VK News Today https://validator.w3.org/feed/docs/rss2.html Watch: Guatemala on high alert as Fuego volcano erupts near capital North Carolina man worked 100-hour weeks for 58 years to save a bankrupt boat company, rejected a $400 million offer and gave it to charity | World News Supreme Court directs RBI (ANI image) The Supreme Court, on Tuesday, directed banks, financial intermediaries, regulators and law enforcement agencies to work together to curb the rising menace of “digital arrest” scams and improve the recovery of money lost to cyber fraud.Hearing a suo motu matter ‘In Re: Victims of Digital Arrest Related to Forged Documents’, the court called for a coordinated institutional response, including faster grievance redressal, stronger mechanisms to restore victims’ money and wider public awareness campaigns.The apex court directed the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to formulate a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) on mule accounts within four weeks, PTI cites.Mule accounts are bank accounts used by cybercriminals to receive, transfer or route money obtained through fraud. The court said stronger systems are needed to identify, freeze and prevent the misuse of such accounts.States directed to strengthen cyber fraud responseThe Supreme Court has also directed all states to operationalise cyber fraud grievance redressal and money restoration mechanisms so that complaints can be acted upon promptly and recovery efforts can begin without delay.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesThe apex court directed the Centre to examine the feasibility of creating a shared liability and victim compensation framework for cyber fraud cases.The court also asked an Inter-Departmental Committee to consult banks and financial intermediaries on measures to tackle digital arrest scams. It said institutions must work together to detect fraudulent transactions early and improve the chances of recovering money for victims.The step comes a week after the Supreme Court suggested that the Centre consider formally defining ‘digital arrest’ as a separate offence under criminal law, with stringent penalties for those found guilty.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosUdhayanidhi Stalin Released Hours After Arrest Over ‘Double Meaning’ RemarkSC Extends Section 498A Protection To Women In Marriage-Like Live-In RelationshipsWhatsApp Puts Multiple Accounts Under Review, Users Locked Out As Company Admits Mistakes Can HappenUdhayanidhi Stalin Detained Over Trisha Row |FIR, Political Storm & “I’ll Face It Legally” ExplainedPulwama Man Held With Hand Grenade, Anti-National Posters After Kulgam Terror AttackHigh-Level Probe Ordered As Security Forces Launch Massive Valley-Wide Manhunt | WatchSC Clarifies ‘Criminal Antecedents’ Caveat;CJP Demands Immediate Withdrawal Of FIRs Against StudentsAssam Govt Launches Relief Package As Over 1.36 Lakh People Remain Flood Affected | WatchIndian Parl Panel Grills Meta Over PM Modi Video Takedown, Seeks Mark Zuckerberg’s ApologyBankipur Shock, Datia Loss: BJP Suffers Twin Setback, But Why Isn’t It Good News For Opposition?123PhotostoriesTamannaah Bhatia turns heads with 3 dramatically different looksBleeding gums may be warning you about more than your teeth: Doctor explains the link to heart disease, stroke and diabetesThe way you react today becomes your child’s inner voice tomorrow: 7 everyday moments that shape your child’s future more than any parenting advice ever could13 iconic ice creams from around the world every dessert lover should tryHow to talk to toddlers to nurture intelligence: Science-backed tips5 hair oils that may be making your dandruff worse5 signs your partner is falling out of love with you: What to watch for before it’s too lateFrom Collarwali to Charger: 5 legendary tigers of IndiaNot lemon, baking soda or detergent: This one ingredient can remove foul smell permanently from water bottles and lunch boxesThe 7 germiest things in your hotel room that most guests touch without thinking123Hot PicksCJP nationwide tourGold Rate TodayMJPRU resultBSE SensexRBI FD ruleManmohan Singh LiberhanKarnataka cabinet expansionUdhayanidhi StalinD Y PatilTop TrendingFaridabad MurderUdhayanidhi StalinPanchkula Army Captain Wife DeathPappu Yadav Slipper AttackPM ModiKarnataka Cabinet ExpansionTrisha KrishnanD Y Patil DeathBypoll Election Result 2026Shradha Singh UP schools shut till August 12 as Kanwar Yatra brings traffic curbs across western districts ‘If you’ve worked in an Anurag Kashyap film, you must be a good actor’: Vedika Pinto on industry perception and how the director encouraged her to sign Vikrant Massey’s ‘Musafir Cafe’ How much does it cost to live in Sweden? Indian woman says monthly expenses can reach ₹2.5 lakh ‘Will do whatever is necessary for national interest’: India after Pakistan deploys 250 Chinese Howitzers Scientists tracked global forest photosynthesis for 20 years and found species-rich forests improved faster; biodiversity loss could reduce the trend by up to 17% by 2050 MEA spokersperson called the PoK polls ‘farce’ and slammed Pakistan to pay heed to the atrocities committed by the Pak establishment NEW DELHI: The Ministry of External Affairs on Tuesday slammed the recently conducted so-called local elections in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoK), calling them “a complete farce” and accusing Pakistani forces of using violence, blackouts, intimidation and repression against civilians.Addressing a media briefing, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, “The real happening is that of public protests and wanton killings by Pakistani forces. Such hollow exercises cannot hide reality.”Jaiswal claimed that at least 90 civilians had been killed since June during what he described as a continuing crackdown by the Pakistani establishment.“Since June this year, at least 90 civilians have lost their lives in the continuing crackdown,” he said. “The Pakistani Establishment has answered public discontent with bullets, blackouts, intimidation and repression, and now seeks to manufacture legitimacy through a hollow electoral exercise.”He urged the international community to hold Islamabad accountable, saying, “the world should see through the flimsy veneer of Pakistan’s hypocritical lecturing on human rights.”The comments followed protests and disruptions surrounding the PoK elections, with demonstrations reported across the region. Human rights and press freedom groups have also raised concerns over alleged state violence, restrictions on the media and internet shutdowns during the protests.Separately, the MEA called on Pakistan to take “decisive action” against cross-border terrorism while responding to a viral video showing Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba members claiming that 30-40 of their commanders had been killed and alleging that Indian agencies were behind the killings.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelines“We continue to call upon all countries to take strong action against cross-border terrorism and those who promote it,” Jaiswal said.“We also call upon Pakistan to take decisive action against cross-border terrorism and dismantle the terrorist infrastructure operating from its soil,” he added.The remarks came amid heightened scrutiny of Pakistan’s handling of terrorism and its actions in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorTrisha MahajanTrisha Mahajan is a journalist with The Times of India digital, with keen interest in covering business and corporate affairs. She also reports on key national and world developments and global news trends. A keen reader with a strong interest in storytelling that adds context, clarity, and depth to complex issues.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosUdhayanidhi Stalin Released Hours After Arrest Over ‘Double Meaning’ RemarkSC Extends Section 498A Protection To Women In Marriage-Like Live-In RelationshipsWhatsApp Puts Multiple Accounts Under Review, Users Locked Out As Company Admits Mistakes Can HappenUdhayanidhi Stalin Detained Over Trisha Row |FIR, Political Storm & “I’ll Face It Legally” ExplainedPulwama Man Held With Hand Grenade, Anti-National Posters After Kulgam Terror AttackHigh-Level Probe Ordered As Security Forces Launch Massive Valley-Wide Manhunt | WatchSC Clarifies ‘Criminal Antecedents’ Caveat;CJP Demands Immediate Withdrawal Of FIRs Against StudentsAssam Govt Launches Relief Package As Over 1.36 Lakh People Remain Flood Affected | WatchIndian Parl Panel Grills Meta Over PM Modi Video Takedown, Seeks Mark Zuckerberg’s ApologyBankipur Shock, Datia Loss: BJP Suffers Twin Setback, But Why Isn’t It Good News For Opposition?123PhotostoriesTamannaah Bhatia turns heads with 3 dramatically different looksBleeding gums may be warning you about more than your teeth: Doctor explains the link to heart disease, stroke and diabetesThe way you react today becomes your child’s inner voice tomorrow: 7 everyday moments that shape your child’s future more than any parenting advice ever could13 iconic ice creams from around the world every dessert lover should tryHow to talk to toddlers to nurture intelligence: Science-backed tips5 hair oils that may be making your dandruff worse5 signs your partner is falling out of love with you: What to watch for before it’s too lateFrom Collarwali to Charger: 5 legendary tigers of IndiaNot lemon, baking soda or detergent: This one ingredient can remove foul smell permanently from water bottles and lunch boxesThe 7 germiest things in your hotel room that most guests touch without thinking123Hot PicksCJP nationwide tourGold Rate TodayMJPRU resultBSE SensexRBI FD ruleManmohan Singh LiberhanKarnataka cabinet expansionUdhayanidhi StalinD Y PatilTop TrendingFaridabad MurderUdhayanidhi StalinPanchkula Army Captain Wife DeathPappu Yadav Slipper AttackPM ModiKarnataka Cabinet ExpansionTrisha KrishnanD Y Patil DeathBypoll Election Result 2026Shradha Singh Aug 04, 2026, 17:13 IST Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce name their dog after a meaningful 1993 coming-of-age film Natural Ant Deterrents: How to protect your home from ants using simple natural ingredients | Scientists found slugs, beetles and crabs spread seeds for 186 plant species; one crab can swallow more than 1,000 in a night 26-year-old Champion boxer arrested after Scottish woman is discovered dead inside suitcase in Athens How a Scottish biotech company is turning whisky waste into a sustainable source of omega-3 NCP workers disrupted a press conference of Maharashtra Congress chief Harshvardhan Sapkal NEW DELHI: Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) workers disrupted a press conference held by Maharashtra Congress president Harshvardhan Sapkal on Tuesday, a day after the opposition party targeted NCP president and Maharashtra deputy chief minister Sunetra Pawar with the remark “gungi dudiya” (mute doll).A visual shared by news agency PTI showed NCP workers, led by party leader Suraj Chavan, entering Gandhi Bhawan, the Congress office in Mumbai, during the incident. They raised slogans of “Harshvardhan Sapkal maafi maango” (Harshvardhan Sapkal, apologise).Condemning the incident in a post on X, the Maharashtra Congress accused “NCP goons” of “attempting to spread terror.””Who is bringing disrepute to the NCP by harbouring goons in Mumbai and across the state? At whose behest did Suraj Chavan come to create a ruckus at Gandhi Bhavan? The NCP leadership needs to reflect on this,” the party said.”Deputy chief minister Sunetra Pawar may well assume the avatar of Goddess Durga to protect the interests of the people of Maharashtra, but the Congress party will never tolerate such hooliganism within our office. A befitting response will be given,” it warned.The incident took place after the Maharashtra Congress on Monday posted a video on X in which NCP leader Dhananjay Munde was seen allegedly shielding Sunetra Pawar from a journalist’s question about the law and order situation in Beed district. The post referred to her as “gungi gudiya.””Sunetra Pawar, how many more days will she remain a ‘gungi gudiya’?” the Congress stated in the post.Sunetra Pawar is the guardian minister of Beed district, where Walmik Karad, a close aide of Dhananjay Munde, is the prime accused in the murder of Santosh Deshmukh, a sarpanch (village head).Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesHitting back at the Congress, the NCP drew a parallel with former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, who was described by the same moniker by senior Congress leaders.”While democracy allows differences of opinion and even sharp criticism of policies, language that demeans women does not befit any political party. Does this mean the Congress is now indirectly admitting that the criticism levelled against the late Indira Gandhi at the time was justified?” NCP spokesperson Umesh Patil asked.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 MediaVideosSC Extends Section 498A Protection To Women In Marriage-Like Live-In RelationshipsWhatsApp Puts Multiple Accounts Under Review, Users Locked Out As Company Admits Mistakes Can HappenUdhayanidhi Stalin Detained Over Trisha Row |FIR, Political Storm & “I’ll Face It Legally” ExplainedPulwama Man Held With Hand Grenade, Anti-National Posters After Kulgam Terror AttackHigh-Level Probe Ordered As Security Forces Launch Massive Valley-Wide Manhunt | WatchSC Clarifies ‘Criminal Antecedents’ Caveat;CJP Demands Immediate Withdrawal Of FIRs Against StudentsAssam Govt Launches Relief Package As Over 1.36 Lakh People Remain Flood Affected | WatchIndian Parl Panel Grills Meta Over PM Modi Video Takedown, Seeks Mark Zuckerberg’s ApologyBankipur Shock, Datia Loss: BJP Suffers Twin Setback, But Why Isn’t It Good News For Opposition?Bengal STF Busts Alleged JeM Module, Probe Points To Pak-Based Handlers And Intelligence Network123PhotostoriesTamannaah Bhatia turns heads with 3 dramatically different looksThe way you react today becomes your child’s inner voice tomorrow: 7 everyday moments that shape your child’s future more than any parenting advice ever could13 iconic ice creams from around the world every dessert lover should tryHow to talk to toddlers to nurture intelligence: Science-backed tips5 hair oils that may be making your dandruff worse5 signs your partner is falling out of love with you: What to watch for before it’s too lateFrom Collarwali to Charger: 5 legendary tigers of IndiaNot lemon, baking soda or detergent: This one ingredient can remove foul smell permanently from water bottles and lunch boxesThe 7 germiest things in your hotel room that most guests touch without thinkingThe most beautiful buildings in the world have been ranked and one is from India123Hot PicksCJP nationwide tourGold Rate TodayMJPRU resultBSE SensexRBI FD ruleManmohan Singh LiberhanKarnataka cabinet expansionUdhayanidhi StalinD Y PatilTop TrendingFaridabad MurderUdhayanidhi StalinPanchkula Army Captain Wife DeathPappu Yadav Slipper AttackPM ModiKarnataka Cabinet ExpansionTrisha KrishnanD Y Patil DeathBypoll Election Result 2026Shradha Singh ‘My remote job became a 115-km commute’: Employee’s career dilemma sparks debate on hybrid work Kelly Osbourne reportedly SLAMS ex Sid Wilson in Instagram outrage: ‘Leave me alone, let me heal’ Tamannaah Bhatia turns heads with 3 dramatically different looks Quote of the day by Stephen Hawking: “My expectations were reduced to zero when I was 21. Everything since then has been…” – a powerful lesson in resilience and gratitude ‘Resign, I’ll accept within minutes’: DK Shivakumar’s blunt warning to disgruntled Congress MLAs How Korea’s Haenyeo developed extraordinary cold resistance that lets them dive into near-freezing seas without oxygen tanks, even in their 70s | World News File photo: Jharkhand chief minister Hemant Soren (picture credit: PTI) NEW DELHI: Jharkhand chief minister Hemant Soren on Tuesday broke his silence amid the ongoing recruitment row, saying his government was examining the concerns of protesting job aspirants with “complete seriousness”.The cheif minister said the decisions would be taken “at the appropriate time” after all aspects of the alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations were scrutinised.The assurance came as hundreds of job aspirants, who have been holding an indefinite sit-in at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium in Ranchi since July 29, intensified their agitation by demanding that the alleged irregularities in the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) and other recruitment examinations be investigated by an independent panel of retired high court judges from outside the state.”With close scrutiny and complete seriousness, decisions addressing their demands and queries will be announced at the appropriate time. I am confident that the protesters will be reassured,” Soren told reporters in Ranchi, as per news agency PTI.Soren says probe is examining every aspectResponding to questions about the ongoing investigation, the chief minister said probe agencies were looking into every allegation related to the recruitment examinations.”The way the investigation team is active, wherever any kind of mistakes have happened or are happening, all those things are being thoroughly examined, and after everything comes out, the government’s decisions will also certainly come forward,” he said.The protesters, however, alleged that the JMM-led government was attempting to “whitewash” the issue by entrusting the investigation to the state CID. They had earlier demanded a CBI probe along with an investigation by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), claiming large-scale financial transactions were linked to the alleged recruitment scam.On Tuesday, they revised their demand, seeking an inquiry by an independent panel of retired high court judges from outside Jharkhand.”We have completely lost faith in the ongoing CID investigation,” job aspirant Vinay Mehta from Hazaribagh told PTI.He alleged that during the earlier JSSC-CGL paper leak investigation, the CID itself found that answers to 135 out of 150 questions had been leaked, with 120 questions matching the examination paper exactly, but claimed no meaningful action followed despite candidates submitting evidence.”Therefore, we demand that the investigation be handed over either to the CBI or to an independent body of retired High Court judges, excluding any judge from Jharkhand,” Mehta said.Raghubar Das backs CBI probe, urges talks with studentsFormer Jharkhand chief minister Raghubar Das also urged Soren to engage directly with the protesting students and consider their demand for a CBI investigation.Addressing a press conference in Jamshedpur, Das said he had written to the chief minister, requesting him to initiate dialogue with the agitating youths.”The students have not taken to the streets without reason. They are protesting against serious allegations of corruption and irregularities in recruitment examinations. The government should talk to them directly and ensure justice, including considering their demand for a CBI inquiry,” Das said.He said he had written the letter not as a former chief minister or with any political motive, but as someone who understood student movements, recalling that his own political journey began during the JP movement of 1974.Das also alleged that the protesting students were not being provided basic facilities such as tents, drinking water or healthcare despite their peaceful agitation. He warned that the protest could turn into a larger mass movement if the government failed to address their grievances.Drawing a comparison with the NEET paper leak case, Das said the Centre had acted swiftly by cancelling the examination, ordering a CBI probe and conducting a re-examination within days.He questioned why a similar approach was not being adopted in Jharkhand.Protest enters second weekThe indefinite sit-in by job aspirants entered its second week on Tuesday, with protesters reiterating that they would continue their peaceful agitation unless an independent probe was ordered.The protesters also announced that they would pay tribute to former Jharkhand chief minister Shibu Soren on his first death anniversary by marching to his residence.They have also warned of intensifying the agitation if their demands remain unmet, including a proposed gherao of the Jharkhand Assembly on August 10.The movement has received support from several organisations. On Monday, the state unit of the All India Students’ Association (AISA) staged a demonstration over the alleged recruitment scams and announced an Assembly march on August 7.On Sunday, the Cockroach Janta Party also extended support to the agitation, while one of the protest leaders, Devendra Nath Mahto, has been on an indefinite hunger strike since Sunday night, demanding a central agency probe into the alleged recruitment irregularities.Meanwhile, JMM MLA Kalpana Soren, wife of chief minister Hemant Soren, has said the state government is “very sensitive” to the concerns raised by the protesters and is working on ways to resolve the issue.CID investigation gathers paceThe CID has so far arrested 11 people in connection with the alleged irregularities in JPSC examinations.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesThe commission has postponed the Combined Civil Services Mains Examination, which was originally scheduled from July 25 to 27, citing “unavoidable circumstances” amid mounting protests.The CID has also questioned former JPSC chairman L Khiangte four times since July 28 and conducted raids at 18 locations across Ranchi, Palamu, Hazaribagh, Bokaro and Dhanbad as part of its investigation into the alleged recruitment irregularities.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosSC Extends Section 498A Protection To Women In Marriage-Like Live-In RelationshipsWhatsApp Puts Multiple Accounts Under Review, Users Locked Out As Company Admits Mistakes Can HappenUdhayanidhi Stalin Detained Over Trisha Row |FIR, Political Storm & “I’ll Face It Legally” ExplainedPulwama Man Held With Hand Grenade, Anti-National Posters After Kulgam Terror AttackHigh-Level Probe Ordered As Security Forces Launch Massive Valley-Wide Manhunt | WatchSC Clarifies ‘Criminal Antecedents’ Caveat;CJP Demands Immediate Withdrawal Of FIRs Against StudentsAssam Govt Launches Relief Package As Over 1.36 Lakh People Remain Flood Affected | WatchIndian Parl Panel Grills Meta Over PM Modi Video Takedown, Seeks Mark Zuckerberg’s ApologyBankipur Shock, Datia Loss: BJP Suffers Twin Setback, But Why Isn’t It Good News For Opposition?Bengal STF Busts Alleged JeM Module, Probe Points To Pak-Based Handlers And Intelligence Network123PhotostoriesTamannaah Bhatia turns heads with 3 dramatically different looksThe way you react today becomes your child’s inner voice tomorrow: 7 everyday moments that shape your child’s future more than any parenting advice ever could13 iconic ice creams from around the world every dessert lover should tryHow to talk to toddlers to nurture intelligence: Science-backed tips5 hair oils that may be making your dandruff worse5 signs your partner is falling out of love with you: What to watch for before it’s too lateFrom Collarwali to Charger: 5 legendary tigers of IndiaNot lemon, baking soda or detergent: This one ingredient can remove foul smell permanently from water bottles and lunch boxesThe 7 germiest things in your hotel room that most guests touch without thinkingThe most beautiful buildings in the world have been ranked and one is from India123Hot PicksCJP nationwide tourGold Rate TodayMJPRU resultBSE SensexRBI FD ruleManmohan Singh LiberhanKarnataka cabinet expansionUdhayanidhi StalinD Y PatilTop TrendingFaridabad MurderUdhayanidhi StalinPanchkula Army Captain Wife DeathPappu Yadav Slipper AttackPM ModiKarnataka Cabinet ExpansionTrisha KrishnanD Y Patil DeathBypoll Election Result 2026Shradha Singh LIC OFS off to a strong start as institutional investors subscribe 66% by noon From a home lab to two Guinness World Records: How 17-year-old Hiten Dharpure is shrinking the future of robotics Suriya reveals faith in Karuppaswamy inspired his ‘Karuppu’ climax performance: ‘I simply prayed to the statue and asked please guide me’ ​How to talk to toddlers to nurture intelligence: Science-backed tips Which direction should you face while doing puja at home according to vastu? ‘Sadhu-saint not involved’: CM Yogi on Ram Mandir donation theft case More than 330,000 gallons of rotting fish sauce in a Canadian town are finally being removed after 20 years of unbearable stench | World News Updated: Aug 04, 2026, 16:23 IST ‘It’s my fault’: Ben Stokes blames himself for Brendon McCullum’s England Test coach exit Karthi announces first film with Mohan Raja as makers officially unveil ambitious new project 13 iconic ice creams from around the world every dessert lover should try When wildfires make their own weather: As France sees its first fire cloud, should India be worried? Quote of the day by Princess Diana: “Don’t call me an icon. I’m just a mother trying to…” – a timeless lesson on humility, compassion and leading through kindness | World News There was a time when I thought ethanol might define the next phase of my professional life.I accepted a role as the Managing Director at a company which operated sugar mills in Andhra Pradesh. I accepted the role with one private understanding. I would give the industry two years. If I concluded that ethanol represented one of India’s most promising industrial opportunities, I would stay on and build a career around it. If not, I would move to the Foundation of the same group. The arrangement seemed reasonable. The industry, fortunately, had no vote in the matter.Two years later, I moved on. Not because ethanol lacked promise, but because I had become convinced that India was trying to solve one problem by creating another. Nearly two decades later, that conclusion seems, if anything, even more convincing.There is much to admire about India’s ethanol programme. India imports more than 85 per cent of its crude oil. Every litre of domestically produced ethanol blended into petrol reduces that dependence, strengthens energy security, saves foreign exchange, and provides a more stable market for millions of sugarcane farmers. It also cushions the sugar industry by diverting surplus sugar into fuel whenever sugar itself becomes less remunerative.Brazil demonstrated long ago that this model can work. Flexible-fuel vehicles routinely switch between petrol and ethanol, while sugar mills switch between producing sugar and fuel as market prices dictate. The country has built one of the world’s most successful biofuel ecosystems. But Brazil’s success rests on far more than a crop or a policy. It reflects the convergence of favourable climate, efficient logistics, large-scale processing, compatible vehicle technology and decades of institutional learning. In Brazil, ethanol is not merely an agricultural product. It is an ecosystem.Naturally, policymakers in India ask an obvious question. If Brazil can do it, why can’t we? It is an attractive question. Unfortunately, it has an inconvenient answer. Brazil and India may both grow sugarcane, but under very different ecological conditions.When I began studying the Brazilian model twenty years ago, and even today, one fact stands out. Brazil’s great sugarcane belt enjoys abundant rainfall. Much of its crop is rain-fed. Water, while never free, is not the defining constraint.India presents a very different picture. Sugarcane occupies barely 3-4 per cent of the country’s cultivated land, yet consumes roughly 12-15 per cent of its irrigation water. Much of it is grown in states already grappling with groundwater depletion and recurring droughts. Maharashtra and parts of Karnataka are obvious examples. Every additional hectare of sugarcane competes for a resource becoming steadily scarcer.This is where energy economics meets water ecology. An energy policy cannot be judged only by the oil it saves, but also by the scarce resources it consumes. Replacing imported petroleum with domestic water is not necessarily a national gain.The broader question is one of social cost and benefit. Ethanol undoubtedly delivers important public benefits. It reduces crude oil imports, strengthens energy security, supports farm incomes, stabilises the sugar industry and lowers transport emissions. Against these gains must be weighed costs that markets rarely price fully: groundwater depletion, subsidised irrigation, electricity for pumping water, environmental degradation, and the opportunity cost of diverting scarce water from food production or urban use. Whether ethanol generates a positive net social benefit therefore depends not only on the price of crude oil but also on the ecological value of the water it consumes. The answer is unlikely to be uniform across India and, in some regions, may not remain positive once all social costs are taken into account.Supporters of ethanol rightly point out that much of India’s early ethanol came from molasses, a by-product of sugar production. If a waste stream can displace imported fuel, few would complain. But that longer holds. Increasingly, sugarcane juice and B-heavy molasses are being diverted directly to ethanol. The crop is no longer producing sugar with ethanol as a useful by-product; an increasing share is being cultivated primarily for fuel.There is nothing inherently wrong with that, provided the resource economics justify it. That qualification matters. The debate often assumes that higher agricultural productivity automatically justifies greater production. Yet India’s sugarcane yields per hectare are already broadly comparable to Brazil’s. Despite much smaller and more fragmented holdings, Indian farmers have achieved biological productivity comparable with the world’s leading producers.Brazil’s advantage lies elsewhere. Its cane contains more recoverable sugar. Harvesting is highly mechanised, logistics more efficient, and mills operate at scales rarely seen in India. Together, these advantages enable Brazil to convert each tonne of cane into sugar and ethanol at substantially lower cost. The difference lies less in growing the crop than in what happens after it leaves the field.Nor do the economics end at the farm gate or refinery. Higher ethanol blends require adjustments across the automotive ecosystem. Manufacturers must redesign engines and fuel-system components, while owners of older vehicles may face higher maintenance or lower efficiency during the transition. These costs are neither prohibitive nor permanent, but they belong in any serious assessment of ethanol’s economics.None of this is an argument against ethanol. It is an argument against treating geography as an inconvenience. Public policy has a habit of replicating successful international models while overlooking the ecological conditions that made them successful. We import the visible outcomes while ignoring the invisible foundations.The question for India is therefore not whether ethanol is good or bad, but which ethanol, produced where, and from what feedstock. Sugarcane-based ethanol may make excellent sense in regions blessed with reliable rainfall and sustainable water resources. It is far harder to justify where groundwater tables continue to fall.Fortunately, ethanol need not depend on sugarcane alone. Maize is emerging as an important feedstock. Second-generation ethanol from agricultural residues offers another promising pathway, converting what is now burnt in fields into industrial feedstock. Municipal organic waste may eventually join the mix as technology improves. India’s long-term strategy should become progressively more diversified rather than increasingly dependent on a single water-intensive crop.Diversification is not simply environmentally desirable. It is prudent risk management. Dependence on a single feedstock leaves countries vulnerable to climate shocks, rainfall variability and commodity cycles.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesIndia has an opportunity to build something more resilient. Its ethanol programme has already shown that ambitious public policy can reshape markets. The next stage is to reshape the feedstock itself. Incentives should reward crops and technologies that produce more fuel with less water, rather than treating every litre of ethanol as equally desirable regardless of how it is made.Looking back, I remain convinced that ethanol deserves an important place in India’s energy future. But water deserves an even more important place in its future. That is why, after two years in the sugar industry, I chose not to devote the next phase of my career to ethanol. I came away believing not that ethanol lacked promise, but that India’s comparative advantage lay beyond sugarcane.Oil can be imported. Water cannot. Energy security is essential. Water security is existential. A wise nation should never secure the former by compromising the latter.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorV RaghunathanV Raghunathan is a former director of the Schulich School of Business (India Program), York University, Toronto, a former professor at IIM Ahmedabad and a former President of ING Vysya Bank. A prolific author, he has written over 15 books, including the national bestseller Games Indians Play (Penguin). With more than 600 published papers and articles, his latest books include The Lion, The Admiral, and A Cat Called B. Uma Vijaylakshmi (Westland, 2025) and To Every Parent; To Every Child (Penguin, 2025) and Irrationally Rational: 10 Nobel Laureates Script the Story of Behavioural Economics (Penguin, 2022), among others.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosSC Extends Section 498A Protection To Women In Marriage-Like Live-In RelationshipsWhatsApp Puts Multiple Accounts Under Review, Users Locked Out As Company Admits Mistakes Can HappenUdhayanidhi Stalin Detained Over Trisha Row |FIR, Political Storm & “I’ll Face It Legally” ExplainedPulwama Man Held With Hand Grenade, Anti-National Posters After Kulgam Terror AttackHigh-Level Probe Ordered As Security Forces Launch Massive Valley-Wide Manhunt | WatchSC Clarifies ‘Criminal Antecedents’ Caveat;CJP Demands Immediate Withdrawal Of FIRs Against StudentsAssam Govt Launches Relief Package As Over 1.36 Lakh People Remain Flood Affected | WatchIndian Parl Panel Grills Meta Over PM Modi Video Takedown, Seeks Mark Zuckerberg’s ApologyBankipur Shock, Datia Loss: BJP Suffers Twin Setback, But Why Isn’t It Good News For Opposition?Bengal STF Busts Alleged JeM Module, Probe Points To Pak-Based Handlers And Intelligence Network123PhotostoriesFrom Collarwali to Charger: 5 legendary tigers of IndiaNot lemon, baking soda or detergent: This one ingredient can remove foul smell permanently from water bottles and lunch boxesThe 7 germiest things in your hotel room that most guests touch without thinkingThe most beautiful buildings in the world have been ranked and one is from India5 wedding sarees which are best for wedding season 20269 Maharashtrian vegetarian dishes everyone should try onceFive women, five golds, one unforgettable day: Meet the Indian champions who rewrote Commonwealth Games boxing history in GlasgowWhy Popcorn pops: Understanding the chemical science reaction behind it10 Indian snacks that are healthier than biscuits7 high-protein breads you should add to your diet123Hot PicksCJP nationwide tourGold Rate TodayMJPRU resultBSE SensexRBI FD ruleManmohan Singh LiberhanKarnataka cabinet expansionUdhayanidhi StalinD Y PatilTop TrendingFaridabad MurderUdhayanidhi StalinPanchkula Army Captain Wife DeathPappu Yadav Slipper AttackPM ModiKarnataka Cabinet ExpansionTrisha KrishnanD Y Patil DeathBypoll Election Result 2026Shradha Singh Condolences pour in as education fraternity, Maharashtra leaders mourn D Y Patil’s demise Amid Udhayanidhi Stalin row over Trisha remarks, old videos with Vijay and Trisha from ‘Kuruvi’ resurface 5 hair oils that may be making your dandruff worse India’s WTO battles: From sugar subsidies to PLI schemes, here’s what New Delhi is defending Scientists say global warming is accelerating: Here’s why the world could reach the 1.5°C climate limit sooner than expected ‘India in a tough position’: Ex-cricketer sounds WTC qualification warning ahead of Sri Lanka Tests ‘Musafir Cafe gave me the emotional connect with the audience that I always dreamt of’: Mahima Makwana on the show’s success and playing Preeti, cliffhanger ending, Season 2 hopes, learnings from Salman Khan, Emraan Hashmi | Exclusive 12 injured as Air India Phuket-Delhi flight hits turbulence; what travellers should know about staying safe during rough air | Scientists discover four dangerous fish bacteria in Brazil for the first time; one has jumped to a new host species ‘Many friends yet to return’: Patna students restart protest over NEET stir crackdown Fifteen volunteers spent 40 days inside a French cave without clocks, sunlight or phones and emerged believing only 30 days had passed | World News The accused, Hamim Mondal, was arrested by the STF from Purba Bardaman last week NEW DELHI: A suspected Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) operative, arrested last week for allegedly tracking the movements of West Bengal chief minister Suvendu Adhikari, had also surveyed the area where the chief minister’s official residence is located in Kolkata, a police officer said on Tuesday.The survey of the area was carried out as part of a “larger conspiracy” orchestrated by the Pakistan-based handlers of the accused, Hamim Mondal.The disclosures emerged during the interrogation of Mondal, who was arrested by the Special Task Force (STF) from Purba Bardhaman last week, and his alleged associates, Arpita Sarkar, and Aditya Sinha.”During the initial phase of interrogation, the accused denied visiting the locality. However, technical evidence, including mobile tower location analysis, conclusively established his presence there. When confronted with the evidence, he admitted to carrying out reconnaissance,” the officer, a senior STF official, told PTI.Investigators are also probing whether Mondal and his associates conducted a survey of the state secretariat, Nabanna, to identify possible vulnerabilities in the chief minister’s security arrangements.”We are scrutinising CCTV footage and other technical evidence to verify their movements around Nabanna. Every lead is being thoroughly examined, and no possibility is being ruled out at this stage,” the officer added.The STF suspects Mondal had explored the possibility of renting accommodation near Adhikari’s residence to facilitate prolonged surveillance, though it is yet to establish whether he had actually rented any premises.The agency alleged that Mondal maintained direct links with Pakistan’s spy agency, the ISI, and a network operated by Pakistan-based gangster Shahzad Bhatti.The STF also alleged that Sarkar was assigned the role of a “honeytrap” operative to cultivate contacts with influential politicians and senior bureaucrats and gather confidential information.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesInvestigators suspect the alleged module was planning a major act of sabotage aimed at triggering political instability in the state, with Adhikari believed to be one of its principal targets.Following the revelations, security around the chief minister has been significantly strengthened, a senior bureaucrat at Nabanna said.The STF is also probing whether any other network linked to Bhatti or other Pakistan-backed operatives is active in West Bengal, and whether local facilitators or sleeper cells provided logistical support to the alleged conspiracy.”We are investigating the role of every individual connected to the module and examining whether any sleeper cells or local facilitators were involved,” the STF officer said.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorKaran ManralKaran Manral is a journalist at the Times of India. He covers politics, social issues, and international affairs, exploring stories that affect people’s everyday lives. He also writes explainers to make these stories easier for readers to follow.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosSC Extends Section 498A Protection To Women In Marriage-Like Live-In RelationshipsWhatsApp Puts Multiple Accounts Under Review, Users Locked Out As Company Admits Mistakes Can HappenUdhayanidhi Stalin Detained Over Trisha Row |FIR, Political Storm & “I’ll Face It Legally” ExplainedPulwama Man Held With Hand Grenade, Anti-National Posters After Kulgam Terror AttackHigh-Level Probe Ordered As Security Forces Launch Massive Valley-Wide Manhunt | WatchSC Clarifies ‘Criminal Antecedents’ Caveat;CJP Demands Immediate Withdrawal Of FIRs Against StudentsAssam Govt Launches Relief Package As Over 1.36 Lakh People Remain Flood Affected | WatchIndian Parl Panel Grills Meta Over PM Modi Video Takedown, Seeks Mark Zuckerberg’s ApologyBankipur Shock, Datia Loss: BJP Suffers Twin Setback, But Why Isn’t It Good News For Opposition?Bengal STF Busts Alleged JeM Module, Probe Points To Pak-Based Handlers And Intelligence Network123PhotostoriesThe 7 germiest things in your hotel room that most guests touch without thinkingThe most beautiful buildings in the world have been ranked and one is from India5 wedding sarees which are best for wedding season 20269 Maharashtrian vegetarian dishes everyone should try onceFive women, five golds, one unforgettable day: Meet the Indian champions who rewrote Commonwealth Games boxing history in GlasgowWhy Popcorn pops: Understanding the chemical science reaction behind it10 Indian snacks that are healthier than biscuits7 high-protein breads you should add to your dietThis Indian spice is among the ‘World’s Stinkiest Foods’; detailed list inside10 tasty snacks made with bread you can prepare in minutes123Hot PicksCJP nationwide tourGold Rate TodayMJPRU resultBSE SensexRBI FD ruleManmohan Singh LiberhanKarnataka cabinet expansionUdhayanidhi StalinD Y PatilTop TrendingFaridabad MurderUdhayanidhi StalinPanchkula Army Captain Wife DeathCJP Founder ComplaintPM ModiKarnataka Cabinet ExpansionTrisha KrishnanD Y Patil DeathBypoll Election Result 2026Shradha Singh Mithila Palkar refused to darken her skin by several shades for Telugu debut ‘Super Subbu’ and found a middle ground with director Mallik Ram over the look – Report