The Hindu Morning Digest: March 24, 2026

Government revs up consultations on early implementation of Women’s Reservation Act

The Narendra Modi government on Monday (March 23, 2026) indicated that it will bring amendments to the Women’s Reservation Act, 2023 to ensure its implementation for the 2029 Lok Sabha election, along with an increase in the number of Parliamentary seats for women.

Netanyahu says spoke with Trump, vows to protect Israel’s interests

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Monday (March 23, 2026) that he spoke with Donald Trump, saying that the U.S. President believed U.S.-Israeli military gains in Iran could be converted into a negotiated agreement that protected Israel’s interests. “President Trump believes there is a chance to leverage the tremendous achievements of the IDF and the U.S. military in order to realise the war’s objectives in an agreement – an agreement that will safeguard our vital interests,” Mr. Netanyahu said in a video statement.

Sattankulam father-son custodial deaths case: All nine accused policemen convicted

Nearly six years after trader P. Jayaraj and his son J. Benicks died of custodial torture during COVID-19 lockdown at the Sattankulam Police Station in Thoothukudi district of Tamil Nadu, the First Additional District and Sessions Court in Madurai on Monday (March 23, 2026) convicted all nine police personnel accused in the case.

Kerala Assembly Elections 2026: BJP seal on Election Commission of India letter sparks row in State

The presence of a seal of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Kerala unit on a 2019 Election Commission of India (EC) letter on poll-related guidelines, which was distributed to political parties recently, sparked a row in the State on Monday, the final day for submitting nominations for the April 9 Assembly polls in the State.

U.S. military pause on Iran’s attack: India closely monitors developments

India is closely monitoring developments, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said on Monday (March 23, 2026) shortly after U.S. President Donald Trump announced that he would postpone attacks on Iran’s power infrastructure for five days.

Delhi car bomb case: NIA searches multiple locations in J&K

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) conducted searches at multiple locations across Jammu & Kashmir on Monday (March 23, 2026) in connection with the 2025 Delhi car bomb case.

ADAG bank fraud case: SC says CBI, ED showed ‘reluctance’ in past; public must be convinced that probe was fair, independent

The Supreme Court on Monday (March 23, 2026) said the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) must probe the financial fraud allegations linked to Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group (ADAG) and promoter Anil Ambani in a “transparent, fair and credible manner”, while making a note that the probe agencies’ previous conduct had shown “reluctance” and lack of discipline or structure.

Jammu University pitches for dropping Jinnah and Iqbal from syllabus; NC, PDP oppose move

The Jammu University’s move to consider dropping Pakistan founder Mohammad Ali Jinnah, Indian educator Sir Syed Ahmad Khan and poet Mohammad Iqbal from the postgraduate programmes on Monday evoked sharp criticism from the National Conference (NC), which is the ruling party in Jammu and Kashmir, and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

SC says Madras HC ‘appears to be right’, asks PMK to apply to Civil Court in party symbol dispute

The Supreme Court on Monday said the Madras High Court “appears to be right” in dismissing petitions filed by Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) founder S. Ramadoss, seeking a direction to the Election Commission of India to decide the dispute between him and the faction led by his son, R. Anbumani, over the party’s ‘mango’ symbol.

Rahul Gandhi criticises use of the term ‘vanvasi’, reiterates call for caste census

The Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Monday (March 23, 2026) criticised the use of the term ‘vanvasi’ (forest dwellers) by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and its political arm, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), for tribal communities, alleging that it diluted their historical rights over land and natural resources.

SC gives Centre four-week leeway to respond to petition on airfare hike, says govt. handling ‘bigger problems now’

The Supreme Court on Monday (March 23, 2026) gave the government a four-week leeway to respond to a petition highlighting the need for accountability in the civil aviation sector for “arbitrary” airfare hikes and cancellations, saying “there are bigger problems the government is handling now”, in an oblique reference to the potential blowbacks from the ongoing Iran-Israel conflict.

Net FDI negative for fifth straight month in January 2026 as outflows exceed inflows by $1.4 billion

Net foreign direct investment (FDI) into India contracted for the fifth consecutive month in January 2026, with outflows exceeding inflows by nearly $1.4 billion, a three-month high. The data shows this was because inflows into India fell nearly 7% while the amount repatriated out of the country nearly doubled.

Greater cooperation needed between India, Russia under evolving multipolar order: Jaishankar

Against the backdrop of the continuing war in the Gulf, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Monday said the “evolving multipolar order” calls for “greater cooperation” between India and Russia both bilaterally as well as multilaterally through groupings such as BRICS, SCO, G20 and the United Nations.

Bill to amend trans rights law listed for consideration, passing in Lok Sabha on Tuesday

The Union government’s Bill to remove transgender people’s right to a self-perceived gender identity and redefine a “transgender person” has been listed for consideration and passing in Lok Sabha on Tuesday (March 24, 2026).

Centre to amend the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act

The Union government is likely to amend the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act in the ongoing session of Parliament session.