THE HEADLINES::
Prime Minister Narendra Modi to flag off five new Amrit Bharat Express trains from West Bengal and Assam today.
DGCA imposes over 22 crore rupees fine on IndiGo airlines following large-scale delays and cancellations of flights last month.
National Testing Agency releases admit cards for JEE (Main) 2026 Session 1 examination.
European Union and South American bloc Mercosur sign major deal to create one of world’s biggest free trade zones.
US President Donald Trump announces 10 percent import tariff on goods from eight European countries, citing their opposition to US control of Greenland.
And in Men’s Cricket, third and final ODI between India and New Zealand to be played in Indore this afternoon.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi will flag off five new Amrit Bharat Express trains from West Bengal and Assam today. He will flag off three Amrit Bharat Express trains from Hooghly, in West Bengal. These trains are the Howrah-Anand Vihar Terminal Amrit Bharat Express, Sealdah-Banaras Express and Santragachi-Tambaram Amrit Bharat Express.
The Prime Minister will also flag off two new Amrit Bharat Express trains at Kaliabor in Assam’s Nagaon district. These trains are the Kamakhya-Rohtak Amrit Bharat Express and the Dibrugarh-Lucknow (Gomti Nagar) Amrit Bharat Express. The new train services will strengthen rail connectivity between the Northeast and northern India, enabling safer and more convenient travel for the people. A report:
“The Amrit Bharat Express has emerged as a boon for daily passengers. Currently 34 Amrit Bharat trains are running across the country and now with the launch of five new Amrit Bharat trains, the number of such trains will go up to 39. These new trains originating from Assam and West Bengal will provide affordable long-distance connectivity, for states like Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra and Karnataka.These services will cater the additional demand for rail travel, while offering a comfortable ride experience for passengers. The Amrit Bharat Express offers non-AC long-distance sleeper class journey at an affordable fare of around five hundred rupees per thousand kilometres. Designed to cater to heavy passenger volumes, especially during festive seasons, these trains provide affordable and better connectivity for travellers commuting for employment, education and family needs across different parts of the country. Dipendra Kumar, Akashvani News, New Jalpaiguri.”
Prime Minister Modi yesterday flagged off India’s first Vande Bharat Sleeper Train and also virtually flagged off four new Amrit Bharat Express trains.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi will perform Bhoomi Pujan for the Kaziranga Elevated Corridor Project, worth over six thousand 950 crore rupees at Kaliabor, Nagaon district in Assam. The 86 kilometre long Kaziranga Elevated Corridor project is an environmentally conscious National Highway project. It will feature 35 kilometres of Elevated Wildlife Corridor that will pass through Kaziranga National Park. The project aims to improve regional connectivity while ensuring protection of the park’s rich biodiversity. The project will pass through Nagaon, Karbi Anglong and Golaghat districts and will significantly improve connectivity to Upper Assam, particularly Dibrugarh and Tinsukia.
In the evening, Prime Minister Modi will inaugurate and lay the foundation stone of various development projects worth around 830 crore rupees at Singur in Hooghly district, of West Bengal. He will lay the foundation stone of the Extended Port Gate System at Balagarh, including an Inland Water Transport terminal and a Road Over Bridge. Spanning in an area of approximately 900 acres, Balagarh is being developed as a modern cargo handling terminal with an envisaged capacity of about 2.7 million tonnes per annum. The Balagarh project aims to significantly improve cargo evacuation efficiency by diverting heavy cargo movement away from congested urban corridors. The Prime Minister will also inaugurate the Jayrambati-Barogopinathpur-Maynapur new rail line. This line is an important part of the Tarkeshwar-Bishnupur new rail line project.
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Yesterday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has launched a scathing attack on the Trinamool Congress (TMC) government, labeling it ruthless and calling for its immediate departure from power. Mr. Modi said this while inaugurating new projects worth over 3,000 crore rupees and flagging off several trains at Malda, West Bengal.
The Prime Minister highlighted illegal infiltration as the state’s gravest challenge, stating that it has reached a critical stage, altering regional demographics and local languages. He linked this issue directly to the lack of employment opportunities for the state’s youth and cited recent incidents of violence, including the harassment of a female journalist in Beldanga, as evidence of deteriorating law and order. However, he reassured members of the Matua community and those seeking refuge from religious persecution in neighboring countries that they have nothing to fear under the BJP.
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The Directorate General of Civil Aviation, (DGCA), has imposed over 22 crore rupee fine on IndiGo following large-scale delays and cancellations by the airline in early December last year. During the period of 3 to 5 December, the cancellation of 2,507 flights and delays of 1,852 flights caused inconvenience to over three lakh passengers, stranded at various airports.
The inquiry committee constituted by the DGCA found that the primary causes for the disruption were over-optimisation of operations, inadequate regulatory preparedness, shortcomings in the management structure and operational control. The Committee observed that the airline’s management failed to adequately identify planning deficiencies, maintain sufficient operational buffers, and effectively implement the revised Flight Duty Time Limitation provisions.
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The National Testing Agency (NTA) has released the admit cards for the JEE (Main) 2026 Session 1 examination. Candidates appearing for Paper 1 of B.E. or B.Tech between the 21st and 24th of this month can download their admit cards by visiting NTA’s official website, jeemain.nta.nic.in.
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The Centre has agreed in principle to shift the border security fence in Punjab closer to the International Border. The move will clear the way for unhindered cultivation of thousands of acres of farmland that currently falls beyond the fencing, bringing a major relief for farmers in Punjab’s border belt. Punjab shares a 532 kilometer long border with Pakistan.
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The PM Vishwakarma Haat 2026 will begin today in the National Capital. The exhibition, dedicated exclusively to artisans and craftspeople under the PM Vishwakarma Scheme, will be inaugurated by Union Minister for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, Jitan Ram Manjhi. The PM Vishwakarma Haat 2026 aims to celebrate and showcase country’s rich heritage of traditional craftsmanship. We have a report:
“The exhibition aims to provide a prominent platform for artisans to exhibit and market their handcrafted products to national and international buyers, stakeholders and the general public. More than 117 artisans from all States and Union Territories across the country will participate in the event, making it a pan-India representation of diverse traditional skills and crafts. The exhibition also seeks to enhance market access, improve visibility and create sustainable livelihood opportunities for beneficiaries of the PM Vishwakarma Scheme. The representatives from foreign missions have also been invited to the PM Vishwakarma Haat 2026. The event will culminate on the 31st of this month and will remain open to the public from 10:30 AM to 10:00 PM. Bhanu Pratap Singh, Akashvani News, Delhi.”
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In Uttar Pradesh, lakhs of devotees are taking a holy dip in the rivers on the occasion of Mauni Amavasya. This is also the third important snan of the annual religious event, the Magh Mela, held at the Sangam in Prayagraj. A Report:
” Devotees thronged Sangam – a confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna and the mythical river Saraswati – at Prayagraj from early morning to take a holy dip on Mauni Amavasya. Saints and seers of many Akhadas including Kinnar Akhara also took holy dip at Sangam. The authorities have made special arrangements for pilgrims as many makeshift pontoon bridges, tents and security check points have been made. This time more than 3 km long ghats have been prepared by the administration. yesterday one crore 50 lakh people took holy dip on Sangam. Today also administration is expecting around 3 crore people to take bath in Sangam area. From early morning devotees are taking bath in the rivers, and offering prayers. WITH SUSHIL CHANDRA TIWARI, PAYAL SHARMA, AKASHVANI NEWS, LUCKNOW.”
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The European Union and the South American bloc Mercosur have signed a long-delayed free trade agreement in Asuncion, Paraguay, creating one of the world’s largest trade zones. The deal will cut more than 90 per cent of tariffs between the EU and Mercosur countries, including Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay. However, some reductions will be phased in over 10 to 15 years.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called the agreement a geopolitical victory, saying it will boost exports, growth, and jobs for both regions.
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U.S. President Donald Trump has announced a 10 per cent import tariff on goods from eight European countries, starting in February, citing their opposition to U.S. control of Greenland. In a social media post, Trump said the tariff would take effect in February and apply to Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Finland. He added that the levy would be raised to 25 per cent from 1 June if no agreement is reached on what he described as the “complete and total purchase” of Greenland by the U.S.A. The European leaders have condemned US President Donald Trump’s proposed tariffs over Greenland.
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The Commission for Air Quality Management in Delhi-NCR and adjoining areas has invoked Stage Four of the Graded Response Action Plan across the entire NCR with immediate effect. The decision comes after Delhi’s Air Quality Index touched 400 yesterday, placing it in the very poor category.
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In Men’s cricket, hosts India will take on New Zealand in the decisive third and final ODI of the series at the Holkar Stadium in Indore today. The match is set to start at 1.30 p.m. Indian time. The series is currently tied at 1-1, with India winning the opening match and New Zealand bouncing back to win the second.
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TODAY’S NEWSPAPERS HEADLINE:
All the dailies have noticed the arrivals with an accompanying photo of the first batch of Indians including students, pilgrims and workers, amid unrest in Iran. The Times of India headline says “Relief and reunions as Indians arrive from Iran.
“The first Vande Bharat sleeper launched to run between Kolkata and Guwahati” informs The Hindu.
“IndiGo hit with record 22 crore rupee fine for December chaos” writes Hindustan Times.
The world’s first legally binding agreement to protect marine life in international waters take effect under The High Seas Treaty, reports The Statesman.
And finally, in first Republic Day after operation Sindoor this year, the public will get to see military assets in the sequence they would appear during actual combat, wearing their battle gear, cites The Indian Express.
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THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi to flag off five new Amrit Bharat Express trains from West Bengal and Assam today.
DGCA imposes over 22 crore rupees fine on IndiGo airlines following large-scale delays and cancellations of flights last month.
National Testing Agency releases admit cards for JEE (Main) 2026 Session 1 examination.
European Union and South American bloc Mercosur sign major deal to create one of world’s biggest free trade zones.
US President Donald Trump announces 10 percent import tariff on goods from eight European countries, citing their opposition to US control of Greenland.
And in Men’s Cricket, third and final ODI between India and New Zealand to be played in Indore this afternoon.
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