India

Ministry of External Affairs Notifies Steep Passport Fee Hike Across All Categories Effective July 1

Ministry of External Affairs Notifies Steep Passport Fee Hike Across All Categories Effective July 1

New Delhi (Gurpreet Singh): In the first major revision of its kind in nearly fourteen years, the Union Government has officially announced a comprehensive restructuring of fees for Indian passports and related travel documents. Exercising powers conferred under Section 24 of the Passports Act, 1967, the Ministry of External Affairs has issued the Passports (Amendment) Rules, 2026. This notification completely replaces Schedule IV of the legacy Passports Rules, 1980, introducing an upward revision of costs across all demographic categories, page counts, and application modes. The revised financial framework is scheduled to take effect nationwide and across overseas missions starting July…
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Former Supreme Court Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai to Head Chhattisgarh’s New Uniform Civil Code Committee

Former Supreme Court Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai to Head Chhattisgarh’s New Uniform Civil Code Committee

New Delhi (Gurpreet Singh): The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) led Chhattisgarh government has officially initiated the process to introduce a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in the state by constituting a high-level drafting committee. Retired Supreme Court Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai has been appointed as the Chairperson of the panel. The strategic move positions Chhattisgarh alongside other BJP-governed states that are actively pursuing a unified legal framework for personal laws, shifting away from distinct community-based regulations. The newly formed committee boasts a diverse panel of administrative, legal, and social experts. Joining Justice Desai are retired Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officers Shyamdhar…
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Encounter Leads to Arrest of Final Two Suspects in Guru Randhawa Gym Shooting Investigation

Encounter Leads to Arrest of Final Two Suspects in Guru Randhawa Gym Shooting Investigation

Delhi (Balwinder Singh/Gurpreet Singh): Delhi Police have claimed a major breakthrough in the investigation into the firing incident outside a gym linked to Punjabi singer Guru Randhawa, with the arrest of two alleged gang operatives following a late-night encounter in the national capital. According to officials, the duo had remained out of reach since the shooting incident earlier this month and were among the most wanted suspects in the case. Their arrest now means that all four individuals allegedly involved in the attack have been taken into custody. Police said Special Cell teams were acting on specific intelligence regarding the…
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India Weighs Participation as Iran Extends Invitation for Ayatollah Ali Khamenei Memorial Ceremonies

India Weighs Participation as Iran Extends Invitation for Ayatollah Ali Khamenei Memorial Ceremonies

New Delhi (Rajeev Sharma): India is assessing an invitation from Iran to participate in the memorial and funeral events being organised for late Iranian leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, with a decision on the country's representation expected in the coming days, according to diplomatic sources. The ceremonies, scheduled for early July, are set to take place across multiple Iranian cities and are expected to attract heads of state, senior ministers and international delegations from around the world. Iranian authorities have reportedly reached out to several countries with which Tehran shares longstanding diplomatic ties, including India. Officials familiar with the matter said…
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India and US Advance Bilateral Trade Agreement as Key Meetings Conclude in New Delhi

India and US Advance Bilateral Trade Agreement as Key Meetings Conclude in New Delhi

New Delhi (Gurpreet Singh): India and the United States have taken a significant step toward finalizing a balanced, mutually beneficial Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) following high-level discussions in New Delhi. Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal concluded a series of productive meetings with United States Trade Representative (USTR) Ambassador Jamieson Greer and his delegation on Wednesday morning. Ambassador Greer led an official US delegation to New Delhi from June 22 to June 24, 2026. The high-profile visit aimed to maintain momentum on bilateral trade discussions and finalize an interim deal, aligning with the joint statement issued on February 7,…
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India and US Edge Closer to Major Trade Agreement as Economic Ties Gather Momentum

India and US Edge Closer to Major Trade Agreement as Economic Ties Gather Momentum

Washington (Rajeev Sharma) India and the United States are believed to be in the final stages of negotiations on a comprehensive trade agreement that could significantly expand commercial cooperation between the two countries and strengthen one of the world’s most important economic partnerships. A senior American official has indicated that discussions have advanced considerably, with both sides working to resolve the remaining issues before reaching a final understanding. The proposed agreement is expected to improve market access, encourage investments and facilitate greater movement of goods between the two economies. The development reflects the increasing focus being placed on economic collaboration…
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From Engagement to Alleged Murder Plot: How a Fort Trek Unravelled a Chilling Conspiracy

From Engagement to Alleged Murder Plot: How a Fort Trek Unravelled a Chilling Conspiracy

Pune (Rajeev Sharma): trek to a historic hill fort near Pune that was expected to be a routine outing has emerged as the centre of a shocking murder investigation, with police alleging that a young businessman was deliberately pushed to his death by his fiancée and her alleged lover. The case first came to light on June 18 when 26-year-old Ketan Agarwal died after falling into a gorge during a trek. At the time, the incident was treated as a tragic accident, and family members were informed that he had lost his footing while exploring the fort. However, investigators soon…
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Lucknow Fire Tragedy: Building Owner Sent to Judicial Custody for 14 Days

Lucknow Fire Tragedy: Building Owner Sent to Judicial Custody for 14 Days

Lucknow (Rajeev Sharma): The investigation into the devastating fire at a commercial building in Lucknow's Aliganj area has intensified, with authorities sending the property's owner, Virendra Shukla, to judicial custody following his arrest in connection with the incident that claimed multiple lives. According to officials, Shukla was produced before a local court late Monday night after police completed preliminary legal formalities. The court subsequently remanded him to 14 days of judicial custody as the probe into the fire continues. Investigators said the accused had reportedly cited health concerns, including chest pain and a history of heart-related ailments, during the course…
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Pre-Monsoon Showers Bring Relief to Himachal, Thunderstorm Warning Issued for Several Districts

Pre-Monsoon Showers Bring Relief to Himachal, Thunderstorm Warning Issued for Several Districts

Shimla: A fresh spell of rain and cooler weather has swept across Himachal Pradesh, offering respite from summer temperatures as the state prepares for the arrival of the southwest monsoon. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted continued rainfall activity in many parts of the state over the next few days, accompanied by thunderstorms and gusty winds in selected districts. According to weather officials, widespread precipitation is likely to persist until the end of the week, with Chamba, Kangra, Kullu, Mandi and Shimla expected to experience periods of intense weather activity. A yellow alert has been issued for these districts,…
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Confusion Grows as Telegram Remains Unavailable for Many Users Across India

Confusion Grows as Telegram Remains Unavailable for Many Users Across India

New Delhi (Rajeev Sharma): Telegram users across India continued to report access problems on June 23, with many saying the messaging platform remained largely unusable despite expectations that temporary restrictions linked to the NEET-UG re-examination process would have ended. From the early hours of Monday, social media platforms witnessed a surge of posts from users questioning why Telegram services had not been fully restored. Several individuals claimed they were unable to exchange messages, while others reported difficulties accessing the platform's website and downloading the application through official channels. The ongoing disruption has led to widespread uncertainty, particularly among students, professionals…
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