Makar Sankranti, one of India’s most important solar festivals, will be observed in 2026 on Wednesday, January 14. Unlike many Hindu festivals that follow the lunar calendar, Makar Sankranti is based on the movement of the Sun and therefore falls on a nearly fixed date each year.

Candidates awaiting the Uttar Pradesh Teacher Eligibility Test (UP TET) may soon receive long-awaited clarity regarding the examination schedule. The Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission (UPPSC) is expected to release its recruitment and examination calendar for the new year, possibly in the first week of January. This announcement is being keenly awaited, especially by aspirants who have been waiting for the UP TET examination for nearly four years.

India Enters the High-Speed Rail Era

India is preparing to enter the elite league of nations with high-speed rail as its first bullet train is scheduled to begin operations by August 15, 2027. The announcement was made by Union Minister for Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw, highlighting a major leap in transport infrastructure and a flagship example of Indo–Japanese technological cooperation.

A Defining Figure of Bangladeshi Politics Passes Away

Bangladesh on Tuesday lost one of its most consequential political leaders with the death of former Prime Minister and Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) chairperson Khaleda Zia at the age of 80. Her passing in Dhaka marks the end of a pivotal chapter in the country’s post-independence political history, defined by intense rivalry, democratic transitions, and alternating regimes.

High Court Reinforces Protective Spirit of POCSO

The Delhi High Court has ruled that criminal proceedings under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act cannot be dismissed merely because a child victim turns hostile during trial. The court stressed that such cases must be evaluated in light of the child’s vulnerability, power imbalance, and supporting medical or forensic evidence, particularly when the accused is a family member or caregiver.