Oil Ministry says LPG production increased 30% since March 5

Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas Sujata Sharma said that the LPG production has increased 30% since March 5, 2026. “LPG supply is an issue of concern for us, especially because a major chunk of imports is routed from the Strait of Hormuz. Nevertheless, 25,000 distributors have not reported any dry-out,” Ms. Sharma said. She added, "India has 1.5 crore households being supplied with piped natural gas, with another 60 lakh households which can easily switch to piped cooking gas.”

EAM Jaishankar and Iran’s Araghchi hold 4th phone call since start of West Asian conflict

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar spoke to his Iranian counterpart, Seyed Abbas Araghchi — their fourth such conversation since the West Asia crisis began — as New Delhi intensifies efforts to secure safe passage for 28 merchant vessels currently stationed on either side of the Strait of Hormuz. “Had another conversation with Iranian FM @araghchi yesterday night. Discussed bilateral matters as also BRICS related issues,” the External Affairs Minister said on social media. Mr. Jaishankar and Mr. Araghchi had spoken on February 28, soon after the U.S. and Israel launched the attack on Iran that killed Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. They also spoke on March 5 and March 10.

Paid menstrual pain leave may cost women their careers, Supreme Court apprehends

The Supreme Court on Friday (March 13, 2026) expressed apprehensions that a law making paid leave during menstrual pain compulsory may damage the careers of young women and deprive them of equal opportunities. “The moment you introduce this as a law and make it a compulsory condition, you may not be able to assess the amount of damage you may do to their career. Nobody may give them big responsibilities. In judicial services, people may not assign trials to them,” Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, heading a Bench comprising Justice Joymalya Bagchi, voiced doubts. Chief Justice Kant distinguished between creating a legally enforceable statutory right and a spontaneous act or policy from employers towards their women employees.

INDIA bloc MPs submit notice seeking removal of CEC Gyanesh Kumar in Parliament

The INDIA bloc MPs on Friday (March 13, 2026) submitted a notice in both Houses of Parliament seeking the removal of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar. This is the first time such a notice has been formally submitted in Parliament. In the past, the Opposition had considered similar moves against at least two former CECs, but those efforts never progressed. This is the first time such a notice has been formally submitted in Parliament. In the past, the Opposition had considered similar moves against at least two former CECs, but those efforts never progressed.

Bill to provide precise definition of ‘transgender’ introduced in Lok Sabha

A bill seeking to provide a precise definition of the term “transgender” and provide graded punishments that reflect the gravity of the harm inflicted upon such persons was introduced in the Lok Sabha on Friday (March 13, 2026). The Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Amendment Bill was introduced by Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Virendra Kumar. It notes that it is imperative to give a precise definition for proper and definitive identification and protection of transgender persons, to whom the benefits of the present law must reach.

Trump says U.S. ‘obliterated’ military targets on Iran’s Kharg Island, threatens oil infrastructure

U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday (March 13, 2026) said the U.S. military had heavily bombed targets on Iran's Kharg Island, which handles almost all of Iran's crude exports, and he threatened to hit the island's oil infrastructure. He also told reporters that U.S. and Israel’s objectives with Iran “might be a little different”.

Indian-flagged LPG carrier crosses Strait of Hormuz: marine traffic website

Shivalik, an Indian-flagged LPG carrier with a cargo-carrying capacity of more than 54,000 tonnes, has crossed the Strait of Hormuz as on Friday night (March 13, 2026), according to marinetraffic.com. As per the website, the ship had departed from Ras Laffan, Qatar, on March 7 and was originally destined for the U.S.

Around 100 Iranian sailors fly out of Kochi airport

Around 100 sailors from the Iranian naval vessel IRIS Lavan, which has been docked at Kochi port since March 4, is learnt to have flown out of Kochi airport by a chartered flight on Friday (March 13, 2026) around 7 p.m. Some reports suggested that the flight was headed to Armenia, though it could not be independently verified.

Opposition leaders press government, Lok Sabha Speaker to revoke the suspension of 8 MPs

A delegation of Opposition leaders on Friday (March 13, 2026) is to said to have pressed Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju to revoke the suspension of eight Lok Sabha members. The eight MPs, including seven from the Congress, have been barred from attending the remainder of the Budget Session.

Nitish Kumar hints at Samrat Choudhary as his successor in Bihar

Amid speculation that Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary is likely to succeed Nitish Kumar as the new Chief Minister of Bihar, Mr. Kumar on Friday (March 13, 2026) gave a subtle message to the people of the State that Mr. Choudhary would be his successor. Mr. Kumar is set to demit office after he filed nomination papers for the upcoming Rajya Sabha election on March 16.

Maharashtra Govt. tables Bill to ban ‘unlawful conversions’

The Maharashtra government on Friday (March 13, 2026) introduced the Freedom of Religion Bill, 2026 in the Assembly during the ongoing Budget Session. It proposes stringent provisions, including imprisonment up to 10 years and fine up to ₹7 lakh, for forcible conversion.

IndiGo to levy fuel charge for domestic and international flights from March 14

ndiGo will start levying fuel charges ranging from ₹425 to ₹2,300 on domestic and international flight tickets from March 14 amid the steep surge in jet fuel prices due to the West Asia crisis. The decision will affect the airfares and comes three days after Air India Group announced the introduction of such charges.

Abu Dhabi police arrest 45 people for filming, spreading misinformation on Iran attacks

Police in the Emirati capital Abu Dhabi said on Saturday (March 14, 2026) they had arrested 45 people, including foreigners, for “spreading misinformation and filming and sharing event locations” as Iran continued to strike the Gulf.

Supreme Court steps in to save the home of gharials at Chambal

The Supreme Court on Friday (March 13, 2026) decided to step in to save the fragile lotic ecosystem of the National Chambal Sanctuary, home and breeding spot for the critically endangered gharials or fish-eating crocodiles, situated at the trijunction of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh, from rampant and illegal sand mining. A Bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta took suo motu cognisance of media reports about the constant threat caused by sand mining to the ecology and aquatic life of the eco-sensitive zone.

Pakistan court rejects plea to shift Imran Khan to private hospital

A High Court in Pakistan on Thursday (March 12, 2026) rejected a petition to shift jailed former premier Imran Khan to a private medical hospital and ordered the constitution of a team of doctors to medically examine him. Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf on March 2 filed the petition in Islamabad High Court (IHC) through lawyer Latif Khosa to transfer Khan from Adiala Jail, Rawalpindi, to Shifa International Hospital in Islamabad for treatment of his eyes. Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir and Justice Khadim Hussain Soomro heard the case. Khosa presented his arguments while Islamabad Advocate General Ayaz Shaukat and Additional Attorney General Rashid Hafeez appeared on behalf of the government.