The Election Commission (EC) has told the Supreme Court that about 99% of enumeration forms for Kerala’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls have been distributed. The EC argued that there is no need to delay the SIR process, even though it overlaps with upcoming local body elections. Kerala’s Chief Electoral Officer confirmed that more than 96% of forms are with voters, and over half of them have already been digitized. Meanwhile, the state government had asked the Court to defer SIR, citing administrative concerns. 

In a strategic move, the Union Cabinet has approved a ₹7,280 crore scheme to develop India’s manufacturing capacity for sintered Rare Earth Permanent Magnets (REPM). The plan targets the establishment of 6,000 metric tonnes per annum of integrated REPM production through a global competitive bidding process, with five selected beneficiaries. Of the budget, ₹6,450 crore is allocated as sales-linked incentives over five years, and ₹750 crore as capital subsidies. These powerful magnets are key in electric vehicles, wind turbines, defence systems, electronics, and aerospace. The scheme aligns with India’s push for self-reliance, reduced import dependence, and its Net Zero 2070 commitment. (PC: AP)

A survivor of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack has shared a painful account of the night she was shot by Ajmal Kasab. She said the memories of the killings at CSMT station remain as clear today as they were 17 years ago. The woman also recalled identifying Kasab in court despite attempts to confuse her. She said his face showed no fear, only joy while firing at people. The survivor spoke about her long struggle for government support and said many promises were forgotten. She finally received a house only after a court order. The attack killed 166 people. (PC: HT)

Music composer Palash Muchhal has been discharged from a Mumbai hospital after being admitted for chest pain and breathing issues. He was under treatment at SRV Hospital in Goregaon for three days. His health scare came soon after his wedding with cricketer Smriti Mandhana was postponed. The wedding was delayed after Smriti’s father suffered heart-attack-like symptoms. Family members said Palash was under emotional stress during this period, which may have affected his health. Doctors confirmed he is now stable. The families have not announced a new wedding date. Palash’s mother said the wedding will happen only after full recovery. (PC: X)

Hardik Rathi, a 16-year-old national-level basketball player from Rohtak, died tragically during practice after a heavily rusted iron pole collapsed on him. According to his family and fellow players, repeated requests were made to authorities to repair or replace the unstable pole, but no action was taken. The neglected infrastructure ultimately caused the fatal accident, raising serious concerns about sports safety and maintenance in government-run facilities. Hardik was practicing at a local sports nursery when the pole crushed him. Following public outrage, officials have initiated an inquiry, and disciplinary action against responsible authorities is expected. (PC: NDTV)

Smriti Mandhana’s father, Srinivas Mandhana, has been discharged from the hospital after a heart attack and is now stable. The star cricketer and her fiancé, Palash Muchhal, postponed their wedding due to the medical emergency. Neither family has shared a new date for the ceremony, leaving fans confused. Smriti deleted all pre-wedding posts from her social media, and some teammates did the same. Meanwhile, Palash was admitted to a hospital in Mumbai due to stress from travel and events. Updates on his recovery are awaited. The couple and families continue to remain silent on the revised wedding plans. (PC: NDTV)

Comedian Kunal Kamra has triggered a fresh row after posting a photo wearing a T-shirt that allegedly mocked the RSS. BJP leaders called the post insulting and warned of possible police action. Maharashtra minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule said police would act against “objectionable” online posts. Shiv Sena minister Sanjay Shirsat said the BJP must respond strongly, recalling that Kamra has earlier mocked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Deputy CM Eknath Shinde. In March, Kamra faced backlash for comments against Shinde during a show. After the latest dispute, Kamra said the photo was not taken at a comedy club. (PC: X)

A 16-year-old national-level basketball player named Hardik tragically died in Rohtak, Haryana, after a heavy iron hoop pole collapsed on him while he was practising alone in the Lakhan Majra playground. CCTV footage shows him jumping toward the hoop just before the unstable pole buckled and came crashing down. He was rushed to PGI Rohtak by nearby players but succumbed to his injuries. The incident has renewed serious concerns about the safety and maintenance of sports infrastructure in Haryana. 

On Constitution Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi issued a letter calling on citizens to fulfil their constitutional duties, saying they are the bedrock of a strong democracy. He quoted Mahatma Gandhi, noting that rights flow from the performance of duties, and argued that civic responsibility is key to India’s social and economic progress. Modi also urged schools and colleges to honour first-time voters turning 18, underlining the importance of strengthening democracy through participation. (PC: NDTV)

Nearly 20 years after India's "house of horrors" case shocked the nation, Surinder Koli has been acquitted, leaving victims' families devastated. The Supreme Court overturned his conviction in the final pending case, citing tortured confession after 60 days in custody. Originally, 19 women and children's bodies were found near a Noida bungalow in 2006. Businessman Moninder Singh Pandher was freed in 2023; now his servant Koli walks free too. The court criticized police for flawed investigation marked by negligence, saying they implicated "a poor servant" instead of finding the true offender. Victims' families from Nithari slums question "If they didn't kill our children, who did?" (PC: BBC)