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In a major revision to military recruitment rules, the Union Cabinet has lengthened the service period of Agniveers from four to six years, offering the 75% cohort previously slated for civilian discharge an additional two-year engagement and a subsequent route to regular military enrollment. Announced by CDS General N.S. Raja Subramani just ahead of the first batch’s retirement dates, the overhaul also reverses recruitment stages by putting written tests ahead of physical trials.
Celebrated British actor Sir Patrick Stewart has passed away at the age of 86. Rising from a childhood marked by domestic hardship and going completely bald by age 19, Stewart built a formidable career with the Royal Shakespeare Company before capturing global stardom as Captain Jean-Luc Picard in Star Trek and Professor X in the X-Men franchise. Knighted in 2010, the Yorkshire-born legend proved that classical discipline and character can redefine modern popular culture.
Septuagenarian CPI(M) whole-timer Bipul Dasgupta has emerged as the face of peaceful resistance in West Bengal after standing ground with folded hands against a mob attempting to tear down a Left book stall in Nagerbazar during Durga Puja. The incident, set against a broader ideological row over the festival’s nomenclature, drew widespread condemnation from civil society as well as senior saffron figures including State Finance Minister Swapan Dasgupta and the RSS, prompting a large solidarity march from Kolkata’s College Street on October 29.
Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju and Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge had a heated exchange in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday after the opposition demanded a discussion on the West Asia conflict that has led to a spike in oil and LPG cylinder prices.
Mutahida Majlis-e-Ulema (MMU) spokesperson lashed out at the reckless statement by ruling National conference MLA and former justice , Mr Hasnain Masoodi to reporters outside the Assembly , wherein he justified the sale of liquor in jammu and Kashmir for it’s revenue benefits to the UT .
With Statehood status not in sight, the J&K Assembly on Monday (March 30, 2026) began voting on around 33 private members’ Bills, including those on the protection of land, regularisation of jobs, and the return of Pandits. However, three Bills submitted by Opposition parties already failed to pass the floor test.
The Congress on Sunday announced its list of 284 candidates for the two-phase polls to the 294-member West Bengal assembly, fielding former state president Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury and former Lok Sabha member Mausam Benazir Noor.
The Centre on Thursday told an all-party meeting that India cannot act like a “dalaal” (broker) in reference to the reported mediation of Pakistan in the ongoing West Asia conflict. The meeting convened at the Parliament complex to discuss the West Asia crisis was attended by eight Union ministers and several Opposition members, barring the Trinamool Congress (TMC), which boycotted the meeting.
The Lok Sabha on Tuesday passed the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Amendment Bill 2026, amending the original 2019 Act, with a voice vote.
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