India Archives - Page 319 of 375

26 Jun

India Declines to Sign SCO Defence Declaration Over Pahalgam Attack Omission

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaBalochistan reference, India SCO refusal, Pahalgam attack, Rajnath Singh, SCO declaration 2025

New Delhi, June 26, 2025 — India refused to sign the joint defence declaration of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in Qingdao, China, citing the deliberate omission of the Pahalgam terror attack while referencing Pakistan’s internal conflict in Balochistan. The move marks a strong diplomatic statement against selective acknowledgment of terrorism.Defence Minister Rajnath Singh represented India at the summit and objected to the exclusion of the April 2025 Pahalgam attack, where 26 Indian soldiers lost their lives. In contrast, the draft declaration explicitly mentioned militant activity in Pakistan’s Balochistan region, including the March hijacking of the Jaffar Express train.Calling it…

26 Jun

No Toll Tax for Two-Wheelers, Confirms Gadkari; FASTag-Based Annual Pass Coming from August 15

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaFASTag annual pass, NHAI, Nitin Gadkari, two-wheeler toll tax rumour, ₹3000 toll pass

New Delhi, June 26, 2025 — Union Minister Nitin Gadkari on Thursday dismissed media reports suggesting that the government is planning to impose toll taxes on two-wheeler vehicles. Calling the reports misleading, Gadkari clarified on X (formerly Twitter) that no such proposal has been made and the current exemption for two-wheelers at toll plazas will continue.“Some media outlets are spreading false news about toll tax on two-wheelers. There is no such plan. I condemn this kind of irresponsible journalism,” Gadkari stated firmly.The National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) also issued a separate statement confirming that no toll is being considered…

26 Jun

Rajnath Singh Calls for Unified Stand Against Terrorism at SCO Defence Ministers’ Meeting in China

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaRajnath Singh

Qingdao (China) (National Times): In a strong and clear message at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Defence Ministers' meeting in Qingdao, India's Defence Minister Rajnath Singh reiterated India’s zero-tolerance stance on terrorism, urging all SCO member states to unite against the menace and reject double standards in combating terror. “We have demonstrated that terrorism's epicentres are no longer safe havens. India will not hesitate to take decisive action against them,” Singh asserted during his address, without naming any country, though the remarks were widely seen as a veiled reference to Pakistan. Singh joined his counterparts, including Chinese Defence Minister Admiral…

25 Jun

Three Missing After Cloudbursts Trigger Flash Floods in Himachal’s Kullu District

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaGadsa Valley, Himachal Pradesh flash flood, Kullu cloudburst

Kullu (Himachal Pradesh), June 25, 2025 — At least three people have gone missing following intense cloudbursts that struck Himachal Pradesh’s Kullu district on Tuesday night, triggering flash floods in several areas. The most affected zone was the remote Gadsa Valley, where gushing waters swept away homes, roads, and vehicles.The State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) confirmed that the sudden downpour led to massive surges in rivulets and nullahs, particularly impacting the Chanaun panchayat, where three individuals were reported missing. A large number of houses were damaged, and local infrastructure, including roads and power lines, suffered substantial disruption.Rescue operations are in…

25 Jun

CBSE Class 10 Exams to Be Held Twice a Year from 2025-26 Academic Session

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaCBSE 2025-26 reforms, CBSE board exams twice a year, Class 10 new exam policy

New Delhi, June 25, 2025 — In a major shift aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has announced that students of Class 10 will now be allowed to appear for board exams twice a year, starting from the 2025–26 academic session.The announcement, released on the official CBSE website, stated that the two-phase board examination system will help reduce pressure on students by giving them a second chance to improve their scores. It also aligns with the board’s aim to promote continuous and holistic assessment.According to the CBSE notification, the first phase…

25 Jun

Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar Faints During Emotional Reunion at Kumaon University

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaJagdeep Dhankhar faints, Kumaon University Golden Jubilee, Vice President

Nainital, June 25, 2025 — Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar fainted on stage during a public event at Kumaon University’s Golden Jubilee celebration, causing brief panic before he was revived and safely escorted away.Dhankhar had just delivered a nearly 45-minute speech as the chief guest at the ceremony when he descended from the dais and warmly hugged Dr Mahendra Singh Pal, a former parliamentary colleague from 1989. The emotional moment became tense when Dhankhar suddenly collapsed into Pal’s arms.Medical teams rushed in immediately and managed to revive him within minutes. He was promptly taken to Raj Bhavan in Nainital under the…

25 Jun

DSGMC Executive Board Re-elected Unopposed: A Testament to Unity and Seva

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsIndia, PunjabDSGMC, Punjab

New Delhi (National Times): In a significant and symbolic development, the Executive Board of the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) has been re-elected unopposed, a rare and commendable instance that reflects deep-rooted unity, mutual trust, and a shared commitment to serve the Panth. The peaceful and uncontested re-election of the board stands as a testament to the collective will of the Sikh leadership in Delhi, placing service (Seva), harmony, and Panthic priorities above political rivalry or factionalism. Newly Elected DSGMC Office Bearers: Harmeet Singh Kalka – President Harvinder Singh K.P. – Vice President Atma Singh Lubana – Junior Vice…

24 Jun

Advance PF Withdrawal of up to ₹5 Lakh Now Allowed via Auto-Settlement Mode

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaEPF digital claims, EPFO auto settlement, PF withdrawal ₹5 lakh

New Delhi, June 24, 2025 — In a major relief to Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) subscribers, the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has permitted advance withdrawals of up to ₹5 lakh from PF accounts through an automatic settlement system. The auto-mode settlement aims to speed up processing for account holders in urgent need of funds, especially in cases like illness, education, or house construction, where advance withdrawals are permitted under existing rules. As per the latest update, the auto-settlement feature will allow advance claims up to ₹5 lakh to be processed digitally without requiring manual intervention. This means eligible claimants…

24 Jun

Google Rolls Out AI-Powered Search in India via Labs for Smarter, Multimodal Queries

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaGemini 2.5, Google AI Search India, Multimodal Search, Search Labs

New Delhi, June 24, 2025 — Google has launched a powerful AI mode in India through its experimental platform Search Labs, offering users the ability to explore more complex questions, use multimodal inputs, and receive deeper, context-rich responses.The new feature, powered by a custom version of Gemini 2.5, is currently available in English. It allows users to go beyond simple queries by submitting longer and more nuanced questions, with responses enriched by follow-up suggestions and helpful web links.“Using a custom version of Gemini 2.5 lets you ask longer, more complex or nuanced questions that would have previously required multiple searches,”…

24 Jun

India Extends Airspace Ban on Pakistan Airlines Till July 24

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaIndia, Pakistan

New Delhi (National Times): In a continuing escalation of tensions between the two countries, India on Monday extended its airspace ban for Pakistan-operated aircraft until July 24, 2025. The decision comes nearly two months after the deadly terror attack in Pahalgam that claimed 26 lives, prompting a series of retaliatory measures from New Delhi. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) issued a fresh Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) today, extending the airspace restrictions that have been in place since April 30. As per the NOTAM, the ban applies to all Pakistan-registered aircraft and any planes operated, owned, or leased by…