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Thursday, January 8, 2026
TopicABPS

Topic: ABPS

Don’t make Aadhaar-based payments mandatory for NREGA till mechanism is foolproof: House panel

The system, first introduced in 2017, was finally made mandatory in January. But a panel report tabled Thursday, says all ‘major bottlenecks’ should be resolved first.

Centre makes Aadhaar-linked pay mandatory for MGNREGS workers, over 1.78 cr ineligible to seek work

Refusing to extend implementation deadline for 5th time, govt says exemption will be given in case of technical snag or Aadhaar-related issue. Congress calls decision 'cruel, anti-poor'.

Modi govt makes Aadhaar-based payments mandatory for NREGA workers from 1 Sept, ‘illegal’ say activists 

Rural Development ministry decided against extending deadline for 3rd time. With 19% workers still to be linked, activists fear the move may result in deletion of job cards.

On Camera

Budget 2026 must signal rail reform. End cross-subsidies, privatise operations & services

Rail reform must be politically and socially sustainable. Infrastructure ownership should remain sovereign, while privatisation should be limited to new services and assets.

2025 marked key point in India’s power sector: Clean energy surge pushed coal power into rare decline

Coal-based power generation fell 3% in 2025 while renewable capacity surged to 40% of India’s installed power mix, according to India Power Sector Review 2025 by CREA.

Bangladesh-Pakistan look to expand ties to defence procurement as Dhaka shows ‘interest’ in JF-17s

Pakistan military said it has assured Bangladesh of fast-tracked delivery of Super Mushshak trainer aircraft during high level defence meet held Tuesday.

A year-end Mea Culpa in National Interest—The Army-Islam combo doesn’t kill democracy

Many of you might think I got something so wrong in National Interest pieces written this year. I might disagree! But some deserve a Mea Culpa. I’d deal with the most recent this week.