THE HEADLINES:
- Thirty maoists killed in two separate encounters in Chhattisgarh today; Union Home Minister Amit Shah calls it another big step towards Naxal free India.
- Defence Ministry approves 54 thousand crore rupee deal to procure Military and Air Defense equipments.
- Parliament witnesses chaotic scenes amid DMK protests over proposed delimitation issue.
- EPFO adds 17 lakh 89 thousand members in January this year.
- 2nd edition of Khelo India Para Games begins at Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium, New Delhi this afternoon.
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A total of thirty Maoists have been killed in two separate encounters in Chhattisgarh today. The bodies of these Maoists have been recovered. A large quantity of weapons and ammunition have also been recovered from the spot. A security force jawan has also been martyred in the encounter with the Maoists.
“The first encounter in Chhattisgarh took place in Bijapur district today. The security forces have received intelligence inputs that a large number of Maoists are present in the forest located in the border area of Bijapur and Dantewada districts. After this, teams of security forces from various districts were sent to this area. An encounter between security forces and Maoists started at around seven A.M. this morning in Gangalur area of the district. Intermittent firing continued from both sides. After the encounter, security forces have recovered the bodies of twenty-six Maoists from the spot . A jawan of District Reserve Guard was martyred in this encounter.
Another encounter took place in the border area of Kanker and Narayanpur districts. Four Maoists were killed in this encounter.
Jawans of Central Reserve Police Force, Special Task Force and District Reserve Guard were involved in these encounters. With K. Santosh Kumar from Bijapur and Vijay Pandey from Kanker, this is Vikalp Shukla for Akashvani News from Raipur.”
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Union Home Minister Amit Shah has said that the Narendra Modi government is moving forward with a ruthless approach against the Naxalites. Mr Shah said, the government is adopting a zero tolerance policy against those extremists who are not surrendering despite all the facilities being offered. In a social media post, Mr Shah said, today the country’s soldiers have achieved another big success in the direction of a Naxal Mukt Bharat Abhiyan. Mr Shah said, the country is going to be Naxal-free by 31st March next year.
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The government has given a nod for the procurement of 1350 horse power engines for T-90 tanks, Varunastra Torpedoes and Airborne Early Warning and Control Aircraft systems. The approval was given during the Defence Acquisition Council meeting chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh today. This procurement will cost over 54 thousand crore rupees.
According to the Defence Ministry, procurement will enhance the battlefield mobility of these tanks especially in high-altitude areas. For the Indian Navy, procurement of Varunastra Torpedoes (Combat) was approved by the Defence Acquisition Council. Varunastra Torpedo is an indigenously-developed ship-launched anti-submarine torpedo developed by Naval Science and Technological Laboratory.
For the Indian Air Force, procurement of Airborne Early Warning and Control Aircraft Systems was approved by the Defence Acquisition Council. These systems can change the complete spectrum of warfare and exponentially increase the combat potential of every other weapon system.
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Both the Houses of Parliament was adjourned for the day today following DMK and some other opposition MPs protest over proposed delimitation of Lok Sabha and assembly constituencies. In the Lok Sabha, when the House met after second adjournment at 2 PM, it was adjourned for the day as DMK MPs were again seen wearing T-Shirts in protest of proposed delimitation. The Presiding Officer objected to the attire of protesting members. As noisy scenes prevailed, the House was adjourned for the day.
Earlier, the House witnessed two adjournments amid opposition MPs protest over proposed delimitation. The DMK MPs were seen wearing T-Shirts in protest of the proposed delimitation. Speaker Om Birla objected to the attire of DMK members and underlined that the House will run as per the rules.
The Speaker said he will not allow the violation of rules asking the opposition members not to wear T-shirts with slogans. He also urged them to leave the House. But DMK and some other opposition MPs created noisy scenes.
The Rajya Sabha also witnessed four adjournments over the issue. When the House reassembled after the third adjournment at 2 PM, Deputy Chairman Harivansh adjourned the House for the day amid deadlock over the issue of DMK MPs wearing T-shirts with slogans in the Upper House.
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The BJP has issued a whip to its Lok Sabha Members directing them to be present in the Lower House tomorrow. Sources said, the whip has been issued as the House is scheduled to apply guillotine over demand for grants of different Ministries in respect of the Union Budget.
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The Government has approved over 1100 infrastructure projects under its various schemes related to food processing sector to provide benefit to over 5 lakh farmers. These schemes include Pradhan Mantri Kisan SAMPADA Yojana, Production Linked Incentive Scheme for Food Processing Industry and Centrally sponsored PM Formalization of Micro Food Processing Enterprises scheme. This was stated by the Minister of State for Food Processing Industries Ravneet Singh in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.
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The estimated unemployment rate in the country has decreased from six per cent during 2017-18 to 3.2 per cent in 2023-24. In a written reply in the Rajya Sabha, Minister of State for Labour and Employment Shobha Krandlaje said, the employment in the manufacturing sector has increased from 6.1 crore in 2021-22 to 6.3 crore in 2022-23 indicating an increase of over 20 lakhs during this period.
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The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) added 17 lakh 89 thousand members in January this year. This represents an increase of 11.48 percent in net members compared to December 2024. The Ministry of Labour and Employment attributed this surge to growing employment opportunities, increased awareness of employee benefits, and EPFO’s effective outreach initiatives. According to EPFO, around 8 lakh 23 thousand new members were added in January 2025. The new payroll data highlights that four lakh 70 thousand new members were added in the 18 to 25 age group. The data also revealed that around 2 lakh 17 thousand new female members were added during the same month.
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Science and Technology Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh held discussions with Microsoft co-founder and philanthropist Bill Gates in New Delhi today. The meeting aimed to expand private sector and startup participation in India’s innovation push and biomanufacturing surge. During the meeting, Dr. Singh emphasized that the country has witnessed a surge in biotech innovations, supported by policies like Bio E3 that is Biotechnology for Economy, Employment, and Environment.
Mr. Gates praised India’s biotech advancements, acknowledging its leadership in vaccine development, including partnerships that led to the HPV and COVID-19 vaccines. He also expressed interest in supporting India’s efforts to tackle diseases like tuberculosis and malaria.
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Electronics and IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw emphasized that India has been great in the service sector and now it must also strive to become a product nation. Speaking at the Indian Web Browser Development Challenge and Chips to Startup Programme award ceremony in New Delhi this evening, Mr. Vaishnaw said, India has a strong IT sector with revenues more than 282 billion dollars and the focus so far was on services.
Zoho Corporation emerged as the winner. Team PING- a startup emerged the 1st Runner-Up and another startup, Team Ajna ended up as the 2nd Runner-Up.
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In Punjab, after the peaceful eviction of the protesting farmers from Shambhu and Khanauri check points with Haryana, one side of Shambhu road from Punjab to Haryana has been opened for the light vehicular traffic. Patiala Deputy Commissioner Preeti Yadav has inspected the clearance of the Ambala-Delhi Highway near Shambhu check point. Both the border points were closed for almost over a year due to the ongoing protests by farmers demanding legal MSP on crops and to get some other demands fulfilled.
“Deputy Commissioner Preeti Yadav along with Senior Superintendent of Police, Dr. Nanak Singh held an online meeting with their Ambala counterparts and discussed the restoration of traffic. She said the road leading to Haryana from Punjab has been cleared and Haryana is also doing the same to restore free flow of traffic at the earliest. The Highways Authority of India is also inspecting all the over bridges near the Shambhu check point. The heavy traffic would also be allowed soon after its approval. She also clarified that the tractor-trollies and other belongings of the farmers lying at Shambhu and Dhabi Gujran checkpoints are safe and farmers can take them away. Rajesh Bali, Akashvani News, Jalandhar.”
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The National Highways Authority of India has debarred 14 user fee collection agencies for irregularities in fee collection at toll plazas. In a statement, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways today said that the agencies have been debarred for two years for violating the provisions of the contract agreement. It added that performance securities worth over 100 crore rupees from the defaulting agencies have been forfeited and are being encashed due to a breach of contract.
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Registration for the Char Dham Yatra in Uttarakhand begins today. A record 1.75 lakh devotees registered on the first day by 5 PM today. This year, registrations will be Aadhaar-authenticated, and devotees will be required to provide their Aadhaar card details during registration. Of the total registrations, 60 percent will be conducted online, while 40 percent will be offline, ensuring that pilgrims face no difficulties. Pilgrims can register online at registrationandtouristcare.uk.gov.in.
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Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya officially inaugurated the 2nd edition of the Khelo India Para Games at Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium, New Delhi, today. The event will take place in Delhi from today untill 27th of this month. More than 1,300 para-athletes will compete in six disciplines including para archery, para athletics, para badminton, para powerlifting, para shooting, and para table tennis. Speaking on the occasion, Dr Mandaviya emphasized the importance of the Khelo India initiative in promoting the growth and development of sports across the country.
The Khelo India Para Games is a key part of the Khelo India mission, providing a platform for talented athletes to showcase their skills and compete at a high level.
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Chief Minister of Bihar, Nitish Kumar inaugurated ISTAF “Sepak Takraw 2025” World Cup in Patna this evening. Bihar is hosting this World Cup first time. Twenty countries including India are taking part in the six-day event which is being held at Pataliputra Sports Complex Indoor Stadium in Kankarbagh at the state capital.
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The benchmark domestic equity indices today ended with over one per cent gains, boosted by buying across all sectors and positive global cues after the US Federal Reserve upheld its rate-cut projection for the year. The broader market indices at the BSE also ended in positive territory.The 30-share index at the Bombay Stock Exchange, Sensex, climbed 899 points to close at 76,348. The National Stock Exchange Nifty-50 also rose 283 points to settle at 23,191.
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THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN :
- Thirty maoists killed in two separate encounters in Chhattisgarh today; Union Home Minister Amit Shah calls it another big step towards Naxal free India.
- Defence Ministry approves 54 thousand crore rupee deal to procure Military and Air Defense equipments.
- Parliament witnesses chaotic scenes amid DMK protests over proposed delimitation issue.
- EPFO adds 17 lakh 89 thousand members in January this year.
- 2nd edition of Khelo India Para Games begins at Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium, New Delhi this afternoon.
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