Editors Pick
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.
Rebel MLAs of the Trinamool Congress on Monday (June 22, 2026) removed party founder and former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee from the post of chairperson at a meeting held in Kolkata on Monday (June 22, 2026).
In a major setback for the Congress, its Jharkhand Rajya Sabha candidate Pranav Jha lost the election despite the ruling INDIA bloc enjoying a comfortable numerical strength in the Assembly. Independent candidate Parimal Nathwani secured a return to the Upper House with the backing of the BJP. The result triggered allegations of cross-voting within the INDIA bloc.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi used a major youth outreach programme in Rajasthan’s Kota on Wednesday to launch a sharp critique of India’s education system, arguing that students and their families are spending enormous amounts on competitive examinations while receiving little assurance of quality education or employment in return.
The Trinamul Congress rebel MPs on Sunday announced their merger with the Nationalist Citizens Party of India (NCPI).
The Calcutta High Court on Thursday made some significant observations on the recognition of rebel Trinamool Congress MLA RitabrataBandyopadhyay as the leader of the Opposition (LoP), questioning whether the Speaker could recognise a LoP without taking the consent of the political party concerned.
As the Trinamool Congress faces an unprecedented crisis, rumours are rife about a possible merger with the Congress party, triggered by a meeting between party supremo Mamata Banerjee and senior Congress leader Sonia Gandhi.
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