Plugging gap: Why 67,000 EV charging points aren't enough for India’s electric dreams

By 2030, India is projected to require an additional 1.25 million electric vehicle (EV) charging stations. Currently, these public chargers are limited to just ten states, and the slower charging speeds provided by many of them may pose challenges during longer trips. While home charging is an option for individuals with private parking, operators struggle with low usage rates that deter investments in smaller urban areas.

Gujarat's mangrove cover dramatically increased from 427 sq km in 1987 to over 1,177 sq km by 2026. This significant recovery is attributed to community participation and large-scale plantation programmes. Mangroves provide vital coastal protection and support marine ecosystems and local livelihoods. The government now promotes this approach nationwide through the MISHTI programme. Gujarat's success demonstrates mangroves as effective natural infrastructure for coastal defense.

In Jaipur, students staged a protest and boycotted the Rajasthan SET-2026 exam due to a significant delay in the arrival of question papers, which reached the examination hall nearly thirty minutes after the scheduled start. Candidates expressed grave concerns about exam irregularities and called for a re-examination, underlining ongoing challenges faced in competitive testing in India. Official confirmation of the exam's status remains pending.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah emphasized decolonizing India's history and knowledge authentically. He stated that true knowledge should remain free from any ideological constraints. Shah highlighted the importance of preserving India's knowledge traditions and manuscripts. He proposed creating a wider network for sharing heritage collections across India. The minister urged using Indology for the nation's and world's welfare.

On Sunday, a four-story structure in Shahdara's Gandhi Nagar lost its balance unexpectedly, prompting swift action from authorities. The area surrounding the building was quarantined while the Municipal Corporation of Delhi conducted an inspection, ultimately mandating its demolition. This incident comes on the heels of a tragic building collapse in Satya Niketan that led to loss of life, and officials are now closely monitoring the area to ensure community safety.

At the recent BRICS Summit held in New Delhi, Prime Minister Modi and President Xi focused on strengthening their countries' long-term ties, stressing the necessity of safeguarding peace along the border. The discussions prominently featured the trade deficit and the challenge of market access. Both leaders also committed to boosting cultural and business exchanges to achieve shared growth and prosperity.

In a united front, BRICS countries protested against the EU's carbon border adjustment mechanism, deeming it unfair. They underscored the importance of energy security alongside a pragmatic approach toward climate goals, making it clear that fossil fuels remain integral to the energy mix. The alliance urged for actions driven by equity and collective responsibilities, indicating their trust in multilateral efforts to confront global climate challenges.

Prime Minister Modi opened the Brics summit, demanding urgent United Nations Security Council reforms. He stressed transforming global governance from privilege to partnership for developing nations. Modi proposed Brics draft ten proposals for inclusive global governance and multilateralism. He also called for a Seafarers Emergency Support Network for maritime workers. The summit aims to empower the Global South as rule-shapers, not rule-takers.

In a significant statement, the BRICS Declaration addressed India’s serious concerns about terrorism, condemning both the Pahalgam attack and cross-border movements of terrorists. The declaration underscored the need for zero tolerance and criticized discrepancies in counter-terrorism responses. It affirmed that states have the primary duty to combat terrorism, asserting that terrorism must not be associated with any particular religion or nationality.

Following intense late-night negotiations, BRICS nations have come together to issue a joint declaration addressing vital issues, including the protection of civilian and peaceful nuclear sites. The leaders reiterated the critical role of constructive dialogue in achieving regional stability. Furthermore, they collectively reaffirmed their resolve to combat terrorism in all its manifestations and called for extensive reforms of the United Nations Security Council.

Punjab secured its first gangster extradition from Europe, showcasing the government's firm stance. Amritpal Singh, a Jaggu Bhagwanpuria gang operative, was extradited from Moldova. The government stated previous administrations allowed gangsterism to flourish unchecked. The Overseas Fugitive Tracking and Extradition Cell has brought back ten wanted fugitives. Twenty-one more extradition proposals are currently pending with the central government.

The 18th Brics Summit took place in New Delhi, hosted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Leaders from eleven member countries came together to engage in dialogue and capture memorable group photographs. Significant moments were shared with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin. As a symbol of unity for their future, the leaders planted a banyan tree, and they collectively embraced the New Delhi Declaration 2026.

Brics countries strongly condemned the Pahalgam terrorist attack, reaffirming their commitment to combating terrorism.The New Delhi Declaration 2026 opposed double standards and called for zero tolerance towards terrorism.It also supported comprehensive UN reform, including Security Council expansion for developing nations.China and Russia reiterated support for India and Brazil's greater UN roles.The declaration also raised concerns over trade measures and unilateral sanctions.

The New Delhi Declaration 2026 was unanimously adopted by BRICS nations at their summit.This declaration emphasizes conflict prevention and the peaceful resolution of international disputes.BRICS countries also backed stronger multilateralism and expressed concerns over unilateral trade measures.Prime Minister Modi called for global governance reforms and greater Global South representation.India is chairing BRICS in 2026 under a theme of resilience and cooperation.

The National Investigation Agency conducted searches at ten locations across Jammu and Kashmir. These searches are connected to a cross-border terror conspiracy involving Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba handlers. The agency seized incriminating material relevant to the ongoing investigation into the conspiracy. This investigation began after the arrest of an alleged LeT-linked Over Ground Worker earlier this year. The NIA continues to examine financial and communication trails to identify all inv

During the BRICS summit, Prime Minister Modi emphasized the necessity for a global governance reset. He presented a comprehensive roadmap for future BRICS reforms, highlighting the need for increased decision-making power for the Global South. Modi also called for urgent changes to institutions like the UN Security Council and proposed establishing a BRICS continuity mechanism to ensure ongoing dialogues.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi proposed a Brics continuity mechanism and a digital repository. He also called for time-bound global governance reforms, including the UN Security Council. Developing nations need greater representation and influence in international financial institutions. The Global South must become a rule shaper to address global challenges. Brics celebrated its 20th anniversary while hosting the 18th annual summit.

On Saturday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi engaged in fruitful discussions with the leaders of Malaysia and Ethiopia. The agenda was centered around bolstering defense collaboration and increasing Indian investments in both nations. Malaysia welcomed the idea of setting up an Indian Consulate General in Kota Kinabalu. Meanwhile, Ethiopia highlighted its commitment to amplifying the Global South's collective voice and fostering deeper strategic ties.