Parliament on Thursday approved a bill to levy a higher excise duty on tobacco and related products once the GST compensation cess ends, with the Rajya Sabha returning the legislation to Lok Sabha.

Facing flak over its order to mobile companies to preload the Sanchar Saathi app, the government on Tuesday sought to downplay the controversy as the Union Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said mobile users who do not want to use the app can delete it from their phones. Notwithstanding the minister’s assertion, tech experts raise doubt about whether the app, which critics fear could be used for “snooping”, can be uninstalled or deleted.

“Parliament is not a place for drama; it is a place for delivery,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Monday in his customary remarks ahead of the Winter Session of Parliament. “For some time now, our Parliament is being used either as a warm-up arena for elections or as an outlet for frustration after defeat,” Mr. Modi went on to allege, referring to the Opposition. 

Virat Kohli’s stupendous 52nd ODI hundred, Kuldeep Yadav’s left-arm wrist spin trickery and Harshit Rana’s pace laced India’s tense 17-run win over South Africa in the first match of the three-match series here on Sunday.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday (November 26, 2025) hailed West Bengal’s rise to the No. 2 position in foreign tourist arrivals in the country, saying the State has emerged as one of India’s most preferred international destinations.

Off-spinner Simon Harmer picked a six-wicket haul as South Africa defeated India by 408 runs in the second Test to complete a 2-0 series whitewash here on Wednesday.The loss marks another embarrassing chapter in India’s Test history as it was their biggest loss in terms of runs. It was South Africa’s first series win in India in 25 years.