Sanctions relief to n-plan rollback: Iran receives US proposals via Pak

Iran has received an American plan to pause the war in the Middle East, officials said Wednesday - a proposal sent even as Washington deploys paratroopers and more Marines to the region.

Gujarat House passes Disturbed Areas Act Amendment Bill

The Gujarat Assembly on Wednesday passed an Amendment Bill to the Disturbed Areas Act, giving sweeping powers to the district collectors to take possession of a property in such areas that will now be called "specified" areas.

Bill to amend transgender law cleared

The Rajya Sabha on Wednesday passed the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Amendment Act 2019, which provides for graded punishment based on the gravity of harm inflicted on such people. The Bill was passed by the Lok Sabha on Tuesday, even as Opposition members pressed for sending it to a select committee.

LS passes Finance Bill 2026 with 33 govt amendments

The Lok Sabha on Wednesday passed the Finance Bill 2026 with a voice vote, negating amendments moved by the Opposition members and approving the 33 government amendments moved by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.

FCRA Amendment Bill introduced in LS, Opposition calls it 'draconian, dangerous'

The Centre on Wednesday introduced the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026 in the Lok Sabha amid protests by Opposition members. The Bill proposes the creation of a "designated authority" to seize and manage the assets of non-profits that lose their licence.

Women quota: Govt plan to expand LS may hit constitutional hurdles

Legal provisions

Article 81 of the Constitution provides for the "one person, one vote, one value" principle. Article 81 (2) (a) says, "There shall be allotted to each State a number of seats in the House of the People in such manner that the ratio between that number and the population of the state is, so far as practicable, the same for all States."

Article 81 (2) (b) says, "Each State shall be divided into territorial constituencies in such manner that the ratio between the population of each constituency and number of seats allotted to it is, so far as practicable, the same throughout the State."

In informal economy, mapping the lag

The Results of the Annual Survey of Unincorporated Sector Enterprises (ASUSE) for 2025, by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MOSPI), make for a sobering read. The survey aims to map the changes in India's informal sector for a given calendar year-essentially, the informal sector refers to the unincorporated non-agricultural enterprises. On the face of it, ASUSE 2025 shows that both the number of enterprises in this sector as well as the number of people employed in it have grown.

Amid troubled times, legal framework must insulate data centres against risks

The Meity scheme must require knowledge transfer and direct incentives for Indian operators, without which India will be in the infrastructure tier of the Al value chain, not the capability tier.

At BRICS, India's Iran challenge is navigation, not resolution

India's approach to foreign policy, entrenched in strategic autonomy, has always given precedence to flexibility over alignment, fostering ties across competing power centres. In recent years, this has translated into deepening strategic cooperation with the US, expanding defence and technological ties with Israel, maintaining connectivity and energy interests with Iran, and preserving critical economic links with the Gulf. This has provided India with room for manoeuvre. Yet it also means that moments of conflict bring these relationships into direct tension-as the Iran crisis illustrates.

France's G7 agenda-balance and convergence

This year, the G7 will meet in France, with its presidency culminating in the Summit of Heads of State and Government, which will be held in Évian from June 15 to 17. President Macron has ex-tended an invitation to Prime Minister Modi to participate in the G7 Summit.

France's ambition for its presidency is to address structural factors of destabilisation and economic and geopolitical imbalances as well as enhance the resilience of our societies, while overhauling our partnerships with the most vulnerable countries. The work of the G7 should foster balanced and sustainable global growth for all.

India targets 47% emission cut and 60% power capacity from non-fossils by 2035

In a decision awaited for months, India on Wednesday finally announced its climate targets for the year 2035, making modest upgrades in its three existing commitments for 2030.

The announcement is in compliance with the provisions of the 2015 Paris Agreement that obligates every country to prepare and implement climate action plans, progressively increasing the ambition of these actions in five-year cycles.

Cabinet clears UDAN 2.0 with Rs 28,840-cr outlay

Revamping the regional air connectivity initiative, the Union Cabinet on Wednesday cleared a modified UDAN scheme with an outlay of Rs 28,840 crore for 10 years that will provide funds for developing airports, related operations and maintenance activities, helipads and support for the acquisition of India-made aircraft.

'Nothing mandatory': SC dismisses petition against Govt circular on Vande Mataram

The Supreme Court Wednesday declined to entertain a petition challenging the Centre's circular on the singing of the national song, Vande Mataram, clarifying that the directive is "purely advisory" and carries no penal consequences for those who choose not to recite it.

Race to eliminate TB: AI-powered screening, nutrition aid

India may have missed the 2025 deadline for eliminating tuberculosis, but the government has intensified its efforts, with another 100-day campaign being rolled out on the occasion of World TB Day.

Over the next 100 days, the programme will actively screen for TB among people living in 1.58 lakh high-risk villages or wards. Apart from these areas, screening will be conducted among vulnerable populations such as smokers, alcoholics, or those living with conditions such as HIV, diabetes; people living in congregate settings such as prisons and old age homes; and in urban centres, those living in slums or working in the informal sector such as construction, among others.

Pakistan's mediator pitch comes with challenges

Pakistan is reported to have delivered the 15-point US peace plan to Iran. Tehran. however, has rejected this plan.

It has also pitched Islamabad as a venue for potential face-to-face US-Iran talks.

How a new Bill could ensure dominance of IPS officers in CAPFS

The Union government Wednesday introduced the Central Armed Police Forces (General Administration) Bill, 2026, in Rajya Sabha for consideration and passing.

The Bill intends to retain the dominance of IPS officers on deputation in the five CAPFs - the Border Security Force (BSF), the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), the Indo Tibetan Border Po-lice (ITBP), and the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB)-in leadership positions.

UDAN 2.0: Govt allots Rs 28K cr; airlines to get viability gap funding

Revamping the regional air connectivity initiative, the Union Cabinet on Wednesday cleared a modified UDAN scheme with an outlay of Rs 28,840 crore for ten years that will provide funds for developing airports, related operations and maintenance activities, helipads and support for the acquisition of India-made aircraft.

Govt retains headline inflation target at 4%

The Centre on Wednesday retained its retail inflation target at 4%, within a comfort band of 2%-6%, according to an official notification.

The target will remain in place for five years.