Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta highlighted the rapid transformation of India's infrastructure and digital ecosystem, stating that the country's metro rail network has expanded significantly over the years, while air connectivity has witnessed unprecedented growth through various government initiatives.

Addressing an event on Friday, Gupta said the metro rail system, which once had limited reach, has now become a vast network connecting major urban centres. "The metro network, which spanned 248 kilometres, has now expanded to over 1,095 kilometres and reached 26 cities. Similarly, we have witnessed a massive transformation in air connectivity. The 'UDAN' scheme turned the common citizen's dream of air travel into reality," the Chief Minister said.

Sudarsan Pattnaik has once again brought laurels to the country as the renowned sand artist from Odisha became the first Indian to win the Russia Grand Sand Master Cup 2026.

While some success stories begin with everything a person could need, his began with almost nothing. He started as a small boy on a beach, with no money for paper or paint, so he chose to sculpt and draw in the only material that was free and endlessly available beneath his feet- sand.

And today, decades on, that same boy stands among the most renowned names in his field around the world.

A YEAR after they walked past the symbolic Antim Pag — the final step — at the National Defence Academy in Pune, the first batch of 17 women cadets trained at the NDA was commissioned on Saturday as officers, marking a significant milestone in the evolution of women’s participation in military service.

This is the first time women officers will be joining the forces with a permanent commission. This was made possible by an interim order passed by the Supreme Court in August 2021, while hearing a plea seeking directions to let eligible women take the NDA and Naval Academy entrance exams conducted by the UPSC. The first batch of women cadets joined the NDA in July-August 2022 as part of its 148th course.

So far, short service commission women officers could join the forces, and later seek permanent commission after completion of 14 years of service.

Uttar Pradesh is emerging as a national leader in value-added dairy products derived from indigenous cow breeds, with a pioneering initiative linking cow conservation, advanced dairy technology, rural employment, and national service. A premium dairy supplement known as Skyr, produced from the milk of indigenous cows using advanced Danish and Icelandic dairy technologies, is gaining popularity among Indian Army personnel for its high nutritional value and potential health benefits.

According to officials, the product is rich in high-quality protein, low in fat, and packed with essential nutrients, making it a suitable dietary supplement for soldiers. The freeze-dried Skyr yogurt powder and other related dairy products are being promoted as nutrition-rich foods that may help support immunity, muscle strength, and sustained energy levels.

India-Nepal railway project: India and Nepal have reviewed on the progress of several cross-border railway projects, including the Raxaul-Kathmandu Broad Gauge (BG) railway line. The discussions were held in Kathmandu during the 10th Project Steering Committee (PSC) and the 8th Joint Working Group (JWG) meetings to review cross-border railway cooperation, which took place on June 11-12, 2026.

India-Nepal rail connectivity: Raxaul-Kathmandu railway, Janakpur-Ayodhya train services in focus
According to a statement issued by the Indian Embassy in Nepal, both sides discussed the progress of several railway projects, including the Jaynagar-Bijalpura-Bardibas and Jogbani-Biratnagar BG railway lines. Both these projects are being developed with grant assistance from the Government of India (GoI).

As the Maharashtra government works on a policy for single women, the state’s Higher and Technical Education Department has decided to set up a committee to examine measures to support children of single mothers studying in colleges, universities and technical institutions.

The proposed committee will explore ways to strengthen support systems for such students within Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). Among the measures under consideration are introducing a separate category for “children of single mothers” in college admission forms to generate accurate data, sensitising educational institutions to the challenges faced by single mothers and their children, and examining the feasibility of providing priority hostel accommodation.

The Epigraphy Branch of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) on Saturday reported significant findings during a three-day survey in the Nallamala-Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve (NSTR), uncovering evidence of ancient habitation and identifying inscriptions spanning nearly 1,400 years.

The ASI team, led by Director (Epigraphy) K Muniratnam Reddy, identified rock paintings and geometric motifs in caves along the Krishna River near Alatam village in the Nallamala Tiger Reserve Forest. Preliminary assessments suggest paintings may date back to Megalithic and Early Historic periods, around 1500 BCE. “These rock paintings and geometric patterns should be studied further using scientific research methods, which will provide more information about them,” Muniratnam told TNIE.

Government has appointed Lieutenant General Dhiraj Seth as the next Chief of the Army Staff with effect from the afternoon of 30th June. He is presently serving as the Vice Chief of the Army Staff. The present Chief of the Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi is retiring from service the same day.

Defence Ministry said in a statement that Lieutenant General Dhiraj Seth is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla, and was commissioned into the Armoured Corps in December 1986. He has had extensive experience across the operational, strategic, capability development and institutional domains, contributing significantly to the Indian Army’s combat effectiveness and long-term transformation over a distinguished military career spanning nearly four decades.

The Vision 2031 policy roadmap of the United Democratic Front (UDF) government that emphasises women and child safety proposes to form a task force to investigate crime against children and a scheme, Avalkkoppam, to prevent domestic violence and dowry harassment of women.

The document takes serious note of the crime against children. It underscores a zero-tolerance approach to such crime, particularly against very young children. Cases of murder of children are on the rise. Investigation into a large number of them is closed citing that the death is by suicide, according to the roadmap document.

India continued to hold the No. 1 position in the latest ICC Men’s ODI Team Rankings following the annual update released today. However, their lead over New Zealand has reduced from eight to five points. India’s rating slipped by one point, from 119 to 118, while New Zealand gained two points, moving up to 113. Despite the marginal decline, India remains the leading ODI team in world cricket and continues to dominate the white-ball rankings after also retaining the No. 1 spot in the men’s T20 International rankings following last week’s update. Australia, the reigning ODI world champions, stayed third with an unchanged rating of 109. The biggest movement inside the top five came from South Africa, which climbed above Pakistan to move into fourth place.