Taking a dig at the BJP Hyderabad MP and AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi, Thursday said that those who always claim to be Vishwaguru cannot provide even the basic amenity of clean drinking water to the people, even in 2026. Owaisi was speaking about the deaths in Indore due to the consumption of contaminated water in the constituency of BJP leader and housing minister, Kailash Vijayvargiya.

Speaking about the seven deaths that took place in Indore due to contamination of drinking water, Asaduddin Owaisi tore into the BJP government, accusing it of bulldozing Muslim homes while failing in all other aspects of governance. He said, “These people are concerned only with the bulldozer and want to just demolish homes. If the allegations are against Muslims, they are beaten up, and their homes are demolished.”

The MP came down heavily on the BJP government in MP for failing that basic amenity that is expected by the citizens from their elected government. “Their (BJP) government is unable to provide basic amenities that people need, such as clean drinking water. This is a huge failure of the Madhya Pradesh government. We are in 2026, and we claim that we are now Vishwaguru and on the other hand, people are dying due to contaminated water. These (BJP) people should drown themselves in a handful of water. These people who always use bulldozers or talk about encounters must answer now,” said Owaisi.

He also slammed the BJP government in UP and the Centre over the distribution of arms to households by right-wing groups and the attack in Bareilly during a birthday party. He said if the man distributing arms in the locality did not belong to any majoritarian groups, then he would have been charged under the dreaded UAPA. He accused the Centre of being a mute spectator to such incidents and pointed out that in the case of Bareilly, it was the invitees to the party who were charged as guilty by the police.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to inaugurate a historic exhibition, “The Light & the Lotus: Relics of the Awakened One,” on January 3 at the Rai Pithora Cultural Complex in New Delhi, a government release Thursday said.

The event marks a milestone in India’s cultural history, reuniting repatriated Piprahwa relics with those preserved in the National Museum and the Indian Museum for the very first time.

The Piprahwa relics, unearthed in 1898, are considered some of the most authentic and significant archaeological links to Bhagwan Buddha. By bringing these dispersed fragments together, the exposition offers a rare, unified look at India’s early Buddhist heritage.

The Ministry of Culture has organised the exhibition into several thematic sections designed to provide a deep, immersive experience:

Thematic Galleries: Visitors can explore sections like Piprahwa Revisited, Vignettes of the Life of Buddha, and the Expansion of Buddhist Art and Ideals Beyond Borders.

Architectural Tribute: The display features a reconstructed interpretive model inspired by the iconic Sanchi Stupa.

Immersive Technology: Digital reconstructions and immersive films are integrated throughout to help bridge the gap between ancient history and modern understanding.

The Ministry of Culture emphasised that this event is a pivotal moment in India’s cultural diplomacy. The relics are not just archaeological finds but are sacred objects revered by millions worldwide. The exposition reflects a broader national commitment to preserving India’s spiritual legacy and its enduring civilisational ties to Buddhist teachings.

Three Bangladeshi nationals were arrested along the Indo-Nepal border near Raxaul in the East Champaran district of Bihar for allegedly trying to cross over to India from Nepal without valid documents, a senior official of the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) said on Thursday, adding that an Indian national was also arrested for assisting the trio.

The arrested Bangladeshi nationals have been identified as Md Shanihur Rahman, Md Sobaij and Md Firoz. The Indian national, Md Sarfaraz Ansari, a resident of the West Champaran district of Bihar, was arrested for assisting them in crossing the border illegally. Officials said he may have been involved in cross-border activities earlier as well.

According to the SSB officials, they had received inputs from intelligence agencies that three Bangladeshi nationals were trying to enter India via Nepal. Following which the SSB team increased surveillance along the border and coordinated with the Haraiya police station. As soon as the suspects attempted to cross the border, they were apprehended.

All three Bangladeshi nationals have been handed over to the Haraiya police station, where interrogation is ongoing.

Kisan Kumar Paswan, station house officer (SHO) of the Haraiya police station, said the three Bangladeshi nationals had entered Nepal on tourist visas on 20 December, 2025. On 31 December, 2025, they attempted to cross into Indian territory with the help of an Indian youth identified as Md Sarfaraz Ansari.

He said that the Central agencies have been informed. The Intelligence Bureau (IB) has already questioned them. Their motive for entering India could not be immediately ascertained.

Light drizzle and inclement weather on the first day of the New Year in Agra disrupted the enjoyment of tourists.

A large number of tourists came to see the Taj Mahal on New Year’s Day but the weather did not allow them to fulfill their wish. They were troubled by dense fog in the morning. The visitors from far off places faced difficulties commuting due to the thick fog accompanied by clouds, resulting in increased the rising cold and dampness.

The light drizzle that started in the afternoon further caused inconvenience to the tourists. The sun did not appear in Agra throughout the day. Despite light rain and biting cold, tourists arrived here to see the Taj Mahal.

Every year, a large number of domestic and international tourists visit the Taj on New Year’s Day. This year too, long queues of tourists were witnessed at the eastern and western gates of the monument from early morning on the first day of the new year.

There was also a huge crowd at the ticket counters, although many tourists had purchased tickets online.

The Tobacco Institute of India (TII) on Thursday expressed shock over what it termed an “unprecedented” increase in duty announced on December 31, 2025, stating that the move contradicts the government’s repeated assurances that the transition of taxes would be revenue-neutral.

In a media statement, TII warned that the sharp hike would inflict severe hardship on millions of farmers, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), retailers, and local value chains linked to the tobacco sector. The institute also cautioned that the increase could significantly boost illicit trade, leading to revenue losses for the national exchequer and encouraging antisocial activities.

Highlighting the extent of illegal trade, TII noted that for every three legal cigarettes sold in India, one smuggled or illicit cigarette already finds its way into the market. It said the latest tax increase would further exacerbate the problem, undermining legitimate businesses.

Citing a study covering 71 countries over 17 years (2005–2022), TII said that once illicit trade becomes entrenched, it is difficult to reverse.

The study also observed that governments cannot rely solely on enforcement measures while ignoring the impact of taxation and affordability. According to the TII, India already has a high incidence of illicit trade, which is likely to rise further following the duty hike.

The institute pointed out that cigarettes are among the most heavily taxed products in the country. While legal cigarettes account for only about 10 per cent of total tobacco consumption, they contribute nearly 80 per cent of total tobacco tax revenue. It added that cigarette taxes in India, as a percentage of per capita GDP, are among the highest globally, according to World Health Organisation (WHO) data.

Referring to international experience, the TII cited Australia as an example where high taxation and stringent regulations have reportedly led to an “exploding black market” and growing criminalisation of the trade.

It said lawmakers there are now calling for a rollback of taxes to encourage consumers to return to legitimate channels.

Urging a relook at the policy, the TII appealed to the government to review the calculations behind the duty increase and reconsider the magnitude of the hike.

The institute said the move could have a “debilitating and crippling” impact on the entire value chain involving more than four crore farmers, MSMEs and retailers, while dealing a severe blow to legitimate Indian industry and promoting illicit trade.

The Indian stock market on Thursday began the New Year 2026 on a positive note, with buying across sectors, except for FMCG and pharma.

At the close, the Sensex was down 32 points, or 0.04%, at 85,188.60, while the Nifty rose 16.95 points, or 0.06%, at 26,146.55. The BSE midcap index gained 0.3%, while the smallcap index ended flat.

Among the sectors, Nifty FMCG ended as the top loser, crashing 3.17%, while other key indices included Nifty Pharma, down 0.40%, and Healthcare, down 0.19%.

On the other hand, Nifty Auto (up 1.03%), Realty (0.84%), Metal (0.79%), and IT (0.76%) ended with healthy gains, while Nifty Bank rose 0.22% and the Financial Services index climbed 0.19%.

On the Nifty, around 38 stocks ended higher. The top gainers included Bajaj Auto (up 2.59%), Shriram Finance (up 2.39%), and NTPC (up 2%). The top losers included ITC (down 9.69%), Tata Consumer Products (down 1.57%), and Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories (down 1.53%).

Out of 4,335 stocks traded on the BSE, 2,211 advanced, 1,952 declined, and 172 remained unchanged.

As many as 144 stocks hit their 52-week highs, while around 87 stocks hit their 52-week lows on the BSE.

Stocks hitting new highs included Reliance, Titan, and Larsen and Toubro, while those hitting new lows included ITC, Siemens Energy India, and Clean Science and Technology.

Gold and silver fell on the last trading day of 2025, but remained on track for their biggest annual gain in more than four decades as a banner year for precious metals drew to a close.

Spot gold hovered around $4,320 an ounce, while silver slid towards $71.

Shares of Vodafone Idea surged nearly 10% on the likely AGR relief and a Rs 5,836 crore payment from the Vodafone Group.

ITC shares dropped 10% to trade at Rs 362.70 apiece after the government imposed new excise duty on cigarettes.

Ashok Leyland shares were the top gainers on the index, rising more than 3%. Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M) shares followed, rising more than 1%.

On the New Year day, a massive surge of devotion swept through Ayodhya, the city of Lord Rama, as devotees flocked temples to the Ram Temple and Hanuman Garhi to offer prayers and worship.

Since dawn on Thursday, a steady stream of devotees has been observed at both the Ram Temple and Hanuman Garhi.

From Lata Chowk to Nishad Raj Chowk, Ram Path has been crowded with devotees since morning. Anticipating the rush, the district administration had stopped all vehicles entering Ayodhya one kilometer before the city limits and diverted traffic.

The police administration is monitoring traffic, all routes leading to the temples, the Saryu Ghats, and Ram Path from the Naya Ghat Police Control Room.

Ayodhya’s Circle Officer Ashutosh Kumar said a huge crowd of devotees had gathered from the Saryu Ghats to the main temples of Ayodhya due to the New Year, especially at the Ram Temple and Hanuman Garhi.

The number of devotees at Nageshwar Nath Temple and the Saryu Ghats is also higher than usual.

Ramesh Das, the priest of Hanuman Garhi, said faith outweighs the weather; everyone wants to start the first day of the year with a darshan (sight) of their deity. A large number of devotees are taking a dip in the Saryu River before visiting the temples for prayers and worship on the first day of the year.

The youths who have come to Ayodhya for prayers and worship today are filled with immense enthusiasm, and Ayodhya is resounding with chants of “Jai Shri Ram.

“Hotelier Bal Krishna Vaishya said on New Year’s Day, people are coming to Ayodhya to have a darshan of Lord Rama. Earlier, the same young people would enjoy snowfall in the hilly areas with their families; today, they are making plans to come to Ayodhya.

Ayodhya’s hotels are full, the roads are full, and the temples are full. Even adverse weather is not a hindrance to having a darshan of their Lord.

The Special Investigation Team (SIT), probing the Sabarimala temple gold loot, has found that the scale of the scam could be much bigger and graver than initially reported.

The SIT found that the Sabarimala gold theft is significantly more extensive than initially reported, revealing that gold was methodically stripped from multiple sacred structures in the custody application filed before the Vigilance Court, Kollam, for the interrogation of the first accused, Unnikrishnan Potti; the ninth accused, Pankaj Bhandari; and the tenth accused, Pandurangaiah Naga Govardhan.

The SIT, the other day, submitted that apart from the door frames and idols, the Prabha Mandalam (halo/archway) figures, a gold-cladded Shiva idol on its top, the arch including the Vyali roopam (dragon figures), the raashi plates, the Dasharadha plates and the upper side of the door frame were entrusted to Potty on the pretext of gold cladding by falsely denoting the entire items as copper materials.

The SIT also informed the court that the investigative team has not yet been able to fully recover the gold stolen from the temple. The team informed that only 584 grams of the gold were recovered, which is less than what was originally stolen from the temple.

In order to accurately determine the amount of gold, samples have been collected from the gold plates on the Sabarimala shrine with the help of experts and sent to the Thiruvananthapuram VSSC for scientific testing through the court. The SIT has stated in its report submitted to the court that it is waiting for the results. The investigation team indicates that the looting at Sabarimala was planned.

Australian cricket great Adam Gilchrist has provided a health update on his former teammate Damien Martyn, who is currently battling meningitis and remains hospitalised in Queensland.

Speaking on Fox Cricket, Gilchrist said there were “positive signs” emerging as the 54-year-old continues his recovery. Martyn was placed in an induced coma after being diagnosed with meningitis and remains under close medical supervision.

“He is still in hospital. There will be more details coming out as they come to hand, but certainly in the last 24 hours, some positive signs are the indications coming out of the various tests he’s having,” Gilchrist said.

“There has been so much interest and love. A fine player, terrific fella. I just hope he can continue his recovery,” he added.

Martyn reportedly fell ill during the Boxing Day Test on Friday and was rushed to hospital shortly after. News of his condition became public on Tuesday, prompting an outpouring of support from the cricketing fraternity.

Meningitis is an inflammation of the protective membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. It can be caused by viral or bacterial infections and presents symptoms such as severe headaches, fever, stiff neck and sensitivity to light. Bacterial meningitis, in particular, can be life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention. Martyn’s condition continues to be closely monitored.

A highly respected figure in Australian cricket, Martyn represented his country in 67 Tests, 208 ODIs and four T20Is between 1992 and 2006, establishing himself as one of the most accomplished batters of his era.

He is widely regarded as one of the finest ODI finishers in the game, scoring 5,346 runs in 208 matches at an average of 40.80, including five centuries and 37 half-centuries. In Tests, he amassed 4,406 runs in 67 matches at an average of 46.37, with 13 centuries and 23 fifties.

One of the defining moments of his career came in the 2003 ODI World Cup final against India, where Martyn scored an unbeaten 88 despite a broken finger, sharing a match-winning partnership with Ricky Ponting.

A comprehensive review meeting of state’s Housing And Urban Development Department has laid focus on the progress, performance, and effective on-ground implementation of major flagship initiatives, including the Mukhyamantri Sahari Bikash Yojana (MSBY) and ‘Sahajog’, along with other ongoing urban development and civic infrastructure programmes

Minister of Housing and Urban Development Krushna Chandra Mahapatra, who chaired the review meeting on Thursday, laid emphasis on effective implementation of urban infrastructure schemes stating that it will strengthen urban infrastructure, improve basic civic amenities and enhance the quality of life of urban residents across the State.

Special emphasis was also laid on the state-wide pothole clearance drive, with a detailed review of city-wise progress.

The Minister directed all concerned officials and urban local bodies to ensure the timely completion of pothole repair works in all cities, adopting durable and high-quality engineering solutions to enhance road safety and ensure smooth traffic movement.

He further stressed the need for continuous field monitoring, strict quality control and effective coordination among implementing agencies to ensure successful and transparent implementation of departmental programmes. He also highlighted the importance of prompt grievance redressal and citizen-centric service delivery.

The meeting was attended by Principal Secretary, Housing and Urban Development Department, Usha Padhee, Director of Municipal Administration, Arindam Dakua, all Special Secretaries, Additional Secretaries., other senior officers, and all staff of the Department among others. Officials presented detailed updates on programme implementation and future action plans.

The meeting reaffirmed the State Government’s commitment to strengthening urban governance, accelerating infrastructure development and ensuring safe, sustainable and citizen-friendly urban environments across Odisha.

Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) President Sanjay Singh has launched a scathing attack on international women wrestlers Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia on Thursday, stating that Phogats’ allegations against the federation’s patron and former president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh are baseless.

He said if she wants to compete in wrestling again, she will have to go through the selection trials in accordance with the federation’s rules and regulations.

Speaking to media persons regarding Bajrang Punia, Singh said Punia is a banned wrestler and has nothing to do with the sport; he is only playing politics. Almost all the wrestlers who made the allegations have been exposed, and their true colours will soon be revealed to everyone.

He said that the WFI is not anyone’s personal property and he was elected president through a democratic process. Just as the wrestling sport has recovered and achieved victory in the Under-23 category after setbacks, Indian wrestlers will also bring home medals in the Asian Games.

Singh further claimed that with the kind of preparations being made for the Olympics, India will win five medals.

Sanjay Singh was here for the Rashtra Katha Mahotsav held in the premises of Nandininagar in the Nawabganj district.

On the first day of the Rashtra Katha Mahotsav in Nandininagar, Mr. Singh expressed his embarrassment at the absence of the wrestlers, saying the anger over the wrestlers’ absence after deceiving Netaji (Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh) is justified, as he is the patron of the wrestling federation.

Several dozen people were presumed dead, and about 100 others were wounded, many of them gravely, after a major fire at a bar in the Alpine ski resort town of Crans-Montana in Switzerland during New Year celebrations.

According to the police, the fire broke out at Le Constellation bar around 1.30 am (local time) when revellers were celebrating the New Year.

Emergency response teams rushed to the scene and took the injured to hospital. Most of them suffered burn injuries and were undergoing treatment at various hospitals in the area.

Explosions were also reported at the site after the fire, triggering fear and speculation of a terrorist attack. However, the Swiss police ruled out the terror attack angle, but the exact cause of the fire was still unknown.

Here is what we know so far:

• While the official number of casualties is not confirmed, the authorities said several dozen were presumed dead, with at least 100 injured. According to media reports, Swiss police confirmed at least 40 casualties.
• The victims are of several different nationalities, and efforts are underway to identify them. At least two French nationals are among those injured in the fire, France’s foreign ministry said in a statement.
• After receiving the information about the fire, authorities sent 10 helicopters, 40 ambulances, and 150 responders to the scene. The search and rescue operation is likely to continue into the coming days.
• “Significant resources have been deployed from a forensic medicine perspective, primarily to identify the victims,” said Beatrice Pilloud, prosecutor general of the canton, or state, during the news conference.
• Swiss President Guy Parmelin cancelled his New Year’s address after the fire tragedy. In a social media post, Parmelin said, “What should have been a moment of joy turned into a night of mourning in Crans-Montana, affecting the whole of Switzerland and abroad.”
• Earlier reports had suggested that there was an explosion at the bar. This triggered speculation that it could be a terrorist attack. However, Swiss authorities ruled out an attack in a briefing, but the cause of the fire was still unknown.
• Unverified video footage from outside the bar has also surfaced. The video, reportedly shot by a tourist, shows people outside the bar as the fire rages inside the building.

An explosion was reported in Himachal Pradesh’s Solan district on Thursday. The explosion reportedly took place around 9.40 am near the Nalagarh police station.

Baddi Superintendent of Police Vinod Dhiman was reported as saying that the explosion shattered glass in nearby buildings, triggering panic in the area.

The police sealed off the area following the explosion, and no movement of people was allowed as a precautionary measure.

#WATCH | Himachal Pradesh: A loud explosion occurred along the wall of Nalagarh Police Station, Solan, at around 10 am this morning. https://t.co/LMcQMqRKVH pic.x.com/2oc37g24UK

— ANI (@ANI) January 1, 2026

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister later commented on the Solan incident and said the blast took place in an area that used to be a junkyard earlier. A forensic team was on the spot to probe the matter, he added.

“The place where the explosion occurred was previously a junkyard. The FSL team has reached the spot. I will be able to provide more information only after that, but there doesn’t seem to be any external involvement in this incident,” the CM said further, ruling out anything suspicious in the matter.

#WATCH | Shimla: On the Solan blast, Himachal Pradesh CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu says, “The place where the explosion occurred was previously a junkyard… The FSL team has reached the spot. I will be able to provide more information only after that, but there doesn’t seem to be… pic.x.com/pTNmtnyXxU

— ANI (@ANI) January 1, 2026

An eyewitness was quoted as saying by news agency ANI: “An explosion occurred at around 9:40 or 9:45 AM. The people here are agitated. The blast occurred near a police station. There was no loss of life.”

The incident came just four days after a loud explosion caused panic in the Rajpura area of Baddi-Nalagarh industrial belt in Solan. The explosion was triggered by a fire in a roadside junk pile, news agency UNI reported.

Two people were injured in Monday’s incident. The uncle-nephew duo was identified as Mohar Singh and Ashish Kumar.

They were caught in the unexpected incident while returning home after purchasing medicines. The two were rushed to the Nalagarh Hospital for treatment.

Australia offspinner Todd Murphy is hopeful that spin will finally come to the fore in the fifth and final Ashes Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground, a venue traditionally known to offer assistance to slower bowlers, after playing only a limited role in a series dominated by pace.

Spin has largely been a peripheral factor across the first four Tests, with England opting not to play frontline spinner Shoaib Bashir and Australia’s veteran Nathan Lyon restricted before being ruled out through injury. Lyon’s absence has opened the door for Murphy, who now has a strong chance of leading Australia’s spin attack on home soil.

“I don’t think going into the series there was ever that planning or idea that spin wouldn’t play a role,” Murphy said on Thursday. “I think it’s sort of just been how it’s eventuated. I think it’ll evolve from year to year. Next year it could be completely different.”

Murphy has taken 22 wickets in seven Tests so far, all of them overseas. His most recent appearance for Australia came in Galle in February 2025. Since making his Test debut in 2023, opportunities at home have been scarce with Lyon firmly established as Australia’s premier spinner.

That reality, Murphy said, was something he had accepted early in his career. “[When I made my debut] I probably understood back then it was never going to be linear for me. I was never going to keep my place in the team when Nathan came back and I was always going to have to go back through Shield cricket and keep developing.

With the SCG surface yet to reveal its full character, Murphy believes there will still be enough in the pitch to bring spin into the contest, drawing confidence from his experience at the venue in domestic cricket.

“I think it definitely can spin,” he said. “We’ve played on some BBL wickets here where it has taken spin. I’ve only played a couple of Shield games and don’t think it’s ever done anything extraordinary out there. I don’t think recently it’s been a massive spin but there’s still been a big part of the game that spin played.”

Australia have rarely opted for two frontline spinners in Sydney Tests over the past decade, largely due to the strength of their pace attack and limited assistance for spinners on domestic surfaces. Murphy acknowledged that trend has been shaped by how pitches have evolved in recent years.

“Shield cricket over the last couple of years, which is what I’ve had the main experience in, has evolved a little bit to be more seam friendly,” he said. “I think that comes from just the importance of results in four-day cricket and spin probably just doesn’t break up enough in four days.

“So they’ve probably gone down the path of trying to make it speed up at the start of the game, but I still think you look across all games and spin still plays a massive part. So there’s always a role there for you to play, it might just not be day four and bowling 30 overs to spin your team to victory, but it still feels like you’ve always got a part to play in the game.”

Murphy added that his understanding of the spinner’s role has matured, extending beyond just wicket-taking. “I think I’ve probably learnt that. Your job’s not always to come on and take wickets. It might be to play a holding role for four or five overs for the quicks so they can have a break and then come back. And that can be just as important. I think you’ve got to find ways to try and still be effective out there and still be able to play a role for what the team needs.”

With the Ashes already decided, the Sydney Test could offer Murphy a rare opportunity to showcase his growth and stake a stronger claim as Australia’s next long-term spin option at home.

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) officials on Thursday conducted extensive interrogation of two accused, arrested yesterday with a huge haul of Ammonium Nitrate and other explosive material, in Tonk.

The team was examining the case for a possible terror angle in the transportation of the contraband from Indragarh, Bundi, to Tonk on Wednesday.

The NIA team arrived at Tonk from the state capital early this morning, to grill the duo, Surendra Patwa and Surendra Mochi, who were in custody at the Baroni police station. The accused have reportedly maintained that the contraband was meant for carrying out blasts for the mining purposes.

A team of the Intelligence Bureau (IB) also went to Tonk to investigate the case on Wednesday evening. Anti Terror Squad sleuths were also working on the case.

A haul of 150 kg of ammonium nitrate, 200 cartridges and six bundles of safety fuse wire was seized while being brought in a car from Bundi for supply in a Tonk locality yesterday.

After a year of strong performances and notable achievements, the Indian hockey teams are set for an action-packed 2026, with a calendar dominated by major international tournaments and a packed domestic season.

The year begins with the second edition of the revived Hockey India League (HIL). The Women’s HIL, which started in late December, will conclude in Ranchi on January 10, while the Men’s HIL will run from January 3 to January 26, with matches spread across Chennai, Ranchi and Bhubaneswar. The men’s final will be held at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar, providing a high-profile domestic curtain-raiser to the season.

Following the HIL, the Indian men’s team will begin its FIH Pro League campaign at home, hosting the Indian leg from February 10 to 15 at the Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium in Rourkela. The team will then head overseas for the Australian leg from February 21 to 25, before completing the season with fixtures in the Netherlands and the United Kingdom between June 14 and 28.

The focus for the women’s team shifts to World Cup qualification, with the FIH Women’s World Cup Qualifiers scheduled in Hyderabad from March 8 to 14. The tournament represents a crucial opportunity for India to secure a berth at the 2026 FIH Women’s World Cup and features strong competition from teams including England, Scotland, Korea, Italy, Uruguay, Wales and Austria.

The highlight of the international season arrives in August, when India will compete at the FIH Hockey World Cup, to be jointly hosted by Belgium and the Netherlands from August 15 to 30. The tournament offers the Indian team a chance to build on recent Olympic success and challenge for a podium finish on the world stage.

The year will conclude with a major continental assignment as both the men’s and women’s teams travel to Japan for the 20th Asian Games, scheduled in Aichi-Nagoya from September 19 to October 4.

The Indian men’s team enters the Asian Games as defending champions, with the added incentive of securing direct qualification for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.

Alongside these international commitments, Hockey India will continue its emphasis on grassroots development, with a comprehensive domestic calendar aimed at providing competitive exposure to emerging players and identifying future prospects for the senior national teams.

Indian hockey team calendar – 2026

Women’s Hockey India League:
December 28, 2025 – January 10, 2026
Men’s Hockey India League:
January 3 – January 26, 2026
FIH Men’s Pro League (India):
February 10 – 15, 2026
FIH Men’s Pro League (Australia):
February 21 – 25, 2026
FIH Men’s Pro League (Netherlands & UK):
June 14 – 28, 2026
FIH Women’s World Cup Qualifiers (Hyderabad):
March 8 – 14, 2026
FIH Hockey World Cup (Belgium & Netherlands):
August 15 – 30, 2026
20th Asian Games, Aichi-Nagoya (Japan):
September 19 – October 4, 2026

Samajwadi Party President Akhilesh Yadav extended New Year greetings and best wishes to everyone during a big gathering here on Thursday, with an appeal to party workers and leaders to take a resolution for 2026 to remove the BJP government in Uttar Pradesh in the 2027 assembly polls.

He announced that if the Samajwadi Party forms the government in UP, women will receive Rs 40,000 annually. ” The Samajwadi Party fulfils its promises, and the public trusts that the SP keeps its promises. Only under a Samajwadi Party government will farmers, labourers, and the poor benefit,” he said.

“You all must dedicate yourselves to the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) so that no eligible voters’ names are deleted from the voters’ list. BJP had already admitted that most of the deleted voters are supporters of BJP; hence, now no one can stop SP from coming to power in 2027 in UP,” he announced.

Addressing the gathering, the SP president also asked the workers to follow the path shown by Baba Saheb Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar, Dr Ram Manohar Lohia, and party founder Mulayam Singh Yadav, and work towards leading the country and society on the path of prosperity.

“In the new year, everyone must work together with new energy and determination. The negative BJP government must be removed in 2027, and it must be ousted from power. In this government, injustice, oppression, inflation, unemployment, and corruption are at their peak. The public is suffering. The removal of the BJP government in 2027 is certain,” he added.

Akhilesh Yadav claimed that ”the BJP has become weak, and when the BJP becomes weak, it becomes even more communal”.

He alleged that the BJP government does not want to give reservations to the PDA (Pichhda, Dalit, Alpsankhyak).

“There is rampant corruption in jobs, and this government has snatched away 30,000 jobs from the PDA. The BJP is anti-backward classes, anti-Dalit, and anti-minority. It is not giving the PDA the rights and entitlements guaranteed by the Constitution. It is snatching away the reservation of the PDA. The PDA is an alternative social force; those who are against the PDA are against the Constitution,” he said.

Attacking the BJP over the Brahim MLA meeting held over Bati Chokha recently in Lucknow, Akhilesh Yadav said, “The BJP is a deceitful party, and it deceives every section of society. ”

A community feast of Bati-Chokha was organised at the Samajwadi Party state headquarters on the occasion of the New Year.