VK News Today https://validator.w3.org/feed/docs/rss2.html Dharmendra Pradhan NEW DELHI: Taking responsibility for the NEET-UG episode, which he said “should not have happened”, Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan accused Rahul Gandhi of exploiting students’ anxiety for political gain and promised a “radical” overhaul of NTA, including moving NEET to computer-based testing (CBT) next year.In an interview to TOI, Pradhan said criticism was legitimate in a democracy, but “intent and timing matter”. He alleged Rahul “jumped in” on the Nagpur candidate’s complaint that he was allotted a centre in Abu Dhabi despite NTA having “proactively” rectified the issue, and blamed a Congress rally in Bengaluru for disrupting candidates’ movement to NEET centres. “Rahul Gandhi must apologise,” he said.The May 3 exam, he said, was cancelled after a whistleblower flagged a compromise to NTA, which alerted govt on May 7, and the matter was placed before PM Modi and the home minister, with the leadership resolving not to let any student’s interest be “compromised at the hands of education mafias”.You’ve accused the opposition of politicising exam co-ntroversies. Does opposing amount to politicising it?India is a democracy, and criticism is a citizen’s right – but intent and timing matter. Whatever happened should not have happened, and I hold myself responsible and answerable; it is also the department’s duty to fix it and bring the system back on track. We don’t fear criticism, we learn from it – that is our govt’s character. But these are young children, and nothing should raise their mental stress. Congress and the leader of the opposition were waiting to disrupt NEET, leaving nothing undone. In the Nagpur case, the student chose Abu Dhabi himself. NTA had no fault, yet rectified it proactively; but the father still attacked NTA publicly. And, within minutes, Rahul Gandhi jumped in. This nexus proves their role is to create anarchy, not act responsibly. They crossed all limits. In Bengaluru, their rally honouring party netas stopped many students reaching their exam centres. Rahul Gandhi must apologise unconditionally.You have also called Cockroach Janta Party a proxy. Whose proxy?Everyone knew what they wanted to do, their agenda. But that plan was not happening according to their expectation. Who joins them? The andolan jeevi, those who do not want the system to be built, those with a mindset of perennially disturbing the system, comes with them. They are the same old people, rejected in democracy. I am also a social worker. I too have come from the student movement and welcome criticism. If there is something to learn from it, I also meet people. But your objective is stunt-baazi.Did NTA insiders breach trust?CBI is investigating. Prima facie, some of NTA’s own people are involved – there is no doubt about that. But it would be inappropriate to comment further now. The inquiry will conclude very soon.NTA will be radically transformed into a transparent, accountable body, and its image repaired. The 22-23 lakh candidates who appear for NEET next year will move to CBT, just as JEE, UGC-NET, CSIR-NET and the ICAR entrance exams. NTA examines nearly 1 crore students every year. After eight years, reform is absolutely necessary, drawn from experience and wider consultation.Will NEET be held more than once a year and how big a challenge is it to move into CBT mode?It is open for discussion. The Radhakrishnan Committee, accountable to Supreme Court, made medium- and long-term recommendations. Through broader public consultation – involving students, teachers and opinion-makers – we will decide on multiple attempts and on decentralising the conduct of the exam, and convert the right suggestions into policy.What led to the cancellation of NEET-UG?NEET was held on May 3. On May 7, the whistleblower informed the NTA DG. The NTA DG brought that issue before me. We spoke to govt agencies concerned. It was found that there had been a compromise. It was placed before the PM and the home minister. The leadership decided that, keeping the future of the country’s children in mind, we will not allow even one good student’s interest to be compromised in the hands of the education mafia. We took the decision to cancel the exam.CBSE’s on-screen marking is another controversy.A student has every right to re-check and verify their own answer sheet. Prima facie, OSM was implemented in haste. The then-CBSE leadership should have listened to whistleblowers with greater sensitivity. CBSE will have to think through how to proceed, and consult parents, teachers and students.Cyberattacks have exposed vulnerabilities in the digital infrastructure of CBSE.The CBSE evaluation portal faced 30 lakh cyberattacks within minutes, but our system was robust and held. Our own agency, I4C, had warned that such disruption was possible. No system is accident-proof – I regard this as a one-time accident. We will fix it, not run from it. CERT-In and our IT teams will continue regular monitoring, because this is about the country’s digital infrastructure, not CBSE alone.How do you view whistleblowers?Whistleblowers have a role and should be valued, within decorum. In NTA, the alert was acted upon in time. CBSE’s leadership should have listened more sensitively. Even a three-line suggestion must not be ignored. Children, teachers, experts and opinion-makers must be heard, and the right suggestions converted into policy.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.About the AuthorManash Pratim GohainManash Pratim Gohain is a seasoned journalist with over two decades at The Times of India, where he has built a rich body of work spanning education policy, politics, and governance. Renowned for his incisive coverage of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, accreditation reforms, and skilling initiatives, he has also reported on student politics, urban policy, and social movements. His political reportage—both reflective and news-driven—adds depth to his writing, bridging policy with public impact. Through his 2,500 articles and related outlets, he has emerged as a trusted voice in national discourse, particularly in linking education reform to broader societal change.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosTMC MP Mahua Moitra Clarifies After Praise For Suvendu Adhikari Sparks Political Buzz In BengalBengaluru Metro Breakdown Triggers Commuter Chaos As Stranded Passengers Climb Lorries”They Saved Their Goods And Left Us To Die”: Survivor’s Explosive Claims Rock Aliganj Fire ProbeMumbai Local Train Horror: 22-Year-Old Stabbed To Death After Door Dispute, Accused On The RunKolkata Warehouse Roof Collapse: 3 Dead, Several Injured, Rescue Ops UnderwayPM Modi Invited To Ayatollah Khamenei’s Funeral? Tehran Plans Massive Funeral For KhameneiLucknow Fire Horror: Demolition Order Revoked A Decade Ago, Illegal Building Claimed 15 LivesBJP Seeks Bhagwant Mann’s Arrest | Forensic Expert Alleges ₹10 Lakh Bribe To Fake Viral Video ReportIAF Set to Receive 1st Made-in-India C295 in September — Here’s What the Milestone Means’Papa, Save Me’: 10-Year-Old Abducted, Raped And Killed In Delhi; Chilling Details Emerge123PhotostoriesTaarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah: From mimicking Charlie Chaplin, having no work for 7-8 years to working with Dilip Joshi, SRK-Salman; Sharad Sankla aka Abdul gets candid about lifeNot just Usha Vance: 5 women in power who turned grey hair into a symbol of confidenceWeekend K-drama releases: From ‘Notes from the Last Row’ to ‘Agent Kim Reactivated’UK heatwave intensifies: UKHSA approved tips to keep your home coolAngiography and Angioplasty are not the same: Here’s what every heart patient should knowWarren Buffett’s unusual love life: The billionaire who stayed married while living with another womanRinging in your ears after a day in the sun? Doctor explains the surprising heatwave-tinnitus connection10 beautiful baby girl names inspired by ancient goddesses and their powerful meanings5 Kapoor couples who are setting serious marriage goalsRice water vs rosemary oil vs onion juice: Which viral hair growth hack actually works?123Hot PicksPunjab police admit cardDevina GahlotDonald Trump avenueMumbai rainsCBSE 12th revaluationBihar school timingsSpanish proverbAfghan proverbPortuguese proverbTop TrendingDelhi Rape MurderUS-Iran WarITR filing 2025-26FIFA World Cup 2026England vs Ghana FIFA World Cup ResultICAI CA Inter May resultLucknow coaching fireGold rate todayWho was Ketan AgarwalMumbai rain Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? contestant lands life-changing sum after simple World Cup question New Delhi: BJP Wednesday accused Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and his son Priyank, a Karnataka minister, of “land grab” in their home state for ostensible purposes as diverse as setting up of ventures in aerospace and defence and promotion of the Pali language.It is the Congress dispensation in the state that has enriched them through their family trust, BJP alleged, marking an apparent distinction with the charges against Madhya Pradesh CM Mohan Yadav’s extended family members allegedly purchasing several chunks of private land since he took office in 2023. It also said, “Public land that was earlier (Karnataka) govt’s and public property was handed over to Mallikarjun Kharge’s private trust.”Stepping up its attack, Congress accused BJP and RSS of patronising corruption, while seeking a SC inquiry into the MP issue. MP Congress chief Jitu Patwari said there are many instances where powerful people in the state have bought land in areas where new roads and highways are to be constructed. Daring the Congress govt in Karnataka to take action against the Kharges, BJP said, “Mallikarjun Kharge and Priyank Kharge have created a new modus operandi of land grab in Karnataka under the name of Siddharth Vihara Trust, which reminds of the Gandhi-Vadra family’s land grab.” The party has dismissed the charges against Mohan Yadav as baseless.BJP spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari said, “Valuable lands were given to the trust, whose members also include Congress president’s wife and son-in-law, in Bengaluru, Gulbarga, and Banashankari.” He added, “Did Mallikarjun Kharge use his power and influence? Did Priyank Kharge use his power and influence? Was Karnataka’s five acres of industrial land, worth Rs 100 crore, privately grabbed.” In 2024, Karnataka Industrial Area Development Board allotted five acres of land to the trust for the purpose of undertaking research and development in aerospace and defence sectors even though it has no link with the field, he said.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosTMC MP Mahua Moitra Clarifies After Praise For Suvendu Adhikari Sparks Political Buzz In BengalBengaluru Metro Breakdown Triggers Commuter Chaos As Stranded Passengers Climb Lorries”They Saved Their Goods And Left Us To Die”: Survivor’s Explosive Claims Rock Aliganj Fire ProbeMumbai Local Train Horror: 22-Year-Old Stabbed To Death After Door Dispute, Accused On The RunKolkata Warehouse Roof Collapse: 3 Dead, Several Injured, Rescue Ops UnderwayPM Modi Invited To Ayatollah Khamenei’s Funeral? Tehran Plans Massive Funeral For KhameneiLucknow Fire Horror: Demolition Order Revoked A Decade Ago, Illegal Building Claimed 15 LivesBJP Seeks Bhagwant Mann’s Arrest | Forensic Expert Alleges ₹10 Lakh Bribe To Fake Viral Video ReportIAF Set to Receive 1st Made-in-India C295 in September — Here’s What the Milestone Means’Papa, Save Me’: 10-Year-Old Abducted, Raped And Killed In Delhi; Chilling Details Emerge123PhotostoriesFrom Priyanka Chopra’s Rolex era to Katrina Kaif’s Rado reign: Bollywood’s most iconic watch ambassadorsTaarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah: From mimicking Charlie Chaplin, having no work for 7-8 years to working with Dilip Joshi, SRK-Salman; Sharad Sankla aka Abdul gets candid about lifeNot just Usha Vance: 5 women in power who turned grey hair into a symbol of confidenceWeekend K-drama releases: From ‘Notes from the Last Row’ to ‘Agent Kim Reactivated’UK heatwave intensifies: UKHSA approved tips to keep your home coolAngiography and Angioplasty are not the same: Here’s what every heart patient should knowWarren Buffett’s unusual love life: The billionaire who stayed married while living with another womanRinging in your ears after a day in the sun? Doctor explains the surprising heatwave-tinnitus connection10 beautiful baby girl names inspired by ancient goddesses and their powerful meanings5 Kapoor couples who are setting serious marriage goals123Hot PicksPunjab police admit cardDevina GahlotDonald Trump avenueMumbai rainsCBSE 12th revaluationBihar school timingsSpanish proverbAfghan proverbPortuguese proverbTop TrendingDelhi Rape MurderUS-Iran WarITR filing 2025-26FIFA World Cup 2026England vs Ghana FIFA World Cup ResultICAI CA Inter May resultLucknow coaching fireGold rate todayWho was Ketan AgarwalMumbai rain ‘Avengers: Endgame’ set for re-release with new title ‘Avengers: Endgame Encore’; to feature additional footage linked to ‘Doomsday’ ‘He slipped while posing for photograph’: How inconsistent statements, CCTV and call records exposed Siya Goyal, her lover Chetan’s murder plot Amit Shah NEW DELHI: Union home minister Amit Shah will launch a nationwide “Drug Disposal Fortnight Campaign” this Friday to facilitate the destruction of more than 2 lakh kg of confiscated narcotics valued at Rs 6,000 crore.The sweeping operation will anchor the 10th Apex-Level Meeting of the Narco-Coordination Centre, which comes as govt prepares to unveil its comprehensive battle plan against synthetic drugs and darknet-enabled trafficking over the next three years.The meeting on June 26 will bring together key stakeholders from 44 ministries and central departments alongside 108 representatives from state govts and drug law enforcement agencies. To formalise the crackdown, Shah is scheduled to release the “Vision Document on Narcotics Control (2026-2029)”. Shah will also release the NCB annual report for 2025 and inaugurate its newly constructed offices in Jammu and Guwahati. TNNGet the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosTMC MP Mahua Moitra Clarifies After Praise For Suvendu Adhikari Sparks Political Buzz In BengalBengaluru Metro Breakdown Triggers Commuter Chaos As Stranded Passengers Climb Lorries”They Saved Their Goods And Left Us To Die”: Survivor’s Explosive Claims Rock Aliganj Fire ProbeMumbai Local Train Horror: 22-Year-Old Stabbed To Death After Door Dispute, Accused On The RunKolkata Warehouse Roof Collapse: 3 Dead, Several Injured, Rescue Ops UnderwayPM Modi Invited To Ayatollah Khamenei’s Funeral? Tehran Plans Massive Funeral For KhameneiLucknow Fire Horror: Demolition Order Revoked A Decade Ago, Illegal Building Claimed 15 LivesBJP Seeks Bhagwant Mann’s Arrest | Forensic Expert Alleges ₹10 Lakh Bribe To Fake Viral Video ReportIAF Set to Receive 1st Made-in-India C295 in September — Here’s What the Milestone Means’Papa, Save Me’: 10-Year-Old Abducted, Raped And Killed In Delhi; Chilling Details Emerge123PhotostoriesFrom Priyanka Chopra’s Rolex era to Katrina Kaif’s Rado reign: Bollywood’s most iconic watch ambassadorsTaarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah: From mimicking Charlie Chaplin, having no work for 7-8 years to working with Dilip Joshi, SRK-Salman; Sharad Sankla aka Abdul gets candid about lifeNot just Usha Vance: 5 women in power who turned grey hair into a symbol of confidenceWeekend K-drama releases: From ‘Notes from the Last Row’ to ‘Agent Kim Reactivated’UK heatwave intensifies: UKHSA approved tips to keep your home coolAngiography and Angioplasty are not the same: Here’s what every heart patient should knowWarren Buffett’s unusual love life: The billionaire who stayed married while living with another womanRinging in your ears after a day in the sun? Doctor explains the surprising heatwave-tinnitus connection10 beautiful baby girl names inspired by ancient goddesses and their powerful meanings5 Kapoor couples who are setting serious marriage goals123Hot PicksPunjab police admit cardDevina GahlotDonald Trump avenueMumbai rainsCBSE 12th revaluationBihar school timingsSpanish proverbAfghan proverbPortuguese proverbTop TrendingDelhi Rape MurderUS-Iran WarITR filing 2025-26FIFA World Cup 2026England vs Ghana FIFA World Cup ResultICAI CA Inter May resultLucknow coaching fireGold rate todayWho was Ketan AgarwalMumbai rain Morocco vs Haiti, FIFA World Cup Match Result: Morocco fight back twice to knock out Haiti and reach knockout stage 19 fours, 6 sixes! Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s younger brother Ashirvad Sooryavanshi hits blistering century Crude slips toward $70 as tankers return to Hormuz after US-Iran reach peace deal From ‘Vaishali’ to ‘Mouna Ragam’: When rain became a character in films Roads split, buildings crumble: Two massive earthquakes rock Venezuela in 39 seconds – watch NEW DELHI: Supreme Court on Wednesday said that private medical colleges cannot be prevented from charging higher fees than govt ones and forcing them to do so would result in their closure and harm to medical education.A bench of Justices B V Nagarathna and Joymalya Bagchi while hearing a plea by an EWS student who was allotted a general category seat in a private medical college where he would be required to pay nearly Rs 19 lakh as annual tuition fee, noted private medical colleges are barred from taking capitation fees and are self-financing. “Annual tuition fee can’t be the same in a private college and a govt one,” Justice Nagarathna said.Justice Nagarathna said, “The annual tuition fee can’t be the same in a private medical college and a govt one. In self-financing private colleges, every expense is to be borne by the colleges whereas govt subsidies the expenses in the colleges under it.” “Private colleges are also contributing to the field of higher education, including in the medical stream. If they are asked to take fees at govt rate, then they will close down and the medical education would suffer. If other states have implemented the EWS quota and if Rajasthan has not done it, courts cannot direct private colleges to reduce fees,” she further said. The petitioner, whose parents in Rajasthan have an annual income of less than Rs 8 lakh, cleared NEET-UG 2025, said he was “arbitrarily” allotted a general category seat in a private medical college and Rs 19 lakh being demanded of him was way beyond his means.His counsel Rishabh Sancheti informed the bench that students in EWS category, who scored less marks than him, were allotted EWS quota seats where candidates pay fee for MBBS courses at govt fixed rate which is less than the general category seats in private colleges.The counsel further said the HC failed to appreciate that non-provisioning of 10% seats for EWS category students in MBBS courses by Rajasthan govt breached the constitutional mandate and permitted extortion of Rs 19 to 25 lakh annual tuition fee from poor families. The petitioner also challenged the arbitrary allotment of a general category seat instead of an EWS quota seat.Sancheti said that states like West Bengal and Maharashtra have implemented the 10% EWS quota even in private colleges. “We do not see any reason to interfere with the HC order,” the bench said and dismissed the petition while asking the student to avail of scholarships to pursue his studies. However, knowing the importance of the issue, it said the question of law involved in the case is kept open for adjudication in a future appropriate case.Sancheti said that non-implementation of the mandatory 10% EWS reservation as envisaged under Constitution (103rd Amendment) Act by providing only 12 EWS seats in the college having 150 seats diluting the constitutional mandate and prejudicing the petitioner who was given admission in unreserved category despite having applied in EWS category.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosTMC MP Mahua Moitra Clarifies After Praise For Suvendu Adhikari Sparks Political Buzz In BengalBengaluru Metro Breakdown Triggers Commuter Chaos As Stranded Passengers Climb Lorries”They Saved Their Goods And Left Us To Die”: Survivor’s Explosive Claims Rock Aliganj Fire ProbeMumbai Local Train Horror: 22-Year-Old Stabbed To Death After Door Dispute, Accused On The RunKolkata Warehouse Roof Collapse: 3 Dead, Several Injured, Rescue Ops UnderwayPM Modi Invited To Ayatollah Khamenei’s Funeral? Tehran Plans Massive Funeral For KhameneiLucknow Fire Horror: Demolition Order Revoked A Decade Ago, Illegal Building Claimed 15 LivesBJP Seeks Bhagwant Mann’s Arrest | Forensic Expert Alleges ₹10 Lakh Bribe To Fake Viral Video ReportIAF Set to Receive 1st Made-in-India C295 in September — Here’s What the Milestone Means’Papa, Save Me’: 10-Year-Old Abducted, Raped And Killed In Delhi; Chilling Details Emerge123PhotostoriesFrom Priyanka Chopra’s Rolex era to Katrina Kaif’s Rado reign: Bollywood’s most iconic watch ambassadorsTaarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah: From mimicking Charlie Chaplin, having no work for 7-8 years to working with Dilip Joshi, SRK-Salman; Sharad Sankla aka Abdul gets candid about lifeNot just Usha Vance: 5 women in power who turned grey hair into a symbol of confidenceWeekend K-drama releases: From ‘Notes from the Last Row’ to ‘Agent Kim Reactivated’UK heatwave intensifies: UKHSA approved tips to keep your home coolAngiography and Angioplasty are not the same: Here’s what every heart patient should knowWarren Buffett’s unusual love life: The billionaire who stayed married while living with another womanRinging in your ears after a day in the sun? Doctor explains the surprising heatwave-tinnitus connection10 beautiful baby girl names inspired by ancient goddesses and their powerful meanings5 Kapoor couples who are setting serious marriage goals123Hot PicksPunjab police admit cardDevina GahlotDonald Trump avenueMumbai rainsCBSE 12th revaluationBihar school timingsSpanish proverbAfghan proverbPortuguese proverbTop TrendingDelhi Rape MurderUS-Iran WarITR filing 2025-26FIFA World Cup 2026England vs Ghana FIFA World Cup ResultICAI CA Inter May resultLucknow coaching fireGold rate todayWho was Ketan AgarwalMumbai rain Tom Holland calls Zendaya by sweet nickname at ‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’ premiere Air India flight enters Pakistan airspace, pilots, ATC official grounded Updated: Jun 25, 2026, 06:49 IST ‘Cocktail 2’ box office collection Day 6: Shahid Kapoor, Kriti Sanon, Rashmika Mandanna starrer smashes past Rs 100 crore worldwide PM Modi invited to former Iran supreme leader Khamenei’s funeral; high-level representation may go Amritsar: Air India flight AI 479, flying from Delhi to Amritsar, reportedly strayed into Pakistani airspace on Tuesday night before returning safely after receiving a warning from Lahore Air Traffic Control (ATC). The Airbus A321 departed Delhi at approximately 9:18 pm and instead of landing at Amritsar’s Sri Guru Ramdas Ji International Airport, drifted toward the international border into Pakistani airspace. Upon detection, Lahore ATC alerted the pilot, after which the aircraft executed a U-turn.Instead of landing at Amritsar, the flight was diverted back to Delhi due to heavy air traffic. It later departed again from Delhi and landed in Amritsar at around 2:10 am on June 24. There was no official statement from the Amritsar airport director. An official, speaking on condition of anonymity, downplayed the incident. Instead of clarifying whether the aircraft actually entered Pakistani airspace, he simply said that it flew “within a mile or so” of the international border, leaving its exact position unconfirmed.But at the same time, the official added that the flight’s movements were coordinated with Lahore ATC and that the diversion to Delhi was a result of congestion at Amritsar. The aircraft was refueled in Delhi before continuing to Amritsar. The official also said that such occurrences are not uncommon and that Pakistani passenger aircraft have, at times, flown inside the Indian airspace or near the international border and are similarly coordinated and redirected. Sources indicated that an investigation has been initiated to determine the precise cause of the route deviation.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosTMC MP Mahua Moitra Clarifies After Praise For Suvendu Adhikari Sparks Political Buzz In BengalBengaluru Metro Breakdown Triggers Commuter Chaos As Stranded Passengers Climb Lorries”They Saved Their Goods And Left Us To Die”: Survivor’s Explosive Claims Rock Aliganj Fire ProbeMumbai Local Train Horror: 22-Year-Old Stabbed To Death After Door Dispute, Accused On The RunKolkata Warehouse Roof Collapse: 3 Dead, Several Injured, Rescue Ops UnderwayPM Modi Invited To Ayatollah Khamenei’s Funeral? Tehran Plans Massive Funeral For KhameneiLucknow Fire Horror: Demolition Order Revoked A Decade Ago, Illegal Building Claimed 15 LivesBJP Seeks Bhagwant Mann’s Arrest | Forensic Expert Alleges ₹10 Lakh Bribe To Fake Viral Video ReportIAF Set to Receive 1st Made-in-India C295 in September — Here’s What the Milestone Means’Papa, Save Me’: 10-Year-Old Abducted, Raped And Killed In Delhi; Chilling Details Emerge123PhotostoriesFrom Priyanka Chopra’s Rolex era to Katrina Kaif’s Rado reign: Bollywood’s most iconic watch ambassadorsTaarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah: From mimicking Charlie Chaplin, having no work for 7-8 years to working with Dilip Joshi, SRK-Salman; Sharad Sankla aka Abdul gets candid about lifeNot just Usha Vance: 5 women in power who turned grey hair into a symbol of confidenceWeekend K-drama releases: From ‘Notes from the Last Row’ to ‘Agent Kim Reactivated’UK heatwave intensifies: UKHSA approved tips to keep your home coolAngiography and Angioplasty are not the same: Here’s what every heart patient should knowWarren Buffett’s unusual love life: The billionaire who stayed married while living with another womanRinging in your ears after a day in the sun? Doctor explains the surprising heatwave-tinnitus connection10 beautiful baby girl names inspired by ancient goddesses and their powerful meanings5 Kapoor couples who are setting serious marriage goals123Hot PicksPunjab police admit cardDevina GahlotDonald Trump avenueMumbai rainsCBSE 12th revaluationBihar school timingsSpanish proverbAfghan proverbPortuguese proverbTop TrendingDelhi Rape MurderUS-Iran WarITR filing 2025-26FIFA World Cup 2026England vs Ghana FIFA World Cup ResultICAI CA Inter May resultLucknow coaching fireGold rate todayWho was Ketan AgarwalMumbai rain ‘Balan: The Boy’ box office collections day 6: Chidambaram’s film crosses Rs 20 crore worldwide Pisces Horoscope Today, June 25, 2026: Good news through children can also lift your public image ‘We will judge when he reaches 20-22’: Kapil Dev calls Vaibhav Sooryavanshi a ‘special talent’ but urges patience “It’s a piece of s**t”: Streamer Clavicular sparks backlash after brutal France rant goes viral PM Modi NEW DELHI: PM Narendra Modi on Wednesday advised states to start registering e-Zero FIRs in cyber crime cases so that victims who have lost their money are spared the harassment of running from pillar to post. Noting that only nine states have this system in place, Modi directed PMO officials to take this up with chief secretary and DGP of each state for faster roll out of e-Zero FIRs across the country.Reviewing grievances related to cyber crime and digital arrest at PRAGATI meeting where chief secretaries from all states were present, PM said he will review the progress of e-Zero FIRs. These FIRs help investigators immediately start the probe against criminals whose trail can soon vanish.The e-Zero FIR is an initiative by Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre (I4C) that automatically converts verified, high-value cyber financial fraud complaints into Zero FIRs. It allows victims to bypass jurisdictional barriers and fast-track investigations and blocking of fraudulent transactions.In an official release, PMO said Modi expressed concern over rising misuse of digital platforms to defraud citizens and stressed that such matters “require coordinated, sensitive and time-bound handling by all agencies concerned”. He also called for clear ownership, faster response, better coordination among law enforcement agencies, banks and digital platforms.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosTMC MP Mahua Moitra Clarifies After Praise For Suvendu Adhikari Sparks Political Buzz In BengalBengaluru Metro Breakdown Triggers Commuter Chaos As Stranded Passengers Climb Lorries”They Saved Their Goods And Left Us To Die”: Survivor’s Explosive Claims Rock Aliganj Fire ProbeMumbai Local Train Horror: 22-Year-Old Stabbed To Death After Door Dispute, Accused On The RunKolkata Warehouse Roof Collapse: 3 Dead, Several Injured, Rescue Ops UnderwayPM Modi Invited To Ayatollah Khamenei’s Funeral? Tehran Plans Massive Funeral For KhameneiLucknow Fire Horror: Demolition Order Revoked A Decade Ago, Illegal Building Claimed 15 LivesBJP Seeks Bhagwant Mann’s Arrest | Forensic Expert Alleges ₹10 Lakh Bribe To Fake Viral Video ReportIAF Set to Receive 1st Made-in-India C295 in September — Here’s What the Milestone Means’Papa, Save Me’: 10-Year-Old Abducted, Raped And Killed In Delhi; Chilling Details Emerge123PhotostoriesFrom Priyanka Chopra’s Rolex era to Katrina Kaif’s Rado reign: Bollywood’s most iconic watch ambassadorsTaarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah: From mimicking Charlie Chaplin, having no work for 7-8 years to working with Dilip Joshi, SRK-Salman; Sharad Sankla aka Abdul gets candid about lifeNot just Usha Vance: 5 women in power who turned grey hair into a symbol of confidenceWeekend K-drama releases: From ‘Notes from the Last Row’ to ‘Agent Kim Reactivated’UK heatwave intensifies: UKHSA approved tips to keep your home coolAngiography and Angioplasty are not the same: Here’s what every heart patient should knowWarren Buffett’s unusual love life: The billionaire who stayed married while living with another womanRinging in your ears after a day in the sun? Doctor explains the surprising heatwave-tinnitus connection10 beautiful baby girl names inspired by ancient goddesses and their powerful meanings5 Kapoor couples who are setting serious marriage goals123Hot PicksPunjab police admit cardDevina GahlotDonald Trump avenueMumbai rainsCBSE 12th revaluationBihar school timingsSpanish proverbAfghan proverbPortuguese proverbTop TrendingDelhi Rape MurderUS-Iran WarITR filing 2025-26FIFA World Cup 2026England vs Ghana FIFA World Cup ResultICAI CA Inter May resultLucknow coaching fireGold rate todayWho was Ketan AgarwalMumbai rain Prince Harry and Prince William’s ex-private secretary avoids feud talk: ‘I was and am very fond of him’ Aquarius Horoscope Today, June 25, 2026: Good news through children can also lift your public image ‘Maa Inti Bangaaram’ box office collections day 6: Samantha Ruth Prabhu’s film crosses Rs 55 crore worldwide; Actress announces maternity break Capricorn Horoscope Today, June 25, 2026: Financial matters can improve through stability rather than sudden gain ‘We will judge when he reaches 20-22’: Kapil Dev calls Vaibhav Sooryavanshi a ‘special talent’ but urges patience NEW DELHI: PM Narendra Modi Wednesday said it was because of the “whole-of-govt” approach that the challenging task of holding a hassle-free NEET-UG retest could be completed, as he hailed the collective efforts of different ministries and departments for the June 21 exam’s smooth conduct.Modi made these remarks while chairing a cabinet meeting, where Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan briefed ministers about the massive operation for the retest. TOI has learned Pradhan shared the responsibilities undertaken by ministries, state govts and departments and also highlighted how all came together for a “shared and coordinated effort”.To hold the retest, the Centre also roped in security and intelligence agencies as well as Indian Air Force to transport question papers. TNNGet the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosTMC MP Mahua Moitra Clarifies After Praise For Suvendu Adhikari Sparks Political Buzz In BengalBengaluru Metro Breakdown Triggers Commuter Chaos As Stranded Passengers Climb Lorries”They Saved Their Goods And Left Us To Die”: Survivor’s Explosive Claims Rock Aliganj Fire ProbeMumbai Local Train Horror: 22-Year-Old Stabbed To Death After Door Dispute, Accused On The RunKolkata Warehouse Roof Collapse: 3 Dead, Several Injured, Rescue Ops UnderwayPM Modi Invited To Ayatollah Khamenei’s Funeral? Tehran Plans Massive Funeral For KhameneiLucknow Fire Horror: Demolition Order Revoked A Decade Ago, Illegal Building Claimed 15 LivesBJP Seeks Bhagwant Mann’s Arrest | Forensic Expert Alleges ₹10 Lakh Bribe To Fake Viral Video ReportIAF Set to Receive 1st Made-in-India C295 in September — Here’s What the Milestone Means’Papa, Save Me’: 10-Year-Old Abducted, Raped And Killed In Delhi; Chilling Details Emerge123PhotostoriesTaarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah: From mimicking Charlie Chaplin, having no work for 7-8 years to working with Dilip Joshi, SRK-Salman; Sharad Sankla aka Abdul gets candid about lifeNot just Usha Vance: 5 women in power who turned grey hair into a symbol of confidenceWeekend K-drama releases: From ‘Notes from the Last Row’ to ‘Agent Kim Reactivated’UK heatwave intensifies: UKHSA approved tips to keep your home coolAngiography and Angioplasty are not the same: Here’s what every heart patient should knowWarren Buffett’s unusual love life: The billionaire who stayed married while living with another womanRinging in your ears after a day in the sun? Doctor explains the surprising heatwave-tinnitus connection10 beautiful baby girl names inspired by ancient goddesses and their powerful meanings5 Kapoor couples who are setting serious marriage goalsRice water vs rosemary oil vs onion juice: Which viral hair growth hack actually works?123Hot PicksPunjab police admit cardDevina GahlotDonald Trump avenueMumbai rainsCBSE 12th revaluationBihar school timingsSpanish proverbAfghan proverbPortuguese proverbTop TrendingDelhi Rape MurderUS-Iran WarITR filing 2025-26FIFA World Cup 2026England vs Ghana FIFA World Cup ResultICAI CA Inter May resultLucknow coaching fireGold rate todayWho was Ketan AgarwalMumbai rain Sagittarius Horoscope Today, June 25, 2026: Career and business remain average, not weak No proof of accident, but car owner wins Rs 1.25 Lakh claim UBT MPs meet Birla, question rebels’ Shinde Sena merger NEW DELHI/MUMBAI: In a meeting with Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Wednesday, Shiv Sena (UBT) said two-thirds of its MPs cannot join or merge with another party on their own, without the initiative of their original party, and urged him to uphold provisions of the Constitution’s 10th Schedule, commonly known as the anti-defection law. Birla is expected to make a decision before the monsoon session of Parliament, which normally begins in the second half of July, and is consulting legal experts and both sides. Two of the party’s remaining 3 LS MPs, Arvind Sawant and Anil Desai, met Birla, who had called them following their submission to him that they must be heard before he makes a decision on 6 of their colleagues joining the Shiv Sena headed by Eknath Shinde. “We have confidence the Speaker as a custodian of Parliament will ensure justice is done,” Desai told reporters after the meeting. He said only a party can decide on merging with another party, and two-thirds of its MPs are needed to approve such a decision. The MPs cannot join or merge with another party on their own, he added. “All this can’t happen through a quick fix. The Constitution and democratic conventions must be upheld and followed in letter and spirit. The Speaker heard us. We told him we are the original party, and that Shiv Sena (UBT) and its chief Uddhav Thackeray haven’t decided to merge with any party, and there is no such plan in the future. We were told the Speaker has got a letter from the rebel MPs, but (he) promised to act in a just manner within the framework of the Constitution. We have given a letter from Uddhav Thackeray to Birla too,” Desai said.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosTMC MP Mahua Moitra Clarifies After Praise For Suvendu Adhikari Sparks Political Buzz In BengalBengaluru Metro Breakdown Triggers Commuter Chaos As Stranded Passengers Climb Lorries”They Saved Their Goods And Left Us To Die”: Survivor’s Explosive Claims Rock Aliganj Fire ProbeMumbai Local Train Horror: 22-Year-Old Stabbed To Death After Door Dispute, Accused On The RunKolkata Warehouse Roof Collapse: 3 Dead, Several Injured, Rescue Ops UnderwayPM Modi Invited To Ayatollah Khamenei’s Funeral? Tehran Plans Massive Funeral For KhameneiLucknow Fire Horror: Demolition Order Revoked A Decade Ago, Illegal Building Claimed 15 LivesBJP Seeks Bhagwant Mann’s Arrest | Forensic Expert Alleges ₹10 Lakh Bribe To Fake Viral Video ReportIAF Set to Receive 1st Made-in-India C295 in September — Here’s What the Milestone Means’Papa, Save Me’: 10-Year-Old Abducted, Raped And Killed In Delhi; Chilling Details Emerge123PhotostoriesTaarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah: From mimicking Charlie Chaplin, having no work for 7-8 years to working with Dilip Joshi, SRK-Salman; Sharad Sankla aka Abdul gets candid about lifeNot just Usha Vance: 5 women in power who turned grey hair into a symbol of confidenceWeekend K-drama releases: From ‘Notes from the Last Row’ to ‘Agent Kim Reactivated’UK heatwave intensifies: UKHSA approved tips to keep your home coolAngiography and Angioplasty are not the same: Here’s what every heart patient should knowWarren Buffett’s unusual love life: The billionaire who stayed married while living with another womanRinging in your ears after a day in the sun? Doctor explains the surprising heatwave-tinnitus connection10 beautiful baby girl names inspired by ancient goddesses and their powerful meanings5 Kapoor couples who are setting serious marriage goalsRice water vs rosemary oil vs onion juice: Which viral hair growth hack actually works?123Hot PicksPunjab police admit cardDevina GahlotDonald Trump avenueMumbai rainsCBSE 12th revaluationBihar school timingsSpanish proverbAfghan proverbPortuguese proverbTop TrendingDelhi Rape MurderUS-Iran WarITR filing 2025-26FIFA World Cup 2026England vs Ghana FIFA World Cup ResultICAI CA Inter May resultLucknow coaching fireGold rate todayWho was Ketan AgarwalMumbai rain Lionel Messi vs Cristiano Ronaldo net worth battle 2026: Who wins football’s richest player race? Representative image NEW DELHI: The French Revolution, the Russian Revolution and Nazism will no longer be part of the Class IX history syllabus. NCERT officials said these modern world history themes will be taken up in Class X as part of secondary-stage progression, while the new Class IX textbook will chart the story of early humans, the Harappan world and the ancient civilisations of Mesopotamia, Egypt and China.Titled ‘Understanding Society: India and Beyond, Part 1’, the new textbook marks one of the sharpest curricular shifts at the secondary stage. It replaces four books — India and the Contemporary World-I, Contemporary India-I, Democratic Politics-I and Economics — with an integrated two-part volume of 16 thematic chapters under National Curriculum Framework for School Education 2023. Class IX now begins with early humans, the beginnings of civilisation and the Harappan world. The book also changes the treatment of Indian history. A chapter on ‘State and Society up to 1000 CE’ brings in the Vedic age, the sixteen Mahajanapadas, duties of the king as discussed in the Arthashastra and the Mahabharata, the role of women in early India and the gurukul system. The emphasis is less on stand-alone political chronology and more on civilisational continuities, institutions and Indian Knowledge Systems.Geography, too, has been reframed. Instead of starting with India’s size, location, drainage and population, students now begin with the shaping of the earth’s surface, landforms, rivers and erosion, and disasters such as landslides. Climate change, the 2025 Punjab floods and an activity on mapping one’s carbon footprint enter the Class IX classroom more directly. In political science, older chapters on ‘What is Democracy?’ and constitutional design have given way in Class IX to broader modules on democracy and elections. The new book traces India’s democratic roots to ancient sabha and samiti assemblies and adds two notable elements: the 1975-77 Emergency, and a ‘Democracy and You’ section that casts students as participants.Economics moves away from the village-economy and poverty-led structure, opening with concepts such as scarcity, opportunity cost and demand and supply.NCERT sources have framed the overhaul as a shift towards learning that is “rooted in India” while “combined with a global outlook”. The Class IX books are being introduced in 2026-27, with revised Class X books to follow in 2027-28. Modern world history themes like the French and Russian revolutions and Nazism will no longer be part of NCERT’s Class 9 history syllabus and will move to Class 10. The new Class 9 textbook will feature ancient civilisations of India, Mesopotamia, Egypt and China.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.About the AuthorManash Pratim GohainManash Pratim Gohain is a seasoned journalist with over two decades at The Times of India, where he has built a rich body of work spanning education policy, politics, and governance. Renowned for his incisive coverage of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, accreditation reforms, and skilling initiatives, he has also reported on student politics, urban policy, and social movements. His political reportage—both reflective and news-driven—adds depth to his writing, bridging policy with public impact. Through his 2,500 articles and related outlets, he has emerged as a trusted voice in national discourse, particularly in linking education reform to broader societal change.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosTMC MP Mahua Moitra Clarifies After Praise For Suvendu Adhikari Sparks Political Buzz In BengalBengaluru Metro Breakdown Triggers Commuter Chaos As Stranded Passengers Climb Lorries”They Saved Their Goods And Left Us To Die”: Survivor’s Explosive Claims Rock Aliganj Fire ProbeMumbai Local Train Horror: 22-Year-Old Stabbed To Death After Door Dispute, Accused On The RunKolkata Warehouse Roof Collapse: 3 Dead, Several Injured, Rescue Ops UnderwayPM Modi Invited To Ayatollah Khamenei’s Funeral? Tehran Plans Massive Funeral For KhameneiLucknow Fire Horror: Demolition Order Revoked A Decade Ago, Illegal Building Claimed 15 LivesBJP Seeks Bhagwant Mann’s Arrest | Forensic Expert Alleges ₹10 Lakh Bribe To Fake Viral Video ReportIAF Set to Receive 1st Made-in-India C295 in September — Here’s What the Milestone Means’Papa, Save Me’: 10-Year-Old Abducted, Raped And Killed In Delhi; Chilling Details Emerge123PhotostoriesTaarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah: From mimicking Charlie Chaplin, having no work for 7-8 years to working with Dilip Joshi, SRK-Salman; Sharad Sankla aka Abdul gets candid about lifeNot just Usha Vance: 5 women in power who turned grey hair into a symbol of confidenceWeekend K-drama releases: From ‘Notes from the Last Row’ to ‘Agent Kim Reactivated’UK heatwave intensifies: UKHSA approved tips to keep your home coolAngiography and Angioplasty are not the same: Here’s what every heart patient should knowWarren Buffett’s unusual love life: The billionaire who stayed married while living with another womanRinging in your ears after a day in the sun? Doctor explains the surprising heatwave-tinnitus connection10 beautiful baby girl names inspired by ancient goddesses and their powerful meanings5 Kapoor couples who are setting serious marriage goalsRice water vs rosemary oil vs onion juice: Which viral hair growth hack actually works?123Hot PicksPunjab police admit cardDevina GahlotDonald Trump avenueMumbai rainsCBSE 12th revaluationBihar school timingsSpanish proverbAfghan proverbPortuguese proverbTop TrendingDelhi Rape MurderUS-Iran WarITR filing 2025-26FIFA World Cup 2026England vs Ghana FIFA World Cup ResultICAI CA Inter May resultLucknow coaching fireGold rate todayWho was Ketan AgarwalMumbai rain Crude below $75/barrel but will take time to return to pre-war levels Priyanka Chopra compares her film careers; says she worked with all the best filmmakers in India but in Hollywood, ‘haven’t really done that as much’ Scorpio Horoscope Today, June 25, 2026: Your expenditure is likely to exceed income if left unchecked “She knows she’s lying”: Candace Owens draws backlash after linking Erika Kirk’s behavior to mental health claims Daily Career Horoscope, June 25, 2026: Success, challenges, and breakthroughs; Know about your career Watch: Mumbai mayor inspects flood-hit Gandhi Market, BMC staffer falls into pothole right in front of her With ‘Protein Mess’, IIT-M seeks to add brawn to brains NEW DELHI: Fish curry, chicken yakhni pulao, paneer tikka and tossed soya chunks are now part of IIT-Madras’s effort to improve sporting performance. The institute has introduced a dedicated “Protein Mess”, backed by academic flexibility, fitness training and psychological conditioning for student-athletes.Described by IIT-M as the first such facility among the 23 IITs, the mess provides protein-rich meals designed in consultation with professional nutritionists. Its rotating menu also includes mutton rogan josh, egg bhurji, sprouts, dal makhani, sweet potato and chickpea sundal.The initiative is intended to support muscle recovery, endurance and sustained training. Ahead of Inter-IIT competitions, probable athletes and members of the institute contingent were given access to the specialised diet for three months, replacing nutrition support previously concentrated around a 15-day preparatory camp.Athletes paid half the cost, while the remaining amount was covered through institutional and alumni support. The institute, however, has not disclosed the number of beneficiaries, total subsidy or the protein and calorie content of individual meals.The dining initiative forms part of a wider support system for students representing IIT-M at tournaments. “To support student-athletes, IIT-Madras has introduced academic flexibility measures such as attendance relaxation for tournaments, makeup examinations for missed quizzes and end-of-semester examinations,” dean (students) Sathyanarayana N Gummadi said. The system also includes fitness training and psychological conditioning.Director V Kamakoti said sports and the arts promoted “teamwork, attention to detail, good health and good mental balance”, qualities needed for success in life.The institute has also created an admission pathway for accomplished sportspersons. It became the first IIT to introduce sports excellence admission in 2024-25, offering supernumerary undergraduate seats to candidates who qualify JEE Advanced and meet prescribed sporting criteria. Fourteen students joined IIT-M through this route during the 2024 and 2025 admission cycles.Since 2024, IIT-Madras has also incorporated recreational sports into the first-year curriculum, including athletics, volleyball, basketball and handball.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.About the AuthorManash Pratim GohainManash Pratim Gohain is a seasoned journalist with over two decades at The Times of India, where he has built a rich body of work spanning education policy, politics, and governance. Renowned for his incisive coverage of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, accreditation reforms, and skilling initiatives, he has also reported on student politics, urban policy, and social movements. His political reportage—both reflective and news-driven—adds depth to his writing, bridging policy with public impact. Through his 2,500 articles and related outlets, he has emerged as a trusted voice in national discourse, particularly in linking education reform to broader societal change.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosTMC MP Mahua Moitra Clarifies After Praise For Suvendu Adhikari Sparks Political Buzz In BengalBengaluru Metro Breakdown Triggers Commuter Chaos As Stranded Passengers Climb Lorries”They Saved Their Goods And Left Us To Die”: Survivor’s Explosive Claims Rock Aliganj Fire ProbeMumbai Local Train Horror: 22-Year-Old Stabbed To Death After Door Dispute, Accused On The RunKolkata Warehouse Roof Collapse: 3 Dead, Several Injured, Rescue Ops UnderwayPM Modi Invited To Ayatollah Khamenei’s Funeral? Tehran Plans Massive Funeral For KhameneiLucknow Fire Horror: Demolition Order Revoked A Decade Ago, Illegal Building Claimed 15 LivesBJP Seeks Bhagwant Mann’s Arrest | Forensic Expert Alleges ₹10 Lakh Bribe To Fake Viral Video ReportIAF Set to Receive 1st Made-in-India C295 in September — Here’s What the Milestone Means’Papa, Save Me’: 10-Year-Old Abducted, Raped And Killed In Delhi; Chilling Details Emerge123PhotostoriesTaarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah: From mimicking Charlie Chaplin, having no work for 7-8 years to working with Dilip Joshi, SRK-Salman; Sharad Sankla aka Abdul gets candid about lifeNot just Usha Vance: 5 women in power who turned grey hair into a symbol of confidenceWeekend K-drama releases: From ‘Notes from the Last Row’ to ‘Agent Kim Reactivated’UK heatwave intensifies: UKHSA approved tips to keep your home coolAngiography and Angioplasty are not the same: Here’s what every heart patient should knowWarren Buffett’s unusual love life: The billionaire who stayed married while living with another womanRinging in your ears after a day in the sun? Doctor explains the surprising heatwave-tinnitus connection10 beautiful baby girl names inspired by ancient goddesses and their powerful meanings5 Kapoor couples who are setting serious marriage goalsRice water vs rosemary oil vs onion juice: Which viral hair growth hack actually works?123Hot PicksPunjab police admit cardDevina GahlotDonald Trump avenueMumbai rainsCBSE 12th revaluationBihar school timingsSpanish proverbAfghan proverbPortuguese proverbTop TrendingDelhi Rape MurderUS-Iran WarITR filing 2025-26FIFA World Cup 2026England vs Ghana FIFA World Cup ResultICAI CA Inter May resultLucknow coaching fireGold rate todayWho was Ketan AgarwalMumbai rain Anushka Ranjan opens up about IVF journey with Aditya Seal, reveals taking 150 injections: ‘I thought something was wrong with me’ Libra Horoscope Today, June 25, 2026: Business gains can come in through multiple channels Grocer confesses to killing 8 men in 4 months, tested poison on dog first; eliminated neighbours over loans, land feuds and taunts From Ranga-Billa to Jessica Lall, from Nithari to Nirbhaya: Why some crimes simply refuse to fade from memory Taylor Swift-Travis Kelce wedding: Couple file permit for street closure, space for tents ahead of multi-day celebrations Virgo Horoscope Today, June 25, 2026: Count to ten before replying, especially at home and during travel BMC staffer falls into open drain during Mumbai Mayor’s inspection at flooded King Circle Hot country, cold shoulder: Pew survey shows Trump’s global approval tanking 7.1, 7.5 powerful back-to-back earthquakes rock Venezuela; tsunami alert issued