India's political landscape is ablaze with activity! From the ongoing debates surrounding the new farm bills and their impact on rural India, to the upcoming state elections shaping the national narrative, the stakes couldn't be higher. Key political figures are maneuvering strategically, with alliances shifting and power dynamics constantly in flux. The opposition's challenge to the ruling party is intensifying, sparking vigorous debates on crucial policy matters including economic reforms and social justice initiatives. Parliamentary proceedings are filled with heated exchanges, reflecting the deep divisions within the nation. This evolving political climate directly impacts the lives of every Indian citizen, influencing everything from economic opportunities to social welfare programs. Stay informed about the latest developments in Indian politics, from crucial legislative decisions to grassroots movements, by exploring Abtak.com for in-depth analysis and breaking news updates. Understanding the intricacies of our political system is crucial; stay engaged, stay informed, and stay ahead.
SHILLONG, Dec 16: In a major development at the North-Eastern Hill University (NEHU), Sumarbin Umdor on Monday tendered his resignation from the post of Pro Vice-Chancellor, Shillong Campus, with immediate effect from the afternoon of December 15. In his resignation letter addressed to Vice-Chancellor Prabha Shankar Shukla, Prof Umdor stated that he has handed over charge to the Senior Pro Vice-Chancellor, Fameline K. Marak, in accordance with university norms. Explaining the circumstances leading to his decision, Prof Umdor said that over the past year, during the continued absence of the VC from the university campus and Meghalaya, the responsibility for the day-to-day functioning of the university rested with him in his capacity as Pro VC of the main campus. He stated that despite sustained opposition from students and various associations to the Vice-Chancellor's involvement in university affairs, efforts were made to ensure that academic and administrative matters were handled smoothly and responsibly, including the timely conduct of end-of-semester undergraduate and postgraduate examinations. Prof Umdor highlighted several key achievements during his tenure, including meetings of the Academic Council, completion of long-pending promotions of teachers under the Career Advancement Scheme (CAS) at Levels 11 and 12, promotions of non-teaching staff through the Departmental Promotion Committee (DPC), making a 100-seater girls' hostel with the creation of 24 additional hostel seats operational, finalisation of recruitment advertisements for non-teaching staff, compliance with court directives, and progress on various academic and administrative matters. He also noted that the campus hosted several national-level academic programmes, including the Smart India Hackathon 2025, enhancing NEHU's academic visibility and student engagement. Referring to financial challenges, Prof Umdor said the university faced a 42% reduction in UGC recurring grants for the financial year 2025-26. He said austerity measures, rationalised deployment of resources, and revision of examination fees were undertaken to stabilise the university's finances and safeguard the wages of temporary staff. Prof Umdor further pointed out that the university is currently at a crucial stage in implementing the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, including the introduction of new curricula, internships, vocational components, and MOOCs. He said the NEP-UG programme has progressed to its fifth semester and that CUET-based admissions for affiliated colleges were successfully conducted for the first time in Meghalaya. He also referred to a recent campus accident in which two students were seriously injured, stating that the administration provided necessary support to the affected families and initiated steps to strengthen campus safety. However, Prof Umdor noted that decisions taken in the routine discharge of academic and administrative responsibilities were increasingly being contested, resulting in delays and disruption. He said repeated attempts to convene meetings of the Executive Council under the chairmanship of the VC, despite strong opposition from students and staff associations, contributed to unrest and vitiated the campus atmosphere. He said his suggestion to allow the Senior Pro VC of the Tura Campus to chair Executive Council meetings until outstanding issues with stakeholders were resolved was not accepted. He stated that the prevailing situation had already resulted in the resignation of the Registrar and the Finance Officer, who were senior faculty members holding additional administrative responsibilities. Stating that he had concurrently discharged multiple responsibilities over the past two years, including Controller of Examinations, Finance Officer, Chairman of the Central Admission Committee and the Pro VC, Prof Umdor said that under the prevailing circumstances, marked by the absence of essential support systems and persistent uncertainty over key institutional decisions, it had become impossible for him to discharge his duties effectively. "I sincerely hope that the university will regain stability and continue on a path of progress for the benefit of its students and the larger community," he said, adding that NEHU was established for the welfare of students and the people of the region. On Monday, four major stakeholders of NEHU -- the NEHU Students' Union, NEHU Teachers' Association, NEHU Non-Teaching Staff Association, and the Khasi Students' Union, NEHU Unit -- jointly appealed to Prof Umdor to resign in the larger interest of the university. In a joint petition, the organisations expressed serious concern over what they described as his inability to function in accordance with assurances given by representatives of the Ministry of Education in the presence of Executive Council members and representatives of students and teachers. They alleged that the continued failure to act in line with these commitments had prolonged uncertainty and eroded confidence among students, teachers and staff.
CHITTOOR (Andhra Pradesh): The Apollo University, Apollo Hospitals and University of Leicester, United Kingdom, have partnered to establish the Centre for Digital Health and Precision Medicine (CDHPM) at The Apollo University campus in Chittoor, Andhra Pradesh. The advanced research center will bring together the expertise and resources of both institutions to create a global hub for digital health and precision medicine. The CDHPM will be the hub in Chittoor, India. The hub at the University of Leicester will be based at the BHF Cardiovascular Research Centre at Glenfield Hospital, Leicester ...Read More >
Hyderabad: The National Medical Commission (NMC), the regulatory authority for medical education in India, cautioned MBBS aspirants and their parents not to fall for fake offers promising easy admissions and offshore courses that are not legally sanctioned. The commission pointed out several unauthorised medical colleges operating in India without requisite approvals that mislead students and parents by offering bogus courses. In an advisory, NMC listed out important points during admission process in medical colleges across India and mandatory rules while pursuing education in foreign count ...Read More >
Nagpur: Forced or allured conversion is violence, and bringing tribal brethren back to their original fold is correction, said Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) sarsanghchalak Mohan Bhagwat during the valedictory function of RSS' Karyakarta Vikas Varg-II at Hedgewar Smruti Mandir premises in Reshimbagh on Thursday.Bhagwat was responding to concerns raised by the chief guest, former Congressman and minister in Indira Gandhi's govt, Arvind Netam, who warned the gathering of swayamsevaks that widespread conversions threaten the identity and existence of India's tribal communities. "If this contin ...Read More >
Lakhimpur Kheri, December 3: Talent knows no boundaries. A testament to this is 28-year-old Muneer Khan from Lakhimpur Kheri in Uttar Pradesh, whose innovations and technical skills have gained him global recognition. From a 'smart water bottle' to 'smart soil testing device,' and more recently, 'AI-enabled eye-glasses,' what makes his innovations stand out is their ability to improve everyday convenience for ordinary people. Born in a humble and poor family in Kheri's Gauriya village, Muneer lost his father when he was just one year old. His four older brothers and mother worked tirelessly t ...Read More >
Former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal announced several pre-election promises targeting auto drivers. These include a ₹10 lakh insurance policy, ₹1 lakh for daughters' marriages, a biannual ₹2,500 uniform allowance, free coaching for their children, and the relaunch of the 'PoochO' ride-booking app. Kejriwal and the AAP are campaigning to secure a third term in the upcoming February elections.Ahead of crucial Delhi assembly polls, Arvind Kejriwal promised several measures for auto dri ...Read More >
Bengaluru, Dec 11 (PTI) The National Law School of India University, which has pioneered and developed an integrated five-year BA LLB (honours) degree that transformed Indian legal education, has now come up with a three-year (honours) BA course with an option of an additional fourth year. The first cohort of the programme will be admitted in July 2025, the NLSIU said. "We are looking to develop something that is responsive to 2025, but is completely different," the NLSIU Vice Chancellor Sudhir Krishnaswamy said at the launch of the programme. He said the university will teach the social sc ...Read More >
Jharkhand supplementary budget: The Jharkhand Assembly on Thursday (December 12) passed the second supplementary budget of Rs 11,697.45 crore for the 2024-25 fiscal year. Following the budget's passage, Speaker Rabindra Nath Mahato adjourned the four-day session of the assembly sine die. Finance Minister Radhakrishna Kishore tabled the second supplementary budget, with the largest allocation of Rs 6,390.55 crore directed to the Women, Child Development, and Social Security Department. This significant funding aims to enhance the government's flagship initiative, the Maiyan Samman Yojana. Und ...Read More >
Vijayawada (Andhra Pradesh) [India], May 22 (ANI): Former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and YSRCP president YS Jagan Mohan Reddy on Thursday launched a scathing attack on the current TDP-led government in the State, accusing Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu of failing to deliver on pre-election promises and engaging in financial mismanagement. The former chief minister also took aim at what he called the "yellow media" for biased reporting in favour of the ruling party. "I am not only fighting against Chandrababu Naidu but also against the 'yellow media'," Reddy said in a press conference. ...Read More >
Hisar, Jun 26 (PTI) Protesting Haryana Agricultural University (HAU) students on Thursday said that they haven't withdrawn their agitation and will only do so once a formal order addressing their agreed-upon demands is issued. An agreement was reached between the protesting HAU students and the state government on Wednesday, reportedly after most of their demands in connection with the alleged June 10 assault on students were accepted. Also Read | What Are the New Metro Compensation Rules in India? Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs Enhances Payouts for Death and Severe Injuries; Check De ...Read More >
A Delhi University panel's decision to drop proposed postgraduate Political Science papers on Islam, Pakistan, and China has failed to find consensus among the members. Photograph: Courtesy @UnivofDelhi/X While some called it ideological censorship, those who supported the decision termed it a step towards making the syllabus "India-centric" and free from bias. In its meeting on Wednesday, DU's Standing Committee for Academic Matters directed the removal of four elective papers -- Islam and In ...Read More >
New Delhi: University Grant Commission (UGC) Chairman M Jagadesh Kumar has announced changes in the Common University Entrance Test (CUET), undergraduate and postgraduate 2025, saying the total number of subjects has been reduced to 37 from 63 and there will be uniform exam duration of 60 minutes. He said 20 language subjects have been discontinued and admissions to the dropped subjects can be done based on General Aptitude Test (GAT) scores. The domain-specific subjects were 29 earlier, but the UGC has decided to discontinue six subjects, bringing the number down to 23, Kumar added. The cha ...Read More >
Haridwar: A woman politician has been arrested for allegedly letting her boyfriend and others repeatedly rape her 13-year-old daughter in Haridwar, Uttarakhand. The horrifying crime, which occurred between January and March, was exposed when the minor bravely confided in her father, prompting a police investigation that led to the arrest of the accused. The accused was arrested with her boyfriend and one more. According to police reports, the minor was gang-raped multiple times, often in the presence of her mother. The minor, who had been living with her father following her parents' separat ...Read More >
Srinagar: Before towering cranes and cutting-edge engineering transformed the Himalayan landscape, the monumental dream of connecting "Kashmir to Kanyakumari" by rail began with the plodding footsteps of humble mules. This extraordinary backstory underpins the official realization of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL), inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on June 6, 2025, a project crowned by the awe-inspiring Chenab Bridge. According to Afcons Infrastructure Limited, the company behind the Chenab Bridge, the earliest and most formidable hurdle wasn't just the design of ...Read More >
Mumbai, Jun 8 (PTI) Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Sunday said Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, instead of introspecting on the defeat in the 2024 state assembly polls, has been repudiating the mandate given by the people because they rejected him. The leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha is preparing his excuses for future defeats in the upcoming assembly elections, including Bihar, Fadnavis said in his articles published in the Indian Express and Marathi daily Loksatta. On Saturday, Gandhi, in an article published in several newspapers and in posts on X, claimed the 2024 Maharas ...Read More >
Mumbai, June 27 (SocialNews.XYZ) Bollywood actor Ayushmann Khurrana joins names such as Kamal Haasan, Ariana Grande, and Jeremy Strong at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences this year. Ayushmann along with names such as Kamal Haasan Naomi Ackie, Gillian Anderson, Branford Marsalis, Conan O'Brien, Jimmy Kimmel, Stephen Graham, Jodie Comer and Jason Momoa are among 534 individuals who were invited to join the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences on June 26. "We are thrilled to invite this esteemed class of artists, technologists, and professionals to join the Academy," said Ac ...Read More >
New Delhi: From 2025, the CUET-UG will be conducted exclusively as a computer-based test (CBT), and students will have the flexibility to appear for any subject, regardless of what they studied in class 12. This decision follows a review conducted by an expert panel set up by the University Grants Commission (UGC), as explained by UGC Chairman Jagadesh Kumar. What are the major changes? In an interview with PTI, Kumar elaborated on the changes saying, "The exam will be conducted only in CBT mode from 2025, unlike the hybrid mode used last year. We have also reduced the number of subjects fr ...Read More >
Agartala (Tripura) [India], December 12 (ANI): Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha inaugurated the opening ceremony of the 68th National School Games for Judo (Under-17 Girls) at NSRCC, Netaji Chowmuhani in Agartala. The competition, which will take place from December 12 to 15, will feature talent at the national level and will feature 31 teams, comprising representatives from 27 states and four organisations. Approximately 350 players, coaches, and managers are attending. Tripura's athletes have consistently excelled, earning medals in previous editions of the National School Games and Khelo ...Read More >
New Delhi, Dec 12 (PTI) Terming the 5.4 per cent GDP growth in the second quarter as a "temporary phenomena", FICCI President Harsha Vardhan Agarwal on Thursday said the industry body expects India to achieve 6.5-7 per cent economic growth in the current financial year, while projecting a pick up in private investment. In an interview to PTI, Agarwal, who is also the Vice Chairman & Managing Director of Emami Ltd, said the RBI needs to manoeuvre a "tight-rope balancing act" between inflation and economic growth, as he opined that the central bank has been doing a prudent job. Notably, the FI ...Read More >
Hyderabad: Class 10 student, Samudra Laxmi Bhavani Keerthi, who was bitten by rats 15 times, at the state-run BC Welfare Hostel, in Danavaigudem, Khammam, has been partially paralysed in an arm and a leg after an alleged overdose of rabies vaccine. Keerthi was administered the vaccine every time she was bitten by a rat during March and November. Keerthi's mother, Samudra Bindu said that when the girl was first bitten in February she was taken to the hospital and given the vaccine, without her knowledge. Last week the hostel informed Bindu that Keerthi was unable to walk and had to be carried ...Read More >
Agartala, Jan 31 (VOICE) Tripura has 73 per cent reserve forest cover and absorb huge carbon from the atmosphere, Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha said, adding that keeping this in mind, the state government has sought 20 per cent devolution of taxes in the forests and ecology category to the 16th Finance Commission, which is now visiting the state.The 16th Finance Commission headed by its Chairman Arvind Panagariya arrived in Tripura on Wednesday on a four-day visit to the state and held a series of meetings with the Tripura council of ministers headed by the Chief Minister. The Commission ...Read More >
Mumbai: The University of Mumbai (MU) on Wednesday announced a revised schedule for pre-admission online registration for undergraduate admissions for the academic year 2025-2026. This decision comes after three merit lists were already published under the original schedule and is aimed at giving an opportunity to students who failed to complete their registration in time. Students will now be able to register online for admission between 6 and 10 June 2025 through the university's official website at https://mu.ac.in/admission. The university has clarified that applications submitted during ...Read More >
Srinagar, Jun 7 (PTI) Authorities on Saturday barred Eid prayers from taking place at the Eidgah ground and the Jama Masjid in the old city here, while Hurriyat Conference chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq claimed that he was put under house arrest. "Anjuman Auqaf Jama Masjid Srinagar deeply regrets to inform that the authorities have once again disallowed Eid-ul-Adha prayers at the Eidgah as well as at the historic Jama Masjid in Srinagar by closing the gates of the mosque and deploying police personnel outside," the management of the historic mosque said in a statement. ...Read More >
Mumbai, Jun 7 (PTI) In the wake of removal of its pro-Vice Chancellor for alleged financial misappropriation, city-based Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) is now contemplating to appoint a Vice Chancellor in the next couple of months. On Friday night, TISS asked its pro-VC professor Shankar Das to step down with immediate effect amid allegations of financial misappropriation and irregularities against him. "Consequent upon approval of the Competent Authority, Prof Shankar Das, Pro Vice Chancellor is hereby relieved from the charge of Pro Vice Chancellor with immediate effect," the TIS ...Read More >
New Delhi: Alleging "blatant misuse" of agencies to defame its leaders, AAP on Thursday questioned why the first information report filed against former Delhi ministers Saurabh Bharadwaj and Satyendar Jain was being kept under wraps and "selective" press notes were being leaked to the media.Bharadwaj, who is Delhi AAP convener, alleged that only two former ministers were named in the case without any reasonable cause while all the officers of the health and public works departments, who were actually responsible for executing the hospital projects, were spared. "Is the FIR so baseless that BJP ...Read More >
New Delhi: The University Grants Commission (UGC) on Wednesday announced a significant update in its approach to conducting the Common University Entrance Test (CUET) for both undergraduate (UG) and postgraduate (PG) students for the year 2025. The UGC has invited public feedback on the revised methodology aiming to refine the examination process for a better and more efficient testing environment for candidates. Since its inception in 1956 under the UGC Act, UGC has been pivotal in setting and maintaining the standards for higher education, coordinating with universities, and providing fina ...Read More >
There were no external injuries on the body. New Delhi: A student has been found dead in his hostel room at IIT Delhi. The room was locked from the inside and there were no external injuries on his body.. Officials said they received a call at the Kishangarh police station on Wednesday about a student not opening the door of his hostel room despite repeated knocking. When they reached the premier institute, police officials found that the door was locked from the inside, and it was forced open ...Read More >
Gurgaon: Two days after a law student died and his friend suffered critical injuries when a car knocked them down as they stood near railing on the service lane of Delhi-Jaipur highway in the early hours of Tuesday, a civil engineer was arrested on Thursday.Mohit (31), an employee of a private company in the city, told police that he got drowsy while driving. He is staying at a PG facility in Sector 14.The student who died, Harsh Singhal (25), was a resident of Om Nagar colony. His friend Abhishek Kumar (23), who is from Shanti Nagar in Sector 11, is undergoing treatment at a private hospital ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], December 12 (ANI): The gross NPA ratio of public sector banks declined to 3.12 per cent in September 2024 from 4.97 per cent in March 2015 and a peak of 14.58 per cent in March 2018, the government stated on Thursday, reaffirming the robustness of the banking system. The government emphasised its proactive support for the banking ecosystem, addressing both business needs and employee welfare to ensure stability, transparency, and growth. Also Read | Places of Worship Act Validity: Supreme Court Restrains Courts in Country Not to Entertain, Pass Orders on Suits Related to R ...Read More >
Bengaluru: The Karnataka government on Thursday took strong action against the police officers allegedly responsible for the Bengaluru stampede, suspending several high-ranking officials, including the city's police commissioner. Addressing a press conference, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah also announced a one-man commission to probe the lapses that triggered the deadly stampede. "Cubbon Park Police Station police inspector, station house master, station house officer, ACP, Central Division DCP, cricket stadium in-charge, additional commissioner of police, commissioner of police have been susp ...Read More >
The University of Bath is named one of the world's top 150 universities by the QS World University Rankings 2025 Offering leading MSc programmes, the University of Bath School of Management excels in combining world-class education with real-world learning opportunities. The University of Bath's School of Management is rapidly gaining international recognition as one of the United Kingdom's premier business schools. This prestigious university is first in Marketing, second in Accounting and Finance, second in Business and Management Studies in the UK according to The Complete University Guid ...Read More >