Maha Shivratri, a significant Hindu festival, honors Lord Shiva and signifies the cosmic balance of Shiva and Shakti. Celebrated in February-March, devotees undertake rituals like fasting, temple visits, and chanting mantras. The festival is also considered a powerful time for meditation and spiritual awakening, with various cultural and spiritual practices and well wishes shared among family and friends.
Telangana government has mandated Telugu as a compulsory subject for Classes 1 to 10 in all schools, starting from the 2025-26 academic year. This decision fully implements the Telangana (Compulsory Teaching and Learning of Telugu in Schools) Act, introduced in 2018 but previously not fully enforced.
Five people lost their lives in the early hours of Wednesday when their car collided head-on with a government bus near Kulithalai in Tamil Nadu. The victims, including four family members from Coimbatore and their driver, were on their way to Trichy. The collision occurred around 3am, completely destroying the car.
CBSE has approved draft norms for Class 10 board exams twice a year from 2026, with exams in February and May. The May session will serve as a supplementary exam, eliminating separate retests. Practical assessments will be conducted once a year, and the final marksheet will reflect the best scores. Feedback on the policy is open until March 9, 2025
The Border Security Force (BSF) shot an intruder who was observed crossing the International Border at Pathankot in the early hours, despite being challenged by troops. The BSF stated that the identity and motive of the intruder are being investigated and plans to lodge a strong protest with Pakistani Rangers.
Stock market holiday today: Indian stock exchanges BSE and NSE will be closed today for Mahashivratri. On Thursday, the market is expected to remain volatile amid recent declines and international investor withdrawals.
A 6.1-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Indonesia’s Sulawesi island early Wednesday, as reported by the USGS. The quake occurred at a depth of 10 kilometers, with no immediate damage or casualties. Indonesia’s meteorological agency recorded a 6.0 magnitude and stated that there is no tsunami risk. Indonesia frequently experiences earthquakes due to intense seismic activity.
Indian-American politician Vivek Ramaswamy announced his candidacy for Ohio governor, proposing that high school seniors pass the civics test required for US naturalization to foster patriotism. Ramaswamy, a former GOP presidential candidate, received endorsements from Donald Trump and Elon Musk. Despite being considered for a role alongside Musk, he chose to pursue the Ohio governorship.
Starting in 2026, CBSE students can choose between two Class X Board exam sessions in February and May, or opt to appear for both. Students can skip specific subjects in the second attempt if satisfied with their initial scores. Examination fees will be increased, and there will be no supplementary exams as the May session acts as one.
The RBI has eased restrictions on lending to non-bank finance companies and microfinance institutions by lowering risk weights for bank credit. This move aims to boost lending capacity and support economic growth, reversing the slowdown observed after previous regulatory measures.
AIIMS doctors successfully removed a 15 kg ‘parasitic twin’ from a 17-year-old boy from Unnao, UP. The complex surgery took 2 to 2.5 hours, involving multidisciplinary specialists. The boy, previously isolated and facing emotional difficulties, is recovering well, with prospects for a normal life.
Prayagraj hosted Maha Kumbh for 45 days, attracting over 64 crore pilgrims. The confluence ends with Maha Shivratri snan and a farewell at Kashi Vishwanath temple in Varanasi. Naga sadhus will offer prayers, and soon the temporary settlements will be dismantled.
The Sino-Indian relationship is poised for revitalization following the Modi-Xi meeting in Kazan and subsequent diplomatic engagements, including those by Ajit Doval and Vikram Misri. Crucial agreements on boundary issues and practical cooperation have been established, signaling a significant opportunity to enhance mutual trust and bilateral relations.
The Supreme Court has sentenced a man to life imprisonment based on the testimony of his seven-year-old daughter. The court highlighted that child witnesses hold the same credibility as others if reliable, and their testimonies should be evaluated with caution and care.
