The Election Commission of India (ECI) assured the Supreme Court that no voter's name in Bihar's draft electoral roll will be deleted without prior notice, a hearing opportunity, and a reasoned order. While the draft omits 65 lakh names, the EC clarified it isn't legally bound to share a separate list of those excluded or their reasons.
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Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has announced a policy change prioritizing Bihar residents in future teacher recruitments, starting with TRE-4 in 2025. This initiative aims to strengthen the state's education system, building upon efforts since 2005. The Education Department has been directed to amend rules accordingly, with a STET exam planned before TRE-5 in 2026.
Authors have criticized the Jammu and Kashmir home department's decision to ban 25 books. The banned books allegedly glorified terrorism and incited violence. Angana Chatterjee described the ban as a warning against free speech. Sumantra Bose stated his work aimed to identify pathways to peace. David Devadas called the ban regrettable and defended his book's advocacy for peace and dialogue.
BJP MP Nishikant Dubey has filed a privilege case against four Jharkhand officials following an FIR against him and others, including MP Manoj Tiwari, for allegedly entering the Deoghar temple's sanctum sanctorum during a VIP entry ban. Dubey, a temple trustee, claims the complainants were improperly allowed inside.
President Trump declared that the U.S. will not engage in trade negotiations with India until the existing tariff dispute is resolved. This decision follows the U.S. imposing a 50% tariff on Indian exports, citing concerns over India's trade imbalance and continued purchase of Russian oil.
The Election Commission has delisted 334 registered unrecognised political parties (RUPPs) for violating guidelines and statutory obligations. This action reduces the total number of RUPPs to 2,520, preventing them from accessing income-tax concessions. Parties were given opportunities to respond before the delisting, and they have 30 days to appeal the decision.
Niti Aayog's withdrawal of a paper advocating GM soybean and corn imports from the US reveals India's firm stance against transgenic food items due to biosafety concerns. Despite US trade negotiations and Niti Aayog's argument for imports, the government prioritizes domestic production and aligns with opposition from groups like Swadeshi Jagaran Manch.
Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi highlighted the Indian armed forces' readiness for fifth-generation warfare, emphasizing technology integration. Speaking at IIT-Madras, he described Operation Sindoor as a turning point in counter-terrorism. He inaugurated 'Agnishodh' at IIT-Madras to boost indigenous defence innovation and acknowledged veterans' contributions to nation-building, reinforcing the commitment to self-reliance and technological advancement.
National Security Advisor Ajit Doval announced that Russian President Vladimir Putin is expected to visit India. The visit is likely to occur by the end of 2025. Rahul Gandhi raised concerns about election integrity. He alleged voter fraud and accused the Election Commission of partiality. NDA leaders held a meeting to discuss the Vice-Presidential election.
The Punjab and Haryana High Court directed Gagandeep Singh, accused of defrauding Navjot Kaur, to surrender his passport upon arrival from Dubai. To facilitate mediation, the court has granted him temporary protection from arrest. Navjot Kaur had filed a complaint alleging that Gagandeep duped her of Rs 10.
Shaina NC, a fashion designer and politician, has been named the Shiv Sena's new national spokesperson as the party, led by Eknath Shinde, gears up for upcoming civic elections in Maharashtra. This appointment follows a controversy involving a derogatory remark allegedly made by Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Arvind Sawant regarding her switch from the BJP, which Shaina strongly condemned.