Momentum in India: Key Developments Shaping Politics and Policy

The latest developments in India include the killing of top Maoist Madvi Hidma in Andhra, a Supreme Court ruling allowing post-facto environmental clearances, and political movements with Bihar's Nitish Kumar set for a leadership election. Meanwhile, Central advisories focus on television content, and new e-passport systems are introduced.

In a significant encounter in Andhra Pradesh, security forces eliminated six Maoists, including top commander Madvi Hidma and his wife, marking what authorities describe as a decisive blow to insurgency in the region.

The Supreme Court has reversed a previous decision, now allowing projects in violation of environmental norms to obtain retrospective green clearances, provided they face heavy penalties. The ruling aims at avoiding massive financial losses.

Nitish Kumar is poised to be re-elected as Bihar's Chief Minister under the NDA flag, as the state's political landscape gears up for the swearing-in of a new government. Concurrently, advances in e-passport technologies and advisories against certain TV content pepper the national agenda.

(With inputs from agencies.)