India's political landscape is ablaze with activity! From the ongoing debates surrounding the new farm bills and their impact on rural India, to the upcoming state elections shaping the national narrative, the stakes couldn't be higher. Key political figures are maneuvering strategically, with alliances shifting and power dynamics constantly in flux. The opposition's challenge to the ruling party is intensifying, sparking vigorous debates on crucial policy matters including economic reforms and social justice initiatives. Parliamentary proceedings are filled with heated exchanges, reflecting the deep divisions within the nation. This evolving political climate directly impacts the lives of every Indian citizen, influencing everything from economic opportunities to social welfare programs. Stay informed about the latest developments in Indian politics, from crucial legislative decisions to grassroots movements, by exploring Abtak.com for in-depth analysis and breaking news updates. Understanding the intricacies of our political system is crucial; stay engaged, stay informed, and stay ahead.
New Delhi: Banking services in India may be unavailable on certain days this week due to a series of public holidays observed in various states. From August 13 to August 17, 2025, several banks will remain closed on different days, depending on regional holidays. The closures begin with Patriot's Day in Manipur on August 13, followed by Independence Day on August 15 and Janmashtami on August 16, leading into the regular Sunday holiday on August 17. Customers may wish to plan their banking activit
Ranchi (Jharkhand) [India], August 4 (ANI): The Jharkhand government declared a three-day state mourning, starting Monday, following the passing of the state's former Chief Minister and co-founder of Jharkhand Mukti Morcha, Shibu Soren. "In honour of the late Honourable former Chief Minister-cum-Rajya Sabha MP, the State Government has decided to observe 03 (three) days of state mourning from August 4 to August 6," the message from the Jharkhand government read. Also Read | Kerala Shocker: 47-Year-Old Man Dies by Suicide After Failing to Arrange Funds for Son's Engineering College Admission. ...Read More >
PATNA: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is all set to embark on 'Vote Adhikar Yatra' from Bihar's Rohtas district on August 17 to register a protest against how the ongoing special intensive revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls was being conducted in the state. This comes at a time when the Opposition is ratcheting up its protest against the SIR and casting aspersions on the integrity of elections. AICC general secretary (organisation) and MP KC Venugopal held a meeting with the INDIA bloc leaders at Sasaram in Rohtas district on Wednesday and reviewed preparations for Rahul Gandhi's visit to Bi ...Read More >
New Delhi, Aug 14 (SocialNews.XYZ) Easing inflation and favourable monsoon boosted rural demand in India in the April-June period this year, outpacing urban consumption once again, according to a new report. According to the report by global research firm NielsenIQ, rural markets and small manufacturers propelled the packaged consumer goods sector in Q2 2025. Rural markets grew twice as fast as cities, as urban areas showed signs of recovery, particularly in smaller towns. According to the report, e-commerce also rose significantly, led by increased shopper penetration and spending, especia ...Read More >
Pune (Maharashtra) [India], August 14: Gold has always held a special place in Indian homes, treasured for both its beauty and its lasting value. Beyond its cultural significance, gold jewellery has been a trusted financial backup for generations, helping families in times of need. Now, with Bajaj Finserv Gold Loan, this age-old tradition meets modern convenience. Also Read | 'Ruin the Friendship' and 'CANCELLED!': Are These Taylor Swift's Alleged Diss Tracks Targeting Blake Lively? Fan Theories Go Viral Amid 12th Album 'The Life of a Showgirl' Announcement. During the Prime Loan Festival, i ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], August 14: inDrive, the world's fastest-growing urban mobility platform and India's only ride-bargain app, announces the launch of its Comfort Class rides in Kolkata and Chandigarh. The launch comes just ahead of India's Independence Day, symbolizing the platform's commitment to freedom of choice, fairness, and empowerment for both riders and drivers. Also Read | UPI New Rule: NPCI To Stop UPI Collect Request for Person to Person Transactions Starting October 1; Here's Why. Challenging the Status Quo - Celebrating Freedom in Mobility Much like India's fight for independen ...Read More >
Jaipur: Police in Didwana have stepped up their probe into a cross-border smuggling case in which they arrested two arms and drug smugglers on June 27 for supplying Austrian Glock and Chinese Norinco pistols. It has emerged that the case has links to a massive Rs 300-crore heroin consignment seized by Punjab's Amritsar police near the India-Pakistan border in Barmer on June 30. Canada-based Joben Kaler was identified as the main overseas handler of the heroin consignment. Didwana-Kuchaman police had arrested Mohammad Ilyas from Khunkhuna and Amarjeet Singh Takhar, alias Prince, from Jalandhar ...Read More >
Guwahati: Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said that there was no information on the claim made by the outfit United Liberation Front of Asom (Independent)that their camps along the Indo-Myanmar border were attacked. He said that he does not foresee any retaliatory action from the ULFA. Sarma while talking to media persons on Tuesday said, "Assam government has information on any strike till now. The Government of India has not informed us regarding any strike. Whatever we have learnt we learnt from the statement of Paresh Baruah." He said that Assam police are neither involved nor a ...Read More >
Krishna Janmashtami 2025 will be celebrated with devotion and joy on Friday, 15 August 2025 across India. According to the Hindu Panchang, this sacred festival marks the divine birth of Lord Krishna, the eighth incarnation of Lord Vishnu, born to Devaki and Vasudeva in Mathura. This year will mark the 5,252nd birth anniversary of Lord Krishna. For devotees in different parts of the country, the auspicious Nishita Puja hours vary slightly: The Nishita Puja is believed to be the precise moment of ...Read More >
MUMBAI: ICICI Bank has rolled back its rule requiring new savings accounts opened after Aug 1 to maintain a monthly average balance (MAB) of Rs 50,000 and has revised the threshold to Rs 15,000. The move follows a social media backlash against the higher balance requirement, which was criticised for making banking exclusive.The bank said it has revised its schedule of charges and MAB requirements following customer feedback. The changes do not apply to salary accounts, senior citizens above 60 years, basic accounts/PM Jan Dhan Yojana accounts, or those opened before July 31, 2025.Meanwhile, HD ...Read More >
NEW DELHI: The National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (NOTTO) has suggested prioritising women in allocation of deceased donor organs.In a letter to the states/UTs, the apex authority for regulating organ donations and transplants in the country, has said a provision should be made to mark additional points for women recipients of donor organs, to address gender disparity. Studies have shown that while women make up a large percentage of donors, they receive fewer organs than men. "Women are equally vulnerable when it comes to end-stage organ failure due to illness, and it is import ...Read More >
Srinagar, Aug 13: While inviting people to attend the Independence Day celebrations, the Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, V.K. Bidhuri, today said that identity cards will serve as invitation passes to the venue. Speaking to reporters after attending the full-dress rehearsal -- in the run-up to the main event on August 15 -- at Bakshi Stadium, Bidhuri said Independence Day is a national festival celebrated with fervour and enthusiasm. "Everyone is invited, and there are no restrictions, as your question always remains. We are celebrating a festival; your I-card will be your invitation card t ...Read More >
Independence Day 2025: Commuters should avoid affected roads and use alternative routes. The Delhi Traffic Police has issued detailed traffic advisories ahead of the 79th Independence Day celebrations on Friday. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the nation from the Red Fort, while the Chief Minister of Delhi, Rekha Gupta, will hoist the national flag at Chhatrasal Stadium. Commuters are advised to plan their travel to avoid expected large gatherings and significant traffic disruptions in Delhi and adjoining areas. Traffic Restrictions In Delhi On August 15 Red Fort Area (4:00 am - ...Read More >
New Delhi: The Delhi High Court has reaffirmed that the personal liberty of two consenting adults to marry and live together peacefully is protected under Article 21 of the Indian Constitution. In a recent ruling, the court emphasised that family opposition cannot override this autonomy. Justice Sanjeev Narula stated that the Supreme Court has consistently upheld this principle, directing law enforcement to protect couples from threats or coercion. In this case, the court ordered police protection for a young couple who feared harassment from the woman's family. The couple had solemnised the ...Read More >
Guwahati: The National Socialist Council of Nagalim (NSCN) on Thursday renewed its demand for a separate flag, separate constitution and integration of all the Naga dominated contiguous areas. Asserting that a separate national flag, separate constitution and integration of all Naga contiguous areas are non-negotiable, the NSCN general secretary, Thuingaleng Muivah said, "We will stand by our precious unique history and sovereignty, whether it is today or tomorrow. We do not demand anything from India and Burma (Myanmar), but we declare and proclaim what is rightfully ours. That is why the Na ...Read More >
New Delhi: Chief minister Rekha Gupta on Sunday said authorities cannot go against demolition orders issued by courts and stressed that displaced residents have been provided accommodation.Her words came in the wake of the recent Madrasi Camp demolition for which the opposition Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has criticised her. AAP has targeted Gupta, and alleged that the displaced Madrasi Camp residents were provided homes in faraway Narela, and those lack basic amenities.Attending an event to mark the construction of a Jan Sewa camp at a slum cluster in the Haiderpur area, Gupta told reporters: "In t ...Read More >
New Delhi, Jul 15 (PTI) The Indian economy is expected to grow at 6.5 per cent in the current financial year, despite geo-political tensions and trade policy uncertainties, Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister (EAC-PM) Chairman S Mahendra Dev said on Tuesday. In an interview with PTI, Dev further said that domestic growth will be driven by low inflation, resulting from good monsoon and benign interest rate regime, triggered by three back-to-back rate cuts by the Reserve Bank of India. "There are significant global headwinds like the twin shocks of geo-political tensions and trade ...Read More >
New Delhi: Delhi govt has prepared a plan under which Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) bus drivers and conductors will receive regular training, with a focus on ethical values, customer service and safe driving, transport minister Pankaj Singh said on Friday. The move is for improving the public image of DTC buses.The minister mentioned that DTC bus drivers who fail to halt at designated stops or are found speeding will face strict departmental action.Several commuters have complained about the behaviour of DTC bus drivers. There have alleged that the buses often fail to stop at the designate ...Read More >
Hyderabad: AIMIM president and Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi has termed the GHMC's order for closure of meat shops and slaughterhouses on Independence Day as 'unconstitutional'.He slammed the civic body for issuing such an order, calling it a violation of the right to livelihood and nutrition.Addressing the media, Owaisi said: "Many municipal corporations in India seemed to have ordered that slaughterhouses and meat shops should be closed on Aug 15. Unfortunately, GHMC has also made a similar order. This is callous and unconstitutional. What's the connection between eating meat and celebrating ...Read More >
From timeless classics to modern chartbusters, India's musical legacy is rich with songs that celebrate the nation's spirit. This Independence Day, relive the magic of these 10 iconic tracks -- from Lata Mangeshkar's soulful tributes to A.R. Rahman's powerful anthems -- that continue to stir hearts, unite generations, and inspire love for the motherland. India's journey to freedom and its enduring spirit of unity have been beautifully captured in music over the decades. From soulful tributes to ...Read More >
NEW DELHI: Former head of Air India and chairman of the Railway Board Ashwani Lohani is the new Prime Ministers Museum and Library (PMML) director. The official order for his appointment was issued on Wednesday. A 1980-batch officer of the Indian Railway Service of Mechanical Engineering (IRSME), Lohani is known for turning around various organisations during his illustrious career. Following his retirement from IRSME service, he joined the GMR Group as the CEO. According to the order dated June 4, his appointment to the post of director, Prime Ministers Museum and Library in the rank and pa ...Read More >
Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh) [India], August 13 (ANI): The Madhya Pradesh government is planning to celebrate Krishna Janmashtami across the state with a series of cultural programmes. The hotels in the state have been urged to reflect the Janmashatami theme in their premises as happens during the Christmas festival with the related theme. Cultural Advisor to the Chief Minister, Shriram Tiwari clarified that there are no orders and hotels can do so voluntarily. Also Read | Nafisa Ali Calls Supreme Court's Stray Dog Relocation Verdict 'Devastating', Says 'Decision To Rid Delhi Roads of Dogs Is a D ...Read More >
Lucknow: Lucknow Municipal Corporation is conducting a special cleanliness and decoration drive across all 110 wards and eight zones ahead of Independence Day and Janmashtami festival. Zonal officers, sanitary staff and supervisors have been assigned ward-specific duties, focusing on road and market cleaning, drain maintenance, garbage collection and waste disposal.LMC teams will visit homes to promote cleanliness and encourage residents to hoist national flag as part of Har Ghar Tiranga campaign. So far, LMC has distributed over 3 lakh tricolours and several Tiranga Yatras with school childre ...Read More >
Kaun Banega Crorepati is back with its 17th season and an upcoming Independence Day special promises to be inspiring. The episode will feature three women officers from the Indian Armed Forces - Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, Wing Commander Vyomika Singh and Commander Prerna Deosthalee. In a recently released promo, Col Sofiya was on the hot seat with the other two officers as they share stories from Operation Sindoor. She tells Amitabh Bachchan about Operation Sindoor that took place after terrorists ...Read More >
Mathura , The 5,252nd birth anniversary of Lord Krishna will be celebrated at midnight on August 16 in all major temples of Mathura, including the Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi temple, and at the Thakur Bankey Bihari temple in Vrindavan. Nandgaon will mark the festivities on the night of August 17, officials said here on Sunday. District Magistrate Chandraprakash Singh and Senior Superintendent of Police Shlok Kumar said that while around 4.2 million devotees visited Mathura during Janmashtami last ...Read More >
New Delhi: Protest at the Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) against a recently announced fee hike, the long-standing suspension of students' union elections and calls for administrative accountability have entered their sixth day, with students boycotting classes and staging sit-ins at the Bab-e-Syed gate (the iconic entrance of the varsity). The fee structure for different courses has witnessed a sharp revision. Students say the hike ranges from 25% to over 60% across various programmes. Many claim they first learned of the revised fees only while trying to pay through the university's online ...Read More >
Jammu, Aug 14 (PTI) The Army has joined the relief and rescue operation at the cloudburst-hit Chisoti village in Jammu and Kashmir's Kishtwar district, in which 30 persons have died and more than 100 have been injured, officials said. "In the aftermath of a cloudburst at the Chisoti village in Kishtwar, troops of the White Knight swiftly mobilised for relief and rescue operations," a Jammu-based PRO said. The efforts are centred on safeguarding lives and aiding survivors, he said, adding that the search for the missing continues. The Army said that relief stores, medical teams and rescue ge ...Read More >
Indian bank holidays depend on the region. Observances change by state, influenced by local events. Scheduled and non-scheduled banks close on the second and fourth Saturdays. National holidays are consistent across India. In July 2025, holidays include Kharchi Puja in Tripura on July 3. Guru Hargobind Ji's Birthday will be celebrated in Jammu and Srinagar on July 5. Bank holidays in India vary from one region to another. They differ from one state to the next and are often influenced by local f ...Read More >
Jammu- Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday reviewed the ongoing restoration work of the historic Mubarak Mandi complex, which was the power centre of the Dogra kings in Jammu, and stressed on enhancing its heritage appeal. The Mubarak Mandi Complex is one of Jammu's most significant architectural heritage sites and is envisioned as a comprehensive cultural centre, housing museums, conference venues and heritage hospitality services. Accompanied by Advisor Nasir Aslam Wani and MLA Yudhvir Sethi during the visit, the chief minister was briefed in detail on the multi-phas ...Read More >
NEW DELHI/BATHINDA: The Directorate of Enforcement (ED) on Friday conducted searches at 22 de-addiction centres across Punjab, including in Chandigarh, Barnala and Ludhiana, after its investigation revealed illegal sale of drugs by these centres. The agency also searched a premise in Mumbai linked to the accused.Dr Amit Bansal, who runs these 22 centres, is prime accused in the case, sources said. Bansal, against whom Punjab Police has registered multiple FIRs, is alleged to be engaged in illegal sale of drugs from his de-addiction centres.Privately-run drug de-addiction centres in Punjab are ...Read More >
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], August 3 (ANI): In a major crackdown on narcotics smuggling, officers of the Airport Commissionerate, Mumbai Customs Zone-III, have seized 14.738 kgs of suspected NDPS hydroponic weed (marijuana) valued at approximately Rs 14.73 crore during operations on Sunday. The seizures were made across Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMI), resulting in the arrest of one passenger, as stated in the press release. The passenger was arrested under the provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985. Based on specific intel, ...Read More >