The election schedule was announced a day after the Supreme Court extended the January 31 timeline for completing the poll process for local body elections by two weeks.

In a major crackdown on spreading violence-related content, the Haryana Police have taken down 67 songs from all digital platforms that promote gang lifestyle and extol weapons and violence. The Haryana Police’s cybercrime unit has been deployed in monitoring social media and taking direct action.

Senior Indian envoy DB Venkatesh Varma has been nominated by the UN Secretary General to chair the Advisory Board on Disarmament Matters for the 2026-27 period. The nomination is significant and historical as it marks the first time any Indian has held the position.