Welcoming the Delhi Budget 2026-27 presented by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta in the Assembly on Tuesday, Delhi BJP chief Virendra Sachdeva called it “Sarvajan Hitay, Sarvajan Sukhay” budget inspired by Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya’s Antyodaya principle and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s policy of holistic development.

Sachdeva said that the budget is prepared in a way to offers benefits to every section of society. The Rs 103700-crore budget is the largest in the national capita’s history with the government’s own revenue covering about 74 per cent of the expenditure while the remaining 26 per cent has clearly defined allocations.

He stated that the budget of the BJP government is for a developed Delhi as more than 31 per cent, i.e. Rs 32,360 crore, dedicated to the maintenance and development of education and health services.

In any nation’s capital city, he said, transport and urban development are the two very important aspects. Inspired by PM Modi’s principles, the Rekha Gupta government has laid the foundation for Delhi 2047 by allocating 23.32 per cent of the budget estimate to these sectors.

According to Sachdeva, by allocating Rs 1,777 crore for better maintenance of the agricultural sector and rapidly urbanizing villages in Delhi, along with Rs 10,537 crore for social security, the government has fulfilled its commitment to taking care of everyone’s welfare.

He also mentioned that having started the distribution of free gas cylinders to needy families during Holi in the 2025-26 financial year, the the Delhi government has, in the 2026-27 budget, allocated Rs 260 crore for providing gas cylinders to the needy families and Rs 450 crore for free bus travel for women and transgender persons.
He expressed hope that the second budget presented of the CM Rekha Gupta-led government will put Delhi on a faster path of growth and development.

Kashvee Gautam and Anushka Sharma earned their maiden call-ups to India’s T20I set-up as the BCCI women’s selection committee on Tuesday announced a 15-member squad for the next month’s five-match T20I series against South Africa. Assam wicketkeeper-batter Uma Chetry is the other fresh face in the squad.

The trio replaces Vaishnavi Sharma, Sneh Rana, G Kamalini and Amanjot Kaur, who were part of the squad that recently faced Australia.

The 22-year-old seamer Kashvee Gautam has been a regular for Gujarat Giants in the Women’s Premier League, playing 18 matches and claiming 19 wickets. She made her India debut during the ODI series against Sri Lanka in April 2025 and also earned her Test cap in the one-off match against Australia in Perth earlier this month.

Uncapped all-rounder Anushka Sharma, also 22, featured for Gujarat Giants in the 2026 WPL season, scoring 177 runs in seven matches. She was also part of the India A team that won the Women’s Asia Cup Rising Stars T20 tournament.

Uma has already represented India in seven T20Is and made her ODI debut against Bangladesh during the 2025 World Cup. Chetry was part of the UP Warriorz squad in the WPL in 2024 and 2025, but went unsold for the 2026 season.

The first two matches of the series will be played in Durban on April 17 and 19. The next two fixtures will take place in Johannesburg on April 22 and 25, while the final T20I will be held in Benoni on April 27.

The five-match rubber will serve as a good preparation for Harmanpreet Kaur’s side, as the Women-in-Blue will look to carry forward the momentum built from their big series win against Australia and fine-tune their performances, building up to the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026, starting June 12 in England.

Indian women’s T20I squad: Harmanpreet Kaur (C), Smriti Mandhana (VC), Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Deepti Sharma, Richa Ghosh(WK), Arundhati Reddy, Renuka Thakur, Kranti Gaud, Sree Charani, Shreyanka Patil, Kashvee Gautam, Bharti Fulmali, Uma Chetry (WK), Anushka Sharma.

Former title-holders Gujarat Titans have reaffirmed their approach ahead of the 2026 season of the Indian Premier League, with head coach Ashish Nehra stating that the franchise remains focused on competing for titles without changing its established style of play.

Since entering the IPL in 2022, the Titans have quickly emerged as one of the most consistent teams in the competition. The Ahmedabad-based franchise has reached the playoffs in three of its first four seasons and lifted the trophy in its debut campaign in 2022.

Speaking at Shubharambh 2026, an event that brought together the entire squad, franchise owners, partners and supporters, Nehra said the team sees no reason to alter its philosophy heading into the new season.

“I don’t think there’s a need to think differently this season. In fact, I don’t have to think, the players do. They have to think. They have to play; I’m sitting outside,” he said, underlining the team’s faith in the players’ ability to make decisions on the field.

Nehra stressed that the Titans’ mentality has been clear since the franchise’s inception, centred on competing at the highest level rather than simply participating in the league.

“From day one, our mindset has been clear: we are not here to participate, we are here to compete and win. For a new team, it’s easy to think it might take time, but that was never our approach,” the former India pacer said.

Highlighting the continuity within the squad, Nehra pointed out the stability in leadership and the familiarity among the players as key strengths heading into the season.

“You’re talking about a captain who has been with the team from day one and has seen that journey. I don’t think we are looking to do anything different this season.”

Gill emphasises clarity and composure

Highlighting the importance of staying true to oneself and maintaining calm in pressure situations, skipper Shubman Gill emphasised clarity and composure in leadership as the team aims to build on a strong and consistent foundation established over the past seasons.

“I think I’m just being myself, and the calmness comes from a sense of belief and security that I have within my group and in my own game. Staying calm in any situation gives you an eagle-eye view, you’re able to look beyond the moment, see the bigger picture, and have a much clearer, long-term vision,” Gill said.

The Titans will begin their IPL 2026 campaign on March 31 against Punjab Kings at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur.

Their first home fixture will be against Rajasthan Royals at the Narendra Modi Stadium on April 4.

Following that, Gujarat will travel to face Delhi Capitals at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on April 8 before taking on Lucknow Super Giants at the Ekana Cricket Stadium on April 12.

Despite being junior partners to stronger regional Dravidian players, both national parties—the BJP and the Congress—managed to secure better seat-sharing deals in their respective alliances for the 2026 Tamil Nadu assembly elections, which political observers attribute to a combination of reasons such as strategic bargaining, shifting alliance dynamics, and external factors. In the upcoming polls, the BJP is contesting 27 seats, and the Congress 28 seats in their respective alliances—an improvement from the last elections in 2021.

One of the primary reasons for this increased seat share is said to be aggressive negotiation, but shifts in internal alliance dynamics and external political developments also played a key role. For the Congress, the “Vijay factor” helped leverage a better deal, while the BJP used its superior position at the Centre, improving vote share in the state and the weakened status of allies to its benefit.

According to the NDA seat-sharing agreement, the AIADMK, which is leading the alliance, is contesting 178 seats. Other allies include the PMK with 18 seats and the AMMK with 11 seats. In the 2021 elections, the BJP contested 20 seats and recorded a vote share of approximately 2.6%. They were followed by the 2024 Lok Sabha elections in which the BJP did not win any seats but recorded its highest-ever vote share in the state—approximately 11.2%—indicating a growing footprint, thus strengthening its case for a larger presence in the Assembly.

Senior BJP leaders Amit Shah and Piyush Goyal were practically calling the shots within the AIADMK-led NDA, focusing on securing “winnable” constituencies, particularly in temple belts where pro-Hindutva sentiment is considered stronger, so it was an easy go, say observers.

The party further increased its seat share by capitalising on the weakened position of allies like the PMK, which had contested more seats in the last elections.

As for the Congress, it contested 25 seats in 2021 as part of the DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance (SPA), winning 18. For the 2026 elections, it was said to be negotiating for 40-plus seats—similar to its 2016 allocation—citing a strong strike rate and organisational presence.

Apparently, the possibility of aligning with actor-politician Vijay’s party, TVK, was also used to pressure the DMK into offering a better deal. When talks stalled, senior leader P. Chidambaram intervened to finalise the deal with Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, as a part of which the DMK agreed to allocate a Rajya Sabha seat to the Congress.

The Jammu Division of Northern Railway on Tuesday announced a major route change for the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra–Amritsar Vande Bharat Express (Train Nos. 26406/26405), with operations set to commence shortly. The premium train will now operate via Gurdaspur and Batala in Punjab instead of via Jalandhar City.

The train will depart from Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra at 6:40 AM and arrive in Amritsar at 11:40 AM on the same day.

On its return journey, the train will depart from Amritsar at 4:40 PM and reach Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra at 9:45 PM on the same day.

Along its route, the train will continue to make scheduled stops—in both the up and down directions—at the railway stations of Jammu, Pathankot Cantt, Gurdaspur, and Batala.

Senior Divisional Commercial Manager Uchit Singhal said the change will provide passengers travelling between Amritsar and Jammu with faster, more comfortable, and direct connectivity, while also reducing the longer travel distance previously incurred via the Jalandhar route.

He added that the revised route will extend the service of a modern train like the Vande Bharat Express to the regions of Batala and Gurdaspur, benefiting both pilgrims and local residents.

“This decision has been taken with the aim of directly benefiting premium-class passengers and making their travel experience even more convenient,” he said.

Singhal further noted that, in view of overwhelming passenger demand and for greater convenience, the route of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra–Amritsar Vande Bharat Express has been revised.

The train will now operate via Batala and Gurdaspur instead of Jalandhar City. This modification will directly benefit passengers in border regions and will also reduce travel time.

“Our objective is to provide passengers with a safe and world-class travel experience in the shortest possible time,” he added.

In a related development, changes have also been made to the scheduled halts of Train No. 19223/19224. Going forward, this train will stop at Pathankot Cantt instead of Pathankot City.

The Indian stock market on Tuesday rebounded sharply to end with solid gains in a volatile session.

At close, the Sensex was up 1,372.06 points or 1.89 percent at 74,068.45, and the Nifty was up 399.75 points or 1.78 percent at 22,912.40. Broader indices outperformed the main indices with Nifty mid and smallcap indices rising 2.6% each.

The market capitalisation of BSE-listed companies jumped to Rs 423.16 lakh crore against Monday’s Rs 415.21 lakh crore.

Among the sectors, all the indices ended in the green. Auto, IT, metal, media, bank, consumer durables, PSU Bank, Private bank, infra, consumer durables were up 2% each.

On Nifty, the key gainers were L&T, Interglobe Aviation, Asian Paints, Eternal and Bajaj Finance while the losers were Coal India, Adani Enterprises, Sun Pharma, Cipla and Power Grid Corp.

Over 500 stocks touched their 52-week low on the BSE. This included Castrol, Bajaj Housing, IDBI Bank, Gujarat Gas, New India Assurance, Lodha Developers, Zensar Technologies, Nuvoco Vistas, IGL, Gujarat State Petro, ITC, Balkrishna Industries, Deepak Nitrite, Blue Dart, IRCTC, PCBL Chemicals, ACC, among others

Indian Stock Market tracked the geopolitical developments after the US President Donald Trump announced a temporary pause on strikes targeting Iran’s power infrastructure.

Oil Marketing Companies (OMC) shares saw renewed buying interest. HPCL, BPCL, and IOC gained 5.53%, 4%, and 0.43%, respectively. Coal India shares also came under selling pressure slipping nearly 3%.

Shares of InterGlobe Aviation, parent of IndiGo Airlines jumped 5.2% snapping a three-day losing streak.

Bank Nifty snapped its three-day losing streak rising more than 2%. HDFC Bank snapped its four-session losing run to settle 3% higher.

In terms of global performances, the Asian market also rebounded with South Korea’s Kospi, Japan’s Nikkei 225, Shanghai’s SSE Composite and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng traded higher.

Under Indian Railways’ flagship “52 Reforms in 52 Weeks” initiative, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Tuesday announced an important reform – rules for cancellation of tickets and refund, along with change of train boarding point, salt transportation, automobile transportation, and improving quality of construction.

Addressing a press conference here on Reforms in Railways, the Railway Minister, while elaborating about the new reform – cancellation of tickets and refund rules, said, “This enables passengers to plan their travel efficiently.”

Indian Railways has revised its rules for the cancellation of confirmed tickets to check misuse of the booking system by touts who indulge in black marketing. Under the revised system, passengers cancelling tickets more than 72 hours before departure will receive the maximum refund, with only a flat cancellation charge per passenger. For cancellations made between 72 hours and 24 hours, 25 percent of the fare will be deducted, subject to the minimum charge.

The penalty increases for late cancellations. If a ticket is cancelled between 24 hours and 8 hours before departure, 50 per cent of the fare will be deducted, subject to the minimum charge. For cancellations made less than 8 hours before departure, no refund will be permitted.

“According to an assessment of ticketing patterns, touts would book extra tickets and cancel unsold ones before train departure times, gaining significant booking amounts back as refunds,” Vaishnaw said.

He added that the decision to tighten the norms for refunds is expected to curb cornering of tickets by touts.

“Travel class upgradation allowed up to 30 minutes before departure for counter tickets. Previously, passengers could upgrade travel class only before charting. This will provide more options for comfortable travel to passengers right till the last moment,” Vaishnaw said.

The revised rules will come into effect in phases between April 1 and April 15, 2026.

Indian Railways has also allowed passengers to change their boarding station up to 30 minutes before the scheduled departure of the train. The change is expected to help passengers in cities with multiple stations, where they can choose to board from a station of their convenience.

“Freedom for passengers to change their boarding point 30 minutes before scheduled departure of the train. Especially useful in major cities with multiple stations, where a passenger can opt to board from any of those stations. Currently, change of boarding point is allowed before preparation of the chart,” the Railway Minister said.

He also announced Reform in Salt Transportation, Reform in Automobile Transportation and Improving Quality of Construction during the press conference.

On Reform in Automobile Transportation, the Railway Minister mentioned about introduction of specialized wagons for auto carriers–Single stack and Double stack

“Single stack and double stack wagons have been introduced for auto carriers,” he said.

Elaborating on Reform 7: Improving Quality of Construction, Vaishnaw stated that a clause of 20 per cent ‘similar nature of work’ has been introduced in EPC contracts to ensure specific rail expertise.

He said there would be fixed bid security of two percent to ensure only serious bidders in the bidding process.

The Minister further said bid capacity will be calculated for all projects above Rs 10 crore.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Tuesday launched a sharp critique of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s address in the Rajya Sabha on the West Asia conflict, describing it as “an exercise in obfuscation” and seeking answers on India’s foreign policy direction, energy security, and maritime safety.

‎In a statement posted on X, Kharge said the Prime Minister’s 20-minute speech failed to address key concerns at a time when the West Asia conflict, now over three weeks old, has escalated into a global energy crisis with ripple effects in India. “The 20-minute statement by Prime Minister Modi in the Rajya Sabha was, at best, an exercise in obfuscation,” Kharge said, demanding clarity on whether India’s long-standing policy of strategic autonomy had been altered.

He alleged that the Prime Minister’s “inconsistent and swinging diplomatic posture” had shifted India’s foreign policy balance, particularly after his recent engagement with Israel. “Why did the Prime Minister fail to take Parliament and the nation into confidence about this apparent shift, and what concrete steps have been taken to restore India’s strategic autonomy,” he asked.

‎Kharge also raised concerns over maritime security, claiming that dozens of Indian-flagged vessels remain stranded in the Strait of Hormuz despite ongoing diplomatic efforts. “Nearly 37-40 Indian-flagged ships, carrying around 1,100 sailors, remain stranded… Why has India failed to secure safe passage for its own vessels,” he asked, contrasting the situation with what he described as smoother transit for ships linked to China, Russia and Japan.

‎The Congress chief further questioned the government’s assertion in Parliament that India has significantly diversified its energy imports. “If diversification has been achieved, why are citizens still facing shortages, long queues, black marketing, and sharp price rises across the country?” he said, asking for detailed data on current suppliers of crude oil, LNG and LPG.

‎Warning of what he termed a “deepening energy crisis,” Kharge said the government appeared unprepared for the scale of disruption caused by the conflict. Referring to the Prime Minister’s comparison of the current situation with the COVID-19 pandemic, he said, “The nation cannot forget the tragic suffering during the pandemic… Is the Prime Minister now suggesting that 140 crore Indians must once again fend for themselves?”

‎The comments follow Modi’s address to both Houses of Parliament, in which he outlined India’s diplomatic outreach, evacuation efforts and energy security strategy amid the West Asia conflict. The government has said it is in continuous contact with key stakeholders including Iran, Israel and the United States to support de-escalation and ensure stability in vital shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial global energy corridor.

‎Separately, senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh also criticised the Prime Minister’s remarks, alleging that the opposition was not allowed to seek clarifications after the statement in Parliament. He described the speech as a “pre-prepared text filled with self-praise” and accused the government of contradictions in its approach to governance and welfare policy.

‎Ramesh pointed to schemes such as the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act and the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana, arguing that the Centre’s positions have been inconsistent over time, particularly in relation to state cooperation and welfare delivery.

‎The exchange highlights the intensifying political confrontation over India’s handling of the West Asia crisis, which has disrupted global shipping lanes, fuelled energy market volatility and raised domestic concerns over inflation and supply chains. While the government maintains that its strategy is anchored in diplomacy and energy diversification, the opposition has accused it of lacking transparency and failing to provide adequate answers during a period of heightened geopolitical uncertainty.

Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Tuesday presented a Rs 1,03,700-crore budget in the Delhi Assembly for the financial year 2026-27, saying this time it is based more on a green approach, focusing on environment protection and overall development of the city by upgrading the infrastructure to give a push to economic growth.

According to Rekha Gupta, the capital expenditure has been increased giving a further boost to infrastructure development across the city. She emphasised that every policy in the budget has been taken keeping in mind its impact on the environment. 21 per cent of the total budget has been allocated for “green budget” with environment protection initiatives.

In her budget speech in the Assembly, CM Gupta stated that as every city has a unique identity, the national capital is known for its ability to continuously reinvent itself. According to her, the city doesn’t get bogged down by challenges. Instead, it gains strength from them and moves ahead with a greater pace. The aim is to develop the city without leaving behind any part and give a push to the economy by taking it forward with people coming from all the sections of society.

The budget estimates for 2026-27 is Rs 3,700 crore higher as compared to the previous year, which was Rs 1,00,000 crore.

Gupta noted that 70.3 per cent of the budget has been allocated for revenue expenditure while 29.7 per cent has been earmarked for capital expenditure.

She shared that the government’s plan is to focus on strengthening fiscal discipline and increase capital investment during the upcoming financial year.

Notably, the Rs 1,03,700 crore budget is proposed for 2026-27 to be financed from the components that include Revenue Receipt of Rs 74,000 crore from own tax revenue, including, GST Rs 43,500 crore, VAT Rs 8,500 crore, Stamp & Registration Fees Rs 11,000 crore, State Excise Rs 7,200 crore, Taxes on Vehicles Rs 3,800 crore.

From own tax revenue, it will be Rs 900 crore, Rs 3931.16 crore from Centrally Sponsored Scheme, Rs 968.01 crore as Normal Central Assistance, and Other Grants from MHA, around Rs 591 crore from Central Road Funds, Rs 1,500 crore from Government of India under National Mission Clean Ganga, Rs 100 crore from National Disaster Management Authority, and Rs 1.90 crore for NeVA project for the Vidhan Sabha.

According to the CM, the PWD and Urban Development & Housing have been allocated Rs 5,921 crore and Rs 7,887, respectively for upgrading the infrastructure, to improve overall quality of life for people.

To transform urban mobility in the city, a Bill for the creation of ‘Delhi Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority (DUMTA)’ is under process for which an outlay of Rs 5 crore is proposed for 2026-27.
According to the CM, the Economic Survey released on Monday makes it clear that backed by enterprising citizens and a vibrant economy, Delhi has consistently outpaced the national average in growth.
She said earlier during the financial years 2021- 22, 2023- 24, and 2024-25, there was less investment in basic infrastructure with freebies culture which impacted the growth rate. Taking a dig at the previous regime, she alleged that earlier, Delhi’s progress was hindered by corruption and short-sightedness but presently the national capital is undergoing a transformative change.
She pointed that the policies are not just announcements, but delivering actual results on ground. The governance now is not just about systems, it’s about building trust, she added.
Development is now visible in citizens’ lives with Delhi racing ahead with the power of a ‘Triple Engine’ government, she asserted. “Our goal is flawless connectivity, climate resilient corridors, and technologically secured roads for Delhi.”

Chhattisgarh is set to host the inaugural Khelo India Tribal Games beginning Wednesday, with several Indian sporting icons hailing the initiative as a major opportunity for young athletes from tribal communities to pursue careers in sport.

Prominent Indian athletes, including hockey Olympians Dilip Tirkey and Salima Tete, along with leading sprinter Animesh Kujur, emphasised that the Games provide an important platform for emerging talent from tribal regions to follow in the footsteps of established sporting icons.

The tournament will feature participation from 30 states and Union Territories and include nine sporting disciplines. Medals will be awarded in archery, athletics, football, hockey, swimming, weightlifting and wrestling, while traditional sports such as Mallakhamb and Kabaddi will be showcased as demonstration events.

Around 3,800 athletes are expected to take part in the Games, which will conclude on April 3. Competitions will be held across three cities — Raipur, Jagdalpur and Ambikapur.

“For me and for all of us, it is a matter of great pride that this championship is being started in the country for the first time. It is a very good opportunity for all the youth and tribal players to showcase their talent and move forward in sports, and to play for the country. Our Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision is to make India a sporting nation. He wants all youth to be connected with sports and to play one game or another,” said Hockey India president and former Olympian Dilip Tirkey.

The host state Chhattisgarh, along with Odisha, Jharkhand and Assam, will field the largest contingents, each with more than 100 athletes. The Games will maintain a near 50:50 participation ratio between male and female athletes, in line with the gender equality principles outlined in the International Olympic Committee (IOC) charter.

A total of 106 gold medals will be up for grabs during the competition. Athletics will feature the highest number of gold medals with 34 events, followed by swimming (24), wrestling (18), weightlifting (16) and archery (10). Hockey and football will be the two team sports and will be staged in Raipur, while athletics events will take place in Jagdalpur and wrestling competitions will be held in Ambikapur.

“Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya also wants that through sports, our athletes, especially tribal athletes, can build better careers, improve their lives, and represent the country. I also firmly believe that every tribal child has a dream. I myself come from a tribal family, and through sports, through hockey, I have been able to reach where I am today. I believe that all the tribal children participating in this tournament have a bright future ahead. Even earlier, many tribal athletes have represented the country and have become icons in our tribal society,” said Tirkey.

National 100m and 200m record holder Animesh Kujur also welcomed the initiative. “There are many places in India where sports haven’t reached. This makes the Khelo India Tribal Games all the more special. I honour the efforts of the government on taking this initiative of bringing together young sports enthusiasts from tribal regions across all States and UTs at the Chhattisgarh Games,” Kujur said.

All athletes competing in the inaugural edition of the Khelo India Tribal Games (KITG) qualified through trials conducted by their respective national sports federations. Their performances during the tournament will be closely monitored by SAI coaches.

Madhya Pradesh would soon launch its own ‘State Artificial Intelligence (AI) Mission’, with the aim of strengthening governance systems and improving management.

Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav made the announcement, stating that efforts are being made in the state to make citizen services and facilities more citizen-friendly through good governance.

He informed that to achieve this, innovations are being encouraged by adopting new technologies. He emphasised that Artificial Intelligence is one of the most promising sectors of the present era, and the government is moving forward to enhance transparency and accountability in governance and administration, and AI will now be utilised in this direction.

The CM said that Madhya Pradesh will soon launch its own ‘State AI Mission’, which will be a goal-oriented initiative aimed at strengthening governance systems and improving management.

He stated that the mission is being launched with the objective of accelerating good governance and development in the state while making the administrative system more effective, transparent and citizen-centric. Under the State AI Mission, it will be possible to identify potential risks in advance in important sectors such as agriculture, health and nutrition and disaster management.

Chief Minister Dr Yadav said that the mission will be implemented in phases. During the financial year 2026–27, infrastructure for AI technology will be developed, and existing AI initiatives will be integrated to strengthen the foundation. In 2027–28, successful use cases will be implemented across various departments on a larger scale. From 2028–29, AI will be developed as a permanent institutional capacity in governance.

The Supreme Court of India on Tuesday highlighted “entrenched disadvantages” in the “systemic framework” responsible for the denial of Permanent Commission (PC) to women officers in the Armed Forces, observing that their assessment was based on an underlying assumption that they would not progress far in their careers.

A Bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Ujjal Bhuyan and Nongmeikapam Kotiswar Singh, in a judgment delivered on Tuesday, said: “…we find that the denial of PC to Short Service Commission Women Officers (SSCWOs) was not merely the outcome of individual assessments, but the consequence of a systemic framework rooted in assumptions that entrenched disadvantages in career progression. Where the evaluative framework applied to assess their performance under various parameters lacked the depth and rigour applied to their male counterparts, these assessments have inevitably influenced their service records, comparative merit, and career progression.”

The Court invoked its inherent powers under Article 142 of the Constitution of India and issued a series of directions granting relief to women officers who had approached it including those who had earlier pursued their cases before the Armed Forces Tribunal and various High Courts.

Pointing to the “subjective nature of evaluation” that resulted in the denial of Permanent Commission to SSCWOs, the judgment observed: “Given the subjective nature of the evaluation, in which two of the express criteria have been marred by inequality of opportunity, we have no hesitation in concluding that the differential treatment meted out to the SSCWOs has translated into reduced marks under the value judgment component of the assessment.”

Noting that it was presumed SSCWOs would not progress far in their careers, the Court said their merit was never assessed with the same depth and rigour as that of their male counterparts. It added: “This institutional mindset, earlier recognised by this Court in Lt. Col. Nitisha, fundamentally shaped the manner in which the ACRs of SSCWOs were written. Having never been evaluated for suitability for long-term career progression, their ACRs could not realistically reflect such potential or be indicative of such capacity.”

Writing for the Bench, Chief Justice Surya Kant said: “The cumulative consequence was a systemic pattern in which women officers outside the JAG and AEC cadres consistently received lower gradings—not due to lack of merit, but due to the absence of any perceived career horizon. This phenomenon has come back to haunt those very SSCWOs as they were subsequently placed in competition for PC with their male counterparts, who did not face such hindrances in grading over their decade-long service. It is, therefore, not surprising that the differential treatment has resulted in an unequal playing field.”

In its directions, the Supreme Court, while modifying earlier orders of the Armed Forces Tribunal, protected all Permanent Commissions already granted through the 2020–21 Selection Boards and by the Tribunal, ensuring these remain undisturbed.

As a one-time relief, women officers who were released from service during the pendency of litigation were deemed to have completed 20 years of qualifying service, making them eligible for pension and related benefits, though without arrears of pay. The Court clarified that pensions would be calculated from the date they are deemed to have completed 20 years of service, but monetary arrears would be payable only from January 1, 2025. This benefit, however, was not extended to officers from the JAG and AEC cadres, who have been eligible for Permanent Commission since 2010.

Additionally, women officers who continued in service under interim court orders and secured the required 60 per cent cut-off in the 2020–21 Selection Boards were held entitled to Permanent Commission, subject to medical fitness and vigilance clearance.

For SSCWOs considered in Selection Boards held after 2021 who are dissatisfied with the outcome, the Court permitted them to pursue legal remedies before appropriate forums such as the Armed Forces Tribunal or High Courts.

Finally, the Court directed a review of the evaluation system for Annual Confidential Reports (ACRs) and the cut-off criteria for future batches, noting the need to address any disproportionate impact on women officers in subsequent years of service.

India’s trade performance has remained robust despite global headwinds, with exports continuing on a steady growth path in both the current fiscal and the medium term, said Minister of State for Commerce & Industry Jitin Prasada on Tuesday.

To address rising export risks due to geopolitical tensions in the Gulf and West Asia, Prasada said the government has introduced a time-bound “RELIEF” scheme. This initiative is being implemented through the Export Credit Guarantee Corporation of India (ECGC), which provides risk mitigation support for exporters.

Other supporting initiatives include the Trade Infrastructure for Export Scheme (TIES), aimed at strengthening export-linked infrastructure nationwide.

India is also accelerating its transition to technology-driven trade governance. Platforms such as the 24×7 EIC interface, Trade Intelligence & Analytics system, Common Digital Platform for Certificates of Origin, and Trade e-Connect portal are streamlining export processes.

These digital systems enable real-time compliance tracking, faster approvals, and improved access to global market intelligence, making the export ecosystem more efficient, transparent, and data-driven.

During April–January of FY 2025–26, India’s total exports of merchandise and services rose by USD 36 billion, marking a 5.26% increase—from USD 679.02 billion in the same period last fiscal to USD 714.73 billion. The growth reflects resilience amid persistent global uncertainty, supply chain disruptions, and volatile commodity prices.

Over the longer term, India’s exports have demonstrated sustained momentum. Between FY 2021–22 and FY 2024–25, exports grew at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.9%, rising sharply from USD 497.90 billion in 2020–21 to USD 828.25 billion in 2024–25. The government noted that this expansion highlights India’s diversified export base and its strengthening position in global trade.

Sharing the information in the Lok Sabha over India’s trade, Prasada said the government continues to focus on boosting exports through a mix of policy support, financial incentives, and digital infrastructure, with a special emphasis on empowering MSMEs to compete globally.

At the core of this strategy is the Foreign Trade Policy (FTP) 2023, which is built on four key pillars—trade facilitation, export promotion, state-level partnerships, and digital integration. Supporting this framework are targeted schemes aimed at improving global competitiveness.

The RoDTEP (Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products) scheme remains central to ensuring that Indian exports stay competitive by neutralising embedded taxes.

India’s proactive trade diplomacy is further strengthening export growth. The country currently has 19 free trade agreements (FTAs) and has accelerated negotiations since 2021, concluding or advancing eight major deals, he told.

Key agreements include the India-EU FTA and the India-EFTA Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA), which aims to boost foreign direct investment. Upcoming trade deals with countries such as New Zealand, Oman, and the United Kingdom are expected to expand market access and enhance services mobility.

The MoS further said the negotiations are also ongoing with partners including Israel, Canada, GCC nations, Chile, and Peru, reflecting India’s intent to build high-value trade corridors globally.

The government emphasised that India’s export strategy now follows a comprehensive, whole-of-government approach—combining financial incentives, policy reforms, digital governance, and trade diplomacy.

This integrated framework aims to build a resilient, competitive, and future-ready export ecosystem, positioning India as a trusted and technology-driven partner in global trade.

The Badminton Association of India (BAI) has named a balanced squad combining experienced stars and promising youngsters for the upcoming Thomas Cup and Uber Cup, scheduled to be held in Horsens from April 24 to May 3.

India’s men’s team, which created history by winning the Thomas Cup in 2022, will once again rely on the experienced core of Lakshya Sen, Kidambi Srikanth and HS Prannoy in singles, while the world-class doubles pair of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty will anchor the doubles lineup. Youngster Ayush Shetty has earned his maiden call-up following a string of impressive performances on the senior circuit.

In the women’s competition, double Olympic medallist PV Sindhu will lead India’s challenge, guiding a young squad that includes rising star Unnati Hooda. The experienced doubles pair of Gayatri Gopichand and Treesa Jolly will also play a crucial role as the team aims to improve on its previous semifinal finishes.

The squads were selected based on Badminton World Federation (BWF) rankings as of March 10 (Week 11), with the top five singles players and top two doubles pairs automatically qualifying. Additional selections were made to strengthen team combinations, with players such as Dhruv Kapila and Tanisha Crasto included due to their versatility across doubles formats.

“We have a good mix of youth and experience in both teams. The senior players bring stability, and the youngsters are in great form. They’ve shown they can deliver at this level, which gives us confidence going into the tournament,” said Sanjay Mishra.

The men’s squad also sees the return of M.R. Arjun, who has worked his way back from injury with consistent performances. He strengthens the doubles department alongside Hariharan Amsakarunan, while Kiran George adds depth to the singles lineup.

On the women’s side, Devika Sihag earned selection following her title-winning run at the Thailand Masters earlier this year, while Isharani Baruah impressed with a semifinal finish at the Orleans Masters. Teenager Tanvi Sharma continues to build her reputation as one of the country’s brightest prospects.

The doubles unit also features debutant Kavipriya Selvam, who will partner Simran Singhi, while Tanisha Crasto completes the doubles lineup.

The India’s men’s team has been placed in Group A alongside defending champions China, Pan Am champions Canada and Oceania champions Australia. The women’s team faces a challenging group featuring European runners-up Denmark, bronze medallists Ukraine and defending champions China.

At the previous edition in Chengdu in 2024, the Indian men lost to eventual champions China in the quarter-finals, while the women’s team also exited at the same stage after a defeat to Japan. Historically, Indonesia remain the most successful side in the Thomas Cup with 14 titles, while China lead the Uber Cup standings with 16 titles.

India’s private sector activity expanded at its slowest pace in nearly three-and-a-half years in March, as easing domestic demand and rising input costs weighed on overall economic momentum.

According to preliminary data released by S&P Global, the HSBC Flash India Composite PMI Output Index fell to 56.5 in March from 58.9 in February. This marks the weakest rate of expansion since October 2022, although the index remained above the 50 mark that separates growth from contraction.

The deceleration was led by the manufacturing sector, where output growth slowed sharply amid global uncertainties and persistent inflationary pressures.

The manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) declined to 53.8 in March from 56.9 in the previous month—its lowest level in four-and-a-half years. The manufacturing output index also eased to 55.1, indicating softer production activity.

The services sector, while still relatively resilient, also showed signs of moderation. The business activity index slipped to 57.2 from 58.1 in February, registering its slowest pace of growth since January 2025.

Businesses cited weaker domestic demand, heightened market volatility, and elevated input costs as key factors behind the slowdown. Ongoing geopolitical tensions in West Asia also contributed to the cautious business environment.

New order growth weakened across both sectors, with overall demand expanding at the slowest rate since November 2022. However, external demand remained a bright spot, as export orders rose at the fastest pace on record, supported by strong demand from Asia, Europe, the United States, and West Asia.

Meanwhile, inflationary pressures intensified significantly during the month. Firms reported the steepest increase in input costs in nearly four years, driven by rising prices of energy, metals, chemicals, and food items.

The data suggests that while India’s private sector continues to grow, the pace of expansion is losing momentum amid a challenging global and domestic economic backdrop.

The intermittent verbal duel between former Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot and the ruling BJP state leadership turned satirical with the former coining a phrase “Intzar-Shastra” (Waitology) to target the state government for dumping in abeyance his previous regime’s dream project.

He sought an explanation from the state government for keeping lakhs of youths waiting for the opening process of recruitment on 10,000 posts in the education department, announced by the government with all fanfair, on tenterhooks.

Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Joga Ram Patel “returned the favour” to the ex-CM accusing the latter’s regime of repeatedly breaking the promises made to youths.

The senior Congress leader wrote in a social media post on X on Monday evening, “The BJP government’s ‘Intazaar- Shastra’ is costing the youths of Rajasthan dearly.

Calling it chapter-1 of “Waitology”, he said, “The Congress regime (2018-2023) brought up the Mahatma Gandhi Institute for imparting advanced world class courses and training in the governance and social sciences. A grand building in a huge campus brought up on the lines of the Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai and the MIT School of Government, Pune, at investment of Rs 233 crore, has been lying unused at JLN Marg here since 2024.

Lamenting that the BJP government in the state has done nothing to start academic and research activities, he said, “I urge the government to keep the temple of education (learning) above the political hatred and launch this institution without further delay,”

In another tweet posted today, Gehlot said, “Likewise, the government has misled the youths making towering claims about filling 10,000 posts in the Education department.”

However, neither the recruitment process has so far been advertised nor recruitment examination schedule published. They have messed up the future of youths, breaking promises and keeping youths waiting for employment, he contended.

“How long the youths will wait; when will the government fulfill the promise of jobs made to the youths,” the Congress leader asked, adding that the government should come forth with an explanation.

Gehlot’s tweet evoked instant reaction from the government with Minister Patel quickly issuing a statement to return the barbs. “Gehlot was creating confusion to mislead youths by his rhetoric in the name of Waitology, and turning a blind eye to the failure of his regime’s infamous paper leaks that resulted in still endless wait by the needy job seekers,” he said.

The then Gehlot government also made promises to farmers of loan waivers but kept them waiting for the relief. Under the previous regime, even MLAs were confined in hotels in bid to save the government. However, this resulted in the farmers and the people waiting for fulfilment of promises and solutions to their problems.

What began as the recovery of a single World War II-era bomb in Jharkhand’s Baharagora has now escalated into a wider security concern, with early indications suggesting the possibility of a cluster of unexploded ordnance beneath the area.

Days after a 500-pound American aerial bomb was recovered from the Subarnarekha riverbank on 17 March, a subsequent drone survey by the Indian Army has detected another similar object in the vicinity. Local accounts have further raised the possibility of several more devices buried across the sandy stretch.

With the threat assessment intensifying, the Army has assumed operational control of the site, deploying its Bomb Disposal Squad, along with specialised detection systems and aerial surveillance, to systematically map the terrain. The zone is now under close and continuous monitoring.

Crucially, the Army has brought in ammunition expert Lt Col Dharmendra Singh, who has nearly 20 years of experience in bomb disposal operations. On 24 March, he carried out an on-site inspection of the World War II-era bomb, conducting a detailed technical assessment of its depth, condition and stability. Based on this evaluation, officials confirmed that a controlled disposal operation is scheduled for the morning of 25 March.

The recovered munition has been identified as an AN-M64 500 lb American aerial bomb. Defence experts caution that such ordnance, even after decades underground, can remain highly unstable and retain considerable explosive force, requiring extreme precision in handling and disposal.

As a precautionary measure, a two-kilometre radius around the site has been declared a restricted zone. Civil authorities have sealed access, while joint teams continue systematic sweeps using metal detectors to locate any additional devices.

The developments have also drawn attention to the initial handling of the first discovery, which reportedly remained unsecured for several days. However, since the Army’s intervention, standard operating procedures are being enforced with greater rigour.

Experts note that the presence of multiple devices, combined with local claims of further buried ordnance, raises the possibility that the Subarnarekha belt could constitute an unexploded ordnance pocket linked to wartime activity.

For now, officials maintain that the situation is under control. The outcome of the scheduled disposal operation is expected to be critical in determining the scale of the threat that may still lie beneath the surface.