THE HEADLINES :-
- Government approves over 41 thousand crore rupees nutrient-based subsidy for Phosphatic and Potassic fertilizers for this year’s Kharif season.
- Assam, Keralam, and Puducherry set to elect new legislative assemblies tomorrow.
- Defence Minister Rajnath Singh says, government ensuring sufficient supply of LPG, petrol and diesel, fertilizers and coal.
- India welcomes US-Iran ceasefire agreement, emphasizing dialogue and diplomacy.
- US says, Strait of Hormuz set to open for commercial shipping; Warns 50 per cent tariffs on countries supplying weapons to Tehran.
- Markets rally after US-Iran ceasefire; Sensex zooms nearly three thousand points; while Nifty gains 874 points.
- In Badminton Asia Championships, PV Sindhu, HS Prannoy and Ayush Shetty advance to pre-quarterfinals.
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The Union Cabinet has approved 41 thousand 534 crore rupees nutrient-based subsidy for Phosphatic and Potassic fertilizers for this year’s Kharif season. Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw made the announcement while briefing media in New Delhi today about Union Cabinet’s decisions. Nutrient-based subsidy rates will be effective from the 1st of April to the 30th of September this year.
Mr. Vaishnaw said, the Cabinet has also given its nod to the second phase of Jaipur Metro, from Prahladpura to Todi Mod in Rajasthan.
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has also approved the revision of HPCL Rajasthan Refinery Limited project cost from 43 thousand 129 crore rupees to 79 thousand 459 crore rupees.
The CCEA also approved investment of over 26 thousand crore rupees for construction of Kamala Hydro Electric Project in Arunachal Pradesh.
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Polling for Assembly elections in Assam, Keralam, and the Union Territory of Puducherry will be held tomorrow. Voting will be held for all 126 seats in Assam, 140 in Keralam and 30 seats in Puducherry. Polling will begin tomorrow at 7 AM and continue till 6 PM. All arrangements are in place at the three places to ensure free, fair, and peaceful polling.
Our Thiruvananthapuram Correspondent reports that a total of 883 candidates are in the fray in Keralam.
“A total of 883 candidates are in the fray in all 140 constituencies in Keralam. The state has an electorate of 2 crore 71 lakh voters. As many as 30,495 polling booths have been set up, of which 2,040 have been identified as sensitive. Tight security arrangements are in place, with around 76,000 personnel deployed across the state, supported by 160 companies of central forces. Distribution of polling materials began this morning. Meanwhile, a public holiday has been declared tomorrow in connection with the polling. Smithy M Palluruthy, Akashvani News, Thiruvananthapuram.”
In Puducherry, 294 candidates are contesting the elections. More from our correspondent:
“Out of the 1,099 polling stations set up across Puducherry, 209 have been identified as vulnerable and five as critical. Micro observers along with additional Central Armed Police Forces have been deployed at these locations to ensure peaceful polling. Special theme-based polling stations reflecting the culture and heritage of Puducherry have been set up. 30 all-women managed pink polling stations, 15 youth-managed stations and two polling stations managed entirely by persons with disabilities have also been established. All polling stations are equipped with webcasting facilities and assured minimum amenities. Puducherry Chief Electoral Officer P. Jawahar expressed confidence that the voter turnout will exceed 90 per cent this time, compared to 82.2 per cent recorded in the 2021 Assembly elections. Bibin S Nath, Akashvani News, Puducherry.”
In Assam, a total of 722 candidates are in the fray in the polls. Chief Electoral Officer of Assam, Anurag Goel has appealed to all eligible voters to exercise their franchise in the Assembly polls.
Meanwhile, tomorrow is the last day for withdrawal of nominations for single phase polling in Tamil Nadu and first phase of voting in West Bengal. Tomorrow is also the last day for filing of nominations for the second phase in West Bengal.
Counting of votes for all four states and the Union Territory will take place on the 4th of next month.
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The Bombay High Court has declared null and void the Election Commission’s notification for by-election to Ponda Assembly seat in Goa, effectively cancelling the polling scheduled for tomorrow. The court ruled that since less than one year remains for the completion of the current five-year term of the Goa Legislative Assembly, conducting a by-election was not necessary.
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A BJP and TMC delegation separately met Election Commission today to share their concerns in view of the upcoming assembly polls in West Bengal. The BJP delegation led by party leader and Union Minister Dr. Virendra Kumar met the poll panel over the law and order situation in the state. Talking to media, Mr Kumar said, the Election Commission has assured that adequate steps will be taken to ensure peaceful and fair elections in the state.
Earlier in the day, Trinamool Congress (TMC) delegation also met the Election Commission and submitted a memorandum to the commission. After the meeting, the poll panel in a social media post assured that the voting in West Bengal will be free of any fear, violence, intimidation, inducement and without any Booth Jamming and Source Jamming.
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The Government has said, that it is ensuring continued availability of LPG, petrol and diesel, fertilisers for farmers and facilitating supply of essential commodities in the country. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh stated this in a social media post today after chairing the third meeting of the Group of Ministers on West Asia in New Delhi. Mr Singh said, during the meeting, they reviewed the measures in the wake of the evolving situation in the region.
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India has welcomed the two-week ceasefire agreement reached between the United States and Iran. Addressing the inter-ministerial briefing in New Delhi this afternoon on recent developments in West Asia, External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal said, New Delhi hopes that the deal will lead to a lasting peace in West Asia.
The External Affairs Ministry has stated that India has continuously advocated de-escalation, dialogue and diplomacy, essential to bring an early end to the ongoing conflict. The ceasefire agreement, brokered through intermediaries, called for an immediate halt to strikes on both sides and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz to international shipping.
Joint Secretary in the Coal Ministry, Sanjeev Kumar Kassi said, sufficient stock of coal is available at mines and power plants across the country in the wake of the evolving West Asia conflict.
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US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth today highlighted the economic impact of the two-week ceasefire agreement. During a media briefing this evening, Mr Hegseth said, the Strait of Hormuz, a major maritime choke point for global energy trade, is set to reopen for commercial shipping after Iran agreed to allow safe passage under a ceasefire framework reached with the US. On the sustainability of the ceasefire between the two countries, Mr Hegseth said US forces will remain deployed to ensure the agreement holds.
The US Secretary of War has issued a stark ultimatum to Tehran regarding its nuclear stockpile, asserting that Iran must surrender its enriched uranium or Washington will take it out.
On the other hand, US President Donald Trump has warned that any country supplying military weapons to Iran will face a 50 per cent tariff on all exports to the United States. In a social media post, he said the decision will take effect immediately, with no exceptions or exemptions. Speaking during an interview with a News Channel, President Trump said that Washington is considering a joint venture with Iran to secure the Strait of Hormuz.
However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has clarified that the pause does not extend to Lebanon, where fighting with Iran backed armed group Hezbollah continues. More from our West Asia correspondent:
“Across West Asia, the ceasefire brought relief to energy markets and shipping lanes, but uncertainty continues to dominate. The Strait of Hormuz, through which nearly a fifth of global oil supplies pass, remains only partially operational as shipping companies await clear security protocols. Hundreds of tankers remain stuck, insurers remain cautious, and energy traders continue to price in geopolitical risk.The next 48 hours will be critical, particularly as the United States relies on satellite and maritime surveillance to monitor compliance, with no international peacekeeping force in place. Attention is also focused on Iran’s Kharg Island export terminal, where recent strikes targeted storage facilities. How quickly Iran resumes exports from the terminal is expected to be the first real test of whether the ceasefire holds or whether the pause merely provides time for both sides to regroup. Vinod Kumar, Akashvani News, Dubai.”
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Benchmark domestic equity indices surged nearly four per cent today, as global oil prices witnessed steep decline following the announcement of two-week ceasefire agreement between Washington and Tehran. We have a report:
“The Sensex skyrocketed 2 thousand 946 points to close at 77 thousand and 563, while Nifty jumped 874 points to settle at 23 thousand and 997. This marked the highest single-day gain for both indices since May 2025. In the forex market today, the Indian rupee appreciated by 40 paise to close at 92 rupees and 58 paise against the US dollar. In the commodities market, global crude oil prices fell sharply. Brent crude was trading almost 16.5 per cent down at 91 US dollars and 27cents per barrel, when reports last came in. In the Indian bullion market, 24 Carat Gold was trading over 1.8 per cent up at 1 lakh 53 thousand 340 rupees per 10 grams, while Silver was trading 6.2 per cent higher at 2 lakh 46 thousand 60 rupees per kilogram, a short while ago. Intekhab Kamal for Akashvani News.”
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External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar today reiterated India’s desire to engage constructively with the new Government of Bangladesh and further strengthen bilateral ties. Dr Jaishankar met with Foreign Minister of Bangladesh, Dr. Khalilur Rahman in New Delhi this afternoon. Adviser on Foreign Affairs to Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Humayun Kabir was also present at the meeting.
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In Badminton Asia Championships, India’s PV Sindhu, HS Prannoy, and Ayush Shetty have advanced to the pre-quarterfinals at Ningbo in China.
Two-time Olympic medalist PV Sindhu defeated Malaysia’s Wong Ling Ching in the first round of Women’s Singles. In the Men’s Singles, HS Prannoy beat Vietnam’s Nguyen Hai Dang. Ayush Shetty entered the Round of 16, defeating World No. 7 Li Shi Feng of China.
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In IPL Cricket, Gujarat Titans were 204 for 3 in 19.1 overs against Delhi Capitals in Delhi, when reports last came in. Earlier, Delhi Capitals won the toss and opted to bowl.
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THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN :-
- Government approves over 41 thousand crore rupees nutrient-based subsidy for Phosphatic and Potassic fertilizers for this year’s Kharif season.
- Assam, Keralam, and Puducherry set to elect new legislative assemblies tomorrow.
- Defence Minister Rajnath Singh says, government ensuring sufficient supply of LPG, petrol and diesel, fertilizers and coal.
- India welcomes US-Iran ceasefire agreement, emphasizing dialogue and diplomacy.
- US says, Strait of Hormuz set to open for commercial shipping; Warns 50 per cent tariffs on countries supplying weapons to Tehran.
- Markets rally after US-Iran ceasefire; Sensex zooms nearly three thousand points; while Nifty gains 874 points.
- In Badminton Asia Championships, PV Sindhu, HS Prannoy and Ayush Shetty advance to pre-quarterfinals.
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