The Times of India

In a surprising leadership shake-up, the Aam Aadmi Party has appointed Ashok Mittal as the new Rajya Sabha deputy leader, effectively taking over from Raghav Chadha. This move hints at underlying tensions between Chadha and the party hierarchy. His noticeable absence from pivotal moments, such as Arvind Kejriwal's recent legal tumult, has sparked conjecture about his diminishing influence.

To alleviate the burden of soaring input costs on various industries, the government has enacted a three-month suspension of customs duties on 40 key petrochemical products. This initiative is focused on providing support to sectors including plastics, packaging, and textiles.

India's defence exports have soared to an unprecedented Rs 38,424 crore in FY 2025-26, a remarkable 62.7% surge. This achievement underscores growing global confidence in India's indigenous defence manufacturing capabilities. Major exports include missile systems, artillery, and aircraft, reaching over 80 countries, solidifying India's position as a significant global defence exporter.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh firmly addressed the situation with Pakistan, asserting that any further provocations would prompt a reaction that would be both 'unprecedented and decisive.' He shared that Operation Sindoor brought India mere moments away from a significant sea strike, effectively incapacitating Pakistan's terror apparatus in a swift 22 minutes after the attack in Pahalgam.

Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla celebrated the Artemis II Moon mission launch, drawing parallels to his own experiences at Kennedy Space Center. He highlighted the historic significance of the launch pad, echoing Neil Armstrong's legacy. Shukla expressed pride in witnessing the astronauts' journey, underscoring India's growing collaboration with NASA through the Artemis Accords and its independent lunar ambitions.

Opposition parties in the Rajya Sabha accused the government of political manoeuvring by proposing amendments to the women's reservation law, alleging it's timed for the upcoming assembly elections. The government defended its right to decide legislative timing, emphasising a commitment to women's empowerment and dismissing election-related motives. A heated exchange ensued over the implementation timeline.

Authorities in Jammu and Kashmir are calling the collapse of a Rs 67-crore bridge 'minor,' bizarrely attributing it to divine intervention and refusing any investigation. Even with repair costs soaring past Rs 38 crore, critics suspect the administration is protecting the contractors responsible for the shoddy construction.

J&K's State Investigating Agency has charged Sabar Hussain from Poonch for aiding terrorists responsible for the brutal killing of a government employee in Rajouri two years ago. Hussain allegedly provided shelter and support to Lashkar-e-Taiba/TRF militants involved in the fatal attack on Mohammed Razaq. Prima facie, offences under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act are established.

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has demanded a swift, transparent investigation into the killing of a man in an alleged encounter. The deceased's family claims he had no terror links and was preparing to join the Army. Authorities are urged to make facts public to maintain credibility amid grave allegations.

India assures ample fuel and gas supplies amidst West Asia conflict, with the Navy actively escorting tankers through the Strait of Hormuz. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh highlighted PM Modi's diplomatic efforts and the nation's preparedness. Meanwhile, the Navy Chief noted evolving maritime competition beyond energy to critical resources and data, emphasizing increased marine activity and potential infringements on sovereign rights.

Trekkers given food that induced nausea, weakened them so they couldn't continue on foot & needed emergency flights

The Election Commission has handed over the investigation into the gherao of judicial officers in Malda, West Bengal, to the National Investigation Agency. This move follows strong criticism from the Supreme Court regarding the state's complete failure to protect officers during electoral roll revision. An NIA team is set to begin its probe soon.

Indian politics is witnessing an era of pre-poll freebies, with parties offering cash doles and concessions to woo voters. Tamil Nadu has a long history of welfare politics, evolving from subsidized food and education to direct cash transfers and consumer goods, now focusing on universal benefits and fiscal sustainability.

Rahul Gandhi launched a scathing attack on PM Modi and Assam CM Sarma, alleging foreign influence and corruption ahead of the 2026 elections. Gandhi claimed Trump controls Modi and accused Sarma of running a land ATM with Modi and Shah. Congress also unveiled poll promises including financial aid for women and land rights.

Parliament is set to reconvene on April 16 to consider legislation that could increase Lok Sabha seats from 543 to 816, with 273 seats reserved for women. This move aims to implement a one-third reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies, significantly altering the country's political landscape and reinforcing the government's women's empowerment agenda.

Amidst escalating Middle East conflict, India is providing petroleum supplies to neighboring nations like Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and Bhutan. The Maldives has also requested petroleum products, with India examining these requests based on its own availability.

Raghav Chadha has been removed as the Aam Aadmi Party's deputy leader in the Rajya Sabha. Ashok Mittal has been appointed in his place. The party has also requested the Rajya Sabha secretariat not to allot speaking time to Chadha from its quota. This move comes amid reports of indiscipline and not adhering to the party line.

The bench arrived at the finding while answering a reference made by a division bench of the court in view of conflicting judgments of two different division benches of the HC on the issue.

Rahul Gandhi released the Congress party's manifesto for the Assam Assembly elections. The document details commitments across eleven key sectors. This release is a significant step in the party's campaign. The Congress aims to regain power in Assam after a decade. Polling is scheduled for April 9. Vote counting will occur on May 4.

The Trinamool Congress has sharpened its attack on Union Home Minister Amit Shah ahead of his visit to West Bengal, recommending local non-vegetarian delicacies. This move aligns with the TMC's campaign, which portrays the BJP as out of touch with Bengal's cultural traditions, particularly regarding food habits.

West Bengal's political landscape is witnessing a significant rise in dynastic representation for the 2026 assembly elections. Across major parties like TMC, BJP, Congress, and CPI(M), candidates from established political families are increasingly being fielded. This marks a departure from Bengal's traditional grassroots politics, as parties now prioritize candidates with existing voter recognition and organizational support.

Tamil Nadu's election campaign intensified as Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin filed his nomination from Chepauk-Thiruvallikeni, aiming for a second consecutive win. Actor-politician Vijay also entered the fray, filing nominations from both Trichy East and Perambur constituencies, with his party manifesto emphasizing a drug-free Tamil Nadu.

Oracle has started its largest-ever layoffs, impacting thousands globally. Employees must sign termination documents via DocuSign to receive severance, which appears less generous than competitors. These cuts, potentially reaching 30,000, aim to fund a massive AI data center expansion, a move that has placed the company under significant financial strain.

The Supreme Court has been informed that all deleted voter claims in West Bengal will be decided by April 7. This addresses concerns about the upcoming assembly elections. Appellate tribunals have been formed to hear any objections. The court emphasized that judicial officers must remain independent and free from political interference. Further hearings are scheduled for April 6.

The CBI has filed a new case against Anil Ambani and Reliance Communications, along with bank officials, following an LIC complaint. Allegations suggest LIC was misled into investing Rs 4,500 crore in Non-Convertible Debentures based on false financial representations. A forensic audit revealed alleged misuse of funds, including siphoning through subsidiaries and fictitious transactions, causing a Rs 3,750 crore loss.

Industrialist Cyrus S Poonawalla has set a new record for modern Indian art, acquiring Raja Ravi Varma's 'Yashoda and Krishna' for Rs 167.2 crore. This landmark sale, which more than doubled its estimate, highlights the enduring cultural significance of Varma's work. Poonawalla plans to make the national treasure available for public viewing.

BJP MP Nishikant Dubey has apologized for his controversial remarks that drew a connection between former Odisha CM Biju Patnaik, Jawaharlal Nehru, and the CIA. Dubey clarified his statements were just his personal opinion, not meant to be taken literally, and were part of his broader criticism of the Nehru-Gandhi family's legacy.

'Residential Units Vacant Or Dilapidated, Officials Living On Rent Outside'

The Jammu and Kashmir Assembly has admitted a private member's bill aimed at protecting current land leaseholders. This move faces strong opposition, with critics alleging it benefits wealthy stakeholders, particularly hotel owners in Gulmarg. The bill seeks to counter recent rules that bar lease extensions and mandate auctions.

India's defence ministry has smartly deployed its revised capital expenditure of Rs 1.86 lakh crore for FY2025-26, mirroring the momentum from the previous year. This fiscal strategy highlights intense investments in aerial assets, ground defense technologies, and cutting-edge electronic warfare systems. Additionally, the endorsement of multiple new procurement strategies showcases a dynamic approach towards bolstering the nations defense arsenal.

Eight women workers were killed on the Nagpur-Mumbai Expressway in Jalna district, Maharashtra, after a truck collided with a tempo they were standing in. The truck driver, who changed lanes and struck the tempo from behind, has been taken into custody. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis expressed his condolences and announced Rs 5 lakh aid for the deceased's families.

President Droupadi Murmu, Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Union Home Minister Amit Shah have all participated in the self-enumeration for Census 2027. This initiative marks the commencement of the first phase, focusing on house listing and housing census, with a 15-day window for self-enumeration in Delhi starting Wednesday.

The Students Federation of India, Pondicherry University unit (SFI PU), condemned the arbitrary decision of the university to prepone the examinations and to direct the students to vacate the hostel.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee alleged that Election Commission-appointed officials were tasked with rejecting her party's candidate nominations. She urged candidates to be cautious during filing and accused the BJP of misusing central agencies and manipulating voter lists, particularly targeting women and poor individuals.

AIADMK leader Edappadi K Palaniswami attacked CM MK Stalin at a rally, accusing him of forming alliances out of fear of defeat and alleging a breakdown of law and order. Palaniswami also criticized Stalin's use of language and warned of retaliation, while assuring financial support for Jallikattu events.