Constitution Amendment Bill, part of delimitation package, defeated

A united Opposition on Friday defeated the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2026, which sought to redistribute Lok Sabha seats on the basis of the 2011 Census to expedite the implementation of women's reservation.

Iran declares Strait of Hormuz open; U.S. blockade to continue

A day after U.S. President Donald Trump announced a 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon, Iran said on Friday the Strait of Hormuz is "completely open" for commercial vessels for the remainder of the two-week U.S.-Iran truce.

On mission to 'restore trust, Manipur CM pushes for dialogue between Kuki, Naga communities

Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh on Friday visited several villages in Ukhrul district as part of a mission to restore trust between the Kuki and Tangkhul Naga communities. "Why should we not live in harmony?" he said, advising the area MLA to initiate a dialogue among the villagers of the two communities. 

EWS aspirants can't claim job relaxations granted to SC, ST, OBC applicants, says Delhi HC

The Delhi High Court has held that aspirants belonging to the Economically Weaker Section (EWS) cannot claim parity with candidates from socially underprivileged sections over relaxation in the age limit and the number of attempts for appointments to Central government jobs.

Rajasthan rolls back drive to 'rename' schoolchildren

What's in a name? The Rajasthan government's Education Department may have found the answer to that question the hard way after its 'Sarthak Naam Abhiyan (meaningful names campaign) to give students "more dignified" names stirred up a controversy and was rolled back on Friday, four days after its launch.

The drive was rolled out earlier this week with the objective of suggesting meaningful names for school-going children, as the names given in rural areas were perceived as embarrassing, often with derogatory connotations.

Menstrual leave law to have penal provisions

The legislation that will be brought in to implement the menstrual leave policy in Karnataka, following the recent High Court order, will include penal provisions to check violations by employers, providing teeth to the legislation.

Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister H.K. Patil said the government will enact a comprehensive legislation, which will include penal provisions to ensure it is implemented uniformly across all sectors.

Why women's reservation cannot wait any longer

High turnout among women voters is a sign of democratic vitality, but true empowerment requires a seat at the decision-making table.

SC asks if judges must rise above religious beliefs in matters of conscience

The Supreme Court on Friday sought a clarification from senior advocate and jurist Rajeev Dhavan whether judges, functioning as a constitutional court, must rise above their own personal religious consciousness while called on to examine matters of freedom of conscience.

SC warns Rajasthan, M.P., U.P. over illegal mining in Chambal sanctuary

The Supreme Court on Friday said it would not hesitate to take the extraordinary step of deploying paramilitary forces to curb illegal sand mining in the ecologically fragile and protected National Chambal Gharial Sanctuary if the States of Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh fail to take "concrete measures" to tackle the menace within a month, by the next date of hearing on May 11. 

India not to host COP33 in 2028, government confirms

India has withdrawn its offer to host the 33rd edition of the Conference of the Parties (COP), scheduled for 2028, the government confirmed on Friday. "We can confirm that India has withdrawn its offer to host COP33. Several issues were taken into account, but India remains fully committed to meeting its responsibilities towards (mitigating) climate change. We are one of the G-20 countries that have fully met their Paris Agreement commitments, and we continue to build on our green agenda," Randhir Jaswal, spokesperson, External Affairs Ministry, said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had in 2023 announced India's interest in hosting COP33. 

Starmer faces calls to resign as Mandelson row reignites

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Friday resisted demands he resign over revelations that his scandal-tainted pick for U.K. Ambassador to Washington was appointed despite failing security checks.