In tributes to Kumbh stampede victims, LoP Kharge says ‘thousands’ died; treasury protests

The Indian Air Force is expediting the procurement of medium, multirole fighter jets, aiming to have the first new aircraft in service within five years after accelerated trials involving seven likely contenders. The competition for 114 new fighter jets under the MRFA programme will involve limited trials due to previous testing of six contenders, with only the Boeing F15 EX needing evaluation against Indian requirements. Upgraded capabilities of contenders may also be assessed during the...

Union Minister of State for Education Sukanta Majumdar criticized the Tamil Nadu government for not implementing the National Education Policy 2020, accusing them of playing politics ahead of the upcoming elections. He emphasized the importance of teaching in the mother tongue and criticized the Chief Minister-led government for creating a political agenda by not following the NEP 2020 and the three-language formula. The issue also caused disruptions in Parliament, with DMK members condemning remarks made...

US national intelligence director Tulsi Gabbard will be the first senior official from the Trump administration to visit India to attend the annual meeting of intelligence chiefs in New Delhi. The meeting, scheduled for March 16-17, will include participants from various countries, including Canada's intelligence chief Daniel Rogers, signaling a potential improvement in ties. Gabbard will also visit Japan, Thailand, and France before returning to Washington, D.C. Full Article

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman criticized the DMK for hypocrisy, citing their idolization of a figure who had previously insulted the Tamil language. Without naming him, she referred to Periyar, a prominent Dravidian movement leader. She also condemned DMK MPs for not condemning a cartoon depicting Prime Minister Narendra Modi in chains, stating that action will be taken against those responsible. Full Article

A high-level committee has accepted the need for 114 new multirole fighter jets in the Indian Air Force, with plans to start their induction within the next four to five years through a fast-tracked global tender. This move aims to maintain the Air Force's squadron strength for the next decade and enhance combat capabilities, as 10 fighter aircraft squadrons are set to retire by 2037. The goal is to achieve 60 fighter aircraft squadrons by...

Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai stated that the government has implemented a multi-pronged strategy to enhance national security, law enforcement, and governance in India. The measures include making Jammu and Kashmir terror-free, integrating insurgent groups into peace processes, strengthening border security in the North East, and eliminating Left-Wing Extremism. Additionally, steps like deploying mobile forensic labs, modernizing state forensic labs, and implementing new criminal laws aim to modernize the Criminal Justice...