National

India Trade Deficit Narrows To $27 Billion

By BPN News Desk March 17, 2026

India’s merchandise trade deficit narrowed to $27.1 billion in February from January’s higher level, helped by a monthly decline in imports even as export growth remained weak. The latest trade data comes at a time when India is also facing fresh external pressures from disrupted shipping routes, higher energy costs and uncertainty in major export […]

National

Indian Crude Near $137 Amid Gulf Conflict

By BPN News Desk March 17, 2026

India’s crude oil basket has surged sharply since the Gulf conflict began, climbing to about $137 a barrel and sharply increasing pressure on refiners, import costs and the broader economy. The spike reflects tighter global supply, disruption around the Strait of Hormuz and a rapid rise in freight and risk premiums linked to the ongoing […]

National

India-US Trade Deal Talks Face Delay

By BPN News Desk March 17, 2026

India remains engaged with the United States on a proposed bilateral trade deal, even as officials have acknowledged that uncertainty in Washington could slow progress. The latest comments from India’s commerce establishment suggest that negotiations are continuing, but the final timeline may depend on how trade policy developments unfold on the U.S. side. India-US Trade

National

Jaishankar Says Hormuz Talks Showing Results

By BPN News Desk March 16, 2026

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has said India’s talks with Iran on restoring shipping movement through the Strait of Hormuz are beginning to show results, offering some relief amid continuing disruption in one of the world’s most important energy corridors. His remarks come after Indian-flagged vessels were allowed to pass through the route following sustained

National

Assembly Poll Dates Announced In Five Regions

By BPN News Desk March 16, 2026

The Election Commission has announced the schedule for the 2026 Assembly elections in West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Assam and Puducherry, setting the stage for a major round of state-level political contests. Polling will begin in April, with West Bengal voting in two phases, while the other four regions will go to the polls in […]

National

Government Bars PNG Users From Retaining LPG Cylinders

By BPN News Desk March 15, 2026

The Union government has amended gas supply rules to prevent households with piped natural gas (PNG) connections from retaining or refilling domestic LPG cylinders. The move is aimed at streamlining cooking gas distribution and ensuring that LPG supplies are prioritised for households that do not have access to piped gas networks. Government Bars PNG Users […]

National

PM Modi Targets Congress At Assam Rally

By BPN News Desk March 14, 2026

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday used a public event in Assam to sharply criticise the Congress, accusing it of working against India’s development while highlighting a fresh round of infrastructure spending in the Northeast. Speaking in Silchar on the second day of his Assam visit, Modi linked the criticism to what he described as […]

Law & Order National

Centre Revokes Sonam Wangchuk NSA Detention

By BPN News Desk March 14, 2026

The Centre has revoked the detention of climate activist and education reformer Sonam Wangchuk under the National Security Act, bringing an end to a preventive detention order that had drawn attention in recent weeks. Officials confirmed that the decision was taken after reviewing the circumstances surrounding his detention. Sonam Wangchuk Detention Revoked Sonam Wangchuk

National

PM Modi Launches Major Assam Projects

By BPN News Desk March 14, 2026

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday launched and dedicated multiple infrastructure and welfare projects during his Assam visit, while also releasing the 22nd instalment of the PM-KISAN scheme to more than 9.32 crore farmers across India. In Guwahati, the projects inaugurated and for which foundation stones were laid were valued at around Rs 19,680 crore, […]

National

Centre Sets Up Fund To Tackle Global Risks

By BPN News Desk March 14, 2026

The Centre has proposed a new economic stabilisation fund of Rs 57,381 crore to help India respond to global economic pressures, supply chain disruptions and other external shocks. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said the move is aimed at giving the government fiscal flexibility at a time when global uncertainty, including the West Asia conflict, is […]