Srinagar, Jan 16: Senior Superintendent of Police, Cyber Investigation Centre for Excellence (CICE), Ramesh Gupta on Thursday said that over 18,000 cyber fraud complaints were registered across India in 2025, including a significant number from Jammu and Kashmir.
He said that timely reporting remains the most effective tool for recovery of stolen funds.
Addressing a press conference in Srinagar, Gupta said that cyber fraudsters stole crores using online scams, impersonation, and fake investment offers but the timely reporting and swift action helped the authorities recover Rs 32.64 crore, nearly 18 percent of the total defrauded amount.
“The first few minutes after a cyber fraud are critical. If a complaint is lodged within the golden hour, the chances of freezing fraudulent transactions increase manifold,” Gupta said.
He urged the citizens to immediately call the national cybercrime helpline 1930 or report via https://cybercrime.gov.in.
Gupta highlighted a disturbing rise in so-called “digital arrest” scams, where victims receive fake calls claiming they are under police investigation or that narcotics were found in parcels sent in their name.
“There is no such thing as a ‘digital arrest’ in law. The moment someone claims this or demands money for bail or investigation, understand it’s a fraud. Disconnect the call and report it immediately,” he said.
He said scammers are increasingly exploiting human psychology and social media behaviour, studying online activity to target people looking for jobs, friendships, or investment opportunities.
“A hacker doesn’t hack your phone — he hacks your mind. They use social engineering to exploit emotions like fear, greed or trust," Gupta said.
The officer warned against fake online job portals, fraudulent investment groups on WhatsApp and Telegram and apps promising to double or triple money, noting that many such platforms use government officials’ photos to appear credible.
Gupta also revealed a surge in malware-based attacks, often spread through APK files or malicious QR codes disguised as legitimate offers like “free Wi-Fi for a week.”
“Do not click on suspicious links or install unknown applications. One click can hand over your phone access, bank details, and personal data to criminals,” he said.
The SSP advised citizens to regularly check for linked devices on WhatsApp, verify fake SIMs issued in their name through the government’s Sanchar Saathi portal, and avoid public charging ports due to “juice jacking” — where malware is installed through USB connections.
Explaining the importance of the 1930 helpline, Gupta said it was directly integrated with banks and financial institutions, enabling police to freeze fraudulent transactions in real time.
“Helpline 1930 is India’s cyber lifeline. As soon as a complaint is filed, we can put a lien on the fraudster’s account and save victims’ money within the golden hour,” he said.
The officer also urged people to make cyber safety a community movement, saying every citizen has a role in creating a “safe digital environment.”
“Cybercrime thrives on fear and hesitation. Awareness, vigilance, and prompt action are our strongest shields. Report immediately—don’t feel embarrassed,” Gupta said.
He said that CICE teams operate round-the-clock, coordinating with banks, tech platforms, and law enforcement agencies to trace criminals and block mule accounts used to launder stolen funds.
“As digitalisation grows, so does cybercrime. But informed citizens can turn the tide. Our aim is a digitally safe Jammu and Kashmir and a safer India,” Gupta added.
New Delhi, May 12: A massive protest organised by the National Students' Union of India (NSUI) broke out near the Shastri Bhawan on Tuesday, against the alleged paper leak in NEET-UG this year. The exam was held on May 3, following which allegations of paper leak surfaced, triggering investigations by the Rajasthan Special Operations Group (SOG) and central agencies. Earlier, the National Testing Agency (NTA) announced the cancellation of NEET-UG 2026, and said the examination will be re-conducted on dates to be notified separately. In a statement, the NTA said the decision was taken with the approval of the Government of India in the interest of maintaining transparency and preserving trust in the national examination system.
Srinagar, Feb 12: Jammu and Kashmir recorded over 15.48 lakh traffic violation cases in 2025, with authorities collecting more than Rs 34.17 crore as penalty under the Motor Vehicles Act, the Centre informed Parliament on Thursday. The information was shared in the Lok Sabha in response to a question raised by MP Janardan Singh Sigriwal. According to the official data, 15,48,525 challans were issued across the Union Territory in 2025, while the penalty amount recovered stood at Rs 34,17,36,740. The figures further show that in 2024, a total of 15,44,105 violations were registered with a penalty collection of around Rs 43.40 crore, while in 2023, 12,38,584 challans were issued and Rs 34.56 crore was collected. For the current year, till February 8, 2026, Jammu and Kashmir has recorded 1,63,531 traffic violation cases, with revenue collection of about Rs 2.11 crore. The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways stated that stricter penalties under the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, 2019 are aimed at ensuring better compliance and deterrence. It also said that traffic enforcement falls under the jurisdiction of States and Union Territories. The government has issued a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for electronic monitoring and is promoting technology-driven enforcement through Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras integrated with the VAHAN database. Awareness campaigns under the Sadak Suraksha Abhiyan are also being carried out to improve road safety.
New Delhi, Jan 25: The Dental Council of India (DCI) has directed all universities and dental colleges across the country to strictly ensure a minimum of 80 percent biometric attendance for Post Graduate students before allowing them to appear in examinations. The decision has been taken to curb absenteeism among postgraduate dental students. According to a circular issued by the Dental Council of India-a statutory body under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, the decision has been taken after multiple complaints were received from dental colleges in Rajasthan, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh regarding non-attendance of PG students. "The matter was examined by the Grievance Sub-Committee of the DCI in its meeting held on November 24, 2025," the circular reads. It reads that after detailed discussion and deliberation, the committee recommended that all universities and dental colleges must ensure compliance with Regulation 18(a)(i) of the DCI Master of Dental Surgery Course Regulations, 2017, which mandates at least 80 per cent attendance. "The recommendation of the Grievance Sub-Committee has been approved by the Executive Committee of the Dental Council of India through circulation and has now been formally communicated for information and necessary action," the circular reads. As per the circular, all the universities and dental colleges have been directed to ensure minimum 80 per cent biometric attendance of all PG students before permitting them to appear in examinations. The order, issued by Deputy Secretary Dental Council of India Mukesh Kumar, is expected to be implemented with immediate effect across the country.
Srinagar, Jan 8: Contractual faculty members working in government degree colleges of Jammu and Kashmir Higher Education Department (HED) have expressed strong resentment over what they term as a glaring disparity in salaries, demanding revision of their pay in line with University Grants Commission (UGC) norms and regularisation of their services. The faculty, many of whom hold PhDs and are qualified through NET, SET and JRF, said they have been denied UGC-recommended pay scales despite discharging academic responsibilities equivalent to their regular counterparts. âHundreds of highly qualified scholars have been pushed into silent suffering. For years, we have been assured that our pay revision is under consideration, but nothing has materialised so far,â said Dr Ishfaq Gowhar, a contractual faculty member. Earlier, Director Colleges J&K had acknowledged the legitimacy of the facultyâs demand, stating that while the issue was genuine, its implementation involved significant financial implications due to the large number of contractual appointments. âWe are aware that they deserve salary enhancement, but the number of contractual faculty is huge and it has financial implications,â he earlier said. Dr Gowhar pointed out that contractual lecturers, who form the backbone of the higher education system, continue to work on a fixed monthly honorarium of Rs 28,000, which has remained unchanged for nearly a decade. âThe irony is that a Class IV employee with a Class 10 qualification draws a salary exceeding Rs 50,000, while doctorate-holding teachers engaged in teaching, mentoring and academic research are paid a fraction of that,â he said. He added that institutions such as SKUAST-K, University of Kashmir and Islamic University of Science and Technology (IUST) have implemented revised UGC pay scales, but the Higher Education Department has failed to extend similar treatment to its contractual faculty. Dr Gowhar said the demand for âequal work, equal payâ gets prominently featured in election campaigns, raising hopes among contractual teachers. âPromises were made and slogans echoed during elections, but once the process ended, our voices were reduced to silence. Even meeting officials now feels impossible,â he said. He said contractual faculty were not seeking privileges but dignity, fairness and recognition for their service. The faculty appealed to the Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and the Education Minister to intervene and take concrete steps towards addressing their long-pending demands. âThis issue is not merely about salaries. It is about survival, justice and dignity in the classrooms of Jammu and Kashmir,â he said.
Srinagar, March 6: Around 17 candidates from Jammu and Kashmir have qualified the Civil Services Examination (CSE)-2025, the result for which was declared by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) on Friday. The commission recommended a total of 958 candidates for appointment to the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS), Indian Police Service (IPS) and various central services. Anuj Agnihotri, an MBBS graduate, has topped the civil services examination 2025, while Rajeshwari Suve M and Akansh Dhull have got the second and third ranks respectively. According to the official list released by the UPSC the 17 candidates from J&K who have figured in the final merit list include Suvan Sharma (Rank 148), Sugandha Gupta (207), Towseef Ganie (Rank 254), Ritika (Rank 456), Sooyash Shivam (Rank 572), Muneeb Parrah (Rank 581), Ghulam Din (Rank 683), Dwarka Gaadhi (Rank 721), Akash (Rank 747), Koh E Safa (Rank 763), Yasaar (Rank 811), Abhishek (Rank 820), Pankaj (Rank 856), Mohammad Ajaz (Rank 869), Azhar (Rank 886), Sarfraz (Rank 936), and Irfan (Rank 957). The results were declared after conducting the written examination in August 2025 followed by the personality tests (interviews) conducted between December 2025 and February 2026. As per the result notification issue by the UPSC, a total of 958 candidates have been recommended for appointment against 1087 vacancies reported by the government for the examination cycle. These include 180 vacancies in the IAS, 55 in the IFS, 150 in the IPS, 507 in Central Services Group A and 195 in Group B services. Of the total recommended candidates, 317 are from the general category, 104 from the economically weaker sections, 306 from other backward classes, 158 from scheduled castes and 73 from scheduled tribes. A consolidated reserve list of 258 candidates has also been published in accordance with the rules. The claims of recommended candidates regarding reservation categories will be subject to verification by the concerned authorities. The UPSC has stated that the candidature of 348 recommended candidates has been kept provisional, while the result of the two candidates has been kept withheld. The CSE is conducted annually in three stages- preliminary, Mains and interview by the UPSC to select officers of the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS) and Indian Police Service (IPS) among others. The civil services (preliminary) examination 2025 was conducted on May 25 of 2025. A total of 937876 candidates applied for this examination, out of which 5,76,793 actually appeared in the test. A total of 14,161 candidates qualified for appearance in the written (Main) examination which was held in August, 2025. Of these, 2736 candidates had qualified for the personality test (interview) of the examination. Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated the candidates who qualified the UPSC exam. "Congratulations to all those who have successfully cleared the Civil Services Examination, 2025. Their dedication, perseverance and hard work have led to this significant milestone. Wishing them the very best as they embark on a journey of serving the nation and fulfilling the aspirations of the people," PM Modi wrote on his official X handle. "To those who may not have secured the desired outcome in the Civil Services Examination, I understand that such moments can be difficult. However, this is only one step in a larger journey. Many opportunities lie ahead, both in future examinations and in the many avenues through which you can contribute to our nation. My best wishes for the road ahead," his post on X reads. UPSC chairman Ajay Kumar announced the declaration of the result and congratulated the candidates who qualified the exam. "Congrats to all successful candidates as you begin a career of service to the nation. For those who did not make it-the learning from this journey will guide you in the paths ahead," UPSC Chairman wrote in a post on X. Among the 17 candidates from J&K who qualified UPSC exam inlcude a visually impaired candidate Irfan Ahmad Lone, a resident of Manzpora in the Naidkhai area of Bandipora.
Jammu, Oct 25: The Pharmacy Council of India (PCI), New Delhi, in association with the Jammu and Kashmir Pharmacy Colleges Association, organised a programme to mark World Pharmacists Day and National Pharmacy Week 2026 on 25 October at SVNS Educational Charitable Trust, Sunderbani, District Rajouri, Jammu and Kashmir. The programme was conducted under the theme âSwasth Bharat: Combating Antimicrobial Resistanceâ, highlighting the importance of responsible antibiotic use and the role of pharmacists in strengthening public health. The programme brought together pharmacy educators, students, institutional representatives and members of the pharmacy fraternity to discuss the development of pharmacy education and the need to strengthen awareness about antimicrobial resistance (AMR). An AMR awareness rally was organised from Sunderbani Chowk to SVNS Charitable Trust to encourage responsible medicine use and educate the public about the risks associated with the misuse and overuse of antibiotics. Dr. Montu Kumar M. Patel, President of the Pharmacy Council of India, emphasised the importance of spreading awareness about antibiotics and antimicrobial resistance. He highlighted the need to promote the rational use of medicines and strengthen the role of pharmacists in educating communities about the dangers of taking antibiotics without appropriate medical advice. Discussions also focused on exploring opportunities for introducing additional pharmacy courses in Jammu and Kashmir to expand educational opportunities and support the professional development of students. Sushil Sudan, Central Council Member (Jammu and Kashmir), PCI, highlighted the need for reforms in pharmacy colleges across the Union Territory. Discussions centred on improving pharmacy education, addressing institutional challenges and strengthening the academic framework to support quality education and professional standards. The need to discuss and clarify matters concerning the examining authority for pharmacy institutions in Jammu and Kashmir was also highlighted as an important aspect of strengthening the education system. The programme featured an inaugural function, panel discussion, expert talks, student presentations, a poster presentation and a pharmacy quiz competition, providing a platform for knowledge-sharing and student engagement. Through this initiative, the Pharmacy Council of India reaffirmed the importance of quality pharmacy education, responsible antibiotic use and public awareness in building a healthier India. The programme aimed to encourage collaboration among pharmacy institutions and stakeholders to strengthen pharmacy education and promote the responsible use of medicines across Jammu and Kashmir.
Srinagar, Oct 16:Â Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has taken serious note of the alleged verbal abuse of a woman Jammu and Kashmir Administrative Service (JKAS) officer by a senior IAS officer and written to the Chief Secretary to ensure that she faces no retaliation, National Conference chief spokesperson Tanvir Sadiq said on Friday. In a post on X, MLAÂ Zadibal as per news agency Kashmir News Service (KNS) said, âAccountability must prevail, and no one should be allowed to misuse their position to intimidate or victimise others.â The development comes amid mounting criticism over a purported video showing a senior IAS officer allegedly abusing the woman officer during an official review meeting in Jammu and Kashmir. The incident has triggered demands for an impartial inquiry and accountability, with the JKAS fraternity and an employeesâ organisation calling for safeguards against any retaliatory action against the officer. Peopleâs Democratic Party (PDP) leader Iltija Mufti also condemned the alleged conduct and demanded immediate action against the officer. âHow dare you use such derogatory and demeaning language? Take your god complex and dirty slurs elsewhere. We will not tolerate this in Kashmir,â she said in a post on X. Mufti alleged that since 2019, KAS officers and competent Kashmiri IAS officers had been deliberately sidelined, claiming that local officers in the administration and police were being undermined and made subservient to officers from outside the Union Territory. Addressing Omar Abdullah and Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, she said the officer should be suspended immediately, arguing that the same standards should apply to senior officials as those applied to Kashmiri employees facing disciplinary action. Earlier, Srinagar MP Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi also criticised the alleged behaviour, accusing the senior bureaucrat of threatening the woman officerâs career after she sought to finish speaking during the meeting. Ruhullah called on the Lieutenant Governor and Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo to ensure that the woman officer was not victimised for standing up for herself. The senior IAS officer, Kumar Rajeev Ranjan, has reportedly suggested that the video could be âmorphed or AI-generatedâ. The authenticity of the footage has not been independently established. (KNS)
Jammu, Oct 12: The new Director General (DG) of Prosecution, of Jammu & Kashmir Sunita Kargotra Monday underscored the need to strengthen the prosecution system through professional excellence, institutional discipline, strengthening, accountability and effective coordination among Prosecutors across the Union Territory. In her maiden address to the Prosecutors of J&K UT after taking over as the DG, Sunita Kargotra emphasised the pivotal role of the Prosecution Department in the Criminal Justice Delivery System. The Director General said that the foremost objective of the Directorate would be to ensure effective, fair and legally sound prosecution, while upholding the rule of law and public confidence in the Justice System. She stressed that every Prosecutor must discharge his or her duties with integrity, diligence and a high degree of professional competence. Timely examination of Judgments and Court Orders, prompt legal action wherever warranted, effective case preparation and close coordination with investigating agencies/ Stakeholders were identified as important areas requiring sustained attention. The Director General also emphasised the need to foster a work culture founded on responsibility, merit and performance. She observed that officers, who take initiative, demonstrate leadership and complete assignments with dedication, even under challenging circumstances, deserve recognition and encouragement. Underscoring the importance of collective responsibility, she called upon senior officers to lead by example, mentor their colleagues and ensure that the Directorate functions as a cohesive and professionally driven institution. She further assured that genuine professional concerns and issues relating to the working conditions and welfare of Prosecutors would receive due consideration and would be taken up with the higher authorities for early consideration. Reaffirming the core principles governing Prosecution, Kargotra observed that the role of a Prosecutor extends beyond securing convictions and includes assisting the courts in the fair administration of Justice. She emphasised that independence, impartiality and adherence to law must remain the guiding principles of every Prosecutor. The Director General expressed confidence that, with the collective commitment and cooperation of all officers, the Prosecution Department would continue to strengthen its institutional capacity and contribute meaningfully to an effective, transparent and credible Criminal Justice System in J&K UT.
