VK News Today https://validator.w3.org/feed/docs/rss2.html Did Rahul Dev take a dig at Mahesh Babu? Claims actor can’t speak Hindi – WATCH Hantavirus outbreak: Deadly Andes strain detected in cruise ship cases; eight cases confirmed US renews $100m Cuba aid offer; alleges Havana blocking ‘critical life-saving aid’ NTA releases GAT-B/ BET admit cards at exams.nta.nic.in: Direct link to download hall tickets here ‘Mr X’ OTT release date confirmed: When and where to watch Arya and Manju Warrier’s spy thriller | Tamil Movie News ‘US, China should be partners not rivals’: Key takeaways from Trump and Xi’s much-watched summit What is Trisha Paytas and James Charles feud? YouTuber faces backlash after Spirit Airlines rant controversy May 14, 2026, 08:10 IST ‘It’s going to finish one day’: Virat Kohli’s honest reflection after record-filled century Top stocks to buy today: Stock recommendations for May 14, 2026 – check list ‘Classrooms not for religious signalling’: BJP attacks Karnataka government over hijab order rollback ‘Karuppu’ delay EXPLAINED: Here’s what we know about the last-minute release hurdle for Suriya and Trisha’s film – Exclusive Dr Reddy’s, Dixon Technology & more: Top stocks to watch on May 14 ChudTheBuilder dragged into shocking Tennessee courthouse shooting as alleged racist altercation turns violent suddenly NEW DELHI: Centre Wednesday approved a hike in minimum support prices (MSP) of 14 kharif crops for the marketing season 2026-27, with the most-popular kharif crop paddy getting an increase of Rs 72 per quintal (3%) to reach Rs 2,441 per quintal.Highest absolute increase in MSP over the previous year has been recommended for sunflower seed (Rs 622 per quintal), followed by cotton (Rs 557 per quintal), niger seed (Rs 515 per quintal) and sesamum (Rs 500 per quintal), signalling farmers to primarily opt for oilseeds over other crops to reduce edible oil import bill.The expected margin to farmers over their cost of production is estimated to be highest in case of moong (61%), followed by bajra (56%), maize (56%) and tur/arhar (54%), in continuation with govt’s focus on crop diversification to bring pulses and millets to the forefront of farmers’ choice. In percentage as well as absolute terms, the hike in MSP of maize and moong figured at the bottom of the list.The hike, approved by the cabinet, will come into force from the marketing season beginning Oct 1. Kharif crops are sown during monsoon season (June-Sept) and harvested in Oct-Nov. Govt estimates the total payout to farmers at Rs 2.6 lakh crore, factoring in projected annual procurement at 824.4 lakh tonne.Union I&B minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said the new MSPs have been fixed to ensure remunerative prices for farmers and are at least 50% above the cost of production across all 14 crops — jowar, sunflower seed, cotton, soybean, ragi, tur/arhar, niger seed, urad, sesamum, bajra, groundnut, paddy, maize and moong. All-India weighted average cost of production includes costs such as hired labour, rent for leased land, expenses on seed, among others.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 MediaVideosVijay Targets NEET Again, Says Medical Admissions Should Depend On Class 12 MarksCongress Claims Assam FIR Row Is Linked To Questions Over Himanta Sarma Assets | WatchCBI Arrests Five In NEET-UG 2026 Paper Leak Case As Probe Expands Nationwide | WatchEx-Army Chief Naravane Backs People-To-People Ties To Improve India Pak RelationsAir India Cuts 29 International Routes As West Asia War Drives Up Fuel Costs And DisruptionsVijay Reverses Astrologer Appointment; PM Modi Orders Nearly 50% Convoy | Headlines@9EPS Removes Rebel Leaders Backing Vijay Government As AIADMK Internal Crisis DeepensPostmortem Reveals Massive Blood Clot In Lungs Caused Prateek Yadav’s Death | WatchHimanta Biswa Sarma Announces UCC Bill For Assam As State Moves Towards Uniform Civil LawNEET UG 2026 Cancellation Sparks Rajasthan Political Storm As BJP And Congress Clash Over Leak123Photostories10 soft celestial baby boy names inspired by the moonTara Sutaria’s Cannes debut look is giving ‘Breakfast at Tiffany’s’ vibe, but make it Bollywood editionTop US states with most lightning strikesAlia Bhatt stuns in an icy blue gown at Cannes 2026; fashion fans say, “Elsa who?”Inside 15 years of Prince William and Catherine, Princess of Wales’s most talked-about royal looksFigs are more powerful than you think: Here’s what happens when you eat them regularly and how to eat it properlyStop throwing away mango peel: 6 delicious ways to use them in your kitchen5 weird things people do in love and why, as per psychologyWhy these 5 vegetable DIY remedies are harmful for your skin8 Indian states where women can travel free on government buses; West Bengal becomes the latest to join the list123Hot PicksCBSE class 12 resultUS Iran warPrateek YadavHaryana election resultForeign outflowNEET exam cancelledTamil Nadu assemblyTop TrendingNashik AstrologerTamil Nadu NewsIPL Points TablePM Internship SchemeIPL Match TodayHimanta Biswa SarmaIPL Orange Cap 2026Aparna YadavAir India FlightsPrateek Yadav HBSE 10th Result 2026 likely today: How to check Haryana Board Class 10 marks- link and steps ‘Good Omens Season 3’ ending explained: Director Rachel Talalay shares the secret to Aziraphale and Crowley’s happily-ever-after “Pre-breakup phase”: Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce photos spark chilling Joe Alwyn breakup comparisons Who is Aysia Collins? D4vd’s alleged girlfriend breaks silence Celeste Rivas theories intensify NEW DELHI: Indian agencies on Wednesday secured the extradition of high-profile fugitive Prabhdeep Singh from Azerbaijan, marking a significant breakthrough for international law enforcement cooperation. Singh, the subject of an Interpol Red Notice, was escorted back to India by a special three-member team.The operation witnessed Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and Delhi Police acting in tandem with the ministry of external affairs (MEA) and the ministry of home affairs (MHA). Singh was recently geolocated to a flat in Baku.The capture is significant because a large number of Indian gangsters and narco-traffickers had started to use the Azerbaijan route to flee the country, sources said. This operation also marks a major victory in India’s ongoing crackdown on narco-terrorism and organised crime, bringing the total number of fugitives repatriated to India in recent years to over 160, according to CBI.Singh, the alleged mastermind behind a massive international narcotics syndicate, arrived at the Delhi airport on Wednesday morning, escorted by the special team led by ACP Vivek Tyagi from Delhi Police’s special cell, additional CP Pramod Kushwaha said.Having absconded from India in 2023, Singh was traced in Baku after CBI triggered an Interepol Red Notice at the request of Delhi Police. CBI, acting as the National Central Bureau for Interpol in India, used the Bharatpol platform to streamline communication between domestic and international agencies.Following his arrest by Azerbaijani authorities, a formal extradition request was processed through diplomatic and legal channels, culminating in his return to Indian soil. The investigation of the case started in 2021, beginning with the arrest of Rizwan Kashmiri in south Delhi.His interrogation uncovered a sophisticated network spanning several states and involving Afghan nationals. The trail eventually led to a massive seizure in Faridabad, where 166 kg of heroin was found in one vehicle and 115 kg in another. Investigators established that the syndicate was orchestrated by Turkey-based drug kingpin Navpreet Singh, alias Nav. Prabhdeep Singh, Nav’s cousin, served as the operational linchpin in India.With the trial already under way for 10 other accused individuals, Singh’s extradition is expected to provide critical evidence regarding the gang’s financial trails and international links. He is being interrogated to further unravel the complexities of the drug network’s operations within India and abroad.About the AuthorRaj Shekhar JhaRaj Shekhar Jha is a journalist for the Times of India with over a decade of experience in reporting on national security, terrorism, crime and prisons.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosVijay Targets NEET Again, Says Medical Admissions Should Depend On Class 12 MarksCongress Claims Assam FIR Row Is Linked To Questions Over Himanta Sarma Assets | WatchCBI Arrests Five In NEET-UG 2026 Paper Leak Case As Probe Expands Nationwide | WatchEx-Army Chief Naravane Backs People-To-People Ties To Improve India Pak RelationsAir India Cuts 29 International Routes As West Asia War Drives Up Fuel Costs And DisruptionsVijay Reverses Astrologer Appointment; PM Modi Orders Nearly 50% Convoy | Headlines@9EPS Removes Rebel Leaders Backing Vijay Government As AIADMK Internal Crisis DeepensPostmortem Reveals Massive Blood Clot In Lungs Caused Prateek Yadav’s Death | WatchHimanta Biswa Sarma Announces UCC Bill For Assam As State Moves Towards Uniform Civil LawNEET UG 2026 Cancellation Sparks Rajasthan Political Storm As BJP And Congress Clash Over Leak123Photostories10 soft celestial baby boy names inspired by the moonTara Sutaria’s Cannes debut look is giving ‘Breakfast at Tiffany’s’ vibe, but make it Bollywood editionTop US states with most lightning strikesAlia Bhatt stuns in an icy blue gown at Cannes 2026; fashion fans say, “Elsa who?”Inside 15 years of Prince William and Catherine, Princess of Wales’s most talked-about royal looksFigs are more powerful than you think: Here’s what happens when you eat them regularly and how to eat it properlyStop throwing away mango peel: 6 delicious ways to use them in your kitchen5 weird things people do in love and why, as per psychologyWhy these 5 vegetable DIY remedies are harmful for your skin8 Indian states where women can travel free on government buses; West Bengal becomes the latest to join the list123Hot PicksCBSE class 12 resultUS Iran warPrateek YadavHaryana election resultForeign outflowNEET exam cancelledTamil Nadu assemblyTop TrendingNashik AstrologerTamil Nadu NewsIPL Points TablePM Internship SchemeIPL Match TodayHimanta Biswa SarmaIPL Orange Cap 2026Aparna YadavAir India FlightsPrateek Yadav Asian markets mixed today: AI rally cools, Hang Seng gains 174 points while Kospi steadies after record peak WBCHSE HS Class 12th result: When and where to check Uchch Madhyamik results Dileep Raj’s FINAL Instagram post trends after his demise at 47; Fans say ‘Miss you sir’ The mind can be your friend or your enemy Pentagon announces tie-up with Palmer Luckey’s Anduril and three other defence tech startups; agreements establish terms for future … ‘Home Alone’ at White House: Vance jokes as Trump visits China for key talks NEW DELHI: Social media intermediaries must conduct due diligence even at the time of uploading apps, Delhi high court stressed Wednesday as it asked Google and Apple to remove mobile applications hosted on their online platforms that disseminate obscene pornographic content.“We can’t permit a whole generation of the country to be ruined. We understand all kinds of freedom under Article 19 but that does not mean we allow (dissemination of vulgar content),” the court observed, as it reminded the intermediaries that their role was not limited to blocking content on receiving a complaint.A bench of Chief Justice D K Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia said, the social media intermediaries must play the “most vital role” by acting against such apps even at the time of uploading.It also asked the Centre’s Indian Computer Emergency Response Team to check dissemination of such content, while hearing a PIL by Rubika Thapa against the hosting of mobile applications offering vulgar and pornographic content on platforms run by Google and Apple. The matter would be heard next on July 17.About the AuthorAbhinav GargAs legal editor for Delhi, Abhinav Garg handles coverage of courts and connected legal challenges shaping the capital. From breaking down complex law related jargon to simplifying how a particular verdict or development in courts may impact the readers, Abhinav brings with him over two decades of experience in the field.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosVijay Targets NEET Again, Says Medical Admissions Should Depend On Class 12 MarksCongress Claims Assam FIR Row Is Linked To Questions Over Himanta Sarma Assets | WatchCBI Arrests Five In NEET-UG 2026 Paper Leak Case As Probe Expands Nationwide | WatchEx-Army Chief Naravane Backs People-To-People Ties To Improve India Pak RelationsAir India Cuts 29 International Routes As West Asia War Drives Up Fuel Costs And DisruptionsVijay Reverses Astrologer Appointment; PM Modi Orders Nearly 50% Convoy | Headlines@9EPS Removes Rebel Leaders Backing Vijay Government As AIADMK Internal Crisis DeepensPostmortem Reveals Massive Blood Clot In Lungs Caused Prateek Yadav’s Death | WatchHimanta Biswa Sarma Announces UCC Bill For Assam As State Moves Towards Uniform Civil LawNEET UG 2026 Cancellation Sparks Rajasthan Political Storm As BJP And Congress Clash Over Leak123Photostories10 soft celestial baby boy names inspired by the moonTara Sutaria’s Cannes debut look is giving ‘Breakfast at Tiffany’s’ vibe, but make it Bollywood editionTop US states with most lightning strikesAlia Bhatt stuns in an icy blue gown at Cannes 2026; fashion fans say, “Elsa who?”Inside 15 years of Prince William and Catherine, Princess of Wales’s most talked-about royal looksFigs are more powerful than you think: Here’s what happens when you eat them regularly and how to eat it properlyStop throwing away mango peel: 6 delicious ways to use them in your kitchen5 weird things people do in love and why, as per psychologyWhy these 5 vegetable DIY remedies are harmful for your skin8 Indian states where women can travel free on government buses; West Bengal becomes the latest to join the list123Hot PicksCBSE class 12 resultUS Iran warPrateek YadavHaryana election resultForeign outflowNEET exam cancelledTamil Nadu assemblyTop TrendingNashik AstrologerTamil Nadu NewsIPL Points TablePM Internship SchemeIPL Match TodayHimanta Biswa SarmaIPL Orange Cap 2026Aparna YadavAir India FlightsPrateek Yadav IPL 2026: Manish Pandey pulls of a wordie; Virat Kohli’s reaction goes viral – Watch ‘Karuppu’ 9 AM shows cancelled; SR Prabhu issues apology amid release trouble for Suriya and Trisha Krishnan starrer Prateek Yadav dead: 6 ‘unexplained injuries before death’ raise questions NEW DELHI: A nine-judge Supreme Court bench on Wednesday appeared to be on the same page with the govt on the narrow ambit of judicial review of religious practices and said constitutional courts should be extremely cautious in questioning a denomination’s collective religious beliefs.This remark came from a bench of CJI Surya Kant and Justices B V Nagarathna, M M Sundresh, Ahsanuddin Amanullah, Aravind Kumar, A G Masih, P B Varale, R Mahadevan and J Bagchi when solicitor general Tushar Mehta said there was a plurality of sects and sub-sects, with distinct religious practices and rituals, even though they were part of a denomination.Every denomination, sect and sub-sect was entitled to practice its peculiar rituals and even if certain secular activities were intermingled with these religious practices, then in testing the validity of a law restricting the secular part of that religious activity, courts should lean towards protecting religious practices to maintain the identity of the denomination, sect or sub-sect, Mehta said.Giving an illustration for his argument, the SG said, “The right to light a ‘diya’ undoubtedly is a matter of religion. However, if in a particular denomination, it is mandatory to light 100 diyas every day, the question would be whether there can be a restriction by the state limiting the quantity of ghee to be purchased per day. Though the purchase of ghee is a secular activity, it is intrinsically linked with something which is a matter of religion and, therefore, cannot be interfered with by the state.”Justices Nagarathna and Sundresh said they were of the view that constitutional courts must not question the collective religious beliefs of followers of a denomination. Mehta said reforms through legislation by a state must be on the constitutional grounds — public order, morality and health.Responding to rationalists’ stand advanced by senior advocate Sanjay Hegde that the right to freedom of conscience and right to freedom of religion permitted a person to “wake up a Hindu, have lunch as Muslim and go to sleep at night as a Christian”, Mehta said if any person gets such a thought, he “needs psychiatric treatment”.The bench reserved its verdict on the reference relating to faith vs fundamental right tussle.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosVijay Targets NEET Again, Says Medical Admissions Should Depend On Class 12 MarksCongress Claims Assam FIR Row Is Linked To Questions Over Himanta Sarma Assets | WatchCBI Arrests Five In NEET-UG 2026 Paper Leak Case As Probe Expands Nationwide | WatchEx-Army Chief Naravane Backs People-To-People Ties To Improve India Pak RelationsAir India Cuts 29 International Routes As West Asia War Drives Up Fuel Costs And DisruptionsVijay Reverses Astrologer Appointment; PM Modi Orders Nearly 50% Convoy | Headlines@9EPS Removes Rebel Leaders Backing Vijay Government As AIADMK Internal Crisis DeepensPostmortem Reveals Massive Blood Clot In Lungs Caused Prateek Yadav’s Death | WatchHimanta Biswa Sarma Announces UCC Bill For Assam As State Moves Towards Uniform Civil LawNEET UG 2026 Cancellation Sparks Rajasthan Political Storm As BJP And Congress Clash Over Leak123Photostories10 soft celestial baby boy names inspired by the moonTara Sutaria’s Cannes debut look is giving ‘Breakfast at Tiffany’s’ vibe, but make it Bollywood editionTop US states with most lightning strikesAlia Bhatt stuns in an icy blue gown at Cannes 2026; fashion fans say, “Elsa who?”Inside 15 years of Prince William and Catherine, Princess of Wales’s most talked-about royal looksFigs are more powerful than you think: Here’s what happens when you eat them regularly and how to eat it properlyStop throwing away mango peel: 6 delicious ways to use them in your kitchen5 weird things people do in love and why, as per psychologyWhy these 5 vegetable DIY remedies are harmful for your skin8 Indian states where women can travel free on government buses; West Bengal becomes the latest to join the list123Hot PicksCBSE class 12 resultUS Iran warPrateek YadavHaryana election resultForeign outflowNEET exam cancelledTamil Nadu assemblyTop TrendingNashik AstrologerTamil Nadu NewsIPL Points TablePM Internship SchemeIPL Match TodayHimanta Biswa SarmaIPL Orange Cap 2026Aparna YadavAir India FlightsPrateek Yadav Govt: Capex, developmental spending, subsidies to go on as planned ‘The Fast and the Furious’ 25th anniversary: Vin Diesel hugs late Paul Walker’s daughter Meadow Walker on Cannes red carpet – PICS Jannik Sinner and Laila Hasanovic combined net worth in 2026: Inside their earnings from tennis, endorsements, and modeling The state has lost 32 tigers in the first five months of 2026. Poaching is under control, but electrified fencing outside core areas has emerged as a major threat to the big cat. Adding to worries is the canine distemper virus that killed a tigress and 4 cubs in KanhaFive months, 32 dead tigers and not nearly enough answers. The recent spate of big cat deaths in Madhya Pradesh, including a tigress and her four cubs in Kanha, has once again put the spotlight on the state’s famed tiger reserves. However, the real story behind the rising big cat toll may lie not inside their protected boundaries, but outside them. Forest officials said the most recent deaths have occurred outside core reserve areas, where expanding tiger populations are increasingly colliding with humandominated landscapes. Here, crude electric wire traps — often laid illegally to kill wild boar and other animals for bushmeat or to protect crops — are emerging as one of the biggest threats to big cats.Officials said poaching networks once linked to international wildlife trade syndicates have largely been dismantled. In their place, however, a more localised and difficult-to-monitor threat has spread across the state. Electrocution now lies at the centre of the changing pattern of tiger deaths.Treacherous TerrainAccording to the latest tiger estimate, conducted in 2022, Madhya Pradesh is home to 785 of India’s total tiger population of 3,682. The state has also witnessed one of the sharpest increases in tiger numbers in the country, recording a 49% rise between 2018 and 2022 — nearly double the national growth rate of 24%.But while tiger numbers have surged, their habitat has not expanded at the same pace. The result, officials said, is an increasing spillover of big cats beyond protected forests and reserve boundaries. Tigers are highly territorial animals and frequently come into conflict with members of their own species, often forcing weaker, ageing or younger tigers to move out in search of new territories.As reserves become more crowded, many tigers are increasingly pushing into buffer forests, agricultural belts and village fringes in search of space. Officials estimate that around 40% of the state’s tigers are now frequenting areas lying outside protected zones, while nearly 20% are moving through heavily human-dominated landscapes crisscrossed by roads, farms and electric lines.Forest officials said this expanding overlap between tiger movement routes and human set- tlements is driving the changing pattern of tiger deaths in the state. Nearly 80% of tiger mortalities reported this year have occurred outside protected areas, with several carcasses recovered kilometres away from reserve forests. Dispersal movements frequently bring tigers into direct conflict with villages, while they also face a threat in agricultural zones where illegally electrified wires are used to deter or kill herbivores such as wild boar and nilgai.MP’s chief wildlife warden, Samita Rajora, said electrocution has emerged as one of the most significant threats in these fringe landscapes. “Our analysis shows that seven tiger deaths this year were due to electrocution, largely from wire traps laid for bushmeat hunting or farm protection,” she said.Officials said many such traps involve illegal tapping of conventional 11kV power lines used for domestic and agricultural supply in villages on the fringe of forests. According to Ritesh Sirothia, chief of the Special Tiger Protection Force (STPF), poachers or bushmeat hunters often hook into overhead lines using bamboo poles and extend wires across animal paths to create crude live-wire traps.“When an animal comes into contact with the wire, it receives a severe electric shock, leading to burns, paralysis and, in most cases, death,” Sirothia said. “The electric line tripping record becomes key evidence in such cases. Whenever a person, animal or object touches a live wire, it causes the line to short to ground, triggering a trip in the power supply. These records capture the exact time, date, duration and location of the disruption, and often help establish timelines and corroborate poaching incidents.”According to officials, areas along the fringes of Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve and Pench Tiger Reserve are currently emerging as particularly vulnerable zones. Rajora said, “We are focusing on these high-risk zones and strengthening coordination with the electricity and revenue departments. Efforts are underway to analyse power-line trip data along with GPS locations to identify electrocution hotspots.”Numbers Tell A StoryThe broader mortality data reflects the changing nature of threats facing Madhya Pradesh’s tiger population. In 2025, the state recorded 55 tiger deaths — translating into a mortality rate of roughly 7%, slightly higher than the national average of under 5%, though officials said this remains within ecological limits, given the state’s dense, and growing, tiger count.According to state forest department data, nearly 69% of these deaths were due to natural or incidental causes, including territorial fights, disease, age, road and train accidents, and injuries sustained during conflict. At least 13 of the deaths involved cubs aged below one year — a category known to have naturally high mortality rates and, therefore, excluded from national tiger estimates.But officials acknowledge that the more worrying trend lies elsewhere. Nearly one in every five tiger deaths recorded in the state last year was linked to electrocution, largely from illegal live wires. However, officials said most of these incidents did not involve evidence of deliberate tiger hunting or illegal trade in body parts. Around 11% of the deaths fell into the category of confirmed poaching cases — instances where tiger body parts were recovered and accused persons identified or arrested.Officials highlighted that MP’s comparatively high tiger death detection rate also shapes the numbers. Based on 2025 data, the national tiger mortality detection rate stood at around 54%, while MP recorded a much higher detection rate of nearly 84%. Officials attribute this to intensive patrolling and surveillance systems that ensure most tiger deaths, including those occurring in remote territorial divisions and buffer areas, are eventually detected and documented.Wire Traps, Deadly By DesignWhile poaching networks have weakened over the years, officials say the threat has increasingly shifted to decentralised actors — bushmeat hunters and farmers using crude electrified wire traps and fencing to protect crops.Recent cases show how brutal — and hard to detect — these deaths can be. In Seoni, a tigress died after being electrocuted on an illegal live-wire setup near farmland. Its carcass was dumped into a well in what investigators suspect was an attempt to destroy evidence. Burnt wires recovered from the site and forensics conducted under National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) protocols confirmed electrocution as the cause of death.In another case, in Chhindwara, a radio-collared tiger translocated from Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve to Satpura Tiger Reserve was allegedly poisoned and buried, while its collar was burnt to avoid detection. Investigators suspect the killing may be linked to illegal activities, including opium cultivation, in the region. Officials also admitted that delays in responding to collar signals exposed gaps in monitoring systems.The risk is not new, and neither are the warnings. In 2018, the then additional chief secretary (forests) and the principal secretary of the energy department had jointly issued directions to all field officers, calling for coordinated action to curb wildlife deaths due to electrocution, including joint patrolling, monitoring of power lines and realtime response to line faults. But little has changed on the ground.Wildlife activist Ajay Dubey said the electricity department had been reluctant to share responsibility. “If they had come forward for joint patrolling and instant data sharing, the problem of electrocution could have been checked,” he added.Officials, however, said that preventive efforts are now being intensified through coordinated patrols in vulnerable zones, monitoring of illegal power connections, awareness campaigns in fringe villages and action under the Electricity Act, 2003.The ‘Killer’ Virus ThreatIf electrocution is increasingly becoming the dominant threat outside of the reserves, disease outbreaks are exposing risks within core habitats. Recently, Kanha Tiger Reserve has been battling an outbreak of canine distemper virus (CDV), a highly infectious disease transmitted from domesticated dogs to wild carnivores. The outbreak killed five tigers from a single family — a tigress and her four cubs.In response, forest officials launched emergency containment measures across buffer villages adjoining Kanha reserve. Nearly 100 dogs have already been vaccinated across eight villages, while a 2 sqkm forest patch linked to the outbreak has been sealed off.Rajora said the department had activated a multi-layered response to prevent further spread. “Since the virus is transmitted through dogs, vaccination in buffer villages is critical. We have initiated quarantine measures, vaccination drives and intensive monitoring in the affected landscape,” she said.Officials said water bodies inside the quarantine zone were drained, disinfected using lime and bleaching powder, and sealed temporarily to prevent other wildlife from accessing potentially contaminated sources. Forest teams have also restricted tourist movement and closed entry points to the area.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosVijay Targets NEET Again, Says Medical Admissions Should Depend On Class 12 MarksCongress Claims Assam FIR Row Is Linked To Questions Over Himanta Sarma Assets | WatchCBI Arrests Five In NEET-UG 2026 Paper Leak Case As Probe Expands Nationwide | WatchEx-Army Chief Naravane Backs People-To-People Ties To Improve India Pak RelationsAir India Cuts 29 International Routes As West Asia War Drives Up Fuel Costs And DisruptionsVijay Reverses Astrologer Appointment; PM Modi Orders Nearly 50% Convoy | Headlines@9EPS Removes Rebel Leaders Backing Vijay Government As AIADMK Internal Crisis DeepensPostmortem Reveals Massive Blood Clot In Lungs Caused Prateek Yadav’s Death | WatchHimanta Biswa Sarma Announces UCC Bill For Assam As State Moves Towards Uniform Civil LawNEET UG 2026 Cancellation Sparks Rajasthan Political Storm As BJP And Congress Clash Over Leak123Photostories10 soft celestial baby boy names inspired by the moonTara Sutaria’s Cannes debut look is giving ‘Breakfast at Tiffany’s’ vibe, but make it Bollywood editionTop US states with most lightning strikesAlia Bhatt stuns in an icy blue gown at Cannes 2026; fashion fans say, “Elsa who?”Inside 15 years of Prince William and Catherine, Princess of Wales’s most talked-about royal looksFigs are more powerful than you think: Here’s what happens when you eat them regularly and how to eat it properlyStop throwing away mango peel: 6 delicious ways to use them in your kitchen5 weird things people do in love and why, as per psychologyWhy these 5 vegetable DIY remedies are harmful for your skin8 Indian states where women can travel free on government buses; West Bengal becomes the latest to join the list123Hot PicksCBSE class 12 resultUS Iran warPrateek YadavHaryana election resultForeign outflowNEET exam cancelledTamil Nadu assemblyTop TrendingNashik AstrologerTamil Nadu NewsIPL Points TablePM Internship SchemeIPL Match TodayHimanta Biswa SarmaIPL Orange Cap 2026Aparna YadavAir India FlightsPrateek Yadav 75 days of Hormuz chaos: Oil prices remain above $100 as Trump-Xi talks near Karuppu Movie Review and Release Live Updates: Suriya and Trisha Krishnan’s film to open big at the box office Dhurandhar 2 Full Movie Collection: ‘Dhurandhar 2’ box office collection day 56: Ranveer Singh’s film adds Rs 0.37 crore to the tally amid OTT release buzz | Hindi Movie News CBI director Praveen Sood, who was to retire on May 24, has received a 1-year extension. It is the 2nd extension Sood has got. The development comes a day after LoP Rahul Gandhi gave a dissent note on the process of selection for the post.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosVijay Targets NEET Again, Says Medical Admissions Should Depend On Class 12 MarksCongress Claims Assam FIR Row Is Linked To Questions Over Himanta Sarma Assets | WatchCBI Arrests Five In NEET-UG 2026 Paper Leak Case As Probe Expands Nationwide | WatchEx-Army Chief Naravane Backs People-To-People Ties To Improve India Pak RelationsAir India Cuts 29 International Routes As West Asia War Drives Up Fuel Costs And DisruptionsVijay Reverses Astrologer Appointment; PM Modi Orders Nearly 50% Convoy | Headlines@9EPS Removes Rebel Leaders Backing Vijay Government As AIADMK Internal Crisis DeepensPostmortem Reveals Massive Blood Clot In Lungs Caused Prateek Yadav’s Death | WatchHimanta Biswa Sarma Announces UCC Bill For Assam As State Moves Towards Uniform Civil LawNEET UG 2026 Cancellation Sparks Rajasthan Political Storm As BJP And Congress Clash Over Leak123Photostories10 soft celestial baby boy names inspired by the moonTara Sutaria’s Cannes debut look is giving ‘Breakfast at Tiffany’s’ vibe, but make it Bollywood editionTop US states with most lightning strikesAlia Bhatt stuns in an icy blue gown at Cannes 2026; fashion fans say, “Elsa who?”Inside 15 years of Prince William and Catherine, Princess of Wales’s most talked-about royal looksFigs are more powerful than you think: Here’s what happens when you eat them regularly and how to eat it properlyStop throwing away mango peel: 6 delicious ways to use them in your kitchen5 weird things people do in love and why, as per psychologyWhy these 5 vegetable DIY remedies are harmful for your skin8 Indian states where women can travel free on government buses; West Bengal becomes the latest to join the list123Hot PicksCBSE class 12 resultUS Iran warPrateek YadavHaryana election resultForeign outflowNEET exam cancelledTamil Nadu assemblyTop TrendingNashik AstrologerTamil Nadu NewsIPL Points TablePM Internship SchemeIPL Match TodayHimanta Biswa SarmaIPL Orange Cap 2026Aparna YadavAir India FlightsPrateek Yadav May 14, 2026, 07:05 IST Alia Bhatt picks Aishwarya Rai’s yellow saree look for ‘Devdas’ premiere as MOST ICONIC Cannes look Pisces Horoscope Today, May 14, 2026: Check your bank messages, review subscriptions, and plan next week’s expenses ‘One of the longest barrages in four years’: Russia launches massive missile and drone attack on Kyiv NEW DELHI: Nearly two years after the NEET-UG 2024 paper leak controversy and following the unprecedented cancellation of NEET-UG 2026, central govt is examining a hybrid examination model under which question papers could be digitally transmitted to centres and printed locally under secure conditions. Officials said this is being considered a safer alternative because conducting a fully online exam for 23 lakh candidates remains difficult due to infrastructure and logistical challenges.A senior health ministry official said discussions on possible reforms in NEET are expected in coming days between health ministry, National Medical Commission (NMC) and National Testing Agency (NTA), including whether parts of the examination process can be digitised.Officials said the proposed “computer-assisted secure paper-based test”, recommended by Radhakrishnan Committee, is emerging as a possible middle path between fully offline and fully computer-based examinations. Under the proposal, encrypted question papers would be sent to confidential servers at exam centres or regional hubs shortly before the exam and printed locally using high-speed secure printers.“The idea is to reduce manual handling points during transportation and storage of question papers, which are considered vulnerable stages,” an official said, adding that printing exam papers closer to examination time could reduce risks of leaks.According to officials, the hybrid system could retain advantages of a single-day, single-paper offline examination — avoiding controversies over normalisation and varying difficulty levels across shifts — while continuing to allow a large number of centres, including those in smaller towns and rural areas, to host the exam.Another senior official said shifting NEET fully online was difficult because of the exam’s sheer scale and complications linked to multiple-shift testing. “India currently lacks infrastructure to conduct a single-day computer-based exam for nearly 25 lakh students. At best, only 1 to 1.5 lakh candidates can be accommodated daily. Multiple shifts would bring into play issues of normalisation, fairness and comparisons across sessions,” the official said.The official added that many NEET aspirants from smaller towns and rural areas may not be equally familiar with computer-based testing. Unlike offline exams conducted in schools across districts, online tests require specialised centres, stable internet, uninterrupted electricity and technical manpower.Officials said a fully online system could also significantly reduce the number of centres and force many students to travel to larger cities. Cyber-security risks, server failures and technical disruptions are also issues to be considered. Any transition, they said, would require months of preparation, including infrastructure expansion, mock tests and student familiarisation exercises.The hybrid system, however, would still require pilot testing, infrastructure assessment and detailed operational protocols before rollout. “These are still discussions and nothing has been finalised yet. But after repeated controversies in recent years, there is broad agreement that reforms are needed,” an official said.The Radhakrishnan Committee was constituted after NEET-UG 2024 controversy to recommend reforms for strengthening examination security and transparency.About the AuthorAnuja JaiswalAnuja Jaiswal is a Senior Assistant Editor at The Times of India, with an impressive 18-year career in narrative journalism. She specializes in health and heritage reporting, expertly simplifying complex health information to make it engaging and understandable for readers. Her deep dives into heritage topics are well-researched, resulting in captivating narratives that resonate with her audience. Over the years, she has worked in Chandigarh, Chhattisgarh and West UP, gaining diverse on-ground experience that shapes her storytelling.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosVijay Targets NEET Again, Says Medical Admissions Should Depend On Class 12 MarksCongress Claims Assam FIR Row Is Linked To Questions Over Himanta Sarma Assets | WatchCBI Arrests Five In NEET-UG 2026 Paper Leak Case As Probe Expands Nationwide | WatchEx-Army Chief Naravane Backs People-To-People Ties To Improve India Pak RelationsAir India Cuts 29 International Routes As West Asia War Drives Up Fuel Costs And DisruptionsVijay Reverses Astrologer Appointment; PM Modi Orders Nearly 50% Convoy | Headlines@9EPS Removes Rebel Leaders Backing Vijay Government As AIADMK Internal Crisis DeepensPostmortem Reveals Massive Blood Clot In Lungs Caused Prateek Yadav’s Death | WatchHimanta Biswa Sarma Announces UCC Bill For Assam As State Moves Towards Uniform Civil LawNEET UG 2026 Cancellation Sparks Rajasthan Political Storm As BJP And Congress Clash Over Leak123PhotostoriesTara Sutaria’s Cannes debut look is giving ‘Breakfast at Tiffany’s’ vibe, but make it Bollywood editionTop US states with most lightning strikesAlia Bhatt stuns in an icy blue gown at Cannes 2026; fashion fans say, “Elsa who?”Inside 15 years of Prince William and Catherine, Princess of Wales’s most talked-about royal looksFigs are more powerful than you think: Here’s what happens when you eat them regularly and how to eat it properlyStop throwing away mango peel: 6 delicious ways to use them in your kitchen5 weird things people do in love and why, as per psychologyWhy these 5 vegetable DIY remedies are harmful for your skin8 Indian states where women can travel free on government buses; West Bengal becomes the latest to join the list5 deadliest insects on the planet: Small creatures with a massive global impact123Hot PicksCBSE class 12 resultUS Iran warPrateek YadavHaryana election resultForeign outflowNEET exam cancelledTamil Nadu assemblyTop TrendingNashik AstrologerTamil Nadu NewsIPL Points TablePM Internship SchemeIPL Match TodayHimanta Biswa SarmaIPL Orange Cap 2026Aparna YadavAir India FlightsPrateek Yadav ‘Athiradi’ Twitter review: Tovino Thomas and Basil Joseph film wins early praise; Cameo steals the show India bans sugar exports until September 2026 amid supply concerns: Report PM Modi NEW DELHI: PM Narendra Modi travelled in a drastically trimmed-down convoy on Wednesday while many of his ministerial colleagues, including home minister Amit Shah and defence minister Rajnath Singh, downsized their carcade by more than half, with fleets of vehicles accompanying VIPs cut down as govt sent out the message that it is willing to practice what it preaches in line with Modi’s multiple suggestions to conserve fuel.Modi’s convoy in the short route from his residence to his office Seva Teerth, where he chaired a cabinet meeting, had only 2 SUVs, a sharp reduction on over a dozen.Shah, who faces highest level of threat after Modi, followed suit and his convoy was cut to more than half to four vehicles. as govt sought to amplify Modi’s appeal aimed at conserving forex reserves, a large part of which is used for crude oil import. PM ‘S Longer trips may necessitate a bigger carcade depending on security assessment by SPG, the elite security group which guards PM, of the situation on a case-by-case basis but Modi’s message is that he is cutting down on his fleet and that everyone should prioritise saving fuel, officials stressed.Modi’s domestic tours outside Delhi recently had fewer than usual number of vehicles, with SPG working on his directions to reduce the convoy while sticking to its remit of maintaining essential security protocol.Rajnath Singh’s cavalcade, too, had only four vehicles, TOI has learnt that PM in the Cabinet meeting asked ministers to reduce fuel and vehicle usage. Soon after the meeting, road transport minister Nitin Gadkari announced that he would travel by “bus” along with officers, security personnel and others to inspect Palkhi Marg project in Maharashtra on Thursday and Friday. He also urged Maharashtra govt to reduce the convoy by 50%.Railway minister Ashwini Vaishna also stopped using pilot vehicles and from Wednesday he is using only one car.On cue, chief ministers of BJP-governed states and several governors implemented similar measures. Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath asked his ministers to reduce their fleets by half and urged public representatives to use public transport once a week.His Bihar counterpart Samrat Choudhary gave similar directions and emphasised the use for video conferences over physical meetings as BJP went in overdrive across the country to follow up on Modi’s appeal aimed at saving forex reserves due to the lingering tensions in West Asia, which has led to rally in crude prices..With deferring foreign visits being one of the PM’s appeals to citizens, BJP govts in several states have stepped in to cancel overseas trips by lawmakers. In Maharashtra, a proposed study tour of Japan by legislators is likely to be called off.CM Devendra Fadnavis, officials said, has asked ministers to seek prior approval from his office for flying govt aircraft to restrict non-essential air travel.Gujarat governor Acharya Devvrat announced that he will travel within the state by trains and other modes of public transport instead of aircraft and choppers. He also reduced the size of his official convoy.Even as Modi’s suggestions took concrete shape on the ground, govt was quick to emphasise that his appeal should not be taken as a call for austerity, which suggests budgetary cuts, lower subsidies and overall fiscal tightening.Govt is not cutting capital expenditure, welfare spending, or subsidies, an official said, stressing that Modi’s appeal is not about spending less. “It is about spending more wisely by reducing fuel consumption, avoidable dependence on imported goods and foreign-currency-intensive services,” he said.With India like many countries facing economic headwinds due to volatile oil prices and negative impact on trade due to the Iran conflict, govt is keen to dial down on the outbound flow of foreign currencies, prompting the PM to voice a host of suggestions.Governing BJP has also fired instructions to its state units for similar measures amid some instances of party functionaries using large fleets of vehicles, drawing barbs from the opposition.BJP president Nitin Nabin too had reduced his convoy.Taking the lead, govt’s think tank NITI Aayog has ordered immediate cancellation of all planned in-person workshops, conferences, and seminars across its divisions. It has asked its teams to hold essential engagements through virtual mode. End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosVijay Targets NEET Again, Says Medical Admissions Should Depend On Class 12 MarksCongress Claims Assam FIR Row Is Linked To Questions Over Himanta Sarma Assets | WatchCBI Arrests Five In NEET-UG 2026 Paper Leak Case As Probe Expands Nationwide | WatchEx-Army Chief Naravane Backs People-To-People Ties To Improve India Pak RelationsAir India Cuts 29 International Routes As West Asia War Drives Up Fuel Costs And DisruptionsVijay Reverses Astrologer Appointment; PM Modi Orders Nearly 50% Convoy | Headlines@9EPS Removes Rebel Leaders Backing Vijay Government As AIADMK Internal Crisis DeepensPostmortem Reveals Massive Blood Clot In Lungs Caused Prateek Yadav’s Death | WatchHimanta Biswa Sarma Announces UCC Bill For Assam As State Moves Towards Uniform Civil LawNEET UG 2026 Cancellation Sparks Rajasthan Political Storm As BJP And Congress Clash Over Leak123PhotostoriesTara Sutaria’s Cannes debut look is giving ‘Breakfast at Tiffany’s’ vibe, but make it Bollywood editionTop US states with most lightning strikesAlia Bhatt stuns in an icy blue gown at Cannes 2026; fashion fans say, “Elsa who?”Inside 15 years of Prince William and Catherine, Princess of Wales’s most talked-about royal looksFigs are more powerful than you think: Here’s what happens when you eat them regularly and how to eat it properlyStop throwing away mango peel: 6 delicious ways to use them in your kitchen5 weird things people do in love and why, as per psychologyWhy these 5 vegetable DIY remedies are harmful for your skin8 Indian states where women can travel free on government buses; West Bengal becomes the latest to join the list5 deadliest insects on the planet: Small creatures with a massive global impact123Hot PicksCBSE class 12 resultUS Iran warPrateek YadavHaryana election resultForeign outflowNEET exam cancelledTamil Nadu assemblyTop TrendingNashik AstrologerTamil Nadu NewsIPL Points TablePM Internship SchemeIPL Match TodayHimanta Biswa SarmaIPL Orange Cap 2026Aparna YadavAir India FlightsPrateek Yadav ‘Karuppu’ booking issue: Suriya and Trisha Krishnan film faces last-minute hurdles; RJ Balaji breaks silence “I don’t like it”: Donald Trump slams NFL over streaming shift, warns league is ‘killing the golden goose’ with digital push NEW DELHI: External affairs minister S Jaishankar underlined the significance of India’s ties with Russia in a meeting with counterpart Sergey Lavrov, saying political cooperation between the two countries was even more valuable in an uncertain and volatile global environment. Jaishankar told Lavrov the complicated international situation merited an open exch-ange of views, especially between two trusted partners.Ahead of the Brics foreign ministers’ meeting, the ministers reviewed cooperation across a range of areas. Jaishankar told Lavrov the two nations would benefit through greater de-risking and diversification. Jaishankar said on X that he had a “productive” exchange of views with Lavrov. “Our conversation touched upon several aspects of the India-Russia Special & Privileged Strategic Partnership, including trade & investment, energy & connectivity, science & technology, as well as facilitating mobility of skills & talent,” he said. End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosVijay Targets NEET Again, Says Medical Admissions Should Depend On Class 12 MarksCongress Claims Assam FIR Row Is Linked To Questions Over Himanta Sarma Assets | WatchCBI Arrests Five In NEET-UG 2026 Paper Leak Case As Probe Expands Nationwide | WatchEx-Army Chief Naravane Backs People-To-People Ties To Improve India Pak RelationsAir India Cuts 29 International Routes As West Asia War Drives Up Fuel Costs And DisruptionsVijay Reverses Astrologer Appointment; PM Modi Orders Nearly 50% Convoy | Headlines@9EPS Removes Rebel Leaders Backing Vijay Government As AIADMK Internal Crisis DeepensPostmortem Reveals Massive Blood Clot In Lungs Caused Prateek Yadav’s Death | WatchHimanta Biswa Sarma Announces UCC Bill For Assam As State Moves Towards Uniform Civil LawNEET UG 2026 Cancellation Sparks Rajasthan Political Storm As BJP And Congress Clash Over Leak123PhotostoriesTara Sutaria’s Cannes debut look is giving ‘Breakfast at Tiffany’s’ vibe, but make it Bollywood editionTop US states with most lightning strikesAlia Bhatt stuns in an icy blue gown at Cannes 2026; fashion fans say, “Elsa who?”Inside 15 years of Prince William and Catherine, Princess of Wales’s most talked-about royal looksFigs are more powerful than you think: Here’s what happens when you eat them regularly and how to eat it properlyStop throwing away mango peel: 6 delicious ways to use them in your kitchen5 weird things people do in love and why, as per psychologyWhy these 5 vegetable DIY remedies are harmful for your skin8 Indian states where women can travel free on government buses; West Bengal becomes the latest to join the list5 deadliest insects on the planet: Small creatures with a massive global impact123Hot PicksCBSE class 12 resultUS Iran warPrateek YadavHaryana election resultForeign outflowNEET exam cancelledTamil Nadu assemblyTop TrendingNashik AstrologerTamil Nadu NewsIPL Points TablePM Internship SchemeIPL Match TodayHimanta Biswa SarmaIPL Orange Cap 2026Aparna YadavAir India FlightsPrateek Yadav