The Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (I.N.D.I.A) is experiencing internal tensions over the appointment of Nitish Kumar as the convenor. Despite initial reports of a virtual meeting to elect Kumar, the meeting did not occur, fueling speculation of discord within the 28-party bloc. Kumar, who recently removed Lalan Singh as the national president of Janata Dal (United), is reportedly unhappy with his current role and seeks a more significant responsibility. While Rahul Gandhi is open to Kumar's appointment, other Congress leaders are wary of his intentions. The delay in appointing a convenor is affecting seat-sharing negotiations for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, with Kumar aiming to secure the largest number of seats for JDU in Bihar.

The Supreme Court of India's Constitution Bench issued two landmark judgments concerning governance in Maharashtra and the National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi. In Maharashtra, the court ruled the appointment of Bharat Gogawale as Shiv Sena whip by the then speaker was illegal and criticized Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari's decision to call for a floor test without objective material. Eknath Shinde remains the Chief Minister as the court cannot restore the MVA government led by Udhav Thackeray. In Delhi, the court affirmed that the elected government controls 'services' excluding public order, police, and land, which are under the central government's authority through the Lieutenant Governor. The judgments are seen as significant for the principles of democratic governance and accountability.

The BJP is implementing a credit point system for its youth leaders and social media influencers based on their performance in tasks such as adding new members. This system, part of a strategy led by Anurag Singh Thakur, aims to assess leaders for potential larger roles and prepare for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. The 'Mera Yuva Bharat' platform, launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is central to this strategy, focusing on youth leadership development. Suggestions from a recent meeting include using social media and physical outreach to connect youths to the platform, with the dual purpose of understanding youth aspirations for future electoral policies.

The Congress party plans to appeal to the Supreme Court after a Surat court upheld the conviction of Rahul Gandhi in a criminal defamation case concerning his 'Modi surname' remark. Congress spokesperson Abhishek Manu Singhvi criticized the judgment as legally unsound and expressed confidence that higher courts would correct the errors. The sessions court has scheduled a hearing for Rahul Gandhi's appeal on May 20. Singhvi accused the BJP of political animosity and misrepresenting statements to the OBC community.

The Common University Entrance Test (CUET) has seen a 169% increase in participating universities and a 41% rise in student applicants for the undergraduate courses examinations scheduled for May. The University Grants Commission's decision to extend preparation time has been cited as a reason for the positive response. UGC Chairman Mamidala Jagadesh Kumar highlighted the growth in student registrations from 12.50 lakh in 2022 to 16.85 lakh in 2023, with a notable increase in female and ST category students. The top three states with the highest number of applicants are Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, and Bihar, with significant increases also seen in Jammu and Kashmir and the north-eastern region. Internationally, students from 74 countries are expected to participate in CUET-UG 2023.

Abhishek Banerjee, the general secretary of the All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) and MP from Diamond Harbour, has taken a central role in selecting candidates for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, marking a shift from his previous advisory role to his aunt, Mamata Banerjee. Despite internal party reservations, he has chosen younger candidates like Debangshu Bhattacharya and Sayoni Ghosh, as well as 'outsiders' like cricketers Yusuf Pathan and Kirti Azad. This move is seen as an attempt to assert his authority and establish his own leadership within the party, sidelining older members. The article also suggests that Abhishek may adopt a more accommodating strategy towards the central government for the state's development.

The journalist, based in New Delhi, has over a decade of experience in hardcore reporting. Throughout their career, they have worked in various locations including Doha, Madhya Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh. The journalist specializes in reporting on issues of corruption, security, and politics. Their current position involves covering national stories from New Delhi.

The Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) has been criticized by the Parliamentary Committee on Defence for delays and improper planning in executing sensitive projects. The committee's 38th report highlighted that two-thirds of DRDO's projects were delayed, with some exceeding their original timelines by over 100%. Additionally, the committee noted wasteful expenditure in the development of missiles for the Arjun MK-2 battle tank, which was eventually abandoned. The committee recommended robust planning, execution, and monitoring mechanisms to prevent future wasteful expenditures.