Modi 3.0 Cabinet: PM has chosen continuity over change, Rajdeep Sardesai's key takeaways

A massive protest erupted at the IIT Powai campus in Bombay following the death by suicide of a second-year student, Sahil, who was found hanging in his hostel room. Protesting students have demanded the resignation of the IIT director and called for a transparent and fair investigation into the incident. The IIT administration stated that the student was caught using a phone to access ChatGPT during an exam and was counselled afterwards. However, students rejected the administration's version, alleging that the threat of suspension may have led to the suicide, while questioning the administration's accountability following multiple incidents.

United States President Donald Trump has signed into law a new sanctions measure targeting Russia and Iran, which allows the imposition of tariffs of up to 100 per cent on the top five buyers of Russian oil and gas. While the legislation does not explicitly name India and China, both countries remain among the largest purchasers of Russian energy. The law grants the US president full authority after 30 days to issue decrees determining tariff scope, exemptions, or product-specific duties. The development introduces a new variable amid ongoing bilateral trade negotiations between India and the United States, where discussions around a potential trade deal are reported to be near completion. The law is also viewed as an instrument to increase pressure regarding the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

The dispute over the control of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) has reached the Supreme Court after the Election Commission allotted interim party names and symbols to the Mamata Banerjee camp and the rebel faction led by Ritabrata Banerjee for upcoming bypolls. The Mamata camp challenged the poll panel's decision to freeze the original TMC name and flower-and-grass symbol, arguing that the Election Commission failed to adequately consider the party's organizational structure while taking into account claims from rebel leaders facing disqualification petitions. A separate petition was also filed by the Mamata faction challenging the State Assembly Speaker's delay in ruling on disqualification pleas against ten rebel MLAs, while also contesting Ritabrata Banerjee's recognition as the Leader of the Opposition.

Political tensions escalate ahead of the Nandigram by-polls following the arrest of Congress candidate Milind Pradhan. The Bharatiya Janata Party targeted the Congress over its allegations of political vendetta, pointing out that Pradhan has four pending arrest warrants dating back to 2007, involving three murder cases and one arms-related offence in Purba Medinipur. While the Congress has questioned the timing of the arrest right before the polls, the BJP maintained that election authorities acted upon complaints under the rule of law. The political showdown intensified following Trinamool Congress support for the candidate, as the matter moves towards court proceedings.