Congress MLAs to pull out of Vijay’s government in TN if it doesn’t accept Rahul Gandhi as PM candidate?
A fresh political clash has erupted in Tamil Nadu over the prospective Prime Ministerial candidate for the 2029 Lok Sabha elections. State Tourism Minister S Rajesh Kumar issued a firm warning, stating that Congress ministers would withdraw from the state government if the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) opposes Rahul Gandhi as the coalition’s candidate for the top post.
The rift widened after TVK ministers repeatedly claimed that party chief C Joseph Vijay would become the country’s next Prime Minister. Rejecting these assertions, Rajesh said the Congress has maintained a clear stand that Rahul Gandhi would lead the government at the Centre if the party and its allies win the 2029 elections.
The disagreement highlights the growing differences between regional ambitions and the Congress’ national leadership strategy.
Breakthrough in border talks since the Galwan clash between India & China?
The Ministry of External Affairs’ East Asia division has indicated progress following the 25th Special Representative-level talks between National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.
The discussions resulted in an agreement to establish new sector hotlines, strengthen border management mechanisms and assign expert groups to examine preliminary boundary delimitation.
However, describing the development as the first positive movement since the Galwan Valley clash overlooks key developments. The major breakthrough came in October 2024, when India and China reached an agreement on patrolling arrangements in Depsang and Demchok, facilitating troop disengagement and paving the way for renewed diplomatic engagement.
While a final resolution of the boundary issue remains a long process, the latest developments indicate a shift towards a structured approach for maintaining long-term border stability.
Heightened security and vigilance at LoC
Security forces in Jammu and Kashmir’s Rajouri sector have intensified aerial and ground surveillance after a suspected Pakistani drone was detected along the Line of Control (LoC).
The unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), which was tracked moving towards the strategic Mangalnar-Dabrote axis, triggered immediate counter-intelligence measures and search operations in the area.
Officials are yet to confirm the drone’s payload or whether it was recovered. However, security analysts suspect it may have been used either for reconnaissance of Indian forward posts or for dropping arms, narcotics or funds to support militant networks.
In response, Indian forces have stepped up night patrolling, deployed anti-drone systems and alerted intelligence networks along the Rajouri-Poonch belt. Ground units continue searches in suspected areas to rule out any supply drop.
Has New Delhi’s diplomacy turned wary of Washington?
A cautious approach appears to have replaced the earlier optimism in India’s engagement with the United States, with key government departments adopting a more measured stance on trade and diplomatic negotiations.
Officials in the Ministry of External Affairs and the Ministry of Commerce are reportedly reassessing the pace of discussions on a comprehensive Free Trade Agreement and broader economic cooperation.
The shift comes amid concerns over tariff threats, unilateral decisions and pressure tactics that could affect India’s domestic interests. New Delhi appears to be moving towards an issue-based approach focused on protecting strategic autonomy rather than pursuing broad-based alignment.
This change reflects a deliberate policy recalibration, with India treating negotiations with Washington as transactional engagements requiring careful assessment.
West Bengal constitutes three-member panel headed by CM to select Information Commissioners
The West Bengal government has constituted a three-member committee headed by Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari to shortlist candidates and recommend appointments for the post of State Information Commissioners in the West Bengal Information Commission.
The committee also includes Leader of Opposition Ritabrata Banerjee and Minister Department of Industry, Commerce & Enterprises Tapas Roy.
The state government has received 22 applications so far, including those from senior bureaucrats and other candidates.
Girls students from 108 countries are in Noida to learn Space Science
More than 11,000 girl students from 108 countries have gathered at Gautam Budh University in Noida to learn about space science under ‘Mission Shaktiset’.
The Gen Z participants are being trained in satellite production, coding and spacecraft systems. They are also working on developing two special Moon satellites that will be sent on a lunar mission.
Is Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit going to be next Air Force Chief?
Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit is widely being considered the frontrunner to succeed ACM A.P. Singh as the next Air Force Chief after the latter’s superannuation in October 2026.
Air Marshal Dixit is reportedly the senior-most officer in line for the top post.
SC Collegium recommends Justice Sanjay Agrawal as CJ of Rajasthan HC
The Supreme Court Collegium has recommended the elevation of Justice Sanjay K. Agrawal, Judge of the Chhattisgarh High Court, as Chief Justice of the Rajasthan High Court.
SC Collegium recommends Justice Alpesh Kogje as CJ of Madhya Pradesh HC
The Supreme Court Collegium has recommended the elevation of Justice Alpesh Yeshvant Kogje, Judge of the Gujarat High Court, as Chief Justice of the Madhya Pradesh High Court.
SC Collegium recommends Justice Pushpendra Bhati as CJ of J&K and Ladakh HC
The Supreme Court Collegium has recommended the elevation of Justice Dr. Pushpendra Singh Bhati, Judge of the Rajasthan High Court, as Chief Justice of the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh.
SC Collegium recommends Justice Krushna Ram Mohapatra as CJ of Chhattisgarh HC
The Supreme Court Collegium has recommended the appointment of Justice Krushna Ram Mohapatra, Judge of the Orissa High Court, as Chief Justice of the Chhattisgarh High Court following the retirement of the incumbent Chief Justice on September 4, 2026.
VRS of IPS officer Sunil Kumar Mehta accepted
The voluntary retirement scheme (VRS) request of 2016-batch IPS officer Sunil Kumar Mehta, DCP, Zone-4, Indore, has been accepted with effect from August 31, 2026.
ADC to President Major Sambyal opts for voluntary retirement
Major Rishabh Singh Sambyal, Aide-de-Camp to President Droupadi Murmu, has taken premature retirement from the Indian Army.
MP DGP Kailash Makwana completes 38 years of service
Madhya Pradesh DGP Kailash Makwana, a 1988-batch IPS officer, completed 38 years of service on August 30, 2026.
Makwana marked the milestone on social media, writing, “38 years of Service to Nation…God is Kind,” and shared photographs from his career.
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