In a significant move marking a pioneering step in grassroots digital governance, Gram Panchayats were today conferred with the National Awards for e-Governance (NAeG) 2025 under a newly instituted category dedicated to grassroots-level initiatives in digital service delivery. The Awards were conferred during the 28th National Conference on e-Governance (NCeG) in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh by Dr. Jitendra Singh, Minister of State, Prime Minister’s Office & MoS (Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions). Earlier in the day, Shri N. Chandrababu Naidu, Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, inaugurated the Conference and delivered the inaugural address.

After a rigorous multi-tier evaluation of more than 1.45 lakh entries nationwide, the following Gram Panchayats were awarded under the newly introduced category, “Grassroots-level initiatives in Gram Panchayats for deepening service delivery” :

Gold Award: Rohini Gram Panchayat, Dhule District, Maharashtra – Sarpanch Dr. Anandrao Pawara

Silver Award: West Majlishpur Gram Panchayat, West Tripura District, Tripura – Sarpanch Smt. Anita Deb Das

Jury Award: Palsana Gram Panchayat, Surat District, Gujarat – Sarpanch Shri Pravinbhai Parshottambhai Ahir

Jury Award: Suakati Gram Panchayat, Kendujhar District, Odisha – Sarpanch Smt. Kautuka Naik

Each award includes a trophy, certificate, and financial incentives of Rs.10 lakh (Gold) and Rs.5 lakh (Silver), to be reinvested in strengthening citizen-centric initiatives.

In a major boost to its international law enforcement efforts, India has been elected as a member of the INTERPOL Asian Committee. The election took place during the 25th Asian Regional Conference held in Singapore. India made it to the committee after a multi-stage voting process.

This marks a significant step in strengthening India’s role in global policing and security cooperation. The Asian Committee plays an important advisory role, supporting the Asian Regional Conference by identifying strategic crime-fighting priorities and enhancing police cooperation in the region.

India to amass global cooperation to tackle crimes

India’s membership is expected to advance collaboration in tackling key security challenges, including organised crime, cybercrime, terrorism, drug trafficking and human trafficking. The move reflects India’s growing commitment to the Global Policing Goals and its active participation in transnational law enforcement initiatives.

In a major symbolic move, Indian Railways has officially renamed the Ahmednagar Railway Station of Pune Division, Central Railway, as Ahilyanagar Railway Station. The renaming pays tribute to Lokmata Devi Ahilyabai Holkar, the 18th-century Maratha queen known for her just and benevolent rule. It follows the Government of Maharashtra’s decision to rename the district as Ahilyanagar.

According to the Railway Board notification, the new name will now appear across all platforms, timetables, and signage.

The renaming process began after the Maharashtra government forwarded a proposal to the Union Home Ministry, which subsequently gave its approval. A notification was then issued to implement the new name. Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar had earlier written to Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, emphasising the need to align the railway station’s name with the district’s new identity.

When Justice Dhananjaya Yeshwant Chandrachud retired as the 50th Chief Justice of India in November 2024, many wondered what the next chapter in his public life might look like. With over 25 years on the bench, he delivered some of the most significant legal rulings in recent Indian history. Now, the former CJI has turned author. His debut book, Why the Constitution Matters (Penguin Random House), is slated to be released by August-end.

The former CJI’s landmark judgments have addressed issues as diverse as the right to privacy, the decriminalisation of homosexuality, and gender equality in the armed forces. However, this book is not a legal treatise. Instead, in his words, it is an “an invocation to every citizen to engage in realising the true potential of the Constitution.” Written with the clarity of someone accustomed to explaining complex principles, it seeks to connect constitutional ideals with the lived experiences of everyday Indians.

Chief Minister Nitish Kumar today inaugurated the Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Science City at Rajendra Nagar in Patna.

Spread over 21 acres, the Science City features five science-based galleries, 269 fascinating science exhibition models, an auditorium, and a 4D theater as its main attractions.
The Chief Minister said that this Science City has become a modern center of science and innovation that will attract people of all age groups.

It will be a unique and appealing center for understanding and exploring science and technology in the country.

The Science City has been constructed by Bihar’s Department of Science, Technology, and Technical Education at a cost of 889 crore rupees, and it has been completed within a period of five years.

Uttar Pradesh is set to host the 19th National Jamboree of the Bharat Scouts and Guides, a week-long mega camp that will bring together thousands of youth from India and abroad, said a release.

The event, to be held in Lucknow's Vrindavan Scheme from November 23-29, will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on November 24.

Under the guidance of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, the state government is creating a gated Tent City with world-class facilities to accommodate 35,000 participants, ensuring safety and comfort. The Chief Minister will host the event, which aims to channelise youth energy and spread the message of global brotherhood.

The maiden edition of the bilateral maritime exercise between the Indian Navy and the Hellenic Navy concluded on 18 Sep 2025 in the Mediterranean Sea, marking an important milestone in the growing defence cooperation between India and Greece. The exercise was conducted in two phases - a harbour phase held from 13 to 17 Sep 2025 at Salamis Naval Base, followed by the sea phase on 17 and 18 Sep 2025. The Indian Navy was represented by guided missile stealth frigate INS Trikand.

During the harbour phase, personnel of both navies engaged in a wide range of activities aimed at fostering mutual understanding and synergy. Key events included cross-deck visits to strengthen operational familiarity, professional interactions between the crew and a pre-sail conference conducted onboard HS Themistokles, Elli class frigate of the Hellenic Navy. During a cultural exchange onboard, the ship hosted His Excellency Mr. Rudrendra Tandon, Ambassador of India to Greece, Commodore Spyridon Mantis, Commander, Salamis Naval Base and senior officers of the Hellenic Navy and their families. The event showcased India’s rich traditions and strengthened bonds between the two maritime forces. Additionally, the ship’s crew visited the Sacred Rock of Acropolis.

Union Minister for Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal in New Delhi today launched the report on Assessment of Logistics Cost in India. The report provides a comprehensive framework by capturing logistics costs across different transport modes, product categories, and firm sizes. It also presents estimates of freight cost per tonne-kilometre and highlights the role of multi-modality in enhancing efficiency. Releasing the report, Mr. Goyal highlighted that the Government has undertaken multiple initiatives to make logistics more competitive and reduce the cost of doing business in the country. On the occasion of the decade-long celebrations of “Make in India,” the Union Minister also launched the Industrial Park Rating System (IPRS) 3.0. The Ministry said that this will provide investors with transparent and credible information, foster healthy competition among States and Union Territories, and guide policymakers in designing targeted interventions. Mr. Goyal also launched the Logistics Data Bank (LDB) 2.0. The Minister further unveiled the Logistics Ease across Different States (LEADS) 2025. It represents a significant milestone in benchmarking logistics performance across States and Union Territories, supporting India’s vision of a globally competitive and future-ready logistics ecosystem. To mark a decade of the Make in India initiative, the Minister unveiled the Make in India Commemorative Coin.

They can't kill what is already dead, said senior executives of India's $4.88 billion shrimp export industry as US senators Bill Cassidy and Cindy Hyde-Smith introduced the India Shrimp Tariff Act to protect Louisiana's shrimp and catfish industries against the allegedly cheaper imports from India.

The exporters pointed out that along with the blanket 50% tax that has been imposed by the US on all imports from India, the shrimp industry has already been paying a countervailing duty of 5.77% and anti-dumping duty of 2.65%.

Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone ran the fastest women’s 400 metres in 40 years to claim world championship gold in 47.78 seconds on Thursday and complete her transition from the one-lap hurdles in emphatic style.

The American stormed through the Tokyo rain and held off Olympic champion Marileidy Paulino in a sprint to the line to add a first global gold in the flat 400m to the two Olympic and one world titles she won over the hurdles.

Only Marita Koch has run faster in the event, the East German setting the world record time of 47.60 in 1985 under the shadow of the Cold War nation’s systematic doping programme.