August 3, 2026

Representative image NEW DELHI: The Centre on Monday told the Supreme Court that it wants to place on record the process and safeguards adopted right from the printing of the NEET question paper to its distribution among students.Appearing for the Centre, Solicitor General (SG) Tushar Mehta informed a bench of Justices PS Narasimha and Alok Aradhe that the government would explain the methodology and place it on record through an affidavit. Mehta sought time for hearing on Thursday or Friday.The bench replied that it would also like to know the process and posted a batch of pleas seeking additional safeguards for NEET question papers for hearing on Thursday.During an earlier hearing on June 24 too, the Supreme Court had said it would “closely monitor” the steps taken to curb future NEET examination paper leaks.The top court was then hearing a batch of petitions, including one filed by the Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA). It told Mehta that the government should indicate the steps taken towards ensuring transparency, implementing the recommendations of the Radhakrishnan Committee and following the IIT model.”Students’ futures can’t be jeopardised. We are going beyond the Radhakrishnan Committee. I assure you that the government is walking 10 extra miles. I can assure you everything is being supervised at the highest level,” the ASG had submitted at the time.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesOn May 12, the National Testing Agency (NTA) cancelled the NEET-UG examination held on May 3 amid allegations of a paper leak. The retest was conducted on June 21.The paper leak allegations are being investigated by the CBI.After allegations of NEET-UG question paper leaks in 2024, the Supreme Court had refused to cancel the medical entrance test but issued various directions aimed at preventing paper leaks and laid down criteria for cancelling public examinations.Following the 2024 leak, the ministry of education had constituted a seven-member committee headed by former Isro chief K Radhakrishnan to recommend reforms in the examination process, improvement in data security protocols, and the structure and functioning of the NTA.(With PTI inputs)Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorKaran ManralKaran Manral is a journalist at the Times of India. He covers politics, social issues, and international affairs, exploring stories that affect people’s everyday lives. He also writes explainers to make these stories easier for readers to follow.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’30-Year Stronghold Fell In 30 Days’: Prashant Kishor’s 1st Remarks As He Eyes Historic Bankipur Win‘I Was A Moderate Hindu’: Kangana Ranaut Says ‘People Become Leftist After Meeting Islamists’’Will Lay Down Protocol’: Pellet Guns Under Supreme Court Lens After Jantar Mantar ProtestsCandidates Protest, Walk Out Of Exam Centre Over OMR Mismatch Confusion; Exam Board ClarifiesOnly One Woman Finds Place In DK Shivakumar’s Karnataka Cabinet Even After Major ExpansionDelhi Court Acquits Brij Bhushan In Wrestlers’ Sexual Harassment Case After Two-Year TrialWhy Two Crucial ISRO Satellites Are Still Waiting For Government Clearance To Launch?JPSC Protest Escalates: Devendra Mahato Begins Hunger Strike, Demands Exam Cancellation & CBI ProbeThree Bypolls: From Prashant Kishor’s Make-or-Break to BJP’S Bastion, What’s At Stake?Delhi Police To Not Register Case Against Minor Who Abused PM Modi, Say Sources123PhotostoriesExclusive – From reacting to her bullying allegations against Gaurav Khanna to working with Smriti Irani in Kyunki 2; Shagun Sharma gets candid about KKK 15Why eating dinner after 7 pm may be silently damaging your health: Doctor explains what happens inside your body at nightOTT releases this week (August 3 to August 9): ‘Main Vaapas Aaunga’, ‘Sterling Point’, ‘Operation Safed Sagar’, ‘The Super Mario Galaxy Movie’ and moreWant a happy married life after becoming parents? These 7 simple rules can bring you and your partner closer than ever8 Montessori principles every parent should follow to raise confident and independent childrenMost people skip leg day, but doctors say it could be one of the smartest things you do for your heart, bones, blood sugar, and longevityAncient India’s forgotten fashion: What women wore in the era of Lord Rama8 foods served on Japan’s famous bullet trainsWomen who stay calm even when life falls apart often use these 7 simple phrases, according to psychologyWhy is there always a chair in hotel rooms? The hidden reason most guests never notice123Hot PicksBypoll resultsPM ModiBankipur bypoll resultCET CAP Round 1 allotmentRBI FD rulePrashant KishorKarnataka cabinet expansionAssam floodsKanwar Yatra 2026Top TrendingNew Karnataka Cabinet ListJoe BradyBrittany MahomesGhaziabad Psychiatrist SuicideJeM Operative GirlfriendRuchika SharmaHamim Mondal ArrestWomen Wrestlers Sexual Harassment CaseBypoll Election Result 2026Shradha Singh

Vamsikrishna02 mins mins
Representative image NEW DELHI: The Centre on Monday told the Supreme Court that it wants to place on record the process and safeguards adopted right from the printing of the NEET question paper to its distribution among students.Appearing for the Centre, Solicitor General (SG) Tushar Mehta informed a bench of Justices PS Narasimha and Alok Aradhe that the government would explain the methodology and place it on record through an affidavit. Mehta sought time for hearing on Thursday or Friday.The bench replied that it would also like to know the process and posted a batch of pleas seeking additional safeguards for NEET question papers for hearing on Thursday.During an earlier hearing on June 24 too, the Supreme Court had said it would “closely monitor” the steps taken to curb future NEET examination paper leaks.The top court was then hearing a batch of petitions, including one filed by the Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA). It told Mehta that the government should indicate the steps taken towards ensuring transparency, implementing the recommendations of the Radhakrishnan Committee and following the IIT model.”Students’ futures can’t be jeopardised. We are going beyond the Radhakrishnan Committee. I assure you that the government is walking 10 extra miles. I can assure you everything is being supervised at the highest level,” the ASG had submitted at the time.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesOn May 12, the National Testing Agency (NTA) cancelled the NEET-UG examination held on May 3 amid allegations of a paper leak. The retest was conducted on June 21.The paper leak allegations are being investigated by the CBI.After allegations of NEET-UG question paper leaks in 2024, the Supreme Court had refused to cancel the medical entrance test but issued various directions aimed at preventing paper leaks and laid down criteria for cancelling public examinations.Following the 2024 leak, the ministry of education had constituted a seven-member committee headed by former Isro chief K Radhakrishnan to recommend reforms in the examination process, improvement in data security protocols, and the structure and functioning of the NTA.(With PTI inputs)Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorKaran ManralKaran Manral is a journalist at the Times of India. He covers politics, social issues, and international affairs, exploring stories that affect people’s everyday lives. He also writes explainers to make these stories easier for readers to follow.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’30-Year Stronghold Fell In 30 Days’: Prashant Kishor’s 1st Remarks As He Eyes Historic Bankipur Win‘I Was A Moderate Hindu’: Kangana Ranaut Says ‘People Become Leftist After Meeting Islamists’’Will Lay Down Protocol’: Pellet Guns Under Supreme Court Lens After Jantar Mantar ProtestsCandidates Protest, Walk Out Of Exam Centre Over OMR Mismatch Confusion; Exam Board ClarifiesOnly One Woman Finds Place In DK Shivakumar’s Karnataka Cabinet Even After Major ExpansionDelhi Court Acquits Brij Bhushan In Wrestlers’ Sexual Harassment Case After Two-Year TrialWhy Two Crucial ISRO Satellites Are Still Waiting For Government Clearance To Launch?JPSC Protest Escalates: Devendra Mahato Begins Hunger Strike, Demands Exam Cancellation & CBI ProbeThree Bypolls: From Prashant Kishor’s Make-or-Break to BJP’S Bastion, What’s At Stake?Delhi Police To Not Register Case Against Minor Who Abused PM Modi, Say Sources123PhotostoriesExclusive – From reacting to her bullying allegations against Gaurav Khanna to working with Smriti Irani in Kyunki 2; Shagun Sharma gets candid about KKK 15Why eating dinner after 7 pm may be silently damaging your health: Doctor explains what happens inside your body at nightOTT releases this week (August 3 to August 9): ‘Main Vaapas Aaunga’, ‘Sterling Point’, ‘Operation Safed Sagar’, ‘The Super Mario Galaxy Movie’ and moreWant a happy married life after becoming parents? These 7 simple rules can bring you and your partner closer than ever8 Montessori principles every parent should follow to raise confident and independent childrenMost people skip leg day, but doctors say it could be one of the smartest things you do for your heart, bones, blood sugar, and longevityAncient India’s forgotten fashion: What women wore in the era of Lord Rama8 foods served on Japan’s famous bullet trainsWomen who stay calm even when life falls apart often use these 7 simple phrases, according to psychologyWhy is there always a chair in hotel rooms? The hidden reason most guests never notice123Hot PicksBypoll resultsPM ModiBankipur bypoll resultCET CAP Round 1 allotmentRBI FD rulePrashant KishorKarnataka cabinet expansionAssam floodsKanwar Yatra 2026Top TrendingNew Karnataka Cabinet ListJoe BradyBrittany MahomesGhaziabad Psychiatrist SuicideJeM Operative GirlfriendRuchika SharmaHamim Mondal ArrestWomen Wrestlers Sexual Harassment CaseBypoll Election Result 2026Shradha Singh


'Want to place NEET question paper safeguards on record': Centre tells SC

NEW DELHI: The Centre on Monday told the Supreme Court that it wants to place on record the process and safeguards adopted right from the printing of the NEET question paper to its distribution among students.Appearing for the Centre, Solicitor General (SG) Tushar Mehta informed a bench of Justices PS Narasimha and Alok Aradhe that the government would explain the methodology and place it on record through an affidavit. Mehta sought time for hearing on Thursday or Friday.The bench replied that it would also like to know the process and posted a batch of pleas seeking additional safeguards for NEET question papers for hearing on Thursday.During an earlier hearing on June 24 too, the Supreme Court had said it would “closely monitor” the steps taken to curb future NEET examination paper leaks.The top court was then hearing a batch of petitions, including one filed by the Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA). It told Mehta that the government should indicate the steps taken towards ensuring transparency, implementing the recommendations of the Radhakrishnan Committee and following the IIT model.“Students’ futures can’t be jeopardised. We are going beyond the Radhakrishnan Committee. I assure you that the government is walking 10 extra miles. I can assure you everything is being supervised at the highest level,” the ASG had submitted at the time.

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Glaw Lake in Himachal Pradesh NEW DELHI: India’s one more wetland, Glaw Lake of Arunachal Pradesh, has entered the global list of protected wetlands as a Ramsar site. It is the country’s 101st such site and the state’s first to join the elite club for additional care and conservation.Located within the Kamlang Tiger Reserve and Wildlife Sanctuary, Glaw Lake is a pristine freshwater lake in the Eastern Himalayas and a biodiversity hotspot. The lake is fed by perennial mountain streams and is surrounded by lush vegetation, supporting rich floral diversity.“Every new Ramsar site strengthens our resolve to protect nature while securing the future of communities that depend on these invaluable ecosystems,” said Union environment minister Bhupender Yadav while announcing the development on X on Monday.The Glaw Lake wetland has over 150 tree species and 49 orchid species recorded within the site and its catchment, underscoring its ecological significance and surrounding landscape.“From 26 Ramsar sites in 2014 to 101 today, this remarkable journey reflects our unwavering commitment to environmental protection, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable development,” said Yadav.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesGlobally, there are nearly 2,600 such designated wetlands under the Ramsar Convention. India has the highest number of such wetlands in Asia and third highest in the world after the UK (176) and Mexico (144).Wetlands are land areas covered by water, either temporarily/ seasonally or permanently. These are critical ecosystems that play a significant role in supporting biodiversity, and providing various ecosystem services such as flood control, water supply, food, fibre and raw materials.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorVishwa MohanVishwa Mohan is Senior Editor at The Times of India. He writes on environment, climate change, agriculture, water resources and clean energy, tracking policy issues and climate diplomacy. He has been covering Parliament since 2003 to see how politics shaped up domestic policy and India’s position at global platform. Before switching over to explore sustainable development issues, Vishwa had covered internal security and investigative agencies for more than a decade.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosBankipur Shock, Datia Loss: BJP Suffers Twin Setback, But Why Isn’t It Good News For Opposition?Bengal STF Busts Alleged JeM Module, Probe Points To Pak-Based Handlers And Intelligence Network’30-Year Stronghold Fell In 30 Days’: Prashant Kishor’s 1st Remarks As He Eyes Historic Bankipur Win‘I Was A Moderate Hindu’: Kangana Ranaut Says ‘People Become Leftist After Meeting Islamists’’Will Lay Down Protocol’: Pellet Guns Under Supreme Court Lens After Jantar Mantar ProtestsCandidates Protest, Walk Out Of Exam Centre Over OMR Mismatch Confusion; Exam Board ClarifiesOnly One Woman Finds Place In DK Shivakumar’s Karnataka Cabinet Even After Major ExpansionDelhi Court Acquits Brij Bhushan In Wrestlers’ Sexual Harassment Case After Two-Year TrialWhy Two Crucial ISRO Satellites Are Still Waiting For Government Clearance To Launch?JPSC Protest Escalates: Devendra Mahato Begins Hunger Strike, Demands Exam Cancellation & CBI Probe123PhotostoriesExclusive – From reacting to her bullying allegations against Gaurav Khanna to working with Smriti Irani in Kyunki 2; Shagun Sharma gets candid about KKK 15Why eating dinner after 7 pm may be silently damaging your health: Doctor explains what happens inside your body at nightOTT releases this week (August 3 to August 9): ‘Main Vaapas Aaunga’, ‘Sterling Point’, ‘Operation Safed Sagar’, ‘The Super Mario Galaxy Movie’ and moreWant a happy married life after becoming parents? These 7 simple rules can bring you and your partner closer than ever8 Montessori principles every parent should follow to raise confident and independent childrenMost people skip leg day, but doctors say it could be one of the smartest things you do for your heart, bones, blood sugar, and longevityAncient India’s forgotten fashion: What women wore in the era of Lord Rama8 foods served on Japan’s famous bullet trainsWomen who stay calm even when life falls apart often use these 7 simple phrases, according to psychologyWhy is there always a chair in hotel rooms? The hidden reason most guests never notice123Hot PicksBypoll resultsPM ModiBankipur bypoll resultCET CAP Round 1 allotmentRBI FD rulePrashant KishorKarnataka cabinet expansionAssam floodsKanwar Yatra 2026Top TrendingNew Karnataka Cabinet ListJoe BradyBrittany MahomesGhaziabad Psychiatrist SuicideJeM Operative GirlfriendRuchika SharmaHamim Mondal ArrestWomen Wrestlers Sexual Harassment CaseBypoll Election Result 2026Shradha Singh

Glaw Lake in Himachal Pradesh NEW DELHI: India’s one more wetland, Glaw Lake of Arunachal Pradesh, has entered the global list of protected wetlands as a Ramsar site. It is the country’s 101st such site and the state’s first to join the elite club for additional care and conservation.Located within the Kamlang Tiger Reserve and Wildlife Sanctuary, Glaw Lake is a pristine freshwater lake in the Eastern Himalayas and a biodiversity hotspot. The lake is fed by perennial mountain streams and is surrounded by lush vegetation, supporting rich floral diversity.“Every new Ramsar site strengthens our resolve to protect nature while securing the future of communities that depend on these invaluable ecosystems,” said Union environment minister Bhupender Yadav while announcing the development on X on Monday.The Glaw Lake wetland has over 150 tree species and 49 orchid species recorded within the site and its catchment, underscoring its ecological significance and surrounding landscape.“From 26 Ramsar sites in 2014 to 101 today, this remarkable journey reflects our unwavering commitment to environmental protection, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable development,” said Yadav.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesGlobally, there are nearly 2,600 such designated wetlands under the Ramsar Convention. India has the highest number of such wetlands in Asia and third highest in the world after the UK (176) and Mexico (144).Wetlands are land areas covered by water, either temporarily/ seasonally or permanently. These are critical ecosystems that play a significant role in supporting biodiversity, and providing various ecosystem services such as flood control, water supply, food, fibre and raw materials.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorVishwa MohanVishwa Mohan is Senior Editor at The Times of India. He writes on environment, climate change, agriculture, water resources and clean energy, tracking policy issues and climate diplomacy. He has been covering Parliament since 2003 to see how politics shaped up domestic policy and India’s position at global platform. Before switching over to explore sustainable development issues, Vishwa had covered internal security and investigative agencies for more than a decade.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosBankipur Shock, Datia Loss: BJP Suffers Twin Setback, But Why Isn’t It Good News For Opposition?Bengal STF Busts Alleged JeM Module, Probe Points To Pak-Based Handlers And Intelligence Network’30-Year Stronghold Fell In 30 Days’: Prashant Kishor’s 1st Remarks As He Eyes Historic Bankipur Win‘I Was A Moderate Hindu’: Kangana Ranaut Says ‘People Become Leftist After Meeting Islamists’’Will Lay Down Protocol’: Pellet Guns Under Supreme Court Lens After Jantar Mantar ProtestsCandidates Protest, Walk Out Of Exam Centre Over OMR Mismatch Confusion; Exam Board ClarifiesOnly One Woman Finds Place In DK Shivakumar’s Karnataka Cabinet Even After Major ExpansionDelhi Court Acquits Brij Bhushan In Wrestlers’ Sexual Harassment Case After Two-Year TrialWhy Two Crucial ISRO Satellites Are Still Waiting For Government Clearance To Launch?JPSC Protest Escalates: Devendra Mahato Begins Hunger Strike, Demands Exam Cancellation & CBI Probe123PhotostoriesExclusive – From reacting to her bullying allegations against Gaurav Khanna to working with Smriti Irani in Kyunki 2; Shagun Sharma gets candid about KKK 15Why eating dinner after 7 pm may be silently damaging your health: Doctor explains what happens inside your body at nightOTT releases this week (August 3 to August 9): ‘Main Vaapas Aaunga’, ‘Sterling Point’, ‘Operation Safed Sagar’, ‘The Super Mario Galaxy Movie’ and moreWant a happy married life after becoming parents? These 7 simple rules can bring you and your partner closer than ever8 Montessori principles every parent should follow to raise confident and independent childrenMost people skip leg day, but doctors say it could be one of the smartest things you do for your heart, bones, blood sugar, and longevityAncient India’s forgotten fashion: What women wore in the era of Lord Rama8 foods served on Japan’s famous bullet trainsWomen who stay calm even when life falls apart often use these 7 simple phrases, according to psychologyWhy is there always a chair in hotel rooms? The hidden reason most guests never notice123Hot PicksBypoll resultsPM ModiBankipur bypoll resultCET CAP Round 1 allotmentRBI FD rulePrashant KishorKarnataka cabinet expansionAssam floodsKanwar Yatra 2026Top TrendingNew Karnataka Cabinet ListJoe BradyBrittany MahomesGhaziabad Psychiatrist SuicideJeM Operative GirlfriendRuchika SharmaHamim Mondal ArrestWomen Wrestlers Sexual Harassment CaseBypoll Election Result 2026Shradha Singh

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TRAI MyCall app gives telecom service providers information on areas where network performance needs improvement NEW DELHI: The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India has revamped the “TRAI MyCall’, a mobile application that enables telecom consumers to directly assess and report the voice-calling experience. A citizen-centric digital platform that allows telecom consumers to share real-time feedback on their voice-calling experience, TRAI MyCall app gives telecom service providers (TSPs) information on areas where network performance needs improvement and take targeted corrective measures.TRAI says the revamped app offers instant rating of voice calls through a simple 1-5 star feedback system; reporting of specific issues such as call drops, echo during calls, audio delay, cross connection, voice breaking, one party unable to hear the other, and calls taking too long to connect, which shall be available to respective service provider for corrective action; automatic post-call feedback and coverage test feature to assess signal strength.TRAI chairman Anil Kumar Lahoti said: “Every telecom consumer experiences network quality first-hand. The revamped TRAI MyCall app is expected to strengthen consumer participation feedback on telecom service quality by enabling subscribers to provide immediate and perceived feedback on their call experience. The feedback will assist Telecom Service Providers in identifying network deficiencies and taking corrective measures, enhanced customer satisfaction, and a better overall mobile communication experience.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelines The initiative reinforces TRAI’s commitment to a consumer-centric, transparent, and data-driven approach to improving the quality of telecom services. I encourage all mobile users to download the TRAI MyCall application and regularly share their feedback. Every feedback matters, and together we can build a better calling experience for every telecom consumer.”“With over one billion telecom subscribers in India, voice calling remains the most fundamental telecom service and is often the first indicator of network quality experienced by consumers. While network performance is evaluated using technical quality of service (QoS) parameters, the quality of experience (QoE) perceived by consumers also provides an important perspective on service performance. TRAI MyCall bridges this gap by combining consumer feedback with relevant network information to facilitate a more comprehensive assessment of telecom service quality,” TRAI said in a statement.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosBankipur Shock, Datia Loss: BJP Suffers Twin Setback, But Why Isn’t It Good News For Opposition?Bengal STF Busts Alleged JeM Module, Probe Points To Pak-Based Handlers And Intelligence Network’30-Year Stronghold Fell In 30 Days’: Prashant Kishor’s 1st Remarks As He Eyes Historic Bankipur Win‘I Was A Moderate Hindu’: Kangana Ranaut Says ‘People Become Leftist After Meeting Islamists’’Will Lay Down Protocol’: Pellet Guns Under Supreme Court Lens After Jantar Mantar ProtestsCandidates Protest, Walk Out Of Exam Centre Over OMR Mismatch Confusion; Exam Board ClarifiesOnly One Woman Finds Place In DK Shivakumar’s Karnataka Cabinet Even After Major ExpansionDelhi Court Acquits Brij Bhushan In Wrestlers’ Sexual Harassment Case After Two-Year TrialWhy Two Crucial ISRO Satellites Are Still Waiting For Government Clearance To Launch?JPSC Protest Escalates: Devendra Mahato Begins Hunger Strike, Demands Exam Cancellation & CBI Probe123PhotostoriesExclusive – From reacting to her bullying allegations against Gaurav Khanna to working with Smriti Irani in Kyunki 2; Shagun Sharma gets candid about KKK 15Why eating dinner after 7 pm may be silently damaging your health: Doctor explains what happens inside your body at nightOTT releases this week (August 3 to August 9): ‘Main Vaapas Aaunga’, ‘Sterling Point’, ‘Operation Safed Sagar’, ‘The Super Mario Galaxy Movie’ and moreWant a happy married life after becoming parents? These 7 simple rules can bring you and your partner closer than ever8 Montessori principles every parent should follow to raise confident and independent childrenMost people skip leg day, but doctors say it could be one of the smartest things you do for your heart, bones, blood sugar, and longevityAncient India’s forgotten fashion: What women wore in the era of Lord Rama8 foods served on Japan’s famous bullet trainsWomen who stay calm even when life falls apart often use these 7 simple phrases, according to psychologyWhy is there always a chair in hotel rooms? The hidden reason most guests never notice123Hot PicksBypoll resultsPM ModiBankipur bypoll resultCET CAP Round 1 allotmentRBI FD rulePrashant KishorKarnataka cabinet expansionAssam floodsKanwar Yatra 2026Top TrendingNew Karnataka Cabinet ListJoe BradyBrittany MahomesGhaziabad Psychiatrist SuicideJeM Operative GirlfriendRuchika SharmaHamim Mondal ArrestWomen Wrestlers Sexual Harassment CaseBypoll Election Result 2026Shradha Singh

TRAI MyCall app gives telecom service providers information on areas where network performance needs improvement NEW DELHI: The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India has revamped the “TRAI MyCall’, a mobile application that enables telecom consumers to directly assess and report the voice-calling experience. A citizen-centric digital platform that allows telecom consumers to share real-time feedback on their voice-calling experience, TRAI MyCall app gives telecom service providers (TSPs) information on areas where network performance needs improvement and take targeted corrective measures.TRAI says the revamped app offers instant rating of voice calls through a simple 1-5 star feedback system; reporting of specific issues such as call drops, echo during calls, audio delay, cross connection, voice breaking, one party unable to hear the other, and calls taking too long to connect, which shall be available to respective service provider for corrective action; automatic post-call feedback and coverage test feature to assess signal strength.TRAI chairman Anil Kumar Lahoti said: “Every telecom consumer experiences network quality first-hand. The revamped TRAI MyCall app is expected to strengthen consumer participation feedback on telecom service quality by enabling subscribers to provide immediate and perceived feedback on their call experience. The feedback will assist Telecom Service Providers in identifying network deficiencies and taking corrective measures, enhanced customer satisfaction, and a better overall mobile communication experience.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelines The initiative reinforces TRAI’s commitment to a consumer-centric, transparent, and data-driven approach to improving the quality of telecom services. I encourage all mobile users to download the TRAI MyCall application and regularly share their feedback. Every feedback matters, and together we can build a better calling experience for every telecom consumer.”“With over one billion telecom subscribers in India, voice calling remains the most fundamental telecom service and is often the first indicator of network quality experienced by consumers. While network performance is evaluated using technical quality of service (QoS) parameters, the quality of experience (QoE) perceived by consumers also provides an important perspective on service performance. TRAI MyCall bridges this gap by combining consumer feedback with relevant network information to facilitate a more comprehensive assessment of telecom service quality,” TRAI said in a statement.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosBankipur Shock, Datia Loss: BJP Suffers Twin Setback, But Why Isn’t It Good News For Opposition?Bengal STF Busts Alleged JeM Module, Probe Points To Pak-Based Handlers And Intelligence Network’30-Year Stronghold Fell In 30 Days’: Prashant Kishor’s 1st Remarks As He Eyes Historic Bankipur Win‘I Was A Moderate Hindu’: Kangana Ranaut Says ‘People Become Leftist After Meeting Islamists’’Will Lay Down Protocol’: Pellet Guns Under Supreme Court Lens After Jantar Mantar ProtestsCandidates Protest, Walk Out Of Exam Centre Over OMR Mismatch Confusion; Exam Board ClarifiesOnly One Woman Finds Place In DK Shivakumar’s Karnataka Cabinet Even After Major ExpansionDelhi Court Acquits Brij Bhushan In Wrestlers’ Sexual Harassment Case After Two-Year TrialWhy Two Crucial ISRO Satellites Are Still Waiting For Government Clearance To Launch?JPSC Protest Escalates: Devendra Mahato Begins Hunger Strike, Demands Exam Cancellation & CBI Probe123PhotostoriesExclusive – From reacting to her bullying allegations against Gaurav Khanna to working with Smriti Irani in Kyunki 2; Shagun Sharma gets candid about KKK 15Why eating dinner after 7 pm may be silently damaging your health: Doctor explains what happens inside your body at nightOTT releases this week (August 3 to August 9): ‘Main Vaapas Aaunga’, ‘Sterling Point’, ‘Operation Safed Sagar’, ‘The Super Mario Galaxy Movie’ and moreWant a happy married life after becoming parents? These 7 simple rules can bring you and your partner closer than ever8 Montessori principles every parent should follow to raise confident and independent childrenMost people skip leg day, but doctors say it could be one of the smartest things you do for your heart, bones, blood sugar, and longevityAncient India’s forgotten fashion: What women wore in the era of Lord Rama8 foods served on Japan’s famous bullet trainsWomen who stay calm even when life falls apart often use these 7 simple phrases, according to psychologyWhy is there always a chair in hotel rooms? The hidden reason most guests never notice123Hot PicksBypoll resultsPM ModiBankipur bypoll resultCET CAP Round 1 allotmentRBI FD rulePrashant KishorKarnataka cabinet expansionAssam floodsKanwar Yatra 2026Top TrendingNew Karnataka Cabinet ListJoe BradyBrittany MahomesGhaziabad Psychiatrist SuicideJeM Operative GirlfriendRuchika SharmaHamim Mondal ArrestWomen Wrestlers Sexual Harassment CaseBypoll Election Result 2026Shradha Singh

Vamsikrishna 0
Protests were held in various cities of Gujarat seeking the resignation of then education minister Dhrmendra Pradhan (PTI photo) NEW DELHI: The Gujarat government has directed the state police to withdraw all criminal cases registered against students, youths and others who took part in recent protests over the alleged NEET-UG examination paper leak, officials said on Monday.With this, Gujarat has become the latest BJP-ruled state to withdraw FIRs against NEET protesters. Similar decisions have already been taken by the BJP governments in Assam, Bihar, Delhi and Maharashtra.In a July 31 letter to the state’s Director General of Police GS Malik, the Gujarat home department cited the Supreme Court’s July 28 judgment restraining police from taking coercive action against minor student protesters and directed the immediate withdrawal of all existing cases.The department instructed the police not to initiate any adverse legal or penal action against individuals who participated in the protests in the state. It further directed that if any FIRs or criminal cases had already been registered against protesters, the legal process for their withdrawal should be completed immediately.The communication, however, did not specify how many FIRs or criminal cases would be withdrawn.Protests were held in Gujarat’s Ahmedabad and several other cities in support of demonstrations at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar against alleged irregularities in the NEET-UG examination.The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), an online satirical outfit that had been leading an indefinite sit-in at Jantar Mantar since June 21, called off its protest on July 25 following the resignation of then Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan. Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesBesides seeking Pradhan’s resignation, the CJP had demanded that no action be taken against its members or any NEET protesters across the country.The CJP has repeatedly warned that it would resume its agitation if the FIRs are not withdrawn.Meanwhile, the Supreme Court also clarified on Monday that the expression “criminal antecedents” in its July 28 order on releasing student protesters referred only to those involved in grave and heinous offences, and said states could close or withdraw FIRs against the remaining students in accordance with law.(With PTI inputs)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 MediaVideosBengal STF Busts Alleged JeM Module, Probe Points To Pak-Based Handlers And Intelligence Network’30-Year Stronghold Fell In 30 Days’: Prashant Kishor’s 1st Remarks As He Eyes Historic Bankipur Win‘I Was A Moderate Hindu’: Kangana Ranaut Says ‘People Become Leftist After Meeting Islamists’’Will Lay Down Protocol’: Pellet Guns Under Supreme Court Lens After Jantar Mantar ProtestsCandidates Protest, Walk Out Of Exam Centre Over OMR Mismatch Confusion; Exam Board ClarifiesOnly One Woman Finds Place In DK Shivakumar’s Karnataka Cabinet Even After Major ExpansionDelhi Court Acquits Brij Bhushan In Wrestlers’ Sexual Harassment Case After Two-Year TrialWhy Two Crucial ISRO Satellites Are Still Waiting For Government Clearance To Launch?JPSC Protest Escalates: Devendra Mahato Begins Hunger Strike, Demands Exam Cancellation & CBI ProbeThree Bypolls: From Prashant Kishor’s Make-or-Break to BJP’S Bastion, What’s At Stake?123PhotostoriesExclusive – From reacting to her bullying allegations against Gaurav Khanna to working with Smriti Irani in Kyunki 2; Shagun Sharma gets candid about KKK 15Why eating dinner after 7 pm may be silently damaging your health: Doctor explains what happens inside your body at nightOTT releases this week (August 3 to August 9): ‘Main Vaapas Aaunga’, ‘Sterling Point’, ‘Operation Safed Sagar’, ‘The Super Mario Galaxy Movie’ and moreWant a happy married life after becoming parents? These 7 simple rules can bring you and your partner closer than ever8 Montessori principles every parent should follow to raise confident and independent childrenMost people skip leg day, but doctors say it could be one of the smartest things you do for your heart, bones, blood sugar, and longevityAncient India’s forgotten fashion: What women wore in the era of Lord Rama8 foods served on Japan’s famous bullet trainsWomen who stay calm even when life falls apart often use these 7 simple phrases, according to psychologyWhy is there always a chair in hotel rooms? The hidden reason most guests never notice123Hot PicksBypoll resultsPM ModiBankipur bypoll resultCET CAP Round 1 allotmentRBI FD rulePrashant KishorKarnataka cabinet expansionAssam floodsKanwar Yatra 2026Top TrendingNew Karnataka Cabinet ListJoe BradyBrittany MahomesGhaziabad Psychiatrist SuicideJeM Operative GirlfriendRuchika SharmaHamim Mondal ArrestWomen Wrestlers Sexual Harassment CaseBypoll Election Result 2026Shradha Singh

Protests were held in various cities of Gujarat seeking the resignation of then education minister Dhrmendra Pradhan (PTI photo) NEW DELHI: The Gujarat government has directed the state police to withdraw all criminal cases registered against students, youths and others who took part in recent protests over the alleged NEET-UG examination paper leak, officials said on Monday.With this, Gujarat has become the latest BJP-ruled state to withdraw FIRs against NEET protesters. Similar decisions have already been taken by the BJP governments in Assam, Bihar, Delhi and Maharashtra.In a July 31 letter to the state’s Director General of Police GS Malik, the Gujarat home department cited the Supreme Court’s July 28 judgment restraining police from taking coercive action against minor student protesters and directed the immediate withdrawal of all existing cases.The department instructed the police not to initiate any adverse legal or penal action against individuals who participated in the protests in the state. It further directed that if any FIRs or criminal cases had already been registered against protesters, the legal process for their withdrawal should be completed immediately.The communication, however, did not specify how many FIRs or criminal cases would be withdrawn.Protests were held in Gujarat’s Ahmedabad and several other cities in support of demonstrations at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar against alleged irregularities in the NEET-UG examination.The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), an online satirical outfit that had been leading an indefinite sit-in at Jantar Mantar since June 21, called off its protest on July 25 following the resignation of then Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan. Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesBesides seeking Pradhan’s resignation, the CJP had demanded that no action be taken against its members or any NEET protesters across the country.The CJP has repeatedly warned that it would resume its agitation if the FIRs are not withdrawn.Meanwhile, the Supreme Court also clarified on Monday that the expression “criminal antecedents” in its July 28 order on releasing student protesters referred only to those involved in grave and heinous offences, and said states could close or withdraw FIRs against the remaining students in accordance with law.(With PTI inputs)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 MediaVideosBengal STF Busts Alleged JeM Module, Probe Points To Pak-Based Handlers And Intelligence Network’30-Year Stronghold Fell In 30 Days’: Prashant Kishor’s 1st Remarks As He Eyes Historic Bankipur Win‘I Was A Moderate Hindu’: Kangana Ranaut Says ‘People Become Leftist After Meeting Islamists’’Will Lay Down Protocol’: Pellet Guns Under Supreme Court Lens After Jantar Mantar ProtestsCandidates Protest, Walk Out Of Exam Centre Over OMR Mismatch Confusion; Exam Board ClarifiesOnly One Woman Finds Place In DK Shivakumar’s Karnataka Cabinet Even After Major ExpansionDelhi Court Acquits Brij Bhushan In Wrestlers’ Sexual Harassment Case After Two-Year TrialWhy Two Crucial ISRO Satellites Are Still Waiting For Government Clearance To Launch?JPSC Protest Escalates: Devendra Mahato Begins Hunger Strike, Demands Exam Cancellation & CBI ProbeThree Bypolls: From Prashant Kishor’s Make-or-Break to BJP’S Bastion, What’s At Stake?123PhotostoriesExclusive – From reacting to her bullying allegations against Gaurav Khanna to working with Smriti Irani in Kyunki 2; Shagun Sharma gets candid about KKK 15Why eating dinner after 7 pm may be silently damaging your health: Doctor explains what happens inside your body at nightOTT releases this week (August 3 to August 9): ‘Main Vaapas Aaunga’, ‘Sterling Point’, ‘Operation Safed Sagar’, ‘The Super Mario Galaxy Movie’ and moreWant a happy married life after becoming parents? These 7 simple rules can bring you and your partner closer than ever8 Montessori principles every parent should follow to raise confident and independent childrenMost people skip leg day, but doctors say it could be one of the smartest things you do for your heart, bones, blood sugar, and longevityAncient India’s forgotten fashion: What women wore in the era of Lord Rama8 foods served on Japan’s famous bullet trainsWomen who stay calm even when life falls apart often use these 7 simple phrases, according to psychologyWhy is there always a chair in hotel rooms? The hidden reason most guests never notice123Hot PicksBypoll resultsPM ModiBankipur bypoll resultCET CAP Round 1 allotmentRBI FD rulePrashant KishorKarnataka cabinet expansionAssam floodsKanwar Yatra 2026Top TrendingNew Karnataka Cabinet ListJoe BradyBrittany MahomesGhaziabad Psychiatrist SuicideJeM Operative GirlfriendRuchika SharmaHamim Mondal ArrestWomen Wrestlers Sexual Harassment CaseBypoll Election Result 2026Shradha Singh

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NEW DELHI: Jan Suraaj Party (JSP) founder Prashant Kishor has finally found a seat for his “school bag” in Bihar. The election strategist-turned-politician has flipped the Bankipur assembly seat, an unassailable bastion of the BJP for the last 30 years. Before today’s shock defeat, the BJP had registered 8 consecutive victories in Bankipur since 1995, when it won the seat for the first time.By-election in Bankipur was necessitated after Nitin Nabin resigned as BJP MLA from the seat in April after his election to Rajya Sabha. This followed Nitin Nabin’s elevation as BJP national president in January this year.To gauge the enormity of Prashant Kishor’s victory, look at these facts:BJP has held Bankipur assembly seat from 1995 (Till 2005, the seat was known as Patna West)BJP chief Nitin Nabin won from the Bankipur assembly seat four times in a row Nitin Nabin won from Bankipur for first time in 2010 with a margin of 56%From 1995 to 2010, the seat (known as Patna West) was represented by Navin Kishore Prasad Sinha (Nitin Nabin’s father)Father-son duo has won the seat 8 consecutive times For PK, as Prashant Kishor is popularly known, contesting the Bankipur byelection was a huge political gamble. PK, who made a high-pitched entry into Bihar politics with a padyatra spanning months ahead of the 2025 assembly elections, cut a sorry figure when his Jan Suraj Party failed to win even one seat less than a year ago. Such dismal was his first electoral show that JSP lost deposit in 236 of the 238 seats it contested. Prashant Kishor did not contest the election himself and instead led a high-voltage campaign for his party across the state.Little wonder his decision to contest the Bankipur bypoll was fraught with the danger of becoming a make-or-break political move. But the gamble has paid off and Prashant Kishor with his debut win has propelled into the centrestage of Bihar politics.‘Bankipur’s message to BJP central leadership’Prashant Kishor polled over 64,151 votes and won the key electoral battle by a margin of 19,324 votes over BJP’s Neeraj Kumar. Prashant Kishor’s resounding success, nine months after his party’s humiliating defeat, marks a remarkable turnaround.And making the most of his victory, Prashant Kishor immediately trained his guns at Bihar chief minister Samrat Choudhary.”This is the victory of the people of Bankipur. As we stated during the election campaign, this was not just an election to choose an MLA. It was an attempt by the people of Bihar to send a message to the BJP’s central leadership that they should appoint a good person as the chief minister of Bihar. They do not want a person with a criminal background or questionable conduct, character, or reputation to lead Bihar. They want a good chief minister who can improve education, create employment opportunities for the youth, and ensure that the children of Bihar do not have to migrate elsewhere for work,” Kishor told reporters as his supporters celebrated his maiden electoral victory.Prashant Kishor’s use of his victory to target Samrat Choudhary did not come as a surprise. Ksihor been unrelenting in his attacks against the BJP leader ever since the election strategist became a full-time politician. He has targeted Samrat Choudhary over the chief minister’s educational qualification and his alleged criminal past.Kishor’s development pitch or disappointment against BJP?The Jan Suraaj chief also called upon the BJP’s central leadership to focus on governance ahead of the next Lok Sabha elections, stating, “Before the Lok Sabha elections, Prime Minister Modi, the BJP, and Amit Shah should focus on improving Bihar, creating jobs for its youth, and stopping migration. That is our only objective. We do not want to become MLAs merely to award contracts. Our sole objective is the development of Bihar.”These are the very themes on which Prashant Kishor fought the 2025 assembly elections and lost. Clearly, while he keeps focus on these issues, his victory in bankipur may less be about endorsement of his development focus and more about people’s disappointment with the BJP. The result is also perhaps a fallout of the students’ agitation against NEET-UG paper leak, which saw huge protests in Bihar. In Siwan, a police constable was suspended after a video purportedly showing him using an AK-47 rifle during a student protest on July 25 went viral on social media.Leader of opposition in Bihar assembly, Tejashwi Yadav, slammed Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary for the incident. He posted a video of the purported incident on X and, along with it, said, “During the protest in Siwan, police resorted to direct firing with an AK-47 on students. When a criminal becomes chief minister, then police fire bullets at innocent students.”‘Verdict by Bihar’s youth against BJP’CPI(ML) Liberation general secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya in his message to Prashant Kishor described his victory as a significant verdict by Bihar’s youth against the BJP-led state government.In a post on X, Bhattacharya termed Kishor’s victory a “well-earned debut victory” and said the bypoll result reflected public anger against the ruling dispensation.”Congratulations to Prashant Kishor on his well-earned debut victory in Bankipur bypoll. Kudos to the youth of Bihar for delivering such a telling blow to the supremely arrogant, incompetent and tyrannical BJP government of Bihar,” he said.Shock verdict for BJPThe BJP was quick to accept the verdict of the people. State BJP president Sanjay Saraogi said in a statement, “We bow before the will of the people. We shall draw lessons from the debacle, unlike our opponents who tend to blame every electoral loss of theirs on EVMs and the Election Commission”.But for the BJP, this defeat comes as an embarrassment for both its national president Nitin Nabin and the party’s first chief minister in the state Samrat Choudhary. Bankipur seat was literally a personal fiefdom of Nitin Nabin’s family which represented the constituency for 30 long years. A defeat in the backyard will surely embarrass the BJP chief.For Samrat Choudhary, this was the first electoral test of his government which was formed after the BJP took over the reins of the state from JD(U) chief Nitish Kumar. It was Nitish Kumar who had led the NDA to an emphatic triumph in the 2025 assembly elections. And the BJP would have hoped that Samrat Choudhary would have given it a winning start. But that was not to be.Lalu’s RJD pushed to fringesThe Bankipur bypoll result also has a worrying message for the main opposition party RJD. Tejashwi Yadav’s party seems to have learnt no lessons from the 2025 electoral drubbing. The party which has been reduced to 25 seats in the assembly did little to show intent on the ground. Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesIts candidate Rekha Kumari polled just 14,273 votes. This was over 32,000 votes less than the figure of 46,363, which she had polled in the 2025 assembly elections as the runnerup in the seat. Ironically, for the greater part of the campaign, RJD’s star campaigner Tejashwi Yadav was missing in action.Time to pause, reviewIt may not be prudent to overexaggerate the outcome of one bypoll. The result of one seat, even though high-profile, may not be indicative of any larger trend. But for the BJP and the RJD to brush aside the defeat as a one-off setback would be doing harm to their cause. The BJP should remember that it rules Bihar but is still dependent on its allies for survival. The RJD, meanwhile, remains the main opposition party but seems to have lost the plot to factionalism and family feuds after its dismal 2025 show. Both need to pause and review what went wrong in Bankipur. MLA Prashant Kishor, on the other hand, will perhaps be now preparing for another bout with his political bete noir Samrat Choudhary – this time on the floor of Bihar assembly.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosBengal STF Busts Alleged JeM Module, Probe Points To Pak-Based Handlers And Intelligence Network’30-Year Stronghold Fell In 30 Days’: Prashant Kishor’s 1st Remarks As He Eyes Historic Bankipur Win‘I Was A Moderate Hindu’: Kangana Ranaut Says ‘People Become Leftist After Meeting Islamists’’Will Lay Down Protocol’: Pellet Guns Under Supreme Court Lens After Jantar Mantar ProtestsCandidates Protest, Walk Out Of Exam Centre Over OMR Mismatch Confusion; Exam Board ClarifiesOnly One Woman Finds Place In DK Shivakumar’s Karnataka Cabinet Even After Major ExpansionDelhi Court Acquits Brij Bhushan In Wrestlers’ Sexual Harassment Case After Two-Year TrialWhy Two Crucial ISRO Satellites Are Still Waiting For Government Clearance To Launch?JPSC Protest Escalates: Devendra Mahato Begins Hunger Strike, Demands Exam Cancellation & CBI ProbeThree Bypolls: From Prashant Kishor’s Make-or-Break to BJP’S Bastion, What’s At Stake?123PhotostoriesExclusive – From reacting to her bullying allegations against Gaurav Khanna to working with Smriti Irani in Kyunki 2; Shagun Sharma gets candid about KKK 15Why eating dinner after 7 pm may be silently damaging your health: Doctor explains what happens inside your body at nightOTT releases this week (August 3 to August 9): ‘Main Vaapas Aaunga’, ‘Sterling Point’, ‘Operation Safed Sagar’, ‘The Super Mario Galaxy Movie’ and moreWant a happy married life after becoming parents? These 7 simple rules can bring you and your partner closer than ever8 Montessori principles every parent should follow to raise confident and independent childrenMost people skip leg day, but doctors say it could be one of the smartest things you do for your heart, bones, blood sugar, and longevityAncient India’s forgotten fashion: What women wore in the era of Lord Rama8 foods served on Japan’s famous bullet trainsWomen who stay calm even when life falls apart often use these 7 simple phrases, according to psychologyWhy is there always a chair in hotel rooms? The hidden reason most guests never notice123Hot PicksBypoll resultsPM ModiBankipur bypoll resultCET CAP Round 1 allotmentRBI FD rulePrashant KishorKarnataka cabinet expansionAssam floodsKanwar Yatra 2026Top TrendingNew Karnataka Cabinet ListJoe BradyBrittany MahomesGhaziabad Psychiatrist SuicideJeM Operative GirlfriendRuchika SharmaHamim Mondal ArrestWomen Wrestlers Sexual Harassment CaseBypoll Election Result 2026Shradha Singh

NEW DELHI: Jan Suraaj Party (JSP) founder Prashant Kishor has finally found a seat for his “school bag” in Bihar. The election strategist-turned-politician has flipped the Bankipur assembly seat, an unassailable bastion of the BJP for the last 30 years. Before today’s shock defeat, the BJP had registered 8 consecutive victories in Bankipur since 1995, when it won the seat for the first time.By-election in Bankipur was necessitated after Nitin Nabin resigned as BJP MLA from the seat in April after his election to Rajya Sabha. This followed Nitin Nabin’s elevation as BJP national president in January this year.To gauge the enormity of Prashant Kishor’s victory, look at these facts:BJP has held Bankipur assembly seat from 1995 (Till 2005, the seat was known as Patna West)BJP chief Nitin Nabin won from the Bankipur assembly seat four times in a row Nitin Nabin won from Bankipur for first time in 2010 with a margin of 56%From 1995 to 2010, the seat (known as Patna West) was represented by Navin Kishore Prasad Sinha (Nitin Nabin’s father)Father-son duo has won the seat 8 consecutive times For PK, as Prashant Kishor is popularly known, contesting the Bankipur byelection was a huge political gamble. PK, who made a high-pitched entry into Bihar politics with a padyatra spanning months ahead of the 2025 assembly elections, cut a sorry figure when his Jan Suraj Party failed to win even one seat less than a year ago. Such dismal was his first electoral show that JSP lost deposit in 236 of the 238 seats it contested. Prashant Kishor did not contest the election himself and instead led a high-voltage campaign for his party across the state.Little wonder his decision to contest the Bankipur bypoll was fraught with the danger of becoming a make-or-break political move. But the gamble has paid off and Prashant Kishor with his debut win has propelled into the centrestage of Bihar politics.‘Bankipur’s message to BJP central leadership’Prashant Kishor polled over 64,151 votes and won the key electoral battle by a margin of 19,324 votes over BJP’s Neeraj Kumar. Prashant Kishor’s resounding success, nine months after his party’s humiliating defeat, marks a remarkable turnaround.And making the most of his victory, Prashant Kishor immediately trained his guns at Bihar chief minister Samrat Choudhary.”This is the victory of the people of Bankipur. As we stated during the election campaign, this was not just an election to choose an MLA. It was an attempt by the people of Bihar to send a message to the BJP’s central leadership that they should appoint a good person as the chief minister of Bihar. They do not want a person with a criminal background or questionable conduct, character, or reputation to lead Bihar. They want a good chief minister who can improve education, create employment opportunities for the youth, and ensure that the children of Bihar do not have to migrate elsewhere for work,” Kishor told reporters as his supporters celebrated his maiden electoral victory.Prashant Kishor’s use of his victory to target Samrat Choudhary did not come as a surprise. Ksihor been unrelenting in his attacks against the BJP leader ever since the election strategist became a full-time politician. He has targeted Samrat Choudhary over the chief minister’s educational qualification and his alleged criminal past.Kishor’s development pitch or disappointment against BJP?The Jan Suraaj chief also called upon the BJP’s central leadership to focus on governance ahead of the next Lok Sabha elections, stating, “Before the Lok Sabha elections, Prime Minister Modi, the BJP, and Amit Shah should focus on improving Bihar, creating jobs for its youth, and stopping migration. That is our only objective. We do not want to become MLAs merely to award contracts. Our sole objective is the development of Bihar.”These are the very themes on which Prashant Kishor fought the 2025 assembly elections and lost. Clearly, while he keeps focus on these issues, his victory in bankipur may less be about endorsement of his development focus and more about people’s disappointment with the BJP. The result is also perhaps a fallout of the students’ agitation against NEET-UG paper leak, which saw huge protests in Bihar. In Siwan, a police constable was suspended after a video purportedly showing him using an AK-47 rifle during a student protest on July 25 went viral on social media.Leader of opposition in Bihar assembly, Tejashwi Yadav, slammed Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary for the incident. He posted a video of the purported incident on X and, along with it, said, “During the protest in Siwan, police resorted to direct firing with an AK-47 on students. When a criminal becomes chief minister, then police fire bullets at innocent students.”‘Verdict by Bihar’s youth against BJP’CPI(ML) Liberation general secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya in his message to Prashant Kishor described his victory as a significant verdict by Bihar’s youth against the BJP-led state government.In a post on X, Bhattacharya termed Kishor’s victory a “well-earned debut victory” and said the bypoll result reflected public anger against the ruling dispensation.”Congratulations to Prashant Kishor on his well-earned debut victory in Bankipur bypoll. Kudos to the youth of Bihar for delivering such a telling blow to the supremely arrogant, incompetent and tyrannical BJP government of Bihar,” he said.Shock verdict for BJPThe BJP was quick to accept the verdict of the people. State BJP president Sanjay Saraogi said in a statement, “We bow before the will of the people. We shall draw lessons from the debacle, unlike our opponents who tend to blame every electoral loss of theirs on EVMs and the Election Commission”.But for the BJP, this defeat comes as an embarrassment for both its national president Nitin Nabin and the party’s first chief minister in the state Samrat Choudhary. Bankipur seat was literally a personal fiefdom of Nitin Nabin’s family which represented the constituency for 30 long years. A defeat in the backyard will surely embarrass the BJP chief.For Samrat Choudhary, this was the first electoral test of his government which was formed after the BJP took over the reins of the state from JD(U) chief Nitish Kumar. It was Nitish Kumar who had led the NDA to an emphatic triumph in the 2025 assembly elections. And the BJP would have hoped that Samrat Choudhary would have given it a winning start. But that was not to be.Lalu’s RJD pushed to fringesThe Bankipur bypoll result also has a worrying message for the main opposition party RJD. Tejashwi Yadav’s party seems to have learnt no lessons from the 2025 electoral drubbing. The party which has been reduced to 25 seats in the assembly did little to show intent on the ground. Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesIts candidate Rekha Kumari polled just 14,273 votes. This was over 32,000 votes less than the figure of 46,363, which she had polled in the 2025 assembly elections as the runnerup in the seat. Ironically, for the greater part of the campaign, RJD’s star campaigner Tejashwi Yadav was missing in action.Time to pause, reviewIt may not be prudent to overexaggerate the outcome of one bypoll. The result of one seat, even though high-profile, may not be indicative of any larger trend. But for the BJP and the RJD to brush aside the defeat as a one-off setback would be doing harm to their cause. The BJP should remember that it rules Bihar but is still dependent on its allies for survival. The RJD, meanwhile, remains the main opposition party but seems to have lost the plot to factionalism and family feuds after its dismal 2025 show. Both need to pause and review what went wrong in Bankipur. MLA Prashant Kishor, on the other hand, will perhaps be now preparing for another bout with his political bete noir Samrat Choudhary – this time on the floor of Bihar assembly.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosBengal STF Busts Alleged JeM Module, Probe Points To Pak-Based Handlers And Intelligence Network’30-Year Stronghold Fell In 30 Days’: Prashant Kishor’s 1st Remarks As He Eyes Historic Bankipur Win‘I Was A Moderate Hindu’: Kangana Ranaut Says ‘People Become Leftist After Meeting Islamists’’Will Lay Down Protocol’: Pellet Guns Under Supreme Court Lens After Jantar Mantar ProtestsCandidates Protest, Walk Out Of Exam Centre Over OMR Mismatch Confusion; Exam Board ClarifiesOnly One Woman Finds Place In DK Shivakumar’s Karnataka Cabinet Even After Major ExpansionDelhi Court Acquits Brij Bhushan In Wrestlers’ Sexual Harassment Case After Two-Year TrialWhy Two Crucial ISRO Satellites Are Still Waiting For Government Clearance To Launch?JPSC Protest Escalates: Devendra Mahato Begins Hunger Strike, Demands Exam Cancellation & CBI ProbeThree Bypolls: From Prashant Kishor’s Make-or-Break to BJP’S Bastion, What’s At Stake?123PhotostoriesExclusive – From reacting to her bullying allegations against Gaurav Khanna to working with Smriti Irani in Kyunki 2; Shagun Sharma gets candid about KKK 15Why eating dinner after 7 pm may be silently damaging your health: Doctor explains what happens inside your body at nightOTT releases this week (August 3 to August 9): ‘Main Vaapas Aaunga’, ‘Sterling Point’, ‘Operation Safed Sagar’, ‘The Super Mario Galaxy Movie’ and moreWant a happy married life after becoming parents? These 7 simple rules can bring you and your partner closer than ever8 Montessori principles every parent should follow to raise confident and independent childrenMost people skip leg day, but doctors say it could be one of the smartest things you do for your heart, bones, blood sugar, and longevityAncient India’s forgotten fashion: What women wore in the era of Lord Rama8 foods served on Japan’s famous bullet trainsWomen who stay calm even when life falls apart often use these 7 simple phrases, according to psychologyWhy is there always a chair in hotel rooms? The hidden reason most guests never notice123Hot PicksBypoll resultsPM ModiBankipur bypoll resultCET CAP Round 1 allotmentRBI FD rulePrashant KishorKarnataka cabinet expansionAssam floodsKanwar Yatra 2026Top TrendingNew Karnataka Cabinet ListJoe BradyBrittany MahomesGhaziabad Psychiatrist SuicideJeM Operative GirlfriendRuchika SharmaHamim Mondal ArrestWomen Wrestlers Sexual Harassment CaseBypoll Election Result 2026Shradha Singh

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