India's first underwater metro line debuted in Kolkata, West Bengal, amidst cheers and patriotic chants. Commuters eagerly queued for the inaugural ride on the East-West metro corridor. Traversing beneath the Hooghly River, the 520-meter under-river section marks a groundbreaking engineering feat. With trains departing simultaneously from Howrah Maidan and Esplanade stations, excitement was palpable. The tunnel, adorned with blue LED lights, enhances the underwater experience. Operating on weekdays with a frequency of 12 to 15 minutes, the metro offers convenient transportation. The milestone journey concluded with the last metro departing at 9:45 pm, heralding a new era in Kolkata's transportation network.

Former Karnataka Chief Minister B.S Yediyurappa faces allegations of sexual assault under POCSO and IPC sections based on a complaint by a minor girl. Yediyurappa claims innocence, stating he assisted the girl previously and reported her distress to the police commissioner. The incident allegedly occurred on February 2, 2024, when the girl sought help regarding a previous assault. The case has sparked controversy amid political implications. Investigations are ongoing as Yediyurappa awaits legal proceedings.

State-run oil marketing companies (OMCs) announced a ₹2 per litre reduction in petrol and diesel prices effective from 6am Friday. Petrol prices in Delhi will drop to ₹94.72 per litre, while Mumbai, Kolkata, and Chennai will see reductions to ₹104.21, ₹103.94, and ₹100.75 per litre respectively. Diesel prices will decrease to ₹87.62, ₹92.15, ₹90.76, and ₹92.34 per litre in the respective cities. The move aims to stimulate consumer spending and lower operating costs for millions of vehicles. This cut precedes the anticipated announcement of general election dates by the Election Commission of India.

The Election Commission unveiled the top contributors to political parties via electoral bonds, spotlighting prominent figures like 'lottery king' Future Gaming and mining giants Vedanta Limited. Future Gaming leads with a staggering Rs 1,368 crore contribution, followed by infrastructure giant Megha Engineering and Qwik Supply Chain Pvt Ltd. Bharti Airtel and Essel Mining also feature prominently. Notably, steel tycoon Lakshmi Niwas Mittal made individual donations totaling Rs 35 crore. This disclosure comes after the Supreme Court's recent scrapping of the electoral bond scheme, underscoring concerns over anonymous political funding.

With Bengaluru facing water scarcity and rising temperatures, monkeys are raiding homes for food and water. The city's authorities receive numerous complaints about these raids, highlighting a growing conflict between humans and wildlife. Officials point to habitat loss caused by urban development, leaving monkeys with no choice but to seek resources in residential areas. The situation underscores the need for sustainable urban planning to mitigate human-wildlife conflicts and preserve natural habitats.

In a significant move for political funding transparency, India's Election Commission has released data on electoral bonds from the State Bank of India, a day ahead of the Supreme Court deadline. The data covers bonds of ₹1 lakh, ₹10 lakh, and ₹1 crore denominations dating back to April 12, 2019. Two lists are provided: one detailing companies purchasing bonds, and another listing political parties encashing them. However, the lack of correlation between the lists prevents direct identification of which companies donated to which parties. This move marks a step towards greater openness in political funding.

Paytm Payments Bank (PPBL) will halt all deposit and top-up services, including FASTags and wallets, starting March 15 as per Reserve Bank of India (RBI) directives. Users won't be able to deposit funds, use UPI or IMPS services, but withdrawals and transfers will remain functional. FASTags cannot be recharged, necessitating new ones from authorized banks. Paytm wallet top-ups and transfers will cease, but existing balances can be utilized. Merchants using Paytm QR codes can continue transactions through alternate bank accounts. The move follows RBI's concerns over regulatory non-compliance and supervision issues.

A High-Level Committee, led by former President Ram Nath Kovind, recommends fresh polls in the event of a hung Parliament or Assembly under the 'One Nation, One Election' initiative. The committee also suggests synchronizing municipal and panchayat elections with the House of the People. The report, submitted to President Droupadi Murmu, advocates simultaneous polls for Lok Sabha and assemblies, followed by local body elections within 100 days. With extensive consultations and overwhelming public support, the committee believes its recommendations will enhance transparency, inclusivity, and voter confidence, fostering development and social cohesion in India.

Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, alleges bureaucrats Gyanesh Kumar and Sukhbir Sandhu have been appointed as election commissioners for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. The government has not officially confirmed the appointments. Chowdhury criticizes the selection process, citing lack of time to review a list of 212 candidates. He objects to the absence of a shortlist and voices concern over the suddenness of the decision-making. The meeting follows the resignation of Election Commissioner Arun Goel. Supreme Court petitions challenge the constitutionality of the selection process, questioning the exclusion of the Chief Justice of India.

Mumbai residents flock to rectify documents following the notification of Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) rules, fearing implications for National Register of Citizens (NRC). Lawyer Nadeem Siddiqui assists locals in addressing inconsistencies, spurred by personal experiences and post-lockdown efforts. Concerns heighten as individuals seek to avoid potential citizenship challenges. Amidst proactive measures, community leaders emphasize the urgency of document clarity. With uncertainty looming, citizens navigate spellings, dates of birth, and parental names for compliance. The pre-emptive mobilization underscores anxieties surrounding citizenship verification processes.