NEW DELHI: PM Narendra Modi has once again topped global popularity charts, securing 68% approval rating in the latest Morning Consult survey, reaffirming his position as the world’s most popular democratic leader.The US-based data analytics firm said 26% of respondents disapproved of Modi’s leadership, while 6% remained undecided. The ratings are based on a trailing…
NEW DELHI: India has tightened its digital security framework, mandating stricter compliance for telecom equipment, CCTV systems and data protection, amid heightened concerns over vulnerabilities in surveillance infrastructure and emerging espionage risks flagged by recent investigations.The move comes against the backdrop of long-standing concerns over the widespread use of imported CCTV equipment -particularly from Chinese…
NEW DELHI: Seeking to harness cutting-edge technology to offer foreign visitors a smoother visa and immigration experience, while also strengthening national security, the Union cabinet Wednesday approved continuation of the immigration, visa, foreigners registration and tracking (IVF-RT) scheme for a further five years until March 2031, with a Rs 1,800 crore outlay.Sources in the govt…
NEW DELHI: On a day Parliament put its stamp of approval on the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Bill 2026 amid demands from opposition MPs that the bill be referred to a standing committee for wider consultation, two National Council for Transgender Persons members from the community sent their resignation to the social justice minister…
SRINAGAR: PDP legislator Waheed Parra’s private member’s bill proposing the creation of 16 new districts in J&K and two additional divisions in Jammu, has come in for scathing criticism from governing NC as well as opposition BJP, who questioned the intent behind the proposed legislation.NC said the bill was a “deliberate attempt to arouse public…
SRINAGAR: The J&K administration has defended its order to ban 25 Kashmir-related books in a reply filed in high court Wednesday on a set of petitions challenging the order.Senior additional advocate general (AAG) Mohsin Qadri told TOI, “We have defended the decision to ban the books on grounds of state security and public order. They…
NEW DELHI: The Uttar Pradesh government has taken action against 26 engineers for alleged negligence in the implementation of the Jal Jeevan Mission, with 12 of them suspended, an official statement said Wednesday.The action follows complaints regarding the poor execution of works under the scheme aimed at providing tap water to every rural household. Officials…
NEW DELHI: Congress on Wednesday took a swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led central government for their remark that India does not see itself as a “dalaal” (broker) like Pakistan, questioning it’s past diplomatic outreach.Congress leader Pawan Khera, in a post on X, said, “Was India a ‘Broker Country’ when Modi was desperate to mediate…
NEW DELHI: The BJP on Wednesday named Ratna Debnath, mother of the RG Kar Medical College rape and murder victim, as its candidate from Panihati in its third list of nominees for the upcoming West Bengal Assembly elections, formally bringing the bereaved mother into the electoral fray.In a press release, the party said its Central…
NEW DELHI: The Election Commission has increased remuneration for presiding officers, polling staff, counting personnel, micro-observers, and other officials associated with the conduct of polls ahead of the assembly elections in five states, an official said on Wednesday.The official said the revised structure aims to ensure adequate compensation and incentivise staff working long and demanding…
