Laws, regulations, government decisions, public policy
Kerala's health department issued a surgical safety order on April 15, requiring all hospitals to follow strict pre-operative verification, patient identification, and documentation rules. The move follows an alleged hospital lapses controversy and applies to all healthcare institutions across the state.
The Kerala unit of Trinamool Congress has passed a resolution to break from the national party and launch a new outfit by May 15. State convener P.V. Anvar says the new party will align with Congress and the UDF opposition bloc, and will oppose the ruling Left government.
A Hisar fast-track court granted default bail to a Barwala doctor accused under the PCPNDT Act after police missed the 60-day chargesheet deadline. The doctor has faced similar cases dating back to 1999, making the procedural lapse a renewed concern for enforcement of sex-determination laws.
President Trump sent Congress letters arguing his April 7 ceasefire order removes the legal obligation to seek war authorization, even as the Iran conflict passed the 60-day mark this week. The move lets the administration sustain military operations without a congressional vote, a claim lawmakers may contest.
The Rajasthan High Court ruled that out-of-state reserved-category candidates cannot claim NEET PG reservation benefits in Rajasthan, while a Parliamentary panel flagged that AIIMS Delhi tracks no data on where its graduates practice.
President Trump sent letters to Congress declaring that U.S. military hostilities against Iran have "terminated," a legal move to avoid seeking congressional authorization under the War Powers Resolution. The framing shifts the burden to Congress to challenge his definition of when the conflict ended.
India's Union Cabinet is set to approve a Rs 37,500 crore incentive scheme for coal gasification projects, targeting reduced imports of LNG and urea. The plan uses domestic coal to produce syngas, which can replace imported natural gas in fertiliser and chemical production.
Assam Assembly election results will be declared on May 4, with counting at 40 centres across 35 districts deciding fates of 722 candidates from 126 seats. The outcome determines whether BJP wins a third straight term or Congress returns to power.
The Rajasthan High Court ruled that reserved-category candidates from other states cannot claim reservation benefits or lower percentile cut-offs in Rajasthan's NEET PG counselling. Out-of-state candidates may still compete for unreserved seats but must meet the open-merit threshold.
Tamil Nadu's Chief Electoral Officer announced three-tier security and a QR code-based entry system for vote counting centres. In West Bengal, repolling across 15 booths in South 24 Paraganas concluded with nearly 90% voter turnout.
President Trump signed an executive order directing federal agencies to create retirement savings accounts for workers without employer-sponsored 401(k) plans.
SEBI has reduced the minimum investment in Zero Coupon Zero Principal instruments under Social Impact Funds from Rs 2 lakh to Rs 1,000, aligning the threshold with existing individual investor rules. The cut opens a socially-focused investment category to a much wider retail audience.
Telangana has launched a six-circuit tourism strategy to boost visitor growth and draw private investment into the sector. The circuit model is designed to focus infrastructure spending and signal clear investment zones across the state.
A US congressional bill proposes a three-year freeze on new H-1B visas, cutting the annual cap from 65,000 to 25,000 and requiring a minimum salary of $200,000. The measure would also ban dependent visas, directly affecting Indian tech workers and IT services firms that rely on the programme.
India has allowed 100% FDI in insurance through the automatic route, removing the requirement for prior government approval. Foreign investors must still obtain an IRDAI licence to operate, but can now fully own Indian insurance companies without a separate clearance.
A federal court has ordered that mifepristone, the most commonly used abortion pill in the U.S., can only be dispensed in person at clinics, overriding FDA rules that allowed mail delivery. The ruling is expected to be appealed to the Supreme Court, leaving access and compliance obligations uncertain in the interim.
India has notified 100% FDI in insurance companies under the automatic route, operationalising the Insurance Laws (Amendment) Act, 2025, which raised the cap from 74%. Foreign investors skip government approval but still need IRDAI clearance, and LIC remains capped at 20%.
India's Finance Ministry has notified FEMA rule changes allowing foreign companies with up to 10% Chinese ownership to invest via the automatic FDI route, skipping prior government approval.
India's Finance Ministry has amended FEMA rules to allow 100% FDI in insurance, up from the prior 74% ceiling, with a separate 20% cap retained for LIC. The change lets foreign insurers own Indian subsidiaries outright, removing the need for local joint-venture partners and lowering barriers to entry.
India has notified 100% FDI in insurance under the automatic route, letting foreign investors fully own Indian insurers without prior approval. The change opens the door for JV buyouts and new entrants, though LIC retains its separate 20% FDI cap.