Indus Waters Treaty: Govt focus on Chenab projects, renegotiation

A year after India put the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) "in abeyance" following the Pahal-gam terror attack, it is pushing for speedy development of hydropower projects on the Chenab with a combined capacity of over 5,000 megawatts and renegotiation of the six-decade-old pact, government sources said on Monday.

Hope arguments & facts get respect, constructive spirit necessary, says PM

Emphasising the country's GDP growth despite the pressures on oil and fertilisers arising out of the West Asia crisis, the first private orbital rocket launch and India's first hydrogen-powered train, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Monday that the Monsoon Session is starting at a time when the country has gathered speed and the spirit of Parliament can infuse it with new energy. 

India, Moldova discuss UNSC reforms, fight against terror

India and Moldova discussed reforms of multilateral organisations, including the UN Security Council, and cooperation in the fight against terrorism, as President Droupadi Murmu landed in Chisinau on her state visit to the country. Murmu is the first Indian head of state to visit the landlocked Eastern European country since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1992.

NHAI launches digital 'local pass' for residents in 20-km radius of toll plazas

In a push for a barrier-less tolling system, the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) has launched a digital "local pass" for residents in the 20-km radius of toll plazas on the Rajmargyatra app.

The government was planning to introduce this pass by July. The move came after implementation of the Multilane free flow (MLFF) tolling or barrier-less tolling system in different toll plazas. In this system, commuters do not have to stop to pay the toll.

Anti-defection law needs drastic changes

The anti-defection law was introduced through the Fifty-second Constitutional Amendment in 1985 by incorporating the Tenth Schedule into the Constitution. Its principal objective was to curb the political instability caused by frequent defections.

The Ninety-first Constitutional Amendment of 2003 further tightened the law by abolishing the exemption from disqualification for a bloc comprising at least one-third of the members of a legislature party. Thereafter, only a merger supported by at least two-thirds of the members of a legislature party remained eligible for this exemption. 

India all set to get its first dengue vaccine

India is all set to get its first dengue vaccine.

The Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) has approved Japanese company Takeda Biopharmaceuticals India's dengue vaccine, Qdenga - making it the first such vaccine to be greenlighted in the country. The vaccine is designed to protect against all four dengue virus strains (DENV-1, DENV-2, DENV-3 and DENV-4) and can be administered regardless of prior dengue exposure, the company said. It also does not require pre-vaccination testing, it added.

Yemen's Houthis open a new war front with naval blockade on Saudi

Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthis said Monday they were imposing a naval blockade on Saudi Arabia, a move that opens a new front against US in its war on Iran and widens the threat to global energy supplies.

The Houthis made their announcement despite signs that Tehran and Washington want to resume diplomacy to halt a worsening cycle of attacks that has all but wrecked a fragile interim agreement signed last month.

New PM of Britain pledges to end years of political instability

Andy Burnham became Britain's seventh prime minister in a decade on Monday, pledging to reshape its politics to deliver a new economic model and revive a nation "fed up" with a revolving door of leaders.

In front of dozens of supporters outside his new office and residence at 10 Downing Street, Burnham said politicians had failed to bring the stability needed to raise living standards, something he said he would change. 

Staging a protest: Rights, restrictions in the law

What does the law say?

The right to protest is protected under Article 19(1)(a) and Article 19(1)(b) of the Constitution, which guarantee citizens the freedom of speech and expression and the right to assemble peacefully and with-out arms.

These rights, however, are not absolute. Articles 19(2) and 19(3) permit the State to impose "reasonable restrictions" in the interests of the "sovereignty and integrity of India, the security of the State, friendly relations with Foreign States, public order, decency or morality," among other grounds.

What EPFO 3.0 proposes: Pension cover for all, social security for gig workers

A universal pension cover for all workers with option of either annuity or systematic withdrawal plan, first-time social security contributions for unorganised sector workers including gig and platform workers, an upgradation of tech ecosystem to incorporate core banking solution (CBS) - these are some of the key changes being planned by the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) as part of its 3.0 reforms phase.

Hormuz crisis: Crude imports surge 60%; net oil, gas imports up 45%

India's Crude oil import bill surged by over 60% on a year-on-year (y-o-y) basis in the first quarter of the current financial year even as import volumes dipped slightly amid supply tightness and elevated prices due to the West Asia crisis and stifled energy flows through the Strait of Hormuz, as per provisional data from the petroleum ministry. 

Banks mobilise $17.4 billion via special FCNR(B) scheme

Indian Banks have raised $17.40 billion from overseas after the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) unveiled a special window allowing lenders to mobilise fresh three-to five-year Foreign Currency Non-Resident (Bank)-FCNR(B) - deposits until September 2026, a move aimed at boosting capital inflows, shoring up the rupee and strengthening foreign exchange reserves. 

New series: Jun core sector growth 5%, iron ore output jumps 44%

The Commerce ministry's revised Index of Core Industries (ICI) surged to a five-month high of 5% in June. The inclusion of iron ore as the ninth sector was instrumental as its output was 43.9% higher compared to June 2025, according to data released Monday, with a low base effect responsible for this outsized rate of growth.

No decision yet on increasing ethanol blending in petrol: Govt

Amid the backlash on ethanol-blended petrol, the government on Monday informed Parliament that no decision has been taken on raising blending levels beyond the current 20%, and any decision to raise the blending levels will be taken only after detailed studies and stakeholder consultations. There is also no plan to make lower ethanol-petrol blends and pure petrol available at fuel stations.