VK News Today https://validator.w3.org/feed/docs/rss2.html 80th Independence Day: A throwback at PM Modi’s signature Red Fort turbans Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the 80th Independence day addressed the nation from Red Fort. NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday addressed the nation from the ramparts of the Red Fort on the 80th Independence Day, marking his 13th consecutive Independence Day address as prime minister.PM Modi hoisted the National Flag at the Red Fort, with the ceremony synchronised with a 21-gun salute fired by the ceremonial gunners of the 1721 Field Battery.The ceremonial battery used indigenous 105mm Light Field Guns. It was commanded by Major Pawan Singh Shekhawat, while Naib Subedar Anuthosh Sarkar served as the Gun Position Officer.Addressing the nation, PM Modi paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi and those who fought for India’s freedom.”I pay my tributes to Bapu and all the freedom fighters and revolutionaries on this Independence Day.”The prime minister also invoked the patriotic spirit associated with the national song, saying the country was united in celebrating the Tricolour.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelines”Today, every heart is beating with the rhythm of Vande Mataram. Aaj har ghar Tiranga hai, har mann Tiranga hai.”The Independence Day ceremony at the Red Fort is the centrepiece of the country’s national celebrations, with the prime minister traditionally using the occasion to outline the government’s priorities and address the nation on key issues.PM Modi’s top quotesOn freedom fighters”I pay my tributes to Bapu and all the freedom fighters and revolutionaries on this Independence Day.”On Vande Mataram and the Tricolour”Today, every heart is beating with the rhythm of Vande Mataram. Aaj har ghar Tiranga hai, har mann Tiranga hai.”Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos79 Years Of Freedom: What Do Indians Really Want From Their Country, Leaders And Democracy Now?NALSAR Row Erupts: CJI Raps BCI, As CJP Demands Resignation Of Bar Council Chief‘Why Rockets?’ Jaipur Residents Mock Potholes With Astronaut Protest After Monsoon RainsRajnath Singh Announces Rs 8.75 Lakh Crore Defence Modernisation Push on 80th Independence DayBomb Threat Email Targets Delhi Courts, Airport, Metro Ahead Of August 15; Security Checks BeginCM Vijay Urges PM Modi To Keep Lok Sabha Strength At 543, Opposes Population-Based DelimitationThey Want To Disturb Punjab’s Peace’: Sukhbir Badal Flags Larger Conspiracy After Nanded Attack’The Great Transshipment Scam’: India Among 40 Nations Aiding China’s Tarrif Evasion, Says USUttarakhand Tunnel Landslide: 7 Workers Dead, 1 Missing; Rescue Operations Continue in Chamoli‘RSS Vs Congress Govt’: Karnataka Cabinet Clears Bill To Curb Events At Public Spaces123PhotostoriesFrom lakeside retreats to Aravalli resorts: 5 luxury escapes in and around Delhi for the Independence Day weekendRani Mukerji goes from Sabyasachi saree to power suit as she collects an Honorary Doctor of Letters from Australia’s La Trobe University10 unusual baby girl names with fascinating historical roots10 naturally tricolour Indian foods to make this Independence DayInside Ruhaanika Dhawan’s luxury home: A massive living room, elegant decor and moreWhat happens to your brain when you slowly reduce your screen time before bed? Neurologist answers5 red vegetables rich in fibre: Simple ways to add them to Indian mealsIndependence Day Special: 7 historic Delhi eateries that have been serving since before 1947Tara Sutaria’s lace drama meets Kiara Advani’s pantsuit power: Who really won the ‘Toxic’ album launch fashion face-off?5 yellow vegetables that may support eye health, immunity and healthy ageing123Hot PicksMartin Luther King JrRajasthan UCCDelhi trafficJharkhand protestEast Coast Railway GDCE recruitmentMP Class 10, 12 timetableIran warKarnataka bandhUP NEET UG counsellingTop TrendingOil Prices TodayIndiGo Fight CancelledDelhi High Court Bomb ThreatAmbala Sikh Community ProtestManan KumarVirender Singh BasoyaJP NaddaWeather TomorrowBengaluru RapidoAbhijeet Dipke India vs Sri Lanka Live Score, 1st Test: Shubman Gill leads India into 600th Test in Galle Claude downloads surge 30x, Gemini doubles Robbie Williams says he has a ‘little bit of autism’ anad uses creativity to cope: ‘It’s best to train my brain to do something better…’ 80th Independence Day: ‘Vande Mataram’ played for first time as PM Modi addresses nation Wholesale inflation eases to 9.8% in July ‘On Golden Pond’ director Mark Rydell passes away at 97; Bette Midler pays tribute Numerology Predictions Today, August 15, 2026: Read your personalised forecast for numbers 1 to 9 US Army temporarily halts Apache training missions after two soldiers killed in Texas crash India’s red-ball reset: Shubman Gill leads India into 600th Test against spin-heavy Sri Lanka ‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’ box office collection Day 16: Tom Holland starrer crashes on third Friday, amid Emraan Hashmi-starrer ‘Awarapan 2’ takeover NALSAR students stand firm on demand against CJI as chief guest 5 killed, 1 critically injured, suspected gunman found dead after manhunt Jawaharlal Nehru (L) heads Tele-MANAS Centre of Telangana, CLN Gandhi retired from transport dept as addl commissioner In classrooms of generations past, an attendance register could sometimes sound like a roll call from India’s freedom movement. Many parents named their children after national heroes. Today, those names are hard to find. But you can still come across a Gandhi, Nehru or Bose.Take Hyderabad’s Jawaharlal Nehru. Born in the 1960s to freedom fighter and Congress member Mutteswara Rao, Nehru says his father was determined on the name of India’s first PM. Rao reached out to him.The PMO pointed out Nehru was a surname and suggested the child be named Jawahar. But Rao was adamant.”Being Jawaharlal Nehru, I feel, needs commitment,” he says. He encouraged his only son to join the Army. “I stand for the country. I can proudly say my son is a Major.”‘Names bring history into an ordinary life’ My father insisted he had a letter from Nehru giving his permission. That’s how I became Jawaharlal Nehru,” says the man who now heads Telangana govt’s Tele-MANAS Centre. Nehru’s sister, Vijayalakshmi Pandit, also has a modern-day namesake in Hyderabad. She was originally named Vijayalakshmi by her mother. Her father, a freedom fighter, later added Pandit to her name after the original became president of United Nations General Assembly.For Subhas Chandra Bose, a 33-year-old employee of Nizam’s Institute of Medical Sciences, the name came with expectations from childhood. “Everyone told me I should not do anything mediocre or bad because of my name,” he says. “I still feel that responsibility. I don’t even lie.” His father didn’t stop with one famous name. Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesSubhas’ brothers are named Chandrasekhar Azad and Ambedkar.There’s also CLN Gandhi, a retired additional commissioner in the transport department, known simply as Gandhi in bureaucratic circles. “My father named me after Mahatma Gandhi as suggested by our neighbour, who was in the Army,” he says. “I was always conscious of the values associated with my name.”Socio-political analyst S Ramakrishna said: “When a child is named after a historical figure, that memory travels with the person. The name brings history into an ordinary life.”Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorSribala VadlapatlaSribala Vadlapatla is a Senior Assistant Editor with 15 years of experience at The Times of India and 30 years overall in mainstream and web journalism. She covers Telangana’s political, economic, health, technological, and socio-cultural topics, and is deeply interested in policy, governance, emerging technologies, international affairs, economy and music.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos79 Years Of Freedom: What Do Indians Really Want From Their Country, Leaders And Democracy Now?NALSAR Row Erupts: CJI Raps BCI, As CJP Demands Resignation Of Bar Council Chief‘Why Rockets?’ Jaipur Residents Mock Potholes With Astronaut Protest After Monsoon RainsRajnath Singh Announces Rs 8.75 Lakh Crore Defence Modernisation Push on 80th Independence DayBomb Threat Email Targets Delhi Courts, Airport, Metro Ahead Of August 15; Security Checks BeginCM Vijay Urges PM Modi To Keep Lok Sabha Strength At 543, Opposes Population-Based DelimitationThey Want To Disturb Punjab’s Peace’: Sukhbir Badal Flags Larger Conspiracy After Nanded Attack’The Great Transshipment Scam’: India Among 40 Nations Aiding China’s Tarrif Evasion, Says USUttarakhand Tunnel Landslide: 7 Workers Dead, 1 Missing; Rescue Operations Continue in Chamoli‘RSS Vs Congress Govt’: Karnataka Cabinet Clears Bill To Curb Events At Public Spaces123PhotostoriesFrom lakeside retreats to Aravalli resorts: 5 luxury escapes in and around Delhi for the Independence Day weekendRani Mukerji goes from Sabyasachi saree to power suit as she collects an Honorary Doctor of Letters from Australia’s La Trobe University10 unusual baby girl names with fascinating historical roots10 naturally tricolour Indian foods to make this Independence DayInside Ruhaanika Dhawan’s luxury home: A massive living room, elegant decor and moreWhat happens to your brain when you slowly reduce your screen time before bed? Neurologist answers5 red vegetables rich in fibre: Simple ways to add them to Indian mealsIndependence Day Special: 7 historic Delhi eateries that have been serving since before 1947Tara Sutaria’s lace drama meets Kiara Advani’s pantsuit power: Who really won the ‘Toxic’ album launch fashion face-off?5 yellow vegetables that may support eye health, immunity and healthy ageing123Hot PicksMartin Luther King JrRajasthan UCCDelhi trafficJharkhand protestEast Coast Railway GDCE recruitmentMP Class 10, 12 timetableIran warKarnataka bandhUP NEET UG counsellingTop TrendingOil Prices TodayIndiGo Fight CancelledDelhi High Court Bomb ThreatAmbala Sikh Community ProtestManan KumarVirender Singh BasoyaJP NaddaWeather TomorrowBengaluru RapidoAbhijeet Dipke ‘Thudakkam’ box office collection day 8: Vismaya Mohanlal film records 30.6% growth; India net reaches Rs 1.11 Cr 75+ Happy Independence Day messages, greetings, wishes, and quotes for 2026 Bangladesh 378/8 in 120.0 Overs Rishabh Pant can make Virender Sehwag-like impact: Angelo Mathews ‘Batwara 1947’ box office collection Day 1: Sunny Deol and Preity Zinta’s partition drama lags behind Emraan Hashmi’s ‘Awarapan 2’; earns 5.75 crore in India “Both well-being and suffering happen from Within You. The choice is yours”; What the yogi advises on not choosing to depend our inner well-being on the outside world Pisces Horoscope Today, August 15, 2026: Married people should bring sweetness back through attention ‘Magudam’ box office collections day 1: Vishal’s directorial debut earns Rs 60 lakhs India net; records 15% overall occupancy A bench of Justices J B Pardiwala and K Vinod Chandran issued notice to Union govt through MeitY and law ministry NEW DELHI: Supreme Court on Friday agreed to examine a plea seeking prosecution of social media and online platforms under the stringent Pocso Act for showing child sexual abuse content and not reporting it to police, reports AmitAnand Choudhary. A bench of Justices J B Pardiwala and K Vinod Chandran issued notice to the Union govt, through the ministry of electronics and information technology (MeitY) and the ministry of law and justice. It asked the petitioner NGO, ‘Just Rights for Children Alliance (JRCA)’, to implead intermediaries in the case to ensure compliance with the court’s 2024 judgment.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesSections 19 and 20 of Pocso Act make it mandatory for anyone who knows about a child sexual offence to report it to local police and the petitioner said the provision was also applicable to intermediaries and they too were liable to be prosecuted for non-compliance.JRCA, described as India’s largest civil society network with over 250 NGOs working against child sexual exploitation, child trafficking and child marriage, filed the application following a BBC report alleging that Instagram had carried paid advertisements promoting CSAM (Child Sexual Abuse Material).Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos79 Years Of Freedom: What Do Indians Really Want From Their Country, Leaders And Democracy Now?NALSAR Row Erupts: CJI Raps BCI, As CJP Demands Resignation Of Bar Council Chief‘Why Rockets?’ Jaipur Residents Mock Potholes With Astronaut Protest After Monsoon RainsRajnath Singh Announces Rs 8.75 Lakh Crore Defence Modernisation Push on 80th Independence DayBomb Threat Email Targets Delhi Courts, Airport, Metro Ahead Of August 15; Security Checks BeginCM Vijay Urges PM Modi To Keep Lok Sabha Strength At 543, Opposes Population-Based DelimitationThey Want To Disturb Punjab’s Peace’: Sukhbir Badal Flags Larger Conspiracy After Nanded Attack’The Great Transshipment Scam’: India Among 40 Nations Aiding China’s Tarrif Evasion, Says USUttarakhand Tunnel Landslide: 7 Workers Dead, 1 Missing; Rescue Operations Continue in Chamoli‘RSS Vs Congress Govt’: Karnataka Cabinet Clears Bill To Curb Events At Public Spaces123PhotostoriesFrom lakeside retreats to Aravalli resorts: 5 luxury escapes in and around Delhi for the Independence Day weekendRani Mukerji goes from Sabyasachi saree to power suit as she collects an Honorary Doctor of Letters from Australia’s La Trobe University10 unusual baby girl names with fascinating historical roots10 naturally tricolour Indian foods to make this Independence DayInside Ruhaanika Dhawan’s luxury home: A massive living room, elegant decor and moreWhat happens to your brain when you slowly reduce your screen time before bed? Neurologist answers5 red vegetables rich in fibre: Simple ways to add them to Indian mealsIndependence Day Special: 7 historic Delhi eateries that have been serving since before 1947Tara Sutaria’s lace drama meets Kiara Advani’s pantsuit power: Who really won the ‘Toxic’ album launch fashion face-off?5 yellow vegetables that may support eye health, immunity and healthy ageing123Hot PicksMartin Luther King JrRajasthan UCCDelhi trafficJharkhand protestEast Coast Railway GDCE recruitmentMP Class 10, 12 timetableIran warKarnataka bandhUP NEET UG counsellingTop TrendingOil Prices TodayIndiGo Fight CancelledDelhi High Court Bomb ThreatAmbala Sikh Community ProtestManan KumarVirender Singh BasoyaJP NaddaWeather TomorrowBengaluru RapidoAbhijeet Dipke Sunidhi Chauhan’s Mumbai home: A look into the ‘Desi Girl’ singer’s cozy apartment with wooden accents Aquarius Horoscope Today, August 15, 2026: If you’re in a relationship don’t make a huge decision in one moment of intense emotion Rubio credited the personal relationship between US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the continued growth in bilateral ties US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Saturday extended warm wishes to the people of India on the country’s 80th Independence Day, saying the relationship between New Delhi and Washington was growing stronger. Rubio credited the personal relationship between US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the continued growth in bilateral ties.”On behalf of the United States of America, I extend warm congratulations to the people of India on their Independence Day. Thanks to the personal relationship between President Trump and Prime Minister Modi, the U.S.-India relationship continues to grow and is stronger than ever. From defence and energy security to critical minerals, artificial intelligence, space cooperation, and commerce, our collaboration is making both of our nations, and the broader Indian Ocean region, safer, stronger, and more prosperous…”Russian Ambassador to India Denis Alipov also extended greetings to India, expressing confidence in the country’s continued development and reaffirming Moscow’s support for New Delhi.”Dear friends, Happy Independence Day! Looking at India’s predetermined path of development, there is no doubt that all your dreams will come true,” Alipov said in a post on X.”As you walk the path of progress, rest assured that Russia’s support remains the same today as it was a hundred years ago, and it will remain so tomorrow,” he added.Concluding his message, the Russian envoy said, “Jai Hind. Long live India-Russia friendship.”The messages came as Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the 80th Independence Day celebrations at the Red Fort in Delhi, with this year’s ceremony marking 150 years of the National Song ‘Vande Mataram’ and focusing on the role of ‘Yuva Shakti’ in India’s journey towards Viksit Bharat 2047.For the first time, ‘Vande Mataram’ was rendered during the Independence Day celebrations at the Red Fort. Modi hoisted the National Flag from the ramparts, with Captain Sonia Singh Chauhan assisting him. The flag hoisting was synchronised with a 21-gun salute by the 1721 Field Battery (Ceremonial), using indigenous 105 mm Light Field Guns.Following the Rashtriya Salute, the Army band played ‘Vande Mataram’, which was sung by those present at the Red Fort before the National Anthem. Two Indian Air Force Mi-17 helicopters also showered flower petals over the venue, with one carrying the National Flag and the other a flag depicting ‘Vande Mataram’.Modi subsequently addressed the nation, marking his 13th consecutive Independence Day speech from the Red Fort. Around 2,500 cadets from the Army, Navy and Air Force, along with ‘My Bharat’ volunteers, participated in the celebrations, forming the words ‘Vande Mataram’ along Gyanpath.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesAround 5,000 special guests from different walks of life were invited to the ceremony, including women entrepreneurs, sanitation workers, street vendors, youth innovators, scientists, farmers, students and start-up founders. More than 1,500 people from different states and Union Territories also attended in traditional attire.Across the country, patriotic band performances were held at 343 prominent locations, while flag-hoisting ceremonies were also organised by the Indian Navy and local administrations in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos79 Years Of Freedom: What Do Indians Really Want From Their Country, Leaders And Democracy Now?NALSAR Row Erupts: CJI Raps BCI, As CJP Demands Resignation Of Bar Council Chief‘Why Rockets?’ Jaipur Residents Mock Potholes With Astronaut Protest After Monsoon RainsRajnath Singh Announces Rs 8.75 Lakh Crore Defence Modernisation Push on 80th Independence DayBomb Threat Email Targets Delhi Courts, Airport, Metro Ahead Of August 15; Security Checks BeginCM Vijay Urges PM Modi To Keep Lok Sabha Strength At 543, Opposes Population-Based DelimitationThey Want To Disturb Punjab’s Peace’: Sukhbir Badal Flags Larger Conspiracy After Nanded Attack’The Great Transshipment Scam’: India Among 40 Nations Aiding China’s Tarrif Evasion, Says USUttarakhand Tunnel Landslide: 7 Workers Dead, 1 Missing; Rescue Operations Continue in Chamoli‘RSS Vs Congress Govt’: Karnataka Cabinet Clears Bill To Curb Events At Public Spaces123PhotostoriesFrom lakeside retreats to Aravalli resorts: 5 luxury escapes in and around Delhi for the Independence Day weekendRani Mukerji goes from Sabyasachi saree to power suit as she collects an Honorary Doctor of Letters from Australia’s La Trobe University10 unusual baby girl names with fascinating historical roots10 naturally tricolour Indian foods to make this Independence DayInside Ruhaanika Dhawan’s luxury home: A massive living room, elegant decor and moreWhat happens to your brain when you slowly reduce your screen time before bed? Neurologist answers5 red vegetables rich in fibre: Simple ways to add them to Indian mealsIndependence Day Special: 7 historic Delhi eateries that have been serving since before 1947Tara Sutaria’s lace drama meets Kiara Advani’s pantsuit power: Who really won the ‘Toxic’ album launch fashion face-off?5 yellow vegetables that may support eye health, immunity and healthy ageing123Hot PicksMartin Luther King JrRajasthan UCCDelhi trafficJharkhand protestEast Coast Railway GDCE recruitmentMP Class 10, 12 timetableIran warKarnataka bandhUP NEET UG counsellingTop TrendingOil Prices TodayIndiGo Fight CancelledDelhi High Court Bomb ThreatAmbala Sikh Community ProtestManan KumarVirender Singh BasoyaJP NaddaWeather TomorrowBengaluru RapidoAbhijeet Dipke ‘Awarapan 2’ box office collection Day 1: Emraan Hashmi starrer opens with Rs 27 crore haul; becomes actor’s biggest opener Capricorn Horoscope Today, August 15, 2026: Physical stamina is greater than the average, and your mental weight is less. Anti-Red fighters bag bulk of police gallantry awards The AMCA is being developed as a twin-engine, medium-weight stealth fighter for the Indian Air Force. NEW DELHI: In a boost to India’s fifth gen fighter programme, Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance Industries Ltd and Rolls-Royce Friday announced they plan to jointly develop a sovereign indigenous combat engine for India’s Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA).As part of the partnership to design, develop, manufacture and deliver the same, Reliance and Rolls-Royce will explore formation of a dedicated aerospace gas turbine complex that will be a centre for power and propulsion technology in India.The aero gas turbine complex will build sovereign, end-to-end Indian capability across design, development, manufacturing, testing, production and through-life support, while unlocking wider collaborations across defence, civil aerospace, and new power and propulsion systems.Aeronautical Development Agency under DRDO is officially designing and managing the AMCA project. As per initial planning, ADA is progressing with imported US GE F414 engines for the initial five AMCA prototypes under the Rs 15,000-crore programme. TNNGet the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos79 Years Of Freedom: What Do Indians Really Want From Their Country, Leaders And Democracy Now?NALSAR Row Erupts: CJI Raps BCI, As CJP Demands Resignation Of Bar Council Chief‘Why Rockets?’ Jaipur Residents Mock Potholes With Astronaut Protest After Monsoon RainsRajnath Singh Announces Rs 8.75 Lakh Crore Defence Modernisation Push on 80th Independence DayBomb Threat Email Targets Delhi Courts, Airport, Metro Ahead Of August 15; Security Checks BeginCM Vijay Urges PM Modi To Keep Lok Sabha Strength At 543, Opposes Population-Based DelimitationThey Want To Disturb Punjab’s Peace’: Sukhbir Badal Flags Larger Conspiracy After Nanded Attack’The Great Transshipment Scam’: India Among 40 Nations Aiding China’s Tarrif Evasion, Says USUttarakhand Tunnel Landslide: 7 Workers Dead, 1 Missing; Rescue Operations Continue in Chamoli‘RSS Vs Congress Govt’: Karnataka Cabinet Clears Bill To Curb Events At Public Spaces123PhotostoriesFrom lakeside retreats to Aravalli resorts: 5 luxury escapes in and around Delhi for the Independence Day weekendRani Mukerji goes from Sabyasachi saree to power suit as she collects an Honorary Doctor of Letters from Australia’s La Trobe University10 unusual baby girl names with fascinating historical roots10 naturally tricolour Indian foods to make this Independence DayInside Ruhaanika Dhawan’s luxury home: A massive living room, elegant decor and moreWhat happens to your brain when you slowly reduce your screen time before bed? Neurologist answers5 red vegetables rich in fibre: Simple ways to add them to Indian mealsIndependence Day Special: 7 historic Delhi eateries that have been serving since before 1947Tara Sutaria’s lace drama meets Kiara Advani’s pantsuit power: Who really won the ‘Toxic’ album launch fashion face-off?5 yellow vegetables that may support eye health, immunity and healthy ageing123Hot PicksMartin Luther King JrRajasthan UCCDelhi trafficJharkhand protestEast Coast Railway GDCE recruitmentMP Class 10, 12 timetableIran warKarnataka bandhUP NEET UG counsellingTop TrendingOil Prices TodayIndiGo Fight CancelledDelhi High Court Bomb ThreatAmbala Sikh Community ProtestManan KumarVirender Singh BasoyaJP NaddaWeather TomorrowBengaluru RapidoAbhijeet Dipke New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s ‘common sense regulation’ may make ‘unhappy’ Amazon move its delivery operations outside the city Asking what was wrong if a govt provided succour to a deceased’s family, an SC bench agreed to hear an appeal filed by the state govt against the HC order NEW DELHI: Paving the way for Tamil Nadu govt to grant jobs to family members of those who died in the Karur stampede last year, SC Friday stayed operation of Madras HC’s verdict that had quashed the govt decision.Asking what was wrong if a govt provided succour to a deceased’s family, an SC bench agreed to hear an appeal filed by the state govt against the HC order.The court issued notice on the govt’s plea and stayed the HC order. HC had said if compassionate appointment was permitted in the present case, it would open the floodgates for various others to seek such employment.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos79 Years Of Freedom: What Do Indians Really Want From Their Country, Leaders And Democracy Now?NALSAR Row Erupts: CJI Raps BCI, As CJP Demands Resignation Of Bar Council Chief‘Why Rockets?’ Jaipur Residents Mock Potholes With Astronaut Protest After Monsoon RainsRajnath Singh Announces Rs 8.75 Lakh Crore Defence Modernisation Push on 80th Independence DayBomb Threat Email Targets Delhi Courts, Airport, Metro Ahead Of August 15; Security Checks BeginCM Vijay Urges PM Modi To Keep Lok Sabha Strength At 543, Opposes Population-Based DelimitationThey Want To Disturb Punjab’s Peace’: Sukhbir Badal Flags Larger Conspiracy After Nanded Attack’The Great Transshipment Scam’: India Among 40 Nations Aiding China’s Tarrif Evasion, Says USUttarakhand Tunnel Landslide: 7 Workers Dead, 1 Missing; Rescue Operations Continue in Chamoli‘RSS Vs Congress Govt’: Karnataka Cabinet Clears Bill To Curb Events At Public Spaces123PhotostoriesFrom lakeside retreats to Aravalli resorts: 5 luxury escapes in and around Delhi for the Independence Day weekendRani Mukerji goes from Sabyasachi saree to power suit as she collects an Honorary Doctor of Letters from Australia’s La Trobe University10 unusual baby girl names with fascinating historical roots10 naturally tricolour Indian foods to make this Independence DayInside Ruhaanika Dhawan’s luxury home: A massive living room, elegant decor and moreWhat happens to your brain when you slowly reduce your screen time before bed? Neurologist answers5 red vegetables rich in fibre: Simple ways to add them to Indian mealsIndependence Day Special: 7 historic Delhi eateries that have been serving since before 1947Tara Sutaria’s lace drama meets Kiara Advani’s pantsuit power: Who really won the ‘Toxic’ album launch fashion face-off?5 yellow vegetables that may support eye health, immunity and healthy ageing123Hot PicksMartin Luther King JrRajasthan UCCDelhi trafficJharkhand protestEast Coast Railway GDCE recruitmentMP Class 10, 12 timetableIran warKarnataka bandhUP NEET UG counsellingTop TrendingOil Prices TodayIndiGo Fight CancelledDelhi High Court Bomb ThreatAmbala Sikh Community ProtestManan KumarVirender Singh BasoyaJP NaddaWeather TomorrowBengaluru RapidoAbhijeet Dipke Sagittarius Horoscope Today, August 15, 2026: Additional income from other sources is possible India play 600th Test at Galle: What happened in 1st, 100th, 200th, 300th, 400th and 500th Tests? Karnataka BJP MLA’s daughter allegedly slaps woman SI at Mandya temple; probe on Scorpio Horoscope Today, August 15, 2026: Your romantic life gets a pleasant lift Two American jets with same flight number avoid mid-air disaster Aug 15, 2026, 04:12 IST 7.7 magnitude earthquake strikes off the coast of Indonesia Rahul had claimed Shah’s hand in police excesses against student protesters. Taking cognisance of two BJP MPs’ complaints against Rahul Gandhi for levelling “defamatory” allegations against home minister Amit Shah, Lok Sabha secretariat has sought the leader of the opposition’s reply to Speaker Om Birla by Aug 28. The MPs, Sanjay Jaiswal and Anurag Thakur, had filed separate complaints to Birla, accusing Rahul of violating parliamentary rules during his speech in the House on July 30.Rahul had claimed Shah’s hand in police excesses against student protesters. Official sources said Birla would decide whether to ask the House’s privilege committee to look into the allegations or close the matter after taking note of Rahul’s response.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos79 Years Of Freedom: What Do Indians Really Want From Their Country, Leaders And Democracy Now?NALSAR Row Erupts: CJI Raps BCI, As CJP Demands Resignation Of Bar Council Chief‘Why Rockets?’ Jaipur Residents Mock Potholes With Astronaut Protest After Monsoon RainsRajnath Singh Announces Rs 8.75 Lakh Crore Defence Modernisation Push on 80th Independence DayBomb Threat Email Targets Delhi Courts, Airport, Metro Ahead Of August 15; Security Checks BeginCM Vijay Urges PM Modi To Keep Lok Sabha Strength At 543, Opposes Population-Based DelimitationThey Want To Disturb Punjab’s Peace’: Sukhbir Badal Flags Larger Conspiracy After Nanded Attack’The Great Transshipment Scam’: India Among 40 Nations Aiding China’s Tarrif Evasion, Says USUttarakhand Tunnel Landslide: 7 Workers Dead, 1 Missing; Rescue Operations Continue in Chamoli‘RSS Vs Congress Govt’: Karnataka Cabinet Clears Bill To Curb Events At Public Spaces123PhotostoriesFrom lakeside retreats to Aravalli resorts: 5 luxury escapes in and around Delhi for the Independence Day weekendRani Mukerji goes from Sabyasachi saree to power suit as she collects an Honorary Doctor of Letters from Australia’s La Trobe University10 unusual baby girl names with fascinating historical roots10 naturally tricolour Indian foods to make this Independence DayInside Ruhaanika Dhawan’s luxury home: A massive living room, elegant decor and moreWhat happens to your brain when you slowly reduce your screen time before bed? Neurologist answers5 red vegetables rich in fibre: Simple ways to add them to Indian mealsIndependence Day Special: 7 historic Delhi eateries that have been serving since before 1947Tara Sutaria’s lace drama meets Kiara Advani’s pantsuit power: Who really won the ‘Toxic’ album launch fashion face-off?5 yellow vegetables that may support eye health, immunity and healthy ageing123Hot PicksMartin Luther King JrRajasthan UCCDelhi trafficJharkhand protestEast Coast Railway GDCE recruitmentMP Class 10, 12 timetableIran warKarnataka bandhUP NEET UG counsellingTop TrendingOil Prices TodayIndiGo Fight CancelledDelhi High Court Bomb ThreatAmbala Sikh Community ProtestManan KumarVirender Singh BasoyaJP NaddaWeather TomorrowBengaluru RapidoAbhijeet Dipke ‘Heated Rivalry’ star Christina Chang marries longtime love Soam Lall in intimate wedding celebration; fans in awe of her Indian bridal look Libra Horoscope Today, August 15, 2026: Expenses can run ahead of income today Savarkar remark: Supreme Court quashes case against Rahul Gandhi Data will remain confidential, can’t be used for legal evidence, govt benefits or public disclosure NEW DELHI: The second phase of Census 2027 — involving population enumeration — will, for the first time, capture caste “as declared by the respondent” among its 40 fields, which include new ones such as number of bank accounts, place of Covid vaccination and voter card number.Enumeration by caste will not delve into whether it falls under the other backward classes (OBC) category. However, Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes will be enumerated as earlier.The questionnaire notified Friday shall also seek name of spouse, parents’ particulars and nationality — elements captured by the National Population Register (NPR) exercise undertaken alongside Census 2011. NPR updation was, however, delinked from Census 2027.The new fields in the list of 40 questions — up from 29 asked during Census 2011 — also include respondent’s nationality as declared, permanent address, mobile-phone number, Aadhaar number, passport number and availability of driving licence. While mobile-phone number, Aadhaar number and voter ID may be shared if available, passport number is required only from an Indian passport holder.Sources told TOI that mother and father’s particulars are likely to capture their names, date of birth and place of birth. While these are key factors that determine citizenship/nationality, their capture will have no impact on individuals since individual census data must remain confidential and cannot be used for “legal evidence, govt benefits or public disclosure”, as per the govt.Sources also said giving a drop-down menu for recording OBC status was not found feasible because states have different castes categorised as OBCs and a mismatch between communities recognised as such by Centre and those at state level. They also pointed to states expanding their respective OBC lists by adding more castes — something that could have created logistical problems once census was under way.Officials told TOI that unlike the socio-economic caste census conducted in 2011 — which had returned around 46 lakh castes, making it unusable — the digital mode of Census 2027 and availability of modern, AI-based tools can surmount compilation and segregation challenges. Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesAlso, full confidentiality of an individual’s caste declaration is guaranteed by Census Act.TOI was the first to report on Aug 4 that the Phase 2 questionnaire shall capture caste “as declared by respondent”, and, in a first, also capture parents’ date and place of birth.Phase 2 is due to start in UT of Ladakh and snow-bound, non-synchronous areas of J&K, Uttarakhand and Himachal on Aug 17. For the rest of India, it will resume in Feb 2027, culminating in the population headcount with March 1, 2027, as the reference date.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorBharti JainBharti Jain is senior editor with The Times of India, New Delhi. She has been writing on security matters since 1996. Having covered the Union home ministry, security agencies, Election Commission and the ‘prime’ political beat, the Congress, for The Economic Times all these years, she moved to TOI in August 2012. Her repertoire of news stories delves into the whole gamut of issues related to terrorism and internal strife, besides probing strategic affairs in India’s neighbourhood.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos79 Years Of Freedom: What Do Indians Really Want From Their Country, Leaders And Democracy Now?NALSAR Row Erupts: CJI Raps BCI, As CJP Demands Resignation Of Bar Council Chief‘Why Rockets?’ Jaipur Residents Mock Potholes With Astronaut Protest After Monsoon RainsRajnath Singh Announces Rs 8.75 Lakh Crore Defence Modernisation Push on 80th Independence DayBomb Threat Email Targets Delhi Courts, Airport, Metro Ahead Of August 15; Security Checks BeginCM Vijay Urges PM Modi To Keep Lok Sabha Strength At 543, Opposes Population-Based DelimitationThey Want To Disturb Punjab’s Peace’: Sukhbir Badal Flags Larger Conspiracy After Nanded Attack’The Great Transshipment Scam’: India Among 40 Nations Aiding China’s Tarrif Evasion, Says USUttarakhand Tunnel Landslide: 7 Workers Dead, 1 Missing; Rescue Operations Continue in Chamoli‘RSS Vs Congress Govt’: Karnataka Cabinet Clears Bill To Curb Events At Public Spaces123PhotostoriesFrom lakeside retreats to Aravalli resorts: 5 luxury escapes in and around Delhi for the Independence Day weekendRani Mukerji goes from Sabyasachi saree to power suit as she collects an Honorary Doctor of Letters from Australia’s La Trobe University10 unusual baby girl names with fascinating historical roots10 naturally tricolour Indian foods to make this Independence DayInside Ruhaanika Dhawan’s luxury home: A massive living room, elegant decor and moreWhat happens to your brain when you slowly reduce your screen time before bed? Neurologist answers5 red vegetables rich in fibre: Simple ways to add them to Indian mealsIndependence Day Special: 7 historic Delhi eateries that have been serving since before 1947Tara Sutaria’s lace drama meets Kiara Advani’s pantsuit power: Who really won the ‘Toxic’ album launch fashion face-off?5 yellow vegetables that may support eye health, immunity and healthy ageing123Hot PicksMartin Luther King JrRajasthan UCCDelhi trafficJharkhand protestEast Coast Railway GDCE recruitmentMP Class 10, 12 timetableIran warKarnataka bandhUP NEET UG counsellingTop TrendingOil Prices TodayIndiGo Fight CancelledDelhi High Court Bomb ThreatAmbala Sikh Community ProtestManan KumarVirender Singh BasoyaJP NaddaWeather TomorrowBengaluru RapidoAbhijeet Dipke Virgo Horoscope Today, August 15, 2026: Business gains look promising, especially through steady work, repeat customers, or sensible pricing Man killed by wife, daughter over inter-caste relationship dispute “However much frustration Rahul may have for PM, such indecent remarks are patently unacceptable,” Rajnath said BJP fired salvos at Gandhi for his swipes at PM Modi, with defence minister Rajnath Singh saying such petty conduct from the leader of the opposition was unimaginable and signalled a grave danger to democracy. BJP president Nitin Nabin said In Indian culture, the elderly and women were shown respect. “This is Italian culture,” he said. “However much frustration Rahul may have for PM, such indecent remarks are patently unacceptable,” Rajnath said, adding he could not imagine someone with the surname Gandhi could make such a shameful statement.BJP ally and JDU MP Sanjay Jha said Rahul had crossed all limits of decency.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos79 Years Of Freedom: What Do Indians Really Want From Their Country, Leaders And Democracy Now?NALSAR Row Erupts: CJI Raps BCI, As CJP Demands Resignation Of Bar Council Chief‘Why Rockets?’ Jaipur Residents Mock Potholes With Astronaut Protest After Monsoon RainsRajnath Singh Announces Rs 8.75 Lakh Crore Defence Modernisation Push on 80th Independence DayBomb Threat Email Targets Delhi Courts, Airport, Metro Ahead Of August 15; Security Checks BeginCM Vijay Urges PM Modi To Keep Lok Sabha Strength At 543, Opposes Population-Based DelimitationThey Want To Disturb Punjab’s Peace’: Sukhbir Badal Flags Larger Conspiracy After Nanded Attack’The Great Transshipment Scam’: India Among 40 Nations Aiding China’s Tarrif Evasion, Says USUttarakhand Tunnel Landslide: 7 Workers Dead, 1 Missing; Rescue Operations Continue in Chamoli‘RSS Vs Congress Govt’: Karnataka Cabinet Clears Bill To Curb Events At Public Spaces123PhotostoriesFrom lakeside retreats to Aravalli resorts: 5 luxury escapes in and around Delhi for the Independence Day weekendRani Mukerji goes from Sabyasachi saree to power suit as she collects an Honorary Doctor of Letters from Australia’s La Trobe University10 unusual baby girl names with fascinating historical roots10 naturally tricolour Indian foods to make this Independence DayInside Ruhaanika Dhawan’s luxury home: A massive living room, elegant decor and moreWhat happens to your brain when you slowly reduce your screen time before bed? Neurologist answers5 red vegetables rich in fibre: Simple ways to add them to Indian mealsIndependence Day Special: 7 historic Delhi eateries that have been serving since before 1947Tara Sutaria’s lace drama meets Kiara Advani’s pantsuit power: Who really won the ‘Toxic’ album launch fashion face-off?5 yellow vegetables that may support eye health, immunity and healthy ageing123Hot PicksMartin Luther King JrRajasthan UCCDelhi trafficJharkhand protestEast Coast Railway GDCE recruitmentMP Class 10, 12 timetableIran warKarnataka bandhUP NEET UG counsellingTop TrendingOil Prices TodayIndiGo Fight CancelledDelhi High Court Bomb ThreatAmbala Sikh Community ProtestManan KumarVirender Singh BasoyaJP NaddaWeather TomorrowBengaluru RapidoAbhijeet Dipke Aug 15, 2026, 03:06 IST ‘Pretty soon’: Trump vows to claim Hormuz as US territory; Iran hits back