NEW DELHI: Nearly two years after the NEET-UG 2024 paper leak controversy and following the unprecedented cancellation of NEET-UG 2026, central govt is examining a hybrid examination model under which question papers could be digitally transmitted to centres and printed locally under secure conditions. Officials said this is being considered a safer alternative because conducting…
NEW DELHI: PM Narendra Modi travelled in a drastically trimmed-down convoy on Wednesday while many of his ministerial colleagues, including home minister Amit Shah and defence minister Rajnath Singh, downsized their carcade by more than half, with fleets of vehicles accompanying VIPs cut down as govt sent out the message that it is willing to…
NEW DELHI: External affairs minister S Jaishankar underlined the significance of India’s ties with Russia in a meeting with counterpart Sergey Lavrov, saying political cooperation between the two countries was even more valuable in an uncertain and volatile global environment. Jaishankar told Lavrov the complicated international situation merited an open exch-ange of views, especially between…
NEW DELHI: Supreme Court on Wednesday made it mandatory for all public service vehicles (buses, taxis and tourist coaches) to install Vehicle Location Tracking Devices (VLTDs) and alarm buttons, report Amit Anand Choudhary & Dipak Dash. A bench of Justices J B Pardiwala and K V Viswanathan directed states and UTs to ensure the vehicles…
NEW DELHI: At least 33 people were killed across five districts of Uttar Pradesh on Wednesday after a powerful storm accompanied by heavy rain caused widespread destruction, officials told news agency PTI.Taking stock of the damage, Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath ordered immediate relief measures and compensation for affected families. He directed district authorities…
NEW DELHI: Dealing with the sensitive issue of ‘faith vs fundamental rights’ emanating from quashing of a Sabarimala Ayyappa temple custom barring the entry of women in the 10-50 age group, a nine-judge SC bench on Wednesday said it would not revisit SC’s three-decade-old ruling of “Hinduism is a way of life”.As counsel after counsel…
NEW DELHI: In what marks a significant milestone in India’s efforts to bring back stolen cultural treasures, two historic Indian Bronzes originally from Tamil Nadu temples – 12th century Somaskanda (Shiva and Uma) from the Chola period and 16th century sculpture of Saint Sundarar and Paravai – were repatriated to India on Tuesday night from…
NEW DELHI: Another India-bound LPG tanker crossed the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday evening, taking the total number to 12 while one more was crossing the conflict-hit strait, officials said.The ship that has crossed the Strait has been identified as Symi, a Marshall Islands-flagged vessel, carrying LPG. This is the 11th LPG tanker to transit…
Nashik: Bird flu infections continue to spread in Navapur, with samples from two more poultry farms testing positive, prompting authorities to initiate fresh culling operations and expand surveillance beyond previously identified epicentres.Dr Sanjay Khachane, the district deputy commissioner of the animal husbandry department, said the latest detections indicate the infection has spread outside earlier containment…
NEW DELHI: Pushing back against the claims of delay on the part of Congress in selecting Kerala CM, AICC manager Ajay Maken said Congress has taken an average of five days in selecting its 22 CMs since 2000, against BJP’s average of 7.2 days to select its 30 CMs.Amid intense headlines over the issue, Maken…