News18 Afternoon Digest: Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar Dies In Plane Crash & Other Top Stories

Last Updated:January 28, 2026, 13:33 IST

We are also covering: SC Agrees To Hear Plea Against UGC Equity Rules Over Caste Discrimination Definition

Ajit Pawar died in a plane crash on Wednesday. (File photo)

In today’s afternoon digest, News18 brings you the latest updates on Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar’s death in a plane crash, SC agreeing to hear a plea against UGC equity rules and other top stories.

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar Dies In Plane Crash In Baramati

Ajit Pawar, Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister and senior NCP leader, died on Wednesday after the aircraft he was travelling in crashed while attempting to land in Baramati, according to information cited by sources and aviation officials. Read more

SC Agrees To Hear Plea Against UGC Equity Rules Over Caste Discrimination Definition

The Supreme Court on Wednesday agreed to list for hearing a petition challenging the recently notified University Grants Commission (UGC) regulations, with the plea alleging that the rules adopt a non-inclusive definition of caste-based discrimination and exclude certain categories from institutional protection. Read more

Dense Fog, Hilly Terrain: What May Have Caused Ajit Pawar’s Plane Crash In Baramati

NCP chief and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar was killed in an aircraft crash near Baramati, with preliminary inputs pointing to poor weather conditions as a key factor. Read more

‘My Partner Is Half Indian, Son Named After…’: Musk After Khosla Accuses Him Of Promoting ‘WAGA’

Elon Musk has reacted sharply after Indian-origin investor and entrepreneur Vinod Khosla accused him of promoting what he described as “WAGA" — or “White America Great Again", calling him a “pompous a**hole" and “full retard." Read more

‘Pakistan Will Not Play Against India If…’: Naqvi’s PCB Keeps Forfeit Option Open | Report

Pakistan are yet to clear their stance on their T20 World Cup participation. After Scotland replaced Bangladesh in Group C, PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi met the country’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and is likely to announce their final decision later this week. However, it has been learned that they have kept the option of boycotting the tournament open, weighing ‘the political, legal and financial ramifications of a potential forfeiture’. Read more

Arijit Singh’s ‘Retirement’ Is Only For A Year, Singer Will Direct A Film Soon: Report

The entire entertainment industry was left shocked as acclaimed singer and composer Arijit Singh announced his retirement from playback singing on Tuesday. In a shocking turn of events, he took to his social media and announced that he will not be taking any more new playback singing assignments. However, new reports about his future projects have already started emerging. Read more

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