India Archives - National Times

13 May

CM Bhagwant Mann Slams Federal Government Over NEET Scandal and Alleged Intimidation of Diljit Dosanjh

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsIndiaAAP campaign, Bhagwant Mann, Diljit Dosanjh, Election 2026, NEET leak, Punjab News, Rangla Punjab

New Delhi (Gurpreet Singh): Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Wednesday slammed the BJP-led Centre over the NEET paper leak, calling it a betrayal of lakhs of students whose dreams were crushed by repeated failures in the examination system. Targeting the BJP on multiple fronts, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann also asserted that after Punjabi singer Diljit Dosanjh refused to enter politics at the BJP’s behest, a campaign of intimidation had been unleashed against him. Positioning governance and welfare as AAP’s central electoral pitch ahead of the Punjab polls, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann asserted that the party would seek a…

13 May

NEET Paper Leak Row Reaches Supreme Court; Plea Seeks Replacement of NTA

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsEntertainment, India, TrendingNeet Exam, Supreme Court of India

Rajeev Sharma :- The controversy surrounding the NEET-UG paper leak has now reached the Supreme Court, with a petition seeking the replacement of the National Testing Agency (NTA) and the creation of a new independent examination body. The plea, filed by the Federation of All India Medical Associations (FAIMA), has also sought directions to the CBI to submit a status report within four weeks regarding the ongoing investigation into the alleged leak. The petition has raised serious concerns over the credibility and functioning of the NTA, demanding structural reforms in the examination system. It has urged the apex court to…

13 May

Prateek Yadav, Mulayam Singh Yadav’s younger son, dies at 38

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndia

Rajeev Sharma :- Prateek Yadav, Mulayam Singh Yadav's younger son and Akhilesh Yadav's step brother, died on Wednesday in Lucknow. He was reportedly unwell for some time and was brought to Lucknow Civil Hospital at around 6 am where doctors declared him dead. ਆਟੋਮੋਬਾਈਲਜ਼ ਸਮੀਖਿਆਵਾਂ Prateek was 38 years old and married to BJP leader Aparna Yadav. A few weeks ago, he was admitted to Medanta Hospital in Lucknow, where Akhilesh Yadav had also visited him. After his condition showed some improvement, he was brought back home.

13 May

PM Modi Orders 50% Reduction in Official Convoy to Promote Austerity

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsEntertainment, India, TrendingIndia, PM Narendra Modi

Rajeev Sharma :- Prime Minister Narendra Modi has initiated a major austerity measure by directing a significant reduction in the size of his official convoy, aiming to encourage fiscal discipline and curb unnecessary government expenditure. The move is being seen as a symbolic as well as practical step towards promoting restraint within the administrative machinery. According to sources, the Prime Minister has instructed the Special Protection Group (SPG) to cut the number of vehicles in his convoy by nearly half. At the same time, he has also expressed a preference for increasing the use of electric vehicles in the convoy.…

13 May

Import Duty on Gold, Silver Increased to 15% as Government Tightens Precious Metal Inflow

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsBusiness, India, TrendingGold, Silver

New Delhi (Rajeev Sharma): In a major policy move, the Centre has revised customs duties on imported precious metals, raising the effective levy on gold and silver to 15 per cent with immediate effect. The decision, announced through a notification by the Finance Ministry, introduces a 10 per cent basic customs duty along with a 5 per cent Agriculture Infrastructure and Development Cess, significantly increasing the cost of bringing precious metals into the country. The revised duty structure, effective from May 13, covers imports of gold, silver, platinum and various industrial products connected to the jewellery sector. Officials indicated that…

13 May

Mulayam Singh Yadav’s son Prateek Yadav’s Death Leaves Political Circles in Shock, Postmortem Underway

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndia, TrendingPrateek Yadav

Lucknow (Rajeev Sharma): Lucknow witnessed a wave of grief on Wednesday after the sudden death of Prateek Yadav, the younger son of late Samajwadi Party patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav, at the age of 38. He was rushed to a civil hospital in the city by family members in the early hours, where doctors declared him brought dead. Hospital officials confirmed that a medical board at King George’s Medical University will conduct a postmortem examination to determine the exact cause of death. Preliminary reports suggested no visible external injury marks on the body, leaving the circumstances of his demise unclear. Prateek,…

12 May

PM Modi’s Austerity Appeal Sparks Heated Debate Across India’s Jewellery Sector

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsIndiaAusterity appeal, Foreign Exchange, Gold market, Indian economy, Jewellery industry, PM Modi

New Delhi (Gurpreet Singh): Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent call for national austerity has ignited a significant debate within India's bullion markets and among economic analysts. The Prime Minister urged citizens to curb unnecessary gold purchases and reduce petrol and diesel consumption in a strategic bid to safeguard the country’s foreign exchange reserves. While some economists view this as a necessary step to fortify national financial stability and reduce the trade deficit, the jewellery industry has expressed deep concern regarding the potential economic fallout for millions of workers. The All India Gem and Jewellery Domestic Council warned that a sharp…

12 May

Punjab jail inmate linked to cross-border drone arms smuggling case in Rajasthan

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsEntertainment, India, Trending

Gurpreet Singh :- Rajasthan Police have made a major breakthrough in a cross-border drone smuggling case near the Khajuwala border area of Bikaner district, with investigations revealing that the consignment of weapons was allegedly ordered by a smuggler lodged in a Punjab jail. The case came to light in February after a drone crashed in the 24 KND area near the international border. Security agencies recovered five pistols and 325 live cartridges from the drone, triggering a joint investigation by the Border Security Force and Rajasthan Police. During the probe, investigators identified the alleged mastermind as Sukhwinder, currently lodged in…

12 May

Tamil Nadu CM Vijay orders closure of 717 liquor shops near religious places, schools

nishuthapar10 CommentsEntertainment, India, TrendingBig news, Cm, India, Tamil Nadu, Vijay

Rajeev Sharma :- In a significant move, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay has ordered closure of 717 state-run liquor retail outlets operating near places of worship, educational institutions, and bus stands across the state. According to the government, the state currently houses 4,765 Tasmac liquor retail shops. Of the 717 identified for closure, 276 are located near places of worship, 186 near educational institutions and 255 near bus stands. The move is being seen as Vijay’s first major policy decision just hours after becoming Chief Minister. The new government is presenting it as an important social reform step…

11 May

Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Embark on Strategic Five-Nation Outreach Across Gulf and Europe

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsIndiaDiplomatic Tour, Europe Trip, Gulf Visit, Narendra Modi, Nordic Summit, Strategic Ties, Trade Agreement

New Delhi (Gurpreet Singh): Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to begin a high-stakes five-nation tour spanning the Gulf and Europe from May 15 to 20, 2026. This trip is viewed as a pivotal effort to strengthen India’s strategic, economic, and technological ties during a period of significant global transition. The visit will cover the United Arab Emirates, the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, and Italy, reflecting New Delhi's proactive stance in expanding its trade and technology influence across Europe while reinforcing vital energy and diaspora connections in West Asia. Government officials have indicated that the agenda will focus heavily on trade,…