A key highlight of the meeting is the presence of Libya’s Foreign Minister, Eltaher S.M. Elbaour, marking the first visit by a Libyan foreign minister to India since the fall of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. Elbaour represents the internationally recognized Government of National Unity of Libya, signaling Libya’s r...

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday addressed the nation during the second day of the Parliament’s Budget Session, emphasizing that India today stands confident and has become a beacon of hope and a center of attraction for the world. He highlighted that the President’s speech reflects the trust of 1.4 billion Indians, especially the hopes of the youth, and expressed confidence that all parliamentarians will take these expectations seriously as India moves towards 2026. India-EU Free Trade Agreement: A Boost for Youth PM Modi underscored the recently concluded India-European Union Free Trade Agreement (FTA), calling it a landmark that will brighten the future of India’s youth. He encouraged Indian producers and manufacturers to leverage this opportunity to enhance the...