VK News Today https://validator.w3.org/feed/docs/rss2.html NEW DELHI: Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday took oath as Assam chief minister for a second consecutive term, strengthening the BJP-led NDA’s hold over the northeastern state after its sweeping victory in the assembly elections.At 57, Sarma became the first non-Congress leader in Assam to return as chief minister for a second straight term.Lakshman Prasad Acharya administered the oath of office and secrecy to Sarma and four other legislators at a grand ceremony held at the Veterinary College Field in Khanapara, Guwahati.The four legislators sworn in alongside Sarma were BJP leaders Ajanta Neog and Rameshwar Teli, along with Atul Bora of the AGP and Charan Boro of the Bodoland People’s Front (BPF). Neog, Bora and Boro were part of Sarma’s previous cabinet, while Teli has returned to state politics after serving as a Union minister.PM Modi, top NDA leaders attend ceremonyPrime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Guwahati on Monday night ahead of the swearing-in ceremony and attended the event along with several senior BJP and NDA leaders.PM Modi was received at the Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport by Sarma and other BJP leaders.Union home minister Amit Shah, defence minister Rajnath Singh and BJP national president Nitin Nabin were among the senior leaders present.Several Union ministers, including Sarbananda Sonowal, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Jyotiraditya Scindia and Chirag Paswan also attended the ceremony.Chief ministers and deputy chief ministers from BJP-ruled states, top industrialists, Satradhikars and party workers were also present at the event. Officials said more than one lakh people attended the ceremony. The BJP-led NDA secured a massive mandate in the Assam Assembly elections, winning 102 seats in the 126-member House. The BJP alone won 82 seats, while alliance partners AGP and BPF secured 10 seats each.This will be the third consecutive NDA government in Assam since the alliance first came to power in 2016 under the leadership of Sarbananda Sonowal.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 MediaVideosAIADMK Faces Biggest Split Since Jayalalithaa Era As Rebel Faction Extends Support To Vijay’s TVKTamil Nadu CM Vijay Orders Shutdown Of 717 TASMAC Shops Near Temples, Schools And Bus StandsCongress Expands Kerala CM Consultations As Satheesan-Venugopal Battle IntensifiesTarn Taran BJP Office Attacked: Youths Vandalise Premises, Fire Shots In Air; Probe OnRahul Gandhi Targets Centre Over NEET Leak Allegations As Rajasthan SOG Expands ProbeFormer TMC Minister Sujit Bose Arrested By ED In Municipality Recruitment ‘Scam’PM Modi Slams Destination Weddings Abroad, Urges Indians To Avoid Foreign Travel’Voted For Whistle’: MDMK Chief Vaiko’s House Helps’ Meeting With CM Vijay Goes ViralRahul Slams PM Modi’s Crisis Appeal | NIA Probes Bengaluru Security Scare IntensifyTMC Leaders Turn On I-PAC After Bengal Poll Rout, Raise Explosive Claims Against Firm123Photostories5 interesting dog breeds native to the US”I can’t sleep if I don’t eat…” Kareena Kapoor on her love for her favorite desi dish and the joy of cooking with Saif at home5-minute ritual that can improve your vocabularyWhy milk curdles while boiling and 3 ways to prevent itInside Trisha Krishnan’s aesthetically designed home with artistic vibesCameron Diaz and Benji Madden’s marriage rule is going viral and couples are relating hardParenting Principles Primer by Canadian Experts: Five universal parenting strategies every parent should know7 powerful ways to value yourself and protect your peaceAlia Bhatt’s first Cannes 2026 look is here and it’s giving full Hollywood fashion icon vibesHantavirus warning: US CDC advises not to use vacuum cleaners to clean rat droppings; here’s why123Hot PicksCBSE class 12 resultModi on buying goldOil prices todayPune child rape-murder casePerambur election resultIndia-New Zealand FTASugarcane price hikeTop TrendingTamil Nadu CMBhagwant Mann CousinIPL Points TableUS Iran warKerala CMChandranath Rath MurderIPL Orange Cap 2026AIADMK splitHighway Toll DuesPBKS vs DC Match Preview Audrey Hepburn Quotes: Love quote of the day by Audrey Hepburn: “The best thing to hold onto in life is…” 2026 Skoda Kodiaq launched with price cut: New features, variants & more Tamil Nadu CM Vijay orders closure of 717 TASMAC liquor shops near temples, schools, bus stands Why is stock market crashing today? Sensex drops over 800 points – Rs 5 lakh crore investors wealth wiped out – top reasons for all Prince Harry demands ‘list’ for Meghan Markle ahead of UK visit; causes a spark among royal members Raining bills, rising barriers: Why America’s H-1B debate needs reform, not rhetoric Rajasthan Lab Assistant answer key 2026 expected to be released soon at rssb.rajasthan.gov.in: Direct link to download here Nagi Notes, All of a Sudden, Fjord, Fatherland: 22 films in Palme D’Or competition line-upat Cannes 2026 Google down: Users report seeing this ‘server error’ message on Search Vaibhav Sooryavanshi ‘a Slight Liability in the Field’? Former India batter flags RR TS LAWCET, PGLCET 2026 hall tickets released at lawcet.tgche.ac.in: Direct link to download admit cards here ‘Krishnavataram Part 1: The Heart’ box office collection day 6: Siddharth Gupta’s devotional drama crosses Rs 10 crore India gross Liver Donation: She gave him life twice: A mother’s liver donation gave her 17-year-old son a second chance at life “They’re testing students’ blood pressure”: CBSE’s coming soon alerts fueling anxiety instead of clarity Why milk curdles while boiling and 3 ways to prevent it IPL 2026: Rs 12 lakh fine for Delhi Capitals captain Axar Patel after win vs Punjab Kings | Cricket News America’s biggest defense technology company Palantir may have sent a ‘stock warning’ to Nvidia: Will lose billions as … PM Modi NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday welcomed the implementation of Ayushman Bharat and other central welfare schemes in West Bengal, days after the BJP formed the government in the state for the first time.In a post on X on Tuesday, PM Modi said, “The welfare of my brothers and sisters in West Bengal is of the utmost importance.” Watch Why PM Modi Wants Indians To Avoid Gold Purchases And Foreign Travel“I am extremely delighted that the people of the state will have access to Ayushman Bharat, the world’s largest health service, which ensures access to high-quality and affordable healthcare. At the same time, the double-engine government will ensure the seamless implementation of important central projects,” he added.The move follows the first cabinet meeting of the new West Bengal government on Monday, where CM Suvendu Adhikari announced the rollout of central schemes such as Ayushman Bharat, Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima and PM Vishwakarma.Also read | What’s on Suvendu Adhikari govt’s agenda today: Ayushman Bharat, border fencing and bureaucratic overhaulAdhikari said the schemes would be implemented without discontinuing existing state welfare programmes, including Lakshmir Bhandar and Swasthya Sathi.Ahead of the Assembly polls, PM Modi had announced at a rally in Bengal that a BJP cabinet in the state would approve the implementation of Ayushman Bharat in its first meeting. The scheme provides eligible families with annual health insurance coverage of up to Rs 5 lakh.It remains unclear how the state government plans to run both central and state welfare schemes in sectors where beneficiaries may overlap, particularly Ayushman Bharat and Swasthya Sathi.“To avail benefits under Ayushman Bharat, one must meet certain conditions.Those not eligible for Ayushman Bharat are likely to continue receiving benefits under Swasthya Sathi. Those who make the cut, will get Ayushman benefits,” a source said.Adhikari took oath as West Bengal’s ninth chief minister on Saturday, becoming the first BJP leader to head the state government after ending the All India Trinamool Congress’s 15-year rule.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 MediaVideosCongress Expands Kerala CM Consultations As Satheesan-Venugopal Battle IntensifiesTarn Taran BJP Office Attacked: Youths Vandalise Premises, Fire Shots In Air; Probe OnRahul Gandhi Targets Centre Over NEET Leak Allegations As Rajasthan SOG Expands ProbeFormer TMC Minister Sujit Bose Arrested By ED In Municipality Recruitment ‘Scam’PM Modi Slams Destination Weddings Abroad, Urges Indians To Avoid Foreign Travel’Voted For Whistle’: MDMK Chief Vaiko’s House Helps’ Meeting With CM Vijay Goes ViralRahul Slams PM Modi’s Crisis Appeal | NIA Probes Bengaluru Security Scare IntensifyTMC Leaders Turn On I-PAC After Bengal Poll Rout, Raise Explosive Claims Against FirmAfter PM Modi’s ‘Save Oil’ Appeal, Rajnath Singh Chairs Key Energy Security Review Meeting’Deeply Shocking’: TVK Ally Questions Vijay Over Vande Mataram Priority At Oath Ceremony123PhotostoriesCameron Diaz and Benji Madden’s marriage rule is going viral and couples are relating hardParenting Principles Primer by Canadian Experts: Five universal parenting strategies every parent should know7 powerful ways to value yourself and protect your peaceAlia Bhatt’s first Cannes 2026 look is here and it’s giving full Hollywood fashion icon vibesHantavirus warning: US CDC advises not to use vacuum cleaners to clean rat droppings; here’s whyMysore Palace: Inside India’s most spectacular royal residence7 hidden meanings behind your child’s “bad behaviour” that parents should know5 healthiest ways to eat Dates for better blood sugar controlIs hantavirus the next COVID? WHO director-general flags key pointers10 baby boy names inspired by the galaxy123Hot PicksCBSE class 12 resultModi on buying goldOil prices todayPune child rape-murder casePerambur election resultIndia-New Zealand FTASugarcane price hikeTop TrendingTamil Nadu CMYesterday Match ResultIPL Points TableUS Iran warTilak VarmaChandranath Rath MurderIPL Orange Cap 2026AIADMK splitPM Modi WFHPBKS vs DC Match Preview Alan Ritchson starrer ‘Reacher’ renewed for Season 5 ahead of Season 4 premiere Venugopal, Satheesan or Chennithala? Congress high command steps in as Kerala CM race hits deadlock Derogatory Remarks Against Pm Modi: FIR filed against SP MP Ajendra Singh Lodhi over derogatory remarks against PM Modi | India News US, UK sanctions target Iran-linked network accused of plotting attacks and moving funds Gujarat University result declared for MCom, BEd and various other courses: Direct link to download scorecards here Jim Carrey memes: A look at his iconic catchphrases and expressions from ‘Alrighty Then’ to ‘Smokin’ Five universal parenting strategies every parent should know Rupee at 95.6: Currency crashes to record low as US-Iran ceasefire jitters send oil soaring Still swinging it: Bhuvneshwar Kumar enjoys second wind at RCB Oil & gas royalty rejig: What govt big upstream reform means Abhishek Bachchan joins hands with Rahul Dravid as co-owners of European T20 Premier League team; fans cheer for ‘King’ star How To Keep Foxes Away: Foxes are turning up at front doors across the UK: Here’s how to keep them away AIADMK faction extends support to Vijay’s TVK; leader explains why DMK alliance talks collapsed Horrifying video shows moment Frontier Airlines plane hits person on Denver runway UP APO admit card expected to be released at uppsc.up.nic.in: Check steps to download here Quest for a rare bird, a landfill visit, a deadly outbreak: How Leo Schilperoord became hantavirus ‘patient zero’ India turns down Russia’s sanctioned LNG despite supply concerns driven by Middle East tensions NCERT RIE admissions 2026 registration begins on May 15; check CEE exam date and details Suvendu Adhikari aide murder case: CBI takes over probe from Bengal Police, forms 7-member team IPL 2026: Why Yuzvendra Chahal didn’t bowl vs DC? PBKS coach explains surprise move | Cricket News Blake Lively suffers another legal setback in Justin Baldoni lawsuit; Judge REJECTS request for additional arguments over legal fees 7 hidden meanings behind your child’s “bad behaviour” that parents should know Dubai don’s Delhi network busted: 6 shooters held after secret lounge party in Karol Bagh ‘Very sensitive to criticism’: Sanjay Manjrekar makes big Virat Kohli revelation ‘Oru Durooha Saahacharyathil’ OTT release date: When and where to watch Kunchacko Boban’s film Epstein files, Trump connections, 3.5 million pages: New York pop-up puts it all on display Iron-rich rice, protein wheat and fortified millets part of push to tackle India’s hidden hungerNEW DELHI: With nearly 67% of Indian children and more than half of women suffering from anaemia, Indian agricultural scientists have developed 203 biofortified crop varieties enriched with iron, zinc, protein and vitamins in an attempt to fight malnutrition through everyday food staples.The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), in a new report released this year, said the nutrient-rich varieties developed between 2014 and 2025 include iron-rich rice, protein-rich wheat, zinc-enriched maize and fortified millets aimed at improving nutrition without requiring people to change food habits.According to figures cited in the report, 67.1% of children aged 6-59 months and over 57% women aged 15-49 years in India are anaemic, while the country continues to face a serious burden of malnutrition and micronutrient deficiencies. The report said India also faces widespread “hidden hunger” caused by deficiencies of essential micronutrients such as iron and zinc.The publication, Biofortified Crop Varieties: Sustainable Way to Alleviate Malnutrition, states that the crops were developed through conventional and molecular breeding methods to naturally increase nutrients such as iron, zinc, calcium, protein and vitamin-A.ICAR said India has so far developed 70 biofortified wheat varieties, 43 maize varieties, 18 pearl millet varieties and 16 rice varieties, along with nutrient-rich pulses, oilseeds, vegetables and fruits.The push for nutrient-rich crops comes amid the launch of the SEHAT (Science Excellence for Health through Agricultural Transformation) mission by Union health minister J.P. Nadda and Union agriculture minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, with ICMR and ICAR seeking to link agriculture with nutrition and disease prevention.The report argues that biofortified crops could offer a low-cost and sustainable alternative to supplements and food fortification programmes because nutrients are delivered through foods people consume daily.ICAR director general M.L. Jat said dietary risks now account for 54.6% of India’s disease burden and stressed the need to make the country’s agri-food system more nutrition-sensitive.Union agriculture minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said India had achieved record foodgrain production of 357.7 million tonnes in 2024-25, but added that improving nutritional quality was equally important for food security.About the AuthorAnuja JaiswalAnuja Jaiswal is a Senior Assistant Editor at The Times of India, with an impressive 18-year career in narrative journalism. She specializes in health and heritage reporting, expertly simplifying complex health information to make it engaging and understandable for readers. Her deep dives into heritage topics are well-researched, resulting in captivating narratives that resonate with her audience. Over the years, she has worked in Chandigarh, Chhattisgarh and West UP, gaining diverse on-ground experience that shapes her storytelling.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosFormer TMC Minister Sujit Bose Arrested By ED In Municipality Recruitment ‘Scam’PM Modi Slams Destination Weddings Abroad, Urges Indians To Avoid Foreign Travel’Voted For Whistle’: MDMK Chief Vaiko’s House Helps’ Meeting With CM Vijay Goes ViralRahul Slams PM Modi’s Crisis Appeal | NIA Probes Bengaluru Security Scare IntensifyTMC Leaders Turn On I-PAC After Bengal Poll Rout, Raise Explosive Claims Against FirmAfter PM Modi’s ‘Save Oil’ Appeal, Rajnath Singh Chairs Key Energy Security Review Meeting’Deeply Shocking’: TVK Ally Questions Vijay Over Vande Mataram Priority At Oath CeremonyTVK Blames Governor’s Office As Tamil Anthem Row Explodes After Vijay’s Oath CeremonySC Asks Mamata To File Fresh Pleas Regarding Victory Margin Being Less Than SIR DeletionsCM Vijay Meets MK Stalin Amid Treasury Row, Fuels Buzz Over Tamil Nadu’s Political Reset123PhotostoriesIs hantavirus the next COVID? WHO director-general flags key pointers10 baby boy names inspired by the galaxyMorning affirmation at 5 AM: One small shift that changes everythingGold price inflation: Trending alternatives to traditional gold jewellery in 2026Ripe vs Raw Papaya: Which has more nutrition and 5 ways to consume them during summerWhy Kumar Vishwas doesn’t keep these 2 things in his kitchen and shares his Aloo Tamatar Sabzi recipe10 wise quotes by Sudha Murty on love, life and marriageThese 10 daily habits could be the real reason you feel tired, stuck, and brokeAishwarya to Tara: Indian celebrities expected to shine at Cannes Film Festival 20265 stunning flowering plants that can cause Hay Fever123Hot PicksCBSE class 12 resultModi on buying goldOil prices todayPune child rape-murder casePerambur election resultIndia-New Zealand FTASugarcane price hikeTop TrendingRCBYesterday Match ResultIPL Points TableUS Iran warTilak VarmaChandranath Rath MurderIPL Orange Cap 2026AIADMK splitPM Modi WFHPBKS vs DC Match Preview BCECEB DCECE (PE/PM/PMM) 2026 exam schedule released; admit card to be released on May 14 ‘Raja Shivaji’ box office collection day 11: Riteish Deshmukh’s film sees drop after weekend surge, mints below Rs 2.50 cr Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan sends congratulations message to Nvidia’s Jensen Huang, says ‘It was my honor to place upon him…’ NEW DELHI: Thousands of postgraduate medical aspirants appearing for the May 2026 Institute of National Importance Combined Entrance Test (INI-CET) have flagged delayed admit card access and allotment of exam centres hundreds of kilometres away, barely a week before the May 16 examination.The AIIMS Delhi-conducted exam released admit cards around 3 pm on May 9, but candidates alleged the website slowed down or crashed soon after, preventing many from downloading hall tickets for nearly 9-10 hours. Several students said they could access the portal only after midnight, triggering a flood of complaints on social media.“You charge ₹4,000 for the application form and the website still crashed for hours,” tweeted Dr Aman Kumar (@manish__aman).According to AIIMS officials, heavy traffic from simultaneous logins temporarily slowed the portal. “If one lakh people access any website at the same time, it can slow down or crash. This happens with many exams, including NEET. The site is now working fine and candidates have been able to download admit cards,” officials said.Candidates also flagged allotment of distant exam centres. Aspirants from large states such as Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra and Rajasthan said they were allotted centres 500-800 km away because INI-CET collected only state-wise, not city-wise, preferences during registration.An Agra-based candidate said she was allotted Varanasi, around 650 km away, while a Mumbai aspirant claimed she received Nanded as her centre, increasing travel costs and logistical difficulties. Students said travelling within states like UP and Rajasthan itself can take 12-24 hours, while the seven-day gap between admit card release and the exam leaves little time for confirmed train or flight bookings.“There are hundreds of such cases,” a candidate said, urging AIIMS to review the centre allocation process.On complaints regarding distant centres, AIIMS officials said allotments depend on seat availability and preference patterns, adding that candidates are asked to fill state-wise rather than city-wise preferences to prevent possible malpractice in centre allocation. “The effort is always to allot the closest possible centre, but in large states such as Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Maharashtra, some candidates may still get centres 500-800 km away if nearby seats are already filled,” officials said.Dr Naval K. Vikram, Associate Dean (Examinations) at AIIMS Delhi, said around 95,000 candidates had received either their first or second preferred state and over one lakh candidates are appearing for the exam this year. Nearly 96,000 admit cards had already been downloaded till Sunday, he said.INI-CET is conducted twice a year, in May and November, for admission to postgraduate courses at AIIMS and other Institutes of National Importance across the country.About the AuthorAnuja JaiswalAnuja Jaiswal is a Senior Assistant Editor at The Times of India, with an impressive 18-year career in narrative journalism. She specializes in health and heritage reporting, expertly simplifying complex health information to make it engaging and understandable for readers. Her deep dives into heritage topics are well-researched, resulting in captivating narratives that resonate with her audience. Over the years, she has worked in Chandigarh, Chhattisgarh and West UP, gaining diverse on-ground experience that shapes her storytelling.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosFormer TMC Minister Sujit Bose Arrested By ED In Municipality Recruitment ‘Scam’PM Modi Slams Destination Weddings Abroad, Urges Indians To Avoid Foreign Travel’Voted For Whistle’: MDMK Chief Vaiko’s House Helps’ Meeting With CM Vijay Goes ViralRahul Slams PM Modi’s Crisis Appeal | NIA Probes Bengaluru Security Scare IntensifyTMC Leaders Turn On I-PAC After Bengal Poll Rout, Raise Explosive Claims Against FirmAfter PM Modi’s ‘Save Oil’ Appeal, Rajnath Singh Chairs Key Energy Security Review Meeting’Deeply Shocking’: TVK Ally Questions Vijay Over Vande Mataram Priority At Oath CeremonyTVK Blames Governor’s Office As Tamil Anthem Row Explodes After Vijay’s Oath CeremonySC Asks Mamata To File Fresh Pleas Regarding Victory Margin Being Less Than SIR DeletionsCM Vijay Meets MK Stalin Amid Treasury Row, Fuels Buzz Over Tamil Nadu’s Political Reset123Photostories5 healthiest ways to eat Dates for better blood sugar controlIs hantavirus the next COVID? WHO director-general flags key pointers10 baby boy names inspired by the galaxyMorning affirmation at 5 AM: One small shift that changes everythingGold price inflation: Trending alternatives to traditional gold jewellery in 2026Ripe vs Raw Papaya: Which has more nutrition and 5 ways to consume them during summerWhy Kumar Vishwas doesn’t keep these 2 things in his kitchen and shares his Aloo Tamatar Sabzi recipe10 wise quotes by Sudha Murty on love, life and marriageThese 10 daily habits could be the real reason you feel tired, stuck, and brokeAishwarya to Tara: Indian celebrities expected to shine at Cannes Film Festival 2026123Hot PicksCBSE class 12 resultModi on buying goldOil prices todayPune child rape-murder casePerambur election resultIndia-New Zealand FTASugarcane price hikeTop TrendingRCBYesterday Match ResultIPL Points TableUS Iran warTilak VarmaChandranath Rath MurderIPL Orange Cap 2026AIADMK splitPM Modi WFHPBKS vs DC Match Preview