The Narendra Modi government claims to give minimum support price (MSP) for crops to farmers at one and a half times the costs of production. On the other hand farmers are seeking a guarantee for procurement of crops on the MSP fixed by the government. But the toughest part about giving a guarantee on MSP is that a chunk of the government's budget will go into it. Experts point out that the government will need about Rs 17 lakh crore to procure all crops at the existing MSP. ....

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has formally invited UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson to be the chief guest for the Republic Day celebrations on January 26, 2021. ....

The Ministry of Defence, seeking expansion of road width in the Chardham highway project in Uttarakhand, told the Supreme Court that situation on the ground at the India-China border has changed significantly this year and it has become imperative that men and equipment should move swiftly from army stations to the frontier. A bench comprising Justices R. F. Nariman, Navin Sinha and K. M. Joseph asked the HPC to share a detailed report within a week after the meeting, and for the MoD and the MoRTH to comment on it. ....

With the Covid-19 vaccine in the final stages of operationalisation in India, Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Wednesday said he will take the first shot of the vaccine in Punjab, once it is cleared by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). ....

As the farmers' agitation entered the seventh day on Wednesday, over a dozen kabaddi players, wrestlers and singers from Punjab joined the protest, extending their support to more than 32 farmers unions leading thousands of protestors. ....

With chances of affordable Covid-19 vaccine likely to be available by February 2021, 59 per cent Indians divulged that they will not rush to take it, a survey revealed on Wednesday. ....

The Modi government's latest attempts to persuade the farmers agitating at the Delhi-Haryana-UP borders for the last seven days against the three Union farm laws, failed to achieve a breakthrough. ....

China is making last minute efforts to make emergency procurements of high-altitude gear and clothing for its troops as they were caught unaware of India's readiness for the harsh winter atop the Eastern Ladkah heights -- that has been the bone of contention between the two Asian majors. ....

With 36,604 new coronavirus cases in the past 24 hours, India's overall tally increased to 94,99,413 on Wednesday, as 501 more fatalities took the COVID-19 death toll to 1,38,122, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said. ....

Eight persons were killed in Kaushambhi district on Wednesday morning when a truck, laden with stones, overturned on a car that was parked near the road. ....

Over 500 medical, dental, pharmacy, Ayush and nursing colleges across Karnataka reopened on Tuesday after remaining shut for over 8 months due to the Covid-induced extended lockdown and subsequent restrictions. ....

State Election Commissioner (SEC) K.K. Sharma, while addressing a press conference here on Tuesday, informed that the second phase of District Development Council (DDC) elections in Jammu and Kashmir have been conducted successfully with a voter turnout of 48.62 per cent. ....

The Centre on Tuesday informed the Supreme Court that Ministry of Ayush has permitted the homeopathic medical practitioners to prescribe the drugs, as mentioned in the guidelines, as an add-on drug to the conventional treatment for patients who have been tested Covid positive and undergoing conventional treatment. ....

West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday launched a scathing attack accusing the Centre of dismantling the federal structure of the country. ....

The Phase-III clinical trial of Covid-19 vaccine (Covaxin) being developed by Bharat Biotech would begin at the privately-run Vydehi multi-specialty hospital here from Wednesday, an official said on Tuesday. ....

The Union Health Ministry hinted on Tuesday that the people infected with Covid-19 or those who have recovered and exhibit antibodies against the viral disease could also come under the ambit of vaccination drive for the immunisation of people against the coronavirus infection. ....

The Uttar Pradesh government has transferred 19 IPS officers. ....

The more than three-hour-long dialogue between a group of more than 32 farmer union leaders and the government remained inconclusive on Tuesday. The fourth round of talks will be held on Thursday. ....

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said that the people of Nagaland are known for their courage and kindness. ....

The Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) led by Chirag Paswan on Tuesday refused to take the bait thrown by the RJD to contest one Rajya Sabha seat in Bihar, while expressing gratitude to the opposition party for extending support. ....