The Supreme Court on Tuesday agreed to examine whether the Enforcement Directorate (ED) can file writ petitions before high courts under Article 226 of the Constitution for enforcement of its rights as a ‘juristic person’.

A juristic person is a non-human legal entity recognised by law and entitled to legal rights and duties similar to those of a natural person.

A bench comprising Justices Dipankar Datta and Satish Chandra Sharma issued notice to the ED on appeals filed by the Kerala and Tamil Nadu governments, which have challenged a Kerala High Court order upholding the agency’s locus standi to move writ petitions under Article 226.

Article 226 empowers high courts to issue writs for enforcement of fundamental rights and for other legal purposes.

The challenge stems from a September 26, 2024, order of the Kerala High Court, which upheld a single-judge decision staying a judicial inquiry into the ED’s probe of the 2020 gold smuggling case, involving the illegal import of gold through diplomatic channels.

The judicial inquiry commission was constituted by the Kerala government following allegations that ED officials had coerced accused persons to implicate political leaders, including the Chief Minister, in the gold smuggling case.

Dismissing the state government’s appeal against the interim stay, the High Court held that the plea lacked merit and that the single bench had committed no error in entertaining the ED’s writ petition and staying the inquiry.

The case originated from a May 7, 2021, notification issued by the Kerala government ordering a judicial inquiry under the Commission of Inquiry Act, 1952, into allegations against ED officials.

A former High Court judge, Justice V K Mohanan, was appointed to head the inquiry commission. The commission was tasked with examining evidence, including an audio clip allegedly featuring accused Swapna Suresh and a letter written by accused Sandeep Nair, both claiming coercion by ED officers.

An ED Deputy Director subsequently approached the High Court, questioning the state government’s authority to order a judicial inquiry against a central investigating agency. On August 11, 2021, the single bench held that the ED had the right to approach the court and granted an interim stay on the inquiry, prompting the state government to move the appellate bench.

The Supreme Court’s decision to examine the issue is expected to have wider implications on whether central investigative agencies can independently invoke constitutional remedies before high courts.

Nitin Nabin was on Tuesday formally declared the national president of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), succeeding J P Nadda and ushering in a new leadership phase for the party as it seeks to further consolidate its political dominance across the country.

The results of the BJP’s organisational elections were announced by K Laxman, the party’s Returning Officer, who also handed over the certificate of election to the 45-year-old leader at a ceremony held at the BJP headquarters here.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, outgoing BJP president J P Nadda, and senior party leaders and Union ministers Rajnath Singh, Amit Shah, Nitin Gadkari, among others, were present to witness the leadership transition.

With his elevation, Nabin becomes the 12th national president of the BJP, which was founded in 1980—the same year he was born—making him the youngest leader to hold the party’s top post.

A low-profile and unassuming leader, Nabin had resigned from his position as Minister for Law and Justice, Urban Development and Housing in the Bihar government after being appointed the BJP’s working president on December 14.

Announcing the election results, Laxman said the outcome reflected the BJP’s internal democratic ethos.

“This election shows that in the BJP, leadership emerges from hard work and dedication, not dynastic privilege,” he said.

Addressing party workers on the occasion, Nadda described the moment as historic.

“Today is a very historic occasion as our young, energetic and talented Nitin Nabin takes charge as the national president of the world’s largest political party. I extend my heartfelt congratulations to him on my behalf and on behalf of crores of party workers,” he said.

The government will begin disbursing Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) funding for industry-backed projects by the end of this month, with the scheme having entered the execution phase, officials said on Monday.

The update was shared during a review meeting of the RDI Fund scheme chaired by Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology and Earth Sciences, Dr. Jitendra Singh.

The RDI scheme, approved by the Union Cabinet on July 1 last year, was formally rolled out on November 3, 2025, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched its implementation guidelines, issued the notice inviting applications, and unveiled a dedicated digital portal. The scheme aims to support high-risk, high-impact research while strengthening linkages between research laboratories, startups and industry.

The Department of Science and Technology (DST) has approved the Technology Development Board (TDB) and the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) as the first Second-Level Fund Managers (SLFMs) under the ₹1 lakh crore RDI Fund, a flagship initiative designed to catalyse private sector-led research and innovation.

Under the approved framework, TDB will manage projects across all sunrise and strategic sectors, while BIRAC will oversee funding for biotechnology and allied areas. Both organisations are expected to issue their first calls for project proposals by the end of January 2026, enabling early deployment of RDI funds to innovation-driven ventures that have crossed Technology Readiness Level (TRL)-4.

Officials informed the Minister that the Empowered Group of Secretaries, in its meeting held on January 12, approved BIRAC and TDB as SLFMs in line with the decision of the Executive Council of the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF). Each organisation will receive an initial allocation of ₹2,000 crore in the first quarter, taking the total initial disbursement under the scheme to ₹4,000 crore.

The government has also invited applications from other potential Second-Level Fund Managers, including Alternate Investment Funds (AIFs), Development Finance Institutions (DFIs), Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs) and Focused Research Organisations (FROs). The last date for receiving applications is January 31, 2026.

During the review, Dr. Jitendra Singh stressed the importance of timely execution and close coordination among science departments, underlining that public investment in research must result in measurable outcomes for industry and society. He also reviewed steps taken to streamline procedures, including revisions to implementation guidelines based on stakeholder feedback, to ensure transparency and ease of participation.

The Minister reiterated that strengthening private sector participation in research and development remains a core objective of the RDI framework. He said the scheme is focused on translational research, enabling scientific outputs from public research institutions to move more effectively towards commercial and societal applications.

The meeting was attended by Secretaries and senior officials from various science ministries and departments. Proceedings began with welcome remarks by Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India, Prof. Ajay K. Sood, followed by opening remarks from the Minister.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday received United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan at the Delhi airport, underlining the importance India attaches to the high-level visit.

According to the schedule released by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the UAE President will be in the national capital for less than two hours.

The visit comes against the backdrop of a volatile situation in the Middle East, marked by a sharp downturn in Iran–US relations, continuing tensions between Saudi Arabia and the UAE over Yemen, and the unsettled political situation in Gaza.

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed and Prime Minister Modi are expected to hold wide-ranging talks during the brief visit. Officials familiar with the discussions said key issues on the agenda include trade and investment, defence industry cooperation, and energy initiatives.

The evolving situation in the Middle East is also likely to feature prominently in the talks, they added.

This is the UAE leader’s third official visit to India since assuming office and his fifth visit to the country in the last decade.

India and the UAE have witnessed a significant expansion in bilateral trade and people-to-people ties following the signing of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) in 2022, which has given fresh momentum to the strategic partnership between the two countries.

Two athletes from Jammu and Kashmir have been selected for the Indian Wushu Team’s foreign exposure training programme in China, as part of preparations for the 2026 Asian Games.

Bhanu Partap Singh, a bronze medallist at the 18th Asian Games, and Ansa Christi, an international player and the current No. 1 ranked athlete in the women’s 52 kg category, will undergo a one-month specialised training programme in China from January 14 to February 12, 2026.

The selection was made by the Wushu Association of India (WAI) following a national ranking tournament held in Jammu, where the top eight athletes across 13 events — seven Sanda and six Taolu — were shortlisted. Notably, 12 athletes from Jammu and Kashmir featured among the top eight, underlining the region’s strong presence in the sport at the national level.

The next national ranking event is scheduled to be held from February 15 to 17, 2026, after which four athletes in each event will be selected for the National Wushu Coaching Camp.

In March 2026, the selection process will be further narrowed down, with two athletes from each event chosen for an intensive 60-day foreign training programme in China as part of India’s final preparations for the 20th Asian Games in Japan.

The Wushu Association of Jammu and Kashmir, including its President Vijay Saraf, Vice President Ranjeet Kalra, General Secretary Bhavneet, and Treasurer Sohit Sharma, congratulated the selected athletes on their achievement.

Dronacharya Awardee Kuldeep Handoo also extended his congratulations and urged authorities to establish a dedicated Wushu academy in Jammu and Kashmir to further nurture talent from the region.