Author: Rishabh Sharma

MUMBAI — In a monumental move for India’s energy sector, Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) has launched a global tender valued between $18 billion and $20 billion for deepwater drilling rigs. This represents the largest offshore exploration programme in the company’s history, aimed at drastically reducing India’s dependence on energy imports. The tender seeks to hire a specialized fleet of drillships and semi-submersible rigs capable of operating in ultra-deepwater frontier basins. This massive investment is a cornerstone of the government’s ‘Samudra Manthan’ initiative, which targets untapped hydrocarbon resources in high-potential offshore regions. Key Highlights of the Tender Investment Scale:…

NEW DELHI — In a major push for science diplomacy, Secretary (South) Dr. Neena Malhotra led a high-level “CSIR Capabilities Discovery Session” yesterday at the India International Centre. Organized by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in partnership with the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), the event hosted Ambassadors and High Commissioners from across the Global South, including representatives from Oceania, the Gulf, West Asia, North Africa, Central America, and the Caribbean. The session aimed to reinforce South–South cooperation by showcasing India’s scalable and affordable technological solutions. Dr. Malhotra, joined by CSIR Director General Dr. N. Kalaiselvi, emphasized…

NEW DELHI — Leading members of India’s opposition parties staged a high-profile protest in the Parliament House complex on Wednesday morning to highlight a growing Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) supply shortage affecting domestic and commercial sectors. Gathering near the Makar Dwar, prominent leaders including Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, NCP(SP)’s Supriya Sule, and SP’s Dharmendra Yadav held a massive banner titled ‘Empty Cylinders, Empty Promises’ while raising slogans against the government. The protest reflected widespread concern over increasing wait times and delivery delays for cooking gas cylinders across the country. Geopolitical Context and Government Strategy The reported supply crunch stems directly…

GANDHINAGAR — In a landmark legislative development, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel has successfully steered the Gujarat Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill, 2026 through the State Assembly. Following an intensive seven-hour debate, Gujarat officially becomes the second state in India, after Uttarakhand, to implement a common legal framework for all citizens. The new code replaces various religious personal laws with a unified set of regulations governing marriage, divorce, inheritance, and live-in relationships. While the ruling government defines the move as a fulfillment of Article 44 of the Constitution, opposition parties—including the Congress and AAP—have raised concerns regarding its impact on fundamental…

MUMBAI — In a significant leadership succession at one of India’s fastest-growing pharmaceutical companies, the Board of Directors of JB Chemicals & Pharmaceuticals Limited (JBCPL) has officially appointed Aman Mehta as the Managing Director.

CHENNAI — In a major leadership confirmation for the specialized power systems sector, the Board of Directors of High Energy Batteries (India) Limited has officially approved the re-appointment of Dr. GA Pathanjali as Managing Director.

NEW DELHI — In a major leadership development for India’s steel behemoth, Anish Sengupta has officially entered the race for the position of Chairman-cum-Managing Director (CMD) of the Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL).

NEW DELHI — In a significant move within the central paramilitary forces, senior Indian Police Service (IPS) officer Naveen Chandra Jha has been officially appointed as the Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP).

NEW DELHI — In a high-level diplomatic exchange on Tuesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi received a telephonic call from the President of Sri Lanka, Anura Kumara Dissanayake, to address the escalating crisis in West Asia and its impact on global stability. The two leaders expressed shared concern over the disruption of international shipping lines, emphasizing that keeping these routes open and secure is vital for global energy security. Prime Minister Modi reaffirmed India’s steadfast commitment to its “Neighbourhood First” policy and the MAHASAGAR Vision, highlighting the need for collective action against regional challenges. Strategic Discussion Highlights Energy Cooperation: Reviewed ongoing…

NEW DELHI — The Supreme Court ruled on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, that only individuals professing the Hindu, Sikh, or Buddhist faiths can claim Scheduled Caste (SC) status. The Bench, comprising Justices P.K. Mishra and Manmohan, held that converting to any other religion, such as Christianity, results in the immediate loss of SC status and its associated legal protections. The Ruling on the SC/ST Act The Court specifically clarified that a Dalit person who converts to Christianity cannot seek protection or file complaints under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. “No person who professes a religion…