Union Home Minister Amit Shah has announced that Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) will continue to be deployed in West Bengal for 60 days following the conclusion of the 2026 Assembly elections. This measure aims to support a calm and orderly environment during and after the voting process. Speaking during a vibrant roadshow in Behala Paschim on April 27, Shah encouraged voters to participate enthusiastically in the second and final phase of polling on April 29 without any

In a landmark development for Indian aviation, SkyHop Aviation has received its Air Operator Certificate (AOC) from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). This approval positions the Gurugram-based company to launch India’s first dedicated commercial seaplane operations, opening a new chapter in regional air connectivity. The milestone reflects years of dedicated preparation and marks a significant step towards harnessing innovative aviation solutions for India’s d

Prime Minister Narendra Modi joined the people of Sikkim in a heartfelt celebration of 50 years of statehood, hailing the Himalayan state as the “Heaven of the East.” In his address at the closing ceremony of the golden jubilee celebrations, he praised Sikkim’s breathtaking natural beauty, rich biodiversity, cultural harmony, and enduring spirit of peace and unity. Sikkim became India’s 22nd state on May 16, 1975, following a historic referendum. Over the past five decades, t

India and New Zealand have taken a significant step forward in strengthening their economic relationship with the signing of a comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (FTA) on April 27, 2026. The pact, described by leaders on both sides as “historic” and a “once-in-a-generation” opportunity, marks a new chapter in bilateral ties between the two nations. Signed by Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal and New Zealand’s Trade and Investment Minister Todd McClay at Bharat

Prime Minister Narendra Modi brought energy and warmth to Sikkim’s 50th Statehood Day celebrations by joining local youngsters for a lively football session in Gangtok on Tuesday morning. Dressed in a tracksuit, the Prime Minister participated enthusiastically in the game, scoring goals, exchanging high-fives, and interacting warmly with boys and girls on the field. He later described the experience as truly refreshing. Sharing photographs and a short video on social media, P

In a major success for Indian law enforcement and intelligence agencies, Salim Dola (59), a key associate of fugitive gangster Dawood Ibrahim and a prominent figure in the international narcotics trade, was deported from Turkey and brought to India early on Tuesday morning. He landed at Delhi’s technical airport aboard a special aircraft and was immediately taken into custody for interrogation. Dola was detained in Istanbul’s Beylikduzu district over the weekend through a coo

In a noteworthy development for India’s international energy portfolio, Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) and Oil India Limited (OIL) have announced a fresh oil and gas discovery in Libya. This success, achieved through a collaborative consortium, highlights the potential of sustained overseas exploration efforts at a time when global energy markets continue to experience fluctuations. Indian Oil, Oil India strike new oil and gas discovery in Libya amid global energy crisis. File

A disturbing incident in the early hours of April 27 has drawn significant attention in Mumbai’s Mira Road area. A 31-year-old man, recently returned from the United States, allegedly stabbed two security guards at an under-construction site after questioning them about their religion and asking them to recite the Islamic Kalma. The Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) has taken over the case, examining it as a possible instance of self-radicalisation. The accused in the Ma

India has formally submitted its updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), outlining bolder climate targets for the period 2031–2035. This third NDC reflects the country’s continued commitment to balancing economic growth, poverty alleviation, and environmental stewardship while advancing its long-term vision of Viksit Bharat @2047 and achieving net-zero emissions by 2070. The submission, approved b

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh arrived in Kyrgyzstan’s capital on Monday to lead India’s delegation at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Defence Ministers’ Meeting, scheduled for April 28. His visit underscores India’s active engagement in regional multilateral forums and its dedication to fostering stability across Eurasia. Image from News On Air Arrival and Warm Welcome Upon landing at Manas International Airport, Singh received a traditional welcome, including th

India’s electricity sector has recorded a remarkable achievement, with national peak power demand reaching an all-time high of 256.11 GW on April 25. This milestone, occurring unusually early in the season, highlights both the rising energy needs of a growing economy and the increasing resilience of the country’s power infrastructure. At around 12.30 pm, solar contribution rose to nearly 81 GW, accounting for about one-third of total electricity generation of 244.6 GW. (Image

In a major political development, Raghav Chadha, along with six other Rajya Sabha Members from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), has formally joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The move has reshaped the political dynamics in the Rajya Sabha, strengthening the position of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) while significantly reducing AAP’s presence in the Upper House. The merger, carried out under constitutional provisions, has increased the NDA’s numerical strengt

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed a vibrant Vijay Sankalp rally in Barrackpore, North 24 Parganas district, on the final day of campaigning for the second and concluding phase of the West Bengal Assembly Elections 2026. He expressed deep optimism about the Bharatiya Janata Party’s performance, stating that the public mood across the state clearly indicated a significant political shift. Modiji affirmed that he would return to Bengal after the results are declared on May

As modern conflicts increasingly extend into the orbital domain, India is accelerating its efforts to build robust, sovereign space capabilities. The 4th Indian DefSpace Symposium 2026, held on 23–24 April at the Manekshaw Centre and organised by the Indian Space Association (ISpA), brought together senior military leaders, industry executives, scientists, and strategic experts. Under the theme “Strengthening India’s Defence and Space Industry Synergy,” participants emphasise

Global defence budgets continued their steady climb in 2025, reaching a historic high of $2.887 trillion, according to the latest report from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). This marked the 11th consecutive year of growth in world military expenditure, with a real-terms increase of 2.9 percent from the previous year. While the pace of growth moderated compared to the sharp 9.7 percent rise in 2024, the overall trend reflects persistent geopolitic

Uttar Pradesh continues to strengthen its position as a preferred destination for pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturing. On April 26, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath distributed Letters of Comfort to representatives of 17 companies that have collectively pledged approximately ₹2,000 crore in fresh investments. These projects are expected to generate thousands of direct and indirect jobs, bolstering both industrial growth and the state’s healthcare ecosystem. This lat

India and New Zealand formally signed a comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (FTA) today at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal and New Zealand’s Trade and Investment Minister Todd McClay exchanged the documents in a ceremony that symbolises the deepening economic bonds between the two nations. Negotiations for this agreement, which resumed in March 2025, were completed in a record nine months by December 2025. Both countries view the

In one of the most significant political developments in recent times, seven out of ten Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Rajya Sabha MPs have decided to merge with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The move, led by prominent leader Raghav Chadha, highlights shifting dynamics within the opposition party and opens new possibilities for political alignments ahead of future elections. Raghav Chadha, along with Sandeep Pathak and Ashok Mittal, formally joined the BJP at the party’s national

Indian Railways is poised to revolutionise inter-city connectivity with a forward-looking strategy to develop seven new high-speed rail corridors. By adopting a mission-mode approach and streamlined approval processes, the national transporter aims to deliver these transformative projects efficiently, building on the foundation laid by the country's pioneering Mumbai-Ahmedabad corridor. According to Railways, bullet train project is a very complex and technology intensive pro

India and the United Kingdom have taken another significant step to strengthen their bilateral ties, with National Security Advisers Ajit Doval and Jonathan Powell holding comprehensive discussions in the national capital. The annual India-UK Strategic Dialogue, held on April 23, focused on deepening cooperation across technology, defence, security, and counter-terrorism, while advancing the shared goals outlined in the India-UK Vision 2035 roadmap. The talks underscored the