Speculation is mounting that Punjab's assembly elections, currently scheduled for February 2027, may be moved up to November 2026. This potential shift is reportedly driven by the upcoming Kumbh Mela and the second phase of the national census, which could impact the original timeline. Both the ruling AAP and the Congress party are reportedly preparing for an earlier election.
Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami promised the "strictest possible action" after a fatal clash in Dehradun. A dispute over water for fields led to violence, leaving one dead and three injured. The residence of an accused was demolished.
The Uttarakhand High Court has ordered the state government not to deport a Pakistani Sikh family residing in Dehradun on a long-term visa, unless they pose a threat to national security. The court is hearing a petition challenging a government directive for the family to leave the country within 24 hours.
Over 1,700 villages in Uttarakhand are uninhabited, with many more having few elderly residents. Factors like climate change, shrinking livelihoods, poor infrastructure, and lack of opportunities are driving migration, transforming the state into 'ghost villages'.
Deepak Bhatt of Uttarakhand won the men's 10,000m race at the National Senior Athletics Federation Competition, clocking a personal best. Shivaji Parashuram, who initially finished second, was disqualified for stepping outside the track limits. Several athletes struggled with heat and humidity.
Uttarakhand HC questions if the 1950 India-Nepal treaty grants Nepalis unrestricted settlement/property rights in India. Court seeks details on reciprocal privileges for Indians in Nepal, citing a PIL alleging illegal occupation of land and procurement of Indian IDs by Nepali families.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has approved Rs 1,252 crore for Kumbh Mela 2027 preparations, focusing on infrastructure, disaster management, and water supply. Additional funds include Rs 115 crore for Triveni Ghat redevelopment in Rishikesh and Rs 69.06 crore for Har Ki Pauri development in Haridwar. The state is also prepared for the Adi Kailash Yatra, expecting increased pilgrim numbers following the Prime Minister's 2023 visit.
India's Ministry of External Affairs announces the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra for June-August 2026, the second successive year since China reopened it following troop disengagement in eastern Ladakh. Twenty batches of 50 yatris each will travel through two routes: Uttarakhand via Lipulekh Pass and Sikkim via Nathu La, with selection through a computer-generated, gender-balanced process.
A destination wedding held at a riverside cremation site in Uttarakhand's Almora district has prompted administrative action. The ceremony took place at the confluence of Ramganga and Badangad rivers near Jim Corbett National Park on April 25, with at least 50 attendees. The couple from Ghaziabad used the traditionally sacred ghat, typically used for last rites, for wedding rituals including garland exchange. Social media backlash followed, with locals and activists calling it disrespectful. The administration has issued a notice to the resort and initiated an inquiry, with officials noting prior approval was not obtained and safety concerns exist due to crocodiles in the area.
The forest department in Uttarakhand registered a case against a temple committee for holding a wedding inside the core zone of Rajaji Tiger Reserve without permission. Materials including a pandal, stage, coolers and generators were taken into the ecologically sensitive area. The wedding of cabinet minister Khajan Das's son was conducted at Sureshwari Devi temple. The minister claimed he was not informed formal permission was required.
A 5.2 magnitude earthquake struck Kamjong district in Manipur on April 21, 2026 at 5:59 am, with tremors felt across the region at a depth of 62 km. The National Center for Seismology reported the quake's epicenter at latitude 24.703°N and longitude 94.415°E. No loss of life or major damage has been reported. Meanwhile, Uttarakhand experienced a 3.0 magnitude earthquake in Pauri Garhwal on April 20, 2026.
