Amidst high drama, Rahul Gandhi, Oppn leaders reache Gandhi Smriti to support students

NEW DELHI, July 23: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and several Opposition leaders on Thursday reached Gandhi Smriti on Tees January Marg to pay homage to students who died by suicide over the NEET paper leak controversy and to express solidarity with those injured during the recent police action on protesters.

The visit, however, was marked by heavy police presence, barricades and claims by the Congress that Opposition leaders were stopped from moving freely.

As Opposition MPs gathered at Rahul Gandhi's residence on Sunehri Bagh Road before, heavy police presence was seen.

Police initially put up barricades on Sunehri Bagh Road to stop Congress and Youth Congress workers from moving towards Tees January Marg. The barricades were later removed, allowing Rahul Gandhi and the MPs to proceed.

In a post on X, Congress leader P Chidambaram said the MPs had been waiting inside the buses for over 25 minutes, alleging that roads across central Delhi had been barricaded and hundreds of police personnel deployed.

"We are sitting in buses for over 25 minutes. All roads are barricaded and hundreds of policemen are mobilised to 'secure' the roads of Delhi! What is the government afraid of? Why this sense of panic?" he wrote.

However, near Union Home Minister Amit Shah's residence, the leaders were stopped again, with police citing prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), which prohibits the assembly of five or more people in the area. They were later allowed to continue towards Gandhi Smriti.

Speaking to reporters while inside a bus, Gandhi alleged that the Opposition had first sought permission to visit India Gate in solidarity with students but was denied.

"In solidarity with the students, we wanted to take the Opposition MPs to India Gate. But then they refused. So then we wanted to take them to Tees January Marg, Gandhiji's assassination site. And now what they've done is they've put this bus in front of us. They've put up barricades and parked a bus on this side here. So we can't go. And they're doing a drama. Obviously, they're scared," Gandhi said.

"All the MPs felt that if the students are on the streets, we should also be on the streets," he added.

In a post on X, Gandhi said the Opposition leaders were heading to Gandhi Smriti to remember students who had allegedly taken their own lives following the NEET paper leak controversy and to stand with those injured during the recent protests.

"Right now, MPs and leaders of the INDIA alliance are peacefully heading to Gandhi Smriti on Tees January Marg. We go to remember the students we lost, the children driven to take their own lives after the NEET paper leak. And we go to stand with the students who lie injured today, beaten for peacefully demanding justice and accountability. India's students are not alone. The entire Opposition stands with them and their demands," he wrote.

Several senior Opposition leaders accompanied Gandhi, including Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi, P Chidambaram, KC Venugopal, Jairam Ramesh, Pramod Tiwari and Renuka Chowdhury. Leaders from other INDIA bloc parties, including Supriya Sule of the NCP (Sharad Pawar), RJD's Misa Bharti, Trinamool Congress leaders Mahua Moitra and Kalyan Banerjee, CPI's P Sandosh Kumar and Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Arvind Sawant, also joined the march.

Congress workers alleged that Gandhi had effectively been placed under "house arrest" after police erected barricades outside his residence, news agency ANI reported. Indian Youth Congress president Uday Bhanu Chib accused the Centre of trying to stop the Leader of the Opposition from raising students' concerns, while Congress MP Renuka Chowdhury said the party would not be intimidated by the police.

'152 Paper Leaks In 10 Years, Zero Convictions': Rahul Gandhi Targets Government

NEW DELHI, July 22: Stepping up his attack on the government over student protests, Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday said students are protesting for a legitimate reason and the government is assaulting them.

Addressing a press conference at the Congress headquarters in Delhi, Gandhi widened the scope of his attack on the Centre, saying the education system in the country has been "rigged" under the current regime.

Calling Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan "corrupt" and "incompetent", Rahul Gandhi reiterated his demand for his resignation.

"Students are demanding Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation. It is a legitimate demand. Pradhan is a corrupt and incompetent man. He must be removed," Rahul said.

Throwing his weight behind the students' demand, Gandhi said Pradhan is the "symbol of the entire mess and he must be removed".

He accused the Education Minister of destroying "India's education system, which was our biggest asset".

Listing out statistics, Gandhi claimed that at least 152 paper leaks have taken place in the last 10 years with zero accountability.

"152 leaks in 10 years translate to an average of 1 leak every month. These leaks have affected crores of our students. Yet there has been no conviction in the cases related to paper leaks in the last 10 years," Rahul Gandhi said.

"The students are asking why there has been no conviction in the last 10 years."

He further alleged that the education system of India, which used to be the country's biggest asset, has been destroyed under the current regime.

Rahul said the education system has been made unaffordable for the poor and the middle class.

Pegging the annual coaching expense for NEET aspirants in India at Rs 1.32 lakh crore, Rahul Gandhi claimed it is almost equal to the annual education budget of Rs 1.4 lakh crore.

Rahul Gandhi further claimed that the "rigged system" has locked the poor and middle class out.

"This system is only for the rich. The poor have no space in it," Rahul said.

Backing other demands of the students, Rahul Gandhi also demanded that strict action be taken against the police officials who assaulted students in the capital on Monday.

He also reiterated his demand of an apology to the students from the Prime Minister for the Monday attack on them.

Answering mediapersons' questions on police roughing him up during the Tuesday dharna outside Prime Minister's residence, Gandhi said that he is not bothered with a "few punches".

"It's an honour for me to be able to become the voice of the students. I don't care about a few punches or how I am treated. The way government treats me is not relevant. The students' demands and future are relevant."

Protests in Delhi swell; Police fire tear gas, Cut internet

NEW DELHI, July 22: Fresh tensions escalated in Delhi amid the ongoing protest led by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP). While the protest site at Jantar Mantar remained peaceful, tensions escalated on the Sansad Marg stretch, where protesters and security personnel clashed.

While security personnel hit protesters who had spilled on to Sansad Marg with tear gas shells, protesters pelted stones at police personnel and chased them on the main radial road of Connaught Place.

According to the Delhi Police, 5 police personnel - 2 ACPs, one inspector, one head constable and one constable, were injured.

The stretch from the Tolstoy Marg entry near Janpath to the NDMC Convention Centre saw no visible deployment of police or security personnel for some time, but police and paramilitary personnel were later seen stationed nearby in combat gear.

The situation became tense near Park Hotel on Sansad Marg, where the crowd allegedly turned unruly, following which tear gas shells were fired. A policeman was also chased and beaten by a section of the crowd.

Following the escalation, police brought in volunteers from the protest site to appeal to demonstrators to remain calm and avoid stone pelting. The volunteers told protesters that such incidents could undo the efforts of the movement.

As efforts were made to bring the situation under control, a volunteer was placed on top of a police bus fitted with a loudspeaker. The bus moved through the Sansad Marg stretch while appeals were made to protesters to maintain peace.

A CJP volunteer was also seen standing atop a police vehicle, appealing to protesters to refrain from stone pelting.

The crowd was also asked to sit on the road and stop sloganeering as authorities attempted to control the rising tension. The Jantar Mantar protest site, however, remained normal, with the area towards Sansad Marg cordoned off near the intersection using RPF and riot control vehicles.

Internet services were temporarily suspended in parts of central Delhi following an order issued to telecom service providers. A data alert informed users that internet services had been stopped in the area as per government instructions.

The order directed telecom companies to suspend internet services within a 1.5 km radius of Jantar Mantar from Wednesday evening 6 pm till Thursday 6 am.

Rahul, Priyanka Gandhi Moved From Protest Outside Modi's House

NEW DELHI, July 21: One of the most dramatic days in post-Independence Indian politics unfolded in New Delhi on Tuesday when Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi led a Congress protest against paper leaks and the "attack" on students to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's residence, only to be dragged away hours later.

Seeking to pile on the pressure on the Centre a day after the Cockroach Janta Party-led march to Parliament, Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra gathered outside the Congress President's house at 10, Rajaji Marg on Tuesday afternoon and marched to the PM's residence at 7, Lok Kalyan Marg, just over a kilometre away.

In an unprecedented development, Union Minister Jitendra Singh later visited the protest site and spoke to Rahul Gandhi, but the protest was broken up hours later and Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and others were detained and taken away in buses.

Rahul Gandhi was surrounded by at least 10 police personnel as he sat on the road and refused to budge. He was eventually dragged away and was seen bleeding from his nose.

Speaking to reporters after the police action, the Congress MP, who was lying on the road, declared, "Democracy in India is happening right now."

Rahul Gandhi was taken to the Chhatrasal Stadium while Priyanka Gandhi Vadra was moved to the Mandir Marg Police station. Former Congress president Sonia Gandhi visited Priyanka Gandhi Vadra at the police station, and both Gandhi siblings were released around 9 pm.

In a statement after being released, Rahul Gandhi urged the Prime Minister to initiate education reforms at the earliest and thanked people for supporting protests against the paper leaks.

Before the protesters were dispersed, sources had said Gandhi had intended to continue the sit-in overnight. He had also made an appeal for people to join him outside the PM's residence.

"An attack on students is an attack on every Indian family. PM Modi believes he can get away without answers, without consequences. He cannot. Not this time. I ask every patriotic Indian who believes our students deserve justice - join us in dharna in front of the Prime Minister's residence. The voice of India's students will not be ignored," he said in a post.

After the meeting between Singh, who is the Minister of State in the PMO, and Gandhi, Congress leaders said the talks were inconclusive.

"They wanted us to withdraw the protest and we did not agree because our demands were not met. We want Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan to resign and a discussion in Parliament on the paper leaks. More MPs, more Congress workers and more common people will join our protest," said Congress MP Syed Naseer Hussain.

Singh later alleged Gandhi had assured him the Congress would call off the protest if the government agreed to discuss all issues related to NEET and paper leaks in Parliament, and then went back on his word.

"When this information was conveyed to Shri Rahul Gandhi, he said that he would not agree to this alone but also sought assurance for the resignation of the Union Education Minister. He said that now I have two demands: Discussion in Parliament and the resignation of the Union Education Minister. When he was reminded that earlier he had only demanded discussion, he said that now my demands have changed," Singh wrote in Hindi on X.

Farmers' March To Delhi Stopped At Haryana Border

CHANDIGARH, July 21: Hundreds of farmers from Punjab, who began marching towards Delhi on Tuesday to participate in a Kisan Mahapanchayat against the proposed India-US trade deal, were stopped by Haryana Police at the Shambhu border, the entry point to Haryana.

Barricades were erected at the Punjab-Haryana border in scenes reminiscent of the February 2024 "Delhi Chalo-2" agitation when the border was turned into a fortress with concrete blocks, iron spikes and multi-layered barricading to prevent farmers from entering the national capital.

Denied passage, the farmers turned the Shambhu border into a protest site, accusing both the Haryana and Punjab governments of suppressing their democratic right to assemble in Delhi.

BKU Shaheed Bhagat Singh leader Tezveer Singh alleged that Haryana Police had erected barricades inside Punjab's territory and claimed the Punjab government had remained a "silent spectator" instead of resisting the move.

While Punjab convoys were halted, farmers from Haryana, including Ambala, Kurukshetra and neighbouring districts, continued their journey to Delhi.

The Mahapanchayat, called under the banner of the Desh Bachao Morcha, has brought together farmer organisations from Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh to demand that the Centre abandon the proposed India-US trade agreement.

Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee (KMSC) leader Sarwan Singh Pandher said convoys of KMSC, Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (Punjab chapter), Azaad Kisan Morcha and BKU Ekta Sangharsh had left from different parts of Punjab before being stopped at the Shambhu border.

Pandher said the India-US joint statement issued in February 2026 committed both countries to negotiate the first tranche of a multi-sector bilateral trade agreement by fall 2026.

He argued that the proposed pact was far more than a conventional trade deal and could open negotiations on agriculture, dairy, industry, digital trade, e-commerce, investment, government procurement, intellectual property rights and the services sector.

Farmer leaders said previous US trade reports have consistently sought deeper access to India's agriculture and dairy markets through lower tariffs and fewer restrictions on products such as soybeans, maize, cotton, ethanol, apples, almonds, dairy products, poultry and fisheries.

They warned that opening India's market to subsidised American agricultural and dairy products would leave millions of small and marginal Indian farmers unable to compete. They also expressed concern over the lack of transparency surrounding the negotiations, alleging that key details of the proposed agreement have not been made public.

The organisations said India's dairy sector alone sustains nearly 80 million rural families and cautioned that any adverse impact would ripple across the rural economy, affecting dairy producers, small traders, agri-based industries, food processors and micro enterprises.

The Desh Bachao Morcha demanded that the Centre immediately place all documents related to the proposed India-US trade agreement in the public domain and refrain from signing any pact without holding comprehensive consultations with farmers, workers, dairy producers, small traders and other stakeholders.

No decision yet on ethanol blending beyond E20: Government tells Parliament

NEW DELHI, July 21: The government on Monday told Parliament that it has taken no decision to increase the mandatory ethanol blending in petrol beyond 20%, saying any move towards higher blends would be preceded by detailed scientific studies and consultations with stakeholders.

Replying to a question in the Rajya Sabha on proposals to increase ethanol blending beyond 20% (E20), minister of state for petroleum and natural gas Suresh Gopi said: “So far, no decision has been taken by the Government for increasing ethanol blending with petrol beyond 20%.”

Gopi added that “any future decision regarding higher ethanol blends will be taken only after detailed scientific and technical studies and consultations with all relevant stakeholders, including automobile manufacturers, Oil Marketing Companies and research institutions.”

The clarification follows the petroleum ministry’s June 5 announcement of a phased expansion of 85% ethanol-blended petrol (E85), prompting questions over whether the government was reconsidering plans to promote higher ethanol blends.

However, a government official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the parliamentary reply referred to the national ethanol blending programme for conventional petrol, while the E85 initiative is a separate programme intended for flex-fuel vehicles (FFVs).

The June 5 initiative was aimed at facilitating the adoption of FFVs capable of operating on ethanol blends ranging from E20 to E100, without restricting consumers to a single blend, the official said.

“The answer in the Parliament is in the context of base blending of ethanol whereas E85 is to cater to the specific flex fuel vehicles,” the official said.

According to the petroleum ministry’s June 5 statement, Union petroleum minister Hardeep Singh Puri launched E85 fuel at an Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) retail outlet in New Delhi on World Environment Day.

The ministry had said E85 would initially be made available at 48 retail outlets operated by public sector oil marketing companies (OMCs), before being expanded to 500 outlets by December 2026 and about 5,000 outlets by December 2027.

“The rollout commences across 48 Public Sector OMC retail outlets in the country, enabling flex-fuel vehicle users to access this cleaner fuel. The initiative is slated for nationwide expansion. The same would be scaled up to 500 ROs by December 2026 and about 5,000 ROs by December 2027 and help raise India’s aggregate ethanol blending levels to nearly 26 per cent by 2030-31,” the ministry had said.

Gopi also rejected the premise that E20 is a new or suddenly introduced fuel. “Ethanol has been used as a transport fuel globally for over a century, and India’s Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) Programme commenced with a pilot in 2001,” he said.

“Rather than a sudden shift, the transition to E20 has been phased, calibrated and evidence-based, with blending increasing progressively from 1.53% in 2013-14 to 20% in 2025-26 after scientific evaluation and stakeholder consultations at every stage,” he added.

Protesters march to Parliament lathi-charged, tear-gassed

NEW DELHI, July 20: As many as 50,000 protestors took to streets in the national capital on Monday to demand the resignation of education minister Dharmendra Pradhan, according to reports on ground. The students marched towards Parliament and the protesters took over the entire Central Delhi area.

Cockroach Janta Party spokespersons on Monday said that they met union minister JP Nadda at his residence after the government reached out to them. During the meeting, CJP spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka said that they put forth their three demands in front of the minister — immediate release of Sonam Wangchuk, Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation, ₹1 crore compensation to all NEET aspirants to died by suicide.

However, hours later, Ranka said that there has been no response from the government.

Delhi police said that the protesters displayed “unruly, violent, and aggressive behaviour". They added that 70 protesters were detained and appropriate legal action is being initiated against them.

Abhijeet Dipke announced that they will continue the protest till Dharmendra Pradhan resigns, even though the police cleared the protest site after lathi charge and tear gas shelling.

Later in the evening, the protesters have returned to the stage which was dismantled by Delhi police a few hours ago. CJP’s Ashutosh Ranka told protesters that they will stay here till the Education Minister resigns.

Sonam Wangchuk announced that he will continue his hunger strike on day 23 after the police “brutality” on peaceful protesters.

Police personnel had been deployed at the site on Sunday, with a riot control vehicle entering the venue early on Monday. The CJP has continued its protest at the site for over a month, demanding the resignation of union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the NEET paper leak and other issues.

Sonam Wangchuk Removed From Protest Site, Taken To Hospital On Day 21 Of Hunger Strike

NEW DELHI, July 18: Activist Sonam Wangchuk, who has been on a hunger strike for 20 days at Delhi's Jantar Mantar, has been removed from the protest site and taken to the hospital.

Police landed at the protest site early on Saturday morning and shifted Wangchuk to hospital. The activist was protesting against Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the alleged NEET paper leak.

In a statement Delhi Police said that it has acted in accordance with the orders of the High Court and on expert medical advise due to the deteriorating health condition of Sonam Wangchuk. "Sonam Wangchuk has been shifted to the hospital for essential medical care," Police statement said.

Reports said Wangchuk has been admitted to Delhi's Safdarjung Hospital, adding that he is conscious and his vital are stable.

The police have also appealed to the protesters to vacate Jantar Mantar peacefully.

The police action came ahead of the hearing in Delhi High Court over deteriorating health. The court had two days ago directed authorities to conduct daily clinical health checks on climate activist Sonam Wangchuk. Observing that "life of any citizen is precious", the court ordered regular medical monitoring and necessary medical intervention. The High Court had told Centre that "anything and everything should be done to protect Wangchuk's life".

On Friday, doctors who checked on Wangchuk had described his condition as an emergency with a fear of his organs failing.

Daily medical bulletins had raised concerns over Sonam Wangchuk's health. A medical update two days ago had said that the activist had lost over 8 kilos and his health was deteriorating.

The 59-year-old was on fast, demanding the resignation of the education minister over the alleged NEET paper leak.

India's 1st Private Space Rocket Takes Off

SRIHARIKOTA, July 18: Anxiety and nervousness gave way to excitement and euphoria as the clock struck 12:05:30 on a clear Saturday afternoon at the Sriharikota launch pad.

As Skyroot's Vikram-1 rocket soared into space, it became the first privately developed Indian rocket to attempt an orbital mission, marking a defining moment not just for the company but also for India's rapidly emerging private space sector.

The liftoff encountered a little hiccup as the rocket blastoff was put on a "planned hold" just minutes before the scheduled timing of 11:30 am by the mission control team.

At 12:21 pm, history was made when the mission was declared successful as the commentators at the launch site announced, "Hello, space. We have arrived", with the injection of the payload in its orbit.

The liftoff has secured its place in the history of India's space missions.

Hyderabad-based Skyroot Aerospace has joined a small and elite group of global companies that have successfully developed and launched orbital rockets.

The mission, called 'Aagaman', marks the arrival of India's private sector in the global launch business.

Vikram-1 is carrying technology demonstration payloads from Grahaa Space, Cosmoserve, DCubed and Skyroot's own SCOPE, along with Cosmos Diamonds' artwork "Cosmic Bloom" and a micro-art piece featuring micro-sculptures of Sir CV Raman, Dr Vikram Sarabhai and Dr APJ Abdul Kalam.

Vikram-1 is a seven-storey-tall, multi-stage orbital launch vehicle built with an all-carbon composite structure and powered by in-house developed propulsion systems, including 3D-printed engines and high-thrust solid-fuel boosters.

Designed to carry small satellites weighing up to 350 kg to Low Earth Orbit (LEO), its first test flight is targeting a 450 km orbit at a 60-degree inclination.

As celebrations filled the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Prime Minister dialled Skyroot CEO Pawan Kumar Chandana to congratulate the team.

Congratulating the Skyroot team on the historic feat, the Prime Minister told the young team, "you have made India proud."

"You have planted India's aspirations in space and have also given roots to the dreams of the youth," PM Modi told Chandana as his team listened to the PM's praise on speakerphone.

Commending the young team, the Prime Minister said they had shown what India's youth are capable of. Chandana pointed out that the average age of his team is 28 years.

The rocket is also carrying a special message from the Prime Minister. The message, printed on a commemorative card, will travel beyond Earth's atmosphere alongside hundreds of cards carrying wishes and aspirations from people around the world.

In his message to Skyroot on a postcard, PM Modi simply wrote "Vande Mataram".

"Vande Mataram is now in space," the Skyroot CEO told the Prime Minister

Ahead of Mission 'Aagaman', Skyroot Aerospace said its Vikram-1 rocket also carries the signatures of the engineers, technicians and team members who helped build it, honouring everyone behind India's landmark private space mission.

Named after the father of India's space programme, Vikram Sarabhai, the Vikram-1 vehicle represents the next step for Skyroot after the company's successful Vikram-S suborbital mission in November 2022.

Om Birla gives nod to merger of Uddhav rebels with Shinde Sena, TMC rebels with NCPI

NEW DELHI, July 18: Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla approved the merger of six Shiv Sena (UBT) lawmakers with Maharashtra deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde-led Sena and allotted a separate seating arrangement for the 20 rebel Trinamool Congress MPs ahead of the monsoon session of Parliament.

The rebels’ plan to secure recognition as members of the Nationalist Citizens Party of India (NCPI), a nondescript party based in West Bengal and Tripura, still waits clearance from the Lok Sabha's top office.

A senior official claimed that the merger issue of the TMC rebels is “under consideration” and “an appropriate decision would be taken shortly”.

The ruling National Democratic Alliance will have 319 MPs in the Lok Sabha, still short of 41 members for the two-thirds majority mark of 360 in the House. And Sena has emerged as the second-largest ally after TDP, with 15 Members —13 in the Lok Sabha and 2 in the Upper House.

An internal circular issued by the Lok Sabha's Table Office on Saturday said, "Consequent upon the change in party affiliation of 6 members of Shiv Sena UBT in Lok Sabha, a revised party position in the 18th Lok Sabha is enclosed."

The circular showed Shiv Sena's 13 lawmakers and Sena UBT left with 3 MPs. The circular also added that 20 TMC members would sit separately.

The changes come ahead of the all-party meeting on Sunday morning and the monsoon session from Monday onwards. Interestingly, the government has already invited the rebel TMC leaders to attend the meeting as NCPI representatives.

A letter from parliamentary affairs minister Kiren Rijiju to Sudip Bandopadhyay said, "Recently, you and 19 other MPs have joined NCPI, and have already requested the Hon'ble Speaker Lok Sabha for recognition, which is under his consideration." Bandhopadhyay also met Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday evening.

TMC's Rajya Sabha floor leader Derek O'Brien criticised the Speaker's decision to allow separate seats.

"Mocking our democracy. Speaker has referred to 20 traitors as still being TMC MPs. Minutes later, Modi-Shah minister invites traitors for all-party meet & refers to them as NCPI," he tweeted.

The TMC rebels, led by Sudip Bandopadhyay and Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar, had met Birla on June 14 to submit an application for merger. Around the same time, six Sena MPs had met Birla for a similar purpose.

Birla met both the TMC leadership, including the party's floor leader Abhishek Banerjee, and the Sena UBT brass.

Earlier this week, rebel TMC leader Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar told HT that the Speaker had assured the group that they would get a separate office and seating arrangement in Parliament, which was an indirect recognition of the merger with NCPI.

India joins select group of nations operating hydrogen-powered trains

JIND, July 17: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the country's first hydrogen-powered train on Friday, making it ​one of a handful of nations to use ‌the zero-emission, clean fuel technology.

India joins a select group of countries, including Germany, Japan, China and the United States, with such ​trains. They produce only heat and water ​vapour as by-products, a cleaner alternative to ⁠traditional diesel locomotives.

The 10-coach train set, which has ​a capacity of 2,600 passengers, will run twice a ​day between the cities of Jind and Sonipat in the northern state of Haryana, bordering the national capital of Delhi.

After ​flagging the hydrogen train on its 90-km (55-mile) route, ​Modi said India would continue to find ways to improve ‌efficiency, ⁠reduce costs and expand the network.

"The project combines advanced propulsion technology with dedicated hydrogen storage, refueling and operational infrastructure," a government statement said on Thursday.
The ​train set, designed, ​engineered and ⁠built in India, is expected to operate at a maximum speed of 75 ​km (47 miles) per hour, powered by ​a ⁠1,200-kilowatt hydrogen fuel cell propulsion system.

India has electrified nearly all of its 70,000-km (43,500-mile) broad-gauge network, one of the ⁠world's ​largest, in an effort to ​achieve net zero carbon emissions in its railways by 2030.

'Rs 40 lakh for a NEET UG question paper': Rahul Gandhi shares 'paper ka rate', claims high tech used in leaks

DEHRADUN, July 17: Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, on Friday, attacked the Centre in 'Chhatron Ki Goonj' rally in Dehradun over repeated examination paper leaks, alleging that the country's education system has reached a point where leaked question papers are available at fixed prices and sophisticated technology is being used to manipulate recruitment and entrance examinations.

Addressing the rally, Gandhi used a series of graphics to argue that paper leaks have become institutionalized and claimed honest students are paying the price for a system that favours a privileged few.

Showing a graphic titled "Paper Ka Rate", Gandhi claimed examination papers are being sold like products with predetermined rates.

The chart displayed during his address listed the alleged prices of leaked papers, including ₹40 lakh for NEET UG 2026, ₹15 lakh each for IIT-JEE 2021 and Uttarakhand Patwari 2025, ₹10 lakh for the Bihar Teacher Recruitment 2024 examination, and ₹25 lakh for the Odisha Police Sub-Inspector 2025 exam.

"High technology being used for paper leaks; if you have crores, you can select from a menu card of paper leaks," Gandhi said.

The opposition leader also counted four kinds of injustices that the students are facing, according to him. "There are four types of injustices that you are facing. The first is the cost of education... The second is that 4 out of 5 doors are closed. The third is that out of 150 students, only one boy or girl can succeed. And the final and most appalling injustice is the 'paper leak'. The reality is that there isn't just one path; there are two. Our discussion today focuses on this issue: the paper leak. How do paper leaks happen, who is responsible, and what could be the proposed solutions?..."

The Congress MP alleged that repeated examination leaks reflect the state of India's education system.

"State of India's education system is such that paper leaks have become norm," Gandhi said.

He also displayed another graphic titled "Paper Leak Epidemic", which claimed that 7.5 crore students had been affected by 152 paper leak cases, while there had been no convictions.

Using another illustration labelled "System Par Kabza", Gandhi alleged that the problem extends across the examination ecosystem.

The graphic depicted different layers of the system, naming the ministry, NTA (exam agencies), vendors, paper setters, translators, printers and transporters, and coaching centres and exam centres.

"1% uses system, follows path of paper leak and hurts 99% others who are honest, poor," he added.

Demanding immediate relief for affected candidates, Gandhi said students who suffer because of paper leaks should receive protection and compensation.

"Students should be given protection; those suffering due to paper leaks must be compensated, immediate re-exam be held," he said.

Calling for sweeping reforms, Gandhi said the current examination framework is centred around the government rather than students.

"Today's exam system govt-centric; we want student-centric system, secured question banks, randomised question papers," he said.

He also argued that India's testing model has failed to keep pace with technological advancements.

"Current exam testing system is of 19th century, we must evolve a 21st century system," Gandhi said.

Gandhi said tackling paper leaks should not become a political issue and called for all parties to work together. "There can be political consensus on ending paper leaks which everyone must implement," he said.

Over 100 scientists quit Isro, govt steps in to tighten exit norms amid mass resignations: Reports

NEW DELHI, July 16: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has reportedly been hit by mass resignations with at least 100 scientists putting in their papers in recent months, prompting Centre to step in to tighten rules on voluntary exits and retirement, especially for those working on critical missions such as Gaganyaan.

Centre has directed Isro centres not to accept resignation or voluntary retirement requests from Group 'A' scientific and technical personnel associated with Gaganyaan and other key missions, according to an internal document issued on July 14, according to reports.

The memorandum further adds that all requests for resignation and retirement will now be referred to the Department of Space.

As per media reports, this move from the Centre comes after around 100 scientists submitted their resignations.

While the Department of Space has not officially disclosed the number of departures, a report stated that between 100 and 120 scientists may have resigned in recent months.

Nearly 80 scientists have left the UR Rao Satellite Centre (URSC) in Karnataka's Bengaluru, while around 20 departures have been reported from the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) in Kerala's Thiruvananthapuram, per the report. While sources confirmed 100 resignations, they added that the number could be around 120.

Acknowledging the mass resignations, ISRO chairman V Narayana said that the space organisation was prepared to deal with the departures.

"Yes, a lot of people go, but that's part of every organisation. The move [memorandum] isn't only to retain, but also to ensure that important projects don't suffer all of a sudden. But if someone is still going, someone else will take responsibility. We're taking care of it," he was quoted as saying.

'Theft is theft': Ram Temple Trust accepts Champat Rai's resignation

AYODHYA, July 6: Amid the ongoing Ram Mandir donation embezzlement controversy, the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Trust on Monday accepted the resignations of General Secretary Champat Rai and trustee Anil Mishra, saying the decision was taken in accordance with the trust's constitution.

Addressing a media briefing, Govind Giri said the resignations had been formally accepted. "Under the constitution of the trust, the resignation is considered accepted. We accepted the resignation," Giri said.

He added, "While accepting the resignation, we appreciated his contribution since the beginning."

The development comes amid allegations of irregularities in the counting of donations made to the Ram Mandir trust. Referring to the controversy, a trust member described the incident as "painful" and termed the alleged theft during donation counting as "shameful."

“It was painful to go through this,” Govind Giri said.

"It was shameful, this theft during the counting of the donation," he added.

The trust also announced organisational changes following the resignations. Krisha Mohan has been appointed as the interim general secretary, while Govind Giri will continue as the trust's treasurer.

Providing an update on the investigation, trust officials said another meeting has been scheduled for July 22, by which time they expect the Special Investigation Team (SIT) to submit its final report.

"We are again meeting on the 22nd. By that time we expect that the SIT's final report will be there," Giri said.

Emphasising accountability, he said the trust would not shield anyone found guilty.

"Theft is a theft. The SIT is doing its job. We also stress that all those who are accused—known or unknown—must be punished," he said.

There are eight people accused in the donation case and all of them have been arrested. They are: Ramashankar Yadav alias Tinnu, Anukalp Mishra, Avinash Shukla, Karunesh Pandey, Manish Yadav, Lavkush Mishra, Ramashankar Mishra, and Subhash Srivastava. Tinnu is reportedly considered a close of Champat Rai.

DDA plans major urban overhaul with 8-point development roadmap for Delhi

NEW DELHI, July 4: The Delhi Development Authority (DDA) is working on an eight-point development programme to transform Delhi into a sustainable and green city, with a focus on affordable housing, mobility, environment and heritage conservation, officials said on Saturday.

The roadmap was discussed at a recent meeting of the DDA's advisory council chaired by Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu, which reviewed gaps in the demand and supply of affordable housing, the proliferation of slums and Jhuggi Jhopri clusters and their relocation and rehabilitation, besides the long-pending regularisation and redevelopment of unauthorised colonies.

"The council adopted a four-pillar roadmap aimed at building a sustainable, green and liveable Delhi, with the Lieutenant Governor stressing the need for planned growth across housing, mobility, environment and heritage," an official said.

During the meeting, key urban challenges, including traffic congestion, pollution, urban flooding, heat islands, redevelopment of existing areas, planned development in land pooling and low-density zones, were also flagged.

"Critical issues like the deterioration of heritage structures and water shortages that need immediate intervention for orderly growth of the city were also discussed," official said further.'

Outlining the way forward, the LG said the vision rests on four key pillars.

"On environmental sustainability, the focus will be on achieving the highest per capita green cover in the country, developing vibrant riverfronts, and creating an interconnected green and blue infrastructure network across the city," he added.

For good quality living, the emphasis will be on strengthening disaster resilience, ensuring water security, and making roads safer for all users.

"To strengthen Delhi's economic and cultural identity, the plan envisages reviving business and trade by developing and redeveloping commercial markets and centres, creating modern logistics hubs, and leveraging the city's heritage as both an economic and cultural asset," the official said.

To operationalise the vision, the council was apprised of development plans across the city. These include Transit Oriented Development covering 207 square kilometres, while more than 200 sq km has been earmarked under Land Pooling Areas for planned expansion.

Developed residential areas currently span about 700 sq km, while low-density zones cover 150 sq km. A riverfront development project in Zone-O covering 100 sq km is also underway.

The redevelopment of the Old City is planned over 24 sq km, the Bungalow Zone extends across 31 sq km, and a 20 sq km High Density Corridor has been identified to channel growth along major transit routes as part of the interventions planned by the DDA.

Ram Temple donation case hurts devotees' faith, guilty must face severe punishment: RSS's Dattatreya Hosabale

NEW DELHI, July 3: RSS general secretary Dattatreya Hosabale on Friday said that the alleged theft of donations at the Ram temple in Ayodhya has "deeply hurt" the sentiments and faith of the entire society, and called for ensuring that anyone found guilty after the investigation faces severe punishment.

Asserting that "anti-Hindu and anti-national forces" are seeking to malign the Hindu dharma by exploiting "this unfortunate incident", Hosabale also called upon the entire Hindu society to display necessary patience and restraint during "this difficult moment" to thwart such "conspiracies".

"The unfortunate incident of theft in the donation boxes kept at the Shri Ram Lalla temple in Ayodhya has deeply hurt the sentiments and faith of the entire society and Ram devotees," the RSS second-in-command said in a statement on X.

"We are all extremely pained and angered by this event," he added.

Hosabale said it is natural for the entire Hindu society, including the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), to expect the Trust to treat this "highly condemnable" incident as an extraordinary matter and take effective steps to rectify all shortcomings in temple management and operations.

This is "crucial" to ensure that the faith and reverence of crores of Ram devotees in the Ayodhya temple remain unbroken and steadfast, he stressed.

Hosabale noted that "at the earnest request" of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, the Uttar Pradesh government constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) and initiated legal proceedings based on its recommendations.

It is "essential" to ensure that anyone found guilty after the investigation faces "severe punishment", he said, emphasising that the current "state of confusion and uncertainty" must end.

He added, "In this regard, we expect the temple management and the government-appointed SIT to take all necessary initiatives." He noted that the grand temple constructed at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi has become a centre of reverence, faith and devotion for the entire Hindu society owing to the struggles of generations and the dedication, sacrifice and "martyrdom" of crores of Rambhakts (devotees).

"We are confident that through proper financial management, flawless and transparent operational systems, and an atmosphere imbued with purity, sanctity and true 'dharmikta', the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust will continue to strengthen the faith and trust of the Hindu society," he said.

"The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh also calls upon the entire Hindu society to display necessary patience and restraint during this difficult moment, and to thwart the conspiracies of anti-Hindu and anti-national forces seeking to malign the Hindu dharma and society by exploiting this unfortunate incident," Hosabale added.

K.C. Venugopal writes to Modi, seeks Supreme Court-monitored probe into the Ram Mandir donation row

NEW DELHI, July 2: Stepping up the Congress’s attack over the alleged embezzlement of donations at the Ram temple in Ayodhya, party general secretary K.C. Venugopal on Thursday wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking an immediate Supreme Court-monitored probe into what he described as the “Chanda Chori mega scandal”.

In his letter, Venugopal alleged that the fraud involved “hundreds of crores” and amounted to a “monumental betrayal” of the Hindu faith, religion and way of life.

He also questioned the credibility of the Special Investigation Team (SIT) constituted by the Uttar Pradesh government, saying it appeared to be little more than an “eyewash”.

He further alleged that there was a growing apprehension that the investigation was being used to erase the remaining evidence while shielding the “big fish” behind the alleged multi-crore embezzlement.

“Lord Ram is revered as the embodiment of justice and righteousness. Allowing allegations of this nature to be buried, rather than impartially investigated, would be a profound injustice to his devotees and to the values he embodies,” Venugopal said.

“I am writing to you to express the deep anguish and outrage of millions of Indians regarding the shocking revelations of massive financial fraud, theft, and embezzlement of donations at the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya. The offerings made by ordinary citizens – who contributed their hard-earned life savings out of profound faith and reverence for Lord Ram – have been shamelessly looted, striking at the very sanctity of a place held sacred by millions,” he said.

Alleging that the preliminary investigation had exposed a highly organised racket operating “right under the nose” of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, Venugopal said the “systemic lapses at every level” suggested that the alleged loot had been enabled by institutional support.

“On one hand, the counting staff bypassed regular surveillance to siphon off bundles of cash and valuable jewellery on a daily basis; on the other, 7 to 8 months of crucial CCTV footage was deliberately destroyed to cover the tracks of this criminal enterprise. This clearly indicates that this loot goes beyond the work of a few rogue employees, and is a scam orchestrated with the complicity of the higher-ups instead,” he alleged.

Venugopal also claimed that complaints of embezzlement and theft were either ignored or actively suppressed. “Simultaneously, we are learning that complaints of embezzlement and theft were either ignored or actively suppressed. The Trust’s former Chief Accounts Officer, who flagged these systematic irregularities as early as 2020-21 and warned that unaccounted gold and silver ornaments were being spirited away, was unceremoniously removed from his duties instead of being heard,” he said.

Questioning the present investigation, the Congress leader said, so far only the ‘small fish’ – drivers, clerks, and outsourced cashiers – have been arrested, while the institutional support and chain of command that enabled the brazen loot remain untouched. “A state-appointed SIT is neither equipped nor institutionally independent to investigate individuals wielding immense political and institutional influence,” he said.

Venugopal said “this scandal” warrants the highest level of accountability because the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust is a public trust constituted by the Government of India in 2020.

“Its very creation took place under the direct supervision of the Government, and the land was vested in the Trust pursuant to the Supreme Court’s judgment,” he said, adding, “It is, therefore, the moral responsibility of the Government - and of you, as its head – to restore the faith of over 1.4 billion Indians in the Government’s intent and ability to safeguard donations and preserve the sanctity of an institution established in the name of Lord Ram.”

“Therefore, I strongly demand your immediate intervention in this matter to order a free and fair investigation by a high-level independent agency under the strict supervision of the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India,” Venugopal said.

Sharing the letter on X, the Congress leader said the “massive Chanda Chori” at the Ayodhya Ram Temple had shaken the nation. “This is way beyond an ordinary loot, it strikes at the heart of how faith is corrupted – first for political gain, and then for financial enrichment. I have written to the PM demanding an immediate Supreme Court-monitored investigation into this Chanda Chori mega scandal,” he said.

The alleged embezzlement came to light after an SIT constituted by the Uttar Pradesh government submitted its preliminary findings, following which an FIR was registered on June 25. Eight accused were subsequently arrested, and the police said nearly ₹80 lakh in cash, besides some foreign currency, had been recovered so far from six of them. The investigation is continuing.