India

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

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

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

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

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

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

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…
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Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar Faints During Emotional Reunion at Kumaon University

Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar Faints During Emotional Reunion at Kumaon University

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

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

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

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

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

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

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,”…
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India Extends Airspace Ban on Pakistan Airlines Till July 24

India Extends Airspace Ban on Pakistan Airlines Till July 24

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…
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IGNOU Begins Admission for July 2025 Session; DEB ID Mandatory for Enrollment

IGNOU Begins Admission for July 2025 Session; DEB ID Mandatory for Enrollment

Chandigarh, June 23 – Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) has officially started the admission process for the July 2025 session, with a key update: a DEB ID is now mandatory for students enrolling in any Open and Distance Learning (ODL) or Online (OL) programs, as per new UGC-DEB guidelines.According to a university spokesperson, IGNOU continues its mission to deliver quality higher education to students in remote and rural areas, ensuring equal opportunities for educational advancement.The University Grants Commission–Distance Education Bureau (UGC-DEB) has mandated that all domestic learners (excluding international students) must generate a DEB ID using their ABC ID…
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DGCA Begins Intensive Audit of Air India’s Gurugram Headquarters Amid Safety Concerns

DGCA Begins Intensive Audit of Air India’s Gurugram Headquarters Amid Safety Concerns

Gurugram, June 23, 2025 – In a move signaling heightened regulatory scrutiny, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has launched a comprehensive audit of Air India’s main base in Gurugram. The intensified inspection began on June 24 and will continue through June 26, with a special eight-member team assigned—significantly larger than the usual three-member crew.Although the audit had been scheduled before the tragic crash of AI171 in Ahmedabad on June 12, the incident has added urgency to the review process. Officials said the DGCA will examine all critical operational aspects including flight planning, rostering practices, airworthiness checks, crew scheduling,…
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