VK News Today https://validator.w3.org/feed/docs/rss2.html ‘Entire nation will shudder at list of martyrs’: Russian oppn leader Shlosberg jailed for 11 years for war remarks Census 2027. Representative image: ANI NEW DELHI: With ‘caste’ to be captured in Census 2027 strictly as declared by the respondent, the utility and application of caste data so enumerated may be assessed only at the post-census stage, according to experts.Officials involved in conduct of Census told TOI that while OBC status of an individual will not be recorded during population enumeration, the digital mode of census and availability of modern, AI-based tools will aid statisticians in arriving at the aggregate figure of people belonging to a particular caste. However, there may be anomalies on account of individuals declaring different spellings of the same caste or a religious sect being recorded as caste, either due to ignorance or due lack of adequate awareness of the caste system.According to officials, which spellings may be recognised as acceptable for a particular caste category is a call to be taken by the govt and census authorities.While caste census will enable analysis of a particular caste’s social, economic and educational indicators, it also runs the risk of individuals of a particular caste under-declaring their income and other indices, to project that caste as “backward” and make a case for it to be enlisted as OBC. However, officials said statisticians can detect any misleading or falsified data through cross-referencing, value indicators etc. Where the deviation is found to be outside acceptable limits, the data may be termed as “unreliable” for application in policy making.Explaining the qualitative difference between the socio-economic economic caste census (SECC) done in 2011 and recording of caste as part of Census 2027, an officer said the latter guarantees complete secrecy of an individual’s caste disclosure, since the Census Act bars individual data from being used as “legal evidence, govt benefits or public disclosure”. Secondly, the handicap of compilation and segregation of caste data is surmountable with AI-based solutions.Segregation of non-SC, non-ST individuals into ‘general’ and ‘OBC’ categories and a drop-down menu for recording OBC status were discussed while finalising the questionnaire for population enumeration, but not found feasible as central and state lists of OBCs do not always align.While the central list is prepared based on recommendation of and is maintained by the National Commission for Backward Classes, the state list is the responsibility of the relevant state backward classes commission. “Given that the two lists do not perfectly overlap, the moot question for the census authorities was: which list to go by, Central or state. Even for a given state, the OBC lists maintained by the Centre and by the state are different,” said an officer.Further, SC/ST lists are notified by a Presidential order, where as OBCs may be extended reservation in a state merely on discretion of the relevant state govt,” an official said while adding that the final consensus was to not tread into capturing OBC status of the respondent.A second officer explained that the census, which is spread over a year, requires administrative boundaries as well as SC/ST lists to be frozen through its duration. “Mid-census changes interfere with continuity, confuse enumerators and throw calculations and tables haywire. If the OBCs are captured and the states, particularly those ruled by the opposition parties, decide to extend OBC status for a new community mid-way through the census, there are bound to be complications.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelines “How does the Centre ensure that this does not happen, given that grant of OBC status is often a decision taken based on political considerations,” it was debated.It was also pointed out during discussions on the questionnaire that OBC is not a ‘caste’ classification but only meant to categorise “classes” which may not fall within the caste system essentially prevalent among Hindus. Even the Constitution recognises only the socially and educationally backward “classes,” in addition to the Schedules Castes and Scheduled Tribes, an officer told TOI.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 MediaVideosJSSC-CGL CANCELLED: Jharkhand Students Celebrate After Government Accepts Key Demands“No Compensation, Build A School”: CJP Volunteer Emotional Tribute To Father Leaves Ranka In TearsAsish Banerjee Death Mystery: Threat, Blackmail Angle Probed As Note And Phones Face ScrutinyBJP’s Big Shake-Up: Ram Madhav Returns, Smriti Irani Gets Key Role In Nitin Nabin’s New Team‘Will Rise For Vande Mataram, But Won’t Sing’: Congress MP Imran Masood Amid Sonia Gandhi Row‘Personally Meet Students’: Rahul Gandhi Writes To CM Hemant Soren Over Jharkhand Protests7 Charred To Death, Several Injured In Fire At Hotel Near Tarapith Temple In Bengal’s Birbhum‘Electric Pole Fell’: 7 Women Dead, Many Injured In Stampede At Temple In Bihar’s Lakhisarai‘Only These…’: Rijiju Shares 3 Categories Of ‘Dimagi Naxals’ After Oppn’s Attack On PM Modi‘Process Vitiated…’: Bangladesh Links Tarique Rahman’s India Visit To Sheikh Hasina Extradition123PhotostoriesForget quinoa: 9 ways to add dalia to your daily breakfast7 email habits that can make you look careless at work even when your actual work is goodGeorgina Rodríguez’s wedding jewellery was pure Kalahari luxury, and the diamonds clearly came to competePriyanka Chopra’s maroon backless gown just gave desi Disney princess energy with a trail that refused to behave10 powerful baby boy and girl names from different cultures that mean strengthOptical Illusion personality test: What you see first reveals your secret personality traitH1N1 or seasonal flu? Symptoms often overlap, but doctors look for these clues before deciding9 ways to add more protein to your rotiOTT releases this week (August 17-August 23): ‘Welcome to the Jungle’, ‘Jana Nayagan’, ‘Lanterns’, ‘Toy Story 5’, ‘Love Is Blind: UK’ Season 3 and moreChef Sanjeev Kapoor shares 9 basics of baking for every new and casual baker123Hot PicksKarnataka PG Dental admissionBank holidays this weekRBI new rulesBJP new teamJharkhand ProtestUS green cardSmriti IraniSupreme Court HolidayUP NEET UG counsellingTop TrendingK AnnamalaiBengal Hotel FireNoida Biker AccidentTamil Nadu Double MurderAbhijeet DipkeHyderabad MurderMuzaffarnagar Kanwariya MurderWeather TomorrowBengaluru RapidoBen Gvir ‘Sab talvaar chalayenge’: Rishabh Pant’s hilarious Ravindra Jadeja banter with Sarfaraz Khan caught on stump mic – WATCH Top stocks to buy today: Stock market recommendations for August 18, 2026 – check list KVS NVS Tier-2 result 2026 and final answer key released at cbse.gov.in; check PDF and download scores here Aadvik Ajith wins football championship: Shalini’s proud mother moment with son’s trophy steals spotlight 5 money conversations couples should have before marriage Twisha Sharma death by suicide, no sign of assault or struggle: AIIMS ‘What you did was incredible’: Trump meets California’s teenage lifeguard and the boy he rescued Vijay apologises on minister’s behalf for his Karunanidhi reference Tamil Nadu chief minister C Vijay Joseph apologised in the assembly on Monday after a minister referred to former CM and DMK patriarch late M Karunanidhi by name without using the customary respectful honorific.State forest minister R V Ranjith Kumar’s reference to the late DMK leader as “Karunanidhi”, without the traditional “Kalaignar” (scholar), triggered protests from opposition DMK members.Vijay intervened to defuse the tension, admitting that the reference was inappropriate and apologising on the minister’s behalf.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelines“I apologise on his behalf,” Vijay said.The row erupted during a debate on demands for grants for the health and revenue departments. Ranjith Kumar was criticising alleged cash-for-votes practices and referred to the controversial “Thirumangalam formula”.He claimed that up to Rs 1,500 per vote had been distributed in his Kancheepuram constituency during previous elections. He contrasted this with the current government, saying it came to power without distributing money for votes.While referring to past election tactics, Ranjith Kumar mentioned Karunanidhi without the customary “Kalaignar” or “former chief minister” prefix. DMK members, led by former minister K K S S R Ramachandran, immediately protested, citing the assembly’s long-standing convention of using respectful titles for revered leaders.Vijay then halted the forest minister’s speech and intervened to prevent the protest from escalating, acknowledging that referring to the late leader without the customary honorific was inappropriate.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 MediaVideosJSSC-CGL CANCELLED: Jharkhand Students Celebrate After Government Accepts Key Demands“No Compensation, Build A School”: CJP Volunteer Emotional Tribute To Father Leaves Ranka In TearsAsish Banerjee Death Mystery: Threat, Blackmail Angle Probed As Note And Phones Face ScrutinyBJP’s Big Shake-Up: Ram Madhav Returns, Smriti Irani Gets Key Role In Nitin Nabin’s New Team‘Will Rise For Vande Mataram, But Won’t Sing’: Congress MP Imran Masood Amid Sonia Gandhi Row‘Personally Meet Students’: Rahul Gandhi Writes To CM Hemant Soren Over Jharkhand Protests7 Charred To Death, Several Injured In Fire At Hotel Near Tarapith Temple In Bengal’s Birbhum‘Electric Pole Fell’: 7 Women Dead, Many Injured In Stampede At Temple In Bihar’s Lakhisarai‘Only These…’: Rijiju Shares 3 Categories Of ‘Dimagi Naxals’ After Oppn’s Attack On PM Modi‘Process Vitiated…’: Bangladesh Links Tarique Rahman’s India Visit To Sheikh Hasina Extradition123PhotostoriesForget quinoa: 9 ways to add dalia to your daily breakfast7 email habits that can make you look careless at work even when your actual work is goodGeorgina Rodríguez’s wedding jewellery was pure Kalahari luxury, and the diamonds clearly came to competePriyanka Chopra’s maroon backless gown just gave desi Disney princess energy with a trail that refused to behave10 powerful baby boy and girl names from different cultures that mean strengthOptical Illusion personality test: What you see first reveals your secret personality traitH1N1 or seasonal flu? Symptoms often overlap, but doctors look for these clues before deciding9 ways to add more protein to your rotiOTT releases this week (August 17-August 23): ‘Welcome to the Jungle’, ‘Jana Nayagan’, ‘Lanterns’, ‘Toy Story 5’, ‘Love Is Blind: UK’ Season 3 and moreChef Sanjeev Kapoor shares 9 basics of baking for every new and casual baker123Hot PicksKarnataka PG Dental admissionBank holidays this weekRBI new rulesBJP new teamJharkhand ProtestUS green cardSmriti IraniSupreme Court HolidayUP NEET UG counsellingTop TrendingK AnnamalaiBengal Hotel FireNoida Biker AccidentTamil Nadu Double MurderAbhijeet DipkeHyderabad MurderMuzaffarnagar Kanwariya MurderWeather TomorrowBengaluru RapidoBen Gvir In a 1st for Indian AI co, Prisma issues Rs 200cr bonds WBJEE Pharmacy round 2 seat allotment result 2026 expected to be released soon at wbjeeb.nic.in: Check details here Hayden Panettiere revealed ‘future plans’ weeks before death: ‘I have a lot more life left’ – WATCH Vincent Van Gogh: Quote of the day by Vincent van Gogh: “Great things are not done by impulse, but by a series of small things brought together.” Biggest US grid operator has a ‘shutdown proposal’ that shows tension between data centers and power grids in America Supreme Court on Monday set a deadline of Sept 7 for govt to frame new aviation rules to deal with complaints of arbitrary airline ticket pricing and inadequate regulatory oversight.A bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta granted three weeks’ time after govt sought more time to frame rules. Additional solicitor general Anil Kaushik placed before the bench the draft rules in a sealed envelope for the court’s perusal. The bench, after going through the draft rules, directed govt to finalise them by Sept 7 when it will take up the case for further hearing.The petitioner argued airlines were charging passengers exorbitant fares during festiv­als and holidays and alleged ev­en govt’s existing official mem­orandum was not being follow­ed. He referred to a statement made by civil aviation minister in Parliament that govt could not impose cap on airfares.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosJSSC-CGL CANCELLED: Jharkhand Students Celebrate After Government Accepts Key Demands“No Compensation, Build A School”: CJP Volunteer Emotional Tribute To Father Leaves Ranka In TearsAsish Banerjee Death Mystery: Threat, Blackmail Angle Probed As Note And Phones Face ScrutinyBJP’s Big Shake-Up: Ram Madhav Returns, Smriti Irani Gets Key Role In Nitin Nabin’s New Team‘Will Rise For Vande Mataram, But Won’t Sing’: Congress MP Imran Masood Amid Sonia Gandhi Row‘Personally Meet Students’: Rahul Gandhi Writes To CM Hemant Soren Over Jharkhand Protests7 Charred To Death, Several Injured In Fire At Hotel Near Tarapith Temple In Bengal’s Birbhum‘Electric Pole Fell’: 7 Women Dead, Many Injured In Stampede At Temple In Bihar’s Lakhisarai‘Only These…’: Rijiju Shares 3 Categories Of ‘Dimagi Naxals’ After Oppn’s Attack On PM Modi‘Process Vitiated…’: Bangladesh Links Tarique Rahman’s India Visit To Sheikh Hasina Extradition123Photostories7 email habits that can make you look careless at work even when your actual work is goodGeorgina Rodríguez’s wedding jewellery was pure Kalahari luxury, and the diamonds clearly came to competePriyanka Chopra’s maroon backless gown just gave desi Disney princess energy with a trail that refused to behave10 powerful baby boy and girl names from different cultures that mean strengthOptical Illusion personality test: What you see first reveals your secret personality traitH1N1 or seasonal flu? Symptoms often overlap, but doctors look for these clues before deciding9 ways to add more protein to your rotiOTT releases this week (August 17-August 23): ‘Welcome to the Jungle’, ‘Jana Nayagan’, ‘Lanterns’, ‘Toy Story 5’, ‘Love Is Blind: UK’ Season 3 and moreChef Sanjeev Kapoor shares 9 basics of baking for every new and casual bakerDeepika Padukone makes maternity fashion look too easy in an oversized blue shirt and baggy jeans123Hot PicksKarnataka PG Dental admissionBank holidays this weekRBI new rulesBJP new teamJharkhand ProtestUS green cardSmriti IraniSupreme Court HolidayUP NEET UG counsellingTop TrendingK AnnamalaiBengal Hotel FireNoida Biker AccidentTamil Nadu Double MurderAbhijeet DipkeHyderabad MurderMuzaffarnagar Kanwariya MurderWeather TomorrowBengaluru RapidoBen Gvir Govt clears 31 electronics part projects worth Rs 7,877cr Sonu Nigam’s intellectual property suit resolved by Bombay High Court as the singer’s namesake agrees to not use his identity, image without authorisation Epsom salt for plants: How to use it for tomatoes, roses, houseplants and lawns | 2 killed in school shooting in Philippines’ Zamboanga, gunman among casualties ‘Has always treated me with great respect’: Trump’s fresh praise for Kim Jong Un Officials were taken aback by the Chief Economic Adviser’s comments regarding the availability of E10 fuel NEW DELHI: An opinion piece by chief economic adviser (CEA) V Anantha Nageswaran on ethanol blending has rekindled the debate whether govt should look at making E10 (10% ethanol blended petrol) available for older vehicles manufactured before April 2023.Officials, dealing with the issue and countering the narrative against E20 fuel for the past few weeks, admitted that the CEA’s views came as a surprise for them as it bats for making E10 available as an option at fuel stations. This is likely to push the demand for making lower-blend of fuel available in addition to E20, they said, adding it won’t be easy logistically and considering that an ecosystem has been in place for 20% of blending that’s linked to the rural economy.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesTOI has learnt that as of now, there is no discussion within govt to provide the option of E10 at fuel stations. While there has been a campaign demanding petrol with lower ethanol content, a govt official said there was no discussion so far on reverting to fuel with 10% blending. The official said creating additional infrastructure to dispense E10 petrol is not only logistically difficult, but may also lead to practical issues such as pricing and distribution. “Also, allowing the sale of E10 would mean govt is accepting E20 petrol is not good for older vehicles which is not the case. Studies have shown E20 does not cause any mechanical issues,” said another official.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosJSSC-CGL CANCELLED: Jharkhand Students Celebrate After Government Accepts Key Demands“No Compensation, Build A School”: CJP Volunteer Emotional Tribute To Father Leaves Ranka In TearsAsish Banerjee Death Mystery: Threat, Blackmail Angle Probed As Note And Phones Face ScrutinyBJP’s Big Shake-Up: Ram Madhav Returns, Smriti Irani Gets Key Role In Nitin Nabin’s New Team‘Will Rise For Vande Mataram, But Won’t Sing’: Congress MP Imran Masood Amid Sonia Gandhi Row‘Personally Meet Students’: Rahul Gandhi Writes To CM Hemant Soren Over Jharkhand Protests7 Charred To Death, Several Injured In Fire At Hotel Near Tarapith Temple In Bengal’s Birbhum‘Electric Pole Fell’: 7 Women Dead, Many Injured In Stampede At Temple In Bihar’s Lakhisarai‘Only These…’: Rijiju Shares 3 Categories Of ‘Dimagi Naxals’ After Oppn’s Attack On PM Modi‘Process Vitiated…’: Bangladesh Links Tarique Rahman’s India Visit To Sheikh Hasina Extradition123Photostories7 email habits that can make you look careless at work even when your actual work is goodGeorgina Rodríguez’s wedding jewellery was pure Kalahari luxury, and the diamonds clearly came to competePriyanka Chopra’s maroon backless gown just gave desi Disney princess energy with a trail that refused to behave10 powerful baby boy and girl names from different cultures that mean strengthOptical Illusion personality test: What you see first reveals your secret personality traitH1N1 or seasonal flu? Symptoms often overlap, but doctors look for these clues before deciding9 ways to add more protein to your rotiOTT releases this week (August 17-August 23): ‘Welcome to the Jungle’, ‘Jana Nayagan’, ‘Lanterns’, ‘Toy Story 5’, ‘Love Is Blind: UK’ Season 3 and moreChef Sanjeev Kapoor shares 9 basics of baking for every new and casual bakerDeepika Padukone makes maternity fashion look too easy in an oversized blue shirt and baggy jeans123Hot PicksKarnataka PG Dental admissionBank holidays this weekRBI new rulesBJP new teamJharkhand ProtestUS green cardSmriti IraniSupreme Court HolidayUP NEET UG counsellingTop TrendingK AnnamalaiBengal Hotel FireNoida Biker AccidentTamil Nadu Double MurderAbhijeet DipkeHyderabad MurderMuzaffarnagar Kanwariya MurderWeather TomorrowBengaluru RapidoBen Gvir Inflation will be an issue, may hike prices: Colgate SGBAU Summer results 2026: Check B.E., B.Tech, M.B.A., L.L.B. and M.Sc. results here Sunny Deol says even with Rs 55.99 crore debt when bank issued auction notice for his Juhu home, he was happy: ‘I didn’t owe anyone anything, I just had to sell my own assets’ Parathas served by a robot? Murthal dhaba’s new waiter has the internet talking Princess Eugenie reveals baby daughter’s name with touching tribute to Queen Elizabeth II: ‘Named after three people we love and admire’ Us Supreme Court: US Supreme Court again rejects Donald Trump’s bid to overturn $5 million E Jean Carroll verdict File photo: Rahul Gandhi NEW DELHI: Supreme Court Monday barred CBI, ED or any agency from filing any report on any probe into the alleged disproportionate assets of leader of opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi before Allahabad HC, which had directed the two central agencies to probe allegations in a PIL on his alleged illegal wealth.Arguing for Rahul and challenging the July 20 order of HC’s Lucknow bench, senior advocate Kapil Sibal told a bench of CJI Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana that the HC had adopted a process which is “completely unknown to law” in passing the impugned orderIf claim is so serious, why did agencies need HC prod: SCKapil Sibal said HC did not even seek Rahul Gandhi’s response and permitted a witch-hunt without questioning the locus standi of the petitioner, Vignesh Shishir, an RSS/BJP worker.Appearing for CBI, additional solicitor general S V Raju said, “CBI has done nothing yet. We are only verifying the complaint. We have not registered even a preliminary enquiry. The allegations are very serious. We are inquiring into it.” Sibal said, “CBI can do what it likes. We are not concerned with it.”Justice Bagchi said, “You (CBI) did not do it on your own. Suo motu action we would have understood. Why did you need the prodding of high court to investigate? If it is so serious, why did the agencies keep quiet and need impetus from HC?”The bench issued notices to Shishir, CBI, ED, UP Police, Union ministry of home affairs, CBDT and Serious Fraud Investigation Office and said, “Meanwhile, no report shall be submitted by CBI or ED or any other authority to the HC pursuant to its July 20 order.”Sibal sought a stay on proceedings before HC, leading the bench to request HC to defer the scheduled Aug 20 hearing till further orders. Appearing in person, Shishir spoke in favour of HC’s procedure, and said the matter was still in the preliminary enquiry stage where the accused cannot have a say.Raju said, “As far as the allegations are concerned, if they make out a cognisable offence, it stands on a different footing. We are yet to lodge an FIR. What action is to be taken has not yet been considered.”CJI Kant said, “On our understanding of the law, police or any probe agency, if they have prima facie material, they can register a case, investigate it, and can proceed against anyone. No permission is required from the accused. But what appears to us, subject to assistance from both sides, is that if the court wants to issue a direction, it is expected to follow principles of natural justice.”Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesRaju said it was not required in a criminal case. Sibal interjected and said, “The enthusiasm of the agencies is clear.” Raju retorted, “Facts may be wrong or right. But if they are right, it is a gross case of disproportionate assets.” Sibal said these were sealed cover, in-chamber proceedings and asked how they got reported in newspapers.In his plea, Rahul said, “Since 2024, Shishir, who it appears from public reporting is a member of BJP — a party whose politics and ideology the petitioner (Rahul) and his party (Congress) vehemently contests — has instituted multiple proceedings before different forums, including successive PILs on petitioner’s alleged foreign citizenship, criminal proceedings seeking registration of an FIR…”Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosJSSC-CGL CANCELLED: Jharkhand Students Celebrate After Government Accepts Key Demands“No Compensation, Build A School”: CJP Volunteer Emotional Tribute To Father Leaves Ranka In TearsAsish Banerjee Death Mystery: Threat, Blackmail Angle Probed As Note And Phones Face ScrutinyBJP’s Big Shake-Up: Ram Madhav Returns, Smriti Irani Gets Key Role In Nitin Nabin’s New Team‘Will Rise For Vande Mataram, But Won’t Sing’: Congress MP Imran Masood Amid Sonia Gandhi Row‘Personally Meet Students’: Rahul Gandhi Writes To CM Hemant Soren Over Jharkhand Protests7 Charred To Death, Several Injured In Fire At Hotel Near Tarapith Temple In Bengal’s Birbhum‘Electric Pole Fell’: 7 Women Dead, Many Injured In Stampede At Temple In Bihar’s Lakhisarai‘Only These…’: Rijiju Shares 3 Categories Of ‘Dimagi Naxals’ After Oppn’s Attack On PM Modi‘Process Vitiated…’: Bangladesh Links Tarique Rahman’s India Visit To Sheikh Hasina Extradition123Photostories7 email habits that can make you look careless at work even when your actual work is goodGeorgina Rodríguez’s wedding jewellery was pure Kalahari luxury, and the diamonds clearly came to competePriyanka Chopra’s maroon backless gown just gave desi Disney princess energy with a trail that refused to behave10 powerful baby boy and girl names from different cultures that mean strengthOptical Illusion personality test: What you see first reveals your secret personality traitH1N1 or seasonal flu? Symptoms often overlap, but doctors look for these clues before deciding9 ways to add more protein to your rotiOTT releases this week (August 17-August 23): ‘Welcome to the Jungle’, ‘Jana Nayagan’, ‘Lanterns’, ‘Toy Story 5’, ‘Love Is Blind: UK’ Season 3 and moreChef Sanjeev Kapoor shares 9 basics of baking for every new and casual bakerDeepika Padukone makes maternity fashion look too easy in an oversized blue shirt and baggy jeans123Hot PicksKarnataka PG Dental admissionBank holidays this weekRBI new rulesBJP new teamJharkhand ProtestUS green cardSmriti IraniSupreme Court HolidayUP NEET UG counsellingTop TrendingK AnnamalaiBengal Hotel FireNoida Biker AccidentTamil Nadu Double MurderAbhijeet DipkeHyderabad MurderMuzaffarnagar Kanwariya MurderWeather TomorrowBengaluru RapidoBen Gvir Sri Lanka 284/10 in 79.4 Overs High-level committee on banking reforms ‘soon’: FM Bugs’ bassist Jordan Brunoli shares a health update amid cancer battle: ‘I am now entering the final chapter of my life’ Crude prices cross $90 as ceasefire hopes dim, Hormuz disruption weighs on supply Only talks can resolve issues, hope Bangladesh PM visits India soon: Trivedi | India News File photo: Ram Madhav, Biplab Deb and Smriti Irani NEW DELHI: Smriti Irani and Ram Madhav made a comeback to BJP’s organisation Monday as party chief Nitin Nabin effected a broad sweep in its new team of national office-bearers, bringing in experienced hands at key positions and retaining a few with successful stints, with a focus on wide social and regional representation.BJP named 13 vice-presidents — nine new faces; eight general secretaries — six first-timers; and 16 secretaries — 15 fresh choices. A few notable names who have retained their positions include former Rajasthan CM Vasundhara Raje as vice president, Sunil Bansal and Vinod Tawde as general secretaries, Anil Baluni as head of media department and Sambit Patra as north-east coordinator.This is the most drastic overhaul since Amit Shah unveiled his team after taking over as party president in 2014Piyush Goyal back as BJP treasurer, 51 new faces in 65-member Team NabinUnion minister Piyush Goyal has been made treasurer, a position he had held in run up to BJP’s Lok Sabha win in 2014. Though the party has the convention of ‘one-person, one-post’, it has had quite a few exceptions.Of the total 65 office-bearers named, 51 are new, while around 21 are 50 years of age and more than 20 are between 50 to 59 years of age, with party sources noting this team will be in place when BJP goes to the national election in 2029. This is the most drastic overhaul since Amit Shah unveiled his team after taking over as party president in 2014. Only seven of the new office-bearers from five southern states.Two other ex-CMs Tirath Singh Rawat of Uttarakhand as vice president and Biplab Kumar Deb of Tripura as general secretary along with several union ministers and state party presidents have made the cut, besides 10 women, 18 MPs and five members of minority communities.The new appointees come from 23 states and UTs, including a maximum of eight from the politically important Uttar Pradesh, with four from STs and three from SCs and nearly 10 OBCs.In his reaction, PM Narendra Modi said, “This newly appointed team brings together organisational experience, energy and grassroots connect. I am confident they will give their best in strengthening our party and focusing on public service.”Six new general secretaries, the most powerful position in the organisation, are former Tripura CM Deb, former Rajasthan party president Satish Poonia, a Jat, MP Gajendra Patel, who is from ST community in Madhya Pradesh, ex-MP Harish Dwivedi, a Brahmin from UP, and MP Sanjay Bhatia, a Punjabi community member from Haryana, besides Irani.Madhav, a former general secretary, is one of the 13 vice presidents, including Manpreet Singh Badal from Punjab and D Purandeshwari of Andhra Pradesh. Baijyant Jay Panda has been retained as a vice president.A former BJP women’s wing president, Irani’s appointment marks his emphatic return to the thick of party’s affairs after her LS poll loss in Amethi in 2024. A former Union minister, she is considered a sharp, articulate and energetic voice.Bansal, who was deeply involved in BJP’s successful poll campaigns in Bengal and Odisha recently and in UP in 2017, and Tawde, a seasoned organisational hand associated with the Bihar victory, have their standing go up by a few notches as they kept their position.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesWhile many outgoing office-bearers were unlikely to find their names in the new list, almost seven months after Nabin took over as BJP chief, one omission that stood out was of IT department in charge Amit Malviya, who was in the position for over a decade and was found wanting by some in shaping party’s narrative in an increasing contested online space.Deepak Mhaskey, an academic from Chhattisgarh and has been associated with BJP’s online campaign in several elections, will be convener of its new social media department with four co-convenors. A senior party functionary, though, added that Malviya’s stint was bound to end after such a long time at the post.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosJSSC-CGL CANCELLED: Jharkhand Students Celebrate After Government Accepts Key Demands“No Compensation, Build A School”: CJP Volunteer Emotional Tribute To Father Leaves Ranka In TearsAsish Banerjee Death Mystery: Threat, Blackmail Angle Probed As Note And Phones Face ScrutinyBJP’s Big Shake-Up: Ram Madhav Returns, Smriti Irani Gets Key Role In Nitin Nabin’s New Team‘Will Rise For Vande Mataram, But Won’t Sing’: Congress MP Imran Masood Amid Sonia Gandhi Row‘Personally Meet Students’: Rahul Gandhi Writes To CM Hemant Soren Over Jharkhand Protests7 Charred To Death, Several Injured In Fire At Hotel Near Tarapith Temple In Bengal’s Birbhum‘Electric Pole Fell’: 7 Women Dead, Many Injured In Stampede At Temple In Bihar’s Lakhisarai‘Only These…’: Rijiju Shares 3 Categories Of ‘Dimagi Naxals’ After Oppn’s Attack On PM Modi‘Process Vitiated…’: Bangladesh Links Tarique Rahman’s India Visit To Sheikh Hasina Extradition123Photostories7 email habits that can make you look careless at work even when your actual work is goodGeorgina Rodríguez’s wedding jewellery was pure Kalahari luxury, and the diamonds clearly came to competePriyanka Chopra’s maroon backless gown just gave desi Disney princess energy with a trail that refused to behave10 powerful baby boy and girl names from different cultures that mean strengthOptical Illusion personality test: What you see first reveals your secret personality traitH1N1 or seasonal flu? Symptoms often overlap, but doctors look for these clues before deciding9 ways to add more protein to your rotiOTT releases this week (August 17-August 23): ‘Welcome to the Jungle’, ‘Jana Nayagan’, ‘Lanterns’, ‘Toy Story 5’, ‘Love Is Blind: UK’ Season 3 and moreChef Sanjeev Kapoor shares 9 basics of baking for every new and casual bakerDeepika Padukone makes maternity fashion look too easy in an oversized blue shirt and baggy jeans123Hot PicksKarnataka PG Dental admissionBank holidays this weekRBI new rulesBJP new teamJharkhand ProtestUS green cardSmriti IraniSupreme Court HolidayUP NEET UG counsellingTop TrendingK AnnamalaiBengal Hotel FireNoida Biker AccidentTamil Nadu Double MurderAbhijeet DipkeHyderabad MurderMuzaffarnagar Kanwariya MurderWeather TomorrowBengaluru RapidoBen Gvir CAS here to stay, it can be improved upon: Sebi Kim Kardashian shares loved-up photos with Lewis Hamilton from summer getaway ‘somewhere over the rainbow’ Ram Dass Quotes: Quote of the day by Ram Dass: “Everything changes once we identify with being the witness to the story, instead of the actor in it”; What the Harvard psychedelic and Neem Karoli Baba follower advises on being an observer of life Numerology Predictions Today, August 18, 2026: Read your personalised forecast for numbers 1 to 9 Identity of ‘Dimagi Naxal Party’ founder remains a mystery Meta goes to trial this week, which, if it loses, could change Insta & FB forever NEW DELHI: SC Monday resolved to make right to freedom of movement for elephants meaningful by mandating the Union govt to conduct a fresh survey to identify which states have built walls or dug trenches on the pachyderms’ inter-state migration corridors.“There can be no obstacle, no blockade or impediment in the movement of elephants from one state to another. It is unacceptable,” a bench of CJI Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana said on a plea seeking protection of the elephant corridor in West Bengal.It asked additional solicitor general Aishwarya Bhati to convey the court’s concern to the ministry of environment and forest and ask it to conduct a survey on the status of elephant corridors in different states. When petitioner Prerna Singh Bindra’s counsel pointed out the specific problem in Bengal, Justice Bagchi said, “The problem in Bengal is that herds of elephants from Nepal and north Bengal move into Odisha and Chhattisgarh, but these two states have built walls on their migratory path.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelines”CJI Kant said creation of such impediments was unacceptable and that “states cannot escape responsibility of maintaining elephant corridors for free migration of the herds merely because of damage to crops, complaints from farmers and hardship to villagers. The solution is not blocking the elephant corridors but lies somewhere else”.The bench said the ministry’s guidelines on maintaining the corridors must be complied with mandatorily. When Bhati informed the court such a survey was conducted in 2023, the court asked govt to conduct a fresh survey.Justice Bagchi said govt must create synergy with states: “The elephant corridors are not state specific. Elephants travel across states.” CJI Kant said if there were traditional migration routes, how could any state block it?Giving govt eight weeks to su­bmit a status report on the fresh survey, SC said the report must also indicate the status of implementation of ban on use of firearms, explosives or fire torches to divert elephant herds from their natural migration routes.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosJSSC-CGL CANCELLED: Jharkhand Students Celebrate After Government Accepts Key Demands“No Compensation, Build A School”: CJP Volunteer Emotional Tribute To Father Leaves Ranka In TearsAsish Banerjee Death Mystery: Threat, Blackmail Angle Probed As Note And Phones Face ScrutinyBJP’s Big Shake-Up: Ram Madhav Returns, Smriti Irani Gets Key Role In Nitin Nabin’s New Team‘Will Rise For Vande Mataram, But Won’t Sing’: Congress MP Imran Masood Amid Sonia Gandhi Row‘Personally Meet Students’: Rahul Gandhi Writes To CM Hemant Soren Over Jharkhand Protests7 Charred To Death, Several Injured In Fire At Hotel Near Tarapith Temple In Bengal’s Birbhum‘Electric Pole Fell’: 7 Women Dead, Many Injured In Stampede At Temple In Bihar’s Lakhisarai‘Only These…’: Rijiju Shares 3 Categories Of ‘Dimagi Naxals’ After Oppn’s Attack On PM Modi‘Process Vitiated…’: Bangladesh Links Tarique Rahman’s India Visit To Sheikh Hasina Extradition123Photostories7 email habits that can make you look careless at work even when your actual work is goodGeorgina Rodríguez’s wedding jewellery was pure Kalahari luxury, and the diamonds clearly came to competePriyanka Chopra’s maroon backless gown just gave desi Disney princess energy with a trail that refused to behave10 powerful baby boy and girl names from different cultures that mean strengthOptical Illusion personality test: What you see first reveals your secret personality traitH1N1 or seasonal flu? Symptoms often overlap, but doctors look for these clues before deciding9 ways to add more protein to your rotiOTT releases this week (August 17-August 23): ‘Welcome to the Jungle’, ‘Jana Nayagan’, ‘Lanterns’, ‘Toy Story 5’, ‘Love Is Blind: UK’ Season 3 and moreChef Sanjeev Kapoor shares 9 basics of baking for every new and casual bakerDeepika Padukone makes maternity fashion look too easy in an oversized blue shirt and baggy jeans123Hot PicksKarnataka PG Dental admissionBank holidays this weekRBI new rulesBJP new teamJharkhand ProtestUS green cardSmriti IraniSupreme Court HolidayUP NEET UG counsellingTop TrendingK AnnamalaiBengal Hotel FireNoida Biker AccidentTamil Nadu Double MurderAbhijeet DipkeHyderabad MurderMuzaffarnagar Kanwariya MurderWeather TomorrowBengaluru RapidoBen Gvir How Bangladesh beat lure of white-ball riches to save its Tests ‘DC’ box office collection day 11: Lokesh Kanagaraj and Wamiqa Gabbi’s film maintains strong run, nears Rs 87 crore worldwide Jordan’s Queen Rania shares first photos of twin granddaughters Talia and Rania, cradles newborns; King Abdullah II joins after Princess Iman welcomes daughters Who is Rawdogmoon? Sara Saffari furious after Twitch streamer throws her into pool wearing $40K Rolex | World News NEW DELHI: In the decade-old proceedings for expediting trials in criminal case against sitting/former MPs/MLAs, amicus curiae and senior advocate Vijay Hansaria has informed the Supreme Court that there are serious criminal cases against chief ministers of 14 of the 28 states, a list topped by Telangana’s A Revanth Reddy who faces 89 cases.West Bengal’s Suvendu Adhikari has 29 cases, Karnataka CM D Shivakumar 19, Andhra Pradesh CM N Chandrababu Naidu 19, Kerala CM V D Satheesan 18 cases, Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren 5, Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis 4, Himachal CM Sukhvinder Singh 4, TN CM C Joseph Vijay 2, Bihar CM Samrat Choudhary 2, and one each against other four – P S Tamang (Sikkim), Bhagwant Mann (Punjab), Mohan Charan Majhi (Odisha) and Bhajan Lal Sharma (Rajasthan).The maximum percentage of MLAs having serious criminal cases belong to Bengal – 170 out of 292 (58%). It is followed by Kerala 57%, Andhra Pradesh 56%, Telangana 49%, Jharkhand and Odisha 45% each, Bihar 42%. Maharashtra 40% and U%, the 96-page report filed by Hansaria revealed.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesIn Lok Sabha, 170 MPs (31% of total strength of 543) have serious criminal cases pending against them. In Telangana 11 of the 17 MPs face serious criminal cases; in Kerala, 11 of its 21 MPS face serious criminal cases; in Bihar, 19 of the 40 MPs, in UP 34 of the 80 MPs. Maharashtra 17 of 48 MPs, Bengal 16 of the 42 MPs, and in Andhra Pradesh 9 of the 25 MPs face serious criminal cases.As of July 2026, as many as 4,192 criminal cases are pending trial against sitting/former MPs and MLAs, Hansaria said. Uttar Pradesh accounts for lion’s share with 1,171 cases pending.In RS, 75 of 233 members (33%) have criminal cases against them, of which 40 (18%) cases are serious criminal cases (punishable with five years of imprisonment or more), the amicus report filed through advocate Sneha Kalita stated.The amicus requested the court to designate special courts to exclusively hold trial proceedings in cases against sitting and former legislators and direct the jurisdictional HCs to actively monitor progress in trials.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosJSSC-CGL CANCELLED: Jharkhand Students Celebrate After Government Accepts Key Demands“No Compensation, Build A School”: CJP Volunteer Emotional Tribute To Father Leaves Ranka In TearsAsish Banerjee Death Mystery: Threat, Blackmail Angle Probed As Note And Phones Face ScrutinyBJP’s Big Shake-Up: Ram Madhav Returns, Smriti Irani Gets Key Role In Nitin Nabin’s New Team‘Will Rise For Vande Mataram, But Won’t Sing’: Congress MP Imran Masood Amid Sonia Gandhi Row‘Personally Meet Students’: Rahul Gandhi Writes To CM Hemant Soren Over Jharkhand Protests7 Charred To Death, Several Injured In Fire At Hotel Near Tarapith Temple In Bengal’s Birbhum‘Electric Pole Fell’: 7 Women Dead, Many Injured In Stampede At Temple In Bihar’s Lakhisarai‘Only These…’: Rijiju Shares 3 Categories Of ‘Dimagi Naxals’ After Oppn’s Attack On PM Modi‘Process Vitiated…’: Bangladesh Links Tarique Rahman’s India Visit To Sheikh Hasina Extradition123PhotostoriesGeorgina Rodríguez’s wedding jewellery was pure Kalahari luxury, and the diamonds clearly came to competePriyanka Chopra’s maroon backless gown just gave desi Disney princess energy with a trail that refused to behave10 powerful baby boy and girl names from different cultures that mean strengthOptical Illusion personality test: What you see first reveals your secret personality traitH1N1 or seasonal flu? Symptoms often overlap, but doctors look for these clues before deciding9 ways to add more protein to your rotiOTT releases this week (August 17-August 23): ‘Welcome to the Jungle’, ‘Jana Nayagan’, ‘Lanterns’, ‘Toy Story 5’, ‘Love Is Blind: UK’ Season 3 and moreChef Sanjeev Kapoor shares 9 basics of baking for every new and casual bakerDeepika Padukone makes maternity fashion look too easy in an oversized blue shirt and baggy jeans6 Korean dining etiquette rules that may surprise Indians123Hot PicksKarnataka PG Dental admissionBank holidays this weekRBI new rulesBJP new teamJharkhand ProtestUS green cardSmriti IraniSupreme Court HolidayUP NEET UG counsellingTop TrendingK AnnamalaiBengal Hotel FireNoida Biker AccidentTamil Nadu Double MurderAbhijeet DipkeHyderabad MurderMuzaffarnagar Kanwariya MurderWeather TomorrowBengaluru RapidoBen Gvir Today’s Tata Sons AGM likely to be adjourned; board meets mid-Sept Cruz Beckham shares a rare photo with estranged brother Brooklyn Beckham amid ongoing family feud Pisces Horoscope Today, August 18, 2026: Don’t force emotional clarity from someone today