August 27, 2026

(Representative image) DR’s technical monitoring metrics will enable countries to assess their capacity to anticipate, prepare for and adapt to drought (Photo: Reuters). NEW DELHI: Amid reports that three out of four people worldwide could face drought by 2050, the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) during its 17th conference (COP17) on Wednesday took a significant step in advancing new global architecture for drought resilience by showcasing the world’s first Drought Resilience Index (DRI) and launching the Drought Resilience Investment Facility (DRIF) to help countries strengthen their drought resilience.DR’s technical monitoring metrics will enable countries to assess their capacity to anticipate, prepare for and adapt to drought while identifying vulnerabilities and informing more effective policies and investments. It’s a new AI-powered features that can help policy-makers, technical experts and the public interpret complex data and turn it into practical insights.On the other hand, DRIF – the first global catalytic financing platform dedicated to drought resilience – will use public capital to reduce investment risks and unlock much larger flows of institutional and private finance for projects that strengthen water security, sustainable agriculture, nature-based solutions and land restoration.“COP17 is about turning commitments into implementation. We now have stronger financing mechanisms, better tools and practical guidance to help countries prepare for drought before it becomes a crisis,” said UNCCD executive secretary Yasmine Fouad.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelines“The task now is to connect these pieces and put them to work at scale, through governments, development partners, financial institutions and the private sector,” she added.India, represented by a team led by Union environment minister Bhupende Yadav at COP17, too advocated for strengthening drought resilience. Yadav on Tuesday called for a fundamental shift in the global approach to drought from “reactive relief to proactive technology-enabled resilience”.Underlining India’s core belief that “drought must be managed as a predictable, preventable risk, and not a recurring disaster demanding emergency response”, the minister said, “Preparedness over response, prevention over crisis management, resilience over recovery should be the goal.”Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorVishwa MohanVishwa Mohan is Senior Editor at The Times of India. He writes on environment, climate change, agriculture, water resources and clean energy, tracking policy issues and climate diplomacy. He has been covering Parliament since 2003 to see how politics shaped up domestic policy and India’s position at global platform. Before switching over to explore sustainable development issues, Vishwa had covered internal security and investigative agencies for more than a decade.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosIndia-China Talks Yield 8-Point Consensus; New Military Hotlines, Border Talks On The TableSkardu Base Was India’s Target During Operation Sindoor, Ex-CDS Reveals Why Strike Was Aborted’Gone In Seconds’: Kailash Mansarovar Pilgrims Missing, 77 Isha Foundation Members Among ThemSinger Mary Millben Hits Back Over ‘Anti-Modi’ Politics Over Mohan Bhagwat New York Event105 Indians Missing In Nepal Flash Floods; Tibet-Side Surge Leaves Eight Dead | Watch‘Big Reveal’ Or Big Scam? August 25 Insta Account Make Hype Sparks ₹8.5 Crore Scam Row’Hijab On Heads, Not Minds’: Owaisi Calls Allahabad High Court Ruling ‘Attack On Islam’‘Do We Need A 4th-Party Audit?’: PM Modi Raps Secretaries, Flags Quality Issues In Public ProjectsAhmedabad-Mumbai Bullet Train Cost Revised To Rs 2 Lakh Crore, Nearly 2x Of Original EstimateGovt Seeks 2 Years To Frame OBC Creamy Layer Criteria For PSU, Private Staff Kids123Photostories7 houseplants that may help keep mosquitoes away: From basil to mintCan infections such as mumps affect male fertility years later?Psychology says why the sibling you couldn’t stand as a child can become the person you trust most as an adultFrom working in Bhojpuri cinema, signing random films to pay his rent to earning Rs 1.5 lakh for one episode of Comedy Circus; When Krushna Abhishek opened up about his journeyLoro Piana to Zegna: Lesser-known luxury sneaker brands the old-money tribe knows by heart10 baby boy names with powerful meanings and fascinating ancient rootsIntuition or fear? 5 ways to tell what your gut is really telling youPrincess Diana’s ‘Last Ring’ from Dodi Al-Fayed: The mystery behind the ‘Dis-moi Oui’ ringRaksha Bandhan 2026: 10 beautiful mehendi designs to elevate your Rakhi lookTired of lemons going dry or mouldy? Here’s how to store them the right way123Hot PicksSchool holidays todayBank holiday todayBSE holiday todayKerala name changeICSI CS june resultNEET UG 2026Sridhar VembuVenkata Narasamamba VasamsettyNEET PG 2026 admit cardTop TrendingClaressa ShieldsSuresh GowdaHyderabad AccidentIIT Delhi Student DeathBihar Dolphin NewsMumbai Airport DemolitionRam RahimDelhi Women AccidentKangana RanautMaharashtra Hill Tragedy

Vamsikrishna02 mins mins
(Representative image) DR’s technical monitoring metrics will enable countries to assess their capacity to anticipate, prepare for and adapt to drought (Photo: Reuters). NEW DELHI: Amid reports that three out of four people worldwide could face drought by 2050, the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) during its 17th conference (COP17) on Wednesday took a significant step in advancing new global architecture for drought resilience by showcasing the world’s first Drought Resilience Index (DRI) and launching the Drought Resilience Investment Facility (DRIF) to help countries strengthen their drought resilience.DR’s technical monitoring metrics will enable countries to assess their capacity to anticipate, prepare for and adapt to drought while identifying vulnerabilities and informing more effective policies and investments. It’s a new AI-powered features that can help policy-makers, technical experts and the public interpret complex data and turn it into practical insights.On the other hand, DRIF – the first global catalytic financing platform dedicated to drought resilience – will use public capital to reduce investment risks and unlock much larger flows of institutional and private finance for projects that strengthen water security, sustainable agriculture, nature-based solutions and land restoration.“COP17 is about turning commitments into implementation. We now have stronger financing mechanisms, better tools and practical guidance to help countries prepare for drought before it becomes a crisis,” said UNCCD executive secretary Yasmine Fouad.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelines“The task now is to connect these pieces and put them to work at scale, through governments, development partners, financial institutions and the private sector,” she added.India, represented by a team led by Union environment minister Bhupende Yadav at COP17, too advocated for strengthening drought resilience. Yadav on Tuesday called for a fundamental shift in the global approach to drought from “reactive relief to proactive technology-enabled resilience”.Underlining India’s core belief that “drought must be managed as a predictable, preventable risk, and not a recurring disaster demanding emergency response”, the minister said, “Preparedness over response, prevention over crisis management, resilience over recovery should be the goal.”Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorVishwa MohanVishwa Mohan is Senior Editor at The Times of India. He writes on environment, climate change, agriculture, water resources and clean energy, tracking policy issues and climate diplomacy. He has been covering Parliament since 2003 to see how politics shaped up domestic policy and India’s position at global platform. Before switching over to explore sustainable development issues, Vishwa had covered internal security and investigative agencies for more than a decade.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosIndia-China Talks Yield 8-Point Consensus; New Military Hotlines, Border Talks On The TableSkardu Base Was India’s Target During Operation Sindoor, Ex-CDS Reveals Why Strike Was Aborted’Gone In Seconds’: Kailash Mansarovar Pilgrims Missing, 77 Isha Foundation Members Among ThemSinger Mary Millben Hits Back Over ‘Anti-Modi’ Politics Over Mohan Bhagwat New York Event105 Indians Missing In Nepal Flash Floods; Tibet-Side Surge Leaves Eight Dead | Watch‘Big Reveal’ Or Big Scam? August 25 Insta Account Make Hype Sparks ₹8.5 Crore Scam Row’Hijab On Heads, Not Minds’: Owaisi Calls Allahabad High Court Ruling ‘Attack On Islam’‘Do We Need A 4th-Party Audit?’: PM Modi Raps Secretaries, Flags Quality Issues In Public ProjectsAhmedabad-Mumbai Bullet Train Cost Revised To Rs 2 Lakh Crore, Nearly 2x Of Original EstimateGovt Seeks 2 Years To Frame OBC Creamy Layer Criteria For PSU, Private Staff Kids123Photostories7 houseplants that may help keep mosquitoes away: From basil to mintCan infections such as mumps affect male fertility years later?Psychology says why the sibling you couldn’t stand as a child can become the person you trust most as an adultFrom working in Bhojpuri cinema, signing random films to pay his rent to earning Rs 1.5 lakh for one episode of Comedy Circus; When Krushna Abhishek opened up about his journeyLoro Piana to Zegna: Lesser-known luxury sneaker brands the old-money tribe knows by heart10 baby boy names with powerful meanings and fascinating ancient rootsIntuition or fear? 5 ways to tell what your gut is really telling youPrincess Diana’s ‘Last Ring’ from Dodi Al-Fayed: The mystery behind the ‘Dis-moi Oui’ ringRaksha Bandhan 2026: 10 beautiful mehendi designs to elevate your Rakhi lookTired of lemons going dry or mouldy? Here’s how to store them the right way123Hot PicksSchool holidays todayBank holiday todayBSE holiday todayKerala name changeICSI CS june resultNEET UG 2026Sridhar VembuVenkata Narasamamba VasamsettyNEET PG 2026 admit cardTop TrendingClaressa ShieldsSuresh GowdaHyderabad AccidentIIT Delhi Student DeathBihar Dolphin NewsMumbai Airport DemolitionRam RahimDelhi Women AccidentKangana RanautMaharashtra Hill Tragedy


COP17: New global architecture for drought resilience launched at UNCCD meet
(Representative image) DR’s technical monitoring metrics will enable countries to assess their capacity to anticipate, prepare for and adapt to drought (Photo: Reuters).

NEW DELHI: Amid reports that three out of four people worldwide could face drought by 2050, the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) during its 17th conference (COP17) on Wednesday took a significant step in advancing new global architecture for drought resilience by showcasing the world’s first Drought Resilience Index (DRI) and launching the Drought Resilience Investment Facility (DRIF) to help countries strengthen their drought resilience.DR’s technical monitoring metrics will enable countries to assess their capacity to anticipate, prepare for and adapt to drought while identifying vulnerabilities and informing more effective policies and investments. It’s a new AI-powered features that can help policy-makers, technical experts and the public interpret complex data and turn it into practical insights.On the other hand, DRIF – the first global catalytic financing platform dedicated to drought resilience – will use public capital to reduce investment risks and unlock much larger flows of institutional and private finance for projects that strengthen water security, sustainable agriculture, nature-based solutions and land restoration.“COP17 is about turning commitments into implementation. We now have stronger financing mechanisms, better tools and practical guidance to help countries prepare for drought before it becomes a crisis,” said UNCCD executive secretary Yasmine Fouad.

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Dissident netas, including Charanjit Channi (L), have been seeking the replacement of Amarinder Raja Warring as the Punjab Cong chief NEW DELHI: Congress is again mulling the idea of appointing a Hindu state president in Punjab amid a push from dissidents for a compromise to end the turmoil in the state unit.Well-placed sources said the deadlock in the dissidence-ridden organisation has cast a cloud over the upcoming election campaign, and the party brass is cut up about the unsuccessful fire-fighting efforts of key managers.A group of dissidents that includes senior netas like Charanjit Channi and Sukhjinder Randhawa has been seeking the replacement of state chief Amarinder Raja Warring ever since the AICC announced a clutch of poll-related panels while sticking with Warring at the helm two months ago.Now, sources said, the dissidents themselves have proposed that a Hindu Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) chief be appointed. This group has also conveyed that they will be on board with such a replacement, even though each one of them has been fancying their chances till now, they added.With the state chief and the leader of opposition both belonging to the Jatt Sikh community, the idea of a Hindu PCC chief is meant to bring balance to the organisational set-up.This was the original idea before the AICC decided to retain Warring at the top.An insider said the party is looking at its options and may have to make some change in the leadership position — either the Punjab chief or AICC in-charge, or both. While it is too close to the elections for such an organisational overhaul, the sources said the crisis has to be defused.Sources also dismissed the notion that Rahul Gandhi will soon kickstart the state campaign in the form of a bus journey, arguing that the bus would bring all the squabbling netas together and, thereby, enforce peace.A party manager said Rahul will only start the bus journey after the organisational bickering is over.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelines“The campaign will be about the state and state Congress. It needs an agenda so that the party can set a narrative for voters,” he said. “The state netas will have to come together and draw up a plan for winning the election together. Only then will Rahul get into it,” the party functionary said.Also, Rahul will be a part of the bus campaign for 2-3 days, and state netas will steer the rest of it for around 20 days. While Congress was hopeful of its chances in the AAP-governed state, persistent infighting in the local unit has raised concerns about its prospects.Inputs that forces like jailed MP Amritpal Singh’s “Waaris Punjab De” may be gaining ground have further alarmed some strategists.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosIndia-China Talks Yield 8-Point Consensus; New Military Hotlines, Border Talks On The TableSkardu Base Was India’s Target During Operation Sindoor, Ex-CDS Reveals Why Strike Was Aborted’Gone In Seconds’: Kailash Mansarovar Pilgrims Missing, 77 Isha Foundation Members Among ThemSinger Mary Millben Hits Back Over ‘Anti-Modi’ Politics Over Mohan Bhagwat New York Event105 Indians Missing In Nepal Flash Floods; Tibet-Side Surge Leaves Eight Dead | Watch‘Big Reveal’ Or Big Scam? 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Dissident netas, including Charanjit Channi (L), have been seeking the replacement of Amarinder Raja Warring as the Punjab Cong chief NEW DELHI: Congress is again mulling the idea of appointing a Hindu state president in Punjab amid a push from dissidents for a compromise to end the turmoil in the state unit.Well-placed sources said the deadlock in the dissidence-ridden organisation has cast a cloud over the upcoming election campaign, and the party brass is cut up about the unsuccessful fire-fighting efforts of key managers.A group of dissidents that includes senior netas like Charanjit Channi and Sukhjinder Randhawa has been seeking the replacement of state chief Amarinder Raja Warring ever since the AICC announced a clutch of poll-related panels while sticking with Warring at the helm two months ago.Now, sources said, the dissidents themselves have proposed that a Hindu Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) chief be appointed. This group has also conveyed that they will be on board with such a replacement, even though each one of them has been fancying their chances till now, they added.With the state chief and the leader of opposition both belonging to the Jatt Sikh community, the idea of a Hindu PCC chief is meant to bring balance to the organisational set-up.This was the original idea before the AICC decided to retain Warring at the top.An insider said the party is looking at its options and may have to make some change in the leadership position — either the Punjab chief or AICC in-charge, or both. While it is too close to the elections for such an organisational overhaul, the sources said the crisis has to be defused.Sources also dismissed the notion that Rahul Gandhi will soon kickstart the state campaign in the form of a bus journey, arguing that the bus would bring all the squabbling netas together and, thereby, enforce peace.A party manager said Rahul will only start the bus journey after the organisational bickering is over.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelines“The campaign will be about the state and state Congress. It needs an agenda so that the party can set a narrative for voters,” he said. “The state netas will have to come together and draw up a plan for winning the election together. Only then will Rahul get into it,” the party functionary said.Also, Rahul will be a part of the bus campaign for 2-3 days, and state netas will steer the rest of it for around 20 days. While Congress was hopeful of its chances in the AAP-governed state, persistent infighting in the local unit has raised concerns about its prospects.Inputs that forces like jailed MP Amritpal Singh’s “Waaris Punjab De” may be gaining ground have further alarmed some strategists.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosIndia-China Talks Yield 8-Point Consensus; New Military Hotlines, Border Talks On The TableSkardu Base Was India’s Target During Operation Sindoor, Ex-CDS Reveals Why Strike Was Aborted’Gone In Seconds’: Kailash Mansarovar Pilgrims Missing, 77 Isha Foundation Members Among ThemSinger Mary Millben Hits Back Over ‘Anti-Modi’ Politics Over Mohan Bhagwat New York Event105 Indians Missing In Nepal Flash Floods; Tibet-Side Surge Leaves Eight Dead | Watch‘Big Reveal’ Or Big Scam? 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India performed 11,558 livingdonor and 1,918 deceased-donor kidney transplants in 2024, while 61,668 patients remained on the waiting list as of Feb 9. NEW DELHI: India faces a widening gap between demand for kidney transplants and the availability of donor organs, with 61,668 patients on the waiting list, nearly five times the number of kidney transplants performed as of Feb 9, a parliamentary standing committee has said.The committee on health and family welfare has recommended that kidney transplant facilities be expanded to at least three govt medical colleges in large states and one in every small state and UT, besides setting time-bound targets to increase organ retrieval centres and transplant infrastructure, particularly in underserved and hilly regions.India performed 11,558 living-donor and 1,918 deceased-donor kidney transplants in 2024, while 61,668 patients remained on the waiting list as of Feb 9. The committee — in its report tabled in the recently concluded monsoon session of Parliament — said the figures highlight the widening mismatch between demand and capacity and the continued dependence on living donors.It said transplant activity remains concentrated in a handful of states and metropolitan centres, including Delhi, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Gujarat and Karnataka, leaving access uneven across the country.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesThe committee attributed the shortage partly to India’s low deceased-organ donation rates, citing social misconceptions, inadequate awareness, limited organ retrieval infrastructure and procedural bottlenecks. It has called for a nationwide behavioural-change campaign and stronger hospital-based organ retrieval and transplant coordination systems.Data from the National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation for 2019-23 showed that women constituted 63.8% of living organ donors, while men accounted for 69.8% of transplant recipients. The committee has sought a study to determine whether socioeconomic, cultural, financial or gender-related barriers contribute to the disparity.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosIndia-China Talks Yield 8-Point Consensus; New Military Hotlines, Border Talks On The TableSkardu Base Was India’s Target During Operation Sindoor, Ex-CDS Reveals Why Strike Was Aborted’Gone In Seconds’: Kailash Mansarovar Pilgrims Missing, 77 Isha Foundation Members Among ThemSinger Mary Millben Hits Back Over ‘Anti-Modi’ Politics Over Mohan Bhagwat New York Event105 Indians Missing In Nepal Flash Floods; Tibet-Side Surge Leaves Eight Dead | Watch‘Big Reveal’ Or Big Scam? August 25 Insta Account Make Hype Sparks ₹8.5 Crore Scam Row’Hijab On Heads, Not Minds’: Owaisi Calls Allahabad High Court Ruling ‘Attack On Islam’‘Do We Need A 4th-Party Audit?’: PM Modi Raps Secretaries, Flags Quality Issues In Public ProjectsAhmedabad-Mumbai Bullet Train Cost Revised To Rs 2 Lakh Crore, Nearly 2x Of Original EstimateGovt Seeks 2 Years To Frame OBC Creamy Layer Criteria For PSU, Private Staff Kids123PhotostoriesFrom working in Bhojpuri cinema, signing random films to pay his rent to earning Rs 1.5 lakh for one episode of Comedy Circus; When Krushna Abhishek opened up about his journeyLoro Piana to Zegna: Lesser-known luxury sneaker brands the old-money tribe knows by heart10 baby boy names with powerful meanings and fascinating ancient rootsIntuition or fear? 5 ways to tell what your gut is really telling youPrincess Diana’s ‘Last Ring’ from Dodi Al-Fayed: The mystery behind the ‘Dis-moi Oui’ ringRaksha Bandhan 2026: 10 beautiful mehendi designs to elevate your Rakhi lookTired of lemons going dry or mouldy? Here’s how to store them the right wayOptical illusion personality test: What you spot first reveals whether you are an introvert or an extrovertFrom washing dishes for Rs 1,800 to being asked to return to work after a miscarriage and later being fired after pregnancy: When Smriti Irani opened up about her struggles5 jewellery gifts your sister will love showing off this Raksha Bandhan123Hot PicksSchool holidays todayBank holiday todayBSE holiday todayKerala name changeICSI CS june resultNEET UG 2026Sridhar VembuVenkata Narasamamba VasamsettyNEET PG 2026 admit cardTop TrendingAndhra Pradesh Woman Deportation CaseSuresh GowdaHyderabad AccidentIIT Delhi Student DeathBihar Dolphin NewsMumbai Airport DemolitionRam RahimDelhi Women AccidentKangana RanautMaharashtra Hill Tragedy

India performed 11,558 livingdonor and 1,918 deceased-donor kidney transplants in 2024, while 61,668 patients remained on the waiting list as of Feb 9. NEW DELHI: India faces a widening gap between demand for kidney transplants and the availability of donor organs, with 61,668 patients on the waiting list, nearly five times the number of kidney transplants performed as of Feb 9, a parliamentary standing committee has said.The committee on health and family welfare has recommended that kidney transplant facilities be expanded to at least three govt medical colleges in large states and one in every small state and UT, besides setting time-bound targets to increase organ retrieval centres and transplant infrastructure, particularly in underserved and hilly regions.India performed 11,558 living-donor and 1,918 deceased-donor kidney transplants in 2024, while 61,668 patients remained on the waiting list as of Feb 9. The committee — in its report tabled in the recently concluded monsoon session of Parliament — said the figures highlight the widening mismatch between demand and capacity and the continued dependence on living donors.It said transplant activity remains concentrated in a handful of states and metropolitan centres, including Delhi, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Gujarat and Karnataka, leaving access uneven across the country.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesThe committee attributed the shortage partly to India’s low deceased-organ donation rates, citing social misconceptions, inadequate awareness, limited organ retrieval infrastructure and procedural bottlenecks. It has called for a nationwide behavioural-change campaign and stronger hospital-based organ retrieval and transplant coordination systems.Data from the National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation for 2019-23 showed that women constituted 63.8% of living organ donors, while men accounted for 69.8% of transplant recipients. The committee has sought a study to determine whether socioeconomic, cultural, financial or gender-related barriers contribute to the disparity.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosIndia-China Talks Yield 8-Point Consensus; New Military Hotlines, Border Talks On The TableSkardu Base Was India’s Target During Operation Sindoor, Ex-CDS Reveals Why Strike Was Aborted’Gone In Seconds’: Kailash Mansarovar Pilgrims Missing, 77 Isha Foundation Members Among ThemSinger Mary Millben Hits Back Over ‘Anti-Modi’ Politics Over Mohan Bhagwat New York Event105 Indians Missing In Nepal Flash Floods; Tibet-Side Surge Leaves Eight Dead | Watch‘Big Reveal’ Or Big Scam? August 25 Insta Account Make Hype Sparks ₹8.5 Crore Scam Row’Hijab On Heads, Not Minds’: Owaisi Calls Allahabad High Court Ruling ‘Attack On Islam’‘Do We Need A 4th-Party Audit?’: PM Modi Raps Secretaries, Flags Quality Issues In Public ProjectsAhmedabad-Mumbai Bullet Train Cost Revised To Rs 2 Lakh Crore, Nearly 2x Of Original EstimateGovt Seeks 2 Years To Frame OBC Creamy Layer Criteria For PSU, Private Staff Kids123PhotostoriesFrom working in Bhojpuri cinema, signing random films to pay his rent to earning Rs 1.5 lakh for one episode of Comedy Circus; When Krushna Abhishek opened up about his journeyLoro Piana to Zegna: Lesser-known luxury sneaker brands the old-money tribe knows by heart10 baby boy names with powerful meanings and fascinating ancient rootsIntuition or fear? 5 ways to tell what your gut is really telling youPrincess Diana’s ‘Last Ring’ from Dodi Al-Fayed: The mystery behind the ‘Dis-moi Oui’ ringRaksha Bandhan 2026: 10 beautiful mehendi designs to elevate your Rakhi lookTired of lemons going dry or mouldy? Here’s how to store them the right wayOptical illusion personality test: What you spot first reveals whether you are an introvert or an extrovertFrom washing dishes for Rs 1,800 to being asked to return to work after a miscarriage and later being fired after pregnancy: When Smriti Irani opened up about her struggles5 jewellery gifts your sister will love showing off this Raksha Bandhan123Hot PicksSchool holidays todayBank holiday todayBSE holiday todayKerala name changeICSI CS june resultNEET UG 2026Sridhar VembuVenkata Narasamamba VasamsettyNEET PG 2026 admit cardTop TrendingAndhra Pradesh Woman Deportation CaseSuresh GowdaHyderabad AccidentIIT Delhi Student DeathBihar Dolphin NewsMumbai Airport DemolitionRam RahimDelhi Women AccidentKangana RanautMaharashtra Hill Tragedy

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The letter from Kharge and Rahul said govt should prepare a fresh questionnaire through consultations with parties. NEW DELHI: Terming the methodology for caste count adopted in Census 2027 “misleading” as it will not give a headcount of OBCs, leaders of opposition in Parliament, Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi, have written to PM Narendra Modi demanding the Census questionnaire on caste notified recently be abandoned and a new one be drafted. They underlined that the word “OBC” has not even been used in the Census.In the backdrop of the controversy triggered by the questionnaire, Kharge and Rahul told the PM “your govt” has adopted an “open-ended question” to collect information about caste, and enumerators will have to take for an answer whatever a person replies to the caste question. They argued that a caste is known by different names and sub-castes depending on the region, which would result in one caste being recorded by thousands of names. “This would result in lakhs of castes being registered in the country, and the entire data recorded in the caste census would become useless,” the letter said.“We don’t approve of the caste census being done through this methodology. Govt should cancel the present questionnaire and prepare a fresh one through consultations with political parties, experts, and the public so that a correct headcount of every caste and community is collected and the caste census is precise, relevant, and beneficial,” it said.It said a readymade solution to the problem is that a “drop-down menu” comprising a list of castes be added to the questionnaire. “This very methodology is used for counting SCs and STs (in Census)… This methodology was adopted in the surveys of Bihar and Telangana. We are enclosing the caste lists of the two surveys for understanding.” Further, the letter said such a list of castes for Census can easily be compiled on the basis of the existing Socially and Educationally Backward Classes list and data from the Anthropological Survey of India.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesReleasing the letter, AICC spokesperson Jairam Ramesh and OBC department chairperson Anil Jaihind said govt had, in an affidavit to SC in Sept 2021, submitted that a “drop-down menu” with a list of castes will have to be used if a caste census were to be done. Ramesh said census enumerators can carry the said list of OBCs and record precise answers. He accused govt of “sabotaging” the caste census.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosIndia-China Talks Yield 8-Point Consensus; New Military Hotlines, Border Talks On The TableSkardu Base Was India’s Target During Operation Sindoor, Ex-CDS Reveals Why Strike Was Aborted’Gone In Seconds’: Kailash Mansarovar Pilgrims Missing, 77 Isha Foundation Members Among ThemSinger Mary Millben Hits Back Over ‘Anti-Modi’ Politics Over Mohan Bhagwat New York Event105 Indians Missing In Nepal Flash Floods; Tibet-Side Surge Leaves Eight Dead | Watch‘Big Reveal’ Or Big Scam? August 25 Insta Account Make Hype Sparks ₹8.5 Crore Scam Row’Hijab On Heads, Not Minds’: Owaisi Calls Allahabad High Court Ruling ‘Attack On Islam’‘Do We Need A 4th-Party Audit?’: PM Modi Raps Secretaries, Flags Quality Issues In Public ProjectsAhmedabad-Mumbai Bullet Train Cost Revised To Rs 2 Lakh Crore, Nearly 2x Of Original EstimateGovt Seeks 2 Years To Frame OBC Creamy Layer Criteria For PSU, Private Staff Kids123PhotostoriesFrom working in Bhojpuri cinema, signing random films to pay his rent to earning Rs 1.5 lakh for one episode of Comedy Circus; When Krushna Abhishek opened up about his journeyLoro Piana to Zegna: Lesser-known luxury sneaker brands the old-money tribe knows by heart10 baby boy names with powerful meanings and fascinating ancient rootsIntuition or fear? 5 ways to tell what your gut is really telling youPrincess Diana’s ‘Last Ring’ from Dodi Al-Fayed: The mystery behind the ‘Dis-moi Oui’ ringRaksha Bandhan 2026: 10 beautiful mehendi designs to elevate your Rakhi lookTired of lemons going dry or mouldy? Here’s how to store them the right wayOptical illusion personality test: What you spot first reveals whether you are an introvert or an extrovertFrom washing dishes for Rs 1,800 to being asked to return to work after a miscarriage and later being fired after pregnancy: When Smriti Irani opened up about her struggles5 jewellery gifts your sister will love showing off this Raksha Bandhan123Hot PicksSchool holidays todayBank holiday todayBSE holiday todayKerala name changeICSI CS june resultNEET UG 2026Sridhar VembuVenkata Narasamamba VasamsettyNEET PG 2026 admit cardTop TrendingAndhra Pradesh Woman Deportation CaseSuresh GowdaHyderabad AccidentIIT Delhi Student DeathBihar Dolphin NewsMumbai Airport DemolitionRam RahimDelhi Women AccidentKangana RanautMaharashtra Hill Tragedy

The letter from Kharge and Rahul said govt should prepare a fresh questionnaire through consultations with parties. NEW DELHI: Terming the methodology for caste count adopted in Census 2027 “misleading” as it will not give a headcount of OBCs, leaders of opposition in Parliament, Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi, have written to PM Narendra Modi demanding the Census questionnaire on caste notified recently be abandoned and a new one be drafted. They underlined that the word “OBC” has not even been used in the Census.In the backdrop of the controversy triggered by the questionnaire, Kharge and Rahul told the PM “your govt” has adopted an “open-ended question” to collect information about caste, and enumerators will have to take for an answer whatever a person replies to the caste question. They argued that a caste is known by different names and sub-castes depending on the region, which would result in one caste being recorded by thousands of names. “This would result in lakhs of castes being registered in the country, and the entire data recorded in the caste census would become useless,” the letter said.“We don’t approve of the caste census being done through this methodology. Govt should cancel the present questionnaire and prepare a fresh one through consultations with political parties, experts, and the public so that a correct headcount of every caste and community is collected and the caste census is precise, relevant, and beneficial,” it said.It said a readymade solution to the problem is that a “drop-down menu” comprising a list of castes be added to the questionnaire. “This very methodology is used for counting SCs and STs (in Census)… This methodology was adopted in the surveys of Bihar and Telangana. We are enclosing the caste lists of the two surveys for understanding.” Further, the letter said such a list of castes for Census can easily be compiled on the basis of the existing Socially and Educationally Backward Classes list and data from the Anthropological Survey of India.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesReleasing the letter, AICC spokesperson Jairam Ramesh and OBC department chairperson Anil Jaihind said govt had, in an affidavit to SC in Sept 2021, submitted that a “drop-down menu” with a list of castes will have to be used if a caste census were to be done. Ramesh said census enumerators can carry the said list of OBCs and record precise answers. He accused govt of “sabotaging” the caste census.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosIndia-China Talks Yield 8-Point Consensus; New Military Hotlines, Border Talks On The TableSkardu Base Was India’s Target During Operation Sindoor, Ex-CDS Reveals Why Strike Was Aborted’Gone In Seconds’: Kailash Mansarovar Pilgrims Missing, 77 Isha Foundation Members Among ThemSinger Mary Millben Hits Back Over ‘Anti-Modi’ Politics Over Mohan Bhagwat New York Event105 Indians Missing In Nepal Flash Floods; Tibet-Side Surge Leaves Eight Dead | Watch‘Big Reveal’ Or Big Scam? August 25 Insta Account Make Hype Sparks ₹8.5 Crore Scam Row’Hijab On Heads, Not Minds’: Owaisi Calls Allahabad High Court Ruling ‘Attack On Islam’‘Do We Need A 4th-Party Audit?’: PM Modi Raps Secretaries, Flags Quality Issues In Public ProjectsAhmedabad-Mumbai Bullet Train Cost Revised To Rs 2 Lakh Crore, Nearly 2x Of Original EstimateGovt Seeks 2 Years To Frame OBC Creamy Layer Criteria For PSU, Private Staff Kids123PhotostoriesFrom working in Bhojpuri cinema, signing random films to pay his rent to earning Rs 1.5 lakh for one episode of Comedy Circus; When Krushna Abhishek opened up about his journeyLoro Piana to Zegna: Lesser-known luxury sneaker brands the old-money tribe knows by heart10 baby boy names with powerful meanings and fascinating ancient rootsIntuition or fear? 5 ways to tell what your gut is really telling youPrincess Diana’s ‘Last Ring’ from Dodi Al-Fayed: The mystery behind the ‘Dis-moi Oui’ ringRaksha Bandhan 2026: 10 beautiful mehendi designs to elevate your Rakhi lookTired of lemons going dry or mouldy? Here’s how to store them the right wayOptical illusion personality test: What you spot first reveals whether you are an introvert or an extrovertFrom washing dishes for Rs 1,800 to being asked to return to work after a miscarriage and later being fired after pregnancy: When Smriti Irani opened up about her struggles5 jewellery gifts your sister will love showing off this Raksha Bandhan123Hot PicksSchool holidays todayBank holiday todayBSE holiday todayKerala name changeICSI CS june resultNEET UG 2026Sridhar VembuVenkata Narasamamba VasamsettyNEET PG 2026 admit cardTop TrendingAndhra Pradesh Woman Deportation CaseSuresh GowdaHyderabad AccidentIIT Delhi Student DeathBihar Dolphin NewsMumbai Airport DemolitionRam RahimDelhi Women AccidentKangana RanautMaharashtra Hill Tragedy

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Flash floods in Nepal have triggered alerts in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar NEW DELHI: In view of the flash flood situation in Nepal, Union home minister Amit Shah Wednesday spoke with CMs of Bihar and UP and assured all help to border districts, including deployment of additional National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams. The administrations of these districts have been put on high alert.“Govt of India stands with Nepal in this hour of crisis. I spoke with CMs of Bihar and UP regarding the disaster in Nepal. In border areas likely to be affected, local administration and rescue teams, along with NDRF, have been placed on high alert,” Shah said on X, expressing condolences to families of those who lost their loved ones in the disaster.Officers of home affairs, external affairs, jal shakti and defence ministries are monitoring the situation.Water level on Nepal-side reservoirs is reducing and the situation is under control. No panic-like situation has arisen, according to Central Water Commission (CWC).NDRF had earlier said the flash floods in the Nepal-China border region has led to a sudden rise in water level in Trishuli river at Furke Khola in Nepal, around 160 km from the Indian border, and the flood wave is likely to travel downstream in Gandak river.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelines“Local authorities in Bihar and UP near the India-Nepal border along Gandak river have been advised to remain alert and maintain close monitoring of the situation,” NDRF said. In close coordination with the states and CWC, NDRF is keeping a close watch on the situation and has kept additional teams on standby for emergent requirements in case of any “unforeseen” situation.Out of nine NDRF teams deployed in Bihar, two have been dispatched for deployment in West Champaran and Muzaffarpur. The state govt is monitoring the situation and, in case of requirement, additional teams will be deployed.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosIndia-China Talks Yield 8-Point Consensus; New Military Hotlines, Border Talks On The TableSkardu Base Was India’s Target During Operation Sindoor, Ex-CDS Reveals Why Strike Was Aborted’Gone In Seconds’: Kailash Mansarovar Pilgrims Missing, 77 Isha Foundation Members Among ThemSinger Mary Millben Hits Back Over ‘Anti-Modi’ Politics Over Mohan Bhagwat New York Event105 Indians Missing In Nepal Flash Floods; Tibet-Side Surge Leaves Eight Dead | Watch‘Big Reveal’ Or Big Scam? August 25 Insta Account Make Hype Sparks ₹8.5 Crore Scam Row’Hijab On Heads, Not Minds’: Owaisi Calls Allahabad High Court Ruling ‘Attack On Islam’‘Do We Need A 4th-Party Audit?’: PM Modi Raps Secretaries, Flags Quality Issues In Public ProjectsAhmedabad-Mumbai Bullet Train Cost Revised To Rs 2 Lakh Crore, Nearly 2x Of Original EstimateGovt Seeks 2 Years To Frame OBC Creamy Layer Criteria For PSU, Private Staff Kids123PhotostoriesFrom working in Bhojpuri cinema, signing random films to pay his rent to earning Rs 1.5 lakh for one episode of Comedy Circus; When Krushna Abhishek opened up about his journeyLoro Piana to Zegna: Lesser-known luxury sneaker brands the old-money tribe knows by heart10 baby boy names with powerful meanings and fascinating ancient rootsIntuition or fear? 5 ways to tell what your gut is really telling youPrincess Diana’s ‘Last Ring’ from Dodi Al-Fayed: The mystery behind the ‘Dis-moi Oui’ ringRaksha Bandhan 2026: 10 beautiful mehendi designs to elevate your Rakhi lookTired of lemons going dry or mouldy? Here’s how to store them the right wayOptical illusion personality test: What you spot first reveals whether you are an introvert or an extrovertFrom washing dishes for Rs 1,800 to being asked to return to work after a miscarriage and later being fired after pregnancy: When Smriti Irani opened up about her struggles5 jewellery gifts your sister will love showing off this Raksha Bandhan123Hot PicksSchool holidays todayBank holiday todayBSE holiday todayKerala name changeICSI CS june resultNEET UG 2026Sridhar VembuVenkata Narasamamba VasamsettyNEET PG 2026 admit cardTop TrendingAndhra Pradesh Woman Deportation CaseSuresh GowdaHyderabad AccidentIIT Delhi Student DeathBihar Dolphin NewsMumbai Airport DemolitionRam RahimDelhi Women AccidentKangana RanautMaharashtra Hill Tragedy

Flash floods in Nepal have triggered alerts in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar NEW DELHI: In view of the flash flood situation in Nepal, Union home minister Amit Shah Wednesday spoke with CMs of Bihar and UP and assured all help to border districts, including deployment of additional National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams. The administrations of these districts have been put on high alert.“Govt of India stands with Nepal in this hour of crisis. I spoke with CMs of Bihar and UP regarding the disaster in Nepal. In border areas likely to be affected, local administration and rescue teams, along with NDRF, have been placed on high alert,” Shah said on X, expressing condolences to families of those who lost their loved ones in the disaster.Officers of home affairs, external affairs, jal shakti and defence ministries are monitoring the situation.Water level on Nepal-side reservoirs is reducing and the situation is under control. No panic-like situation has arisen, according to Central Water Commission (CWC).NDRF had earlier said the flash floods in the Nepal-China border region has led to a sudden rise in water level in Trishuli river at Furke Khola in Nepal, around 160 km from the Indian border, and the flood wave is likely to travel downstream in Gandak river.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelines“Local authorities in Bihar and UP near the India-Nepal border along Gandak river have been advised to remain alert and maintain close monitoring of the situation,” NDRF said. In close coordination with the states and CWC, NDRF is keeping a close watch on the situation and has kept additional teams on standby for emergent requirements in case of any “unforeseen” situation.Out of nine NDRF teams deployed in Bihar, two have been dispatched for deployment in West Champaran and Muzaffarpur. The state govt is monitoring the situation and, in case of requirement, additional teams will be deployed.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosIndia-China Talks Yield 8-Point Consensus; New Military Hotlines, Border Talks On The TableSkardu Base Was India’s Target During Operation Sindoor, Ex-CDS Reveals Why Strike Was Aborted’Gone In Seconds’: Kailash Mansarovar Pilgrims Missing, 77 Isha Foundation Members Among ThemSinger Mary Millben Hits Back Over ‘Anti-Modi’ Politics Over Mohan Bhagwat New York Event105 Indians Missing In Nepal Flash Floods; Tibet-Side Surge Leaves Eight Dead | Watch‘Big Reveal’ Or Big Scam? August 25 Insta Account Make Hype Sparks ₹8.5 Crore Scam Row’Hijab On Heads, Not Minds’: Owaisi Calls Allahabad High Court Ruling ‘Attack On Islam’‘Do We Need A 4th-Party Audit?’: PM Modi Raps Secretaries, Flags Quality Issues In Public ProjectsAhmedabad-Mumbai Bullet Train Cost Revised To Rs 2 Lakh Crore, Nearly 2x Of Original EstimateGovt Seeks 2 Years To Frame OBC Creamy Layer Criteria For PSU, Private Staff Kids123PhotostoriesFrom working in Bhojpuri cinema, signing random films to pay his rent to earning Rs 1.5 lakh for one episode of Comedy Circus; When Krushna Abhishek opened up about his journeyLoro Piana to Zegna: Lesser-known luxury sneaker brands the old-money tribe knows by heart10 baby boy names with powerful meanings and fascinating ancient rootsIntuition or fear? 5 ways to tell what your gut is really telling youPrincess Diana’s ‘Last Ring’ from Dodi Al-Fayed: The mystery behind the ‘Dis-moi Oui’ ringRaksha Bandhan 2026: 10 beautiful mehendi designs to elevate your Rakhi lookTired of lemons going dry or mouldy? Here’s how to store them the right wayOptical illusion personality test: What you spot first reveals whether you are an introvert or an extrovertFrom washing dishes for Rs 1,800 to being asked to return to work after a miscarriage and later being fired after pregnancy: When Smriti Irani opened up about her struggles5 jewellery gifts your sister will love showing off this Raksha Bandhan123Hot PicksSchool holidays todayBank holiday todayBSE holiday todayKerala name changeICSI CS june resultNEET UG 2026Sridhar VembuVenkata Narasamamba VasamsettyNEET PG 2026 admit cardTop TrendingAndhra Pradesh Woman Deportation CaseSuresh GowdaHyderabad AccidentIIT Delhi Student DeathBihar Dolphin NewsMumbai Airport DemolitionRam RahimDelhi Women AccidentKangana RanautMaharashtra Hill Tragedy

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