NEW DELHI: India celebrates its 77th Republic Day on Monday, with nationwide events marking the adoption of the Constitution and highlighting the country’s cultural and military heritage.Celebrations of the 77th Republic Day at the Kartvya Path are based on the theme of the 150th Anniversary of the national song, Vande Mataram, a timeless mantra that awakened the spirit of Swadeshi, self-reliance, and freedom in India’s national consciousness.

President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi presided over the main ceremony at Kartavya Path in the national capital. The President of the European Council, Antonio Costa, and the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, attended the celebrations as chief guests.PM Modi extended greetings on the 77th Republic Day, urging citizens to renew their commitment to a ‘Viksit Bharat’. In a post X, PM Modi said, “Greetings to all countrymen on Republic Day. This national festival, symbolising India’s pride and honour, should infuse new energy and enthusiasm, strengthening the resolve for Viksit Bharat.”Kartavya Path, which runs from Rashtrapati Bhavan to the National War Memorial, has been extensively decorated to reflect India’s journey over the years.

Here are the top developments:

PM Modi lays wreath at National War Memorial War: As the Republic Day celebrations began in the national capital, PM Modi laid a wreath at the National War Memorial at the historical India Gate. The Prime Minister Narendra Modi also signed the visitors’ book as he paid tributes to the fallen heroes.

In honour of the fallen soldiers, PM Modi observed a two-minute silence alongside other military and government dignitaries at the National War Memorial. Consistent with recent tradition, the Prime Minister also signed the digital visitor’s book at the memorial, leaving a message of gratitude and respect for the bravehearts who made the supreme sacrifice.

Present alongside the PM was the defence minister Rajnath Singh, the Chief of Defence Services General Anil Chauhan, the Chief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi, the Chief of Air Staf Air Chief Marshal APS Singh and Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh Tripathi.President Murmu arrived in a ceremonial buggy: President Droupadi Murmu arrived at at the Kartavya Path in a ceremonial buggy, escorted by the President’s Bodyguard (Rashtrapati ke Angrakshak).

President Murmu in ceremonical buggy

She was accompanied by President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen and President of the European Council, Antonio Luis Santos da Costa, who are the chief guests at this year’s Republic Day celebrations.PM Modi receives the President & chief guests: PM Modi received President Droupadi Murmu, President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen and President of the European Council Antonio Luis Santos da Costa before the unfurling of the national flag.

PM Modi receiving the President and the chief guests

Shubhanshu Shukla awarded Ashok Chakra: Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, who created history by becoming the first Indian to visit the International Space Station (ISS), was on Monday awarded the Ashoka Chakra, India’s highest peacetime gallantry award. In June last year, Shukla became the second Indian to have gone to space and the first one to set foot on the ISS as part of the Axiom-4 mission. Shukla’s 18-day space odyssey came 41 years after cosmonaut Rakesh Sharma flew aboard a Russian Soyuz in 1984.

President Murmu awarded gallantry award to Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, who made history by becoming the first Indian to visit the International Space Station, has been honoured with the Ashoka Chakra, the country’s highest peacetime gallantry award.

As a fighter pilot, Shukla has an impressive record of 2,000 hours of flight experience across various aircraft, including the Su-30 MKI, MiG-21, MiG-29, Jaguar, Hawk, Dornier and An-32.The mega parade at Kartavya Path

Indian Air Force wishes Republic Day: The Indian Air Force (IAF) has extended warm wishes on the auspicious occasion of the 77th Republic Day, celebrated on January 26, 2026. The Indian Air Force restated its commitment towards safeguarding the nation’s skies with honour and courage through a post on X.Army chief greets citizens: Indian Army chief General Upendra Dwivedi extended heartfelt greetings to the countrymen on the 77th Republic Day, stating that the occasion provides people with the opportunity to express gratitude to the immortal heroes who made the supreme sacrifice and displayed unparalleled bravery on the line of duty.Kartavya Path set to unveil unique mix of ‘Vande Mataram’: The celebrations will feature an extraordinary blend of the 150-year legacy of the national song Vande Mataram, the country’s unprecedented developmental progress, robust military strength, vibrant cultural diversity, and active participation from citizens across all walks of life.High security in Delhi-NCR & LoC: The national capital has been placed on high alert on the occasion of the 77th Republic Day, with intensified security checks underway across the Delhi-NCR region. Police personnel conducted thorough vehicle checks at Gurugram, Chilla, Tikri, Singhu, Kapashera, Badarpur, and Dhaula Kuan borders amid heightened security arrangements for the Republic Day celebrations.

KURNOOL: Four persons, including a woman, were arrested for allegedly injecting a doctor with an HIV-infected injection, police said on Sunday. The victim is reportedly the wife of the woman’s former lover, according to news agency PTI. The accused were identified as B Boya Vasundhara (34), a resident of Kurnool; Konge Jyothi (40), a nurse working at a private hospital in Adoni; and her two children, both in their 20s. They were arrested on January 24, police said.“After conspiring with three others and staging a road accident, Vasundhara allegedly injected an HIV virus into a doctor, who is the wife of her former lover,” an official said.According to police, the accused procured HIV-infected blood samples from patients undergoing treatment at a government hospital, claiming the samples were needed for research purposes.Police said the accused allegedly stored the infected blood in a refrigerator and later injected the same sample into the victim during the attack.Investigators said Vasundhara, unable to accept that her former lover had married another woman, conspired to separate the couple and targeted the victim by injecting her with an HIV virus while pretending to assist her after a deliberately staged road accident.Police said the incident took place on January 9 at around 2.30 pm, when the victim, an assistant professor at a private medical college in Kurnool, was returning home on a scooter during her lunch break.Two persons on a motorcycle allegedly rammed into her scooter near the KC Canal at Vinayak Ghat, causing her to fall and suffer injuries. The accused then approached her under the pretext of helping her, police said.While attempting to put her into an autorickshaw, Vasundhara allegedly administered the HIV injection and fled the scene after the victim raised an alarm, police added.The victim’s husband, also a doctor, lodged a complaint at the Kurnool III Town Police Station on January 10. A case was subsequently registered under Sections 126(2), 118(1), and 272 read with 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

Abhishek Sharma (AP Photo)

NEW DELHI: Explosive India opener Abhishek Sharma lit up the Barsapara Cricket Stadium on Sunday with a breathtaking display of power-hitting, smashing the second-fastest T20I half-century by an Indian during the third T20I against New Zealand as India cruised to a dominant eight-wicket win.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!Abhishek reached his fifty in just 14 balls, eclipsing Hardik Pandya’s 16-ball effort to move into elite company. Only Yuvraj Singh’s legendary 12-ball blitz against England in the 2007 T20 World Cup stands ahead of him.

Chasing a modest 154, India stormed to 94/2 inside the powerplay, with Abhishek setting the tone in emphatic fashion. The 25-year-old remained unbeaten on a stunning 68 off just 20 deliveries, striking five fours and four sixes as the hosts wrapped up the chase with ease.“That’s what my team wants from me and I just want to execute all the time,” Abhishek said after the match. “Obviously, it’s not easy to do it every time, but I think it’s all about mental as well and the atmosphere you get around your dressing room.”

When asked about the possibility of breaking Yuvraj’s iconic record, Abhishek was respectful yet quietly optimistic. “That’s more than impossible for anyone, but still, you never know,” he said. “Any batsman could do it because all the batters have been batting really well in this series and going forward, it’s going to be fun.”Abhishek also explained his fearless approach, including hitting another six off the first ball of the innings. “I wouldn’t say I want to go from the first ball. It’s just the instinct I get. I think about what the bowler could bowl to me and I just want to play on that ball,” he explained.Detailing his innovative footwork, he added, “It’s all about the field placement. If I get room for myself, then I have the whole off-side. I just want to play with the field.”Yuvraj Singh, meanwhile, responded with trademark wit. “Still can’t get a 50 off 12 balls, can you?” the World Cup hero posted on social media. “Well played — keep going strong!”

A high-stakes rematch of the season opener of Women’s Premier League 2026 is upon us as the table-topping Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) Women take on a struggling Mumbai Indians (MI) Women at the BCA Stadium in Vadodara.

While RCB’s flawless five-match winning streak was recently snapped by the Delhi Capitals, they remain the team to beat. Conversely, the defending champions, Mumbai Indians, are desperate to snap a three-match losing skid and keep their playoff hopes alive.

RCB will look to prove their recent loss was a mere hiccup. Skipper Smriti Mandhana has been in fine touch, but the middle order featuring Richa Ghosh and Radha Yadav needs to step up after their recent collapse.

Harmanpreet Kaur’s side has struggled for consistency. While Amelia Kerr and Hayley Matthews have shown flashes of brilliance, the team has faltered in closing out games. In their previous meeting this season, RCB pulled off a heist, winning by 3 wickets on the final ball thanks to Nadine de Klerk’s heroic 63*.

RCB-W vs MI-W, WPL 2026: Match details

• Date and Time: January 26; 07:30 pm IST/ 2:00 pm GMT
• Venue: BCA Stadium, Vadodara

RCB-W vs MI-W, Head-to-Head Record in WPL

Matches played: 8 | Mumbai Indians won: 4 | Royal Challengers Bengaluru won: 4 | No result: 0

BCA Stadium Pitch Report

The pitch at the BCA Stadium in Vadodara has proven to be a tale of two halves. While it remains a high-quality surface with true bounce and a fast outfield that rewards stroke-makers early on, the black soil composition causes it to slow down significantly as the match progresses.

Recent WPL fixtures here have seen the ball hold up, assisting spinners and pacers who use slower variations. However, the most critical factor remains the evening dew, which often skids the ball onto the bat and makes chasing significantly easier. With chasing teams winning 7 out of 8 games this season, the toss will be pivotal.

Also READ: Bowlers shine as Delhi Capitals crush RCB to climb second spot in WPL 2026

Squads

Mumbai Indians: Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Nat Sciver-Brunt, Hayley Matthews, Amanjot Kaur, G. Kamalini, Amelia Kerr, Shabnim Ismail, Sanskriti Gupta, Sajana Sajeevan, Rahila Firdous, Nicola Carey, Poonam Khemnar, Triveni Vasishta, Nalla Reddy, Saika Ishaque, Milly Illingworth

Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Smriti Mandhana (c), Richa Ghosh, Shreyanka Patil, Georgia Voll, Nadine de Klerk, Radha Yadav, Lauren Bell, Linsey Smith, Prema Rawat, Arundhati Reddy, Pooja Vastrakar, Grace Harris, Gautami Naik, Prathyoosha Kumar, D. Hemalatha, Sayali Satghare

RCB-W vs MI-W, WPL 2026: Today’s Match Prediction

Case 1:

• Mumbai Indians Women wins the toss and bowl first
• Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women’s powerplay score: 50-60
• Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women’s total score: 160-170

Case 2:

• Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women wins the toss and bowl first
• Mumbai Indians Women’s powerplay score: 40-50
• Mumbai Indians Women’s total score: 150-160

Match result: Team bowling first to win the match.

Also WATCH: Lizelle Lee plucks a blinder to dismiss Radha Yadav in RCB-W vs DC-W clash at WPL 2026

This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.

With Republic Day being observed across the country today, investors are keen to know whether trading activity will continue as usual or face disruptions. January 26 is a nationally significant day, and it traditionally has implications for financial markets and settlement schedules.At the start of the year, market participants typically track holiday calendars closely, as closures can affect trading strategies, settlement cycles and liquidity. This becomes especially important for those dealing in derivatives, commodities and short-term positions.

What is the trading status today?

Indian stock exchanges are not operational today, January 26, on account of Republic Day. Trading has been suspended across both the National Stock Exchange (NSE) and the BSE in all segments, including equities, equity derivatives, currency derivatives and interest rate derivatives, as per ET.Commodity markets are also shut for the day, with the Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX) observing a full-day closure covering both morning and evening sessions, ET reported. Normal trading will resume on Tuesday, January 27.

Second market holiday of 2026

The Republic Day shutdown marks the second stock market holiday of the year. Markets were earlier closed on January 15 due to the Municipal Corporation Election in Maharashtra.In total, Indian exchanges will remain closed for 16 days in 2026, owing to a mix of national holidays, religious festivals and state-specific events.

Key upcoming market holidays

Upcoming non-trading days include Holi on March 3, Ram Navami on March 26 and Mahavir Jayanti on March 31. In April, markets will be closed on Good Friday (April 3) and Dr Ambedkar Jayanti (April 14), followed by Maharashtra Day on May 1.Other closures later in the year include Bakri Id on May 28, Muharram on June 26, Ganesh Chaturthi on September 14 and Gandhi Jayanti on October 2. Markets will also shut on October 20 for Dussehra, November 10 for Diwali–Balipratipada and November 24 for Guru Nanak Jayanti. The final trading holiday of the year will be Christmas on December 25.Independence Day on August 15 will not result in a market holiday this year, as it falls on a Saturday.Investors are advised to factor these holidays into their trading and settlement plans to avoid any disruption.

MUMBAI: Chief Justice of India Surya Kant on Saturday likened the Indian Constitution to a “mighty river” and said that, for high courts to be future-ready, they needed to evolve and adapt to overcome the frontiers of the digital gateway, protect citizens’ rights from infringement by “automated systems” or burgeoning tech, and harness technology to ensure judicial equality through virtual hearings.The future of the High Court depends on its ability to act as a proactive guardian. The Court must not only wait for the knock at the gate but must remain alert to systemic failures in the rule of law, he noted.

Online VC hearings should be embraced by HCs as a “permanent pillar of accessibility”, said the CJI, also calling for “procedural innovation” to address the “right-remedy gap” and to be a catalyst for actual administrative change through monitoring and supervision. The CJI also underscored “need to strengthen dispute resolution beyond the court room” saying “future of justice depends not on how efficiently we adjudicate disputes but, how wisely.” Arbitration, mediation and conciliation are mature methods that preserve relationships, the CJI stressed.“A tribal woman in Gadchiroli or a worker in a remote corner of the Northeast should not have to travel hundreds of miles to seek a writ of mandamus. The future of Article 226 lies in a ‘Court without Walls’, where legal protection is a seamless, accessible reality,” said the 53rd CJI, who assumed office last November. He delivered the Fali Nariman Memorial lecture in Mumbai on the topic, “Sentinel on Qui Vive (on the alert): Article 226 as the Guardian of Access to Justice”.The CJI cautioned against routine matters that had alternate remedies cluttering the system. “Access to justice is hollow if it comes after a decade of litigation. Ameliorating the role of the High Court requires a disciplined Bar and a focused Bench,” he added. Justice is sustained not by the bench or bar alone, but by a collective discipline in discharging duties, the CJI observed.Later, at his felicitation, the CJI praised the Bombay HC for its stellar legacy of clarity and courage and said Bombay HC judges have shown how ‘independence is preserved through self-discipline and public confidence is earned through consistency.”The CJI assured both the deputy chief ministers, Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar, that he would examine their request to make the HC Kolhapur circuit bench a “permanent bench.” The CJI said, “I can assure you from my side, I will examine the issue and will take up with the quarters concerned and from the Supreme Court, there shall be a consistent support to their cause.”The SC Judge Dipankar Datta raised a plea for HC judges to make fuel allotment from 200 litres per month to 2,400 litre per year to ensure the unused quota is not wasted. The CJI said he would try to resolve “the seemingly anomalous situation” soon.Bombay HC CJ Shree Chandrashekhar spoke of the CJI’s middle-class upbringing that valued “hard work, honesty, discipline and friendship”, and taught resilience and purpose. Unlike many, the CJI continued his learning after he became a HC Judge by doing his masters in law from Kurukshetra University.Shinde said Haryana, the CJI’s hometown, and Maharashtra were both lands of the valiant warriors. He spoke of various landmark decisions of CJI Kant, including the one in the “India’s Got Latent” case, where Shinde said Justice Kant had underscored that the fundamental right to free speech is not served on a platter but must be exercised with caution, and the “right to dignity is greater than the right to free speech”. Shinde also said the need to strike a balance between development and environment is key and said the new Bombay high court building would be “iconic.” The conviction rate in the state is now 35% and we will raise it to 60% soon.Earlier, at the Nariman memorial, the CJI praised the late jurist for his integrity when he resigned as Additional Solicitor General during the Emergency. He also said Nariman understood early on that the Indian Constitution is a living charter to be “courageously invoked against the currents of power”.The CJI said the HC, through Article 226—its “extraordinary jurisdiction”—is the true “First Constitutional Court” for the citizen, whose reach is confined not only to fundamental rights violations but also to “any legal injury, the enforcement of statutory duties, and the containment of administrative caprice”.“This ‘extraordinary jurisdiction’ is precisely what makes the High Court the Sentinel on Qui Vive,” said the CJI, adding, “When the law is silent, the Sentinel does not remain mute.”The HC is the “Court that hears the first cry of the disenfranchised. Whether it is an illegal detention, the right to lead a dignified life, or a mandate to the administration, Article 226 ensures that the majesty of law is never more than a few miles away from the common man. It is this decentralised strength that maintains the federal balance of our Republic, proving that while the Supreme Court may have the final word, the High Court often has the most vital one,” CJI Kant said.CJI Kant said, “Perhaps the most critical, yet overlooked, facet of access provided by Article 226 is the power of Interim Relief. For a small farmer whose land is being seized or a student wrongly denied admission, justice delayed is not just justice denied; it is justice destroyed. The High Court’s ability to stay an executive action at the very first hearing is often the only real ‘access’ the citizen ever experiences. It is the hallmark of the Court’s protective jurisdiction to intervene at the threshold, ensuring that the status quo is preserved so that justice is not defeated by the fait accompli of administrative haste.”The CJI added “In this sense, the high court fulfils the preambular promise of ‘social, economic, and political justice’. It ensures that the law is not a static monolith, but a dynamic force that bends towards the needs of the people it serves. As we look at the evolution of this provision, we see that it has transformed the high court from a mere forum for dispute resolution into a Guardian of the Constitutional Conscience.“The CJI said, “friends, if Article 226 is the armour of the citizen, then ‘Access to Justice’ is the promise that this armour is available to all, not just the privileged or luxurious few. In our constitutional scheme, access is not merely the physical ability to enter a courtroom; it is the substantive assurance that when you do, the law will speak to your grievance with empathy and effectiveness.” “High Courts, by their very design, are the primary architects of this democratisation. While the Supreme Court remains the final citadel, its geographical and procedural distance can often make it an intimidating sanctuary for the common man. It is here that the High Courts perform their most transformative role: bridging the chasm between the letter of the law and the life of the citizen,” he added and further said, “One of the most profound ways Article 226 has enhanced access is through the radical relaxation of Locus Standi. We moved from a traditional, restrictive view of ‘aggrieved parties’ to the expansive concept of Public Interest Litigation (PIL). As was eloquently highlighted, this was not just a procedural shift; it was a moral one. It allowed public-spirited individuals and organisations to knock on the doors of the High Court on behalf of those whose voices are muffled by poverty, illiteracy, or social marginalisation.” “Furthermore, the High Courts have utilized Article 226 to fill what we call the ‘Legislative Vacuum’… We have seen High Courts issue temporary directions to protect the environment, ensure the dignity of prisoners, and secure the rights of migrant workers during national crises. This is the Principle of Gap-Filling: the idea that the Court’s writ must run wherever there is a void in justice.”

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MS Dhoni of Chennai Super Kings (Photo by Prakash Singh/Getty Images)

MS Dhoni may have stepped away from international cricket five years ago, but the questions around his future refuse to fade. The Chennai Super Kings icon, now 44, is preparing for what will be the 19th season of the Indian Premier League, having already begun training in Ranchi nearly two months before the expected start of IPL 2026. Dhoni has featured in six IPL seasons since his last appearance for India in 2019, and with CSK bringing in several big names, including India wicketkeeper Sanju Samson, speculation has grown that the veteran could transition into a non-playing role. Former teammate R Ashwin, however, does not see that happening.

Ashwin, who retired from IPL cricket in August 2025 after his final season with CSK, believes Dhoni could even take on a radically different batting role this year. Speaking on his YouTube channel, the off-spinner suggested that Dhoni may look to impact games early rather than finishing them late. “Dhoni looks set to play as he has already started practising. He’s looking fit. Some said he may not play in the 11, or this might be his last season. But it looks like he got motivated seeing Imran Tahir. Looking at him, it doesn’t look like he’ll bat at No.9. He looks like he’ll come out to bat at No.3 in the Powerplay and be the enforcer, the way he has begun practice,” Ashwin said. CSK endured a difficult campaign last season, finishing bottom of the table, while Dhoni himself managed 196 runs at a strike rate of 135.17 across 14 matches. Despite that, Ashwin feels the franchise has put together a formidable squad ahead of the new season. “They’ve scouted very well and boast a powerhouse of a batting lineup. Ruturaj Gaikwad, Sanju Samson, Ayush Mhatre, Dewald Brevis, Shivam Dube, Karthik Sharma, and Prashant Veer is a batting lineup, barring the inexperience in the last two, you ask how are teams going to stop this batting lineup? Even a 200 to 200 becomes really difficult for teams to stop CSK to,” Ashwin added. He also highlighted the depth and versatility within the squad, pointing to overseas reinforcements and young Indian talent as key strengths. “Even Jamie Overton is going great guns. Only the combination CSK decides to go with is to be seen. Ayush Mhatre, irrespective of what happens in the U-19 World Cup, will deliver in the IPL. CSK’s batting is a tough one to stop. If they get the combination and momentum right, that is a batting lineup that’s really going to make work very difficult for bowlers around the tournament.” With Dhoni already back in training and Ashwin hinting at an aggressive new role, the CSK captain’s future once again promises intrigue as another IPL season approaches.