July 8, 2026

Private Schools Gain 88 Lakh In Same Period New Delhi: Private schools are gaining students at the cost of govt schools, reshaping who studies where in India’s classrooms.While overall school enrolment has held broadly steady over two years, govt schools lost nearly 86 lakh students between 2023-24 and 2025-26, even as private unaided recognised schools added over 88 lakh of them.A TOI analysis of UDISE+ NEP-structure reports for 2023-24, 2024-25 and 2025-26 (released Tuesday) shows total enrolment from foundational to secondary level at 24.7 crore in 2025-26, compared with 24.8 crore in 2023-24 – a decline of about 8.3 lakh. But within this nearly flat headline number, enrolment in govt schools fell from 12.8 crore to 11.9 crore, while that in private unaided recognised schools rose from 9 crore to 9.9 crore.The shift comes at a time when school system has shown improvement on several access and infrastructure indicators. The number of schools declined marginally from 14.7 lakh to 14.7 lakh, but the teacher base rose from 98 lakh to 1 crore, improving the overall pupil-teacher ratio from 25 to 24. Number of zero-enrolment schools fell from 12,954 to 5,663, while single-teacher schools declined from 1.1 lakh to 1 lakh.The clearest academic access gain is at secondary level. Secondary GER rose from 66.5 in 2023-24 to 71.7 in 2025-26, while secondary dropout fell from 10.9% to 7%. The transition rate from middle to secondary improved from 83.3% to 88.3%, and secondary level retention rose from 45.6% to 51.9%. Girls continued to do better than boys at secondary stage: in 2025-26, girls had higher GER (74 vs 69.6), lower dropout (5.7% vs 8.3%) and better retention (55% vs 49.2%).The level-wise enrolment pattern has also changed. Secondary enrolment rose by about 31.5 lakh between 2023-24 and 2025-26, while preparatory enrolment fell by over 42 lakh. Foundational enrolment rose only marginally. The reports note that UDISE+ foundational data does not include Anganwadi enrolment, which limits how far school-based pre-primary numbers can be read as the full Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) picture.Infrastructure has shown a sharper improvement in digital access than in basic amenities, many of which are already near saturation. Schools with computer facility rose from 57.2% to 69.9%, while internet facilities rose from 53.9% to 67.4%.Drinking water reached 99.5%, toilets 99.1%, girls’ toilets 98.5% and electricity 95%. But gaps remain in inclusive and climate-linked infrastructure: only 40.1% schools had CWSN-friendly toilets, 58.2% had ramps with handrails, 29.9% had functional rainwater harvesting and 11.5% had solar panels.State-wise, Uttar Pradesh recorded the largest enrolment gain over two years, followed by Telangana and Jharkhand. Rajasthan, Bihar and TN saw the steepest enrolment declines. Jharkhand and Haryanaposted the biggest gains in secondary GER, while Bihar, Meghalaya and West Bengal recorded the sharpest falls in secondary dropout.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.About the AuthorManash Pratim GohainManash Pratim Gohain is a seasoned journalist with over two decades at The Times of India, where he has built a rich body of work spanning education policy, politics, and governance. Renowned for his incisive coverage of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, accreditation reforms, and skilling initiatives, he has also reported on student politics, urban policy, and social movements. His political reportage—both reflective and news-driven—adds depth to his writing, bridging policy with public impact. Through his 2,500 articles and related outlets, he has emerged as a trusted voice in national discourse, particularly in linking education reform to broader societal change.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosWATCH: PM Modi Invokes ‘Kuch Kuch Hota Hai’; Indonesia President Admits He Has Indian DNAIndia Set To Supply Two BrahMos Missile Batteries Worth $200 Million To Indonesia: ReportThree Dead, Several Missing After Massive Landslide Near Kerala Tunnel Project SiteWhy Does Mumbai Flood Every Monsoon? The Real Reasons Explained’New Species Of Girgit’: Yogi Adityanath Slams SP, Congress Over Ram Temple Donation Theft CaseWho Was Jaswant Singh Khalra? The Story Behind Diljit Dosanjh’s SatlujThree Key Aides Of Union Minister Bhupender Yadav Relieved In Sudden Administrative MovePM Modi Announces IIM Bangalore’s First Overseas Campus In Indonesia’s Malang RegionSupreme Court Rejects DMK Plea Against Vijay Remarks In Karur Stampede InvestigationPM Modi’s Indonesia Visit : BrahMos, Astra Missiles, Critical Minerals And Big Outcomes123PhotostoriesGauri Spratt brings a Bohemian romance to Sabyasachi’s bridal lehenga at her wedding to Aamir KhanFrom recalling a 72-hour non-stop Kasautii Zindagii Kay shoot to being a strict mom to Palak: When Shweta Tiwari spoke about her journey5 powerful spiritual practices that can strengthen your soul from withinSobhita Dhulipala brings heritage weaves back into the traditional spotlight with this gorgeous Gadwal sareeDid you know your vitamin D3 could be coming from sheep’s wool? Doctor explains how it happens and why it matters5 rain-soaked destinations in India that are magical during the monsoon, and how to explore them safelyFrom SUVs to Hatchbacks: What your rental car choice says about your travel personalityHow to visit 3 countries in one trip: These unique places let travellers cross international borders on footFrom nostalgia to kitchen essentials: Foods NRIs often pack before leaving IndiaEver wondered why popcorn explodes? The science behind your favourite movie snack123Hot PicksArgentina vs EgyptLionel Messi vs Mahamed SalahWayanad LandslideNovak DjokovicNavodaya RegistrationWhere to Watch FIFA World CupMohamed Salah and Magi Sadeq Net WorthQuote of the Day by Saddam HusseinMumbai-Pune expresswayTop TrendingIran-US WarMumbai FloodsBengal Rape CaseFIFA World Cup 2026CBSE Class 10 ResultRam temple donationMumbai rainStock Market TodayMumbai Rain DeathKCET mock seat allotment

Vamsikrishna03 mins mins
Private Schools Gain 88 Lakh In Same Period New Delhi: Private schools are gaining students at the cost of govt schools, reshaping who studies where in India’s classrooms.While overall school enrolment has held broadly steady over two years, govt schools lost nearly 86 lakh students between 2023-24 and 2025-26, even as private unaided recognised schools added over 88 lakh of them.A TOI analysis of UDISE+ NEP-structure reports for 2023-24, 2024-25 and 2025-26 (released Tuesday) shows total enrolment from foundational to secondary level at 24.7 crore in 2025-26, compared with 24.8 crore in 2023-24 – a decline of about 8.3 lakh. But within this nearly flat headline number, enrolment in govt schools fell from 12.8 crore to 11.9 crore, while that in private unaided recognised schools rose from 9 crore to 9.9 crore.The shift comes at a time when school system has shown improvement on several access and infrastructure indicators. The number of schools declined marginally from 14.7 lakh to 14.7 lakh, but the teacher base rose from 98 lakh to 1 crore, improving the overall pupil-teacher ratio from 25 to 24. Number of zero-enrolment schools fell from 12,954 to 5,663, while single-teacher schools declined from 1.1 lakh to 1 lakh.The clearest academic access gain is at secondary level. Secondary GER rose from 66.5 in 2023-24 to 71.7 in 2025-26, while secondary dropout fell from 10.9% to 7%. The transition rate from middle to secondary improved from 83.3% to 88.3%, and secondary level retention rose from 45.6% to 51.9%. Girls continued to do better than boys at secondary stage: in 2025-26, girls had higher GER (74 vs 69.6), lower dropout (5.7% vs 8.3%) and better retention (55% vs 49.2%).The level-wise enrolment pattern has also changed. Secondary enrolment rose by about 31.5 lakh between 2023-24 and 2025-26, while preparatory enrolment fell by over 42 lakh. Foundational enrolment rose only marginally. The reports note that UDISE+ foundational data does not include Anganwadi enrolment, which limits how far school-based pre-primary numbers can be read as the full Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) picture.Infrastructure has shown a sharper improvement in digital access than in basic amenities, many of which are already near saturation. Schools with computer facility rose from 57.2% to 69.9%, while internet facilities rose from 53.9% to 67.4%.Drinking water reached 99.5%, toilets 99.1%, girls’ toilets 98.5% and electricity 95%. But gaps remain in inclusive and climate-linked infrastructure: only 40.1% schools had CWSN-friendly toilets, 58.2% had ramps with handrails, 29.9% had functional rainwater harvesting and 11.5% had solar panels.State-wise, Uttar Pradesh recorded the largest enrolment gain over two years, followed by Telangana and Jharkhand. Rajasthan, Bihar and TN saw the steepest enrolment declines. Jharkhand and Haryanaposted the biggest gains in secondary GER, while Bihar, Meghalaya and West Bengal recorded the sharpest falls in secondary dropout.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.About the AuthorManash Pratim GohainManash Pratim Gohain is a seasoned journalist with over two decades at The Times of India, where he has built a rich body of work spanning education policy, politics, and governance. Renowned for his incisive coverage of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, accreditation reforms, and skilling initiatives, he has also reported on student politics, urban policy, and social movements. His political reportage—both reflective and news-driven—adds depth to his writing, bridging policy with public impact. Through his 2,500 articles and related outlets, he has emerged as a trusted voice in national discourse, particularly in linking education reform to broader societal change.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosWATCH: PM Modi Invokes ‘Kuch Kuch Hota Hai’; Indonesia President Admits He Has Indian DNAIndia Set To Supply Two BrahMos Missile Batteries Worth 0 Million To Indonesia: ReportThree Dead, Several Missing After Massive Landslide Near Kerala Tunnel Project SiteWhy Does Mumbai Flood Every Monsoon? The Real Reasons Explained’New Species Of Girgit’: Yogi Adityanath Slams SP, Congress Over Ram Temple Donation Theft CaseWho Was Jaswant Singh Khalra? The Story Behind Diljit Dosanjh’s SatlujThree Key Aides Of Union Minister Bhupender Yadav Relieved In Sudden Administrative MovePM Modi Announces IIM Bangalore’s First Overseas Campus In Indonesia’s Malang RegionSupreme Court Rejects DMK Plea Against Vijay Remarks In Karur Stampede InvestigationPM Modi’s Indonesia Visit : BrahMos, Astra Missiles, Critical Minerals And Big Outcomes123PhotostoriesGauri Spratt brings a Bohemian romance to Sabyasachi’s bridal lehenga at her wedding to Aamir KhanFrom recalling a 72-hour non-stop Kasautii Zindagii Kay shoot to being a strict mom to Palak: When Shweta Tiwari spoke about her journey5 powerful spiritual practices that can strengthen your soul from withinSobhita Dhulipala brings heritage weaves back into the traditional spotlight with this gorgeous Gadwal sareeDid you know your vitamin D3 could be coming from sheep’s wool? Doctor explains how it happens and why it matters5 rain-soaked destinations in India that are magical during the monsoon, and how to explore them safelyFrom SUVs to Hatchbacks: What your rental car choice says about your travel personalityHow to visit 3 countries in one trip: These unique places let travellers cross international borders on footFrom nostalgia to kitchen essentials: Foods NRIs often pack before leaving IndiaEver wondered why popcorn explodes? The science behind your favourite movie snack123Hot PicksArgentina vs EgyptLionel Messi vs Mahamed SalahWayanad LandslideNovak DjokovicNavodaya RegistrationWhere to Watch FIFA World CupMohamed Salah and Magi Sadeq Net WorthQuote of the Day by Saddam HusseinMumbai-Pune expresswayTop TrendingIran-US WarMumbai FloodsBengal Rape CaseFIFA World Cup 2026CBSE Class 10 ResultRam temple donationMumbai rainStock Market TodayMumbai Rain DeathKCET mock seat allotment


Govt schools lose 86 lakh students in two years
Private Schools Gain 88 Lakh In Same Period

New Delhi: Private schools are gaining students at the cost of govt schools, reshaping who studies where in India’s classrooms.While overall school enrolment has held broadly steady over two years, govt schools lost nearly 86 lakh students between 2023-24 and 2025-26, even as private unaided recognised schools added over 88 lakh of them.A TOI analysis of UDISE+ NEP-structure reports for 2023-24, 2024-25 and 2025-26 (released Tuesday) shows total enrolment from foundational to secondary level at 24.7 crore in 2025-26, compared with 24.8 crore in 2023-24 – a decline of about 8.3 lakh. But within this nearly flat headline number, enrolment in govt schools fell from 12.8 crore to 11.9 crore, while that in private unaided recognised schools rose from 9 crore to 9.9 crore.The shift comes at a time when school system has shown improvement on several access and infrastructure indicators. The number of schools declined marginally from 14.7 lakh to 14.7 lakh, but the teacher base rose from 98 lakh to 1 crore, improving the overall pupil-teacher ratio from 25 to 24. Number of zero-enrolment schools fell from 12,954 to 5,663, while single-teacher schools declined from 1.1 lakh to 1 lakh.The clearest academic access gain is at secondary level. Secondary GER rose from 66.5 in 2023-24 to 71.7 in 2025-26, while secondary dropout fell from 10.9% to 7%. The transition rate from middle to secondary improved from 83.3% to 88.3%, and secondary level retention rose from 45.6% to 51.9%. Girls continued to do better than boys at secondary stage: in 2025-26, girls had higher GER (74 vs 69.6), lower dropout (5.7% vs 8.3%) and better retention (55% vs 49.2%).The level-wise enrolment pattern has also changed. Secondary enrolment rose by about 31.5 lakh between 2023-24 and 2025-26, while preparatory enrolment fell by over 42 lakh. Foundational enrolment rose only marginally. The reports note that UDISE+ foundational data does not include Anganwadi enrolment, which limits how far school-based pre-primary numbers can be read as the full Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) picture.Infrastructure has shown a sharper improvement in digital access than in basic amenities, many of which are already near saturation. Schools with computer facility rose from 57.2% to 69.9%, while internet facilities rose from 53.9% to 67.4%.Drinking water reached 99.5%, toilets 99.1%, girls’ toilets 98.5% and electricity 95%. But gaps remain in inclusive and climate-linked infrastructure: only 40.1% schools had CWSN-friendly toilets, 58.2% had ramps with handrails, 29.9% had functional rainwater harvesting and 11.5% had solar panels.State-wise, Uttar Pradesh recorded the largest enrolment gain over two years, followed by Telangana and Jharkhand. Rajasthan, Bihar and TN saw the steepest enrolment declines. Jharkhand and Haryanaposted the biggest gains in secondary GER, while Bihar, Meghalaya and West Bengal recorded the sharpest falls in secondary dropout.



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Tamil Nadu chief minister C Joseph Vijay New Delhi: Supreme Court Tuesday dismissed a plea by DMK seeking an order restraining Tamil Nadu CM Joseph Vijay from making statements on the Karur stampede and told the party not to use the judicial forum as a political platform to proceed against an adversary. It also asked how a court could tell the elected head of a state what to say.At the outset of the hearing, a bench of Justices K V Viswanathan and Alok Aradhe expressed reservations on entertaining the plea against the CM and other state ministers. “You want the CM’s message to be regulated by SC and fix his itinerary?” the bench said.Senior advocate Ranjit Kumar, appearing for the petitioner, said TVK ministers were making public statements that were creating a “narrative” on the stampede case. He said compensation was being paid to the victims’ families and they were also being given compassionate appointm-ents, hinting that these may influence those who were witnesses. The bench asked how these could affect the investigation.”So you want us to impose an injunction on free speech? You counter their speech with your speech. How does SC, in a matter where it ordered a CBI investigation, allow the impleadment of a political rival?” it said.Kumar referred to SC’s order in the Arvind Kejriwal case, where the then Delhi CM was asked not to make statements, and pleaded that a similar order be passed ag-ainst the TN CM. The bench pointed out the latter was not an accused in the case.When Kumar said Vijay was accused number one, the court asked him to verify the facts as the CM had not been named in the first FIR lodged during DMK govt’s tenure. Senior advocate Neeraj Kishan Kaul, appearing for the respondents, affirmed that Vijay was not an accused.The petitioner then sought the court’s permission to withdraw the plea.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosWATCH: PM Modi Invokes ‘Kuch Kuch Hota Hai’; Indonesia President Admits He Has Indian DNAIndia Set To Supply Two BrahMos Missile Batteries Worth 0 Million To Indonesia: ReportThree Dead, Several Missing After Massive Landslide Near Kerala Tunnel Project SiteWhy Does Mumbai Flood Every Monsoon? The Real Reasons Explained’New Species Of Girgit’: Yogi Adityanath Slams SP, Congress Over Ram Temple Donation Theft CaseWho Was Jaswant Singh Khalra? The Story Behind Diljit Dosanjh’s SatlujThree Key Aides Of Union Minister Bhupender Yadav Relieved In Sudden Administrative MovePM Modi Announces IIM Bangalore’s First Overseas Campus In Indonesia’s Malang RegionSupreme Court Rejects DMK Plea Against Vijay Remarks In Karur Stampede InvestigationPM Modi’s Indonesia Visit : BrahMos, Astra Missiles, Critical Minerals And Big Outcomes123PhotostoriesGauri Spratt brings a Bohemian romance to Sabyasachi’s bridal lehenga at her wedding to Aamir KhanFrom recalling a 72-hour non-stop Kasautii Zindagii Kay shoot to being a strict mom to Palak: When Shweta Tiwari spoke about her journey5 powerful spiritual practices that can strengthen your soul from withinSobhita Dhulipala brings heritage weaves back into the traditional spotlight with this gorgeous Gadwal sareeDid you know your vitamin D3 could be coming from sheep’s wool? Doctor explains how it happens and why it matters5 rain-soaked destinations in India that are magical during the monsoon, and how to explore them safelyFrom SUVs to Hatchbacks: What your rental car choice says about your travel personalityHow to visit 3 countries in one trip: These unique places let travellers cross international borders on footFrom nostalgia to kitchen essentials: Foods NRIs often pack before leaving IndiaEver wondered why popcorn explodes? The science behind your favourite movie snack123Hot PicksArgentina vs EgyptLionel Messi vs Mahamed SalahWayanad LandslideNovak DjokovicNavodaya RegistrationWhere to Watch FIFA World CupMohamed Salah and Magi Sadeq Net WorthQuote of the Day by Saddam HusseinMumbai-Pune expresswayTop TrendingIran-US WarMumbai FloodsBengal Rape CaseFIFA World Cup 2026CBSE Class 10 ResultRam temple donationMumbai rainStock Market TodayMumbai Rain DeathKCET mock seat allotment

Tamil Nadu chief minister C Joseph Vijay New Delhi: Supreme Court Tuesday dismissed a plea by DMK seeking an order restraining Tamil Nadu CM Joseph Vijay from making statements on the Karur stampede and told the party not to use the judicial forum as a political platform to proceed against an adversary. It also asked how a court could tell the elected head of a state what to say.At the outset of the hearing, a bench of Justices K V Viswanathan and Alok Aradhe expressed reservations on entertaining the plea against the CM and other state ministers. “You want the CM’s message to be regulated by SC and fix his itinerary?” the bench said.Senior advocate Ranjit Kumar, appearing for the petitioner, said TVK ministers were making public statements that were creating a “narrative” on the stampede case. He said compensation was being paid to the victims’ families and they were also being given compassionate appointm-ents, hinting that these may influence those who were witnesses. The bench asked how these could affect the investigation.”So you want us to impose an injunction on free speech? You counter their speech with your speech. How does SC, in a matter where it ordered a CBI investigation, allow the impleadment of a political rival?” it said.Kumar referred to SC’s order in the Arvind Kejriwal case, where the then Delhi CM was asked not to make statements, and pleaded that a similar order be passed ag-ainst the TN CM. The bench pointed out the latter was not an accused in the case.When Kumar said Vijay was accused number one, the court asked him to verify the facts as the CM had not been named in the first FIR lodged during DMK govt’s tenure. Senior advocate Neeraj Kishan Kaul, appearing for the respondents, affirmed that Vijay was not an accused.The petitioner then sought the court’s permission to withdraw the plea.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosWATCH: PM Modi Invokes ‘Kuch Kuch Hota Hai’; Indonesia President Admits He Has Indian DNAIndia Set To Supply Two BrahMos Missile Batteries Worth $200 Million To Indonesia: ReportThree Dead, Several Missing After Massive Landslide Near Kerala Tunnel Project SiteWhy Does Mumbai Flood Every Monsoon? The Real Reasons Explained’New Species Of Girgit’: Yogi Adityanath Slams SP, Congress Over Ram Temple Donation Theft CaseWho Was Jaswant Singh Khalra? The Story Behind Diljit Dosanjh’s SatlujThree Key Aides Of Union Minister Bhupender Yadav Relieved In Sudden Administrative MovePM Modi Announces IIM Bangalore’s First Overseas Campus In Indonesia’s Malang RegionSupreme Court Rejects DMK Plea Against Vijay Remarks In Karur Stampede InvestigationPM Modi’s Indonesia Visit : BrahMos, Astra Missiles, Critical Minerals And Big Outcomes123PhotostoriesGauri Spratt brings a Bohemian romance to Sabyasachi’s bridal lehenga at her wedding to Aamir KhanFrom recalling a 72-hour non-stop Kasautii Zindagii Kay shoot to being a strict mom to Palak: When Shweta Tiwari spoke about her journey5 powerful spiritual practices that can strengthen your soul from withinSobhita Dhulipala brings heritage weaves back into the traditional spotlight with this gorgeous Gadwal sareeDid you know your vitamin D3 could be coming from sheep’s wool? Doctor explains how it happens and why it matters5 rain-soaked destinations in India that are magical during the monsoon, and how to explore them safelyFrom SUVs to Hatchbacks: What your rental car choice says about your travel personalityHow to visit 3 countries in one trip: These unique places let travellers cross international borders on footFrom nostalgia to kitchen essentials: Foods NRIs often pack before leaving IndiaEver wondered why popcorn explodes? The science behind your favourite movie snack123Hot PicksArgentina vs EgyptLionel Messi vs Mahamed SalahWayanad LandslideNovak DjokovicNavodaya RegistrationWhere to Watch FIFA World CupMohamed Salah and Magi Sadeq Net WorthQuote of the Day by Saddam HusseinMumbai-Pune expresswayTop TrendingIran-US WarMumbai FloodsBengal Rape CaseFIFA World Cup 2026CBSE Class 10 ResultRam temple donationMumbai rainStock Market TodayMumbai Rain DeathKCET mock seat allotment

Vamsikrishna 0
On Monday, in Garajiya village, a subadult lion pinned Maldhari herder Kalu Parmar to the ground for nearly half an hour, holding him down as villagers shouted and threw stones. Parmar escaped with claw injuries. (Below) In the video shared widely online, Parmar is seen patting the lion’s head For years, Vagha Siddha kept telling other villagers to leave the lions alone. The 65-year-old from Chaturi village in Gujarat’s Amreli district would rebuke neighbours for harassing or photographing the animals. Then, on June 24, everything changed. A lioness snatched his five-year-old grandson from just outside their home.Today, Siddha says he would kill a lion to protect his family. “I don’t care if forest officials send me to jail afterwards,” he says.The attack was so close to the house that even the Gujarat forest department called it highly unusual. That day, nearly 500 villagers chased the lioness for close to a kilometre before they cornered her in the bushes. “Recovering the body was harder still. She just would not release it. She kept lunging at the crowd each time they closed in,” recalls Himat Vora from a neighbouring village.Four fatal attacks in 15 days”We trusted the lions. Now, we no longer do,” says Haresh Siddha, the boy’s uncle.That trust took generations to build, and it is what has made Gujarat’s lions a conservation success.A century ago, the Asiatic lion was hunted almost to extinction. Today, Gujarat is home to 891 of them, and the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature, a global environmental organisation headquartered in Switzerland), recognises the state as the species’ last stronghold.Lion population has more than doubled in 20 yearsThe recovery is usually credited to monitoring and legal protection. But the real reason is harder to measure.Testing Tolerance For decades, lions wandered through Saurashtra’s villages after nightfall, and people accepted their presence. That long-standing tolerance is now being tested.The Chaturi attack was the fourth fatal one in 15 days. On June 11, a seven-year-old, the son of a migrant labourer, was killed at Ghantiyan in Bagasara. On June 16, a 30-year-old man was killed near Kovaya in Rajula and partly eaten, and on June 17, 30-year-old Nagji Gujariya was killed as he walked home in Mahuva. Gujariya was almost home that evening. It was around 8pm, and he was barely 100 metres from his door in Khared Gadhda, when the lion attacked him. They found his remains the next day. His skull was recovered some distance away.”Lions frequently move through our private lands,” says his mother, Devu. “The forest department seems to believe the lions should never be harmed, even when they kill people or livestock.”Mauling On CameraOn Sunday night (July 5), a lion entered Thavi village in Amreli’s Savarkundla belt and attacked young cattle-herder Raju Vaghela as he slept in the cattle shed outside his home. Neighbours armed with sticks drove the lion away. Vaghela needed more than 20 stitches for the wounds on his leg.On Monday morning, in Garajiya village of Palitana taluka in Bhavnagar, a subadult lion pinned Maldhari herder Kalu Parmar to the ground for nearly half an hour, holding him down each time he tried to rise as villagers shouted and threw stones. He never bit him. Parmar escaped with claw injuries, and a video of him lying beneath the lion, patting it, has been widely shared.Official figures show deaths from lion attacks climbing from two a year in 2020-21 to seven in 2024-25, before easing to five last year; injuries peaked at 42 in 2024-25 and fell to 13 the year after. But four deaths in a fortnight, followed by two more maulings on consecutive days, represent an alarming departure.Cub Dead, Lions CapturedThe attacks have left people frightened and furious. They once called the lions their pride, but now they just want them gone. What worries forest officials the most is what this anger could lead to. “Our biggest fear is that people may attack and kill lions, like it happens in some tiger landscapes,” says a senior official.There are already signs of hostility towards lions. In June, an eight-month-old lion cub was found dead with severe injuries near Junagadh, and a man was arrested under the Wildlife Protection Act.The forest department has been pulling lions out of the trouble spots. At least 30 were captured across Saurashtra in June, from areas including Mahuva, Bagasara, Khambha and Rajula. The state’s principal chief conservator of forests, Jaipal Singh, was quoted by PTI as saying, “Of those, five or six suspected man-eaters are being kept in captivity.”‘They Abuse And Assault Us’A conservation model built on tolerance can collapse quickly when trust begins to disappear. For now, all anger is aimed at forest staff. After the Chaturi boy was killed, nearly 2,000 people gathered outside the govt hospital in Khambha, many ready to confront officials, until local leaders stepped in. Senior officers asked state forest and environment minister Arjun Modhwadia to visit the family and defuse the anger among the people. The minister met the family and assured residents that the govt would frame a standard operating procedure to prevent such attacks.For frontline staff, facing angry crowds has become part of the job. “Villagers abuse us and sometimes even assault us. We can only stay calm and try to reason with them,” says forester Anil Rathod.Beat guard Pravin Baloch says villagers once seized his motorcycle keys and forced him to call senior officials, demanding that the lion responsible be caught. Police often have to step in.The Forest Is FullThe forest can no longer contain the lions. There are more of them than Gir can hold, and they have spread beyond its boundaries. Amreli district has 339, ahead of Gir Somnath’s 222 and Bhavnagar’s 116, and many now live on gauchar (grazing) and revenue land, in coastal scrub and on farms. “Lions now move across coastal villages,” says sarpanch Savji Babu.Studies of Gir’s lions have found they hunt largely at night, resting through the day, arranging their movements around human activity. In Gir, the Maldhari herders have had the better part of 150 years to learn to live beside them. Outside Gir, many communities are still learning how to share space.Reels And CrowdsSome villagers argue the lions themselves have changed, insisting these are not the “original Gir lions”, but animals brought from “elsewhere”. Officials reject this contention, though they concede that constant disturbance from people may be affecting the way lions behave.Ajit Bhatt, a conservation activist in Amreli, blames illegal lion shows and tourism driven by social media. “There are WhatsApp groups and mobile apps that immediately alert people whenever a lion makes a kill near revenue areas,” he says. “Cars arrive from Rajkot and Bhavnagar. People record videos, make reels and disturb lions while they are feeding or resting. Irritated lions may later attack innocent villagers.”Even then, he says, such attacks are rare. “What is rarer is lions preying on humans. That’s baffling,” he adds. Bhushan Pandya, a wildlife photographer, says Gujarat cannot afford to lose the goodwill of the communities that made lion conservation possible. “Without the cooperation and support of local communities, conservation is not possible,” he says.For communities living near lions, that relationship has also been supported by compensation. Govt provides Rs 10 lakh for human deaths caused by wild animals. For livestock, it’s between Rs 25,000 and Rs 50,000.Frontline Demands But maintaining that relationship requires more than compensation. The department responsible for managing it says it is short of nearly everything it needs. Officials want hydraulic vehicles to lift large animals, new vans, modern rescue centres, insurance for staff who handle dangerous wildlife, and more petrol than the 30 litres a month a beat guard is currently allowed.The lions have redrawn their territory but the administrative map has yet to catch up, say sources. A lion can move a few metres and cross from one forest division into another; where those jurisdictions overlap, rescue and response can slow down. Officials now want the boundaries redrawn.Ajay Parmar of Khared Gadhda village, who survived a lion attack two years ago, says people are discouraged from carrying sticks or installing battery-operated fencing on their farmland. Officials dispute that claim. “We advise people living in revenue areas to carry sticks and torches for self-defence,” says Chirag Amin, deputy conservator of forests, Shetrunji division. “Restrictions are for reserve forest areas.”The fear has begun to reshape ordinary routines. Some parents have stopped sending their children to school, unwilling to risk the walk. What unsettles them most is that they never saw the change coming.The lion was the one wild thing they had always felt safe around. Now, they are no longer sure they know the animal at all.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.About the AuthorNimesh KhakhariyaNimesh Khakhariya is the Assistant Editor at The Times of India, Rajkot, overseeing coverage across the Saurashtra and Kutch regions. He focuses on special stories, in-depth packages, and day-to-day developments spanning crime, politics, business, civic issues, wildlife, human interest, and soft features. He has a strong interest in wildlife, research-driven stories, and feature writing.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosWATCH: PM Modi Invokes ‘Kuch Kuch Hota Hai’; Indonesia President Admits He Has Indian DNAIndia Set To Supply Two BrahMos Missile Batteries Worth 0 Million To Indonesia: ReportThree Dead, Several Missing After Massive Landslide Near Kerala Tunnel Project SiteWhy Does Mumbai Flood Every Monsoon? The Real Reasons Explained’New Species Of Girgit’: Yogi Adityanath Slams SP, Congress Over Ram Temple Donation Theft CaseWho Was Jaswant Singh Khalra? The Story Behind Diljit Dosanjh’s SatlujThree Key Aides Of Union Minister Bhupender Yadav Relieved In Sudden Administrative MovePM Modi Announces IIM Bangalore’s First Overseas Campus In Indonesia’s Malang RegionSupreme Court Rejects DMK Plea Against Vijay Remarks In Karur Stampede InvestigationPM Modi’s Indonesia Visit : BrahMos, Astra Missiles, Critical Minerals And Big Outcomes123PhotostoriesGauri Spratt brings a Bohemian romance to Sabyasachi’s bridal lehenga at her wedding to Aamir KhanFrom recalling a 72-hour non-stop Kasautii Zindagii Kay shoot to being a strict mom to Palak: When Shweta Tiwari spoke about her journey5 powerful spiritual practices that can strengthen your soul from withinSobhita Dhulipala brings heritage weaves back into the traditional spotlight with this gorgeous Gadwal sareeDid you know your vitamin D3 could be coming from sheep’s wool? Doctor explains how it happens and why it matters5 rain-soaked destinations in India that are magical during the monsoon, and how to explore them safelyFrom SUVs to Hatchbacks: What your rental car choice says about your travel personalityHow to visit 3 countries in one trip: These unique places let travellers cross international borders on footFrom nostalgia to kitchen essentials: Foods NRIs often pack before leaving IndiaEver wondered why popcorn explodes? The science behind your favourite movie snack123Hot PicksArgentina vs EgyptLionel Messi vs Mahamed SalahWayanad LandslideNovak DjokovicNavodaya RegistrationWhere to Watch FIFA World CupMohamed Salah and Magi Sadeq Net WorthQuote of the Day by Saddam HusseinMumbai-Pune expresswayTop TrendingIran-US WarMumbai FloodsBengal Rape CaseFIFA World Cup 2026CBSE Class 10 ResultRam temple donationMumbai rainStock Market TodayMumbai Rain DeathKCET mock seat allotment

On Monday, in Garajiya village, a subadult lion pinned Maldhari herder Kalu Parmar to the ground for nearly half an hour, holding him down as villagers shouted and threw stones. Parmar escaped with claw injuries. (Below) In the video shared widely online, Parmar is seen patting the lion’s head For years, Vagha Siddha kept telling other villagers to leave the lions alone. The 65-year-old from Chaturi village in Gujarat’s Amreli district would rebuke neighbours for harassing or photographing the animals. Then, on June 24, everything changed. A lioness snatched his five-year-old grandson from just outside their home.Today, Siddha says he would kill a lion to protect his family. “I don’t care if forest officials send me to jail afterwards,” he says.The attack was so close to the house that even the Gujarat forest department called it highly unusual. That day, nearly 500 villagers chased the lioness for close to a kilometre before they cornered her in the bushes. “Recovering the body was harder still. She just would not release it. She kept lunging at the crowd each time they closed in,” recalls Himat Vora from a neighbouring village.Four fatal attacks in 15 days”We trusted the lions. Now, we no longer do,” says Haresh Siddha, the boy’s uncle.That trust took generations to build, and it is what has made Gujarat’s lions a conservation success.A century ago, the Asiatic lion was hunted almost to extinction. Today, Gujarat is home to 891 of them, and the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature, a global environmental organisation headquartered in Switzerland), recognises the state as the species’ last stronghold.Lion population has more than doubled in 20 yearsThe recovery is usually credited to monitoring and legal protection. But the real reason is harder to measure.Testing Tolerance For decades, lions wandered through Saurashtra’s villages after nightfall, and people accepted their presence. That long-standing tolerance is now being tested.The Chaturi attack was the fourth fatal one in 15 days. On June 11, a seven-year-old, the son of a migrant labourer, was killed at Ghantiyan in Bagasara. On June 16, a 30-year-old man was killed near Kovaya in Rajula and partly eaten, and on June 17, 30-year-old Nagji Gujariya was killed as he walked home in Mahuva. Gujariya was almost home that evening. It was around 8pm, and he was barely 100 metres from his door in Khared Gadhda, when the lion attacked him. They found his remains the next day. His skull was recovered some distance away.”Lions frequently move through our private lands,” says his mother, Devu. “The forest department seems to believe the lions should never be harmed, even when they kill people or livestock.”Mauling On CameraOn Sunday night (July 5), a lion entered Thavi village in Amreli’s Savarkundla belt and attacked young cattle-herder Raju Vaghela as he slept in the cattle shed outside his home. Neighbours armed with sticks drove the lion away. Vaghela needed more than 20 stitches for the wounds on his leg.On Monday morning, in Garajiya village of Palitana taluka in Bhavnagar, a subadult lion pinned Maldhari herder Kalu Parmar to the ground for nearly half an hour, holding him down each time he tried to rise as villagers shouted and threw stones. He never bit him. Parmar escaped with claw injuries, and a video of him lying beneath the lion, patting it, has been widely shared.Official figures show deaths from lion attacks climbing from two a year in 2020-21 to seven in 2024-25, before easing to five last year; injuries peaked at 42 in 2024-25 and fell to 13 the year after. But four deaths in a fortnight, followed by two more maulings on consecutive days, represent an alarming departure.Cub Dead, Lions CapturedThe attacks have left people frightened and furious. They once called the lions their pride, but now they just want them gone. What worries forest officials the most is what this anger could lead to. “Our biggest fear is that people may attack and kill lions, like it happens in some tiger landscapes,” says a senior official.There are already signs of hostility towards lions. In June, an eight-month-old lion cub was found dead with severe injuries near Junagadh, and a man was arrested under the Wildlife Protection Act.The forest department has been pulling lions out of the trouble spots. At least 30 were captured across Saurashtra in June, from areas including Mahuva, Bagasara, Khambha and Rajula. The state’s principal chief conservator of forests, Jaipal Singh, was quoted by PTI as saying, “Of those, five or six suspected man-eaters are being kept in captivity.”‘They Abuse And Assault Us’A conservation model built on tolerance can collapse quickly when trust begins to disappear. For now, all anger is aimed at forest staff. After the Chaturi boy was killed, nearly 2,000 people gathered outside the govt hospital in Khambha, many ready to confront officials, until local leaders stepped in. Senior officers asked state forest and environment minister Arjun Modhwadia to visit the family and defuse the anger among the people. The minister met the family and assured residents that the govt would frame a standard operating procedure to prevent such attacks.For frontline staff, facing angry crowds has become part of the job. “Villagers abuse us and sometimes even assault us. We can only stay calm and try to reason with them,” says forester Anil Rathod.Beat guard Pravin Baloch says villagers once seized his motorcycle keys and forced him to call senior officials, demanding that the lion responsible be caught. Police often have to step in.The Forest Is FullThe forest can no longer contain the lions. There are more of them than Gir can hold, and they have spread beyond its boundaries. Amreli district has 339, ahead of Gir Somnath’s 222 and Bhavnagar’s 116, and many now live on gauchar (grazing) and revenue land, in coastal scrub and on farms. “Lions now move across coastal villages,” says sarpanch Savji Babu.Studies of Gir’s lions have found they hunt largely at night, resting through the day, arranging their movements around human activity. In Gir, the Maldhari herders have had the better part of 150 years to learn to live beside them. Outside Gir, many communities are still learning how to share space.Reels And CrowdsSome villagers argue the lions themselves have changed, insisting these are not the “original Gir lions”, but animals brought from “elsewhere”. Officials reject this contention, though they concede that constant disturbance from people may be affecting the way lions behave.Ajit Bhatt, a conservation activist in Amreli, blames illegal lion shows and tourism driven by social media. “There are WhatsApp groups and mobile apps that immediately alert people whenever a lion makes a kill near revenue areas,” he says. “Cars arrive from Rajkot and Bhavnagar. People record videos, make reels and disturb lions while they are feeding or resting. Irritated lions may later attack innocent villagers.”Even then, he says, such attacks are rare. “What is rarer is lions preying on humans. That’s baffling,” he adds. Bhushan Pandya, a wildlife photographer, says Gujarat cannot afford to lose the goodwill of the communities that made lion conservation possible. “Without the cooperation and support of local communities, conservation is not possible,” he says.For communities living near lions, that relationship has also been supported by compensation. Govt provides Rs 10 lakh for human deaths caused by wild animals. For livestock, it’s between Rs 25,000 and Rs 50,000.Frontline Demands But maintaining that relationship requires more than compensation. The department responsible for managing it says it is short of nearly everything it needs. Officials want hydraulic vehicles to lift large animals, new vans, modern rescue centres, insurance for staff who handle dangerous wildlife, and more petrol than the 30 litres a month a beat guard is currently allowed.The lions have redrawn their territory but the administrative map has yet to catch up, say sources. A lion can move a few metres and cross from one forest division into another; where those jurisdictions overlap, rescue and response can slow down. Officials now want the boundaries redrawn.Ajay Parmar of Khared Gadhda village, who survived a lion attack two years ago, says people are discouraged from carrying sticks or installing battery-operated fencing on their farmland. Officials dispute that claim. “We advise people living in revenue areas to carry sticks and torches for self-defence,” says Chirag Amin, deputy conservator of forests, Shetrunji division. “Restrictions are for reserve forest areas.”The fear has begun to reshape ordinary routines. Some parents have stopped sending their children to school, unwilling to risk the walk. What unsettles them most is that they never saw the change coming.The lion was the one wild thing they had always felt safe around. Now, they are no longer sure they know the animal at all.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.About the AuthorNimesh KhakhariyaNimesh Khakhariya is the Assistant Editor at The Times of India, Rajkot, overseeing coverage across the Saurashtra and Kutch regions. He focuses on special stories, in-depth packages, and day-to-day developments spanning crime, politics, business, civic issues, wildlife, human interest, and soft features. He has a strong interest in wildlife, research-driven stories, and feature writing.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosWATCH: PM Modi Invokes ‘Kuch Kuch Hota Hai’; Indonesia President Admits He Has Indian DNAIndia Set To Supply Two BrahMos Missile Batteries Worth $200 Million To Indonesia: ReportThree Dead, Several Missing After Massive Landslide Near Kerala Tunnel Project SiteWhy Does Mumbai Flood Every Monsoon? The Real Reasons Explained’New Species Of Girgit’: Yogi Adityanath Slams SP, Congress Over Ram Temple Donation Theft CaseWho Was Jaswant Singh Khalra? The Story Behind Diljit Dosanjh’s SatlujThree Key Aides Of Union Minister Bhupender Yadav Relieved In Sudden Administrative MovePM Modi Announces IIM Bangalore’s First Overseas Campus In Indonesia’s Malang RegionSupreme Court Rejects DMK Plea Against Vijay Remarks In Karur Stampede InvestigationPM Modi’s Indonesia Visit : BrahMos, Astra Missiles, Critical Minerals And Big Outcomes123PhotostoriesGauri Spratt brings a Bohemian romance to Sabyasachi’s bridal lehenga at her wedding to Aamir KhanFrom recalling a 72-hour non-stop Kasautii Zindagii Kay shoot to being a strict mom to Palak: When Shweta Tiwari spoke about her journey5 powerful spiritual practices that can strengthen your soul from withinSobhita Dhulipala brings heritage weaves back into the traditional spotlight with this gorgeous Gadwal sareeDid you know your vitamin D3 could be coming from sheep’s wool? Doctor explains how it happens and why it matters5 rain-soaked destinations in India that are magical during the monsoon, and how to explore them safelyFrom SUVs to Hatchbacks: What your rental car choice says about your travel personalityHow to visit 3 countries in one trip: These unique places let travellers cross international borders on footFrom nostalgia to kitchen essentials: Foods NRIs often pack before leaving IndiaEver wondered why popcorn explodes? The science behind your favourite movie snack123Hot PicksArgentina vs EgyptLionel Messi vs Mahamed SalahWayanad LandslideNovak DjokovicNavodaya RegistrationWhere to Watch FIFA World CupMohamed Salah and Magi Sadeq Net WorthQuote of the Day by Saddam HusseinMumbai-Pune expresswayTop TrendingIran-US WarMumbai FloodsBengal Rape CaseFIFA World Cup 2026CBSE Class 10 ResultRam temple donationMumbai rainStock Market TodayMumbai Rain DeathKCET mock seat allotment

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New Delhi: Calling the independence of the legal profession as important as the independence of the judiciary, Supreme Court Tuesday said the former must remain self-regulated. External agencies or institutions could not record adverse findings and opinions about the professional standing of advocates, the court said, as this was the exclusive domain of the Bar Council. It held that banks could not blacklist an advocate by putting his name on a ‘caution list’.A bench of Justices P S Narasimha and Alok Aradhe, however, underscored the need for lawyers to upgrade their skill in the continuously evolving legal profession and suggested setting up of a National Legal Academy for advocates on the lines of National Judicial Academy, which was established for judges. It also said disciplinary action taken by Bar Council of India must strengthen people’s trust in the system.”The right and privilege of self-regulation of the Bar, through peer review, must withstand scrutiny on the touchstones of transparency, accountability, and institutional effectiveness. Public confidence in the legal profession, which is indispensable to the administration of justice, can be sustained only when disciplinary mechanisms inspire trust and credibility,” the apex court said.”We have, therefore, considered it appropriate to direct Bar Council of India to undertake a performance audit of the efficacy and credibility of its disciplinary powers and to adopt such corrective and remedial measures as may be found necessary,” the bench added.SC had appointed senior advocate Maninder Singh as amicus curiae. The bench accepted Singh’s submission, which said any allegation of professional misconduct against an advocate was exclusively reserved for the statutory jurisdiction of the Bar Council concerned.Blocking the involvement of outsiders in disciplining lawyers accused of professional misconduct, SC said allowed the plea of an advocate who challenged Canara Bank’s decision to put his name on a caution list for allegedly giving a wrong opinion. It said the bank should have approached BCI if there was professional negligence on the part of the lawyer.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosWATCH: PM Modi Invokes ‘Kuch Kuch Hota Hai’; Indonesia President Admits He Has Indian DNAIndia Set To Supply Two BrahMos Missile Batteries Worth 0 Million To Indonesia: ReportThree Dead, Several Missing After Massive Landslide Near Kerala Tunnel Project SiteWhy Does Mumbai Flood Every Monsoon? The Real Reasons Explained’New Species Of Girgit’: Yogi Adityanath Slams SP, Congress Over Ram Temple Donation Theft CaseWho Was Jaswant Singh Khalra? The Story Behind Diljit Dosanjh’s SatlujThree Key Aides Of Union Minister Bhupender Yadav Relieved In Sudden Administrative MovePM Modi Announces IIM Bangalore’s First Overseas Campus In Indonesia’s Malang RegionSupreme Court Rejects DMK Plea Against Vijay Remarks In Karur Stampede InvestigationPM Modi’s Indonesia Visit : BrahMos, Astra Missiles, Critical Minerals And Big Outcomes123PhotostoriesGauri Spratt brings a Bohemian romance to Sabyasachi’s bridal lehenga at her wedding to Aamir KhanFrom recalling a 72-hour non-stop Kasautii Zindagii Kay shoot to being a strict mom to Palak: When Shweta Tiwari spoke about her journey5 powerful spiritual practices that can strengthen your soul from withinSobhita Dhulipala brings heritage weaves back into the traditional spotlight with this gorgeous Gadwal sareeDid you know your vitamin D3 could be coming from sheep’s wool? Doctor explains how it happens and why it matters5 rain-soaked destinations in India that are magical during the monsoon, and how to explore them safelyFrom SUVs to Hatchbacks: What your rental car choice says about your travel personalityHow to visit 3 countries in one trip: These unique places let travellers cross international borders on footFrom nostalgia to kitchen essentials: Foods NRIs often pack before leaving IndiaEver wondered why popcorn explodes? The science behind your favourite movie snack123Hot PicksArgentina vs EgyptLionel Messi vs Mahamed SalahWayanad LandslideNovak DjokovicNavodaya RegistrationWhere to Watch FIFA World CupMohamed Salah and Magi Sadeq Net WorthQuote of the Day by Saddam HusseinMumbai-Pune expresswayTop TrendingIran-US WarMumbai FloodsBengal Rape CaseFIFA World Cup 2026CBSE Class 10 ResultRam temple donationMumbai rainStock Market TodayMumbai Rain DeathKCET mock seat allotment

New Delhi: Calling the independence of the legal profession as important as the independence of the judiciary, Supreme Court Tuesday said the former must remain self-regulated. External agencies or institutions could not record adverse findings and opinions about the professional standing of advocates, the court said, as this was the exclusive domain of the Bar Council. It held that banks could not blacklist an advocate by putting his name on a ‘caution list’.A bench of Justices P S Narasimha and Alok Aradhe, however, underscored the need for lawyers to upgrade their skill in the continuously evolving legal profession and suggested setting up of a National Legal Academy for advocates on the lines of National Judicial Academy, which was established for judges. It also said disciplinary action taken by Bar Council of India must strengthen people’s trust in the system.”The right and privilege of self-regulation of the Bar, through peer review, must withstand scrutiny on the touchstones of transparency, accountability, and institutional effectiveness. Public confidence in the legal profession, which is indispensable to the administration of justice, can be sustained only when disciplinary mechanisms inspire trust and credibility,” the apex court said.”We have, therefore, considered it appropriate to direct Bar Council of India to undertake a performance audit of the efficacy and credibility of its disciplinary powers and to adopt such corrective and remedial measures as may be found necessary,” the bench added.SC had appointed senior advocate Maninder Singh as amicus curiae. The bench accepted Singh’s submission, which said any allegation of professional misconduct against an advocate was exclusively reserved for the statutory jurisdiction of the Bar Council concerned.Blocking the involvement of outsiders in disciplining lawyers accused of professional misconduct, SC said allowed the plea of an advocate who challenged Canara Bank’s decision to put his name on a caution list for allegedly giving a wrong opinion. It said the bank should have approached BCI if there was professional negligence on the part of the lawyer.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosWATCH: PM Modi Invokes ‘Kuch Kuch Hota Hai’; Indonesia President Admits He Has Indian DNAIndia Set To Supply Two BrahMos Missile Batteries Worth $200 Million To Indonesia: ReportThree Dead, Several Missing After Massive Landslide Near Kerala Tunnel Project SiteWhy Does Mumbai Flood Every Monsoon? The Real Reasons Explained’New Species Of Girgit’: Yogi Adityanath Slams SP, Congress Over Ram Temple Donation Theft CaseWho Was Jaswant Singh Khalra? The Story Behind Diljit Dosanjh’s SatlujThree Key Aides Of Union Minister Bhupender Yadav Relieved In Sudden Administrative MovePM Modi Announces IIM Bangalore’s First Overseas Campus In Indonesia’s Malang RegionSupreme Court Rejects DMK Plea Against Vijay Remarks In Karur Stampede InvestigationPM Modi’s Indonesia Visit : BrahMos, Astra Missiles, Critical Minerals And Big Outcomes123PhotostoriesGauri Spratt brings a Bohemian romance to Sabyasachi’s bridal lehenga at her wedding to Aamir KhanFrom recalling a 72-hour non-stop Kasautii Zindagii Kay shoot to being a strict mom to Palak: When Shweta Tiwari spoke about her journey5 powerful spiritual practices that can strengthen your soul from withinSobhita Dhulipala brings heritage weaves back into the traditional spotlight with this gorgeous Gadwal sareeDid you know your vitamin D3 could be coming from sheep’s wool? Doctor explains how it happens and why it matters5 rain-soaked destinations in India that are magical during the monsoon, and how to explore them safelyFrom SUVs to Hatchbacks: What your rental car choice says about your travel personalityHow to visit 3 countries in one trip: These unique places let travellers cross international borders on footFrom nostalgia to kitchen essentials: Foods NRIs often pack before leaving IndiaEver wondered why popcorn explodes? The science behind your favourite movie snack123Hot PicksArgentina vs EgyptLionel Messi vs Mahamed SalahWayanad LandslideNovak DjokovicNavodaya RegistrationWhere to Watch FIFA World CupMohamed Salah and Magi Sadeq Net WorthQuote of the Day by Saddam HusseinMumbai-Pune expresswayTop TrendingIran-US WarMumbai FloodsBengal Rape CaseFIFA World Cup 2026CBSE Class 10 ResultRam temple donationMumbai rainStock Market TodayMumbai Rain DeathKCET mock seat allotment

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.Hardeep Singh Puri New Delhi: Govt will carry out extensive testing of E25 (petrol blended with 25% ethanol), evaluate reports and consult all stakeholders before taking any decision on its roll out.Amid growing concerns over the impact of E20 fuel on vehicle mileage and performance, and possibility of E25, petroleum minister Hardeep Singh Puri said the govt is not rushing the decision. “If someone is suggesting E25, we have made it clear that we are conducting tests. Those tests will take time. Once the reports are available, we will evaluate them. Then we will discuss the findings with the stakeholders and the automobile manufacturers,” Puri told news agency ANI.The minister defended the adoption of E20 fuel saying automobile makers have not found any problems in vehicles running on the blended fuel. “Ethanol blending is science-based, adopted after due diligence and extensive testing,” Puri said. An official said no timeline has been decided for the commercial rollout of E25.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosWATCH: PM Modi Invokes ‘Kuch Kuch Hota Hai’; Indonesia President Admits He Has Indian DNAIndia Set To Supply Two BrahMos Missile Batteries Worth 0 Million To Indonesia: ReportThree Dead, Several Missing After Massive Landslide Near Kerala Tunnel Project SiteWhy Does Mumbai Flood Every Monsoon? The Real Reasons Explained’New Species Of Girgit’: Yogi Adityanath Slams SP, Congress Over Ram Temple Donation Theft CaseWho Was Jaswant Singh Khalra? The Story Behind Diljit Dosanjh’s SatlujThree Key Aides Of Union Minister Bhupender Yadav Relieved In Sudden Administrative MovePM Modi Announces IIM Bangalore’s First Overseas Campus In Indonesia’s Malang RegionSupreme Court Rejects DMK Plea Against Vijay Remarks In Karur Stampede InvestigationPM Modi’s Indonesia Visit : BrahMos, Astra Missiles, Critical Minerals And Big Outcomes123PhotostoriesGauri Spratt brings a Bohemian romance to Sabyasachi’s bridal lehenga at her wedding to Aamir KhanFrom recalling a 72-hour non-stop Kasautii Zindagii Kay shoot to being a strict mom to Palak: When Shweta Tiwari spoke about her journey5 powerful spiritual practices that can strengthen your soul from withinSobhita Dhulipala brings heritage weaves back into the traditional spotlight with this gorgeous Gadwal sareeDid you know your vitamin D3 could be coming from sheep’s wool? Doctor explains how it happens and why it matters5 rain-soaked destinations in India that are magical during the monsoon, and how to explore them safelyFrom SUVs to Hatchbacks: What your rental car choice says about your travel personalityHow to visit 3 countries in one trip: These unique places let travellers cross international borders on footFrom nostalgia to kitchen essentials: Foods NRIs often pack before leaving IndiaEver wondered why popcorn explodes? The science behind your favourite movie snack123Hot PicksArgentina vs EgyptLionel Messi vs Mahamed SalahWayanad LandslideNovak DjokovicNavodaya RegistrationWhere to Watch FIFA World CupMohamed Salah and Magi Sadeq Net WorthQuote of the Day by Saddam HusseinMumbai-Pune expresswayTop TrendingIran-US WarMumbai FloodsBengal Rape CaseFIFA World Cup 2026CBSE Class 10 ResultRam temple donationMumbai rainStock Market TodayMumbai Rain DeathKCET mock seat allotment

.Hardeep Singh Puri New Delhi: Govt will carry out extensive testing of E25 (petrol blended with 25% ethanol), evaluate reports and consult all stakeholders before taking any decision on its roll out.Amid growing concerns over the impact of E20 fuel on vehicle mileage and performance, and possibility of E25, petroleum minister Hardeep Singh Puri said the govt is not rushing the decision. “If someone is suggesting E25, we have made it clear that we are conducting tests. Those tests will take time. Once the reports are available, we will evaluate them. Then we will discuss the findings with the stakeholders and the automobile manufacturers,” Puri told news agency ANI.The minister defended the adoption of E20 fuel saying automobile makers have not found any problems in vehicles running on the blended fuel. “Ethanol blending is science-based, adopted after due diligence and extensive testing,” Puri said. An official said no timeline has been decided for the commercial rollout of E25.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosWATCH: PM Modi Invokes ‘Kuch Kuch Hota Hai’; Indonesia President Admits He Has Indian DNAIndia Set To Supply Two BrahMos Missile Batteries Worth $200 Million To Indonesia: ReportThree Dead, Several Missing After Massive Landslide Near Kerala Tunnel Project SiteWhy Does Mumbai Flood Every Monsoon? The Real Reasons Explained’New Species Of Girgit’: Yogi Adityanath Slams SP, Congress Over Ram Temple Donation Theft CaseWho Was Jaswant Singh Khalra? The Story Behind Diljit Dosanjh’s SatlujThree Key Aides Of Union Minister Bhupender Yadav Relieved In Sudden Administrative MovePM Modi Announces IIM Bangalore’s First Overseas Campus In Indonesia’s Malang RegionSupreme Court Rejects DMK Plea Against Vijay Remarks In Karur Stampede InvestigationPM Modi’s Indonesia Visit : BrahMos, Astra Missiles, Critical Minerals And Big Outcomes123PhotostoriesGauri Spratt brings a Bohemian romance to Sabyasachi’s bridal lehenga at her wedding to Aamir KhanFrom recalling a 72-hour non-stop Kasautii Zindagii Kay shoot to being a strict mom to Palak: When Shweta Tiwari spoke about her journey5 powerful spiritual practices that can strengthen your soul from withinSobhita Dhulipala brings heritage weaves back into the traditional spotlight with this gorgeous Gadwal sareeDid you know your vitamin D3 could be coming from sheep’s wool? Doctor explains how it happens and why it matters5 rain-soaked destinations in India that are magical during the monsoon, and how to explore them safelyFrom SUVs to Hatchbacks: What your rental car choice says about your travel personalityHow to visit 3 countries in one trip: These unique places let travellers cross international borders on footFrom nostalgia to kitchen essentials: Foods NRIs often pack before leaving IndiaEver wondered why popcorn explodes? The science behind your favourite movie snack123Hot PicksArgentina vs EgyptLionel Messi vs Mahamed SalahWayanad LandslideNovak DjokovicNavodaya RegistrationWhere to Watch FIFA World CupMohamed Salah and Magi Sadeq Net WorthQuote of the Day by Saddam HusseinMumbai-Pune expresswayTop TrendingIran-US WarMumbai FloodsBengal Rape CaseFIFA World Cup 2026CBSE Class 10 ResultRam temple donationMumbai rainStock Market TodayMumbai Rain DeathKCET mock seat allotment

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