August 28, 2026
95 years of Delhi (Representative Image: Created with AI) New Delhi turned 95 today, a milestone that binds two moments of power separated by nearly a century. On this date in 1931, the British formally inaugurated New Delhi as the imperial capital. Ninety-five years later, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday marked a symbolic departure from that legacy by shifting the Prime Minister’s Office from South Block to ‘Seva Teerth’, a move framed as the final “unlinking” of the capital from its colonial inheritance.But New Delhi was neither born overnight nor unveiled through a simple ribbon-cutting ceremony. Its making was the culmination of two decades of planning, political calculation and imperial ambition, set against centuries of Delhi’s own recurring rise and abandonment. PM Modi Unveils Seva Teerth, A New PMO Hub Marking Governance Shift In National Capital Delhi The decision itself was announced on December 12, 1911, when King George V stunned the Delhi Durbar by declaring that the capital of British India would move from Calcutta to Delhi. What followed was a slow, deliberate process that finally culminated in February 1931 with a week-long series of ceremonies inaugurating the new city.During those ceremonies, the then Viceroy dedicated the All India War Memorial Arch — now India Gate — on February 12, honouring soldiers who died in the First World War and the Third Anglo-Afghan War, their names etched into its stone. Three days later, another ceremony at the Government of India Camp recalled the moment two decades earlier when King George V and Queen Mary had laid the foundation stones of the new capital, each bearing the simple inscription: “15 December 1911.”New Delhi’s creation was shaped as much by political necessity as by urban design. After the Swadeshi movement and the violence following the 1905 partition of Bengal turned Calcutta into a centre of unrest, the British Raj sought both administrative control and symbolic authority. It returned to a familiar strategy: anchoring power in Delhi, a city steeped in imperial memory.By doing so, the British were not creating something entirely new, but adding an eighth layer to a city that had already been built, abandoned and rebuilt seven times before. Modern New Delhi thus rose atop the ruins of earlier capitals and civilisations — and it was precisely this historical gravity that made Delhi the empire’s chosen seat.The Bombshell at the DurbarOn a sunny, windy day, the Delhi Durbar that sprawled across 25 square miles near Burari had over 84,000 spectators. It was the coronation of King George V and Queen Mary as Emperor and Empress of India, following their crowning in Britain earlier that year.He also became the first reigning monarch to set foot on Indian soil. And it was for a reason.“We are pleased to announce to our people that, on the advice of our ministers, tendered after consultation with our Governor-General-in-Council, we have decided upon the transfer of the seat of the Government of India, from Calcutta to the ancient capital of Delhi,” George V announced, as mentioned in Sam Miller’s Delhi, Adventures in a Megacity.Why? Bengal’s agitation made Calcutta a powder keg. Delhi’s central location astride rail networks, Punjab’s military recruits, and the Afghan frontier made it strategically superior for administration and defence.It also served as a power statement symbolically. Emperors from Pandavas to Mughals ruled here.King George V laid the foundation stones for the Viceroy’s House, which is now Rashtrapati Bhavan and the Secretariat, which are the North and South Block buildings, adjacent to the Rashtrapati Bhavan, during the Delhi Durbar week.This grand gesture symbolised Britain’s long-term commitment to ruling India amid growing nationalist unrest.Delhi’s eternal game of thrones: The seven citiesThe tale of Delhi’s seven cities isn’t some neat stack in one spot, but a history revolving around a central high point called the Aravalli Ridge.From Purana Qila to Mehrauli, the central Yamuna-facing plateau commanded rivers, trade routes, and monsoons. It was the “magnetic North” for power.Whoever held Delhi held India.In essence, Delhi’s foundation began as a mythical forest settlement of Indraprastha and eventually grew into a medieval capital named after its rulers.Lal Kot/Qila Rai Pithora (1052 CE)Anangpal Tomar II and Prithviraj Chauhan turned Delhi from a series of scattered settlements into a fortified superpower known as the First City of Delhi.Lal Kot (The Red Fort of its time): Built by Anangpal Tomar II around 1060 CE, these were the original high walls of red sandstone. It was strategically placed on the rocky Aravalli ridge to make it nearly impossible to climb.Qila Rai Pithora: When the legendary Rajput hero Prithviraj Chauhan took over, he didn’t tear it down; he expanded it. He wrapped the original fort in massive new walls, creating a sprawling urban centre that could house a massive army and 27 grand temples.Siri (1303)Enter the Delhi Sultanate’s first true urban innovator, Alauddin Khilji. He didn’t just build a city; he built a fortified machine designed to survive both Mongol invasions and starvation.Facing constant threats, he shifted the capital to Siri, the second of the seven cities, and turned it into a logistical marvel.He built massive, 13-meter-thick stone walls to stop Mongol horsemen.To solve the water crisis, he excavated the Hauz-i-Alai, now known as Hauz Khas, a massive tank that captured rainwater to sustain the city through the dry season.This would later go on to become a poetic rivalry that history would remember.Tughlaqabad (1321)Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq was a man of stone and war. Unlike the previous rulers who built for beauty, he built Tughlaqabad, the third city, as a grim, sloping fortress meant to withstand the end of the world. While the ruler carried forward the legacy of the grand vision for Dilli, the beloved Sufi saint Nizamuddin Auliya was building a community well.The drama with Sufi saint Nizamuddin Auliya reached its peak here. Ghiyasuddin was so obsessed with finishing his city that he banned all labourers from working on the Saint’s stepwell or his baoli.And thus came the popular curse, “Hunooz Dilli door ast” (Delhi is still far off). But this was not all, he also allegedly whispered a second, darker curse regarding the city itself:”Ya base Gujar, ya rahe ujar.” (May it be inhabited by nomads, or remain a wilderness.)And thus, the city was abandoned almost as soon as it was finished.While returning from a campaign, Ghiyasuddin died when a wooden pavilion built by his own son, Muhammad bin Tughlaq, “accidentally” collapsed on him. He never spent a single night in his completed palace. Delhi was, indeed, too far.Despite the massive reservoirs, the area lacked a sustainable groundwater source. The water turned brackish and undrinkable. Disease and drought forced the population to flee back to the older cities. Within five years, the “impregnable” capital was a graveyard. Jahanpanah (1325)Muhammad bin Tughlaq is history’s ultimate “cautionary tale.” He was arguably the most learned man of his age—a mathematician, physician, and philosopher—but his brilliance lacked a pulse for human reality.He didn’t just build the fourth city, Jahanpanah; he tried to re-engineer the entire concept of an empire.He built madrasas and hospitals, and famously, the Begumpur Mosque.But, in 1327, the Sultan decided that Delhi was too far north to manage his growing southern territories. He picked Daulatabad, today in Maharashtra, as the new centre of India. Most kings would just move their court. Muhammad bin Tughlaq ordered the entire population of Delhi to move.Old men, women, children, and even the sick were forced to walk as thousands perished during the journey, and Delhi became a ghost town.Two years later, he admitted defeat and ordered everyone to march back to Delhi. Thousands more died on the return trip. Those who made it back found a city that had been looted and reclaimed by the jungle.Firozabad/Firoz Shah Kotla (1354)Firoz Shah Tughlaq was the “calm builder” of recovery. He established Firozabad, the fifth city of Delhi, and shifted the capital’s focus to the riverbanks. The heart of this city was the Firoz Shah Kotla, where today stands the Arun Jaitley Stadium.But the “idyll” of Firozabad didn’t last. A few years after Firoz Shah’s death, the Central Asian conqueror Timur swept into Delhi.Timur’s forces systematically looted the city for days.He was so impressed by the architecture of Firozabad’s Jama Masjid that he spared the stone-masons, only to take them back to Samarkand as prisoners to build a similar mosque for him there.Dinpanah/Purana Qila (1533)The transition from the Tughlaqs to the Mughals brought a new aesthetic to Delhi: the Persian style. This era was defined by a bitter rivalry between the Mughal Emperor Humayun and the Afghan lion Sher Shah Suri. They essentially “co-authored” the sixth city of Delhi, known today as Purana Qila.When Humayun took the throne, he wanted to create a city that reflected his love for astronomy, poetry, and Persian elegance. He began building Dinpanah, the Sixth City, in 1533. He chose the high ground near the Yamuna, supposedly the same spot where the ancient city of Indraprastha once stood.But his dream was cut short after Sher Shah Suri defeated him in 1540 and chased him into exile in Persia.Sher Shah didn’t just conquer the city; he renamed it Shergarh. He tore down Humayun’s incomplete structures and rebuilt the fort with massive, “masculine” stone walls.Eventually, Sher Shah died in a gunpowder accident, and Humayun returned from Persia 15 years later to reclaim his throne. However, his “return” lasted only six months.Shahjahanabad (1639)This is the seventh city, the Delhi that most people still recognise today as Old Delhi.While previous cities were forts or strategic outposts, Shahjahanabad was a masterpiece of urban planning, designed to be the most beautiful city in the world.Shah Jahan moved the capital back from Agra to Delhi in 1639, bringing with him the peak of Mughal architectural refinement.He built the Red Fort, Jama Masjid and Chandni Chowk. However, the glory didn’t last. Shah Jahan’s son, Aurangzeb, spent the last 27 years of his reign fighting endless wars in the Deccan.The final blow came during the revolt of 1857.Indian rebels took over Shahjahanabad, declaring the elderly Bahadur Shah Zafar their leader. The British besieged the city for months. When the British finally broke through the Kashmere Gate, they cleared a “shooting space” around the Red Fort, demolishing nearly 80% of the exquisite palaces and gardens inside the fort and the city to build ugly brick barracks.Lutyen’s Delhi: The eighth cityFollowing the 1911 announcement, Edwin Lutyens and Herbert Baker were tasked by the 1912 Delhi Town Planning Committee with a mad four-year deadline for 6,000 acres. What started as a then Rs 10 crore budget ballooned as World War I diverted materials and money to the front lines.The shift cost the British approximately £4 million at the time — estimated to be around £610 million today, or roughly Rs 7,528 crore in current value.Ironically, by the time the city was officially inaugurated in 1931, the British Empire was already crumbling. They built a “City of Kings” only to hand the keys over to the Indian Republic just 16 years later.The grand inauguration: Rain, sun, and imperial pompAfter 20 years’ toil, festivities erupt in February 1931.The timing was almost cinematic. After three days of torrential rain, the clouds famously parted on February 10th. At exactly 11:00 AM, the sun struck the red sandstone of the Secretariats, signalling the start of the ceremonies.Standing in the Great Court of the Viceroy’s House, Lord Irwin and Lady Irwin unveiled the four Dominion Columns.The celebrations turned the city into a theatre of military and social might. The 2-mile stretch of Kingsway, the now Kartavya Path, saw the thunder of the British Indian Cavalry. Above, the Royal Air Force performed flypasts—a relatively new and terrifying display of modern power to the crowds below.Once the fireworks faded, the “Paper Empire” began its move. This was one of the largest bureaucratic shifts in history. Thousands of files, desks, and Babus (clerks) were moved from the humid streets of Calcutta to the dry heat of Delhi via special trains.By 1932, the “Viceroy’s House” was fully operational. The British had finally occupied their “eighth city.”Today, the “eighth city” is no longer the city of Lutyens or the British. It belongs to the millions who migrated here in 1947, the dreamers from across the subcontinent, and the ghosts of the Pandavas whispering beneath the Purana Qila.As the Urdu poet Zauq once famously said, “Kaun jaye Zauq, Dilli ki galiyan chhod kar?” (Who would ever leave the streets of Delhi?)End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosPM Modi Speaks To BNP Chief Tarique Rahman, Congratulates On ‘Remarkable’ Bangladesh Poll Win6-Year-Old Dead, 5 Injured As Speeding Car Hits Pedestrians On Busy Lucknow Road; CCTV Shows HorrorKiren Rijiju Explains Why Modi Govt Paused Privilege Notice Against Rahul Gandhi After Dubey’s MoveTarique Rahman’s BNP Heads For Landslide In Bangladesh Election, Rivals Cry FoulPM Modi Unveils Seva Teerth, A New PMO Hub Marking Governance Shift In National Capital DelhiRafale To Be Built In India For The First Time Outside France After DAC Nod For 114 Fighter Jets’Bangladesh Rejected Pakistan-Backed Jamaat’: Experts Decode BNP’s Historic Return To PowerCDS General Anil Chauhan Links History With Border Disputes With China, Recalls Nehru Knew About It’He Is A Habitual Liar’: Farmers At Centre As Piyush Goyal Slams Rahul Gandhi On India US Trade DealPoK And Aksai Chin In India Map: US Trade Deal Post Forced Pakistan To Rush Washington To Rectify123PhotostoriesPersonality test: The rose you choose reveals how you deal with stressValentine’s Day 2026: 7 romantic red cocktails for Valentine’s Day celebrationFrom Titan Arum to Bulbophyllum Phalaenopsis: 7 worst smelling flowers of the worldDid you know Shahid Kapoor was rejected 100 times before his debut in ‘Ishq Vishk’? 6 lesser-known facts about ‘O Romeo’ actor5 hill forts of Rajasthan and why they are a traveller’s favourite7 glass buildings across the world that changed contemporary architecturePotholes, debris and chaos: Bengaluru commuters struggle ahead of Pink Line Metro launch5 Indian fabrics that offer a luxury feel at an affordable priceSadhguru considers this Avocado Salad with Crunchy Seeds an ideal precursor to the main meal, recipe insideValentine’s Day special: Best red lipstick shades that flatter every Indian skin tone123Hot PicksIT Stocks CrashGold Silver PricesBangladesh Election ResultsTelangana Municipal Elections ResultsIncome Tax CalculatorPublic holidays February 2026Bank Holidays februaryTop TrendingMarvel Rivals Season 6.5 Release dateErika KirkBad BunnyCatherine Polli Net WorthSeahawks Super Bowl paradeKayla NicoleAnthony JoshuaChloe KimCardi BMax Muncy

95 years of Delhi (Representative Image: Created with AI) New Delhi turned 95 today, a milestone that binds two moments of power separated by nearly a century. On this date in 1931, the British formally inaugurated New Delhi as the imperial capital. Ninety-five years later, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday marked a symbolic departure from that legacy by shifting the Prime Minister’s Office from South Block to ‘Seva Teerth’, a move framed as the final “unlinking” of the capital from its colonial inheritance.But New Delhi was neither born overnight nor unveiled through a simple ribbon-cutting ceremony. Its making was the culmination of two decades of planning, political calculation and imperial ambition, set against centuries of Delhi’s own recurring rise and abandonment. PM Modi Unveils Seva Teerth, A New PMO Hub Marking Governance Shift In National Capital Delhi The decision itself was announced on December 12, 1911, when King George V stunned the Delhi Durbar by declaring that the capital of British India would move from Calcutta to Delhi. What followed was a slow, deliberate process that finally culminated in February 1931 with a week-long series of ceremonies inaugurating the new city.During those ceremonies, the then Viceroy dedicated the All India War Memorial Arch — now India Gate — on February 12, honouring soldiers who died in the First World War and the Third Anglo-Afghan War, their names etched into its stone. Three days later, another ceremony at the Government of India Camp recalled the moment two decades earlier when King George V and Queen Mary had laid the foundation stones of the new capital, each bearing the simple inscription: “15 December 1911.”New Delhi’s creation was shaped as much by political necessity as by urban design. After the Swadeshi movement and the violence following the 1905 partition of Bengal turned Calcutta into a centre of unrest, the British Raj sought both administrative control and symbolic authority. It returned to a familiar strategy: anchoring power in Delhi, a city steeped in imperial memory.By doing so, the British were not creating something entirely new, but adding an eighth layer to a city that had already been built, abandoned and rebuilt seven times before. Modern New Delhi thus rose atop the ruins of earlier capitals and civilisations — and it was precisely this historical gravity that made Delhi the empire’s chosen seat.The Bombshell at the DurbarOn a sunny, windy day, the Delhi Durbar that sprawled across 25 square miles near Burari had over 84,000 spectators. It was the coronation of King George V and Queen Mary as Emperor and Empress of India, following their crowning in Britain earlier that year.He also became the first reigning monarch to set foot on Indian soil. And it was for a reason.“We are pleased to announce to our people that, on the advice of our ministers, tendered after consultation with our Governor-General-in-Council, we have decided upon the transfer of the seat of the Government of India, from Calcutta to the ancient capital of Delhi,” George V announced, as mentioned in Sam Miller’s Delhi, Adventures in a Megacity.Why? Bengal’s agitation made Calcutta a powder keg. Delhi’s central location astride rail networks, Punjab’s military recruits, and the Afghan frontier made it strategically superior for administration and defence.It also served as a power statement symbolically. Emperors from Pandavas to Mughals ruled here.King George V laid the foundation stones for the Viceroy’s House, which is now Rashtrapati Bhavan and the Secretariat, which are the North and South Block buildings, adjacent to the Rashtrapati Bhavan, during the Delhi Durbar week.This grand gesture symbolised Britain’s long-term commitment to ruling India amid growing nationalist unrest.Delhi’s eternal game of thrones: The seven citiesThe tale of Delhi’s seven cities isn’t some neat stack in one spot, but a history revolving around a central high point called the Aravalli Ridge.From Purana Qila to Mehrauli, the central Yamuna-facing plateau commanded rivers, trade routes, and monsoons. It was the “magnetic North” for power.Whoever held Delhi held India.In essence, Delhi’s foundation began as a mythical forest settlement of Indraprastha and eventually grew into a medieval capital named after its rulers.Lal Kot/Qila Rai Pithora (1052 CE)Anangpal Tomar II and Prithviraj Chauhan turned Delhi from a series of scattered settlements into a fortified superpower known as the First City of Delhi.Lal Kot (The Red Fort of its time): Built by Anangpal Tomar II around 1060 CE, these were the original high walls of red sandstone. It was strategically placed on the rocky Aravalli ridge to make it nearly impossible to climb.Qila Rai Pithora: When the legendary Rajput hero Prithviraj Chauhan took over, he didn’t tear it down; he expanded it. He wrapped the original fort in massive new walls, creating a sprawling urban centre that could house a massive army and 27 grand temples.Siri (1303)Enter the Delhi Sultanate’s first true urban innovator, Alauddin Khilji. He didn’t just build a city; he built a fortified machine designed to survive both Mongol invasions and starvation.Facing constant threats, he shifted the capital to Siri, the second of the seven cities, and turned it into a logistical marvel.He built massive, 13-meter-thick stone walls to stop Mongol horsemen.To solve the water crisis, he excavated the Hauz-i-Alai, now known as Hauz Khas, a massive tank that captured rainwater to sustain the city through the dry season.This would later go on to become a poetic rivalry that history would remember.Tughlaqabad (1321)Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq was a man of stone and war. Unlike the previous rulers who built for beauty, he built Tughlaqabad, the third city, as a grim, sloping fortress meant to withstand the end of the world. While the ruler carried forward the legacy of the grand vision for Dilli, the beloved Sufi saint Nizamuddin Auliya was building a community well.The drama with Sufi saint Nizamuddin Auliya reached its peak here. Ghiyasuddin was so obsessed with finishing his city that he banned all labourers from working on the Saint’s stepwell or his baoli.And thus came the popular curse, “Hunooz Dilli door ast” (Delhi is still far off). But this was not all, he also allegedly whispered a second, darker curse regarding the city itself:”Ya base Gujar, ya rahe ujar.” (May it be inhabited by nomads, or remain a wilderness.)And thus, the city was abandoned almost as soon as it was finished.While returning from a campaign, Ghiyasuddin died when a wooden pavilion built by his own son, Muhammad bin Tughlaq, “accidentally” collapsed on him. He never spent a single night in his completed palace. Delhi was, indeed, too far.Despite the massive reservoirs, the area lacked a sustainable groundwater source. The water turned brackish and undrinkable. Disease and drought forced the population to flee back to the older cities. Within five years, the “impregnable” capital was a graveyard. Jahanpanah (1325)Muhammad bin Tughlaq is history’s ultimate “cautionary tale.” He was arguably the most learned man of his age—a mathematician, physician, and philosopher—but his brilliance lacked a pulse for human reality.He didn’t just build the fourth city, Jahanpanah; he tried to re-engineer the entire concept of an empire.He built madrasas and hospitals, and famously, the Begumpur Mosque.But, in 1327, the Sultan decided that Delhi was too far north to manage his growing southern territories. He picked Daulatabad, today in Maharashtra, as the new centre of India. Most kings would just move their court. Muhammad bin Tughlaq ordered the entire population of Delhi to move.Old men, women, children, and even the sick were forced to walk as thousands perished during the journey, and Delhi became a ghost town.Two years later, he admitted defeat and ordered everyone to march back to Delhi. Thousands more died on the return trip. Those who made it back found a city that had been looted and reclaimed by the jungle.Firozabad/Firoz Shah Kotla (1354)Firoz Shah Tughlaq was the “calm builder” of recovery. He established Firozabad, the fifth city of Delhi, and shifted the capital’s focus to the riverbanks. The heart of this city was the Firoz Shah Kotla, where today stands the Arun Jaitley Stadium.But the “idyll” of Firozabad didn’t last. A few years after Firoz Shah’s death, the Central Asian conqueror Timur swept into Delhi.Timur’s forces systematically looted the city for days.He was so impressed by the architecture of Firozabad’s Jama Masjid that he spared the stone-masons, only to take them back to Samarkand as prisoners to build a similar mosque for him there.Dinpanah/Purana Qila (1533)The transition from the Tughlaqs to the Mughals brought a new aesthetic to Delhi: the Persian style. This era was defined by a bitter rivalry between the Mughal Emperor Humayun and the Afghan lion Sher Shah Suri. They essentially “co-authored” the sixth city of Delhi, known today as Purana Qila.When Humayun took the throne, he wanted to create a city that reflected his love for astronomy, poetry, and Persian elegance. He began building Dinpanah, the Sixth City, in 1533. He chose the high ground near the Yamuna, supposedly the same spot where the ancient city of Indraprastha once stood.But his dream was cut short after Sher Shah Suri defeated him in 1540 and chased him into exile in Persia.Sher Shah didn’t just conquer the city; he renamed it Shergarh. He tore down Humayun’s incomplete structures and rebuilt the fort with massive, “masculine” stone walls.Eventually, Sher Shah died in a gunpowder accident, and Humayun returned from Persia 15 years later to reclaim his throne. However, his “return” lasted only six months.Shahjahanabad (1639)This is the seventh city, the Delhi that most people still recognise today as Old Delhi.While previous cities were forts or strategic outposts, Shahjahanabad was a masterpiece of urban planning, designed to be the most beautiful city in the world.Shah Jahan moved the capital back from Agra to Delhi in 1639, bringing with him the peak of Mughal architectural refinement.He built the Red Fort, Jama Masjid and Chandni Chowk. However, the glory didn’t last. Shah Jahan’s son, Aurangzeb, spent the last 27 years of his reign fighting endless wars in the Deccan.The final blow came during the revolt of 1857.Indian rebels took over Shahjahanabad, declaring the elderly Bahadur Shah Zafar their leader. The British besieged the city for months. When the British finally broke through the Kashmere Gate, they cleared a “shooting space” around the Red Fort, demolishing nearly 80% of the exquisite palaces and gardens inside the fort and the city to build ugly brick barracks.Lutyen’s Delhi: The eighth cityFollowing the 1911 announcement, Edwin Lutyens and Herbert Baker were tasked by the 1912 Delhi Town Planning Committee with a mad four-year deadline for 6,000 acres. What started as a then Rs 10 crore budget ballooned as World War I diverted materials and money to the front lines.The shift cost the British approximately £4 million at the time — estimated to be around £610 million today, or roughly Rs 7,528 crore in current value.Ironically, by the time the city was officially inaugurated in 1931, the British Empire was already crumbling. They built a “City of Kings” only to hand the keys over to the Indian Republic just 16 years later.The grand inauguration: Rain, sun, and imperial pompAfter 20 years’ toil, festivities erupt in February 1931.The timing was almost cinematic. After three days of torrential rain, the clouds famously parted on February 10th. At exactly 11:00 AM, the sun struck the red sandstone of the Secretariats, signalling the start of the ceremonies.Standing in the Great Court of the Viceroy’s House, Lord Irwin and Lady Irwin unveiled the four Dominion Columns.The celebrations turned the city into a theatre of military and social might. The 2-mile stretch of Kingsway, the now Kartavya Path, saw the thunder of the British Indian Cavalry. Above, the Royal Air Force performed flypasts—a relatively new and terrifying display of modern power to the crowds below.Once the fireworks faded, the “Paper Empire” began its move. This was one of the largest bureaucratic shifts in history. Thousands of files, desks, and Babus (clerks) were moved from the humid streets of Calcutta to the dry heat of Delhi via special trains.By 1932, the “Viceroy’s House” was fully operational. The British had finally occupied their “eighth city.”Today, the “eighth city” is no longer the city of Lutyens or the British. It belongs to the millions who migrated here in 1947, the dreamers from across the subcontinent, and the ghosts of the Pandavas whispering beneath the Purana Qila.As the Urdu poet Zauq once famously said, “Kaun jaye Zauq, Dilli ki galiyan chhod kar?” (Who would ever leave the streets of Delhi?)End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosPM Modi Speaks To BNP Chief Tarique Rahman, Congratulates On ‘Remarkable’ Bangladesh Poll Win6-Year-Old Dead, 5 Injured As Speeding Car Hits Pedestrians On Busy Lucknow Road; CCTV Shows HorrorKiren Rijiju Explains Why Modi Govt Paused Privilege Notice Against Rahul Gandhi After Dubey’s MoveTarique Rahman’s BNP Heads For Landslide In Bangladesh Election, Rivals Cry FoulPM Modi Unveils Seva Teerth, A New PMO Hub Marking Governance Shift In National Capital DelhiRafale To Be Built In India For The First Time Outside France After DAC Nod For 114 Fighter Jets’Bangladesh Rejected Pakistan-Backed Jamaat’: Experts Decode BNP’s Historic Return To PowerCDS General Anil Chauhan Links History With Border Disputes With China, Recalls Nehru Knew About It’He Is A Habitual Liar’: Farmers At Centre As Piyush Goyal Slams Rahul Gandhi On India US Trade DealPoK And Aksai Chin In India Map: US Trade Deal Post Forced Pakistan To Rush Washington To Rectify123PhotostoriesPersonality test: The rose you choose reveals how you deal with stressValentine’s Day 2026: 7 romantic red cocktails for Valentine’s Day celebrationFrom Titan Arum to Bulbophyllum Phalaenopsis: 7 worst smelling flowers of the worldDid you know Shahid Kapoor was rejected 100 times before his debut in ‘Ishq Vishk’? 6 lesser-known facts about ‘O Romeo’ actor5 hill forts of Rajasthan and why they are a traveller’s favourite7 glass buildings across the world that changed contemporary architecturePotholes, debris and chaos: Bengaluru commuters struggle ahead of Pink Line Metro launch5 Indian fabrics that offer a luxury feel at an affordable priceSadhguru considers this Avocado Salad with Crunchy Seeds an ideal precursor to the main meal, recipe insideValentine’s Day special: Best red lipstick shades that flatter every Indian skin tone123Hot PicksIT Stocks CrashGold Silver PricesBangladesh Election ResultsTelangana Municipal Elections ResultsIncome Tax CalculatorPublic holidays February 2026Bank Holidays februaryTop TrendingMarvel Rivals Season 6.5 Release dateErika KirkBad BunnyCatherine Polli Net WorthSeahawks Super Bowl paradeKayla NicoleAnthony JoshuaChloe KimCardi BMax Muncy

Vamsikrishna011 mins mins

95 years of Delhi (Representative Image: Created with AI) New Delhi turned 95 today, a milestone that binds two moments of power separated by nearly a century. On this date in 1931, the British formally inaugurated New Delhi as the imperial capital. Ninety-five years later, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday marked a symbolic departure…

Read More
IPL 2026: When CSK’s Sanju Samson credited his father’s advice that helped him handle pressure in tough matches

IPL 2026: When CSK’s Sanju Samson credited his father’s advice that helped him handle pressure in tough matches

Vamsikrishna03 mins mins

Photo: Sanju Samson/ Instagram Ace Indian cricketer Sanju Samson’s power-packed performance helped India to win the T20 World Cup earlier this year. And now with the IPL 2026 season going on, the cricketer is seen playing for Chennai Super King (CSK). But as fans rave about his elegant strokeplay on field, his old interview with…

Read More
UP woman accuses father-in-law of rape at gunpoint, husband gives triple talaq over phone

UP woman accuses father-in-law of rape at gunpoint, husband gives triple talaq over phone

Vamsikrishna02 mins mins

Representative image generated using AI BAHRAICH: A woman has accused her father-in-law of repeatedly raping her at gunpoint while her husband allegedly threatened her into silence and later pronounced triple talaq over the phone, prompting police in Uttar Pradesh’s Bahraich district to register a case against five members of her in-laws’ family, officials said on…

Read More
ISRO’s Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre announces internship opportunity for Science and Engineering UG and PG students

ISRO’s Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre announces internship opportunity for Science and Engineering UG and PG students

Vamsikrishna03 mins mins

Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre invites applications for internship programme The Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre in Thiruvananthapuram has opened applications for its internship programme for eligible undergraduate and postgraduate students in Science and Engineering. The programme is administered by the Human Resource Development Division of the centre.Applicants interested in applying for the opportunity must submit their…

Read More
NEW DELHI: Annamalai Kuppusamy (K Annamalai), who not so long ago was the BJP’s biggest face, and also its biggest hope in Tamil Nadu, has quit the party. The former IPS officer, who joined the BJP in 2020 and made the party visible in the state like never before, is all set to form his own “regional outfit” as he feels that being part of a national party “limits his growth.”Annamalai is in Delhi and, according to reports, has thanked all his party bosses including Amit Shah while submitting his resignation, though a formal announcement is yet to be made. Some in the BJP remain hopeful of a U-turn, but sources close to Annamalai claim that the former IPS officer has moved on and wants to put his “own plans into action.”Annamalai has also submitted a detailed report analysing what went wrong for the BJP in the 2026 elections and has reportedly told the BJP top brass how he was “sidelined” in the party. While the formal parting of ways is happening now, the ground for this separation was laid in the run up to the 2026 assembly elections when BJP abandoned Annamalai’s vision for the party in Tamil Nadu.So, what went wrong?To understand this, let’s rewind and look at Annamalai’s spectacular rise in the BJP.The BJP, which had for years struggled to find its space and relevance in Tamil Nadu politics, saw a ray of hope in Annamalai. The former IPS officer who had quit his job in May 2019 and was working for social welfare through his NGO “We the Leader Foundation” wanted to enter politics to “bring a change in the system.” Interestingly, BJP was not the first choice of Annamalai as he wanted to start his political innings with Rajinikanth. But when the superstar’s political plans failed, Annamalai opted for BJP – a party he said “had nationalist vision and a merit-based platform.”Annamalai joined the BJP in 2020. Though he lost the 2021 assembly election from Aravakuruchi constituency, he helped the BJP win 2 seats in the state’s western region.The BJP was quick to realise Annamalai’s potential and within a year made him the state party chief. Once firmly in the saddle, Annamalai led his ‘En Mann En Makkal’ (My Land, My People) padayatra across Tamil Nadu in 2023 taking BJP’s popularity to a new high. Such was the optimism and hope riding on this exercise that it was graced by BJP’s top national leadership. While Amit Shah inaugurated the 200-day padayatra that covered all 234 assembly constituencies in the state, Prime Minister Narenadra Modi ended it with a huge public address in February 2024.The hype and hope raised by Annamalai’s padayatra perhaps convinced the BJP to part ways with its ally the AIADMK and opt for a solo contest in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections in Tamil Nadu. The highlight of Annamalai’s political aggression was his sharp and vocal criticism of Dravidian politics and its icons. Despite an alliance with AIADMK, he did not spare even their leaders – a factor that played a key role in the eventual break-up between the allies. Annamalai’s padayatra propelled the BJP’s vote share in Tamil Nadu to a record high of 11.38% in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. This was a huge jump from the 3.62% figure that the party had managed in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. But unfortunately, the increase in votes did not translate into seats and the BJP could not open its account for a second consecutive LS election. In the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, the BJP had won 1 seat with a vote share of 5.56%.This possibly led the BJP to rethink about its ties with the AIADMK and despite Annamalai’s very strong objections – the alliance was revived in the run up to the 2026 assembly elections in the state. And that marked the sidelining of the former IPS officer who was subsequently eased out from the state BJP chief post to placate the party’s Dravidian ally.The 2026 assembly elections saw the AIADMK dictate terms to the BJP. The regional party ensured that Annamalai was not just removed as state BJP chief but also had no say in deciding the candidates for the assembly contest. Annamalai stayed away and did not contest the 2026 assembly elections. Annamalai’s complete dominance of 2023 had turned into near complete isolation in 2026. However, on May 4, when the results were announced, Annamalai was vindicated and the BJP’s alliance experiment with AIADMK failed miserably. The saffron party ended up winning just one seat in the assembly. But the former state chief still kept quiet.Annamalai’s first voice of dissentWhen Annamalai, for the first time in six years, openly targeted the Union education ministry over its notification making three languages compulsory for class IX students, it was the first visible sign of an impending revolt and led to speculations about his possible exit from the party.On May 15, the CBSE issued a notification to all affiliated schools introducing a third compulsory language for class IX students from the current academic year, advancing a deadline that was previously set for 2029-30.Responding to this move, Annamalai wrote on X: “This has come as a shock to many parents, especially those from Tamil Nadu, as their children have already selected a language of choice in class VI. The revised notification now mandates that class IX students learn three languages, two of which must be native to India, with effect from July 1, 2026. Expecting a class IX student to learn a new language at such short notice will only pressurise children and affect their overall learning outcomes.”The fact that he chose to go public with his differences with the BJP on the language policy, which has always been a sensitive issue in Tamil Nadu, was an indication that he wanted to chart his own course.While Annamalai may not have openly rebelled, his resignation move does not come as a surprise. After all, his efforts to ensure a separate identity for the BJP in Tamil Nadu was washed away when the Delhi leadership pushed for the AIADMK alliance in the 2026 assembly elections.An experiment aborted too soon?For the BJP, Annamalai’s exit would mean starting from scratch in Tamil Nadu. While Annamalai was not heading the state BJP in either of the two assembly elections overlapping with his tenure, his active presence had energised the party. Annamalai was made BJP Tamil Nadu chief after the 2021 assembly elections in which the BJP had won 4 seats with a vote share of 2.62%. He quit as state chief in 2025, a year before the 2026 assembly elections, in which the party’s tally slipped to 1 with a marginal increase in vote share at 2.99%. The BJP would be wary of the possible exodus of local leaders and also cadres from the party with the exit of Annamalai.The fact that people of Tamil Nadu voted overwhelmingly for debutant politician Vijay and his party TVK shows that there was space for a new experiment in Tamil Nadu. The BJP did embark on that path with Annamalai but abandoned it midway. While Annamalai does not come anywhere close to Vijay’s fan following in the state, the fact is that the former IPS officer who was often referred to as “Singham” did enjoy decent popularity amongst the youth of the state. Little wonder, the “what if” question would continue to haunt both the BJP and Annamalai.But for the BJP – it was perhaps Hobson’s choice – going ahead with its Annamalai experiment or holding the hands of its old ally, the AIADMK to weave an anti-DMK front. In the end it opted for its old ally, leaving Annamalai with little option but to call it quits. Ironically, the very aggression that made him popular with and within the BJP became the reason for his exit from the party.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos565 Indian Peacekeepers, Including 53 Women, Awarded UN Medal of Honour in South SudanJoint Search Operation Continues In Rajouri Forests Following Inputs On Suspected TerroristsCongress Picks G Parameshwara As Deputy CM Ahead Of DKS Oath :SourcesKhan Sir Claims Attack On Patna Coaching Centre, Alleges Firing And VandalismShivakumar Set To Lead Karnataka, Cabinet Formation Talks ContinueSaying ‘I Love Pakistan’ Is Okay For You?: Pawan Kalyan Slams Congress, Seeks Rahul’s ResponseSonam Wangchuk To Join Cockroach Janata Party’s Delhi Protest If Education Minister Doesn’t ResignWhere Are TMC Leaders? Only A Few MLAs, MPs Join Mamata As She Leads Kolkata DharnaNeighbourhood First 2.0? India Deepens Nepal-Myanmar Outreach As Amit Shah Reviews Border SecurityIndia Rejects EU-Pak Statement After J&K Reference Sparks Diplomatic Controversy123Photostories5 algae-eating fish that can help keep your freshwater tank cleanerWhy stress affects your digestion so quickly: Doctor explains the brain-gut connectionQuote of the day by Princess Diana: “Carry out a random act of kindness, with no expectation of reward, safe in the knowledge that one day someone might do the same for you”Most mysterious forests in India and the legends around themThe body check: Waking up with headaches every morning? Here’s what could be behind itDesigning a home temple? 6 things you must consider for modern home interiorsThese Zodiac Signs Are Mentally Tougher Than MostFrequent urination at night? Doctors explain when it could signal a bigger problem10 unique baby names inspired by colours and shadesBefore teaching ABCs, make sure your child has these 4 essential skills, says child psychiatrist123Hot PicksTrump tariffsBomabay high courtKhan Sir’s coachingPune airportSouthwest monsoonMumbai rainsRBI GoldSection 301Top TrendingBengaluru MurderK AnnamalaiDehradun Woman TorturePawan KalyanTwisha Sharma Death CaseMathura Ashram Sexual AbuseKarnataka Family MurderSouth Delhi Building CollapseMamata BanerjeeNEET re-exam papers

NEW DELHI: Annamalai Kuppusamy (K Annamalai), who not so long ago was the BJP’s biggest face, and also its biggest hope in Tamil Nadu, has quit the party. The former IPS officer, who joined the BJP in 2020 and made the party visible in the state like never before, is all set to form his own “regional outfit” as he feels that being part of a national party “limits his growth.”Annamalai is in Delhi and, according to reports, has thanked all his party bosses including Amit Shah while submitting his resignation, though a formal announcement is yet to be made. Some in the BJP remain hopeful of a U-turn, but sources close to Annamalai claim that the former IPS officer has moved on and wants to put his “own plans into action.”Annamalai has also submitted a detailed report analysing what went wrong for the BJP in the 2026 elections and has reportedly told the BJP top brass how he was “sidelined” in the party. While the formal parting of ways is happening now, the ground for this separation was laid in the run up to the 2026 assembly elections when BJP abandoned Annamalai’s vision for the party in Tamil Nadu.So, what went wrong?To understand this, let’s rewind and look at Annamalai’s spectacular rise in the BJP.The BJP, which had for years struggled to find its space and relevance in Tamil Nadu politics, saw a ray of hope in Annamalai. The former IPS officer who had quit his job in May 2019 and was working for social welfare through his NGO “We the Leader Foundation” wanted to enter politics to “bring a change in the system.” Interestingly, BJP was not the first choice of Annamalai as he wanted to start his political innings with Rajinikanth. But when the superstar’s political plans failed, Annamalai opted for BJP – a party he said “had nationalist vision and a merit-based platform.”Annamalai joined the BJP in 2020. Though he lost the 2021 assembly election from Aravakuruchi constituency, he helped the BJP win 2 seats in the state’s western region.The BJP was quick to realise Annamalai’s potential and within a year made him the state party chief. Once firmly in the saddle, Annamalai led his ‘En Mann En Makkal’ (My Land, My People) padayatra across Tamil Nadu in 2023 taking BJP’s popularity to a new high. Such was the optimism and hope riding on this exercise that it was graced by BJP’s top national leadership. While Amit Shah inaugurated the 200-day padayatra that covered all 234 assembly constituencies in the state, Prime Minister Narenadra Modi ended it with a huge public address in February 2024.The hype and hope raised by Annamalai’s padayatra perhaps convinced the BJP to part ways with its ally the AIADMK and opt for a solo contest in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections in Tamil Nadu. The highlight of Annamalai’s political aggression was his sharp and vocal criticism of Dravidian politics and its icons. Despite an alliance with AIADMK, he did not spare even their leaders – a factor that played a key role in the eventual break-up between the allies. Annamalai’s padayatra propelled the BJP’s vote share in Tamil Nadu to a record high of 11.38% in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. This was a huge jump from the 3.62% figure that the party had managed in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. But unfortunately, the increase in votes did not translate into seats and the BJP could not open its account for a second consecutive LS election. In the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, the BJP had won 1 seat with a vote share of 5.56%.This possibly led the BJP to rethink about its ties with the AIADMK and despite Annamalai’s very strong objections – the alliance was revived in the run up to the 2026 assembly elections in the state. And that marked the sidelining of the former IPS officer who was subsequently eased out from the state BJP chief post to placate the party’s Dravidian ally.The 2026 assembly elections saw the AIADMK dictate terms to the BJP. The regional party ensured that Annamalai was not just removed as state BJP chief but also had no say in deciding the candidates for the assembly contest. Annamalai stayed away and did not contest the 2026 assembly elections. Annamalai’s complete dominance of 2023 had turned into near complete isolation in 2026. However, on May 4, when the results were announced, Annamalai was vindicated and the BJP’s alliance experiment with AIADMK failed miserably. The saffron party ended up winning just one seat in the assembly. But the former state chief still kept quiet.Annamalai’s first voice of dissentWhen Annamalai, for the first time in six years, openly targeted the Union education ministry over its notification making three languages compulsory for class IX students, it was the first visible sign of an impending revolt and led to speculations about his possible exit from the party.On May 15, the CBSE issued a notification to all affiliated schools introducing a third compulsory language for class IX students from the current academic year, advancing a deadline that was previously set for 2029-30.Responding to this move, Annamalai wrote on X: “This has come as a shock to many parents, especially those from Tamil Nadu, as their children have already selected a language of choice in class VI. The revised notification now mandates that class IX students learn three languages, two of which must be native to India, with effect from July 1, 2026. Expecting a class IX student to learn a new language at such short notice will only pressurise children and affect their overall learning outcomes.”The fact that he chose to go public with his differences with the BJP on the language policy, which has always been a sensitive issue in Tamil Nadu, was an indication that he wanted to chart his own course.While Annamalai may not have openly rebelled, his resignation move does not come as a surprise. After all, his efforts to ensure a separate identity for the BJP in Tamil Nadu was washed away when the Delhi leadership pushed for the AIADMK alliance in the 2026 assembly elections.An experiment aborted too soon?For the BJP, Annamalai’s exit would mean starting from scratch in Tamil Nadu. While Annamalai was not heading the state BJP in either of the two assembly elections overlapping with his tenure, his active presence had energised the party. Annamalai was made BJP Tamil Nadu chief after the 2021 assembly elections in which the BJP had won 4 seats with a vote share of 2.62%. He quit as state chief in 2025, a year before the 2026 assembly elections, in which the party’s tally slipped to 1 with a marginal increase in vote share at 2.99%. The BJP would be wary of the possible exodus of local leaders and also cadres from the party with the exit of Annamalai.The fact that people of Tamil Nadu voted overwhelmingly for debutant politician Vijay and his party TVK shows that there was space for a new experiment in Tamil Nadu. The BJP did embark on that path with Annamalai but abandoned it midway. While Annamalai does not come anywhere close to Vijay’s fan following in the state, the fact is that the former IPS officer who was often referred to as “Singham” did enjoy decent popularity amongst the youth of the state. Little wonder, the “what if” question would continue to haunt both the BJP and Annamalai.But for the BJP – it was perhaps Hobson’s choice – going ahead with its Annamalai experiment or holding the hands of its old ally, the AIADMK to weave an anti-DMK front. In the end it opted for its old ally, leaving Annamalai with little option but to call it quits. Ironically, the very aggression that made him popular with and within the BJP became the reason for his exit from the party.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos565 Indian Peacekeepers, Including 53 Women, Awarded UN Medal of Honour in South SudanJoint Search Operation Continues In Rajouri Forests Following Inputs On Suspected TerroristsCongress Picks G Parameshwara As Deputy CM Ahead Of DKS Oath :SourcesKhan Sir Claims Attack On Patna Coaching Centre, Alleges Firing And VandalismShivakumar Set To Lead Karnataka, Cabinet Formation Talks ContinueSaying ‘I Love Pakistan’ Is Okay For You?: Pawan Kalyan Slams Congress, Seeks Rahul’s ResponseSonam Wangchuk To Join Cockroach Janata Party’s Delhi Protest If Education Minister Doesn’t ResignWhere Are TMC Leaders? Only A Few MLAs, MPs Join Mamata As She Leads Kolkata DharnaNeighbourhood First 2.0? India Deepens Nepal-Myanmar Outreach As Amit Shah Reviews Border SecurityIndia Rejects EU-Pak Statement After J&K Reference Sparks Diplomatic Controversy123Photostories5 algae-eating fish that can help keep your freshwater tank cleanerWhy stress affects your digestion so quickly: Doctor explains the brain-gut connectionQuote of the day by Princess Diana: “Carry out a random act of kindness, with no expectation of reward, safe in the knowledge that one day someone might do the same for you”Most mysterious forests in India and the legends around themThe body check: Waking up with headaches every morning? Here’s what could be behind itDesigning a home temple? 6 things you must consider for modern home interiorsThese Zodiac Signs Are Mentally Tougher Than MostFrequent urination at night? Doctors explain when it could signal a bigger problem10 unique baby names inspired by colours and shadesBefore teaching ABCs, make sure your child has these 4 essential skills, says child psychiatrist123Hot PicksTrump tariffsBomabay high courtKhan Sir’s coachingPune airportSouthwest monsoonMumbai rainsRBI GoldSection 301Top TrendingBengaluru MurderK AnnamalaiDehradun Woman TorturePawan KalyanTwisha Sharma Death CaseMathura Ashram Sexual AbuseKarnataka Family MurderSouth Delhi Building CollapseMamata BanerjeeNEET re-exam papers

Vamsikrishna07 mins mins

NEW DELHI: Annamalai Kuppusamy (K Annamalai), who not so long ago was the BJP’s biggest face, and also its biggest hope in Tamil Nadu, has quit the party. The former IPS officer, who joined the BJP in 2020 and made the party visible in the state like never before, is all set to form his…

Read More
Rajasthan Pre DElEd registration ends today: Apply before deadline, direct link here

Rajasthan Pre DElEd registration ends today: Apply before deadline, direct link here

Vamsikrishna02 mins mins

Rajasthan Pre DElEd 2026 registration ends today The registration process for Rajasthan Pre D.El.Ed (BSTC) 2026 is ending today, 31 December 2025. Candidates who want to become primary school teachers in Rajasthan must complete their application process before the deadline. This entrance exam is required for admission to the Diploma in Elementary Education (D.El.Ed) course…

Read More
Maharashtra ends institutional rounds for private medical colleges, tightens rules against seat blocking

Maharashtra ends institutional rounds for private medical colleges, tightens rules against seat blocking

Vamsikrishna04 mins mins

Maharashtra has introduced major reforms to undergraduate medical and dental admissions by discontinuing institutional rounds in private colleges and shifting all admissions to the centralised CAP counselling process. The state has also imposed a two-year admission ban on candidates who fail to join seats allotted in the final round, aiming to curb seat blocking and…

Read More
Aamir Khan says he is ‘deeply committed’ to girlfriend Gauri Spratt, reflects on bond with ex-wives Reena Dutta and Kiran Rao: ‘Love is a very powerful emotion’

Aamir Khan says he is ‘deeply committed’ to girlfriend Gauri Spratt, reflects on bond with ex-wives Reena Dutta and Kiran Rao: ‘Love is a very powerful emotion’

Vamsikrishna03 mins mins

Aamir Khan, Bollywood’s ‘Mr Perfectionist’, has never shied away from speaking openly about his personal life. From his early days in the industry to becoming one of India’s most respected actors,he has experienced love, heartbreak, growth, and new beginnings. He now reflects on these experiences with warmth, gratitude, and a clear sense of perspective.The ‘Qayamat…

Read More
Praveen Sood (File photo) NEW DELHI: Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) director Praveen Sood received a one-year extension on Wednesday, days before he was due to retire on May 24, PTI reported.Sood, who was appointed CBI director in May 2023 while serving as Karnataka DGP, had also been granted a one-year extension in May last year.The development came a day after leader of opposition (LoP) Rahul Gandhi gave a strong dissent note on the process of selection of the next chief of the country’s premier investigating agency, in a meeting that lasted just five minutes at Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s residence.As LoP, Rahul is a member of the high-powered committee that picks the CBI director, alongside the prime minister and Chief Justice of India Surya Kant. The Congress MP alleged that he was not provided the self-appraisal reports of the 69 candidates and therefore did not want to participate in what he termed a “biased exercise.”(Breaking story, check again for details)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 MediaVideosEPS Removes Rebel Leaders Backing Vijay Government As AIADMK Internal Crisis DeepensPostmortem Reveals Massive Blood Clot In Lungs Caused Prateek Yadav’s Death | WatchHimanta Biswa Sarma Announces UCC Bill For Assam As State Moves Towards Uniform Civil LawNEET UG 2026 Cancellation Sparks Rajasthan Political Storm As BJP And Congress Clash Over LeakPosters Against Rahul Gandhi Surface As KC Venugopal Emerges Frontrunner For Kerala CMSuvendu Adhikari Chooses Bhabanipur Over Nandigram, Sparks Fresh Political Battle In BengalCM Vijay Revokes Astrologer Vettrivel’s OSD Appointment Amid Political Storm In Tamil NaduNEET-UG 2026 Leak Case Reaches Supreme Court, Petition Demands NTA Dissolution And Fresh ExamVijay Wins Tamil Nadu Trust Vote With 144 MLAs Amid AIADMK Split And Assembly ChaosKejriwal Targets BJP Over NEET Leak, Says ‘Gen-Z Can Demand Accountability Like Nepal & Bangladesh’123Photostories5 weird things people do in love and why, as per psychologyWhy these 5 vegetable DIY remedies are harmful for your skin8 Indian states where women can travel free on government buses; West Bengal becomes the latest to join the list5 deadliest insects on the planet: Small creatures with a massive global impactThe silent vitamin deficiency experts say could increase your cancer risk over timeCommon snakes found in Florida and how to keep them away from home and gardenThe hygiene myths experts are trying to break5 summer morning drinks that beat hunger and keep you energized for longerLate nights, high stress, rising BP: Why poor sleep is becoming India’s new urban health emergencyLove quote of the day by JK Rowling: “If you want to know what a man’s like, take a good look at…”123Hot PicksCBSE class 12 resultUS Iran warPrateek YadavHaryana election resultForeign outflowNEET exam cancelledTamil Nadu assemblyTop TrendingNashik AstrologerTamil Nadu NewsIPL Points TablePM Internship SchemeIPL Match TodayHimanta Biswa SarmaIPL Orange Cap 2026Aparna YadavAir India FlightsPrateek Yadav

Praveen Sood (File photo) NEW DELHI: Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) director Praveen Sood received a one-year extension on Wednesday, days before he was due to retire on May 24, PTI reported.Sood, who was appointed CBI director in May 2023 while serving as Karnataka DGP, had also been granted a one-year extension in May last year.The development came a day after leader of opposition (LoP) Rahul Gandhi gave a strong dissent note on the process of selection of the next chief of the country’s premier investigating agency, in a meeting that lasted just five minutes at Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s residence.As LoP, Rahul is a member of the high-powered committee that picks the CBI director, alongside the prime minister and Chief Justice of India Surya Kant. The Congress MP alleged that he was not provided the self-appraisal reports of the 69 candidates and therefore did not want to participate in what he termed a “biased exercise.”(Breaking story, check again for details)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 MediaVideosEPS Removes Rebel Leaders Backing Vijay Government As AIADMK Internal Crisis DeepensPostmortem Reveals Massive Blood Clot In Lungs Caused Prateek Yadav’s Death | WatchHimanta Biswa Sarma Announces UCC Bill For Assam As State Moves Towards Uniform Civil LawNEET UG 2026 Cancellation Sparks Rajasthan Political Storm As BJP And Congress Clash Over LeakPosters Against Rahul Gandhi Surface As KC Venugopal Emerges Frontrunner For Kerala CMSuvendu Adhikari Chooses Bhabanipur Over Nandigram, Sparks Fresh Political Battle In BengalCM Vijay Revokes Astrologer Vettrivel’s OSD Appointment Amid Political Storm In Tamil NaduNEET-UG 2026 Leak Case Reaches Supreme Court, Petition Demands NTA Dissolution And Fresh ExamVijay Wins Tamil Nadu Trust Vote With 144 MLAs Amid AIADMK Split And Assembly ChaosKejriwal Targets BJP Over NEET Leak, Says ‘Gen-Z Can Demand Accountability Like Nepal & Bangladesh’123Photostories5 weird things people do in love and why, as per psychologyWhy these 5 vegetable DIY remedies are harmful for your skin8 Indian states where women can travel free on government buses; West Bengal becomes the latest to join the list5 deadliest insects on the planet: Small creatures with a massive global impactThe silent vitamin deficiency experts say could increase your cancer risk over timeCommon snakes found in Florida and how to keep them away from home and gardenThe hygiene myths experts are trying to break5 summer morning drinks that beat hunger and keep you energized for longerLate nights, high stress, rising BP: Why poor sleep is becoming India’s new urban health emergencyLove quote of the day by JK Rowling: “If you want to know what a man’s like, take a good look at…”123Hot PicksCBSE class 12 resultUS Iran warPrateek YadavHaryana election resultForeign outflowNEET exam cancelledTamil Nadu assemblyTop TrendingNashik AstrologerTamil Nadu NewsIPL Points TablePM Internship SchemeIPL Match TodayHimanta Biswa SarmaIPL Orange Cap 2026Aparna YadavAir India FlightsPrateek Yadav

Vamsikrishna01 mins mins

Praveen Sood (File photo) NEW DELHI: Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) director Praveen Sood received a one-year extension on Wednesday, days before he was due to retire on May 24, PTI reported.Sood, who was appointed CBI director in May 2023 while serving as Karnataka DGP, had also been granted a one-year extension in May last…

Read More
RIL’s new AI arm Reliance Intelligence starts operations; chief AI scientist Gaurav Aggarwal shares ‘job posting’ for engineers

RIL’s new AI arm Reliance Intelligence starts operations; chief AI scientist Gaurav Aggarwal shares ‘job posting’ for engineers

Vamsikrishna03 mins mins

Reliance Industries (RIL) new AI subsidiary Reliance Intelligence has started operations. Reliance Intelligence (REIL) will be led by Gaurav Aggarwal, chief AI scientist at Reliance Jio. The unit has started hiring AI/ML engineers for Indic-language model development and new product incubation. Aggarwal shared openings for AI (artificial intelligence) and ML (machine learning) engineers in posts…

Read More
HDFC board, RBI, govt enter firefighting mode

HDFC board, RBI, govt enter firefighting mode

Vamsikrishna03 mins mins

MUMBAI: A day after HDFC Bank’s non-executive chairman Atanu Chakraborty resigned citing concerns over practices inconsistent with his values and ethics, regulators, the bank’s board and management and the govt moved swiftly to contain a governance scare.Seeking to steady sentiment, newly appointed interim chairman Keki Mistry struck a firm tone while addressing analysts and reporters….

Read More
Delhi key Metro station names changed: What daily commuters and tourists should know

Delhi key Metro station names changed: What daily commuters and tourists should know

Vamsikrishna02 mins mins

As per recent update, the Delhi government has approved renaming for several Metro stations and public landmarks across the capital. This includes prime stations in Rohini and Dwarka, along with the famous Britannia Chowk intersection in northwest Delhi. It is important information for daily commuters and travellers. The changes may seem cosmetic at first, but…

Read More
‘Awarapan 2’ box office collection Day 4 [LIVE]: Emraan Hashmi film nears Rs 85 crore on first crucial Monday after Independence Day weekend boost

‘Awarapan 2’ box office collection Day 4 [LIVE]: Emraan Hashmi film nears Rs 85 crore on first crucial Monday after Independence Day weekend boost

Vamsikrishna03 mins mins

Awarapan 2 box office collection Day 4 [LIVE] (Image Credits IMDb) Emraan Hashmi and Disha Patani’s ‘Awarapan 2’ has emerged as the clear winner of the Independence Day box-office clash with Sunny Deol’s ‘Batwara 1947’. The sequel to the 2007 cult favourite opened with a career-best Rs. 22 crore net on Day 1 and witnessed…

Read More
Equity Mutual Funds Inflows: Equity fund inflows lose steam as geopolitical risks weigh on markets, hit 12-month low of Rs 22,908 crore in May

Equity Mutual Funds Inflows: Equity fund inflows lose steam as geopolitical risks weigh on markets, hit 12-month low of Rs 22,908 crore in May

Vamsikrishna03 mins mins

Equity mutual funds saw a sharp slowdown in inflows in May, falling to their lowest level in a year as geopolitical tensions in West Asia, rising crude oil prices and market volatility weighed on investor sentiment, according to data released by the Association of Mutual Funds in India (AMFI).Net inflows into equity schemes stood at…

Read More
Dec 09, 2025, 11:25 IST

Dec 09, 2025, 11:25 IST

Vamsikrishna02 mins mins

NEW DELHI: Former Pakistan cricket great Wasim Akram — who has been part of the Indian Premier League (IPL) ecosystem as both a coach and commentator — stirred debate after criticising the duration of the IPL while speaking at a promotional event for the Pakistan Super League (PSL). Akram praised the PSL’s shorter format and…

Read More
Markets shaky, investments in equity funds drop sharplyMarkets shaky, investments in equity funds drop sharply

Markets shaky, investments in equity funds drop sharplyMarkets shaky, investments in equity funds drop sharply

Vamsikrishna02 mins mins

MUMBAI: After months of resilience, there are early signs of investing fatigue among retail mutual fund investors. In May, as the stock market showed extreme volatility—thanks to the war in West Asia—net inflows into equity funds fell to the lowest level in more than a year at, Rs 22,908 crore. On a month-on-month basis, this…

Read More