Archives May 2026

New Delhi, May 5 (BNP): The Class 8 Social Science textbook published by the National Council of Educational Research and Training, earlier barred by the Supreme Court of India, has been revised and is likely to be released within a week, according to sources in the Ministry of Education.

Titled “Exploring Society: India and Beyond (Part II)”, the textbook had been withdrawn in March following the Court’s directive imposing a blanket ban on its publication, reprinting, and digital circulation over concerns regarding a chapter referencing corruption in the judiciary.

Officials stated that the revised edition has undergone scrutiny by an expert committee constituted by NCERT, which reviewed and modified the contentious content. The updated version has reportedly received approval from the expert panel, and is now awaiting final clearance from the NCERT syllabus committee.

“The revised book has been approved by the expert panel. A syllabus committee meeting will grant final clearance, following which printing is expected to begin later this week,” a source said.

The development comes amid growing concerns over delays in the availability of NCERT textbooks, which have begun impacting students since the academic session commenced on April 1. Once approved, printing of the revised edition will be initiated immediately, and the textbook is expected to be available in the market within a week, ensuring minimal disruption to academic activities.

New Delhi, May 5 (BNP): Indian art, heritage, and modern design took centre stage at the Met Gala 2026, as several Indian celebrities showcased carefully curated ensembles inspired by the country’s rich cultural and artistic legacy.

The event witnessed strong references to classical and contemporary Indian art forms, drawing inspiration from figures such as Raja Ravi Varma, Ajanta cave paintings, and modern artists like Subodh Gupta. Traditional craftsmanship, intricate embroidery, and gemstone detailing were prominently featured across several high-fashion looks.

Prominent appearances included Isha Ambani in a diamond-studded ensemble inspired by traditional draping styles, Sudha Reddy adorned with an elaborate high-value jewellery piece, and Ananya Birla wearing a striking metallic-themed accessory designed by Subodh Gupta.

Filmmaker Karan Johar made a statement in a cape inspired by classical Indian paintings, while philanthropist Natasha Poonawala and members of Jaipur’s erstwhile royal family showcased couture designs blending heritage and contemporary fashion. Designer Manish Malhotra also presented a fusion look featuring traditional tailoring with modern artistic elements.

The showcase highlighted the growing global influence of Indian design, craftsmanship, and cultural storytelling in international fashion platforms.

New Delhi, May 5 (BNP): In the wake of the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) landmark electoral performance, senior leaders Amit Shah and J. P. Nadda have been appointed as central observers for key states to oversee the formation of legislative leadership.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah has been designated as the BJP’s central observer for West Bengal, with Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi serving as co-observer. Meanwhile, JP Nadda has been appointed as the central observer for Assam, assisted by Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini as co-observer.

The appointments follow the BJP’s historic victory in the recently concluded Assembly elections. In West Bengal, the Bharatiya Janata Party is set to form its first-ever government after securing 207 out of 294 seats, while the All India Trinamool Congress won 80 seats. In Assam, the BJP secured 82 seats, comfortably surpassing the majority mark of 64, with its allies — Asom Gana Parishad and Bodoland People’s Front — winning 10 seats each. The Indian National Congress, despite alliances, managed only 19 seats.

In contrast, the Congress-led United Democratic Front registered a strong victory in Kerala, with the Congress alone winning 63 seats in the 140-member Assembly. The Communist Party of India (Marxist) secured 26 seats, while the Communist Party of India won 8 seats.

Tamil Nadu witnessed a significant political shift, with Vijay-led Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam emerging as the single largest party, winning 107 seats in the 234-member Assembly, just short of the majority mark. The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam secured 59 seats, marking a notable setback for the incumbent government.

Following the results, Tamil Nadu Governor R. N. Ravi accepted the resignation of outgoing Chief Minister M. K. Stalin and his Council of Ministers, paving the way for the formation of a new government.

These developments underscore a transformative electoral cycle across multiple states, with shifting political dynamics and the emergence of new power centres in India’s regional landscape.

Dubai, May 5 (BNP): India have retained their position in the latest ICC T20 International rankings, followed by England in second place and Australia in third, according to the International Cricket Council (ICC).

The updated rankings are based on a weighted system that gives full value to matches played since May 2025, while performances from the previous two years carry reduced weightage.

India’s strong and consistent performances in recent international tournaments, including their successful T20 World Cup campaign, have helped them maintain their standing in the global rankings.

Mumbai, May 5 (BNP): Indian equity markets closed lower on Tuesday as renewed geopolitical tensions in the Strait of Hormuz and concerns over the fragile US-Iran ceasefire weighed on investor sentiment.

Benchmark indices came under selling pressure during a volatile trading session, with broader risk aversion also driven by a weakening rupee, which hit a record low against the US dollar amid rising crude oil prices.

The 30-share BSE Sensex ended the day down 251.61 points, or 0.33%, at 77,017.79. During intraday trade, the index had fallen as much as 754.37 points to 76,515.03 before recovering some losses.

Market participants remained cautious as elevated oil prices and global uncertainty added to concerns over inflationary pressures and foreign capital flows.

New Delhi, May 5 (BNP): India’s electric mobility sector continues to register steady growth, with electric two-wheeler penetration reaching 6.5% in FY 2025–26, according to the Ministry of Heavy Industries.

The government said this growth reflects increasing consumer acceptance of electric vehicles, supported by improving availability of models, expanding charging infrastructure, and rising awareness about cleaner mobility options. It also indicates strengthening domestic manufacturing capabilities within the EV ecosystem.

Officials highlighted that the steady rise in adoption demonstrates India’s ongoing transition towards sustainable transport solutions. The growth in the electric two-wheeler segment, which remains the largest contributor to EV sales in the country, is seen as a key indicator of broader e-mobility progress.

The Ministry noted that policy support and industry participation have played a crucial role in accelerating adoption, while continued investments in technology and manufacturing are expected to further strengthen the sector in the coming years.

Mumbai, May 05: Waaree Energies Limited, a leading global clean energy transition company has partnered with Unicommerce, one of India$B!G(Bs leading e-commerce enablement SaaS platforms, to automate and unify its e-commerce operations, a move that signals the company$B!G(Bs intent to match its manufacturing scale with an equally strong digital sales engine.

The partnership will bring Waaree$B!G(Bs growing range of clean energy products – from solar modules and inverters to and solar kits, closer to consumers across India with warehouse network

What this Partnership Delivers:

Through the Unicommerce platform, Waaree Energies gains a comprehensive suite of capabilities designed to future-proof its digital commerce infrastructure:

● Unified Order Management: A single dashboard aggregating orders across all online marketplaces, direct-to-consumer channels, and wholesale portals, eliminating the complexity of managing disparate systems.

● Intelligent Inventory Allocation: Real-time visibility into stock levels across Waaree’s multiple warehousing and fulfilment locations, ensuring optimal inventory placement and reducing stockouts.

● B2B Distribution Management: Seamless order flow management for Waaree’s nationwide distributor network, enabling transparent and efficient stock transfers across regions.

● Faster Fulfilment: Streamlined warehouse workflows resulting in faster delivery timelines and an improved end-customer experience.

Commenting on the partnership, Jignesh Rathod, CEO and Whole-Time Director, Waaree Energies Limited, said $B!H(BAt Waaree Energies, our mission goes beyond manufacturing – it is about making clean energy genuinely accessible to every Indian household and business. As we scale our product portfolio and deepen our digital reach, having a robust e-commerce backbone is essential. Unicommerce$B!G(Bs unified e-commerce backbone allows us to serve both individual buyers and our distributor network with the same efficiency we bring to manufacturing. This is a step forward in bringing solar energy solutions closer to the customer.$B!I(B

Kapil Makhija, MD & CEO, Unicommerce, said, $B!H(BRenewable energy products are increasingly becoming mainstream consumer choices, driven by India$B!G(Bs ambitious climate commitments and the Government$B!G(Bs target of achieving 500 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2030. We are delighted to partner with Waaree Energies, a company at the very forefront of India$B!G(Bs solar revolution, and support them in delivering a seamless online experience to customers across the country.$B!I(B

The timing reflects a broader shift underway in India$B!G(Bs energy market. As rooftop solar becomes increasingly viable for homes and small businesses, consumer demand for energy products online is growing rapidly. India$B!G(Bs cumulative installed solar capacity has crossed 100 GW, with solar now accounting for over 20% of the country$B!G(Bs total installed power capacity. For Waaree – with a module manufacturing capacity of approximately 22.3 GW and a presence in over 25 countries, building a robust digital sales infrastructure is as strategic as building the next gigafactory.

New Delhi, May 5 (BNP): The Government of India has further strengthened its framework for rare disease management under the National Policy for Rare Diseases, 2021, building on the National Health Policy, 2017.

The policy is being implemented through 15 Centres of Excellence across the country, including two in the North-East, to improve access to specialised diagnosis and treatment services.

Officials said the focus is on early detection, improved clinical care, and stronger health system support to ensure timely treatment for patients with rare diseases. The government is also encouraging research and innovation in the field through leading medical institutions.

Steps have also been taken to reduce treatment costs by exempting life-saving medicines from basic customs duty.

Health authorities said the initiative reflects India’s continued efforts to build a more integrated and responsive healthcare system for rare disease patients.

New York, May 5, 2026: Indian journalists Anand RK and Suparna Sharma, along with Natalie Obiko Pearson, have been awarded the prestigious Pulitzer Prize in the Illustrated Reporting and Commentary category for their work on a cybercrime investigation published by Bloomberg.

The award-winning project highlighted the growing threat of digital scams, telling the story of a Lucknow-based neurologist who was deceived by cybercriminals impersonating officials and subjected to a prolonged ordeal that led to significant financial loss. The report brought attention to the human impact of increasingly sophisticated cyber fraud.

In addition, journalist Devjyot Ghoshal was named a finalist in the same category for his investigation into cybercrime and trafficking networks in Southeast Asia, where victims are reportedly forced into carrying out scams.

Another Indian journalist, Aniruddha Ghosal, was part of a team that won in the International Reporting category for an investigation into the use of advanced surveillance technologies by authorities across countries.

The Pulitzer Prizes, administered by Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism, are among the highest honours in global journalism. The recognition highlights the growing role of Indian journalists in uncovering complex global issues and bringing critical stories to light.