Srinagar's Dal Lake froze over on Monday as a severe cold wave gripped Kashmir, forcing boat operators to break ice to navigate. Temperatures plummeted to -7°C, with the intense cold expected to continue. Despite the frigid conditions, residents await snowfall. Kashmir's harsh winter period, 'Chillai Kalan,' will last until January 31, followed by 'Chillai-Khurd' and 'Chillai-Bachha'.
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Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan announced that from 2025, the NTA will stop conducting recruitment exams and focus solely on higher education entrance tests. Reforms follow controversies like NEET UG leaks and UGC NET irregularities. A government panel, led by Dr. K. Radhakrishnan, recommended restructuring NTA to improve exam security, accountability, and operational efficiency.
Hurun India ranks Reliance Industries as the most valuable Indian company, with the top ten firms, including notable tech giants TCS and Infosys, and telecom leaders Bharti Airtel and ICICI Bank, amassing a valuation of nearly Rs 96 lakh crore. Bharti Airtel demonstrates the highest absolute growth, while the cumulative worth of top companies surpasses Saudi Arabia's GDP.
Indian shooter Manu Bhaker and wrestler Aman Sehrawat are expected to have their Paris Olympics bronze medals replaced due to deterioration. The International Olympic Committee and Monnaie de Paris are addressing the issue, ensuring identical replacements with the original engravings for affected athletes. Similarly, Aman’s bronze medal has shown signs of fading, though the wrestler has yet to file a formal complaint.
The Supreme Court has issued a notice to Uttar Pradesh authorities over a contempt petition alleging unauthorized demolition of parts of Madni Masjid in Kushinagar, violating a prior order. Petitioners claim the February 2025 demolition occurred without prior notice or hearing, and seek restoration or compensation for the damaged structure.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah praised Assam's development, highlighting the opening of the Lachit Barphukan Police Academy and the relocation of Assam Rifles' headquarters in Mizoram. With a Rs 1,000 crore investment, the academy is set to become the best in India. Shah also emphasized Assam's advancements, including significant semiconductor industry investments and multiple peace agreements.
Odisha native Prasant Kumar Satpathy tragically died in a terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir, while vacationing with his family. The 41-year-old was fatally shot, as confirmed by his wife Priyadarshini, who was also present during the attack. Another Odisha resident, Shashi Kumari, sustained injuries and is receiving treatment.
A Bengaluru software engineer lost ₹11.8 crore to a digital arrest fraud. Posing as TRAI and police officials, scammers claimed his Aadhaar was misused for illegal activities and money laundering. Threatening arrest, they coerced him into transferring funds to various accounts for 'verification' between November 25 and December 12.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard in New Delhi, discussing enhancing India-US defense and security ties. PM Modi gifted Gangajal, while Gabbard presented tulsi beads. Gabbard also held talks with Rajnath Singh and Ajit Doval on intelligence sharing and security collaboration, strengthening the strategic partnership between the two nations.
Ranveer Allahbadia and Apoorva Mukhija faced the NCW for making offensive comments on a show. The Supreme Court criticized Allahbadia's remarks, calling them vulgar and attributing them to a dirty mind, and issued temporary protection from arrest.
Anand Mahindra humorously turned Bengaluru's persistent traffic into an unplanned advantage during his visit for the Invest Karnataka 2025 summit. He quipped that his new Mahindra BE 6 electric SUV got extensive visibility due to the constant gridlock, acting as a 'live showroom'. Social media users enjoyed his witty take on the city's traffic.