India

NEW DELHI: Union education ministry will launch a nationwide drive to identify and enrol out-of-school and dropout children through the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS), as part of efforts to achieve 100% gross enrolment ratio (GER) from pre-school to secondary level by 2030.Data from the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) 2023-24 shows nearly 2…

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday held a telephonic conversation with Bahrain’s King Hamad Bin Isa Al Khalifa, discussing regional developments in West Asia, condemning attacks on critical infrastructure, and stressing the need to keep global shipping routes secure.“Had a fruitful discussion with the King of Bahrain, His Majesty King Hamad Bin Isa…

NEW DELHI: The Himachal Pradesh government has proposed a new cess on petrol and diesel to fund welfare measures for orphans and widows.Chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Friday introduced the Himachal Pradesh Value Added Tax (Amendment) Bill, 2026, in the assembly, seeking to levy an “orphan and widow cess” on petrol and high-speed diesel,…

NEW DELHI: The government has intensified action against illegal online gambling and betting platforms, blocking around 300 websites and applications in the latest round, according to official sources. The move is part of an ongoing enforcement drive that has gathered pace after the passage of the Online Gaming Act, which laid down a clearer framework…

Indian Death in Saudi: An Indian national died in Riyadh; the embassy of India in Saudi Arabia is assisting the family, with MEA reporting six deaths so far. Sri Lanka neutrality: Sri Lanka rejected a US request to station warplanes, citing neutrality in the Iran war. Air India Error: Air India recalled a Delhi–Vancouver flight…

NEW DELHI: An Indian national died in Riyadh following recent developments on March 18, the Embassy of India in Saudi Arabia confirmed in an official statement.The mission confirmed it is in touch with the deceased’s family as well as local authorities, and is providing all necessary assistance. It also expressed condolences and said it is…

NEW DELHI: Leader of opposition Rahul Gandhi on Fruday pitched the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) as a unified and people-centric alliance ahead of the Kerala assembly elections, saying the coalition represents both experience and fresh leadership rooted in local realities.“Each candidate reflects the voice, the aspirations and the trust of the people of Keralam….

NEW DELHI: CP(M) rebel leader G Sudhakaran on Friday announced that he would campaign against Keralam agriculture minister P Prasad in Cherthala, accusing him of making “unwarranted remarks.”Speaking to reporters in Alappuzha, Sudhakaran, who is contesting as an independent with the backing of the Congress-led opposition United Democratic Front (UDF), noted that he had earlier…

PM Modi condemns strikes on Qatar energy infrastructure during talks with Amir Al Thani On a day the conflict in the West Asia region escalated sharply with Israel striking Iran’s South Pars gas field, and Tehran responding with attacks on energy sites across the Gulf, PM Narendra Modi spoke to the leaders of Qatar, Oman,…

KOLKATA/DARJEELING: BJP released its second list of 111 candidates for Bengal, placing faith in familiar faces – former MPs, sitting MLAs and veterans – while ditching long-time ally Gorkha National Liberation Front in three seats of Darjeeling-Kalimpong hills, report Rohit Khanna & Roshan Gupta.Former MPs Nisith Pramanik (Mathabhanga), Arjun Singh (Noapara), Roopa Ganguly (Sonarpur Dakshin)…