Nation

New Delhi: India has accelerated the development of the BrahMos-II missile, a hyper-sonic cruise missile jointly developed with Russia. The current BrahMos missile has already proven its precision and effectiveness during Operation Sindur against Pakistan. The upcoming BrahMos-II promises to be even faster, deadlier, and virtually impossible for adversaries like China and Pakistan to intercept, at least for the next decade. Unmatched Speed and RangeThe BrahMos-II is expected to achieve speeds of over Mach 7 (around 8,500 km/h), significantly faster than its predecessor. Current BrahMos missiles travel at Mach 2.8 to Mach 3, flying at low altitudes near sea level, which makes detection by enemy radars extremely difficult. The new version will incorporate advanced internal navigation comb...

New Delhi: Following the Supreme Court’s reversal of its November 20, 2025, verdict on the Aravalli Hills, the Congress party on Tuesday called for the apex court to also intervene regarding the powers of the National Green Tribunal (NGT). Party General Secretary Jairam Ramesh argued that the NGT’s authority has been significantly weakened over the past decade. He urged the Supreme Court to ensure that the body functions independently, free from fear or bias, and in strict accordance with the law. Ramesh, in a post on social media platform ‘X’, said: “Yesterday, the Supreme Court took suo motu notice and reversed its own November 20, 2025, order concerning the definition of the Aravalli region. While the Modi government had enthusiastically implemented that order, the Supreme Court’s mo...

2025 has been one of India’s most diplomatically challenging years in recent memory, with events ranging from hosting BRICS to navigating complex regional relationships. As the year closes, several pressing questions remain unanswered, setting the stage for significant challenges in 2026. 1. A Pivotal Year for BRICSIndia is set to host the BRICS summit in 2026, marking one of the largest diplomatic events the country has ever organized. The government aims to make it as grand and comprehensive as the G20, sending a strong message to the global community about India’s growing international stature and strategic vision. 2. Strengthening Ties with NeighborsThe upcoming elections in Bangladesh and Nepal will be crucial for India. Ensuring peaceful power transitions in neighboring countri...

In 2025, the Supreme Court of India overturned several high-profile judicial decisions, sending ripples across the legal and public spheres. Some of these reversals occurred within weeks of the original rulings, raising concerns about judicial consistency and the decision-making process. Aravalli Case Reversal in Just 40 DaysThe most recent example is the Aravalli dispute, where the apex court reversed its own order within 40 days. The court itself highlighted this rapid turnaround, noting that such trends could affect the credibility of judicial decisions. Key Cases That Witnessed ReversalsThe Supreme Court revisited rulings on several significant issues, including: Stray dog management and rabies prevention The Governor’s power to approve bills sent by state legislatures ...

Khaleda Zia, the former Prime Minister of Bangladesh and long-time leader of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), passed away early Tuesday at the age of 80 after a prolonged illness. Despite her birth in India’s Jalpaiguri district in 1945, her political career was marked by a notably critical stance toward India. Early Life and Family BackgroundBorn in undivided India, Zia’s early years were shaped by the Partition of 1947, which split Jalpaiguri into the Indian state of West Bengal, while her family moved to East Pakistan (now Bangladesh). In 1960, she married Ziaur Rahman, a Pakistani Army officer who later rebelled against the Pakistani forces during the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War and eventually became President of Bangladesh in 1977, founding the BNP in 1978. Rise in Pol...

Khaleda Zia, Bangladesh’s first female Prime Minister and longtime leader of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), passed away on Tuesday after a prolonged illness. She was 80 years old. Zia’s political journey spanned over four decades, marked by both significant achievements and controversies. She rose to lead one of the country’s major political parties, governed Bangladesh, faced corruption charges, and was later pardoned by the President. Tenure and Political RivalriesKhaleda Zia first assumed office as Prime Minister in 1991. Throughout her career, her primary political rival was Sheikh Hasina. During her second term in 2001, Zia’s government included the Jamaat-e-Islami party, and India-Bangladesh relations were reported as strained, with accusations of anti-India rhetoric l...

Following the recent IndiGo crisis, India’s airline industry has entered a high-stakes battle to attract and retain pilots, with IndiGo and Air India offering increasingly lucrative packages to secure top talent. Pilot Recruitment War IntensifiesThe new safety regulations issued for airlines have created a scramble for experienced pilots. To comply with DGCA mandates, IndiGo has pledged to hire additional pilots, aiming to onboard 100 captains in January alone. Meanwhile, Air India has already advertised for multiple positions to expand its team. However, both airlines are facing a wave of resignations, with pilots switching between the two companies or leaving for international carriers. As a result, most recruitment currently focuses on maintaining existing staffing levels rather than...

The Supreme Court of India has withdrawn its 20 November ruling on the new definition of the Aravalli Hills and proposed the formation of a high-level expert committee to reassess the matter. The earlier decision had accepted a definition provided by a central government committee under the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change in October 2025, aimed at protecting one of the world’s oldest mountain ranges. Need for Re-evaluationThe Court emphasized the need to examine whether the new definition creates structural inconsistencies and inadvertently expands “non-Aravalli” areas, potentially enabling unregulated mining and environmental degradation. High-Level Committee ProposedChief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud suggested forming a committee to identify areas that could be excl...

In a remarkable feat of maritime heritage and modern engineering, the Indian Navy’s historic vessel, INSV Kaundinya, has embarked on its maiden voyage from Porbandar, Gujarat, to Muscat, Oman, on 20 December 2025—without any engine. The journey retraces ancient Indian maritime trade routes that historically connected India to West Asia, reflecting a unique blend of history, craftsmanship, and naval expertise. Constructed Using 5th Century TechniquesThe ship is built using traditional methods dating back to the 5th century CE, with no engine, metal, or modern propulsion systems. The hull and planks are stitched together using coconut fiber ropes and sealed with natural resins, cotton, and oils—a technique that provides flexibility, allowing the ship to absorb the energy of ocean waves. O...

The Supreme Court on Monday stayed the Delhi High Court’s order suspending the life imprisonment sentence of BJP leader-turned-accused in the 2017 Unnao rape case, Kuldip Singh Sengar. The apex court clarified that Sengar will not be released from jail. Key Questions Raised by Justice J.K. MaheshwariDuring proceedings, Justice J.K. Maheshwari questioned why the High Court’s suspension order did not clearly address whether Sengar was guilty under Section 376(2)(i) of the IPC. The matter will now proceed in the Supreme Court, where a significant determination will be made regarding the definition of ‘public servant’ under the POCSO Act and the criteria for granting suspension of sentences in such cases. Victim’s Right to File Separate PetitionThe Supreme Court also emphasized that the ...