Month: April 2026

In a shocking case that has sent shockwaves across the national capital, Delhi Police are likely to conduct a psychological analysis of the accused, Rahul Meena, in the brutal rape and murder of a 22-year-old daughter of an Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officer in South Delhi’s Kailash Hills.

The victim was a young IIT Delhi graduate and civil services aspirant preparing for her first UPSC attempt. According to police, the young woman had been living a disciplined and focused life, with her daily routine centred entirely around her ambition to join the civil services and serve the nation.

According to the sources, Delhi Police is likely to conduct a psychological analysis of the accused as part of the ongoing investigation. The proposed assessment will aim to evaluate the mental state, behavioural patterns, and possible motives behind the crime.

The move comes after the accused reportedly displayed unusual calmness and a lack of remorse during interrogation.

Sources added that the analysis may include clinical evaluation by experts to assess aggression levels, emotional response, and traits linked to conditions such as Antisocial Personality Disorder.

Investigators are also examining whether the crime was premeditated or impulsive, with psycho profiling expected to play a key role in establishing the sequence of events.

Further investigation into the case is underway.

Meanwhile, on Thursday, Delhi Police got four days of custodial interrogation of accused Rahul Meena after he was produced before the Saket Court in connection with the case. He was arrested from a hotel in Dwarka shortly after the incident and is currently in custody.

Police sources said the request for custody was crucial to reconstruct the sequence of events, verify digital and forensic evidence, and establish the full motive behind the crime. Meena was arrested from a hotel in Dwarka shortly after the incident and has since been in police custody.

Delhi Police arrested the accused in Amar Colony, with investigators using a digital trail involving a stolen mobile phone, hotel Wi-Fi usage, and Instagram chats to trace and apprehend him from a hotel in Dwarka. (ANI)

Indian Railways is set to operate 18,262 special train trips during the peak summer travel season to manage the expected surge in passenger traffic and ensure smoother connectivity across high-demand routes, the Ministry of Railways said on Friday.

According to the Ministry, Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw reviewed the operation of summer special trains in New Delhi.

“Hon’ble MR AshwiniVaishnaw reviews the operation of Summer Special Trains in New Delhi, as Indian Railways plans 18,262 special train trips during the peak summer travel period to ease passenger movement and strengthen connectivity across high-demand routes,” the Ministry of Railways wrote on X.

Indian Railways is easing passenger flow and improving travel convenience through large-scale deployment of special trains across high-demand routes and corridors, the release said.

During the peak summer travel period (15 April-15 July 2026), the Railways is planning to operate 18,262 summer special train trips to enhance connectivity and ease congestion. Till date, 11,878 train trips have been notified, and remaining trains are also being notified for the benefit of passengers. This large-scale deployment reflects a calibrated approach supported by improved rake availability, optimized scheduling, and continuous monitoring.

According to the Ministry of Railways, all efforts are being taken to ensure smooth movement of passengers at station regions like New Delhi, Mumbai (including LTT, CSMT, Pune), Surat (including Udhna), Ahmedaba, Bangalore, etc. As part of these efforts, Western Railway’s proactive measures at Udhna station through real-time crowd management, enhanced on-ground support and efficient train operations reflect how zonal-level initiatives are effectively complementing the national effort to deliver a safe, convenient and hassle-free travel experience for passengers.

Special attention was given to passengers traveling to their hometowns, with improved on-ground arrangements to facilitate a smooth boarding process.

In line with these efforts, improved and well-organized arrangements were implemented at the station to facilitate passengers travelling to their hometowns. In Train No. 19045 Udhna-Thave Tapti Ganga Express, RPF personnel assisted passengers in boarding in a safe and orderly manner, with the entire boarding and seating process managed systematically to maintain crowd control and ensure a smooth travel experience.

Indian Railways remains committed to ensuring seamless passenger mobility during peak travel periods through proactive planning and responsive operations. These efforts highlight the effectiveness of targeted interventions in improving service delivery and ensuring smooth, safe, and hassle-free journeys during the summer rush. (ANI)

The Indian Institute of Management Udaipur (IIMU), through the JM Financial Centre for Financial Research, in collaboration with People Research on India’s Consumer Economy (PRICE), today released the Financial Maturity Index (FMI): A Survey of Two States, presenting one of the most comprehensive empirical assessments of household financial capability in India. New evidence highlights gaps in financial capability, resilience, and decision-making across households.

Based on extensive fieldwork across Gujarat and Rajasthan, the study introduces a multidimensional framework that moves beyond traditional measures of financial inclusion to examine how households actually understand, manage, and act on financial decisions.

The study finds that while India has achieved substantial progress in expanding access to financial services, financial maturity remains uneven and constrained across multiple dimensions. A central insight is that financial participation does not necessarily translate into informed financial behaviour. Households continue to engage with financial systems despite significant gaps in understanding key concepts such as compounding, inflation, and risk-return trade-offs. This often leads to suboptimal decisions, including over-borrowing, misaligned investment choices, and reliance on informal advice.

Financial resilience remains limited, with a majority of households lacking adequate emergency buffers and relying on informal coping mechanisms during shocks. Even among insured households, limited understanding of policy terms reduces the effectiveness of insurance as a risk management tool. Household financial behaviour continues to exhibit a strong short-term orientation, with limited retirement planning and low participation in diversified financial instruments. While digital financial adoption has expanded significantly, its use remains largely transactional, with limited integration into broader financial planning and asset-building activities.

The study also identifies a dual pattern in investment behaviour. A large majority of households remain highly conservative, relying on traditional instruments such as bank deposits, gold, and real estate, while a small segment participates actively in equity markets, often with a short-term orientation. In addition, financial decision-making remains largely informal and infrequent, with limited reliance on professional advice and minimal periodic review of financial goals.

The Financial Maturity Index is constructed using primary survey data and advanced statistical techniques, including Principal Component Analysis, to generate a composite measure of financial capability across ten dimensions. The framework captures not only knowledge and access, but also behaviour, resilience, decision-making processes, and social context, providing a robust basis for policy and institutional intervention.

Addressing the gathering, Prof. Ashok Banerjee, Director, IIM Udaipur, noted that India’s financial sector has reached an inflection point and that the next phase must focus on strengthening the quality of financial engagement. Presenting the study, Dr. Rajesh Shukla, Managing Director and Co-Founder, PRICE, emphasized the technical rigour of the Index, noting that it is built on rigorous primary research and statistically grounded methodology, enabling a shift toward more targeted and evidence-based policy design.

Delivering the keynote address, Dr. Ram Singh, Member, Monetary Policy Committee (RBI), observed that while financial inclusion has achieved near-saturation, financial awareness remains a binding constraint, with important implications for the effectiveness of monetary policy and its transmission to households. He highlighted that income and information independently shape financial behaviour and that gaps in understanding key concepts continue to limit informed decision-making.

In his address, Dr. Laveesh Bhandari, President and Senior Fellow, Centre for Social and Economic Progress, emphasized that financial behaviour is shaped not only by knowledge but also by social context, trust, and lived experience. He highlighted the importance of aligning financial products and policy frameworks with how households actually manage liquidity, risk, and financial obligations, and noted the continued relevance of informal and community-based financial systems.

The report concludes that financial maturity is the next critical frontier for India’s financial sector. While inclusion has expanded access, improving outcomes will require a stronger focus on capability, behaviour, and institutional alignment.

About the Institutions

Indian Institute of Management Udaipur (IIMU)

The Indian Institute of Management Udaipur is a premier management institution established by the Government of India, known for its strong emphasis on research excellence, global academic engagement, and policy relevance. Through centres such as the JM Financial Centre for Financial Research, IIMU contributes to evidence-based policymaking in financial markets, inclusion, and economic development.

People Research on India’s Consumer Economy (PRICE)

PRICE is a leading not-for-profit research organisation specialising in large-scale household surveys and analysis of India’s consumer economy. Its work provides critical insights into income distribution, consumption behaviour, financial practices, and socio-economic transformation, and is widely used by policymakers, regulators, and industry leaders.

DR. Rashel, one of India’s leading skincare brands, successfully hosted The Sun & Skin Affair in Mumbai — an exclusive, invitation-only event that brought together over 200 creators and influencers for a high-energy, summer-inspired poolside celebration.

Built around the brand’s vibrant summer campaign, “Karo Dhoop Se Dosti”, the event highlighted the rising popularity of DR.Rashel’s customer-favourite De-Tan range, with the De-Tan Sunscreen and De-Tan Scrub emerging as category bestsellers across e-commerce platforms like Amazon and Flipkart. The campaign motivates consumers to adopt an effective summer skincare routine that helps protect, heal, and improve the skin, encouraging them to embrace the sun with confidence while staying protected.

The evening was elevated by the presence of Bollywood icon Raveena Tandon and social media sensation Avneet Kaur, who added star power and excitement to the already buzzing atmosphere. From poolside experiences to interactive brand moments, the event delivered an unforgettable blend of skincare, entertainment, and summer vibes.

Interacting with the media, Avneet Kaur shared her love for the De-Tan Sunscreen, highlighting that it is a 100% vegan and Made-in-India formulation, making it a perfect fit for her summer skincare routine.

Raveena Tandon, while sharing her summer skincare hacks, also praised the event for its vibrant concept and energy. She expressed her admiration for DR.Rashel, saying, “I love the brand, and I will always be one of its strongest supporters.”

It was a historic day as millions of voters across Tamil Nadu and West Bengal turned out in unprecedented numbers for the 2026 Assembly Elections. Breaking all records held since 1947, West Bengal (Phase-I) crossed the 91% mark, while Tamil Nadu saw nearly 85% participation. Most notably, it was women who led the charge, outvoting men in both states and helping to create a new milestone in India’s democratic journey.

According to a press note from the Election Commission, West Bengal’s first phase reached a staggering 91.78% poll participation, while Tamil Nadu registered a historic 84.69%. These figures surpass the previous benchmarks set in 2011, where Tamil Nadu recorded 78.29% and West Bengal saw 84.72%.

The ECI attributed this success to a combination of intensive voter mobilisation and a series of new technological and voter-friendly initiatives designed to ensure a seamless voting experience.

A key highlight was the leadership shown by female voters, who outpaced men in both states. In West Bengal, female turnout reached an unprecedented 92.69% compared to 90.92% for males. Similarly, in Tamil Nadu, women turned out at a rate of 85.76%, while male participation stood at 83.57%.

The Commission also noted significant participation from the third-gender community, which recorded 60.49% in Tamil Nadu and 56.79% in West Bengal.

The scale of the exercise was immense, involving a total electorate of over 9.33 crore people across 386 Assembly Constituencies. To facilitate this, the Election Commission deployed nearly 6 lakh polling staff across 1,19,440 polling stations. Transparency was a high priority, with Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and his team monitoring the process through 100% live webcasting from all polling stations in both states.

As per the press note, to encourage such a high turnout, the Commission introduced several “voter-friendly” initiatives. These included the use of easily identifiable colour photos of candidates on EVM ballot papers and newly designed Voter Information Slips (VIS) for better readability. To reduce wait times, the ECI capped the number of electors at 1,200 per polling station. Significant efforts were also made toward inclusivity, providing wheelchairs, volunteers, and dedicated transport facilities to assist PwD (Persons with Disabilities) voters in reaching their respective stations.

The Commission also oversaw bye-elections in three Assembly Constituencies in Gujarat and Maharashtra. In Gujarat’s Umreth-111, participation reached 59.03%, while Maharashtra’s Baramati-201 and Rahuri-223 recorded 57.48% and 55.31% respectively.

The record-breaking turnout quickly became the centrepiece of a fierce political narrative, with the ruling All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the Opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) trading sharp attacks.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing rallies in Bengal, described the polling as a “storm of change,” asserting that women and youth had “opened a front” against the TMC. He accused the ruling party of corruption, misgovernance, and “usurping the rights of women,” while expressing confidence that “the lotus will bloom everywhere” when votes are counted.

PM Modi framed the high turnout as a sign that “fear is losing and trust is winning,” urging voters–especially first-timers–to overthrow what he called a “ruthless government.”

Echoing the aggressive tone, Union Home Minister Amit Shah intensified the attack on TMC both on the ground and online. At a rally, he alleged the existence of a “syndicate raj” and “Bhaipo Tax,” claiming corruption had crippled industries and daily life in Bengal.

In a symbolic social media post after polling ended, Shah shared an image of a setting sun with the remark that “the sun of TMC’s corruption and hooliganism has set,” signaling BJP’s confidence after Phase I voting.

On the ground, BJP leaders also projected strong electoral gains. Senior leader Dilip Ghosh claimed the party would cross 100 seats in the first phase itself, while questioning TMC’s candidate choices and leadership approach.

However, the day was not without controversy. Violence and tension were reported in parts of Murshidabad.

Supporters of Trinamool Congress (TMC) and Aam Janata Unnayan Party (AUJP) founder Humayun Kabir clashed violently in West Bengal’s Nowda area over a crude bomb incident ahead of polling. The groups attacked each other with lathis, pelted stones, and damaged vehicles before security forces intervened and brought the situation under control.

The clash broke out after Kabir visited the area and staged a sit-in protest, alleging police lathi-charge on his supporters and demanding action against an officer. He accused West Bengal Police of bias and called for the suspension of Additional SP Majeed Khan, terming him a “TMC dalal.”

TMC leaders, in turn, accused Kabir of attempting to disrupt polling with “anti-social elements,” reflecting the charged atmosphere on the ground.

Meanwhile, BJP candidate Agnimitra Paul’s car was vandalised in Asansol. The incident took place in the Rahamatnagar area when a large stone was allegedly thrown at her vehicle, shattering the rear glass and damaging it severely.

Paul said she and her security personnel were unharmed, though her aide sustained minor injuries. She claimed the attack was part of a repeated pattern of violence in the area and alleged political involvement, linking it to the Trinamool Congress.

Separately, disruptions were reported in Malda’s Mothabari constituency, where an EVM malfunction led to chaos and the temporary absence of a sector officer, adding to pre-election tensions in the district.

Amid the political heat, the ECI maintained that polling remained largely peaceful and efficient, with real-time updates uploaded through the ECINET platform. International observers visiting polling booths under the International Election Visitors’ Programme praised the arrangements as “systematic” and “well managed,” highlighting facilities such as crèches, drinking water, and health camps.

In Tamil Nadu, the political narrative played out differently but with equal intensity. Chief Minister MK Stalin cast his vote and urged citizens to treat voting as a “banner to protect Tamil Nadu,” emphasising democracy, social justice, and state rights.

Actor-turned-politician and TVK chief Vijay raised concerns over alleged transport disruptions, claiming thousands of voters were stranded due to inadequate bus services and calling for extended polling hours.

BJP leader K Annamalai alleged that the electoral process in parts of the state had been “vitiated,” while Congress leader Manickam Tagore pointed to high enthusiasm among voters and urged rejection of underperforming candidates.

As polling concluded, the high turnout in both states has set the stage for an intense electoral battle, with narratives of “change” versus “continuity” dominating the discourse.

While the ruling parties defend their governance records, the Opposition has framed the election as a decisive moment for accountability and transformation.

In the 2021 Assembly elections, West Bengal recorded a voter turnout of 85.2 per cent while Tamil Nadu recorded 76.6 per cent.

Voting for the remaining 142 seats in West Bengal will be held on April 29, while the results for both West Bengal and Tamil Nadu will be declared on May 4.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is aiming for a fourth consecutive term, while the BJP, which secured 77 seats in the previous election, is making a renewed push to form the government in the state.

In Tamil Nadu, the main electoral contest is expected between the DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance (SPA) and the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), led by AIADMK with the BJP and Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) as allies. Actor-turned-politician Vijay-led TVK is attempting to turn the state elections into a three-way contest. (ANI)

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Thursday said that 10 Indian ships have safely exited the strategically significant Strait of Hormuz in the last week, while 14 vessels remain in the Persian Gulf amid heightened tensions.

Addressing the weekly media briefing here, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated, “We have 10 Indian ships which have exited the Strait of Hormuz safely in the last few weeks. We have 14 Indian ships which are still in the Persian Gulf.”

Providing an update on a recent security incident, Jaiswal said that two foreign ships were fired upon a day earlier, with Indian crew members on board.

He noted that the crew were safe and clarified that the vessels involved were not Indian-flagged ships, and therefore, detailed information remains limited. However, he emphasised that the safety of Indian nationals remains a priority.

“Regarding the matter of yesterday, the firing that happened, two foreign ships were fired upon. Some of our Indian crew members, sailors, were on them. They are safe. And these two ships, which were fired upon, are foreign ships. I don’t have detailed information about this because they are foreign ships,” Jaiswal added.

The spokesperson further noted that the Government of India is in continuous contact with Iran to ensure the safe passage of the remaining vessels and crew members in the region.

“Our continuous conversation with the government of Iran is going on so that the remaining ships there can safely come to India,” the MEA spokesperson said.

The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most critical shipping routes, handling a significant portion of global oil trade. Any escalation in the region often raises concerns over maritime security and the safety of commercial vessels.

Earlier in the day, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways said that all Indian seafarers operating in the region are safe following recent firing incidents involving foreign-flagged vessels.

Addressing an interministerial press briefing here, Additional Secretary of the Ministry, Mukesh Mangal, said that while no Indian-flagged vessels were affected, concerns remain over the safety of Indian crew members serving on foreign ships in the affected area.

“In the past 24 hours, there were certain incidents of firing on the foreign-flag vessels. Although none of the Indian vessels came under fire, we are worried for the Indian seafarers on these vessels,” Mangal said.

He confirmed that no Indian seafarers were injured in the incidents. “None of the Indian seafarers has been injured in the firing on the foreign-flagged vessels,” he added.

Mangal further said that all Indian crew members on affected ships have been accounted for and are safe.

“A vessel, Euphoria, was having 21 Indian seafarers on board, and all of them are safe. Similarly, there was another vessel, Epaminondas. That vessel has one Indian seafarer. He is also safe,” he said.

He reiterated that authorities are closely monitoring the situation in coordination with relevant agencies. “Therefore, all the Indian seafarers in the region are safe,” Mangal added. (ANI)

Polling for the Assembly elections concluded at 6 pm on Thursday, with West Bengal recording a significantly higher voter turnout of 91.91 per cent in Phase I polling compared to Tamil Nadu, which recorded 84.80 per cent turnout, according to the latest data by the Election Commission of India.

The high turnout figures underline an active electoral exercise as polling drew to a close amid tight security arrangements across constituencies.

Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar said that the Commission salutes each voter of both states for coming out in large numbers to take part in the Democracy festival.

“Highest ever percentage of polling in West Bengal and Tamil Nadu since Independence, ECI salutes each voter of West Bengal and Tamil Nadu,” CEC Gyanesh Kumar said.

Several districts in West Bengal recorded over 90 per cent voter turnout. Dakshin Dinajpur led with 94.85%, followed by Cooch Behar at 94.54%, Birbhum at 93.70%, Jalpaiguri at 93.23%, and Murshidabad at 92.93%. The figures reflect consistently high voter participation across the state, with all major districts comfortably staying above the 90% mark.

Tamil Nadu also recorded strong turnout across key districts, with Karur leading at 92.48%, followed closely by Salem at 90.42%, Dharmapuri at 90.02%, Erode at 89.97% and Namakkal at 89.63%.

In the 2021 Assembly elections, West Bengal recorded a voter turnout of 85.2 per cent while Tamil Nadu recorded 76.6 per cent. The numbers reflect an overwhelming voter turnout across districts, reinforcing both states’ consistent trend of high electoral participation.

Meanwhile, in the by-elections, the Umreth constituency in Gujarat recorded a voter turnout of 59.04%. Whereas, in Maharashtra, Rahuri saw 55.70% polling, and Baramati reported a turnout at 57.77%.

Polling for the 234 Assembly constituencies in Tamil Nadu and 152 constituencies in West Bengal began amid tight security this morning. Polling in the remaining 142 constituencies in West Bengal is slated for May 29, and counting of votes will take place on May 4. (ANI)

Actor Ayushmann Khurrana has been struck by a wave of nostalgia, as he drifts back to simpler days – dancing carefree to the beats of the original ‘Roop Di Rani’ song, with his brother Aparshakti Khurana by his side.

Taking to his Instagram, Ayushmann shared a video of what he described as from the COVID-19 lockdown days.

Marking a full circle moment, he wrote, “From dancing to this 90s song at my chachu’s wedding when Apar and I were kids, to reliving those memories with our family during lockdown… and now bringing a new version back in 2026 for #PatiPatniAurWohDo… life really does come full circle.”

In the shared video, Ayushmann and Aparshakti could be seen joyfully dancing on the song, leaving family members laughing and amused.

Earlier this week, the makers of ‘Pati Patni Aur Woh Do’ unveiled the film’s first song ‘Roop Di Rani’.

‘Roop Di Rani’ is sung by Guru Randhawa and Heer, with lyrics by Indeevar, music composed by Tanishk Bagchi and the dance in the song is choreographed by Bosco Leslie Martis. The track carries a catchy, celebratory vibe with a fun hook step, teasing a possible wedding-ready sequence from the film.

Recently, the film’s teaser was unveiled.

Clocking in at 1 minute and 22 seconds, the teaser revisits the familiar “pati-patni-aur-woh” dynamic but raises the stakes significantly. This time, the narrative follows Prajapati Pandey, played by Ayushmann Khurrana, who finds himself entangled not between two, but three women, portrayed by Sara Ali Khan, Wamiqa Gabbi, and Rakul Preet Singh.

Backed by T-Series and B R Studios, the film is scheduled for a theatrical release on 15 May. (ANI)

It was a historic day as millions of voters across Tamil Nadu and West Bengal turned out in unprecedented numbers for the 2026 Assembly Elections. Breaking all records held since 1947, West Bengal (Phase-I) crossed the 91% mark, while Tamil Nadu saw nearly 85% participation. Most notably, it was women who led the charge, outvoting men in both states and helping to create a new milestone in India’s democratic journey.

According to a press note from the Election Commission, West Bengal’s first phase reached a staggering 91.78% poll participation, while Tamil Nadu registered a historic 84.69%. These figures surpass the previous benchmarks set in 2011, where Tamil Nadu recorded 78.29% and West Bengal saw 84.72%.

The ECI attributed this success to a combination of intensive voter mobilisation and a series of new technological and voter-friendly initiatives designed to ensure a seamless voting experience.

A key highlight was the leadership shown by female voters, who outpaced men in both states. In West Bengal, female turnout reached an unprecedented 92.69% compared to 90.92% for males. Similarly, in Tamil Nadu, women turned out at a rate of 85.76%, while male participation stood at 83.57%.

The Commission also noted significant participation from the third-gender community, which recorded 60.49% in Tamil Nadu and 56.79% in West Bengal.

The scale of the exercise was immense, involving a total electorate of over 9.33 crore people across 386 Assembly Constituencies. To facilitate this, the Election Commission deployed nearly 6 lakh polling staff across 1,19,440 polling stations. Transparency was a high priority, with Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and his team monitoring the process through 100% live webcasting from all polling stations in both states.

As per the press note, to encourage such a high turnout, the Commission introduced several “voter-friendly” initiatives. These included the use of easily identifiable colour photos of candidates on EVM ballot papers and newly designed Voter Information Slips (VIS) for better readability. To reduce wait times, the ECI capped the number of electors at 1,200 per polling station. Significant efforts were also made toward inclusivity, providing wheelchairs, volunteers, and dedicated transport facilities to assist PwD (Persons with Disabilities) voters in reaching their respective stations.

The Commission also oversaw bye-elections in three Assembly Constituencies in Gujarat and Maharashtra. In Gujarat’s Umreth-111, participation reached 59.03%, while Maharashtra’s Baramati-201 and Rahuri-223 recorded 57.48% and 55.31% respectively.

The record-breaking turnout quickly became the centrepiece of a fierce political narrative, with the ruling All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the Opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) trading sharp attacks.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing rallies in Bengal, described the polling as a “storm of change,” asserting that women and youth had “opened a front” against the TMC. He accused the ruling party of corruption, misgovernance, and “usurping the rights of women,” while expressing confidence that “the lotus will bloom everywhere” when votes are counted.

PM Modi framed the high turnout as a sign that “fear is losing and trust is winning,” urging voters–especially first-timers–to overthrow what he called a “ruthless government.”

Echoing the aggressive tone, Union Home Minister Amit Shah intensified the attack on TMC both on the ground and online. At a rally, he alleged the existence of a “syndicate raj” and “Bhaipo Tax,” claiming corruption had crippled industries and daily life in Bengal.

In a symbolic social media post after polling ended, Shah shared an image of a setting sun with the remark that “the sun of TMC’s corruption and hooliganism has set,” signaling BJP’s confidence after Phase I voting.

On the ground, BJP leaders also projected strong electoral gains. Senior leader Dilip Ghosh claimed the party would cross 100 seats in the first phase itself, while questioning TMC’s candidate choices and leadership approach.

However, the day was not without controversy. Violence and tension were reported in parts of Murshidabad.

Supporters of Trinamool Congress (TMC) and Aam Janata Unnayan Party (AUJP) founder Humayun Kabir clashed violently in West Bengal’s Nowda area over a crude bomb incident ahead of polling. The groups attacked each other with lathis, pelted stones, and damaged vehicles before security forces intervened and brought the situation under control.

The clash broke out after Kabir visited the area and staged a sit-in protest, alleging police lathi-charge on his supporters and demanding action against an officer. He accused West Bengal Police of bias and called for the suspension of Additional SP Majeed Khan, terming him a “TMC dalal.”

TMC leaders, in turn, accused Kabir of attempting to disrupt polling with “anti-social elements,” reflecting the charged atmosphere on the ground.

Meanwhile, BJP candidate Agnimitra Paul’s car was vandalised in Asansol. The incident took place in the Rahamatnagar area when a large stone was allegedly thrown at her vehicle, shattering the rear glass and damaging it severely.

Paul said she and her security personnel were unharmed, though her aide sustained minor injuries. She claimed the attack was part of a repeated pattern of violence in the area and alleged political involvement, linking it to the Trinamool Congress.

Separately, disruptions were reported in Malda’s Mothabari constituency, where an EVM malfunction led to chaos and the temporary absence of a sector officer, adding to pre-election tensions in the district.

Amid the political heat, the ECI maintained that polling remained largely peaceful and efficient, with real-time updates uploaded through the ECINET platform. International observers visiting polling booths under the International Election Visitors’ Programme praised the arrangements as “systematic” and “well managed,” highlighting facilities such as crèches, drinking water, and health camps.

In Tamil Nadu, the political narrative played out differently but with equal intensity. Chief Minister MK Stalin cast his vote and urged citizens to treat voting as a “banner to protect Tamil Nadu,” emphasising democracy, social justice, and state rights.

Actor-turned-politician and TVK chief Vijay raised concerns over alleged transport disruptions, claiming thousands of voters were stranded due to inadequate bus services and calling for extended polling hours.

BJP leader K Annamalai alleged that the electoral process in parts of the state had been “vitiated,” while Congress leader Manickam Tagore pointed to high enthusiasm among voters and urged rejection of underperforming candidates.

As polling concluded, the high turnout in both states has set the stage for an intense electoral battle, with narratives of “change” versus “continuity” dominating the discourse.

While the ruling parties defend their governance records, the Opposition has framed the election as a decisive moment for accountability and transformation.

In the 2021 Assembly elections, West Bengal recorded a voter turnout of 85.2 per cent while Tamil Nadu recorded 76.6 per cent.

Voting for the remaining 142 seats in West Bengal will be held on April 29, while the results for both West Bengal and Tamil Nadu will be declared on May 4.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is aiming for a fourth consecutive term, while the BJP, which secured 77 seats in the previous election, is making a renewed push to form the government in the state.

In Tamil Nadu, the main electoral contest is expected between the DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance (SPA) and the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), led by AIADMK with the BJP and Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) as allies. Actor-turned-politician Vijay-led TVK is attempting to turn the state elections into a three-way contest. (ANI)

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman chaired a high-level meeting on Thursday, along with Union Minister for Electronics and Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw, with Scheduled Commercial Banks and key stakeholders to assess the potential impact of emerging threats linked to recent developments in Artificial Intelligence (AI) models, particularly the possibility of such technologies being misused to weaponise software vulnerabilities.

Sitharaman urged all banks to take all necessary pre-emptive measures to secure their IT systems, safeguard customer data, and protect monetary resources.

During the meeting, the Union Finance Minister appreciated the work done by banks so far in strengthening cybersecurity systems and protocols, the Finance Ministry said in a post on X.

She noted, however, that the nature of the emerging threat from the latest AI Model is unprecedented and requires a very high degree of vigilance, preparedness and better coordination across financial institutions and banks.

The Finance Minister advised the Indian Banks’ Association (IBA) to develop a coordinated institutional mechanism to respond swiftly and effectively to any such threats.

She also directed banks to engage the best available cybersecurity professionals and specialised agencies to continuously strengthen the defensive and monitoring capabilities of the banks.

Banks were further advised to immediately report any suspicious activity or cyber incident to the relevant authorities, including the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team, and to maintain close coordination with all agencies concerned.

“Emphasising the need for proactive action, the Union Finance Minister urged banks to take all necessary pre-emptive measures to secure their IT systems, safeguard customer data, and protect monetary resources. A robust mechanism for real-time threat intelligence sharing may be established among banks, Indian Computer Emergency Response Team, and other relevant agencies so that emerging threats are identified early and disseminated across the ecosystem without delay,” the Finance Ministry said in its post.

The meeting was attended by Department of Financial Services Secretary M Nagaraju, Director General of the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team Sanjay Bahl, senior officials of RBI and NPCI, and MDs & CEOs of Scheduled Commercial Banks.

AI models such as Anthropic’s Mythos could pose disruption risks to the growth of India’s IT services sector, according to a report by Kotak Institutional Equities.

The report said the model “exhibits a step-jump in benchmark performance across software engineering tasks” and added that it “raises near- to medium-term disruption risks for IT services,” particularly for companies with higher exposure to application services.

The brokerage noted that improvements in AI-driven coding could translate into real business impact.

“The realization of similar improvements in real-world scenarios risks turning our estimate of a 3-3.5% annual growth headwind for the industry… from prudent to practical,” the report said.

It added that such advancements could also increase downside risks if rapid capability gains continue in future AI models.

Kotak further said the model could “increase efficiencies across all IT services segments” but warned that gains may not be evenly distributed. (ANI)