August 21, 2026

July 2026

Priyanka’s ‘gaumutra expert’ remark stirs row, over 200 academicians slam LS MP

Priyanka’s ‘gaumutra expert’ remark stirs row, over 200 academicians slam LS MP

Vamsikrishna03 mins mins

Nearly 200 academicians wrote to Priyanka over controversial remarks targeting IIT director NEW DELHI: More than 200 academicians have written an open letter to Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, objecting to her remarks about IIT Madras director V Kamakoti during the Lok Sabha debate on the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026.The…

Read More
Titan experiences clouds, rain, rivers and changing seasons like Earth; Saturn’s 29-year journey around the Sun makes each season last more than seven Earth years

Titan experiences clouds, rain, rivers and changing seasons like Earth; Saturn’s 29-year journey around the Sun makes each season last more than seven Earth years

Vamsikrishna05 mins mins

Titan has four seasons much like Earth’s, but there is one very strange catch to them A single winter on Saturn’s largest moon lasts long enough for a newborn on Earth to grow into an eight-year-old child.Titan, the second-largest moon in the solar system, has active weather with clouds, rain, rivers, and changing seasons that…

Read More
Quote of the day by Bhagat Singh “Study so that you are able to meet the arguments of your opponents.” — Bhagat SingEvery disagreement presents a choice. One person raises their voice, while another repeats familiar slogans. A third begins asking questions, searching for evidence and trying to understand where the other side is coming from before responding. Bhagat Singh’s advice belongs firmly in the third tradition. He treats study as preparation for conversation rather than examination, and knowledge as something that sharpens judgement instead of feeding pride. His words suggest that the strength of an argument depends less on confidence than on how carefully it has been built.Bhagat Singh wrote constantly throughout his short life. While imprisoned, he read history, economics, political philosophy, literature and revolutionary thought with remarkable discipline, filling notebooks with quotations and reflections from writers across the world. His reading shaped his politics, though it also shaped the way he argued. He believed conviction carried greater weight when it rested on careful thought instead of emotion alone. That is why this line continues to resonate. It speaks to anyone who hopes to persuade rather than simply win.Reading broadens the argument before it strengthens itPeople usually begin with opinions. Study asks them to examine where those opinions come from. A reader who spends time with different authors soon discovers that intelligent people have disagreed about almost every important question in history. Freedom, justice, religion, economics and education have all been debated across generations, often by thinkers who arrived at very different conclusions while drawing on equally serious scholarship.That process does something valuable. It slows certainty. Someone who has read widely becomes more careful with conclusions because they understand how many perspectives exist beyond their own experience. A lawyer prepares by studying both sides of a case. A scientist examines competing explanations before accepting one. A historian compares sources instead of relying on a single account. Strong arguments grow from that habit of testing ideas before defending them.Bhagat Singh encouraged the same discipline. He wanted young people to read because reading develops the habit of thinking independently. A belief borrowed from someone else can be repeated. A belief reached through study can be explained, defended and refined.Knowledge changes the quality of disagreementModern life makes it easy to respond immediately. Social media rewards quick reactions, television debates often value interruption over discussion and public conversations frequently become contests of personality rather than ideas. In that environment, Bhagat Singh’s advice feels remarkably current.Knowledge does not eliminate disagreement. It changes the way disagreement is handled. A person who understands the history behind an issue is less likely to reduce it to slogans. Someone familiar with evidence can separate facts from assumptions. Even when no agreement is reached, the conversation becomes more useful because each side has something substantial to contribute.Many of history’s greatest debates produced progress because participants challenged one another with ideas rather than insults. Scientific discoveries emerged through criticism. Constitutional democracies developed through public debate. Universities exist because questioning accepted wisdom has always been considered an essential part of learning. Those traditions survive only when people value understanding as much as persuasion.Why the quote still mattersEducation is often treated as a path towards employment, and it certainly serves that purpose. Bhagat Singh points to another purpose that receives far less attention. Reading equips people to think clearly when confronted with difficult questions. It teaches them to recognise weak reasoning, appreciate strong evidence and remain open to learning even while defending deeply held beliefs.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesThat lesson extends far beyond politics. Families resolve differences through conversation. Workplaces depend on people exchanging ideas without resentment. Democracies function because citizens weigh competing arguments before making choices. In each of those settings, knowledge becomes more than personal achievement. It becomes a public responsibility.Bhagat Singh’s words endure because they place faith in the power of ideas. They remind readers that disagreement has never been settled by volume alone. Lasting influence belongs to those who understand an issue well enough to answer it with reason, evidence and the patience to keep learning.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos₹28.5 Cr Cash Seized In Birbhum: Former Govt Bus Driver Arrested | Tulu Mondal Link Under ProbeMamata Banerjee Urges EC To End TMC Symbol Dispute As Rival Faction Misses Repeated DeadlinesSC Questions Blanket Ban On Pellet Guns, Orders Preservation Of RAF Ammunition LogOver 1 Lakh Schools Across India Have Only One Teacher; Andhra Pradesh Records Highest NumberStudent Allegedly Hacks IIT Kanpur- IIT Madras Websites After Admission RejectionAbhijeet Dipke Says PM Modi Should “Become An Influencer”, Warns Of Fresh Student Protest‘Vasteguna Huiya, Kuchu-Puchu, FOMO’: Viral Gen Z Vocabulary Echoes In ParliamentBihar Man Claims He Was Booked In NEET Leak Protest Viral Video Sparks Questions Over Protest FIRs’Dear Saurav…’ BJP MP Kangana Ranaut Tells CJP’s Saurav Das To ‘Learn Some Skill’ | Watch’Detaining Activists Is Normal’: JP Nadda Defends Police Crackdown On CJP Protesters123Photostories5 things difficult people teach you that kind people never canNTR to Prabhas, Ranbir Kapoor: 10 actors who portrayed Lord Ram on the silver screenWhen every negative pregnancy test hurts a little more: Doctors explain why fertility burnout is becoming the hidden mental health crisis nobody talks aboutWhy every designer suddenly had a ‘story’ and not just a collection at the India Couture Week 2026From ‘Insidious: Out Of The Further’ to ‘Mutiny’: Hollywood releases of August 20265 plants people grow for luck, that have better practical benefits that many probably haven’t heard aboutMyths vs facts: Is shaving facial hair bad for women?5 times Kangana Ranaut made traditional sarees look unapologetically powerful8 Healthy high-protein breakfasts that take 15 minutes or less’Love Island UK’ couples who are still together in love: From Olivia Buckland-Alex Bowen to Jessie Wynter-Will Young123Hot PicksAugust School HolidaysNHL Trade RumorsKerala Engineering rank listBhagat SinghByelection todayFranz KafkaFed meetingKanwar Yatra securityNew anti-paper leak billTop TrendingTamil Nadu Schools New MealMitch JonesNanakdin Bhurji DeathSonam RaghuvanshiNagpur MurderGujarat MurderHardoi Double SuicideMohammad Ali Jauhar University demolitionWeather TomorrowStock Market Up

Quote of the day by Bhagat Singh “Study so that you are able to meet the arguments of your opponents.” — Bhagat SingEvery disagreement presents a choice. One person raises their voice, while another repeats familiar slogans. A third begins asking questions, searching for evidence and trying to understand where the other side is coming from before responding. Bhagat Singh’s advice belongs firmly in the third tradition. He treats study as preparation for conversation rather than examination, and knowledge as something that sharpens judgement instead of feeding pride. His words suggest that the strength of an argument depends less on confidence than on how carefully it has been built.Bhagat Singh wrote constantly throughout his short life. While imprisoned, he read history, economics, political philosophy, literature and revolutionary thought with remarkable discipline, filling notebooks with quotations and reflections from writers across the world. His reading shaped his politics, though it also shaped the way he argued. He believed conviction carried greater weight when it rested on careful thought instead of emotion alone. That is why this line continues to resonate. It speaks to anyone who hopes to persuade rather than simply win.Reading broadens the argument before it strengthens itPeople usually begin with opinions. Study asks them to examine where those opinions come from. A reader who spends time with different authors soon discovers that intelligent people have disagreed about almost every important question in history. Freedom, justice, religion, economics and education have all been debated across generations, often by thinkers who arrived at very different conclusions while drawing on equally serious scholarship.That process does something valuable. It slows certainty. Someone who has read widely becomes more careful with conclusions because they understand how many perspectives exist beyond their own experience. A lawyer prepares by studying both sides of a case. A scientist examines competing explanations before accepting one. A historian compares sources instead of relying on a single account. Strong arguments grow from that habit of testing ideas before defending them.Bhagat Singh encouraged the same discipline. He wanted young people to read because reading develops the habit of thinking independently. A belief borrowed from someone else can be repeated. A belief reached through study can be explained, defended and refined.Knowledge changes the quality of disagreementModern life makes it easy to respond immediately. Social media rewards quick reactions, television debates often value interruption over discussion and public conversations frequently become contests of personality rather than ideas. In that environment, Bhagat Singh’s advice feels remarkably current.Knowledge does not eliminate disagreement. It changes the way disagreement is handled. A person who understands the history behind an issue is less likely to reduce it to slogans. Someone familiar with evidence can separate facts from assumptions. Even when no agreement is reached, the conversation becomes more useful because each side has something substantial to contribute.Many of history’s greatest debates produced progress because participants challenged one another with ideas rather than insults. Scientific discoveries emerged through criticism. Constitutional democracies developed through public debate. Universities exist because questioning accepted wisdom has always been considered an essential part of learning. Those traditions survive only when people value understanding as much as persuasion.Why the quote still mattersEducation is often treated as a path towards employment, and it certainly serves that purpose. Bhagat Singh points to another purpose that receives far less attention. Reading equips people to think clearly when confronted with difficult questions. It teaches them to recognise weak reasoning, appreciate strong evidence and remain open to learning even while defending deeply held beliefs.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesThat lesson extends far beyond politics. Families resolve differences through conversation. Workplaces depend on people exchanging ideas without resentment. Democracies function because citizens weigh competing arguments before making choices. In each of those settings, knowledge becomes more than personal achievement. It becomes a public responsibility.Bhagat Singh’s words endure because they place faith in the power of ideas. They remind readers that disagreement has never been settled by volume alone. Lasting influence belongs to those who understand an issue well enough to answer it with reason, evidence and the patience to keep learning.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos₹28.5 Cr Cash Seized In Birbhum: Former Govt Bus Driver Arrested | Tulu Mondal Link Under ProbeMamata Banerjee Urges EC To End TMC Symbol Dispute As Rival Faction Misses Repeated DeadlinesSC Questions Blanket Ban On Pellet Guns, Orders Preservation Of RAF Ammunition LogOver 1 Lakh Schools Across India Have Only One Teacher; Andhra Pradesh Records Highest NumberStudent Allegedly Hacks IIT Kanpur- IIT Madras Websites After Admission RejectionAbhijeet Dipke Says PM Modi Should “Become An Influencer”, Warns Of Fresh Student Protest‘Vasteguna Huiya, Kuchu-Puchu, FOMO’: Viral Gen Z Vocabulary Echoes In ParliamentBihar Man Claims He Was Booked In NEET Leak Protest Viral Video Sparks Questions Over Protest FIRs’Dear Saurav…’ BJP MP Kangana Ranaut Tells CJP’s Saurav Das To ‘Learn Some Skill’ | Watch’Detaining Activists Is Normal’: JP Nadda Defends Police Crackdown On CJP Protesters123Photostories5 things difficult people teach you that kind people never canNTR to Prabhas, Ranbir Kapoor: 10 actors who portrayed Lord Ram on the silver screenWhen every negative pregnancy test hurts a little more: Doctors explain why fertility burnout is becoming the hidden mental health crisis nobody talks aboutWhy every designer suddenly had a ‘story’ and not just a collection at the India Couture Week 2026From ‘Insidious: Out Of The Further’ to ‘Mutiny’: Hollywood releases of August 20265 plants people grow for luck, that have better practical benefits that many probably haven’t heard aboutMyths vs facts: Is shaving facial hair bad for women?5 times Kangana Ranaut made traditional sarees look unapologetically powerful8 Healthy high-protein breakfasts that take 15 minutes or less’Love Island UK’ couples who are still together in love: From Olivia Buckland-Alex Bowen to Jessie Wynter-Will Young123Hot PicksAugust School HolidaysNHL Trade RumorsKerala Engineering rank listBhagat SinghByelection todayFranz KafkaFed meetingKanwar Yatra securityNew anti-paper leak billTop TrendingTamil Nadu Schools New MealMitch JonesNanakdin Bhurji DeathSonam RaghuvanshiNagpur MurderGujarat MurderHardoi Double SuicideMohammad Ali Jauhar University demolitionWeather TomorrowStock Market Up

Vamsikrishna04 mins mins

Quote of the day by Bhagat Singh “Study so that you are able to meet the arguments of your opponents.” — Bhagat SingEvery disagreement presents a choice. One person raises their voice, while another repeats familiar slogans. A third begins asking questions, searching for evidence and trying to understand where the other side is coming…

Read More
From IIT Bombay to ‘Ramayana’: Inside Nitesh Tiwari’s journey as one of Bollywood’s most acclaimed directors | Hindi Movie News

From IIT Bombay to ‘Ramayana’: Inside Nitesh Tiwari’s journey as one of Bollywood’s most acclaimed directors | Hindi Movie News

Vamsikrishna03 mins mins

From IIT Bombay to ‘Ramayana’: Inside Nitesh Tiwari’s journey as one of Bollywood’s most acclaimed directors The release of the first trailer for ‘Ramayana’ has once again brought filmmaker Nitesh Tiwari into the limelight. The ambitious mythological epic, featuring Ranbir Kapoor, Yash, and Sai Pallavi, marks one of the biggest projects of the director’s career….

Read More
Humans may not be the only primates with geometric intuition as monkeys recognise shapes in remarkably similar ways, study finds

Humans may not be the only primates with geometric intuition as monkeys recognise shapes in remarkably similar ways, study finds

Vamsikrishna03 mins mins

For decades, one idea has shaped discussions about human intelligence: our ability to recognise geometric patterns was thought to set us apart from other primates. People naturally notice features such as symmetry, parallel sides and right angles, and many researchers have argued that this reflects a uniquely human way of thinking.A new study was published…

Read More
Govt summons Meta executives again over temporary restriction of PM Modi’s Facebook post

Govt summons Meta executives again over temporary restriction of PM Modi’s Facebook post

Vamsikrishna02 mins mins

The Centre has summoned senior Meta executives after Facebook briefly restricted Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s post, seeking an explanation and assurances against similar incidents. NEW DELHI: The Centre has summoned senior executives of US technology giant Meta after Facebook briefly restricted Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s video message last week, with the government seeking an explanation…

Read More
Quote of the day by Amal Clooney: “There is lots of my work that takes place behind closed doors that is…” – the hidden truth about dedication and lasting success | World News

Quote of the day by Amal Clooney: “There is lots of my work that takes place behind closed doors that is…” – the hidden truth about dedication and lasting success | World News

Vamsikrishna05 mins mins

Achievements today tend to get measured by whatever ends up visible, a headline, an award, a viral post. Amal Clooney, the international human rights lawyer, pointed at something rather different. “There is lots of my work that takes place behind closed doors that is not ever seen,” she said. Most of what actually goes into…

Read More
Vande Mataram Bill clears Parliament as Kharge, Nadda lock horns in RS – key highlights | India News

Vande Mataram Bill clears Parliament as Kharge, Nadda lock horns in RS – key highlights | India News

Vamsikrishna05 mins mins

Soon after the Bill was passed, sloganeering broke out and the Lok Sabha was adjourned for the day. NEW DELHI: Parliament witnessed another stormy day on Thursday as the government pushed ahead with key legislation while the opposition intensified its attack over the alleged NEET paper leak and police action against protesting students. The Lok…

Read More
Ekta Kapoor leases out her Juhu property in Mumbai for a monthly rent of Rs 1.5 lakh, after selling off their worli apartment for Rs 12.25 crore last year

Ekta Kapoor leases out her Juhu property in Mumbai for a monthly rent of Rs 1.5 lakh, after selling off their worli apartment for Rs 12.25 crore last year

Vamsikrishna03 mins mins

Producer Ekta Ravi Kapoor has leased out a floor in her Juhu property in Mumbai for a monthly rent of Rs 1.5 lakh. The rented unit is situated in Ekta House, a four-storey building in Juhu. As per the registered documents, the leased floor also includes one dedicated car parking space.The leave and licence agreement…

Read More
Pacifier Benefits And Risks In Babies: Should you give your baby a pacifier? What science says about the benefits, hidden risks of using them and what parents need to know

Pacifier Benefits And Risks In Babies: Should you give your baby a pacifier? What science says about the benefits, hidden risks of using them and what parents need to know

Vamsikrishna05 mins mins

With so many opinions online, it is easy for parents to feel confused. One of the first parenting debates often begins long before a baby says their first word. Should you give your baby a pacifier or avoid it altogether? Some parents support it because it calms a crying baby within seconds. Others worry it…

Read More
Quote of the day by Jane Goodall: Why “Even that great scientist Albert Einstein sustained a mystical outlook on life” reminds us that wonder and humility go hand in hand

Quote of the day by Jane Goodall: Why “Even that great scientist Albert Einstein sustained a mystical outlook on life” reminds us that wonder and humility go hand in hand

Vamsikrishna03 mins mins

Science has answered questions that once seemed impossible from explaining how galaxies evolve to revealing the structure of DNA. Yet with every discovery comes the realisation that there is still so much we do not know. Many of history’s greatest scientists believed that knowledge does not take away the mystery of the universe; instead, it…

Read More
Indian-American couple announces graduate fellowship for University of Texas students, says it’s ‘simply an open door’

Indian-American couple announces graduate fellowship for University of Texas students, says it’s ‘simply an open door’

Vamsikrishna03 mins mins

Nishi Bhatia and her husband, Jyoti P. Bhatia, start fellowships for students at the University of Texas. Indian-American philanthropists made headlines this year through their generous contributions, especially to American universities. A few months ago, textile industry executive Anil Kochhar and his wife Marilyn announced they would pay the education loan of the graduating students…

Read More
NEW DELHI: Petrol blended with 20% ethanol (E20) can reduce vehicle fuel efficiency by 2% to 6%, depending on the vehicle category and its age, road transport and highways minister Nitin Gadkari informed Parliament on Thursday, while asserting that extensive testing has found no evidence of engine failures linked to the fuel.In a written reply in the Lok Sabha, Gadkari said studies conducted jointly by the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI), the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) and Indian Oil Corporation Ltd (IOCL) found that although E20 may marginally reduce mileage, it offers improved acceleration, better ride quality and around 30% lower carbon emissions than E10 fuel.”The fuel efficiency of vehicles may be reduced by 2 to 6 per cent depending on the vehicle category and vintage. The tests for engine durability on a dynamometer and vehicle tests on road have not shown any failures due to E20,” Gadkari said.The minister said the study evaluated the impact of E20 on BS-III, BS-IV and BS-VI petrol-powered two-wheelers and four-wheelers using standard certification procedures as well as customised testing protocols developed in consultation with original equipment manufacturers (OEMs).The rollout of E20 petrol, a blend of 80% petrol and 20% ethanol, has faced criticism from opposition parties and consumer groups, which have questioned its compatibility with older vehicles, possible reduction in fuel economy, higher maintenance costs and liability in case of engine or fuel system damage.The government, however, has maintained that the transition has been gradual and backed by scientific validation. Automobile manufacturers have also said they continue to honour warranty claims for vehicles running on E20 fuel.Gadkari said the Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) Programme has been implemented through a phased and consultative process involving NITI Aayog, oil marketing companies, automobile manufacturers, ARAI, SIAM, the Indian Institute of Petroleum (IIP) and other technical institutions.He noted that India’s ethanol blending programme began as a pilot project in 2001, with E5 fuel introduced in 2006. Ethanol blending, which stood at around 1.53% in 2013-14, has since increased steadily after the required production capacity, infrastructure and regulatory framework were put in place.According to Gadkari, E15+ petrol has been in widespread use for more than three-and-a-half years, while E19-E20 fuel has been used for over two-and-a-half years.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesHe said more than 20 crore two-wheelers and over 3 crore petrol cars have been operating on ethanol-blended fuel without any verified evidence of widespread engine failures or breakdowns caused by ethanol blending.”Manufacturer service data confirm that there is no abnormal corrosion, wear or reduction in vehicle life due to E20 fuel,” he said, adding that vehicle manufacturers continue to honour warranty obligations for vehicles using E20, reinforcing confidence in its safety and reliability.The minister’s remarks come a day after he informed the Rajya Sabha that studies found no significant performance or durability issues in vehicles using E20 petrol and that most older vehicles do not require engine modifications to use the fuel. He, however, noted that some BS-III vehicles manufactured before 2016 may require replacement of certain rubber parts and gaskets during routine servicing.BS, or Bharat Stage, refers to India’s vehicle emission standards that prescribe limits for pollutants such as carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen oxides (NOx), hydrocarbons (HC) and particulate matter (PM).Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorAyush PandeyAyush Pandey is a journalist at The Times of India, covering breaking news, politics, defence, and major legal and policy developments across India and the world. His reporting focuses on elections, national security, and institutional affairs, tracking the decisions and conflicts that shape public life. He specialises in sharp explainers and in-depth feature stories that go beyond headlines to decode political shifts, defence strategy, geopolitical flashpoints, and changing public sentiment. His work combines speed, clarity, and depth for a fast-moving digital audience.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos₹28.5 Cr Cash Seized In Birbhum: Former Govt Bus Driver Arrested | Tulu Mondal Link Under ProbeMamata Banerjee Urges EC To End TMC Symbol Dispute As Rival Faction Misses Repeated DeadlinesSC Questions Blanket Ban On Pellet Guns, Orders Preservation Of RAF Ammunition LogOver 1 Lakh Schools Across India Have Only One Teacher; Andhra Pradesh Records Highest NumberStudent Allegedly Hacks IIT Kanpur- IIT Madras Websites After Admission RejectionAbhijeet Dipke Says PM Modi Should “Become An Influencer”, Warns Of Fresh Student Protest‘Vasteguna Huiya, Kuchu-Puchu, FOMO’: Viral Gen Z Vocabulary Echoes In ParliamentBihar Man Claims He Was Booked In NEET Leak Protest Viral Video Sparks Questions Over Protest FIRs’Dear Saurav…’ BJP MP Kangana Ranaut Tells CJP’s Saurav Das To ‘Learn Some Skill’ | Watch’Detaining Activists Is Normal’: JP Nadda Defends Police Crackdown On CJP Protesters123PhotostoriesFrom ‘Insidious: Out Of The Further’ to ‘Mutiny’: Hollywood releases of August 20265 plants people grow for luck, that have better practical benefits that many probably haven’t heard aboutMyths vs facts: Is shaving facial hair bad for women?5 times Kangana Ranaut made traditional sarees look unapologetically powerful8 Healthy high-protein breakfasts that take 15 minutes or less’Love Island UK’ couples who are still together in love: From Olivia Buckland-Alex Bowen to Jessie Wynter-Will Young6 Indian dishes that are over 1,000 years old and still loved todayEvery Sawan, millions of devotees visit these 6 Jyotirlingas; here’s what makes them most-visited and why every traveller should experience them at least once in a lifetimeFrom Popatlal’s emotional moment to Asit Modi’s revelation about Champak Chacha aka Amit Bhatt’s bald look: Highlights from the Taarak Mehta 18-Year celebrationMillions still get this wrong about HIV: Doctor explains exactly how the virus spreads, and how it doesn’t123Hot PicksAugust School HolidaysNEET UG CounsellingKerala Engineering rank listSamsung Q2 resultsByelection todayBengaluru restaurantsFed meetingKanwar Yatra securityNew anti-paper leak billTop TrendingTamil Nadu Schools New MealMitch JonesNanakdin Bhurji DeathSonam RaghuvanshiNagpur MurderGujarat MurderHardoi Double SuicideMohammad Ali Jauhar University demolitionWeather TomorrowStock Market Up

NEW DELHI: Petrol blended with 20% ethanol (E20) can reduce vehicle fuel efficiency by 2% to 6%, depending on the vehicle category and its age, road transport and highways minister Nitin Gadkari informed Parliament on Thursday, while asserting that extensive testing has found no evidence of engine failures linked to the fuel.In a written reply in the Lok Sabha, Gadkari said studies conducted jointly by the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI), the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) and Indian Oil Corporation Ltd (IOCL) found that although E20 may marginally reduce mileage, it offers improved acceleration, better ride quality and around 30% lower carbon emissions than E10 fuel.”The fuel efficiency of vehicles may be reduced by 2 to 6 per cent depending on the vehicle category and vintage. The tests for engine durability on a dynamometer and vehicle tests on road have not shown any failures due to E20,” Gadkari said.The minister said the study evaluated the impact of E20 on BS-III, BS-IV and BS-VI petrol-powered two-wheelers and four-wheelers using standard certification procedures as well as customised testing protocols developed in consultation with original equipment manufacturers (OEMs).The rollout of E20 petrol, a blend of 80% petrol and 20% ethanol, has faced criticism from opposition parties and consumer groups, which have questioned its compatibility with older vehicles, possible reduction in fuel economy, higher maintenance costs and liability in case of engine or fuel system damage.The government, however, has maintained that the transition has been gradual and backed by scientific validation. Automobile manufacturers have also said they continue to honour warranty claims for vehicles running on E20 fuel.Gadkari said the Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) Programme has been implemented through a phased and consultative process involving NITI Aayog, oil marketing companies, automobile manufacturers, ARAI, SIAM, the Indian Institute of Petroleum (IIP) and other technical institutions.He noted that India’s ethanol blending programme began as a pilot project in 2001, with E5 fuel introduced in 2006. Ethanol blending, which stood at around 1.53% in 2013-14, has since increased steadily after the required production capacity, infrastructure and regulatory framework were put in place.According to Gadkari, E15+ petrol has been in widespread use for more than three-and-a-half years, while E19-E20 fuel has been used for over two-and-a-half years.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesHe said more than 20 crore two-wheelers and over 3 crore petrol cars have been operating on ethanol-blended fuel without any verified evidence of widespread engine failures or breakdowns caused by ethanol blending.”Manufacturer service data confirm that there is no abnormal corrosion, wear or reduction in vehicle life due to E20 fuel,” he said, adding that vehicle manufacturers continue to honour warranty obligations for vehicles using E20, reinforcing confidence in its safety and reliability.The minister’s remarks come a day after he informed the Rajya Sabha that studies found no significant performance or durability issues in vehicles using E20 petrol and that most older vehicles do not require engine modifications to use the fuel. He, however, noted that some BS-III vehicles manufactured before 2016 may require replacement of certain rubber parts and gaskets during routine servicing.BS, or Bharat Stage, refers to India’s vehicle emission standards that prescribe limits for pollutants such as carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen oxides (NOx), hydrocarbons (HC) and particulate matter (PM).Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorAyush PandeyAyush Pandey is a journalist at The Times of India, covering breaking news, politics, defence, and major legal and policy developments across India and the world. His reporting focuses on elections, national security, and institutional affairs, tracking the decisions and conflicts that shape public life. He specialises in sharp explainers and in-depth feature stories that go beyond headlines to decode political shifts, defence strategy, geopolitical flashpoints, and changing public sentiment. His work combines speed, clarity, and depth for a fast-moving digital audience.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos₹28.5 Cr Cash Seized In Birbhum: Former Govt Bus Driver Arrested | Tulu Mondal Link Under ProbeMamata Banerjee Urges EC To End TMC Symbol Dispute As Rival Faction Misses Repeated DeadlinesSC Questions Blanket Ban On Pellet Guns, Orders Preservation Of RAF Ammunition LogOver 1 Lakh Schools Across India Have Only One Teacher; Andhra Pradesh Records Highest NumberStudent Allegedly Hacks IIT Kanpur- IIT Madras Websites After Admission RejectionAbhijeet Dipke Says PM Modi Should “Become An Influencer”, Warns Of Fresh Student Protest‘Vasteguna Huiya, Kuchu-Puchu, FOMO’: Viral Gen Z Vocabulary Echoes In ParliamentBihar Man Claims He Was Booked In NEET Leak Protest Viral Video Sparks Questions Over Protest FIRs’Dear Saurav…’ BJP MP Kangana Ranaut Tells CJP’s Saurav Das To ‘Learn Some Skill’ | Watch’Detaining Activists Is Normal’: JP Nadda Defends Police Crackdown On CJP Protesters123PhotostoriesFrom ‘Insidious: Out Of The Further’ to ‘Mutiny’: Hollywood releases of August 20265 plants people grow for luck, that have better practical benefits that many probably haven’t heard aboutMyths vs facts: Is shaving facial hair bad for women?5 times Kangana Ranaut made traditional sarees look unapologetically powerful8 Healthy high-protein breakfasts that take 15 minutes or less’Love Island UK’ couples who are still together in love: From Olivia Buckland-Alex Bowen to Jessie Wynter-Will Young6 Indian dishes that are over 1,000 years old and still loved todayEvery Sawan, millions of devotees visit these 6 Jyotirlingas; here’s what makes them most-visited and why every traveller should experience them at least once in a lifetimeFrom Popatlal’s emotional moment to Asit Modi’s revelation about Champak Chacha aka Amit Bhatt’s bald look: Highlights from the Taarak Mehta 18-Year celebrationMillions still get this wrong about HIV: Doctor explains exactly how the virus spreads, and how it doesn’t123Hot PicksAugust School HolidaysNEET UG CounsellingKerala Engineering rank listSamsung Q2 resultsByelection todayBengaluru restaurantsFed meetingKanwar Yatra securityNew anti-paper leak billTop TrendingTamil Nadu Schools New MealMitch JonesNanakdin Bhurji DeathSonam RaghuvanshiNagpur MurderGujarat MurderHardoi Double SuicideMohammad Ali Jauhar University demolitionWeather TomorrowStock Market Up

Vamsikrishna03 mins mins

NEW DELHI: Petrol blended with 20% ethanol (E20) can reduce vehicle fuel efficiency by 2% to 6%, depending on the vehicle category and its age, road transport and highways minister Nitin Gadkari informed Parliament on Thursday, while asserting that extensive testing has found no evidence of engine failures linked to the fuel.In a written reply…

Read More
Montessori Education: Montessori, play school, preschool or nursery: Understanding the differences before you apply |

Montessori Education: Montessori, play school, preschool or nursery: Understanding the differences before you apply |

Vamsikrishna03 mins mins

AI-generated image for representation Before children even learn to count to ten, parents are faced with countless questions about the child’s education. One such question is: “Should we choose a Montessori, a play school, a preschool or a nursery?”Many use these terms interchangeably and assume they are all the same. However, in reality, they can…

Read More