Nation

New Delhi: India has made a historic breakthrough in defense technology. The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has successfully tested jet morphing wing technology, allowing fighter jets to dynamically change their wing shape mid-flight, making it almost impossible for adversaries to predict their maneuvers. World-Class Aeronautics Capability The morphing wing technology enables aircraft wings to adjust their shape in real-time during missions, optimizing aerodynamics for different flight phases. This cutting-edge technology had previously been explored only by global giants like NASA, Airbus, and DARPA. Now, India’s indigenous aerospace ecosystem has successfully demonstrated it in a flight-ready hardware setup. According to senior DRDO officials, morphing wing...

New Delhi: The Indian Army’s strategic capabilities in Eastern Ladakh have received a major boost with the inauguration of the 900-meter-long Shyok Tunnel by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. The tunnel forms a crucial part of the Darbuk–Shyok–Daulat Beg Oldi (DS-DBO) road, which is the main artery to India’s most sensitive northern border sectors. Alongside the tunnel, the Defence Minister also dedicated 125 strategic infrastructure projects of the Border Roads Organisation to the nation. Enhancing Operational Readiness Speaking on the occasion, Rajnath Singh recalled Operation Sindur, carried out after the Pahalgam attacks, highlighting the precise and measured response of the Indian Armed Forces. He emphasized that strong connectivity and logistics were key to the operation’s histor...

New Delhi: The Indian Parliament witnessed a lengthy debate over the national song ‘Vande Mataram’ as it marks its 150th anniversary. The discussion, held in a special session of the Lok Sabha, is expected to last over ten hours, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi taking part. A similar discussion is scheduled in the Rajya Sabha, where Home Minister Amit Shah will speak. Historical and Political Significance Written in the 1870s by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, ‘Vande Mataram’ holds a special place in India’s political and cultural history. It was first published in Chattopadhyay’s Bengali magazine Bangadarshan in 1875 and later featured in his novel Anandamath (1882). The opening Sanskrit lines depict India as the goddess Durga, while the Bengali verses celebrate the motherland’s bea...

New Delhi: The United States is set to appoint Sergio Gor as its new ambassador to India, signaling a possible shift in Washington’s approach to bilateral relations. Reports suggest that Gor has already begun strategizing to improve Indo-US ties, which have faced challenges under the previous administration’s policies. A Strategic Move Amid Tense Relations Tensions between India and the US escalated following statements and policy actions under Donald Trump, which strained economic and diplomatic engagement. However, the upcoming ambassadorial change hints at a course correction. Sergio Gor is expected to assume his duties at the US Embassy in New Delhi in January 2026. Unlike traditional ambassadors, Gor is reportedly planning to operate with greater autonomy rather than relying sol...

New Delhi: The National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) is set to launch a nationwide campaign to identify individuals who have converted to Christianity but continue to avail benefits of caste-based reservation in government jobs and educational institutions. Under the Indian Constitution, reservation benefits for Scheduled Castes (SC) apply only to Hindus, Sikhs, and Buddhists. Crackdown on Misuse of Reservation Following complaints from multiple states, the NCSC is taking strict action against misuse of reservation benefits. Reports suggest that in several instances, individuals had converted to Hinduism merely to claim SC reservation benefits. The commission has instructed state governments to thoroughly examine caste certificates issued in government departments and educa...

New Delhi: Millions of passengers across India have been severely impacted due to widespread cancellations of IndiGo flights. Ticket prices skyrocketed, airports became overcrowded, and crucial journeys were disrupted, leaving travelers frustrated and stranded. New DGCA Rules Trigger the Crisis The recent travel chaos is linked to new regulations issued by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) earlier this year. These rules, aimed at regulating pilots’ duty hours, were implemented in two phases – July and November 2025. While the first phase had minimal impact, the November update caused a major disruption, particularly affecting IndiGo flights. What the New Rules Specify Under the revised Flight Duty Time Limit (FDTL) rules, pilots’ weekly rest period has been exten...

New Delhi: The most powerful countries in the world are those whose influence dominates global headlines, shapes international policies, and keeps policymakers across nations on alert. Their military strength, economic clout, technological advancements, and diplomatic influence define their position on the global stage. Top Three: USA, China, Russia According to a recent report by US News & World Report, in 2025, the United States remains the world’s most powerful country, owing to its diversified industries, massive military expenditure, and leading tech firms that strengthen its global economic position. China ranks second, driven by its rapid advancements in artificial intelligence, technology, and industrial capacity. Russia follows in third place, leveraging its vast natu...

New Delhi: Northern India is waking up to a cold wave and dense fog affecting daily life across major cities, while parts of Tamil Nadu face continuous rainfall and hill stations remain on snow alert. Fog and Cold in Northern Cities The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued warnings for dense fog in ten key northern cities, including Prayagraj, Kanpur, Lucknow, Agra, Tundla, Chandigarh, Delhi, Nainital, Amritsar, and Shimla. Morning visibility is expected to be very low, making driving hazardous. Delhi-NCR woke up to a foggy Monday morning, and temperatures are expected to dip further in the evening. The IMD has also issued a cold wave alert for Delhi, with minimum temperatures expected to reach 4°C, about 1.6°C below normal. Humidity levels are high in the morning, inc...

New Delhi: The Indian Parliament is set to hold discussions today on the 150th anniversary of the national song ‘Vande Mataram’. The government has allocated 10 hours of the Winter Session to debate the song, which has been at the center of controversy for decades. The question arises: can this long-standing debate finally be put to rest? Historical Significance of ‘Vande Mataram’ ‘Vande Mataram’ was composed in 1875 by Bengali writer Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay and later featured in his acclaimed novel ‘Anandamath’. During India’s struggle against British rule, Hindu religious groups adopted it as a battle cry, inspiring intellectual and physical resistance. The song played a pivotal role in uniting Bengalis during the 1905 partition of Bengal. Revolutionary groups often sang it to...