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New Delhi, Oct 6 : The Union Cabinet on Tuesday passed a resolution congratulating Prime Minister Narendra Modi on completing 25 years of uninterrupted leadership as head of government, describing his journey from Gujarat Chief Minister to Prime Minister as a period marked by governance reforms, welfare expansion, economic transformation, national security initiatives and India's growing global stature. The resolution, adopted at a Cabinet meeting, termed his leadership a reflection of the principles of "Nation First" and "Citizen First". It noted that three successive mandates in Gujarat and victories in three consecutive Lok Sabha elections underscored the public's continued trust in his leadership. Governance and welfare The Cabinet highlighted the evolution of governance initiatives from Gujarat to the national level. Programmes such as SWAGAT, which enabled direct grievance redressal in Gujarat, later inspired PRAGATI, a platform for monitoring and expediting projects across the country. The resolution also cited major welfare schemes aimed at improving the lives of vulnerable sections. It pointed to achievements including nearly 60 crore Jan Dhan accounts, more than four crore houses for beneficiaries and efforts that helped over 25 crore people move out of poverty. Women's empowerment, youth opportunities and support for tribal communities were listed among key priorities during the period. Programmes such as Lakhpati Didi, PM-KISAN and PM-JANMAN were highlighted as examples of inclusive development. Reform and self-reliance The Cabinet credited PM Modi's leadership with driving structural reforms, including the implementation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST), reforms in welfare delivery mechanisms and the replacement of colonial-era laws. It also highlighted the government's push towards self-reliance through increased public capital expenditure, expansion of transport infrastructure, growth in electronics manufacturing, defence production and the promotion of semiconductor manufacturing. According to the resolution, India's digital transformation, powered by Jan Dhan, Aadhaar, mobile connectivity and the Unified Payments Interface (UPI), has improved service delivery while positioning the country as a leader in digital innovation. National security and global profile The Cabinet noted that the government's response during challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated its ability to combine crisis management with long-term institution building. Indigenous vaccine development and mass vaccination efforts were highlighted among major achievements. On national security, the resolution referred to the 2016 surgical strikes, the 2019 Balakot air strikes, Operation Sindoor, the abrogation of Article 370, implementation of One Rank One Pension and the creation of the Chief of Defence Staff post. Also Read: PM Modi at BRICS Summit Warns Against Weaponising Technology and Critical Minerals It also highlighted India's growing diplomatic influence through initiatives such as G20 leadership, engagement with the Global South, BRICS cooperation and Vaccine Maitri. The resolution concluded by reaffirming support for the Prime Minister's vision of building a developed, self-reliant and prosperous India by 2047 while balancing development, cultural heritage and environmental sustainability.

New Delhi, Oct 6: The 2026 Nobel Prize in Physics has been awarded to Belgian-American physicist Francis Halzen for his decisive contributions to the IceCube Neutrino Observatory and the discovery of high-energy neutrinos originating from distant astrophysical sources, officials said on Tuesday. The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences recognised his groundbreaking work that has opened an entirely new way of exploring the universe. BREAKING NEWS The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences has decided to award the 2026 #NobelPrize in Physics to Francis Halzen “for decisive contributions to the IceCube Neutrino Observatory and the discovery of high-energy neutrinos of astrophysical origin.” https://t.co/UcPBWk0RiK — The Nobel Prize (@NobelPrize) October 6, 2026 Halzen's research has transformed the field of astronomy by enabling scientists to study the cosmos through neutrinos, elusive subatomic particles that can travel immense distances without being significantly altered by matter or magnetic fields. These particles carry unique information about some of the universe's most energetic and mysterious phenomena. IceCube beneath Antarctic ice At the heart of the achievement is the IceCube Neutrino Observatory, an enormous detector embedded deep within the Antarctic ice at the South Pole. Covering roughly one cubic kilometre, the facility contains thousands of sensitive optical sensors designed to detect tiny flashes of light produced when neutrinos interact with particles in the ice. Recognising the scientific potential of the vast Antarctic ice sheet, Halzen played a pivotal role in developing the observatory and advancing its scientific mission. His vision transformed the frozen landscape into one of the world's most sophisticated instruments for studying the universe. Unlocking cosmic mysteries Neutrinos are exceptionally difficult to detect because they carry no electric charge and interact only weakly with matter. Trillions pass through Earth, and even through the human body, every second without leaving a trace. However, a small fraction originates from extremely energetic cosmic events, making them valuable messengers from distant regions of space. Also Read: 2026 Nobel Prize in Medicine Honours Optogenetics Pioneers Karl Deisseroth, Peter Hegemann, Georg Nagel The IceCube Observatory's detection of high-energy astrophysical neutrinos provided the first compelling evidence that these particles could be used to trace powerful cosmic sources. The discovery has established neutrino astronomy as a major branch of modern astrophysics, complementing traditional observations based on light and electromagnetic radiation. The Nobel Committee said Halzen's work has fundamentally broadened humanity's ability to investigate the universe, offering scientists a powerful new tool to probe some of its deepest mysteries.