English-language national news, explainers and fact checks.
Traffic restrictions will be in force from 11 am to 3 pm on September 1 along designated high-security VVIP routes in central New Delhi, with commuters advised to use public transport.
The India Meteorological Department has forecast below-normal rainfall for September 2026, with El Niño conditions expected to influence weather patterns and regional variations in rainfall deficits.
Leaders from China, Russia and India are attending the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, alongside meetings involving Iran’s president.
India’s health ministry says a Nipah virus outbreak in West Bengal has been contained after two confirmed cases since December, with 196 contacts traced and testing negative. Even so, several Asian countries have stepped up airport surveillance for travellers arriving from India amid concerns triggered by early, reportedly inaccurate case reports.
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar died on January 28, 2026, when a chartered Learjet 45XR crashed during a landing attempt at Baramati Airport. The tragedy has triggered a political shockwave and an aviation investigation, with the state declaring a period of mourning and leaders across parties offering tributes.
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar died on 28 January 2026 after a chartered business jet crashed during landing at Baramati airport in Pune district. Aviation authorities said the aircraft attempted a second approach before going down, with poor visibility cited in initial accounts. The crash triggered a wave of condolences and an official mourning announcement, while investigators moved in to determine what went wrong.
India’s weather agencies are warning of a renewed spell of winter disruption from 27 January, with rain and snowfall expected in the western Himalayas and cold-wave conditions persisting over parts of the plains. Advisories also flag fog, thunderstorms and strong winds in pockets, urging people to plan travel and outdoor work carefully.
A fresh western disturbance is set to trigger widespread rain and snowfall across the western Himalayan region, while parts of north and northwest India brace for cold-wave and cold-day conditions, dense fog, and isolated thunderstorms.
The India Meteorological Department said a fresh spell of active winter weather will affect large parts of north, northwest and central India from January 27, with rain and snow in the western Himalayas, thunderstorms and gusty winds over several plains, and cold-wave/cold-day conditions in pockets. Another system is expected around the night of January 30, which could extend unsettled conditions into month-end.
India’s weather turns more active from 27 January as a western disturbance brings rain and snow to the western Himalayas, while parts of the plains brace for cold-wave conditions, dense fog and gusty winds, according to the IMD.
India marked its 77th Republic Day in New Delhi with a full ceremonial parade on Kartavya Path, led by President Droupadi Murmu. The presence of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Luís Santos da Costa as chief guests added strong diplomatic messaging around India–EU ties and a shared strategic agenda.
India celebrated its 77th Republic Day on 26 January 2026 with a major parade on Kartavya Path in New Delhi, showcasing military hardware, cultural tableaux and flypasts. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa attended as chief guests, underlining deepening India–EU ties ahead of the 27 January summit.