Caste enumeration to be part of next Census: Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw
Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Wednesday said that the Union Cabinet has decided to include caste enumeration as part of the next census. He was briefing the media regarding decisions of the Union Cabinet. “This demonstrates that our government is committed to the values and interests of our society and the country, like in the past, when our government had introduced 10% reservations for economically weaker sections of society,” says Mr. Vaishnaw.
India warns Pakistan against unprovoked violations by Pakistan army along LOC
The Director Generals of Military Operations of India and Pakistan talked over the hotline yesterday (April 29) to discuss the unprovoked ceasefire violations by Pakistan. According to defence sources, India warned Pakistan against the unprovoked violations by Pakistan Army along the Line of Control.
Cabinet approves Shillong-Silchar highway project at an estimated cost of ₹22,864 crore
The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved the development of a 166.80 km greenfield high-speed corridor from Mawlyngkhung in Meghalaya to Panchgram in Assam on hybrid annuity mode at a total cost of ₹22,864 crore. According to an official statement, the project length of 166.80 km (NH-6) lies in Meghalaya (144.80 km) and Assam (22 km). The proposed greenfield high-speed corridor will improve the service level for the traffic moving between Guwahati to Silchar, it noted.
Govt revamps National Security Advisory Board, appoints ex-RAW chief Alok Joshi its chairman
The government has revamped the National Security Advisory Board (NSAB) — a move that came amid speculations about India’s possible retaliation to the Pahalgam terror attack in view of its cross-border linkages. It is learnt that former R&AW chief Alok Joshi has been appointed as NSAB chairman. The NSAB is an advisory body that provides inputs to the National Security Council Secretariat. The new members appointed to the NSAB are former Western Air Commander Air Marshal PM Sinha, former Southern Army Commander Lt Gen A K Singh and Rear Admiral (retd) Monty Khanna, people familiar with the matter said.
A total of 786 Pakistanis exit India; 1,465 Indians return home from Pakistan after visa cancellation
As many as 786 Pakistani nationals, including 55 diplomats, their dependents and support staff, besides eight Indians with Pakistani visa, have left India through the Attari-Wagah border crossing in the last six days following a Government Order in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack, officials said on Wednesday. A total of 1,465 Indians, including 25 diplomats and officials, besides 151 Pakistani citizens with long-term Indian visas, have crossed over to India from Pakistan through the International Border crossing located in Punjab since April 24.
Supreme Court upholds inclusive digital access as a part of fundamental right to life
The Supreme Court on Wednesday held in a judgment that inclusive and meaningful digital access to e-governance and welfare delivery systems is a part of the fundamental right to life and liberty. A Bench of Justices J.B. Pardiwala and R. Mahadevan laid down that the State has an obligation to provide an inclusive digital ecosystem to the marginalised, underprivileged, vulnerable, disabled and historically-excluded sections of the society.
Supreme Court sets July to hear matter over Lokpal’s jurisdiction in examining complaints against judges
The Supreme Court on Wednesday decided to hear in July arguments over an order of the anti-corruption ombudsman, Lokpal, to examine complaints against sitting High Court judges. Justice B.R. Gavai, who was heading a special bench comprising Justices Surya Kant and Abhay S. Oka, told assembled lawyers in the suo motu case dealing with the question whether Lokpal has jurisdiction to entertain corruption complaints against HC judges that the case has to be heard by another Bench.
PM Modi not to attend WWII Victory Day celebrations in Moscow; Rajnath to go in his stead
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will not attend the 80th anniversary celebrations of Victory Day to be held in Moscow next month, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Wednesday. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will go instead. “India will not be represented at the highest level”, Mr. Peskov said. Russia had invited Mr. Modi for the grand parade to be held in Moscow, but India conveyed to Russia that Mr. Singh would attend it. “An invitation was extended to the prime minister to attend the Victory Day Parade in Moscow. The Russian side was informed earlier that India would be represented by Defence Minister Singh,” said a source.
At least seven killed in wall collapse at temple in Andhra Pradesh’s Simhachalam
At least seven, including three women devotees, died while a few others were injured in a wall collapse at the top of Simhachalam Hill in Visakhapatnam on Wednesday early morning. The incident occurred when the devotees were waiting in a queue line to witness the ‘Nijaroopa Darshan of Sri Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy on the occasion of the annual ‘Chandanotsavam’ festival. The incident reportedly occurred after heavy rain accompanied by a heavy gale lashed the city in the early morning between 3.30 to 4 a.m.
CBI dismantles child sexual abuse exploitation networks as part of Operation Hawk 2025
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), on the basis of inputs received from Operation Hawk, launched by the U.S., has taken swift action to successfully dismantle the cybercrime networks involving online child sexual exploitation with international linkages. International Operations Division of CBI registered a case against Sheik Muizz Ahmed under Section 506 of the Indian Penal Code, Section 66D of Information Technology Act, 2000, and Section 12 read with Section 11 of POCSO Act, 2012.
Kolkata hotel fire: SIT to probe cause; CM Mamata monitors situation as 14 dead
A massive fire broke out at a central Kolkata hotel in Mechua on Tuesday evening and killed at least 14 people and injured over 13 others. One man died after jumping from the building, trying to escape the fire in a state of panic. The remaining 13 deaths were due to suffocation. Most of these people died of suffocation as the congested lanes of the Burrabazar made rescue operations difficult. The fire started around 8:15 p.m. on Tuesday and was brought under control in the early hours of Wednesday (April 30, 2025). Over 10 fire engines worked overnight to douse the fire.
India’s gold demand falls 15% in January-March to 118.1 tonnes on high prices: World Gold Council
“India’s gold demand witnessed a 15% on-year decline to 118.1 tonnes in the January-March quarter of this year, even as value grew by 22% to ₹94,030 crore owing to surging prices,” the World Gold Council (WGC) said on Wednesday (April 29, 2025). According to the WGC forecast, India’s gold demand for 2025 is expected to be between 700-800 tonnes. Gold prices have risen 25% since the beginning of 2025, approaching the key psychological threshold of ₹1,00,000 per 10 gm, affecting consumer buying patterns.
Bangladesh High Court orders Hindu leader’s release on bail
A Bench of the Bangladesh High Court on Wednesday ordered the release of Hindu leader Chinmoy Krishna Das on bail, five months after he was arrested on a charge of defaming the country’s national flag, court officials said. “The two-judge bench declared absolute its earlier rule asking authorities why he should not be granted bail,” an official of the High Court said. On October 31, a case with Kotwali police station in Chattogram was filed accusing Mr. Das and 18 others of disrespecting the Bangladesh national flag.
Xi says China’s economy should adapt to external changes
Chinese President Xi Jinping called on Wednesday for action to adjust to changes in the international environment as the country drafts economic plans for the next five years, State-run Xinhua reported. “It’s important to take a forward-looking view of changes in the international landscape and their impact on China,” Xinhua quoted Mr. Xi as saying at a symposium in Shanghai on economic and social development during the 15th five-year plan period from 2026 to 2030.
Nepal to restrict Mt Everest permits to only those who have already done 7,000m climbs
Nepal is planning to restrict expeditions to Mount Everest only to those mountaineers who have climbed at least one peak above 7,000 metres aimed at reducing deaths in the high altitude zone, a media report said. Official data shows that since 1953’s Hillary-Norgay summit, around 9,000 mountaineers have successfully scaled Mt Everest while over 300 have lost their lives.
Champak magazine takes BCCI to court for trademark infringement in naming IPL robot dog
The Delhi High Court on Wednesday sought the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s response on a plea by renowned children’s magazine Champak that alleged trademark infringement over the IPL naming its AI robot dog ‘Champak’. Justice Saurabh Banerjee observed that Champak had been an existing brand name since eternity and asked the BCCI to file its written statement in response to the plea within four weeks. The court listed the matter for further hearing on July 9.
Published - April 30, 2025 06:20 pm IST
