India News Updates: Hindi portions of signboards at Chennai Post and BSNL offices blackened amid Tamil Nadu’s NEP row

Heightened security measures at Trichy Railway Station following an incident where miscreants defaced the Hindi section of the signboard.

PM Modi visits exhibition at Advantage Assam 2.0 Investment and Infrastructure Summit

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma presents traditional gifts from the state to Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the 'Jhumoir Binandini' cultural event at Sarusajai Stadium in Guwahati.

Union Minister of Commerce & Industry Piyush Goyal says, "It's also very auspicious that we (India and the UK) are restarting discussions today, just before we celebrate Mahashivratri day after tomorrow which is the sacred union of Shiv and Shakti...I would like to reaffirm our collective commitment to meet the aspirations of the people and businesses of both countries."

The Hindi sections of signboards at both the Post Office and BSNL office in Chennai have been blackened amidst ongoing protests in Tamil Nadu regarding the implementation of the three-language policy under the National Education Policy (NEP).

Congress MP Raghuveer Reddy expressed his concern over the unfortunate incident at the Srisailam Left Bank Canal (SLBC) tunnel in Nagarkurnool, Telangana. Reddy says, " This incident has occurred in the SLBC tunnel, it is very unfortunate. Workers are still trapped inside. All the management, the administration, Navy and everyone is trying their best to get them out alive. I hope their sincere efforts will be fruitful..."

Visuals from inside Srisailam Left Bank Canal (SLBC) tunnel, where rescue operations are underway to save eight trapped workers

Union IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, speaking at the NASSCOM Forum, shared that Japan has granted a patent for India's UPI gateway system.

Union IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, speaking at the Nasscom Forum, revealed that the use of highly focused, smaller models in various DPI layers has yielded phenomenal results.

Speaking at the Nasscom Technology and Leadership Forum , Union IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw revealed that eight projects have been allocated to IITs and other universities to develop technical solutions aimed at addressing privacy and security concerns, including issues like deep fakes

At the Nasscom Technology and Leadership Forum, Union IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw emphasized the focus on both foundational and smaller AI models tailored to specific issues. He also outlined plans to create large, anonymized, non-personal data sets that will provide accurate, high-quality analytics to train India's own AI models.

YouTuber Ashish Chanchlani has left the Maharashtra Rabale Cyber Cell office after being named in an FIR filed in Assam. The FIR involves Ranveer Allahbadia, who is reportedly the prime accused for making controversial remarks on a YouTube show hosted by comic Samay Raina.

The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has revoked Stage II of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) in Delhi-NCR with immediate effect. However, measures under Stage I will continue to be implemented to manage pollution levels.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has declared a Rs 10,000 salary increment for all medical staff in the state, recognizing their contributions. "I announce an increment of Rs 10,000 for all interns, house staff, Post-Graduate trainees, and Post-Doctoral trainees", said Banerjee

Zoya, the wife of gangster Hashim Baba, has been placed under a three-day police remand by the Patiala House Court in Delhi in connection with the 2024 Nadir Shah murder case.

At the 19th PM Kisan instalment event in Bhagalpur, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his vision of having products grown by Indian farmers in every kitchen worldwide. He highlighted the announcement of the 'PM Dhan Dhanya Yojana' in this year's budget, which aims to identify 100 districts with the lowest crop production and launch special campaigns to boost farming in these areas.

Speaking at 19th PM Kisan instalment event in Bhagalpur Prime Minister Narendra Modi criticized previous governments for neglecting farmers during natural disasters, such as floods and droughts. He emphasized that after the NDA came to power in 2014, the government introduced the 'PM Crop Insurance Scheme,' under which farmers have received Rs 1.75 lakh crore in claims during disasters.

Delhi Minister Parvesh Sahib Singh to show 'Sheesh Mahal' to media

Survivors of the July 2024 landslides in Wayanad, Kerala, have staged a protest, claiming delays in the rehabilitation process. They are urging authorities to speed up assistance and rebuild affected areas.

Prime Minister Modi has transferred Rs 22,000 crore to the bank accounts of 9.8 crore farmers as part of the 19th instalment of the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme. The transfer was made during his visit to Bhagalpur, Bihar.

The Election Commission of India has announced a two-day conference with the Chief Electoral Officers from all States and Union Territories, set to take place on March 4-5, 2025, at the India International Institute of Democracy & Election Management in New Delhi. This will be the first such conference since Gyanesh Kumar took office as Chief Election Commissioner (CEC).

The Rouse Avenue court has extended the protection of AAP MLA Amanatullah Khan until Tuesday, February 25. The court scheduled a further hearing if needed. During the hearing, Delhi Police requested his custody for interrogation to confirm his presence at the scene. They submitted CCTV footage and witness statements for the court's review. Khan is facing an FIR accusing him of obstructing a police team attempting to arrest Shavej Khan, a proclaimed offender wanted in a 2018 case.

PM Modi felicitated with garland made of 'makhana' by top leaders as he arrives at Bhagalpur, Bihar to release the 19th instalment of PM Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN).

At the GIS Bhopal, Sanjay Nagarkar of Fictional Reality Pvt Ltd revealed a Rs 6,500 crore memorandum of understanding (MoU) in renewable energy. Additionally, he announced plans to sign 3-4 more MoUs, totaling around Rs 10,000 crore, underscoring a strong commitment to sustainable growth.

An explosion occurred near the Russian consulate in Marseille, France, but there have been no reports of casualties, according to RT, the Russian news network.

AAP MLAs staged a protest inside the Delhi Assembly after Leader of Opposition Atishi alleged that images of Dr. BR Ambedkar and Bhagat Singh had been removed from the Chief Minister's office. Speaker Vijender Gupta responded, accusing the opposition of trying to disrupt the House and failing to maintain its dignity. Amid the uproar, the proceedings were adjourned for 15 minutes.

Rajasthan Police used water cannons to disperse Congress workers who were protesting outside the Rajasthan Assembly. The protest was in response to the suspension of six Congress MLAs from the Assembly by the state government.

YouTubers Ashish Chanchlani and Ranveer Allahbadia reached out to Maharashtra Cyber Cell officials, expressing their intent to record their statements. In response, the Cyber Cell has issued summons to both of them to appear and provide their statements today.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will release the 19th instalment of the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme from Bihar's Bhagalpur on Monday, officials said.

The PM will also address a public rally at the Airport Ground, besides interacting with farmers from several neighbouring districts such as Banka, Begusarai, Khagaria, Purnea, Katihar, Madhepura, Kishanganj, Araria, Lakhisarai, Jamui, and Munger.

Assembly elections in Bihar are due later this year.

Rajasthan assembly on Monday witnessed uproar by Congress members, who have been holding a dharna in the assembly since Friday evening against a minister's remark against former prime minister Indira Gandhi and suspension of six MLAs.

After 13 minutes of the proceedings, the House was adjourned till 12 noon.

As soon as the Question Hour began at 11 am, the Congress MLAs raised slogans and tried to disrupt the house.

However, Speaker Vasudev Devnani called listed questions and the proceedings began. The speaker also asked suspended MLAs to go out of the House but they remained present.

A 20-year-old woman was arrested for smuggling into the country narcotics worth over Rs 11 crore, concealed inside packets of cookies and rice, at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport, the Customs department said on Monday.

The accused was intercepted upon her arrival from Bangkok on February 21, it said.

"During examination of the black trolley bag, eight cookies and rice packets containing a green-coloured narcotic substance, suspected to be ganja or marijuana, with a total net weight of 11,284 grams, were recovered," the Customs department said in a statement.

A dozen leaders from Europe and Canada arrived in Ukraine's capital by train Monday morning to mark the third anniversary of Russia's invasion.

The visitors were greeted at the station by Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha and the president's chief of staff Andrii Yermak. Among them were European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

In a post on X, von der Leyen wrote that Europe was in Kyiv “because Ukraine is in Europe.”

“In this fight for survival, it is not only the destiny of Ukraine that is at stake. It’s Europe’s destiny,” she wrote.

Pace legend Shoaib Akhtar didn't pull any punches as he blasted Pakistan's "brainless, and clueless" team management following the six-wicket loss to India in the Champions Trophy, saying the side entered the tournament without any "clear direction".

Pakistan suffered their second consecutive loss in the event on Sunday. They had lost to New Zealand in the opener and their chances of advancing are now hanging by a thread.

"I am not disappointed at all (by the defeat to India) because I knew what would happen," Akhtar said in a short video on his X account.

Uttar Pradesh deputy CM KP Maurya says, "The 2025 Maha Kumbh has been divine, grand and a source of spiritual progress. The opposition, be it the Congress, SP, RJD or TMC, have all commented on this in an insulting way. It should be condemned. It is an insult to Hindus and Indian culture... I congratulate all those involved in the arrangements and service of the Maha Kumbh for its success..."

As the operations to rescue eight workers trapped inside the under-construction Srisailam Left Bank Canal (SLBC) tunnel continue, there is a sense of despair over the workers’ colony in Telangana’s Domalapenta.

The tunnel partially collapsed on Saturday.

The incident occurred 13.5 km inside the tunnel when a portion of the roof caved in. Of the 50 workers inside, 42 managed to escape, while eight remained trapped. Survivors recount a frantic dash for safety as chunks of mud began falling, leaving their colleagues behind in the debris.

On the first day of the Delhi Assembly, Delhi Minister Parvesh Verma says, "...I want to say to the people of Delhi that our government will meet your expectations. We will fullfil all the poll promises we made. I also want the cooperation of the Opposition party. We want good laws to be formed to take Delhi to newer heights. I don't claim that we will make Delhi like Paris or London, but we will ensure we develop Delhi. This is our government's resolution..."

The chances of survival of the eight persons who remain trapped in the SLBC tunnel after a partial collapse two days ago are "very remote," though every effort is being made to reach them, Telangana Minister Jupally Krishna Rao said on Monday.

He also mentioned that a team of rat miners, who had rescued the construction workers trapped in the Silkyara Bend-Barkot tunnel in Uttarakhand in 2023, has joined the rescue teams to extricate the men.

The Minister stated that rescuing the trapped individuals would take at least three to four days, as the accident site is filled with muck and debris, making it a daunting task for the rescuers.

India is likely to raise import taxes on vegetable oils for the second time in less than six months to help support thousands of oilseed farmers reeling from a crash in domestic oilseed prices, two government sources said on Friday.

The hike in import duties by the world's largest importer of edible oils could lift local vegetable oil and oilseed prices, while potentially dampening demand and reducing overseas purchases of palm oil, soyoil, and sunflower oil.

Bangladeshi students, who were at the forefront of last year's protests that ousted then Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, are set to launch a political party this week, two sources with direct knowledge of the development said.

The Students Against Discrimination (SAD) group spearheaded the protests that began as a student-led movement against public sector job quotas but quickly morphed into a broader, nationwide uprising that forced Hasina to flee to India as the unrest peaked in early August.

Palm oil's share of India's annual edible oil imports is set to drop below soft oils for the first time as its rising premium over soyoil and sunflower oil pushes refiners toward more affordable alternatives, the head of an industry body said.

Lower palm oil imports by India, the world's biggest buyer of vegetable oils, could weigh on benchmark Malaysian palm oil prices and support U.S. soyoil futures.

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has accused the AAP of leaving an empty “public exchequer” when it was in power in the national capital before the BJP took over.

The Chief Minister’s remark came while she was addressing a press conference with Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva.

Seven people died, and others were injured in a collision between a truck and a tempo on the Noora bridge in Masaurhi, Patna. The injured have been admitted to the hospital. The collision was so severe that both, the truck and the tempo fell from the bridge: SDPO Masaurhi

MP Minister Dharmendra Bhav Singh Lodhi says, "PM Modi will be inaugurating the Madhya Pradesh Global Investors' Summit today...Since Mohan Yadav has assumed charge as the Chief Minister, he has been continuously working to bring investment in the state...The government is continuously working to develop the state...Tourism policy has been introduced by the state government which will give a huge boost to tourism..."

BJP MLA Arvinder Singh Lovely, who has been appointed as the Protem Speaker of the Delhi Assembly, will administer the oath to the newly elected members today. After this, the election of Speaker will be held at 2 pm.

Barely three months after the Maharashtra assembly polls, the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) has been jolted by a series of desertions, with several party functionaries and even former MLAs abandoning the party.

The latest big name to quit the party was Rajan Salvi, a three-time MLA from the Rajapur assembly seat in Ratnagiri district in the coastal Konkan region.

A staunch supporter of the Thackerays, Salvi joined the Shiv Sena, led by Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, with his supporters earlier this month. Days later, another former MLA from Konkan joined Shinde’s party along with many Sena (UBT) office-bearers.

Last week, Rajul Patel, a former corporator, women wing leader of Sena (UBT) and a staunch Thackeray loyalist, jumped ship.

The US has pressured Ukraine to withdraw its European-backed UN resolution demanding an immediate withdrawal of Russian forces from Ukraine in favor of an American proposal that does not mention Moscow’s invasion, a U.S. official and a European diplomat said Sunday.

But Ukraine refused to pull its draft resolution, and the UN General Assembly will vote on it Monday, the third anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, two European diplomats said.

The 193-nation General Assembly then is expected to vote on the US draft resolution, according to the diplomats and the US official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because private negotiations are still ongoing.

Sudan's paramilitary Rapid Support Forces have signed a charter paving the way for a parallel government with its allies, including a former foe who analysts say could offer crucial territory, fighters and border access.

Since April 2023, a brutal war between the RSF and the regular army -- represented by the internationally recognised government currently based in Port Sudan -- has killed tens of thousands, uprooted 12 million and visited mass human rights violations upon civilians.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Sunday congratulated Germany's conservative leader Friedrich Merz on his party's win in legislative elections, saying he hoped to work with Germany to "strengthen Europe".

"We look forward to continuing our joint work with Germany to protect lives, bring real peace closer to Ukraine, and strengthen Europe," Zelensky posted on X.

"Europe must be able to defend itself, develop its industries, and achieve the necessary results," he added.

Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer congratulated conservative leader Friedrich Merz on his party's win in Germany's parliamentary elections Sunday, welcoming the chance to "enhance their joint security".

"I look forward to working with the new government to deepen our already strong relationship, enhance our joint security and deliver growth for both our countries," Starmer posted on X.

Germany's conservatives swept to victory in Sunday's elections, with their leader Friedrich Merz set to become the next chancellor, followed by the far-right AfD in second place after record gains.

Merz urged the speedy formation of a new coalition government, warning that as US President Donald Trump is driving rapid and disruptive changes, "the world isn't waiting for us".

The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) almost doubled its score to over 20 percent, boosted by fears over immigration and security after a spate of deadly attacks blamed on asylum seekers.