NGT clears 92,000-cr. Great Nicobar project

A Bench of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Monday cleared the way for the ₹92,000-crore Great Nico-bar Island mega-infrastructure project, noting that "considering the strategic importance" of it and "other relevant considerations", "we do not find any good ground to interfere".

India's flagship Al summit opens to massive crowds

After months of promotion as India's flagship artificial intelligence event, the five-day AI Impact Summit was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday, drawing over-whelming crowds and packing Bharat Mandapam to capacity as thousands thronged the venue.

SC Bench to review if new data law delivers a 'body blow' to RTI

The Supreme Court on Monday agreed to refer to a Constitution Bench a series of petitions arguing that India's new digital per-sonal data law delivers a "body blow" to citizens' right to a transparent and accountable government under the Right to Information (RTI) Act.

Women's entry at Sabarimala temple: 9-judge SC Bench to commence review hearings from April 7

The Supreme Court on Monday scheduled for hearing a series of review and writ petitions on a September 2018 judgment, which allowed women of menstruating age to enter the Sabarimala temple in Kerala, before a nine-judge Constitution Bench from April 7, 2026.

Himachal Governor concludes address in 2 minutes, skips portion

In an unusual move, Himachal Pradesh Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla on Mon-day concluded his address to the Assembly on the opening day of the Budget Session in just 2 minutes and 10 seconds, skipping a portion of the speech he termed "comments on a constitutional institution".

The incident was the latest in a series of standoffs between the Governor and non-BJP State governments - in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Kerala.

India's federalism is in need of a structural reset

There is a need for balanced federalism in the form of autonomous States, an efficient Union, and accountable governance

Transatlantic strains

The international rules-based order "no longer exists", Germany's Chancellor Friedrich Merz said at the annual Munich Security Conference. French President Emmanuel Macron called for greater European "military autonomy", arguing that the continent must become a stronger pillar within NATO.

Transitioning to green steel

India's path to net-zero emissions by 2070 will depend heavily on how quickly it scales production and consumption of green steel, as steel remains one of India's largest industrial sources of emissions. The materials we use to build our future must strengthen our progress, not undermine it.

Can India overtake Bangladesh in EU textile exports?

India's textile sector has been steadily losing ground in global export markets. In contrast, Bangladesh has woven together a remarkable export success. Given the recently signed India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA), and with Bangladesh poised to lose its Least Developed Coun-try (LDC) status, this is an opportune moment for India's textile industry 

A separate classification for denotified tribes

The communities referred to as denotified, nomadic, and semi-nomadic tribes were, at one point, classified as "criminal" by colonial administrators, who had concluded that there were certain communities "addicted" to committing crimes.

The Social Justice Ministry, eventually, also rolled out the SEED scheme for livelihood, education, housing, and health interventions for DNTs. But the government has been able to spend only a fraction of its intended ₹200 crore spending over the last five years.

How district cooling can ease India's climate and urban planning troubles

District cooling is a centralised system that supplies air-conditioning to a cluster of buildings, like a shared air-conditioner for an entire neighbourhood or campus.

Instead of every building running its own chillers or rooftop units, one large plant makes chilled water and sends it through insulated underground pipes to many buildings, much like a public utility such as piped natural gas or electricity.

Modi to meet Macron in Mumbai today, hold talks on strategic ties

French President Emmanuel Macron and First Lady Brigitte Macron arrived in Mumbai on Monday night for an official visit to India till February 19.

SC to take a fresh look at pleas on ex post facto eco clearance regime

A three-judge Bench of the Supreme Court on Monday decided to take a fresh look at writ petitions and ap-peals concerning ex post facto environmental clearance of construction and public projects across the country.

January trade deficit widens before U.S. tariff relief kicks in

India's merchandise trade deficit widened to a three-month high of $34.68 billion in January, marking the final month impacted by around 50% U.S. tariff on Indian ex-ports, which government officials said will be pared to 18% this week.

BNP's Tarique Rahman to be sworn in as Bangladesh Prime Minister today

The new Members of Parliament of Bangladesh will be sworn in at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, the Bangladesh Election Commission announced, adding that a "Constitution Reform Commission" will also be administered the oath.

Araghchi in Geneva for talks as IRGC begins drills near the Strait of Hormuz

Iran's Foreign Minister Ab-bas Araghchi arrived in Geneva for a second round of nuclear talks with the U.S. and technical discussions with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) amid heightened tensions in the Persian Gulf, as Washington has sent a second aircraft carrier to the region, threatening to use force against the Islamic Republic if diplomacy fails.