National News: Latest India Updates

I-PAC raid row: SC to hear ED plea alleging interference by Mamata Banerjee today

IANS | March 18, 2026 8:09 AM

New Delhi, March 18 (IANS) The Supreme Court of India is scheduled to hear a plea on Wednesday filed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), alleging interference by West Bengal Chief Minister, Mamata Banerjee during its search operations at the office of Indian Political Action Committee (I-PAC) and the residence of its co-founder Pratik Jain in Kolkata.

From shop to factory: Bihar man saw his fortunes grow under PMFME scheme

IANS | March 17, 2026 11:41 PM

Patna, March 17 (IANS) The Pradhan Mantri Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME) scheme, aimed at enhancing the competitiveness of micro-enterprises by promoting formalisation of the sector, is bringing notable change in lives of people and also motivating others to walk down a similar path.

Religious freedom in South Asia: India's pluralist framework in troubled neighbourhood

Narender Kumar | March 17, 2026 9:44 PM

New Delhi: Freedom of religion and belief is among the most fundamental of human rights. It safeguards human dignity, allowing individuals to practice their faith without fear and enabling diverse communities to coexist peacefully. Nowhere is this principle more significant — and more contested — than in South Asia, a region that is home to some of the world’s oldest religions and an extraordinary mosaic of beliefs including Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, Christianity, and Sikhism. While most South Asian nations constitutionally seem to guarantee religious freedom, the lived reality for many minorities reveals a more troubling picture shaped by politics, historical grievances, and social tensions.

Entire increase in local LPG production is going to households: FM Sitharaman

IANS | March 17, 2026 9:11 PM

New Delhi, March 17 (IANS) Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman clarified on Tuesday that the entire 25 per cent increase in domestic LPG production is being supplied to households as cooking gas.

Middle East conflict hits China’s exports as shipping costs soar

IANS | March 17, 2026 8:52 PM

New Delhi, March 17 (IANS) The conflict in the Middle East has hit China’s exports due to the disruption in shipping, which has caused goods to pile up in the local warehouses, according to media reports.

Nita Ambani awarded for social impact, women empowerment initiatives

IANS | March 17, 2026 8:32 PM

New Delhi, March 17 (IANS) Nita M. Ambani was honoured with the KISS Humanitarian Award 2025 at a grand ceremony held in Bhubaneswar on Tuesday.

Mamata skips Nandigram, chooses familiar turf to face ex-aide

IANS | March 17, 2026 8:26 PM

New Delhi, March 17 (IANS) Trinamool Congress Chairperson Mamata Banerjee refused to bite the bait offered by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to avenge her 2021 defeat in Nandigram that forced her to re-contest from the safer seat of Bhabanipur so that she could continue to be West Bengal Chief Minister for a third straight term.

Odisha: Kushunupur selected as 'smart village', scientific innovation to transform its growth landscape

IANS | March 17, 2026 7:45 PM

Bhubaneshwar, March 17 (IANS) In a remarkable step, the coastal village of Kushunupur in Kendrapara district has been selected as 'Smart Village' under the initiative of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), evoking joy and excitement among the local residents.

Rs 1,185 crore road upgrades to cut travel time to South Gujarat tourist destinations

IANS | March 17, 2026 7:37 PM

Gandhinagar, March 17 (IANS) Travel time to several of South Gujarat’s interior forest, coastal and heritage destinations is set to be reduced following the Gujarat government’s approval of road works worth around Rs 1,185 crore under the Surat Economic Region (SER) Scheme (Phase 1).

In Jharkhand's Palamu, beneficiaries heap praise on Ayushman Bharat scheme for free treatment

IANS | March 17, 2026 7:36 PM

Ranchi, March 17 (IANS) The Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) has proved to be life-changing experience for many residents of Jharkhand's Palamu district because of the free and cashless medical treatment as provisioned under the Central welfare scheme.

national

I-PAC raid row: SC to hear ED plea alleging interference by Mamata Banerjee today

From shop to factory: Bihar man saw his fortunes grow under PMFME scheme

Religious freedom in South Asia: India's pluralist framework in troubled neighbourhood

Entire increase in local LPG production is going to households: FM Sitharaman

Middle East conflict hits China’s exports as shipping costs soar

Nita Ambani awarded for social impact, women empowerment initiatives

Mamata skips Nandigram, chooses familiar turf to face ex-aide

Odisha: Kushunupur selected as 'smart village', scientific innovation to transform its growth landscape

Rs 1,185 crore road upgrades to cut travel time to South Gujarat tourist destinations

In Jharkhand's Palamu, beneficiaries heap praise on Ayushman Bharat scheme for free treatment

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