TCS to Lay Off 12,000 Employees in Restructuring Amid AI Shift
Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), India's largest IT firm, plans to reduce its global workforce by approximately 2%, affecting around 12,000 jobs in the 2026 fiscal year. The company states the move is part of a major restructuring to become a "future-ready" organization, not a cost-cutting measure. The layoffs will primarily impact mid and senior-level employees whose roles are difficult to redeploy as TCS shifts focus towards artificial intelligence and new technologies, reflecting a significant transformation in the IT sector.
Stampede at Haridwar's Mansa Devi Temple Kills Six, Injures 28
A stampede at the Mansa Devi temple in Haridwar killed at least six devotees and injured 28 others on Sunday. The incident occurred during a heavy rush of pilgrims when panic was allegedly sparked by a rumour of an electric current leak on the staircase route. The Uttarakhand government has ordered a magisterial probe into the tragedy and announced compensation for the victims. The event has once again highlighted the persistent challenges of crowd management and safety at major religious sites across India.
Cambodian and Thai Leaders Meet for Ceasefire Talks Amid Deadly Border Clashes
Leaders from Thailand and Cambodia are meeting in Malaysia for urgent talks aimed at halting five days of deadly border clashes. The conflict, which has killed at least 35 people and displaced over 260,000, prompted international calls for peace. Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim is hosting the negotiations as ASEAN chair. The violence marks a rare military confrontation between the member states, with both sides trading blame for initiating the hostilities. An immediate ceasefire is the primary goal of the talks.
Supreme Court Pushes for 'Mass Inclusion' in Bihar Voter Roll Revision
The Supreme Court has directed the Election Commission of India (ECI) to accept Aadhaar and voter ID cards as valid identity documents for Bihar's Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The court emphasized that the goal should be "mass inclusion, not en masse exclusion," addressing concerns that the exercise could disenfranchise up to 2.9 crore voters in the poll-bound state. While refusing to stay the publication of the draft roll, the court's intervention aims to prevent wrongful exclusion of eligible citizens.
CII Demands Central Law to Ensure Time-Bound Government Services for Businesses
The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) has called for a new central legislation to guarantee the time-bound delivery of government services to businesses. The industry body argued that procedural delays and uncertainty over approval timelines hurt operational efficiency and investment. The proposed law would mandate timelines for approvals and refunds, impose penalties for delays, and establish a robust grievance redressal system. The move aims to enhance predictability and improve the overall ease of doing business in India.
Two Dead, 32 Injured in Uttar Pradesh Temple Stampede
Two people were killed and 32 injured in a stampede at the Avsaaneshwar temple in Barabanki, Uttar Pradesh. The tragedy occurred early Monday when panic erupted after monkeys broke a live electric wire that fell onto a tin shed, causing an electric current to spread through the structure. Devotees had gathered for 'jalabhishek' rituals during the holy month of Shravan. This incident comes just a day after a similar deadly stampede at a temple in Haridwar, raising further concerns about pilgrim safety.
Widespread Fraud Uncovered in Maharashtra's 'Ladki Bahin' Welfare Scheme
A Maharashtra government review has found that over 14,000 men improperly received payments under the 'Mukhya Mantri Majhi Ladki Bahin' scheme, designed to provide ₹1,500 monthly to women. This single discrepancy led to a loss of ₹21.44 crore. In total, the review identified 2.63 million ineligible beneficiaries, whose payments have now been suspended pending verification. The findings expose significant loopholes in the state's direct benefit transfer system and have prompted promises of strict action to recover the misallocated funds.
Arrest of Nuns in Chhattisgarh on Conversion Charges Sparks Protests
The arrest of two Keralite nuns in Chhattisgarh has ignited widespread protests and political condemnation. The nuns were detained on charges of kidnapping, human trafficking, and forced religious conversion. The incident has been heavily criticized by opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi and Tamil Nadu CM M.K. Stalin, who described it as systematic persecution of minorities and communal vigilantism. Protests have erupted in Kerala and Delhi, with calls for the central government's immediate intervention and action against the accusers.
Thailand and Cambodia Agree to Ceasefire After Deadly Border Clashes
Thailand and Cambodia have agreed to an "unconditional ceasefire" to halt five days of intense border clashes that killed dozens of people and displaced over 260,000. The fighting, which involved artillery and air strikes, was the worst in over a decade. The deal was brokered during a meeting in Malaysia, with pressure from the United States, which warned that trade deals could be at risk if hostilities continued. Military commanders from both nations are set to meet to de-escalate tensions.
Three Die at Jalandhar Hospital; Families Blame Oxygen Supply Failure
Three patients died at the Jalandhar civil hospital on Sunday, with their families alleging that a fault in the oxygen supply system at the trauma centre was to blame. The deceased, who were all on ventilators, included patients being treated for a snake bite, a drug overdose, and tuberculosis. Hospital authorities acknowledged a temporary dip in oxygen pressure but denied it caused the deaths, stating backup cylinders were used immediately. A nine-member committee has been formed to investigate the incident.
Supreme Court Quashes Forgery FIR Against Badminton Star Lakshya Sen
The Supreme Court has quashed an FIR filed against badminton player Lakshya Sen, his family, and his coach over allegations of age fraud. A bench of Justices Sudhanshu Dhulia and Aravind Kumar stated that the continuation of criminal proceedings was "unwarranted and amounts to abuse of the process of court." The case originated from a private complaint in Karnataka that alleged Sen's birth certificate was forged. The high court had previously allowed an investigation, but the Supreme Court's order now clears the athlete.
Teenager Divya Deshmukh Wins Women's Chess World Cup
In a historic victory for Indian sports, 19-year-old Divya Deshmukh has won the FIDE Women's Chess World Cup 2025. The Nagpur-based teenager defeated veteran compatriot Koneru Humpy in a tense tie-breaker in the final held in Batumi, Georgia. This remarkable achievement not only makes her the first Indian to win the title but also secures her the prestigious Grandmaster (GM) title, making her only the fourth Indian woman to achieve the feat. The win marks a major milestone in her promising career.
Bihar Officials Issue Residence Certificate to 'Dog Babu'
In a bizarre administrative lapse, officials in Bihar issued a residential certificate to a dog. The document, issued through the Masaurhi Sub-Divisional Office's online portal, named the beneficiary as "Dog Babu," with the father listed as "Kutta Babu." The certificate, bearing the digital signature of a revenue officer, has gone viral. An investigation revealed that the application had manipulated a Delhi-based woman's identity documents. An FIR has been filed, exposing serious flaws in the state's automated verification system.
Bihar Announces Formation of State Commission for Sanitation Workers
The Bihar government will establish a State Safai Karmachari Commission to protect the rights and welfare of sanitation workers. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar announced that the commission will work on social upliftment, grievance redressal, and monitoring welfare schemes for this marginalized community. The body will consist of a chairperson, a vice-chairperson, and five members, including at least one woman or transgender person, aiming to aid their integration into the social and economic mainstream ahead of state elections.
India Extends $565 Million Credit Line to Maldives, Resets Ties
India has extended a $565 million (₹4,850 crore) line of credit to the Maldives to bolster a strategic reset in bilateral relations. During a state visit by PM Narendra Modi, the two nations also agreed to negotiate a Free Trade Agreement and advance a bilateral investment treaty. The move signals a significant diplomatic and economic realignment after a period of strained ties under President Mohammed Muizzu's government, aiming to counter growing Chinese influence and reinforce India's 'Neighbourhood First' policy.