VK News Today https://validator.w3.org/feed/docs/rss2.html “The day Charlie was k****d…..”: Candace Owens’ latest Charlie Kirk theory sparks fierce response from critics NEW DELHI: The Tamil Nadu govt has moved the Supreme Court against the Madras high court order imposing a blanket ban on the slaughter of cows and calves in the state.In its plea, the Tamil Nadu govt challenged the May 27 order of the high court, which directed the chief secretary and the director general of police/head of police force to ensure that no cow or calf got slaughtered across the state either on the eve of Bakrid on May 28, or on any other day.“In a writ petition seeking a direction to ‘prevent the slaughter of cows in public places’, the HC ought to have travelled beyond the issue involved, to impose an absolute and blanket ban…,” the govt’s appeal said. The HC order was based on a 1976 ruling .Madras HC order on cow slaughter ban based on 1976 rulingOn May 27, the high court, while hearing a PIL filed by K Surya Prasanth, the general secretary of Hindu Makkal Katchi, which sought direction to prevent the slaughtering of cows in public places, directed the state govt to impose the blanket ban. The plea also sought directions that slaughter be carried out at designated places only.The high court order was based on a 1976 ruling, which prohibited cow slaughter in the interest of milk production and improvement of rural economy. In its plea, the state govt termed the order contrary to the Tamil Nadu Animal Preservation Act, 1958.The Act permits the slaughter of cows aged over 10 years that are unfit for work and breeding, on the basis of a certificate issued by a competent authority. The high court, however, imposed a blanket ban.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’Highly Deplorable’: India Slams Pakistan Over Demolition Of 125-Year-Old Gurdwara In FarooqabadHealth Concerns Mount As Sonam Wangchuk’s Blood Sugar Falls, Weight Drops As Fast ContinuesDMK Seeks FIR Against CM Vijay, Alleges Plot To Induce MLAs And Alter Assembly NumbersCongress Claims BJP in West Bengal “Will Be Equally Aggressive”; MP Sparks Debate On GovernanceIran Invites BJP Chief Nitin Nabin, Congress Prez Kharge, Pawan Khera To Khamenei’s Funeral: ReportModi Cabinet Reshuffle Buzz: Will NDA Allies And Rebel MPs Find A Place In The Union Cabinet?Three Arrested, Senthil Balaji Under Scanner In Alleged TVK Government Toppling BidCongress Moves Privilege Motion Against Rajnath Singh Over Op Sindoor Claims; Seeks Transparency’Neglecting For 2.5 Years’ Kailash Vijayvargiya’s Letter To CM Mohan Yadav Triggers Political StormWATCH: Eggs, Vegetables Hurled At Mahua Moitra; TMC MP Accuses ‘BJP Goons’, Says Police Stood By123PhotostoriesLock Upp 2: Ram Kapoor, Sunita Ahuja to Akanksha Chamola—contestants’ net worth revealed; this celebrity tops the list with Rs 135 croreWilliam Faulkner’s quote, ‘You cannot swim for new horizons until you have courage to lose sight of the shore,’ perfectly explains why growth demands riskThink you will get your full deposit back? These surprisingly common move-out mistakes could lead to major deductions from your security depositPsychology says children need their parents the most during these 5 vulnerable moments of the day and how parents should respond during these momentsVande Bharat on a budget: 5 routes you can travel for under INR 1,5005 secrets to build an aura everyone feels attracted toPersonality test: Solo trip or holiday with your partner? What your travel style tells you about yourself5 shocking facts about octopuses that seem too strange to be realBengaluru daycare horror: 8 red flags every parent should know before choosing a daycare10 beautiful baby girl names inspired by the beauty of nature and their heartwarming meanings123Hot PicksLPG gas pricePatrick MahomesNEET PG RegistrationEmployees Provident Funds SchemeGTA 6India vs England t20Marcus SmartNayara petrol priceHow to Watch FIFA World Cup TodayTop TrendingNayara energy petrol priceLPG priceKetan Agarwal Murder CaseFIFA World Cup 2026Monaco BlastBengaluru TechieAnukalp MishraSergei IvanovIndigo Check-in Bag FaresAyodhya Ram Temple Donation Theft Jul 02, 2026, 06:36 IST Shanaya Kapoor’s Telugu debut: Actor to join ‘Hanu-Man’ star Teja Sajja in ‘Zombie Reddy’ sequel – Reports Pisces Horoscope Today, July 02, 2026: A day of balance awaits “Misogynist, homophobic and racist”: Clavicular’s runway debut sparks fresh debate over fashion’s obsession with controversy Jul 02, 2026, 05:30 IST Jos Buttler scripts history for England, joins Quinton de Kock in elite T20I list ‘Mother Promise’ early review: Daali Dhananjaya’s film gets positive first reaction; Overseas distributor calls it a ‘Roller coaster laughter ride’ Indian Army’s field hospital saves elderly woman rescued from rubble in quake-hit Venezuela USA VS Bosnia and Herzegovina Live Score, FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32: USMNT chase Round of 16 berth against history-makers Marking a breakthrough in biological engineering, researchers claim to have created the world’s first synthetic cells that can feed, grow and replicate like a natural cell, taking a big step towards the holy grail of making a living organism out of non-living components.Developed by University of Minnesota scientists under a project called SpudCell, the work could in time lead to made-to-order living machines.“We’ve replicated in chemistry what only used to be possible in biology: the complete set of behaviours of a cell. It proves that fundamental functions of life, like growth and replication, don’t need a mysterious magical spark,” said Kate Adamala, who led the effort, in a note released by the varsity.The SpudCell isn’t quite ‘alive’. It can’t survive without deliveries of food and ribosomes, the molecular machines needed to make proteins. It also has no defences or a good waste removal system. SpudCell: Genetic change helped cells grow fasterBut experts said it’s the most compelling demonstration yet that it is possible to generate life from non-life. “This work is just the beginning. We are showing it’s possible to engineer the basic functions of the cell. To fully realise the promise of this technology — to make it robust and practical — we need combined international effort,” Adamala said.SpudCell is a pared down version of a living cell. While natural cells divide using internal scaffolding called a cytoskeleton, the synthetic cell sidesteps the need for a cytoskeleton with proteins that crowd together on the membrane surface until the mechanical stress makes the membrane split. Researchers introduced a genetic change that increased production of fusion protein, resulting in cells that grew faster and produced more offspring. After five generations, the faster-growing variant had out-competed the original, the university said.While a human genome is roughly 3 million kilobase pairs (kbp) in size, SpudCell’s genome is relatively tiny at 90 kbp. Rather than a single chromosome, the genome is split across seven separate DNA plasmids, allowing the team to “program” various functions of the cell independently.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’Highly Deplorable’: India Slams Pakistan Over Demolition Of 125-Year-Old Gurdwara In FarooqabadHealth Concerns Mount As Sonam Wangchuk’s Blood Sugar Falls, Weight Drops As Fast ContinuesDMK Seeks FIR Against CM Vijay, Alleges Plot To Induce MLAs And Alter Assembly NumbersCongress Claims BJP in West Bengal “Will Be Equally Aggressive”; MP Sparks Debate On GovernanceIran Invites BJP Chief Nitin Nabin, Congress Prez Kharge, Pawan Khera To Khamenei’s Funeral: ReportModi Cabinet Reshuffle Buzz: Will NDA Allies And Rebel MPs Find A Place In The Union Cabinet?Three Arrested, Senthil Balaji Under Scanner In Alleged TVK Government Toppling BidCongress Moves Privilege Motion Against Rajnath Singh Over Op Sindoor Claims; Seeks Transparency’Neglecting For 2.5 Years’ Kailash Vijayvargiya’s Letter To CM Mohan Yadav Triggers Political StormWATCH: Eggs, Vegetables Hurled At Mahua Moitra; TMC MP Accuses ‘BJP Goons’, Says Police Stood By123PhotostoriesLock Upp 2: Ram Kapoor, Sunita Ahuja to Akanksha Chamola—contestants’ net worth revealed; this celebrity tops the list with Rs 135 croreWilliam Faulkner’s quote, ‘You cannot swim for new horizons until you have courage to lose sight of the shore,’ perfectly explains why growth demands riskThink you will get your full deposit back? These surprisingly common move-out mistakes could lead to major deductions from your security depositPsychology says children need their parents the most during these 5 vulnerable moments of the day and how parents should respond during these momentsVande Bharat on a budget: 5 routes you can travel for under INR 1,5005 secrets to build an aura everyone feels attracted toPersonality test: Solo trip or holiday with your partner? What your travel style tells you about yourself5 shocking facts about octopuses that seem too strange to be realBengaluru daycare horror: 8 red flags every parent should know before choosing a daycare10 beautiful baby girl names inspired by the beauty of nature and their heartwarming meanings123Hot PicksLPG gas pricePatrick MahomesNEET PG RegistrationEmployees Provident Funds SchemeGTA 6India vs England t20Marcus SmartNayara petrol priceHow to Watch FIFA World Cup TodayTop TrendingNayara energy petrol priceLPG priceKetan Agarwal Murder CaseFIFA World Cup 2026Monaco BlastBengaluru TechieAnukalp MishraSergei IvanovIndigo Check-in Bag FaresAyodhya Ram Temple Donation Theft ‘Muthassi’ OTT release date: Here’s when and where to stream Amith Chakalakkal’s Malayalam horror series Money Slipping Away? Check This Vastu Corner of Your House Today Vincent Trocheck trade: Rangers acquire Sean Durzi, Cole Beaudoin from Mammoth; Details NEW DELHI: India and Malaysia on Wednesday reviewed the entire spectrum of bilateral military cooperation and expressed satisfaction with the steady progress achieved. The discussions, during the 12th India-Malaysia sub committee meeting on military cooperation in New Delhi, covered ongoing defence engagements, including military-to-military exchanges, bilateral exercises, training, staff talks, capacity building, maritime cooperation, and cooperation in emerging domains.The meeting was co-chaired by joint secretary, defence ministry, Amitabh Prasad and assistant chief of staff, defence operations & training, Malaysian armed forces Maj Gen Amer Mahmud Bin Abdul Rahman.Both sides acknowledged the successful conduct of regular bilateral activities and agreed to further strengthen cooperation between their defence forces through enhanced exchanges, professional interactions, and increased participation in each other’s military courses and training institutions. The delegations also discussed opportunities for expanding collaboration in the fields of defence industry, defence technology, cyber security and humanitarian assistance & disaster relief.Both sides appreciated each other’s active participation in the Asean defence ministers’ meeting-plus (ADMM-Plus) framework and reaffirmed their commitment to working closely in promoting practical cooperation under the experts’ working group on counter-terrorism. They also exchanged views on regional and global security developments and reiterated their shared commitment to maintaining peace, stability, security and freedom of navigation in the Indo-Pacific, in accordance with international law.The meeting underscored the importance of strengthening defence cooperation as a key pillar of the India-Malaysia Enhanced Strategic Partnership. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to further deepening bilateral defence ties based on mutual trust, shared interests, and a common vision for a secure, stable, and prosperous Indo-Pacific.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’Highly Deplorable’: India Slams Pakistan Over Demolition Of 125-Year-Old Gurdwara In FarooqabadHealth Concerns Mount As Sonam Wangchuk’s Blood Sugar Falls, Weight Drops As Fast ContinuesDMK Seeks FIR Against CM Vijay, Alleges Plot To Induce MLAs And Alter Assembly NumbersCongress Claims BJP in West Bengal “Will Be Equally Aggressive”; MP Sparks Debate On GovernanceIran Invites BJP Chief Nitin Nabin, Congress Prez Kharge, Pawan Khera To Khamenei’s Funeral: ReportModi Cabinet Reshuffle Buzz: Will NDA Allies And Rebel MPs Find A Place In The Union Cabinet?Three Arrested, Senthil Balaji Under Scanner In Alleged TVK Government Toppling BidCongress Moves Privilege Motion Against Rajnath Singh Over Op Sindoor Claims; Seeks Transparency’Neglecting For 2.5 Years’ Kailash Vijayvargiya’s Letter To CM Mohan Yadav Triggers Political StormWATCH: Eggs, Vegetables Hurled At Mahua Moitra; TMC MP Accuses ‘BJP Goons’, Says Police Stood By123PhotostoriesLock Upp 2: Ram Kapoor, Sunita Ahuja to Akanksha Chamola—contestants’ net worth revealed; this celebrity tops the list with Rs 135 croreWilliam Faulkner’s quote, ‘You cannot swim for new horizons until you have courage to lose sight of the shore,’ perfectly explains why growth demands riskThink you will get your full deposit back? These surprisingly common move-out mistakes could lead to major deductions from your security depositPsychology says children need their parents the most during these 5 vulnerable moments of the day and how parents should respond during these momentsVande Bharat on a budget: 5 routes you can travel for under INR 1,5005 secrets to build an aura everyone feels attracted toPersonality test: Solo trip or holiday with your partner? What your travel style tells you about yourself5 shocking facts about octopuses that seem too strange to be realBengaluru daycare horror: 8 red flags every parent should know before choosing a daycare10 beautiful baby girl names inspired by the beauty of nature and their heartwarming meanings123Hot PicksLPG gas pricePatrick MahomesNEET PG RegistrationEmployees Provident Funds SchemeGTA 6India vs England t20Marcus SmartNayara petrol priceHow to Watch FIFA World Cup TodayTop TrendingNayara energy petrol priceLPG priceKetan Agarwal Murder CaseFIFA World Cup 2026Monaco BlastBengaluru TechieAnukalp MishraSergei IvanovIndigo Check-in Bag FaresAyodhya Ram Temple Donation Theft Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s wedding ceremony NOT at Madison Square Garden; invitee Anthony Jabin says ‘It’s a little bit of a surprise’ Aquarius Horoscope Today, July 02, 2026: Brace for a day of financial caution Empire State Building climb: Couple arrested after proposal atop New York’s skyscraper – video ‘Maa Inti Bangaaram’ box office collections day 13: Samantha Ruth Prabhu’s film sees 21.2% drop; Earns Rs 1.30 crore in India Sagittarius Horoscope Today, July 02, 2026: Relationships may face friction from hasty words Capricorn Horoscope Today, July 02, 2026: Day brings recognition and respect Will Patrick and Brittany Mahomes make it back in time for Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s wedding? Their latest photo dump has fans wondering NEW DELHI: The Centre has issued an eviction notice to the Delhi Gymkhana Club, saying that the club is in “unauthorised occupation of public premises” since the land lease ended on May 22. The Land and Development Office (L&DO) under the housing and urban affairs ministry, in the show-cause notice to the club, has sought an explanation why eviction order should not be passed against it.Invoking the provisions of Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorised Occupants) Act, L&DO has asked the club and all persons concerned occupying the premises to submit their response by July 7 and appear for a personal hearing on that day at 2.30pm.The govt’s move to get back the 27.3 acre land parcel comes over a month after the Centre told Delhi HC on May 26 that it won’t take forceful possession by June 5 (as per its earlier notice) and that the eviction proceedings would only be initiated in accordance with the law and after giving due notice.The L&DO said that Clause 4 of the Perpetual Lease Deed reserves power of the lessor (govt) to resume and re-enter (resume physical possession of property) whenever it’s required for “public purpose”. It added that the premises are “critically required for strengthening and securing defence infrastructure, public security purposes, urgent institutional needs, governance infrastructure and other public-interest projects”. L&DO said that after the end of the lease and re-entry, the club ceased to have all rights and authority to continue occupying the premises.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’Highly Deplorable’: India Slams Pakistan Over Demolition Of 125-Year-Old Gurdwara In FarooqabadHealth Concerns Mount As Sonam Wangchuk’s Blood Sugar Falls, Weight Drops As Fast ContinuesDMK Seeks FIR Against CM Vijay, Alleges Plot To Induce MLAs And Alter Assembly NumbersCongress Claims BJP in West Bengal “Will Be Equally Aggressive”; MP Sparks Debate On GovernanceIran Invites BJP Chief Nitin Nabin, Congress Prez Kharge, Pawan Khera To Khamenei’s Funeral: ReportModi Cabinet Reshuffle Buzz: Will NDA Allies And Rebel MPs Find A Place In The Union Cabinet?Three Arrested, Senthil Balaji Under Scanner In Alleged TVK Government Toppling BidCongress Moves Privilege Motion Against Rajnath Singh Over Op Sindoor Claims; Seeks Transparency’Neglecting For 2.5 Years’ Kailash Vijayvargiya’s Letter To CM Mohan Yadav Triggers Political StormWATCH: Eggs, Vegetables Hurled At Mahua Moitra; TMC MP Accuses ‘BJP Goons’, Says Police Stood By123PhotostoriesLock Upp 2: Ram Kapoor, Sunita Ahuja to Akanksha Chamola—contestants’ net worth revealed; this celebrity tops the list with Rs 135 croreWilliam Faulkner’s quote, ‘You cannot swim for new horizons until you have courage to lose sight of the shore,’ perfectly explains why growth demands riskThink you will get your full deposit back? These surprisingly common move-out mistakes could lead to major deductions from your security depositPsychology says children need their parents the most during these 5 vulnerable moments of the day and how parents should respond during these momentsVande Bharat on a budget: 5 routes you can travel for under INR 1,5005 secrets to build an aura everyone feels attracted toPersonality test: Solo trip or holiday with your partner? What your travel style tells you about yourself5 shocking facts about octopuses that seem too strange to be realBengaluru daycare horror: 8 red flags every parent should know before choosing a daycare10 beautiful baby girl names inspired by the beauty of nature and their heartwarming meanings123Hot PicksLPG gas pricePatrick MahomesNEET PG RegistrationEmployees Provident Funds SchemeGTA 6India vs England t20Marcus SmartNayara petrol priceHow to Watch FIFA World Cup TodayTop TrendingNayara energy petrol priceLPG priceKetan Agarwal Murder CaseFIFA World Cup 2026Monaco BlastBengaluru TechieAnukalp MishraSergei IvanovIndigo Check-in Bag FaresAyodhya Ram Temple Donation Theft WC assists top-end as smart TVs shrink ‘Lethal Weapon’ star Danny Glover diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease; says ‘things are going to be different and changing’ Saturn Enters Revati: 4 Zodiac Signs Facing Big Financial Closures This Month Board weightage mooted in entrance exam revamp Debt’s the way for Indian IT acquisition funding Stebin Ben reacts to viral video of his mother ignoring Nupur Sanon outside restaurant: ‘Saas-bahu are always on the same team’ Questions set, demographic panel to seek info from states NEW DELHI: In an overhaul of provident fund rules for nearly eight crore active members, Employees Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has said 12% contribution up to the statutory wage ceiling, which is currently at Rs 15,000 a month, is mandatory. Any contribution above that will be treated as voluntary.Even if your basic salary is Rs 1 lakh a month, Rs 1,800 will be deducted towards your PF contribution – along with a matching contribution by the employer. But you will also have the option to park the amount out of the remaining salary towards retirement savings.”An employee may opt to contribute, on a voluntary basis, an additional contribution on wages exceeding the statutory wage ceiling at statutory rate or at any rate in excess of statutory rate,” according to provisions of the Employees’ Provident Funds Scheme, 2026 notified Wednesday.Employers have the option – not an obligation – to match these additional voluntary contributions, and both the employees and employers can reduce or discontinue such additional voluntary contributions at any time.EPFO simplifies withdrawals, cuts categories from 13 to just 3An official told TOI, “The flexibility introduced in the scheme is to provide greater autonomy to the contributing members for their retirement savings. These provisions have been discussed extensively in the central board of trustee meetings (CBT) and have been made with their concurrence and align with the objectives of the new labour codes.”Given that most private sector employees and employers have a cost-to-company relationship, salaries may be restructured, allowing both sides to work out an arrangement that is beneficial to the EPFO subscriber.The provision regarding coverage, however, remains unchanged as the new scheme provides continuity of membership by specifically stating that employees who were members under the earlier scheme will continue as members.The new scheme implements the changes related to withdrawals which were approved by the Central Board of Trustees last Oct . These changes include increasing the number of withdrawals that can be made in a year and streamlining the categories for drawing out advance funds, from 13 to just three – essential needs (illness, education, marriage); housing needs; and special circumstances.EPFO has also approved advance withdrawal up to 100% of the ‘eligible balance’ in the PF, including employee and employer share, with members now required to always maintain 25% of the contributions in their accounts as the minimum balance.For contract workers, the new scheme specifies the definition of “principal employer” and puts the onus of ensuring PF contributions for contractual staff on them.”The scheme has also clarified that the principal employer is responsible for making payment of PF contribution for employees engaged by or through a ‘contractor’ only where the contractor is not registered independently. However, even where the PF payment is made by the contractor, the ultimate responsibility for contributions remains with the principal employer,” said Puneet Gupta, a partner at EY India.The new scheme also introduces several provisions on compliance requirements/filings to be done by the employer, including one-time, monthly and event-based compliances. Every employer is now required to file a consolidated return (in Form V) within 15 days of application of the scheme, giving details of all employees, including their Aadhaar, PAN, universal account number, gross wages and EPF wages.Along with the EPF Scheme 2026, govt has notified three special drives intended to regularise historical compliance gaps and resolve long-pending issues.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’Highly Deplorable’: India Slams Pakistan Over Demolition Of 125-Year-Old Gurdwara In FarooqabadHealth Concerns Mount As Sonam Wangchuk’s Blood Sugar Falls, Weight Drops As Fast ContinuesDMK Seeks FIR Against CM Vijay, Alleges Plot To Induce MLAs And Alter Assembly NumbersCongress Claims BJP in West Bengal “Will Be Equally Aggressive”; MP Sparks Debate On GovernanceIran Invites BJP Chief Nitin Nabin, Congress Prez Kharge, Pawan Khera To Khamenei’s Funeral: ReportModi Cabinet Reshuffle Buzz: Will NDA Allies And Rebel MPs Find A Place In The Union Cabinet?Three Arrested, Senthil Balaji Under Scanner In Alleged TVK Government Toppling BidCongress Moves Privilege Motion Against Rajnath Singh Over Op Sindoor Claims; Seeks Transparency’Neglecting For 2.5 Years’ Kailash Vijayvargiya’s Letter To CM Mohan Yadav Triggers Political StormWATCH: Eggs, Vegetables Hurled At Mahua Moitra; TMC MP Accuses ‘BJP Goons’, Says Police Stood By123PhotostoriesLock Upp 2: Ram Kapoor, Sunita Ahuja to Akanksha Chamola—contestants’ net worth revealed; this celebrity tops the list with Rs 135 croreWilliam Faulkner’s quote, ‘You cannot swim for new horizons until you have courage to lose sight of the shore,’ perfectly explains why growth demands riskThink you will get your full deposit back? These surprisingly common move-out mistakes could lead to major deductions from your security depositPsychology says children need their parents the most during these 5 vulnerable moments of the day and how parents should respond during these momentsVande Bharat on a budget: 5 routes you can travel for under INR 1,5005 secrets to build an aura everyone feels attracted toPersonality test: Solo trip or holiday with your partner? What your travel style tells you about yourself5 shocking facts about octopuses that seem too strange to be realBengaluru daycare horror: 8 red flags every parent should know before choosing a daycare10 beautiful baby girl names inspired by the beauty of nature and their heartwarming meanings123Hot PicksLPG gas pricePatrick MahomesNEET PG RegistrationEmployees Provident Funds SchemeGTA 6India vs England t20Marcus SmartNayara petrol priceHow to Watch FIFA World Cup TodayTop TrendingNayara energy petrol priceLPG priceKetan Agarwal Murder CaseFIFA World Cup 2026Monaco BlastBengaluru TechieAnukalp MishraSergei IvanovIndigo Check-in Bag FaresAyodhya Ram Temple Donation Theft Brands get quick-comm boost in summer sales ‘Ramayana’ movie clip LEAKED online? Viral video sparks buzz over Ranbir Kapoor’s Lord Ram look – WATCH Scorpio Horoscope Today, July 02, 2026: Brace for a day of contrasts ATF, commercial LPG prices cut as global crude cost eases Representative image NEW DELHI: Govt has directed Meta-owned WhatsApp not to roll out its proposed usernames feature in India until further consultations are completed, while asking the company to submit a detailed explanation within three days on how the system will operate and prevent misuse.In a notice issued to WhatsApp’s chief compliance officer, MeITY said it had taken note of the company’s announcement that users would soon be able to reserve unique usernames, and eventually, start conversations without sharing their mobile-phone numbers.New feature could increase phishing, digital arrests: GovtOnce activated, the feature would allow first-time contact through usernames alone, and users would also have the option of protecting their account with a “username key”.While acknowledging the privacy benefits, the notice by the ministry of electronics and information technology said the change could “materially increase” incidents of online fraud, phishing, digital arrest scams and impersonation by making it easier for malicious actors to contact unsuspecting users.The notice also flagged the possibility of identity spoofing through usernames resembling those of individuals, public authorities, financial institutions and govt agencies, raising concerns that fraudsters could exploit the feature to deceive users.Citing Information Technology Act, 2000, and IT Rules, 2021, the notice asked Meta to explain “why regulatory action ought not to be initiated” for launching a feature that, in govt’s view, “may increase cybercrimes”. It also reminded WhatsApp that as a “significant social media intermediary”, it is bound by due diligence requirements under the IT Rules, including provisions related to impersonation, identity theft and tracing the first originator of messages where lawfully required.WhatsApp has been directed to furnish a detailed explanation, supported by relevant documents, within three days of receiving the communication. The company has also been instructed not to launch the feature in India until consultations with govt are concluded “to the satisfaction of govt”.Responding to the development, a WhatsApp spokesperson said the usernames feature has not yet gone live and will be rolled out gradually later this year. The company said, “Users will still require a phone number to use WhatsApp and that usernames are designed to add another layer of privacy rather than replace existing account verification.” It added that public figures, govt entities, celebrities and verified Meta accounts will have their usernames reserved to prevent impersonation, while lookalike variants will also be blocked.WhatsApp said it has “built multiple safeguards into the feature, including limits on how many new users an account can contact, protections against repeated attempts to guess usernames, and systems to detect impersonation and abusive behaviour”.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’Highly Deplorable’: India Slams Pakistan Over Demolition Of 125-Year-Old Gurdwara In FarooqabadHealth Concerns Mount As Sonam Wangchuk’s Blood Sugar Falls, Weight Drops As Fast ContinuesDMK Seeks FIR Against CM Vijay, Alleges Plot To Induce MLAs And Alter Assembly NumbersCongress Claims BJP in West Bengal “Will Be Equally Aggressive”; MP Sparks Debate On GovernanceIran Invites BJP Chief Nitin Nabin, Congress Prez Kharge, Pawan Khera To Khamenei’s Funeral: ReportModi Cabinet Reshuffle Buzz: Will NDA Allies And Rebel MPs Find A Place In The Union Cabinet?Three Arrested, Senthil Balaji Under Scanner In Alleged TVK Government Toppling BidCongress Moves Privilege Motion Against Rajnath Singh Over Op Sindoor Claims; Seeks Transparency’Neglecting For 2.5 Years’ Kailash Vijayvargiya’s Letter To CM Mohan Yadav Triggers Political StormWATCH: Eggs, Vegetables Hurled At Mahua Moitra; TMC MP Accuses ‘BJP Goons’, Says Police Stood By123PhotostoriesLock Upp 2: Ram Kapoor, Sunita Ahuja to Akanksha Chamola—contestants’ net worth revealed; this celebrity tops the list with Rs 135 croreWilliam Faulkner’s quote, ‘You cannot swim for new horizons until you have courage to lose sight of the shore,’ perfectly explains why growth demands riskThink you will get your full deposit back? These surprisingly common move-out mistakes could lead to major deductions from your security depositPsychology says children need their parents the most during these 5 vulnerable moments of the day and how parents should respond during these momentsVande Bharat on a budget: 5 routes you can travel for under INR 1,5005 secrets to build an aura everyone feels attracted toPersonality test: Solo trip or holiday with your partner? What your travel style tells you about yourself5 shocking facts about octopuses that seem too strange to be realBengaluru daycare horror: 8 red flags every parent should know before choosing a daycare10 beautiful baby girl names inspired by the beauty of nature and their heartwarming meanings123Hot PicksLPG gas pricePatrick MahomesNEET PG RegistrationEmployees Provident Funds SchemeGTA 6India vs England t20Marcus SmartNayara petrol priceHow to Watch FIFA World Cup TodayTop TrendingNayara energy petrol priceLPG priceKetan Agarwal Murder CaseFIFA World Cup 2026Monaco BlastBengaluru TechieAnukalp MishraSergei IvanovIndigo Check-in Bag FaresAyodhya Ram Temple Donation Theft PE-VC deal value dips 5% in H1 CY2026 Born on These Dates? Your Past Karma Is Catching Up This Month FPIs’ $5bn bond purchase offsets steady equity sales Libra Horoscope Today, July 02, 2026: A day of emotional relief unfolds as anxieties ease Car sales in June signal strong demand recovery Rabbi Shergill says AR Rahman’s communal bias claim ‘probably does exist’, points to The Kashmir Files and The Kerala Story: ‘Take him at his word’ ExtraEmily unbanned on Twitch just one day after distracted driving suspension Numerology horoscope today, July 01, 2026: What your name’s first letter reveals today Jul 02, 2026, 03:03 IST UPI volumes up 1.2%, rise to 76 crore CONFIRMED! Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce to wed on Friday at Madison Square Garden – Details Inside Virgo Horoscope Today, July 02, 2026: Embrace a day of smooth sailing as Mercury and the Moon align Quote of the day by Morgan Freeman: ‘If you live a life of make-believe, your life isn’t worth anything until you do something that does challenge your reality,’ an inspiring lesson by the Hollywood veteran on determination and explaining why stepping out of your comfort zone is essential