KS News Desk
New Delhi, Nov 20 (IANS): Exhibitors and artisans at the 44th India International Trade Fair 2025 (IITF 2025) here are overwhelmed by the massive participation from visitors this year, as thousands visit Bharat Mandapam here to experience Indias diverse crafts, culture and innovations.
The fair, which began on November 14, has seen unusually high footfall across state pavilions and artisan stalls, giving small producers and traditional craftsmen a strong platform to showcase their work.
At the Gujarat Pavilion in Hall No. 4, the buzz is particularly strong. Shoppers crowd around displays of crystal stone rings, Kutchi brass and copper bells, and traditional textile art. For many artisans, this years event has been especially encouraging due to the extensive support extended by the government.
The government has provided us with excellent support this time. Weve been given free space at the Gujarat Pavilion, and even our travel expenses have been covered. Because of this, we can showcase our wares effectively, exhibitor Somabhai Rana told IANS. He has displayed handmade jewellery and craft items at his stall.
Another artisan from Kutch, Luharsai Razzaq, said visitors response has been exceptional.
The crowds are excellent this time. People understand and appreciate our work. The facilities provided by the government have benefited us greatly, he said, displaying his traditional copper and brass bells to visitors.
Beyond crafts and textiles, one of the biggest attractions this year is the Defence Pavilion, reopened after a decade. There is a section showcasing equipment used in Operation Sindoor that has become a particular point of attraction for attendees.
I feel very proud to be an Indianhats off to our Defence Forces! Bharat Mata Ki Jai, a visitor remarked.
The Jharkhand Pavilion is also popular with its theme of sustainability and green innovation. The states Forest, Environment and Climate Change Department has highlighted sisal (agave) products, highlighting how the hardy plant is reshaping rural livelihoods.
Visitors learn about sisals growing use in ropes, mats, bags, handicrafts, and its potential for bioethanol production, clean energy applications, and cosmetic uses. Its ability to thrive on barren land makes it a key tool for ecological restoration and climate-resilient farming.
With the fair running until November 27, footfall is expected to rise further.
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. “Hundreds 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,” said Dr Ishfaq Gowhar, a contractual faculty member. Earlier, Director Colleges J&K had acknowledged the legitimacy of the faculty’s demand, stating that while the issue was genuine, its implementation involved significant financial implications due to the large number of contractual appointments. “We are aware that they deserve salary enhancement, but the number of contractual faculty is huge and it has financial implications,” 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. “The 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,” 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 “equal work, equal pay” gets prominently featured in election campaigns, raising hopes among contractual teachers. “Promises were made and slogans echoed during elections, but once the process ended, our voices were reduced to silence. Even meeting officials now feels impossible,” 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. “This issue is not merely about salaries. It is about survival, justice and dignity in the classrooms of Jammu and Kashmir,” 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.
New Delhi, Oct 11: Stringent traffic restrictions remained in force across several parts of Delhi on Sunday for a second consecutive day as the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) renewed its call for protests demanding the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. According to a Delhi Traffic Police advisory, diversions were enforced from 6 am, with traffic movement to be affected around Jantar Mantar, Connaught Place, Mandi House, Patel Chowk and several other key intersections in Lutyens' Delhi. The restrictions come amid a security clampdown following announcement by CJP and prominent student organisations, including the Students' Federation of India (SFI) that protests would continue until their demands were met. The affected stretches include the Ashoka Road-Jantar Mantar Road roundabout, Tolstoy Marg-Janpath crossing, Jai Singh Road-Sansad Marg crossing, Rail Bhawan roundabout, Patel Chowk, Gol Dak Khana and several intersections around Connaught Place. Traffic movement is also likely to be affected at Mandi House, the Minto Road-Deen Dayal Upadhyay Marg junction, the Lodhi Road flyover, Neela Gumbad roundabout, the Samrat Hotel roundabout, the Sardar Patel Marg-Panchsheel Marg crossing and the underpasses beneath the Bhikaji Cama Place and Moti Bagh flyovers. At a press conference at HKS Surjeet Bhawan on Saturday, CJP leader Ajinkya Shinde said marches to Jantar Mantar would be held daily until Kumar was removed as chief election commissioner. Shinde also alleged that protesters, including Abhijeet Dipke, had been subjected to inhumane treatment by the Delhi Police during detention. Police said on Sunday that CJP leaders Dipke, Ranka and Das have been placed under preventive arrest and will be produced before the Executive Magistrate at Delhi Cantt Police Station on Sunday. SFI general secretary Srijan Bhattacharyya said students would hold peaceful demonstrations and that places where police barricades stopped them would become their protest sites. The traffic police have advised commuters to avoid non-essential travel and set aside additional time for journeys to railway stations, inter-state bus terminals and the airport, particularly when travelling through New Delhi and central Delhi. It said restrictions would be regulated or relaxed based on real-time assessments of the situation and urged commuters to follow updates on its official website and social media platforms.
Ahmedabad, Aug 18: Rashtriya Raksha University (RRU) has launched a week-long certificate course on Information Warfare to examine the role of perception, narratives and influence in contemporary security and conflict. The programme was inaugurated by the university’s School of Internal Security, Defence and Strategic Studies. Addressing the inaugural session online, Bihar Governor Lt Gen Syed Ata Hasnain (Retd.) spoke about information warfare as a continuous cognitive contest and highlighted the growing influence of social media and strategic communication. Hasnain discussed the “10 Cs” of strategic communication and said the impact of narratives can extend beyond individuals to wider sections of society. He also emphasised the changing nature of conflict, where information and perception increasingly form part of the security environment. The week-long course will cover psychological warfare, regional case studies, cyber operations, artificial intelligence, electronic warfare and social media. It is aimed at providing participants with an understanding of emerging informational and cognitive dimensions of conflict. The opening day also included sessions examining diplomacy and strategic communication in the global arena, providing participants with perspectives on the relationship between information, foreign policy and security. The programme is being organised as part of RRU’s academic and training initiatives in the fields of internal security, defence and strategic studies.
New Delhi, Jun 23: Every file represents the aspirations, concerns and lives of countless citizens, Prime Minister Narendra Modi told young IAS officers on Tuesday, while asking them to place people at the centre of every decision and ensure that governance remains empathetic, responsive and inclusive. Interacting with 183 officer trainees of the IAS-2024 batch, who have been attached as assistant secretaries in various ministries and departments here, the prime minister also said major developmental challenges cannot be solved in silos and effective coordination across departments is essential for achieving meaningful and lasting outcomes. He told the young civil servants to dedicate themselves to nation-building with a strong sense of purpose, innovation and citizen-centric governance, and urged them to always remember the human impact behind every administrative file. Modi said every file represents the aspirations, concerns and lives of countless citizens, according to an official statement. Stressing the mantra of "Nagrik Devo Bhava", the prime minister called upon the young officers to place citizens at the centre of every decision and ensure that governance remains empathetic, responsive and inclusive, the statement said. He urged them to constantly evaluate their own contribution towards nation-building and derive satisfaction not from positions held, but from measurable outcomes achieved. Modi said after two years of field exposure and administrative learning, the officers now stand at a crucial stage where their decisions will shape not just their own careers, but the future of crores of citizens. He emphasised that the real test of public service begins by handling real-life situations with integrity, sensitivity and commitment. Highlighting the vision of "Viksit Bharat 2047", Modi noted that every policy and administrative decision over the coming decades must contribute towards building a developed India. Calling for a whole-of-government approach, he stressed that the country's priorities today include "Aatmanirbhar Bharat", "Make in India", manufacturing growth, energy security and creating opportunities for youngsters. The prime minister underlined the transformation in governance over the last 10 years, noting that administration has moved from a process-centric model to a result-oriented approach. He cited the growing role of digital governance, artificial intelligence and technology in improving service delivery, enabling citizens to access services with ease and transparency. Emphasising the importance of data-driven governance, Modi said data must not be viewed merely as numbers, but as a reflection of the collective lives, challenges and aspirations of millions of people. He asked the officers to regularly verify whether policies are effectively translating into outcomes on the ground. The prime minister also highlighted the growing role of women in nation-building, noting that more than 40 per cent of the current batch comprises women officers. He expressed confidence that their energy, talent and dedication would play a pivotal role in taking India's development journey to new heights. The young officer trainees also shared their experiences from their field training and attachment in ministries. Union Minister Jitendra Singh, Principal Secretaries to the Prime Minister P K Mishra and Shaktikanta Das, Cabinet Secretary T V Somanathan, Director of the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration Sriram Taranikanti, among others, were present on the occasion.
