July 2, 2026

NEW DELHI: Despite a Supreme Court bench in Jan asking Centre to consider introducing a “Romeo-Juliet” clause to exempt “genuine adolescent relationships” from Pocso’s harshest provisions, govt in response to a question in Lok Sabha on Friday said “any dilution of the age of consent or introduction of exceptions would undermine child safety, increase the risk of exploitation, and weaken India’s commitment to the protection of children, especially adolescent girls”. Minister for women and child development, Annpurna Devi, stated in the written reply that “uniformity across laws in prescribing the age of consent as 18 years is intended to prevent manipulation, coercion, and exploitation of minors, recognising that children lack the legal and psychological capacity to give meaningful and informed consent in matters involving sexual activity.” The WCD minister was replying to a question on misuse of Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act raised by Lok Sabha MPs from CPI, Subbarayan K and Selvaraj V, where they asked “whether the attention of govt has been drawn to the concern expressed by a two-judge bench of SC about the repeated misuse of Pocso Act, asking govt to consider introducing a “Romeo-Juliet” clause to exempt “genuine adolescent relationships” from Pocso’s harshest provisions”. In response, the minister said, “The legislative decision to retain the age of consent at 18 years is a conscious and considered policy determination.” Devi highlighted that the age of majority has been uniformly fixed at 18 years across various statutes in order to maintain consistency and coherence within the legal framework, including, Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023; Pocso Act, 2012; Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006; Hindu Adoptions and Maintenance Act, 1956; Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015; and Hindu Minority and Guardianship Act, 1956.” “The legislative intent underlying these enactments reflects the settled position that individuals below the age of 18 years are not deemed capable of providing informed consent or making decisions, the long-term implications of which they may not fully comprehend,” the minister said. Pocso does not explicitly define the term ‘consent’, and under the statutory framework, any sexual act involving a person below 18 years of age is treated as an offence, irrespective of whether consent was purportedly given.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’We Were Preparing For War’: Former DGMO Reveals Inside Story Of India-China Doklam Stand-OffGrand Welcome To Dance Record: Indian Diaspora Gears Up For PM Modi’s Malaysia VisitWeeks After Noida Techie’s Death, Delhi Biker Dies After Falling Into Pit Dug By Jal BoardIndia Stands Firm On Chabahar Despite US-Iran Tensions And A Sanctions Threat, Tehran Backs DelhiFormer DGMO Lt Gen A.K. Bhatt Reveals How India Stopped China In Doklam: ‘We Used BRO Dozers…’From Exam Stress to Life Skills: PM Modi Engages Students in Pariksha Pe Charcha 2026Deadly Blast At Shia Religious Centre In Islamabad Raises Questions On Pakistan’s Security Failures’New Phase In Bilateral Ties’: Indian High Commissioner Hails PM Modi’s ‘Historic’ Malaysia VisitNorway PM Questions World War II-Era UNSC, Echoes India’s Demand For Reform And Global South VoiceAs Bangladesh Elections Near, Hindu Minority Faces Rising Attacks, Islamist Return And State Silence123Photostories6 sacred towns along the GangesDid you know? This indigenous Assamese craft is India’s best-kept heritage secretZendaya’s fashion evolution: A journey from girly pop to red carpet icon5 homemade, chemical-free ant killer sprays; effective DIY methodsInside Rohit Sharma’s premium car collection: 5 high-end luxury cars he owns10 iconic rajma dishes enjoyed across the globeApple TV shows to look forward to in 2026: ‘Imperfect Women’, ‘Margo’s Got Money Troubles’ and morePrince Narula, Tejasswi Prakash, and more: Can you guess these reality TV stars from their childhood picsThe mystery behind Leonardo da Vinci’s lost masterpieces and what historians sayFall in love, Bollywood style: 5 saree looks perfect for Valentine’s Day123Hot PicksBudget 2026Gold Silver PricesParliament Budget SessionGCC Unified Visa 2026Income Tax CalculatorPublic holidays February 2026Bank Holidays februaryTop TrendingGCC Unified VisaRamadan 2026Golden State Warriors vs Phoenix Suns InjuryPhiladelphia 76ers vs Los Angeles Lakers injury reportNFL Trade RumorsMyles Garrett GirlfriendSuryakumar YadavGhaziabad Suicide CaseJim BentT20 World Cup

Vamsikrishna02 mins mins
NEW DELHI: Despite a Supreme Court bench in Jan asking Centre to consider introducing a “Romeo-Juliet” clause to exempt “genuine adolescent relationships” from Pocso’s harshest provisions, govt in response to a question in Lok Sabha on Friday said “any dilution of the age of consent or introduction of exceptions would undermine child safety, increase the risk of exploitation, and weaken India’s commitment to the protection of children, especially adolescent girls”. Minister for women and child development, Annpurna Devi, stated in the written reply that “uniformity across laws in prescribing the age of consent as 18 years is intended to prevent manipulation, coercion, and exploitation of minors, recognising that children lack the legal and psychological capacity to give meaningful and informed consent in matters involving sexual activity.” The WCD minister was replying to a question on misuse of Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act raised by Lok Sabha MPs from CPI, Subbarayan K and Selvaraj V, where they asked “whether the attention of govt has been drawn to the concern expressed by a two-judge bench of SC about the repeated misuse of Pocso Act, asking govt to consider introducing a “Romeo-Juliet” clause to exempt “genuine adolescent relationships” from Pocso’s harshest provisions”. In response, the minister said, “The legislative decision to retain the age of consent at 18 years is a conscious and considered policy determination.” Devi highlighted that the age of majority has been uniformly fixed at 18 years across various statutes in order to maintain consistency and coherence within the legal framework, including, Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023; Pocso Act, 2012; Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006; Hindu Adoptions and Maintenance Act, 1956; Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015; and Hindu Minority and Guardianship Act, 1956.” “The legislative intent underlying these enactments reflects the settled position that individuals below the age of 18 years are not deemed capable of providing informed consent or making decisions, the long-term implications of which they may not fully comprehend,” the minister said. Pocso does not explicitly define the term ‘consent’, and under the statutory framework, any sexual act involving a person below 18 years of age is treated as an offence, irrespective of whether consent was purportedly given.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’We Were Preparing For War’: Former DGMO Reveals Inside Story Of India-China Doklam Stand-OffGrand Welcome To Dance Record: Indian Diaspora Gears Up For PM Modi’s Malaysia VisitWeeks After Noida Techie’s Death, Delhi Biker Dies After Falling Into Pit Dug By Jal BoardIndia Stands Firm On Chabahar Despite US-Iran Tensions And A Sanctions Threat, Tehran Backs DelhiFormer DGMO Lt Gen A.K. Bhatt Reveals How India Stopped China In Doklam: ‘We Used BRO Dozers…’From Exam Stress to Life Skills: PM Modi Engages Students in Pariksha Pe Charcha 2026Deadly Blast At Shia Religious Centre In Islamabad Raises Questions On Pakistan’s Security Failures’New Phase In Bilateral Ties’: Indian High Commissioner Hails PM Modi’s ‘Historic’ Malaysia VisitNorway PM Questions World War II-Era UNSC, Echoes India’s Demand For Reform And Global South VoiceAs Bangladesh Elections Near, Hindu Minority Faces Rising Attacks, Islamist Return And State Silence123Photostories6 sacred towns along the GangesDid you know? This indigenous Assamese craft is India’s best-kept heritage secretZendaya’s fashion evolution: A journey from girly pop to red carpet icon5 homemade, chemical-free ant killer sprays; effective DIY methodsInside Rohit Sharma’s premium car collection: 5 high-end luxury cars he owns10 iconic rajma dishes enjoyed across the globeApple TV shows to look forward to in 2026: ‘Imperfect Women’, ‘Margo’s Got Money Troubles’ and morePrince Narula, Tejasswi Prakash, and more: Can you guess these reality TV stars from their childhood picsThe mystery behind Leonardo da Vinci’s lost masterpieces and what historians sayFall in love, Bollywood style: 5 saree looks perfect for Valentine’s Day123Hot PicksBudget 2026Gold Silver PricesParliament Budget SessionGCC Unified Visa 2026Income Tax CalculatorPublic holidays February 2026Bank Holidays februaryTop TrendingGCC Unified VisaRamadan 2026Golden State Warriors vs Phoenix Suns InjuryPhiladelphia 76ers vs Los Angeles Lakers injury reportNFL Trade RumorsMyles Garrett GirlfriendSuryakumar YadavGhaziabad Suicide CaseJim BentT20 World Cup


Lowering age of consent will undermine child safety: Govt

NEW DELHI: Despite a Supreme Court bench in Jan asking Centre to consider introducing a “Romeo-Juliet” clause to exempt “genuine adolescent relationships” from Pocso’s harshest provisions, govt in response to a question in Lok Sabha on Friday said “any dilution of the age of consent or introduction of exceptions would undermine child safety, increase the risk of exploitation, and weaken India’s commitment to the protection of children, especially adolescent girls”. Minister for women and child development, Annpurna Devi, stated in the written reply that “uniformity across laws in prescribing the age of consent as 18 years is intended to prevent manipulation, coercion, and exploitation of minors, recognising that children lack the legal and psychological capacity to give meaningful and informed consent in matters involving sexual activity.” The WCD minister was replying to a question on misuse of Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act raised by Lok Sabha MPs from CPI, Subbarayan K and Selvaraj V, where they asked “whether the attention of govt has been drawn to the concern expressed by a two-judge bench of SC about the repeated misuse of Pocso Act, asking govt to consider introducing a “Romeo-Juliet” clause to exempt “genuine adolescent relationships” from Pocso’s harshest provisions”. In response, the minister said, “The legislative decision to retain the age of consent at 18 years is a conscious and considered policy determination.” Devi highlighted that the age of majority has been uniformly fixed at 18 years across various statutes in order to maintain consistency and coherence within the legal framework, including, Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023; Pocso Act, 2012; Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006; Hindu Adoptions and Maintenance Act, 1956; Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015; and Hindu Minority and Guardianship Act, 1956.” “The legislative intent underlying these enactments reflects the settled position that individuals below the age of 18 years are not deemed capable of providing informed consent or making decisions, the long-term implications of which they may not fully comprehend,” the minister said. Pocso does not explicitly define the term ‘consent’, and under the statutory framework, any sexual act involving a person below 18 years of age is treated as an offence, irrespective of whether consent was purportedly given.



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Over millennia, philosophers have struggled to clearly answer the question: ‘who is rich?’ A useful metric, easy to measure as well as compare, is income. The somewhat subjective factors that affect happiness (Good health? Freedom? Control of one’s time? Leisure?) also correlate well with it: People in high income countries also tend to have more leisure and better health, for example.The most widely followed categorisation of countries is by the World Bank and uses a per capita nominal GDP threshold of ,000 for high-income status. This was fixed at ,000 in 1987 prices, and has risen at around 2% annually since then, broadly tracking developed-economy inflation. At least 85 countries (around 40% of those ranked) were classified high-income in 2024.Per capita GDP is not a perfect measure. First, it ignores income distribution within a country. If income is concentrated in the hands of a few, even if the mean per capita income is high, many people would be poor. One can track median income, which is the middle-value when incomes are lined from smallest to largest. If there are too many poor and very few rich, the median would be lower than the mean. We note though that the gap between them tends to narrow significantly as economies become prosperous.Second, consumption may better indicate material well-being and differs from income, as savings, the gap between income and consumption, vary between economies, and between the rich and the poor. Some researchers even adjust for leisure and life-expectancy to arrive at ‘consumptionequivalent welfare’. However, this is hard to measure and compare accurately and frequently.Third, purchasing power parity (PPP)-based per capita GDP is a better measure of welfare, as it adjusts for cost-of-living differences. For example, a haircut or a taxi ride would be much cheaper in India than in the US, even though they deliver similar value. Per capita GDP in the US is 29 times India’s in nominal USD terms, but only seven times India’s in PPP-adjusted terms. On nominal GDP per capita, India ranked 140 globally among 196 nations, versus 162 in 2005, and is expected to rank 134 by 2030. Its PPP-adjusted rank was 124 and expected to rise to 117 by 2030. Over time, though, these series converge.Thus, a macroeconomic target based on per capita GDP, though not perfect, is the most appropriate.India’s move up the ranks over the past two decades has been among the most consistent globally, but China and Vietnam have moved faster. China was at India’s 2025 per capita GDP in 2007 and ranked 123. It has moved up to 73 and is on the verge of high-income status with a per capita income nearly five times that of India. Vietnam was at our level in 2016 and is now ranked 122, with per capita GDP around 60% higher than India’s.Can India reach high-income status? And by when? As chart 2 shows, to cross the high-income threshold by 2047, India must grow per capita GDP in USD terms by at least 9% annually, and GDP by 9.5%. If inflation averages 4%, and the rupee depreciates 2% annually against the USD, real growth needs to average 7.5% annually for the next 25 years.While this is indeed India’s current growth rate, as the economy moves towards the productivity frontier, growth will begin to taper: economies at the frontier grow less than 2.5% annually. Thus, growth must be faster over the next decade to compensate for the nearly inevitable slowdown in the 2040s.How must one accelerate growth? It helps to view growth in GDP as coming from growth in labour input, in capital formation, and in productivity.While labour input is linked to slow-changing-demographics, and cannot be changed quickly, India can and must lift its abysmally low female workforce participation in paid work. A large part of India’s demographic dividend would otherwise be wasted. While weak demand for labour is a major challenge, improved law-and order, regulations that ease part time work, and focus on job-creation in sectors that are dominated by women globally are essential interventions.The bulk of the acceleration in growth must come from faster capital formation. The starting conditions are in place, with a significant drop in the cost of capital, driven by the govt’s fiscal discipline and the remarkable flow of household savings into equities (through systematic investment plans, and insurance and pension funds) worth nearly 2% of GDP annually. The significant expansion in financial system capacity to provide credit now needs channels to facilitate flows to where credit is needed, like to MSMEs, via frameworks like OCEN (open credit enablement network).Policy must also prioritise easing real estate supply via regulatory changes and construction of urban infrastructure. Real estate and infrastructure form a major part of capital stock in developed economies — their construction creates demand for labour and materials and are an important driver of growth.India must also maintain its current rapid pace of productivity improvement. Individual prosperity cannot be achieved without productivity growth.Among other requirements (like better health and education), this needs significant investments in science and technology. Unlike what Japan, Taiwan, Korea and even China saw while they grew, India cannot hope for an ‘assisted’ rise and instead must prepare for a ‘resisted’ rise, where it must develop its own critical technology. This is also important to prevent getting stuck in the middle-income trap, which has plagued many Latin American and eastern Europeans. Building a risk-capital and innovation ecosystem well in advance is important to make the transition from middle-income to high-income.While new technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics will improve productivity globally, we believe they can help India much more, by bringing down unit costs across a range of critical sectors, breaking through vicious cycles that slow progress.Lastly, some of the societal shifts that Joel Mokyr emphasises in his book ‘A Culture of Growth,’ drove the industrial revolution in Britain, seem to be underway in India. Entrepreneurship is becoming socially respected and is now getting rewarded, the seeds of an innovation system are now falling in place, and the govt is beginning to see itself as a partner of business instead of viewing it with distrust.If we focus relentlessly on building a high-trust society (enabled by a modernising judiciary), with higher risk appetite (not just for entrepreneurs and investors but also policymakers), a high-income India by the late 2040s is not an unachievable dream.The writer is chief economist, Axis BankGet the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.About the AuthorNeelkanth MishraWriter is chief economist, Axis Bank.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’Highly Deplorable’: India Slams Pakistan Over Demolition Of 125-Year-Old Gurdwara In FarooqabadHealth Concerns Mount As Sonam Wangchuk’s Blood Sugar Falls, Weight Drops As Fast ContinuesDMK Seeks FIR Against CM Vijay, Alleges Plot To Induce MLAs And Alter Assembly NumbersCongress Claims BJP in West Bengal “Will Be Equally Aggressive”; MP Sparks Debate On GovernanceIran Invites BJP Chief Nitin Nabin, Congress Prez Kharge, Pawan Khera To Khamenei’s Funeral: ReportModi Cabinet Reshuffle Buzz: Will NDA Allies And Rebel MPs Find A Place In The Union Cabinet?Three Arrested, Senthil Balaji Under Scanner In Alleged TVK Government Toppling BidCongress Moves Privilege Motion Against Rajnath Singh Over Op Sindoor Claims; Seeks Transparency’Neglecting For 2.5 Years’ Kailash Vijayvargiya’s Letter To CM Mohan Yadav Triggers Political StormWATCH: Eggs, Vegetables Hurled At Mahua Moitra; TMC MP Accuses ‘BJP Goons’, Says Police Stood By123PhotostoriesLock Upp 2: Ram Kapoor, Sunita Ahuja to Akanksha Chamola—contestants’ net worth revealed; this celebrity tops the list with Rs 135 croreWilliam Faulkner’s quote, ‘You cannot swim for new horizons until you have courage to lose sight of the shore,’ perfectly explains why growth demands riskThink you will get your full deposit back? These surprisingly common move-out mistakes could lead to major deductions from your security depositPsychology says children need their parents the most during these 5 vulnerable moments of the day and how parents should respond during these momentsVande Bharat on a budget: 5 routes you can travel for under INR 1,5005 secrets to build an aura everyone feels attracted toPersonality test: Solo trip or holiday with your partner? What your travel style tells you about yourself5 shocking facts about octopuses that seem too strange to be realBengaluru daycare horror: 8 red flags every parent should know before choosing a daycare10 beautiful baby girl names inspired by the beauty of nature and their heartwarming meanings123Hot PicksLPG gas pricePatrick MahomesNEET PG RegistrationEmployees Provident Funds SchemeGTA 6India vs England t20Marcus SmartNayara petrol priceHow to Watch FIFA World Cup TodayTop TrendingNayara energy petrol priceLPG priceKetan Agarwal Murder CaseFIFA World Cup 2026Monaco BlastBengaluru TechieAnukalp MishraSergei IvanovIndigo Check-in Bag FaresAyodhya Ram Temple Donation Theft

Over millennia, philosophers have struggled to clearly answer the question: ‘who is rich?’ A useful metric, easy to measure as well as compare, is income. The somewhat subjective factors that affect happiness (Good health? Freedom? Control of one’s time? Leisure?) also correlate well with it: People in high income countries also tend to have more leisure and better health, for example.The most widely followed categorisation of countries is by the World Bank and uses a per capita nominal GDP threshold of $14,000 for high-income status. This was fixed at $6,000 in 1987 prices, and has risen at around 2% annually since then, broadly tracking developed-economy inflation. At least 85 countries (around 40% of those ranked) were classified high-income in 2024.Per capita GDP is not a perfect measure. First, it ignores income distribution within a country. If income is concentrated in the hands of a few, even if the mean per capita income is high, many people would be poor. One can track median income, which is the middle-value when incomes are lined from smallest to largest. If there are too many poor and very few rich, the median would be lower than the mean. We note though that the gap between them tends to narrow significantly as economies become prosperous.Second, consumption may better indicate material well-being and differs from income, as savings, the gap between income and consumption, vary between economies, and between the rich and the poor. Some researchers even adjust for leisure and life-expectancy to arrive at ‘consumptionequivalent welfare’. However, this is hard to measure and compare accurately and frequently.Third, purchasing power parity (PPP)-based per capita GDP is a better measure of welfare, as it adjusts for cost-of-living differences. For example, a haircut or a taxi ride would be much cheaper in India than in the US, even though they deliver similar value. Per capita GDP in the US is 29 times India’s in nominal USD terms, but only seven times India’s in PPP-adjusted terms. On nominal GDP per capita, India ranked 140 globally among 196 nations, versus 162 in 2005, and is expected to rank 134 by 2030. Its PPP-adjusted rank was 124 and expected to rise to 117 by 2030. Over time, though, these series converge.Thus, a macroeconomic target based on per capita GDP, though not perfect, is the most appropriate.India’s move up the ranks over the past two decades has been among the most consistent globally, but China and Vietnam have moved faster. China was at India’s 2025 per capita GDP in 2007 and ranked 123. It has moved up to 73 and is on the verge of high-income status with a per capita income nearly five times that of India. Vietnam was at our level in 2016 and is now ranked 122, with per capita GDP around 60% higher than India’s.Can India reach high-income status? And by when? As chart 2 shows, to cross the high-income threshold by 2047, India must grow per capita GDP in USD terms by at least 9% annually, and GDP by 9.5%. If inflation averages 4%, and the rupee depreciates 2% annually against the USD, real growth needs to average 7.5% annually for the next 25 years.While this is indeed India’s current growth rate, as the economy moves towards the productivity frontier, growth will begin to taper: economies at the frontier grow less than 2.5% annually. Thus, growth must be faster over the next decade to compensate for the nearly inevitable slowdown in the 2040s.How must one accelerate growth? It helps to view growth in GDP as coming from growth in labour input, in capital formation, and in productivity.While labour input is linked to slow-changing-demographics, and cannot be changed quickly, India can and must lift its abysmally low female workforce participation in paid work. A large part of India’s demographic dividend would otherwise be wasted. While weak demand for labour is a major challenge, improved law-and order, regulations that ease part time work, and focus on job-creation in sectors that are dominated by women globally are essential interventions.The bulk of the acceleration in growth must come from faster capital formation. The starting conditions are in place, with a significant drop in the cost of capital, driven by the govt’s fiscal discipline and the remarkable flow of household savings into equities (through systematic investment plans, and insurance and pension funds) worth nearly 2% of GDP annually. The significant expansion in financial system capacity to provide credit now needs channels to facilitate flows to where credit is needed, like to MSMEs, via frameworks like OCEN (open credit enablement network).Policy must also prioritise easing real estate supply via regulatory changes and construction of urban infrastructure. Real estate and infrastructure form a major part of capital stock in developed economies — their construction creates demand for labour and materials and are an important driver of growth.India must also maintain its current rapid pace of productivity improvement. Individual prosperity cannot be achieved without productivity growth.Among other requirements (like better health and education), this needs significant investments in science and technology. Unlike what Japan, Taiwan, Korea and even China saw while they grew, India cannot hope for an ‘assisted’ rise and instead must prepare for a ‘resisted’ rise, where it must develop its own critical technology. This is also important to prevent getting stuck in the middle-income trap, which has plagued many Latin American and eastern Europeans. Building a risk-capital and innovation ecosystem well in advance is important to make the transition from middle-income to high-income.While new technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics will improve productivity globally, we believe they can help India much more, by bringing down unit costs across a range of critical sectors, breaking through vicious cycles that slow progress.Lastly, some of the societal shifts that Joel Mokyr emphasises in his book ‘A Culture of Growth,’ drove the industrial revolution in Britain, seem to be underway in India. Entrepreneurship is becoming socially respected and is now getting rewarded, the seeds of an innovation system are now falling in place, and the govt is beginning to see itself as a partner of business instead of viewing it with distrust.If we focus relentlessly on building a high-trust society (enabled by a modernising judiciary), with higher risk appetite (not just for entrepreneurs and investors but also policymakers), a high-income India by the late 2040s is not an unachievable dream.The writer is chief economist, Axis BankGet the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.About the AuthorNeelkanth MishraWriter is chief economist, Axis Bank.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’Highly Deplorable’: India Slams Pakistan Over Demolition Of 125-Year-Old Gurdwara In FarooqabadHealth Concerns Mount As Sonam Wangchuk’s Blood Sugar Falls, Weight Drops As Fast ContinuesDMK Seeks FIR Against CM Vijay, Alleges Plot To Induce MLAs And Alter Assembly NumbersCongress Claims BJP in West Bengal “Will Be Equally Aggressive”; MP Sparks Debate On GovernanceIran Invites BJP Chief Nitin Nabin, Congress Prez Kharge, Pawan Khera To Khamenei’s Funeral: ReportModi Cabinet Reshuffle Buzz: Will NDA Allies And Rebel MPs Find A Place In The Union Cabinet?Three Arrested, Senthil Balaji Under Scanner In Alleged TVK Government Toppling BidCongress Moves Privilege Motion Against Rajnath Singh Over Op Sindoor Claims; Seeks Transparency’Neglecting For 2.5 Years’ Kailash Vijayvargiya’s Letter To CM Mohan Yadav Triggers Political StormWATCH: Eggs, Vegetables Hurled At Mahua Moitra; TMC MP Accuses ‘BJP Goons’, Says Police Stood By123PhotostoriesLock Upp 2: Ram Kapoor, Sunita Ahuja to Akanksha Chamola—contestants’ net worth revealed; this celebrity tops the list with Rs 135 croreWilliam Faulkner’s quote, ‘You cannot swim for new horizons until you have courage to lose sight of the shore,’ perfectly explains why growth demands riskThink you will get your full deposit back? These surprisingly common move-out mistakes could lead to major deductions from your security depositPsychology says children need their parents the most during these 5 vulnerable moments of the day and how parents should respond during these momentsVande Bharat on a budget: 5 routes you can travel for under INR 1,5005 secrets to build an aura everyone feels attracted toPersonality test: Solo trip or holiday with your partner? What your travel style tells you about yourself5 shocking facts about octopuses that seem too strange to be realBengaluru daycare horror: 8 red flags every parent should know before choosing a daycare10 beautiful baby girl names inspired by the beauty of nature and their heartwarming meanings123Hot PicksLPG gas pricePatrick MahomesNEET PG RegistrationEmployees Provident Funds SchemeGTA 6India vs England t20Marcus SmartNayara petrol priceHow to Watch FIFA World Cup TodayTop TrendingNayara energy petrol priceLPG priceKetan Agarwal Murder CaseFIFA World Cup 2026Monaco BlastBengaluru TechieAnukalp MishraSergei IvanovIndigo Check-in Bag FaresAyodhya Ram Temple Donation Theft

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NEW DELHI: The Tamil Nadu govt has moved the Supreme Court against the Madras high court order imposing a blanket ban on the slaughter of cows and calves in the state.In its plea, the Tamil Nadu govt challenged the May 27 order of the high court, which directed the chief secretary and the director general of police/head of police force to ensure that no cow or calf got slaughtered across the state either on the eve of Bakrid on May 28, or on any other day.“In a writ petition seeking a direction to ‘prevent the slaughter of cows in public places’, the HC ought to have travelled beyond the issue involved, to impose an absolute and blanket ban…,” the govt’s appeal said. The HC order was based on a 1976 ruling .Madras HC order on cow slaughter ban based on 1976 rulingOn May 27, the high court, while hearing a PIL filed by K Surya Prasanth, the general secretary of Hindu Makkal Katchi, which sought direction to prevent the slaughtering of cows in public places, directed the state govt to impose the blanket ban. The plea also sought directions that slaughter be carried out at designated places only.The high court order was based on a 1976 ruling, which prohibited cow slaughter in the interest of milk production and improvement of rural economy. In its plea, the state govt termed the order contrary to the Tamil Nadu Animal Preservation Act, 1958.The Act permits the slaughter of cows aged over 10 years that are unfit for work and breeding, on the basis of a certificate issued by a competent authority. The high court, however, imposed a blanket ban.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’Highly Deplorable’: India Slams Pakistan Over Demolition Of 125-Year-Old Gurdwara In FarooqabadHealth Concerns Mount As Sonam Wangchuk’s Blood Sugar Falls, Weight Drops As Fast ContinuesDMK Seeks FIR Against CM Vijay, Alleges Plot To Induce MLAs And Alter Assembly NumbersCongress Claims BJP in West Bengal “Will Be Equally Aggressive”; MP Sparks Debate On GovernanceIran Invites BJP Chief Nitin Nabin, Congress Prez Kharge, Pawan Khera To Khamenei’s Funeral: ReportModi Cabinet Reshuffle Buzz: Will NDA Allies And Rebel MPs Find A Place In The Union Cabinet?Three Arrested, Senthil Balaji Under Scanner In Alleged TVK Government Toppling BidCongress Moves Privilege Motion Against Rajnath Singh Over Op Sindoor Claims; Seeks Transparency’Neglecting For 2.5 Years’ Kailash Vijayvargiya’s Letter To CM Mohan Yadav Triggers Political StormWATCH: Eggs, Vegetables Hurled At Mahua Moitra; TMC MP Accuses ‘BJP Goons’, Says Police Stood By123PhotostoriesLock Upp 2: Ram Kapoor, Sunita Ahuja to Akanksha Chamola—contestants’ net worth revealed; this celebrity tops the list with Rs 135 croreWilliam Faulkner’s quote, ‘You cannot swim for new horizons until you have courage to lose sight of the shore,’ perfectly explains why growth demands riskThink you will get your full deposit back? These surprisingly common move-out mistakes could lead to major deductions from your security depositPsychology says children need their parents the most during these 5 vulnerable moments of the day and how parents should respond during these momentsVande Bharat on a budget: 5 routes you can travel for under INR 1,5005 secrets to build an aura everyone feels attracted toPersonality test: Solo trip or holiday with your partner? What your travel style tells you about yourself5 shocking facts about octopuses that seem too strange to be realBengaluru daycare horror: 8 red flags every parent should know before choosing a daycare10 beautiful baby girl names inspired by the beauty of nature and their heartwarming meanings123Hot PicksLPG gas pricePatrick MahomesNEET PG RegistrationEmployees Provident Funds SchemeGTA 6India vs England t20Marcus SmartNayara petrol priceHow to Watch FIFA World Cup TodayTop TrendingNayara energy petrol priceLPG priceKetan Agarwal Murder CaseFIFA World Cup 2026Monaco BlastBengaluru TechieAnukalp MishraSergei IvanovIndigo Check-in Bag FaresAyodhya Ram Temple Donation Theft

NEW DELHI: The Tamil Nadu govt has moved the Supreme Court against the Madras high court order imposing a blanket ban on the slaughter of cows and calves in the state.In its plea, the Tamil Nadu govt challenged the May 27 order of the high court, which directed the chief secretary and the director general of police/head of police force to ensure that no cow or calf got slaughtered across the state either on the eve of Bakrid on May 28, or on any other day.“In a writ petition seeking a direction to ‘prevent the slaughter of cows in public places’, the HC ought to have travelled beyond the issue involved, to impose an absolute and blanket ban…,” the govt’s appeal said. The HC order was based on a 1976 ruling .Madras HC order on cow slaughter ban based on 1976 rulingOn May 27, the high court, while hearing a PIL filed by K Surya Prasanth, the general secretary of Hindu Makkal Katchi, which sought direction to prevent the slaughtering of cows in public places, directed the state govt to impose the blanket ban. The plea also sought directions that slaughter be carried out at designated places only.The high court order was based on a 1976 ruling, which prohibited cow slaughter in the interest of milk production and improvement of rural economy. In its plea, the state govt termed the order contrary to the Tamil Nadu Animal Preservation Act, 1958.The Act permits the slaughter of cows aged over 10 years that are unfit for work and breeding, on the basis of a certificate issued by a competent authority. The high court, however, imposed a blanket ban.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’Highly Deplorable’: India Slams Pakistan Over Demolition Of 125-Year-Old Gurdwara In FarooqabadHealth Concerns Mount As Sonam Wangchuk’s Blood Sugar Falls, Weight Drops As Fast ContinuesDMK Seeks FIR Against CM Vijay, Alleges Plot To Induce MLAs And Alter Assembly NumbersCongress Claims BJP in West Bengal “Will Be Equally Aggressive”; MP Sparks Debate On GovernanceIran Invites BJP Chief Nitin Nabin, Congress Prez Kharge, Pawan Khera To Khamenei’s Funeral: ReportModi Cabinet Reshuffle Buzz: Will NDA Allies And Rebel MPs Find A Place In The Union Cabinet?Three Arrested, Senthil Balaji Under Scanner In Alleged TVK Government Toppling BidCongress Moves Privilege Motion Against Rajnath Singh Over Op Sindoor Claims; Seeks Transparency’Neglecting For 2.5 Years’ Kailash Vijayvargiya’s Letter To CM Mohan Yadav Triggers Political StormWATCH: Eggs, Vegetables Hurled At Mahua Moitra; TMC MP Accuses ‘BJP Goons’, Says Police Stood By123PhotostoriesLock Upp 2: Ram Kapoor, Sunita Ahuja to Akanksha Chamola—contestants’ net worth revealed; this celebrity tops the list with Rs 135 croreWilliam Faulkner’s quote, ‘You cannot swim for new horizons until you have courage to lose sight of the shore,’ perfectly explains why growth demands riskThink you will get your full deposit back? These surprisingly common move-out mistakes could lead to major deductions from your security depositPsychology says children need their parents the most during these 5 vulnerable moments of the day and how parents should respond during these momentsVande Bharat on a budget: 5 routes you can travel for under INR 1,5005 secrets to build an aura everyone feels attracted toPersonality test: Solo trip or holiday with your partner? What your travel style tells you about yourself5 shocking facts about octopuses that seem too strange to be realBengaluru daycare horror: 8 red flags every parent should know before choosing a daycare10 beautiful baby girl names inspired by the beauty of nature and their heartwarming meanings123Hot PicksLPG gas pricePatrick MahomesNEET PG RegistrationEmployees Provident Funds SchemeGTA 6India vs England t20Marcus SmartNayara petrol priceHow to Watch FIFA World Cup TodayTop TrendingNayara energy petrol priceLPG priceKetan Agarwal Murder CaseFIFA World Cup 2026Monaco BlastBengaluru TechieAnukalp MishraSergei IvanovIndigo Check-in Bag FaresAyodhya Ram Temple Donation Theft

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Marking a breakthrough in biological engineering, researchers claim to have created the world’s first synthetic cells that can feed, grow and replicate like a natural cell, taking a big step towards the holy grail of making a living organism out of non-living components.Developed by University of Minnesota scientists under a project called SpudCell, the work could in time lead to made-to-order living machines.“We’ve replicated in chemistry what only used to be possible in biology: the complete set of behaviours of a cell. It proves that fundamental functions of life, like growth and replication, don’t need a mysterious magical spark,” said Kate Adamala, who led the effort, in a note released by the varsity.The SpudCell isn’t quite ‘alive’. It can’t survive without deliveries of food and ribosomes, the molecular machines needed to make proteins. It also has no defences or a good waste removal system. SpudCell: Genetic change helped cells grow fasterBut experts said it’s the most compelling demonstration yet that it is possible to generate life from non-life. “This work is just the beginning. We are showing it’s possible to engineer the basic functions of the cell. To fully realise the promise of this technology — to make it robust and practical — we need combined international effort,” Adamala said.SpudCell is a pared down version of a living cell. While natural cells divide using internal scaffolding called a cytoskeleton, the synthetic cell sidesteps the need for a cytoskeleton with proteins that crowd together on the membrane surface until the mechanical stress makes the membrane split. Researchers introduced a genetic change that increased production of fusion protein, resulting in cells that grew faster and produced more offspring. After five generations, the faster-growing variant had out-competed the original, the university said.While a human genome is roughly 3 million kilobase pairs (kbp) in size, SpudCell’s genome is relatively tiny at 90 kbp. Rather than a single chromosome, the genome is split across seven separate DNA plasmids, allowing the team to “program” various functions of the cell independently.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’Highly Deplorable’: India Slams Pakistan Over Demolition Of 125-Year-Old Gurdwara In FarooqabadHealth Concerns Mount As Sonam Wangchuk’s Blood Sugar Falls, Weight Drops As Fast ContinuesDMK Seeks FIR Against CM Vijay, Alleges Plot To Induce MLAs And Alter Assembly NumbersCongress Claims BJP in West Bengal “Will Be Equally Aggressive”; MP Sparks Debate On GovernanceIran Invites BJP Chief Nitin Nabin, Congress Prez Kharge, Pawan Khera To Khamenei’s Funeral: ReportModi Cabinet Reshuffle Buzz: Will NDA Allies And Rebel MPs Find A Place In The Union Cabinet?Three Arrested, Senthil Balaji Under Scanner In Alleged TVK Government Toppling BidCongress Moves Privilege Motion Against Rajnath Singh Over Op Sindoor Claims; Seeks Transparency’Neglecting For 2.5 Years’ Kailash Vijayvargiya’s Letter To CM Mohan Yadav Triggers Political StormWATCH: Eggs, Vegetables Hurled At Mahua Moitra; TMC MP Accuses ‘BJP Goons’, Says Police Stood By123PhotostoriesLock Upp 2: Ram Kapoor, Sunita Ahuja to Akanksha Chamola—contestants’ net worth revealed; this celebrity tops the list with Rs 135 croreWilliam Faulkner’s quote, ‘You cannot swim for new horizons until you have courage to lose sight of the shore,’ perfectly explains why growth demands riskThink you will get your full deposit back? These surprisingly common move-out mistakes could lead to major deductions from your security depositPsychology says children need their parents the most during these 5 vulnerable moments of the day and how parents should respond during these momentsVande Bharat on a budget: 5 routes you can travel for under INR 1,5005 secrets to build an aura everyone feels attracted toPersonality test: Solo trip or holiday with your partner? What your travel style tells you about yourself5 shocking facts about octopuses that seem too strange to be realBengaluru daycare horror: 8 red flags every parent should know before choosing a daycare10 beautiful baby girl names inspired by the beauty of nature and their heartwarming meanings123Hot PicksLPG gas pricePatrick MahomesNEET PG RegistrationEmployees Provident Funds SchemeGTA 6India vs England t20Marcus SmartNayara petrol priceHow to Watch FIFA World Cup TodayTop TrendingNayara energy petrol priceLPG priceKetan Agarwal Murder CaseFIFA World Cup 2026Monaco BlastBengaluru TechieAnukalp MishraSergei IvanovIndigo Check-in Bag FaresAyodhya Ram Temple Donation Theft

Marking a breakthrough in biological engineering, researchers claim to have created the world’s first synthetic cells that can feed, grow and replicate like a natural cell, taking a big step towards the holy grail of making a living organism out of non-living components.Developed by University of Minnesota scientists under a project called SpudCell, the work could in time lead to made-to-order living machines.“We’ve replicated in chemistry what only used to be possible in biology: the complete set of behaviours of a cell. It proves that fundamental functions of life, like growth and replication, don’t need a mysterious magical spark,” said Kate Adamala, who led the effort, in a note released by the varsity.The SpudCell isn’t quite ‘alive’. It can’t survive without deliveries of food and ribosomes, the molecular machines needed to make proteins. It also has no defences or a good waste removal system. SpudCell: Genetic change helped cells grow fasterBut experts said it’s the most compelling demonstration yet that it is possible to generate life from non-life. “This work is just the beginning. We are showing it’s possible to engineer the basic functions of the cell. To fully realise the promise of this technology — to make it robust and practical — we need combined international effort,” Adamala said.SpudCell is a pared down version of a living cell. While natural cells divide using internal scaffolding called a cytoskeleton, the synthetic cell sidesteps the need for a cytoskeleton with proteins that crowd together on the membrane surface until the mechanical stress makes the membrane split. Researchers introduced a genetic change that increased production of fusion protein, resulting in cells that grew faster and produced more offspring. After five generations, the faster-growing variant had out-competed the original, the university said.While a human genome is roughly 3 million kilobase pairs (kbp) in size, SpudCell’s genome is relatively tiny at 90 kbp. Rather than a single chromosome, the genome is split across seven separate DNA plasmids, allowing the team to “program” various functions of the cell independently.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’Highly Deplorable’: India Slams Pakistan Over Demolition Of 125-Year-Old Gurdwara In FarooqabadHealth Concerns Mount As Sonam Wangchuk’s Blood Sugar Falls, Weight Drops As Fast ContinuesDMK Seeks FIR Against CM Vijay, Alleges Plot To Induce MLAs And Alter Assembly NumbersCongress Claims BJP in West Bengal “Will Be Equally Aggressive”; MP Sparks Debate On GovernanceIran Invites BJP Chief Nitin Nabin, Congress Prez Kharge, Pawan Khera To Khamenei’s Funeral: ReportModi Cabinet Reshuffle Buzz: Will NDA Allies And Rebel MPs Find A Place In The Union Cabinet?Three Arrested, Senthil Balaji Under Scanner In Alleged TVK Government Toppling BidCongress Moves Privilege Motion Against Rajnath Singh Over Op Sindoor Claims; Seeks Transparency’Neglecting For 2.5 Years’ Kailash Vijayvargiya’s Letter To CM Mohan Yadav Triggers Political StormWATCH: Eggs, Vegetables Hurled At Mahua Moitra; TMC MP Accuses ‘BJP Goons’, Says Police Stood By123PhotostoriesLock Upp 2: Ram Kapoor, Sunita Ahuja to Akanksha Chamola—contestants’ net worth revealed; this celebrity tops the list with Rs 135 croreWilliam Faulkner’s quote, ‘You cannot swim for new horizons until you have courage to lose sight of the shore,’ perfectly explains why growth demands riskThink you will get your full deposit back? These surprisingly common move-out mistakes could lead to major deductions from your security depositPsychology says children need their parents the most during these 5 vulnerable moments of the day and how parents should respond during these momentsVande Bharat on a budget: 5 routes you can travel for under INR 1,5005 secrets to build an aura everyone feels attracted toPersonality test: Solo trip or holiday with your partner? What your travel style tells you about yourself5 shocking facts about octopuses that seem too strange to be realBengaluru daycare horror: 8 red flags every parent should know before choosing a daycare10 beautiful baby girl names inspired by the beauty of nature and their heartwarming meanings123Hot PicksLPG gas pricePatrick MahomesNEET PG RegistrationEmployees Provident Funds SchemeGTA 6India vs England t20Marcus SmartNayara petrol priceHow to Watch FIFA World Cup TodayTop TrendingNayara energy petrol priceLPG priceKetan Agarwal Murder CaseFIFA World Cup 2026Monaco BlastBengaluru TechieAnukalp MishraSergei IvanovIndigo Check-in Bag FaresAyodhya Ram Temple Donation Theft

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