India's national elections will be held in seven phases from April 11.
The country's election commission announced the schedule of voting on Sunday.
It said counting will be completed and final results announced on May 23.
Some 900 million voters are eligible to vote for a new government for the next five years.
The gigantic voting exercise will see Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking another term in office and the opposition attempting to join forces to put up a fight.
Kenya's military chief among 10 killed in helicopter crash
Kenya's military chief, General Francis Ogolla, was among 10 people killed when their military helicopter crashed shortly after take-off on Thursday.
Security Council to vote on Palestinian UN membership
The UN Security Council is due to vote on Thursday on a Palestinian bid for full UN membership.
Toll from Russia's deadliest airstrike on Ukraine in weeks rises to 18
The death toll from a Russian airstrike on Chernihiv in northern Ukraine has risen to 18, officials said on Thursday, while another 78 were wounded when three missiles slammed into the city centre.
UNRWA chief warns man-made famine tightening grip across Gaza
A man-made famine is "tightening its grip" across the Gaza Strip, the head of the United Nations Palestinian refugee agency UNRWA warned on Wednesday as he accused Israel of blocking aid deliveries and seeking to end UNRWA's activities in the enclave.
Dubai International Airport (DXB) will resume normal operations within 24 hours, signifying a return to its full capacity and regular schedule.
Heads of Dubai Government entities have been instructed to develop a proactive plan to further enhance the emirate's preparedness for dealing with unexpected weather conditions.
President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on Thursday received Romanian Prime Minister Ion-Marcel Ciolacu, who is on a working visit to the UAE.
