Home Minister Amit Shah said in Parliament that Waqf Boards' land in India has grown from 18 lakh acres in 2013 to 39 lakh acres in 2025. This means 21 lakh acres were added in just 12 years. He raised concerns about mismanagement and lack of transparency in Waqf properties. Shah questioned why records show leased properties dropping to zero. The new Waqf Amendment Bill, called the UMEED Bill, aims to bring transparency. It will allow court appeals and audits by retired CAG officers. The bill seeks to ensure better management of Waqf land for the Muslim community. (PC: PTI)

A Jaguar fighter jet of the Indian Air Force crashed in Gujarat's Jamnagar on Wednesday during a training mission. One pilot ejected safely, while a search operation is underway for the second pilot, police said. The aircraft crashed in an open field near Suvarda village, around 12 km from Jamnagar city, and caught fire. District SP Premsukh Delu confirmed emergency teams, including police and firefighters, are at the site. The cause of the crash is yet to be determined. Authorities are coordinating rescue efforts to locate the missing pilot. (PC: 

The government has appointed Poonam Gupta as the new Deputy Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). She will serve for three years. Gupta is currently the Director General of NCAER, India's top economic think tank. She has worked at the World Bank and IMF and has also taught at top institutions. She holds a PhD in Economics from the University of Maryland. She replaces MD Patra, who left office in January. Gupta has expertise in economic growth, central banking, and financial stability. Her appointment was approved by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet. (PC: ANI)

On April 2, 2025, a massive fire broke out at a garage in Dwarka’s Sector-12, New Delhi, around 9:30 AM. The blaze engulfed and destroyed 11 vehicles, including multiple cars and motorcycles, before firefighters managed to control the situation. Several fire tenders were deployed to prevent the flames from spreading to nearby structures. While no casualties have been reported, authorities are investigating the cause of the fire, with preliminary reports suggesting a possible electrical short circuit. Officials are also assessing property damage and reinforcing safety measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.

A shocking video has gone viral, capturing a man attempting a dangerous stunt while trying to board a moving train with his pet dog. The incident took a heartbreaking turn as the risky maneuver failed, leading to an unfortunate outcome. The clip shows the man struggling to get onto the train while holding his dog, but the attempt ends in tragedy. The video has sparked strong reactions online, with netizens condemning such reckless actions. Authorities have urged people to avoid life-threatening stunts near railway tracks, emphasizing the importance of safety over social media attention. (PC: Republic World)

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has appointed economist Poonam Gupta as its new Deputy Governor, making her the first woman in over a decade to hold the post. Gupta, who previously led the National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER), has nearly 20 years of experience at the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF). She is expected to join the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) as it eases interest rates under new RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra. Gupta has advocated for a flexible exchange rate and price stability reforms in recent economic discussions. (PC: eacpm.gov.in/)

Comedian Kunal Kamra said he is “deeply sorry” after a Navi Mumbai banker was forced to return early from a 17-day vacation following police summons in a defamation case related to Kamra’s show. “I am deeply sorry for the inconvenience that attending my show has caused to you,” Kamra said, offering to sponsor the banker’s next vacation anywhere in India. The banker, summoned as a witness, said, “Police were skeptical about my out-of-town status.” The controversy erupted over Kamra’s special ‘Naya Bharat,’ which allegedly called Maharashtra Deputy CM Eknath Shinde a “traitor.” (PC: Hindustan Times)

The Telangana government clarified that the 400-acre Kancha Gachibowli land was never classified as forest in revenue or forest records. A government note stated that the land, set for auction, could bring ₹50,000 crore in investments and create 5 lakh jobs. University of Hyderabad students continue to protest, demanding its transfer to the university. Concerns over environmental impact persist, but officials promised to protect historical rock formations. “This land was always classified as grazing/waste land,” the note emphasized. The Environment Ministry has sought a report on vegetation removal in the area. (PC: The Hindu)

Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav took a dig at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), questioning the democratic process behind the selection of its new party president. In response, Union Home Minister Amit Shah hit back, accusing Yadav of promoting dynastic politics. The exchange reflects the ongoing political battle ahead of the upcoming elections, with both leaders attempting to undermine each other’s credibility. While Yadav criticized the BJP's internal selection process, Shah highlighted SP's history of family dominance. The war of words underscores the growing tensions between the ruling party and the opposition in India’s political landscape. (PC: PTI)  

Students at the University of Hyderabad staged protests against the Telangana government's decision to auction 400 acres of forest land in Kancha Gachibowli for IT parks. The land, originally allocated for the university, has been a site of contention. Protesters argue the move disregards Telangana’s history and ecological concerns. The Telangana High Court previously directed the state to register the land under the university, but officials claim legal loopholes justify the sale. Critics accuse the government of prioritizing corporate interests over education and the environment. "This land is our legacy," a protester said. Opposition parties demand the auction be halted.