TODAY NEWS ON March 26, 2026

No incease in prices of petrol, diesel, says government

Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG), Sujata Sharma, on Wednesday (March 25, 2026) said that there has been no increase in the prices of petrol and diesel. “Do not believe in rumours,” MoPNG said. She added that 26 States have been accorded 22,000 tonnes of commercial LPG as of date, and 2.5 lakh new PNG connections have been accorded in the last 25 days.

Petroleum Ministry issues directions to strengthen natural gas infra, address present complexities and delays

Seeking to accelerate the push for piped natural gas (PNG), the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG), late on Tuesday (March 24, 2026), invoking the Essential Commodities Act (ECA), instituted reforms to ease provisions towards expanding piped gas network — both domestic and commercial.

U.S. sends Iran a ceasefire plan but Tehran dismisses talks

Iran has received an American 15-point plan for a ceasefire for the Iran war through intermediaries from Pakistan, officials in Islamabad said Wednesday (March 25, 2026). The proposal was sent even as Washington began to move paratroopers to West Asia to back up a contingent of Marines already heading there.

Jaishankar defends India’s stand as Opposition targets government on ‘Pakistan mediation’ in West Asia

Parrying the questions raised by the Opposition regarding the reported central role played by Pakistan in mediating between the U.S. and Iran, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Wednesday termed the neighbouring country a “dalal” and said that it had been playing this role since 1981.

Iran-Israel war: Iran issues its own ceasefire proposal, calling for war reparations and sovereignty over Strait of Hormuz

Iran has received an American 15-point plan for a ceasefire for the Iran war through intermediaries from Pakistan, officials in Islamabad said Wednesday (March 25, 2026). The proposal was sent even as Washington began to move paratroopers to West Asia to back up a contingent of Marines already heading there.

No refund for last minute cancellation: Railways introduces new ticketing reforms for passengers

In a significant development, the government has announced a revised ticket cancellation system. Union Minister for Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw, speaking at Kartavya Bhavan in New Delhi on Tuesday (March 24, 2026), said the changes introduced under the “Reform Express” initiative are aimed at curbing misuse of the ticketing system and improving access for genuine passengers.

Trump’s use of Pakistan as possible mediator with Iran sparks memories of Nixon’s China talks and Bangladesh liberation

Pakistan’s emergence as Washington’s choice as a mediator in talks with Iran can be explained in a number of ways.

Questions on caste to be notified before second phase of Census 2027: Government

The questions on caste to be asked by enumerators will be notified before the commencement of the second phase of the Census 2027, Rajya Sabha was informed on Wednesday.

With NavIC setback, India unable to use satellite system for security purposes: experts

With India’s navigation satellite system — Navigation with Indian Constellation (NavIC) — not fully functional, one of the biggest concerns is that the country will be unable to use it for security and strategic purposes, say experts.

Parliament clears Transgender Bill amid an uproar

The Rajya Sabha on Wednesday (March 25, 2026) passed the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Amendment Bill, a day after the Lok Sabha cleared the legislation.

Iran rejects U.S. proposal, sets out conditions to end war

Iran on Wednesday (March 25, 2026) dismissed a U.S. proposal to end the war and set out its own terms for peace, even as it continued trading fire with Israel.

India raises clean-energy ambition with 60% non-fossil fuel power goal by 2035

Updating its climate goals, India has pledged that by 2035, 60% of its installed electric capacity will comprise of non-fossil sources.

Supreme Court says MHA’s Vande Mataram advisory not a ‘threat to conform’

The Supreme Court of India on Wednesday (March 25, 2026) said the January 28 guidelines issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs on playing the National Song ‘Vande Mataram’ in full at public and ceremonial occasions are not a “threat to conform” and do not fall foul of constitutional freedoms.

Iranian military mocks Trump’s claim of U.S.-Iran negotiations

An Iranian military spokesperson mocked U.S. attempts at a ceasefire deal on Wednesday (March 25, 2026), insisting that the Americans were only negotiating with themselves. Lt. Col. Ebrahim Zolfaghari, a spokesperson for the Iranian military’s Khatam Al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, made the statement in a prerecorded video aired on State television.

Constitution makers knew what they were doing: FM Sitharaman defends Centre’s cess collections

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Wednesday (March 25, 2026) emphatically reiterated the Centre’s right to collect cesses and surcharges, saying the Constitution allowed it and the Centre would continue to use this provision. However, she also added that, over the last six years, the government has spent on the States 105% of what it had collected through cesses and surcharges. That is, its spending has exceeded its collections.

FCRA amendment bill to introduce a new authority to manage assets of NGOs that lose licence

A legislation brought by the government to amend the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA) will significantly tighten its oversight of foreign-funded organisations, proposing the creation of a powerful new authority to seize and manage the assets of non-profits that lose their licence.

Rupee closes at record low of 94.05 against U.S. dollar

The rupee slumped 29 paise to close at a record low of 94.05 (provisional) against the U.S. dollar on Wednesday (March 25, 2026) as heavy FII outflows and simmering tensions in West Asia kept investors on the edge. Even a drop in global crude oil prices, weaker greenback, and positive sentiments in the domestic equity markets could not provide any respite to the local unit, forex traders said.

Mohamed Salah announces Liverpool departure, ending nine-year stint that made him club legend

Liverpool star Mohamed Salah announced on Tuesday (March 25, 2026) that he will leave the English club at the end of the season, marking an earlier-than-planned departure for one of the club’s greatest-ever scorers and football’s biggest names. The 33-year-old Egypt forward, who has scored 255 goals in 435 appearances for Liverpool, “reached an agreement” to quit the team a year before his contract was due to expire, the Premier League champions said.