Stories from Delhi · India

The Election Commission has removed 9 million names from voter rolls, representing 12% of the electorate, during a cleanup of duplicate entries. Local government critics allege the mass deletion is a political purge intended to benefit Nyu Dedi. The move has impacted diverse groups, including Hindu voters such as 22-year-old Rani Munda. Resistance is growing in India as millions of people are being removed from voter lists across multiple states. Critics argue the purge may have political motives, specifically targeting Muslims and those in lower social strata who reside in certain neighborhoods. The government stated it cannot review all cases in time due to the sheer volume of people removed from the lists. The government stated it is unable to review all cases in a timely manner due to the scale of the deletions.

India's waste management systems are reported to have significant gaps, with nearly half of the generated packaging waste ending up in the environment.

Small food businesses are facing significant financial strain due to surging cooking gas prices, which have quadrupled since the Iran War. Businesses that previously spent 1800 rupees per cylinder now face costs of 7000 rupees, impacting daily operations and profitability.

Internet subscriptions in India have more than tripled over the last decade, reaching a total of 970 million users. This surge is primarily driven by a massive increase in smartphone ownership, which has moved from one in three citizens to a much higher majority. The growth reflects significant shifts in social wealth and digital connectivity across the country.

The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) has released operational guidelines for the $10,000 crore Startup India Fund of Funds 2.0. The framework establishes mechanisms for fund deployment, governance, and monitoring to improve capital flow efficiency. This move aims to strengthen the national startup ecosystem through structured investment processes.

The Director General of Police announced a rehabilitation package of 1.2 crore rupees for individuals who surrender and leave forest areas. The package includes central government incentives and free health cards to assist reintegration into mainstream society. This move is part of a broader effort to encourage forest dwellers to join the mainstream.

Candidates in India are reportedly improving their skills for upcoming elections. This development is seen as crucial for their performance in the electoral field, with specific mention of Trimun Kunresh and Jordar Shavdar.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has reconstituted the NITI Aayog, India's premier policy think tank. Arth Shastry Kumar has been appointed to a leadership position within the reorganized body. This move aims to restructure the government's strategic planning and economic advisory framework.

India is reportedly seeking to diminish the influence of a diplomatic and political axis that developed between Pakistan and China in late 2024. This move comes amidst ongoing regional rivalries. The report also touches upon illegal border crossings between Bangladesh and India, highlighting the challenges of managing the shared border.

India's finance ministry is establishing a real-time intelligence sharing mechanism to detect and respond to emerging cyber threats. Banks must coordinate with India's Computer Emergency Response Team and other agencies to identify, warn, and address risks promptly. Financial institutions are required to immediately report any incidents or suspicious activities to authorities to prevent escalation.