The Hindu Morning Digest: March 25, 2026

India an ‘essential’ U.S. partner in Indo-Pacific, its rise is good for American interests, says top Pentagon official

India and the U.S. desire an Indo-Pacific in which no one power can dominate, said a senior Pentagon official, but did not make any reference to the Quad while detailing the Trump administration’s policy for the region.

Transgender bill passed by voice vote in Lok Sabha

The Lok Sabha on Tuesday (March 24, 2026) passed the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Amendment Bill, 2026, by voice vote.

Parliament may take an early break for Assembly elections

The Business Advisory Committee (BAC) in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday (March 24, 2026) held discussions on ending the ongoing Budget session by March 28 so that leaders can campaign in election-bound States.

Iran-Israel war: PM Modi speaks to Trump, says India supports de-escalation and restoration of peace at the earliest

Iran fired a fresh broadside of missiles at Israel on Tuesday (March 24, 2026), causing damage and injuries in Tel Aviv, as uncertainty swirled over possible talks to end the three-week Middle East war.

How would you react if you were in power at Centre, and a rival CM did this? SC asks Mamata Banerjee

The Supreme Court on Tuesday (March 24, 2026) asked West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee what her “legal reaction” would be if, in a reversal of fortune, she were to come to power in the Centre in 2030-2031, and a Chief Minister from an opposing party “barged” in and disrupted a raid by a Central agency.

Tamil Nadu Assembly election 2026: DMK finalises seat-sharing with allies, likely to contest in 175 seats

The ruling DMK on Tuesday (March 24, 2026) almost wrapped up seat-sharing for the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections by allocating as many as 10 seats to its new ally, DMDK (in addition to its earlier Rajya Sabha berth) and eight constituencies to its long-time co-traveller VCK.

CAPF Bill likely in Rajya Sabha on March 25; eight-hour discussion allocated 

The Central Armed Police Force (General Administration) Bill, 2026 will likely be introduced in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday (March 25) after not being taken up for two days despite being initially listed for consideration on March 23, a government official said.

SC directs appointment of legal aid lawyers to Manipur violence victims without delay

The Supreme Court on Tuesday (March 24, 2026) took exception to the delay by the Manipur and Assam authorities to provide legal aid lawyers for the victims of the 2023 Manipur ethnic violence even a month after an apex court order.

Russia fires nearly 400 drones at Ukraine with signs its spring offensive has started

A major Russian drone and missile attack on civilian areas of Ukraine killed four people and injured at least 27, officials said Tuesday (March 24, 2026).

No permission required to sail through Strait of Hormuz, says govt official

Sailing through the Strait of Hormuz — the only sea channel linking the oil-rich Persian Gulf with open oceans — does not require permission from any country, a senior government official said as more Indian vessels prepared to sail through the war-hit zone.

Centre intensifies regulatory surveillance over weight loss drugs

To ensure ethical pharmaceutical practices in the supply chain of weight loss drug (GLP-1), the Drugs Controller of India has intensified its regulatory surveillance against the drug’s unauthorised sale and promotion.

Regulator asks city gas distributors to make available piped gas to residential schools, colleges, hostels within five days

Spurring the government’s objective of accelerating the transition from liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) to piped natural gas (PNG), the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB), in an order dated March 23, asked city gas distributors (CGD) to make “all out efforts” to provision piped gas to residential schools and colleges, hostels, community kitchens and anganwadi kitchens, etc, within five days, subject to infrastructural feasibility.

India 6th most polluted country in the world: World Air Quality Report

India’s particulate matter (PM2.5) concentrations were at a three-year low, though it still is the sixth most polluted country in the world, according to the World Air Quality Report, a yearly global compilation of air quality by IQAir, a Swiss company that makes air filtration devices.

Rajnath Singh reviews West Asia situation, calls for integrated defence roadmap

Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday (March 24, 2026) reviewed the evolving security situation in West Asia and its implications for India’s defence preparedness at a high-level meeting attended by the Chief of Defence Staff, the three Service Chiefs, senior Ministry officials, and the Chairman of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

Why is SIR so bumpy in West Bengal when other States had smooth ride, asks Supreme Court

Chief Justice of India Surya Kant on Tuesday (March 24, 2026) commented on the continuing hurdles in the West Bengal Special Intensive Revision (SIR), saying he “read an article” which said the massive electoral roll exercise in other States, whether they were governed by “A, B or C political party”, happened “smoothly”.

U.S. President Trump dials PM Modi, discusses need for keeping Strait of Hormuz open

U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday (March 24, 2026) spoke with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and discussed the unfolding U.S.-Israel war on Iran. 

ECI reviews preparedness, law-and-order in poll-bound States

The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Tuesday (March 24, 2026) held a review meeting with senior officials from four poll-bound States and one Union Territory, as well as the 12 States that share borders with them, with a special focus on sealing the borders of neighbouring districts to maintain peace, two weeks before polling is set to begin.

Modi, Dissanayake discuss ‘energy cooperation’ over telephone call

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake on Tuesday had a telephone conversation to discuss the war in West Asia, the disruption in global supply chains, and the energy cooperation between India and Sri Lanka, the leaders said on social media platform ‘X’.

Ajit Pawar’s nephew files complaint in Bengaluru against air crash; says Maharashtra police refused to file FIR

A Zero FIR has been registered at a police station in central Bengaluru based on a complaint by Maharashtra MLA Rohit Rajendra Pawar, alleging a criminal conspiracy behind the death of former Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar in a recent plane crash.

RCB acquired by consortium for ₹ 166 billion

Days ahead of the opening of IPL 2026 season, the United Spirits Limited has announced that it has entered into agreements for the sale of the 100% equity stake held in its wholly owned subsidiary Royal Challengers Sports Private Limited — which owns and operates Royal Challengers Bengaluru.

Published – March 25, 2026 06:26 am IST